It's a heatwave....

When going through my pictures from 2013, I realized I had more pictures of other families than my own! With the convenience of our cell phone cameras, my "good"  camera just doesn't make an appearance very often. So when the kids begged to play outside today (37 degrees felt like a heatwave compared to our recent 10 degree days), I thought it was the perfect opportunity to snap some pics and not freeze to death! AND... I even got the little stinkers to stop and look at the camera a few times! 

A Little Over a Year....

These two pictures were taken a little over a year apart. I love to watch them grow.

 

Who's changed the most?

Busy Bee That's Me!

I've been a busy bee!

It's been a long time since I've hit the Pinterest site up for DIY ideas. I suppose I get a bit restless on these cold, gloomy days and search out things to keep me (and the kiddos) busy. I had lots of little odds and ends that I wanted to fix up but didn't have much $$$ to do it. Fortunately, in most cases all it took was a little fabric and ta-da it was much much cuter!  Unfortunately, I did ALL my projects in one day and am now "hunting" for more projects to do! ;-)

top row:
~An old chair with a ratty ole' leather seat just needed a little fabric with pizzazz to freshen it up!
~Not sure if I already posted this adorable letter frame I made for over Mya's bed with a CHEAP mirror from Ikea!   One of my favorite "accessories" in Mya's room!

middle row:
~Some cute pink polka dot fabric gave this "curb desk and chair" a new ultra adorbs girly look! That's right... I have NO shame in being a garbage picker!

bottom row:
~ I got this chalkboard idea from Pinterest. It is actually a large $24.99 frame from Ikea. You just chalkboard paint the backing board and you have a fabulous chalkboard. I think it's days of having my "positive" saying is limited. Mya is DYING to use it to color on with chalk!
~The middle picture took me almost a year to figure out.  I got this fabulous wooden frame at a sale I go to twice a year. The back of the frame is in pretty bad shape and the size of the frame is so odd that I couldn't get a picture printed to fit. I have been brainstorming for almost a year as to what to use it for. Tray? Frame? Mirror? I finally decided to cover a piece of foam board with some fabric for Luke's room. My initial thought was to put an "L" on it and hang over his bed. For now, I decided to hang some snapshots of our little guy on it! I'm kinda liking it this way for now!
~The last picture is my mini-me! Of course when Mommy is DIYing, Mya has to have a project to work on too!

Check it out!!

New post on rachelwiegmanphotography.blogspot.com Check it out!

New Blog!

So I've Been Thinking....

So I've been thinking, as my photography portfolio continues to grow, I need to have a blog strictly for posting pictures from my photo sessions. This way, interested 'future' clients have a place to see my work.  It will also be nice for all my "non-facebooker" friends to have a place to see what I've been working on!

So... check out my blog and add it to your list! 

rachelwiegmanphotography.blogspot.com

Spread the word! I'd love the business!

Jameson Turns 2... Photo Session at Heron Creek Forest Preserve

 

 

 

My Spray Paint Obsession

I have a current obsession and it's called SPRAY PAINT!

I had a some chairs that I wanted to paint for my kitchen but was unsure of the technique I wanted to use. I recently used Chalk Paint that everyone in the vintage/refurbishing/resale world is raving about. I must say I was a bit disappointed.  I knew I didn't want to go that route. After asking around a bit and considering my options, I decided to go with the ultra-simple and honestly a bit white-trash technique... Spray paint them. I was a little nervous but knew I had very little invested in my chairs. I discussed with the paint guy at Ace Hardware and decided to be even more "ballsy" and get a primer/paint mix! Crazy... I know! ;-)


I LOVE how they turned out!!!! FAST, EASY, and GORGEOUS!!! Off to search for my next spray paint project!







Before



My helper

Ta-da!

The chairs at the kids' table.  Can't remember if I posted about this chalkboard table??? The kids love it!


I've been looking for the perfect desk chair for our kitchen nook.  I wanted a chair that had a cushion I could recover and an interesting shape I could paint. My mom gave me the perfect chair she found for $6 at an antique store. LOVE. 

Back BEFORE

Front BEFORE

 

AFTER: I LOVE THIS CHAIR!!! The cushion turned out great too!!  

 

Other Side of the Camera...

I can say without a doubt, I prefer being behind the camera rather than in front of the camera.  From wardrobe obsessing to keeping the kids clean stressing, I can admit that I am so glad we only do this once a year!

We met our longtime photographer at an awesome farm in Schaumburg for a unique photo session! I got lots of cool ideas and she even gave me a few "pointers." 

Here are a few of my favs.... Mya was a great model as usual, Luke was surprisingly VERY cooperative and Matt was as handsome as ever! Love my family.

*** Business Plug... Now that it's nice out again, I am free to take family pics! I am CHEAP and easy! ;-) Spread the word!

Off to Cali...

Crickets....

Anyone still read this blog?

It's been forever since I've blogged. I just haven't really been feeling it. But, today we spent the morning with my brother and sister-in laws and nephew. They are off to start a new adventure in California in just a few weeks. We decided to get together for one last "hoorah" before they leave!

We met them on Northerly Island for a nature 'festival'. The kids were able to run around, catch butterflies (ummm... or beer bottles???), rock climb, hold tadpoles, and more! Then we headed to Taylor Street for some YUMMY italian beef sandwiches and Marios Italian Ice!!!

We love Eric, Amy, and Quentin! We will miss them a ton... but will see them soon!

Christmas in April

With the Christmas mini-session yesterday and the snow flurries this morning, it sure feels like Christmas!!! My friend, Jen, asked me to take a few pictures of her little China doll, Aubrey yesterday. It wasn't the usual spring pictures taken in April. Instead, it was a re-do of her wearing the Christmas dress given to her by her mother-in-law per her mother-in-law's request!

And, that's a wrap! Get me out of this horrible Christmas dress!