Have You Seen My Art Blog?

Happy new year! I just wanted to put a plug in for my art blog which can be accessed by clicking the link to the right. All the images shown are original works by ME! I hope you enjoy them!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!This year is going to be my first Christmas without one of my sisters here at the house:( Being the last child in the household has its perks, but nothing can outweigh the joy that comes Christmas morning when a sister wakes you up from deep slumber to go peek at the presents and go through the stockings hung by the artificial fire with care. It just kinda makes it harder to get excited about the occation. I am thankful though for the reason we celebrate Christmas; to remember the miraculous birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and to honor life. Truly His life brought life and peace to all the world. May the Lord bless you all this Christmas!

I AM SEWING

So this year I decided to make some Christmas gifts which require sewing. I did not post a picture of the projects because I don't want anyone peeking at their Christmas gift. You may not know, but I have avoided the sewing machine like the plague. If something needs sewing I prepare it and mom sews it. This is because of a long-standing feud between me and that machine. I do not remember one time I used it that it did not throw a fit and ruin my project (now we all know it was actually just ME, but that is beside the point:)). So, I decided I should patch up our relationship and give it another whirl. The projects are looking functional, but not beautiful. I learned how to sew on bias tape and I like it! So perhaps all is not lost. If you are blessed to receive one of these homemade gifts, please pretend like it is the most wonderful thing because I tried real hard. Thank you.

GINGERBREAD CHAMPIONS!

Yesterday evening was the annual ward Christmas party! I decided at about noon that I would be entering the gingerbread house contest. Mother said, "You better get going, 'cause it takes a long time!" So I got going, and six hours later this is what I had made, with much help from Mama. The deal was, I thought that I would not be able to have my house judged because it was an hour late, and I had fake votive candles inside and the rule is "all parts must be edible." But I put in all the work, so I brought it to the party anyway. The houses had not been judged yet, and I was not disqualified, and everyone got an award for one reason or another; but my award was for "Best Construction" with a note that it looks very nice, and that meant a lot to me. Come to find out, all those really cute gingerbread houses were made from kits!!! I made my own gingerbread, royal icing, and I made my windows using a sucker recipe I learned in 6th grade and the flickering light inside added a nice touch of warmth. Many people thought it was really awesome! We still have a lot of that ancient candy in the pantry so next year I will try to win the award for most candy used:)

100 Dreams

100 Dreams. I have been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish in life lately. I recently attended a conference through the company I work with called ILearningGlobal.tv, and I was amazed by what I found. I found my dreams to be extremely selfish. They go along these lines: earn enough money to start my own guitar shop, buy a HUGE piece of land in the Rockies, and live there in peace and happiness with my future family. Sounds nice, and I still want those things; however, as I met new people in the company I asked them what their dream was and each and every one of them was to help others in some capacity. One lady from Venezuela wants to help her people escape poverty through education and by providing technology to them so that they can eat every meal and maybe even live in a real house someday. Another lady wants to help 1 million people know that who they are makes a difference. Can you imagine the effect it will have when 1 million know that who they are makes a difference? Do you think they will act differently? I do, and I thought that was a great idea! So, I thought 'what can I do to make a positive impact in the world?' I decided, and now I am telling you so that you will hold me to it, to help 100 people achieve their dream. I am not sure how it will all go about, but I am committed to do what I can to help. I think this life will be a fun ride now! Dream BIG!

Living the Dream

So, I have been studying guitar building all summer hoping to get a job or apprenticeship with a semi-local custom builder. To make a long story short, I got it! I work for free and the hours I work, and the amount they would pay me, are credited toward the guitar that I will build for myself! This is an amazing opportunity. I have worked at the shop for two weeks now and really enjoy it a ton. There is something peacful about it. So, here is where I need some help. If you have a design that you think would look killer good on a guitar fingerboard and head, submit it to me. I will choose my favorite 3, and then post a vote on my blog. The winning design will be on my first guitar. The rough dimensions of the finger board are 1.66" x 18". The head is about 7" tall and 3" wide. Typical inlay materials include, but are not limited to, mother of pearl, abalone, wood, stone, etc. For some ideas of what color possibilities there are you can google Judy Threet, or Banjos by Renee. Happy designing and may the best one win! Also, if you have cool ideas for a brand name or logo, I am looking for those too!

Good Times

I went to the lake with some friends yesterday and I was able to go kneeboarding. That means that today I am paralyzed. No pain no gain,eh! It was totally awesome! The boat had a tower and a nice sized wake so I was able to catch the biggest air ever, probably 5-6 feet high and almost to the other side of the wake! It is so insane, I am still giddy about it.
Last weekend was the annual YSA Conference at Jone's Crossing. On Friday night we did karaoke and I sang a killer "Walk'n After Midnight" by Patsy Cline and received , perhaps, the most sincere cheer of the night! I thought this funny but awesome because I have had to work very hard for years to be able to sing on key. I recall family members yelling from across the house, "You're off key!!!" as if I couldn't tell:) The next day we had three classes about technology, flirting, and being part of a ward family. I love this activity because it seems to being everyone together and strengthen friendships. Even though I enjoyed being in singles wards, I am grateful I have the opportunity to be in a family ward.

OH YA!

MY BUFF PARENTS AT BRYCE

COUSIN SARAH LOFTUS WITH RYAN
AND CHRISTOPHER COX
HANGING LAKE!

The Great Escape!

I just returned from a great adventure! My parents and I headed north for my cousin Katherine's wedding! It was fun to see and visit family and friends again. Our journey took us to Bryce Canyon. We stayed in a little quaint cabin at Ruby's Inn and then hiked the Navajo and Queen's Garden trails the next day! Then we traveled to Utah Valley for the wedding festivities, which were exciting and fun! We figured we were so close to Amber's house in Wyoming that we had no choice but to visit her and Michael. We hiked Vedavuoo and looked around downtown Laramie. We all missed each other a bunch and enjoyed our short time together. Well, when we were that far north we figured it would take about the same amount of time to get home going through Denver as it would back through Utah, so we went south and hiked my hike of Hanging Lake! We made great time- and hour up and 30 minutes down! By the time we got there it was mid afternoon, so we were in shade the entire time and the lake looked different with shadows on it. We had a lovely visit at Grandma and Grandpa Hurst's house. We relaxed and played games such as Farkle and Croquet. I found a book, The Discourses of Brigham Young, with my great grandpa Henry Burrows' signiture in it! The book itself is nearly a hundred years old! Then we went home through New Mexico. We drove through a summer downpour of heavy rain and lightning in northern NM. It always rains when we drive through there! I got my first picture of lightning, which is posted on my art blog along with the prettiest pictures I took on this trip. By the end of the trip we were glad to be home. This trip has blessed me with a renewed ness to live better, and move forward in my life ("ness" is a word that I use that has no real meaning in the English language, but is a positive inner feeling)!

Summer Fun!

Summer has been fun so far. I went to Magic Mountain and was scared to DEATH by each ride. It was one of the most painful growing experiences in my life! Luckily my BFF's brother was there for...emotional support, which was very much appreciated. I have decided I never need to go there again, but I think I may be able to enjoy smaller roller coasters more in the future.
I've been swimming a lot! 110+degrees really makes me miss Denver's warm summer days, stormy afternoons, and cool, still nights. Mom and I escaped a few weeks ago when we went camping on the Rim. We fished for a few hours and caught nothing. Fortunately a floating fisherman who was catching lots of fish gave us some-it was what we had planned to eat for dinner, so it was a welcomed gift. Mom and I both cleaned our first fishes-nasty-and fried them with a hazelnut breading. Delicious!
OH! Check out my Art Blog. The link is just to the right under "Links."

This is a pretty picture from my campout. I went the next week just up the rim and there was still snow, but it was much lovelier weather.

In the past month I have stressed over my NCTRC national certification exam (which I passed), rejoiced over Baby Aubrey's baby blessing, decided I am not returning to my job next school year (sad day), dated a lot (hmm), and enjoyed spending time with my loved ones. Mom and I went hiking prior to her Grand Canyon adventure, which she lived to tell about! As soon as I left school on my last day, I went camping at Jones Crossing up on the Rim and enjoyed watching the snow fall. It rained too, so the snow did not last too long on the ground. I am currently working on a short film, "Attack of the Killer Tomato." We had an exceptionally odd tomato grow in our garden, so it became the soon to be star! I will post it as soon as I finish it!
I am currently looking for employment and enjoying my break from work. I plan on going many pretty places this summer. I hope to share the beauty of this earth with you through posting photos.
Love you all!

I know, it has been a while since my last post. So here you go! I went to my best friend's wedding in LA at the end of April. I enjoyed seeing her and her family again-we are quite good pals. The weather was perfect! The LA temple looks like a beautiful, huge, stone box with an angel Moroni on top. The reception was full of dancing and good times! Congratulations Allysa and Richard!

Day at Sajuaro Lake

For my Spring break there was one thing on my list that I wanted to do above all the others, to go kneeboarding. While I am still suffering the effects of this decision a week later with sore muscles, I still am glad I went. Last fall I learned how to get lots of air on my jumps, but hadn't landed one. Well, this time I nailed it and went on to do a few more jumps. When I say major air, I am talking like 3 to 4 feet from the water's surface. This may not sound like much, but for our old heavy kneeboard this is quite the accomplishment. Feel the burn! And I also got my super pretty lake hair look goin' on too!

St. Patti's Day

Happy St. Patti's Day! This year's feast of corned beef, cabbage and potatoes was delicious! I felt very Irish all day. Can you tell? Irish dinner was shared with my parents, and Courtney and Keith. We wore green plastic hats and tried to speak with Irish accents. If you have never tried corned beef, I recommend it. It is pickled beef brisket, so it tastes...different.
Truth is, our family's closest Irish heritage is from the 1700's. One day I hope to journey to the Mother Land and hopefully stay for a little while and hopefully get some more family history information.

Hanging Lake

This is my favorite hike ever! It is in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. The trick is to walk out on the log without falling in. This may prove difficult to nearly impossible, depending on who else is on the log with you. I plan on hiking this hike every summer for the rest of my life. If you want to join me, just halla'!

HOWDY DOOOO!

Hello Everyone! It seems like everyone I know with a blog is married and has kids. I have enjoyed looking at these blogs and seeing lives change. While I am not married or with child, I am a daughter, granddaughter, sister, auntie and friend.
My life is changing too, but at a slow pace. I work as a second grade teacher's aide at Noah Webster Basic School, so most of my awake-time is spent there. I refer to the second graders as my insanity and my joy. I have learned so much working in this position of our Lord's love for all his children and sometimes I feel that I am blessed to see them the way He does.
I have recently been gaining a re-interest in art. After so many years away from my art, I am finding it frustrating because many of my skills are not as sharp as they used to be. My attempts at regaining my talent have been in drawing and painting. I plan to post some of my works on this blog as soon as I can change them from a physical form to an electronic form. If you have any recommendations let me know!
Lubness