East Coast Creative CWTS (Creating With The Stars) 2014!

YEOW! I'm so excited for this seasons Creating With The Stars (CWTS) contest, and I'm thrilled to actually be one of the "stars" this year!!!

Muah? a "star!?"... with all of (looking up) THOSE fabulously talented people!?... pshh, okay, I'LL TAKE IT! Pinch me!

SNAP! Conference 2014 - You won't want to miss this!

Guys, I JUST realized how FAST the SNAP! conference is approaching, and I'm totally butterflies-in-my-stomach-excited about it!!!

SNAP! 2012 was awesome of course, because it was the first year that this dream conference, full of creative people and bloggers actually came together for Tauni and the team of us who had always dreamt of how great something like this could really be.

2013 was even MORE AMAZING, because we had tons of experience from the year before under our belts.

We were less worried about whether or not people would want to even show up, and so much more stoked about all the fun memories we KNEW we had to look forward to, as we were building each class, party and event for our attendees and sponsors!

Krylon ColorMaster Challenge - Complete!

Remember the Krylon ColorMaster Challenge in Ohio that I posted about a few weeks back?

Well... I'm happy to report, that with a LOT of team work, sand paper, painters tape and of course Krylon ColorMaster spray paint, we were able to complete the 24 projects in 24 hours that we had set out to accomplish!

If you followed along, then you know the entire 24 hour work load of projects was recorded live, and streamed on the Krylon ColorMaster web page. What I didn't know, is that not only would Jeff and Mark be chatting and working the entire time, for everyone to see, but so would us bloggers... and in about 100% humidity... it was CRAZY!!!

But no matter how hot or humid it got, I was just happy to have a great team on my side to get all of our projects for Habitat for Humanity done.

bloggers: Jen and Gail

The first day was a whirlwind of show planning, prep-work and getting to know each other. One of my most favorite, easy and quick projects I worked on that day was the re-purposed shutter mail organizer. You can get the complete, step-by-step plans for that project here. We used the Catalina Mist color on the shutter and along with Jade, it proves to be one of my all-time favorite spray painting shades yet.

Day two was packed with not only a bucket-load of work, trying to finish everything up on time, but tons of fun color, cool painting techniques and yes... even rain. ugh.

Just in case you don't know, when it's already 85% humidity and THEN it rains, turning it into literally 100% humidity... you CAN'T spray paint. If you do, then the paint won't cure and could possibly wrinkle and do all sorts of other crazy things to your project. So we waited and tried to keep busy, but those few hours where we couldn't do any spraying, were torture for us and our time limit!

Krylon ColorMaster Challenge: 24 Projects in 24 Hours

Every once in a while I get to adventure out from behind my computer to participate in some really neat blogging and brand events. It's got to be one of the awesomest parts about my job, I must say.

Not only is it great to meet people in the industry, but it's super cool to get to know more about the brands that our friends/readers use in their lives and home projects every day.

This week I'm honored, excited, and a lot nervous to attend and help with the ColorMaster 24 projects in 24 hours challenge with HGTV's "I Hate My Bath" host Jeff Devlin and Krylon spray paint brand.

During the challenge Jeff, Mark, Jen, Gail and I, will construct and hopefully finish a wide range of projects. Some are perfect for beginners, while others are geared more towards those hard-core weekend warriors. Everything from a personalized kid’s growth chart to a cabinet transformed into a bathroom vanity. We're also going to be showing viewers how to build a DIY dog house and even how to turn everyday bundt cake pans into light fixtures. Pretty crazy eh?

The Krylon ColorMaster Challenge goes both Friday, June 28 and Saturday, June 29, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. EST. At the end of day one, the challenge clock will stop and all hammers, sandpaper and cans of spray paint will not be touched again until the live broadcast resumes the following morning. No workin' straight through the night, like I normally do to wrap something up for a deadline. haha!

A Custom Dining Room Hutch & Pretty Little Pantry: Our DIY BloggerHouse Projects Revealed!

It's done, it's done, it's finally DONE! Our Parade of Homes DIY Blogger House is finished and ready for you to see! There is so much to show you and tell you, that I'm going to have to break it up in a few posts, so I thought I'd start off sharing the details from the spaces I worked on first. Beginning with my built-in dining room hutch!

The Jordan Valley Home & Garden Club

Today I wanted to share a little something great with you that's happening here in Utah. The Jordan Valley Conservation Park's Home and Garden Club!

DIY Blogger House Announcement & Breathing Space Retreat

As I mentioned before, this past weekend I had the opportunity to attend the Breathing Space Retreat at the oh-so-beautiful Daybreak Community, here in South Jordan Utah. Cason and I love EVERYTHING about this planned community. From the amazingly beautiful lake, to the walking trails and colorful homes... Daybreak has some serious eye-candy to offer.

The retreat this year was filled with fun hands-on workshops and classes. From cupcake decorating by The Sweet Tooth Fairy, to Style guidance from Becki at Whippy Cake and home decorating advice from award-winning designer Brian Clark.

photos via: Jenny K Photography

SNAP Conference 2012 - Recap

Snap-rific, Snap-tastic, HOLY-SNAP-OLY... it HAPPENED!

SNAP 2012 was a total success!!!

(If you can't tell from the picture of the SNAP team below)

:)

Photo: Kristen Duke Photography

Our Joss & Main Curator Collection is Live!

Remember last week when I told you about our exciting curator's collection event we put together over at Joss & Main, filled with lots of happy, colorful decor?...

Well, today's the day! Our event is live and I'm literally giddy with excitement!

The Twins Turn Six! & Utah Blogger Meet Up - YOU'RE Invited!

Oh my gosh... it really happened. My babies are 6 years old TODAY!

It only seems like yesterday, that I took this 5 year old picture of them in our living room, at the very same spot! I know I say this EVERY birthday, but I swear, time is just flying right by. It all goes so quickly. I'm so thankful for the power of photography, to help me remember them at each special stage.

Mercedes White Macarons & Classes - Available at Bijou Market 2011

How to make macarons class by Mercedes White

If you follow me on twitter or Instagram, then you are probably well aware that this past Saturday night I got together with some good friends for an AMAZING hands-on Macaron cookie baking class by Mercedes White from Mercedes Macarons.

Mercedes White & me. Thank you Elizabeth for the great photos.

Jen, Lara, Elizabeth, me, Amy, Amelia, Emily, Mercedes

Scentsy Headquarters - An Aroma Extravaganza!

A few weekends ago I was invited by the fabulous people at Scentsy to Meridian Idaho, for the ultimate Scentsy experience! I'm guessing that most of you know, but for those of you who don't... Scentsy is the industry's leader in the wickless candle and ceramic warmer business.

The Scentsy company is owned by the most amazingly down to earth, friendly couple, Orville and Heidi Thompson. Orville, being the entrepreneurial mastermind that he was, decided to buy the once tiny, home-based Scentsy business from two Utah Mom's and make it into the thriving, amazing product that it is now. As I learned from all of the amazing stories while on my trip, making Scentsy as successful as it is, was no easy task. It took tons of hard work, time and faith from the Thompson's family and friends to grow this business into what it is today. You can read the whole Scentsy story here. It's really good :)

THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT 2011

THE CREATIVE CONNECTION EVENT

I've been here this week in "Minne'soooda" at THE CREATIVE CONNECTION Event helping out as a social media correspondent and basking in the knowledge, creativity and sheer fabulous-ness of the ladies here. The classes have been fantastic, the decorations are top notch, and the food... well, it's just pretty!

(is it okay to describe food as "pretty"? ha!)

The Creative Connection Event

Happy Friday everyone! It's almost the weekend, ya hoo! I wanted to drop in to share something that you MUST know about!

A few weeks ago I was given the opportunity to head to the Creative Connection Event  that is coming up shortly here, September 16th - 18th, as part of the social media team, and I was THRILLED to accept!

If you're not familiar with this awesome event, it's a fantastically packed weekend full of creative classes, in Minneapolis. The event is thrown by the amazing Jo Packham from Where Woman Create Magazine.

Here is a more info about The CC event:

“Bringing together the creative process of handmade goods and food with the marketing savvy of business and social media, the second annual event will draw on the rich experience of over 100 industry experts, entrepreneurs, and authors. Hands-on workshops in cooking, knitting, sewing, jewelry making, crochet, creative writing, paper crafts, photography, food styling, book publishing, painting, baking, cheese making, canning, journaling, and more will be joined with social networking and business panels that focus on the practical details of setting up, running, and marketing a business and leveraging its impact through blogging and other social media.”

When I registered for my classes it seriously took me about 3 hours. ha!  There are so many crazy talented creative people that are coming to teach classes!

Alright, so great news:

The House of Smiths on My Craft Channel

Yay!  I can finally tell all of you some REALLY fun news today!

It has been in the works for a while now, and I've been bursting at the seems to let all of my readers know! Cason and I have teamed up with the oh-so-awesome Kristine McKay's production studio, and this fall we will be hosting our own little Home DIY show on mycraftchannel.com!

UTA TRAX Event for Mid-Jordan Lines

This past week I was invited by my good friend Tauni, (UTA's social media manager) to take a little VIP ride on the new UTA TRAX line, that now runs from Historical Gardner Village to Daybreak! Our family loves TRAX and we ride frequently to save on gas, here in SLC. So we were THRILLED to find out that these new stations were so close to being finished! Let me just say that Daybreak (where Grandma & Grandpa's house is) and Gardner Village (where some of the best shopping is) will now be two prime TRAX stops for us.

May Madness: What we've been up to!

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Creative Estates Conference 2011

 It's official.  I've been smiling so much the past few days, that my cheeks hurt. lol.

I'm still on a "Creative Estates high" and just can't seem to come down!

I had SO much fun!

I felt so empowered, being around THAT many talented, creative women.

I could share with you all, each and every detail that I loved about the conference in writing... but I'll spare you, and let the pictures do most of the talking.

Because you KNOW with about 200 bloggers in one place...

that there were pictures... LOTS, and LOTS of pictures :)

Here's a rundown of what all went on!

New York City Trip 2011 & Electrolux Kelly Ripa Chari-Tea Event

I've been getting requests to hear more about our fun trip to NYC, so I thought I would share way too many pictures, from our adventures!

We were SO lucky to be able to spend a few days in the city, all thanks to Electrolux!

They took care of all of our reservations, and transportation to and from wherever we needed to be.

And it was BEYOND nice to have my Nammy with me, to help with my kiddos too.

Nammy = Nanny/Mommy (only the BEST kind of childcare around!)

:)

We started out bright and early on Wednesday Morning.

The girls were SO excited to go on a plane, again.

At this point I hadn't told them anything else, besides the fact that we were flying.

I don't know about YOUR kids, but mine would have asked me a TRILLION questions about the "Tea Party" if I would have said anything, sooner then a few hours before the actual event occurred. LOL

So, I decided to hold off.

After a 5 hour plane ride (thank goodness for TV's in planes) we arrived in the Big City!

I learned a few things very quickly: