monday makeoveR>>>enjoy the jouRney.

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 today: enjoy the jouRney

This week's Monday Makeover is a little focus on 'my' makeover...with my running/training journey.  I've had lots of emails & messages with questions & comments.... And I wanted to blog about this huuuuge part of my life right now...so, if you are not interested in hearing it...by all means. don't read on. :)

I have had a major makeover in my 

mind. 

heart. 

body. 

& 

spirit.  

And I owe it all to running.  

As many of you know...I have been sick for a while.....& it is still tough going. Some days are better than others. And while I am still looking for the answers & wanting to be healed...it's a long process.

So, I had 2 choices. I could either 

1. wallow in my pain, sickness & self pity. 

or 

2. try to find something to take my mind off of the pain & sickness.  

Yes, I *was* feeling a bit better.. so, I decided I wanted to turn to running to get my mind off of my pain. I know...It sounds crazy.  But, whatever I've got...I feel WORSE if I don't exercise.  

So. I must. even if I have to grit my teeth through the pain for the first few miles....by mile 3 or so, I'm used to the pain & I start to enjoy it.  crazy...huh?

"How can you run when you are feeling sick?" This is one of the most asked questions I've been getting.  

Well. 

1 word. 

motivation.

I have to look for motivation all around me....

to get my shoes on. 

to get me out the door. 

to ignore the pain & realize I WILL feel better after my run.

So....in answer to the 2nd most asked question: "Where do you find your motivation & determination?"...I've forced myself to LOOK for the positive parts of running.

one. iLOVE motivational quotes.  Hence, I share a lot of the quotes I see on Twitter by Running Quotes & such...love them. they motivate me.  

But, one of the things that has totally helped me through this is the

Soul Restoration 2 class by Melody Ross. 

When I started the class, I had already made the goal of running a marathon, but the training (physical, mental & emotional) was going to be difficult...I knew this. So, SR2 helped me make a plan & with my art...really get through to what I really wanted. 

...Helped me ask some really important questions...

-WHAT did I really want to learn through this journey...

& 

-HOW can I get through this without giving up?

...making a plan, & STICKING WITH IT!!!!  

Thanks, Mel! Loved the course! it taught me so much!

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two. iLOVE motivational products. like Dailyologie. See that cute package up there? It's a pillow case...isn't that fab? It says: get up, put your smile on and run like the wind. 

adore. this.

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three. iLOVE motivational & inspirational views on my run...I have to drive about 10 minutes to a trail, but it's soooo worth it to me.  The natural beauty that surrounds me takes my mind off of my pain....& I sooo enjoy taking pictures of my runs & documenting my jouRney.

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four. iLOVE motivational tools like my iPhone.I really couldn't do it w/o it...love technology!

I love how I can use it for so many things during my run. 

Instagram= to take pix.

Pandora Radio= to listen to my running playlists.

RunKeeper= to track my time, mileage & pace.  and...of course, 

my iFitness belt to house my lil phone...i lovey!

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so....I have 18 more days until my marathon. 

I've completed the most difficult week in training...my training program had me ramping up the mileage to 20 miles...which I did on Saturday...& now for the next 3 weeks I taper down...gradually so that by the marathon...

I'm READY TO GO!  

I have to say...i felt better after my 20 miles than the 18 miler we did...I am now really excited about the marathon.

I've run 20 miles...& have trained hard...& now I have to trust my body & just 

enjoy my journey....

and...it's been quite a jouRney....one of THE hardest things I've ever done...every day is a struggle...but, I do try to stay positive & keep on going.  instead of wallowing in self pity..hee hee.

and...the thing I've loved the best is the POWER I've felt as I've pushed through this difficult training.  I heard these 4 simple words yesterday at church & it has stuck with me....really got my heart:

The Power of Becoming.

We all have it in us to become what we want to become....we just have to want it. do it. & become it.

so...here's to the power within US...to become better. become what & who we want to become. Today's the day...live it!

monday makeoveR>>>home

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 *sigh* 

Summer is over. 

We are back to school & I have mixed emotions.

I will miss the fun of the lazy Summer days with my kids...the sunshine. the water. the traveling.  

But, 

I am also looking forward to getting back into a schedule & welcome being home more.  While I do love traveling, it's always so nice to be home. 

just be.

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just be in my own bed. 

just be in my own kitchen. 

just be. 

with my family.  

*ahhhh* 

blissful. 

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and...enjoying making decor...fall is coming...& It's my fave. 

1. it's the Grand Opening of Rhonna DESIGNS. (if all goes as planned...Sept. 1 is the magical date...stay tuned to see new goodness & my new Creative Team!)

2. it's my marathon. so excited. so nervous. less than a month.  *breathe*

3. it's Spark. (October 21-22...parTAY!) and did you see the Artisan Market Vendors were announced? HEAVEN!

4. it's my birthday. (October 23- I'm not shy about my birthday..I LOVE it!)

5. it's Halloween. (one of my FAVE holidays...i LOVE to decorate & dress up)

6. it's Thanksgiving. (love the cripsness in the air, gratitude in our hearts & spending time with family)

then...before we know it Christmas is upon us...ahhh! time goes by so quickly...I can't believe it!

so...here's to enjoying every moment. of every day...because it's passing too quickly.

Happy Monday. Enjoy being home.

5 things.

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 5 of my favorite things as of right now:

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No. 1: Running. 

Running on the trails near my house...near the river...in the mountains.  I am on week 14 of my 18 week training...my marathon is coming quickly...& I'm taking one day at a time...enjoying my journey.  I tweeted this quote: 

A race time is just the final page of a book. It means very little without knowing the story leading up to it.

My story has been amazing. I've learned so much & I'm still learning every day.

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No. 2:  Make overs.  

I have been having fun...been busy & haven't shared all of my monday makeovers, but here's my wall tree I painted turquoise. love it! It's such a bright spot in my room now.

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No. 3: 

Good things happening to good people.  

One of my dearest friends, Margie, has joined one of my favorite companies: Bazzil.  She's going 'home'....Perfect! And, it makes me just so happy! Congrats, again, sweets!

No. 4: Spark. 

It's coming up....are you joining us? You will NOT want to miss it...seriously! We got together to SPark it up & make the handmade decorations that are so 'spark'....again: this year has a different vibe, different teachers...but more of the same honest to goodness Spark inspiration.  Even though I've not been as involved as I had in years past...I AM going to be there!  Margie & her team have done a GREAT job with it this year...I hope to see you there!

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No. 5: My new Creative Team 

has been notified & we are on our way to the Grand Opening of Rhonna DESIGNS store!!!! I was so overwhelmed with the entrants...thank you everyone!  I so wish I could have every single person on the team...

It's all about 'uplifting & inspiring'....

& each member of the team was selected with this in mind. 

When we announce the team, you will see that each one brings something different to the mission of Rhonna DESIGNS! love it! Be sure to go over to the official Facebook page & 'like' it! There will be lots of fun things going on during the Grand Opening!

ok...Summer is almost over...only a few days left before school starts...off to enjoy it with my kiddos! 

monday makeoveR>>>decorating with instagram photos

We are back from our vacations...

Summer is winding down & of course Back to School is on the mind... 

We've had such a GREAT Summer...

so many fun memories...enjoying each other & getting some sun...my fave!

But...as I tweeted the other day....one of my FAVE things has been the ability of taking pix on the go with my iPhone...& my FAVE app: instagram!  I tell ya...creativity at my fingertips...LOVE IT!!!

And....my NEW fave thing is: Postal Pix! You just upload your photos from Instagram & they print them off in the cute 4x4 format (complete with all of the fun filters & photo edges) & send them to you!!! So, I got a bunch of them in the mail & was sooo excited! I wanted to display & decorate with them.

Remember my vintage dictionary text backdrop I madeover? 

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Well....it was perfect for this little display of our Summer memories from my phone....Thank you Instagram & Postal Pix...marriage made in heaven!

 

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aaanndd...I think THESE pix will even be cute printed out...& hung up. scrapbooked. etc.

LOVE this fast, easy, clever way to take your pix on the go with some fun creativity!

Talk about feeling inspiRed!!!!

Happy Monday! 

Hope YOU are feeling uplifted & inspiRed!

remember....

And...don't forget about the NEW Rhonna DESIGNS team call that is open until Aug. 15th....just a few more days! The entries have been amazing!!! And, those that are accepted on the Design Team will be notified on Aug. 16th via email!  Thanks! 

monday makeoveR>>NEW site!

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As part of my Monday Makeover series...We are so excited to announce the makeover & 

Grand Opening of Rhonna DESIGNS- 

a place & home for 

'designs to uplift & inspire'.  

We'll be unveiling my new site in about a month....& I'm thrilled to put out the call for my 2011-2012 Design Team!

We are looking for bloggers, photographers, crafters, hybrid scrapbookers, digital scrapbookers & anyone who loves to create with my designs!

To apply, please email your info to: info@rhonnadesigns.com

We need to know:

1. What uplifts & inspiRes YOU? How do YOU use & create with Rhonna DESIGNS to uplift & inpspiRe others? ...and a little about yourself.

2. Your area of creating expertise: whether you are a blogger, photographer, crafter, hybrid scrapbooker or digital scrapbooker...LINK us to your gallery, blog, or anyplace to highlight YOUR creations!

3. DEADLINE: Aug. 15th. 2011.

We'll be notifying the Design Team members via email & announcing the NEW Rhonna DESIGNS design team at the Grand Opening!!!! So exciting...so, Happy MONDAY! & spread the word!

**ETA>>>> wow!!! thanks for the support & entries...so exciting! Go over to the official Rhonna DESIGNS Facebook page & LIKE it...there *will* be prizes at the Grand Opening! *wink*

monday makeoveR madness

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Ooooo....I'm struggling with this latest Monday Makeover I'm working on....I'm repainting a big hall tree from my Grandma & Granpa...it's been dark wood & not very 'me'....& I finally got the nerve up to PAINT it!!!! A little makeover will freshen it up...but,

I.

can't.

decide.

what.

color.

to.

paint.

it.

I've been gathering inspiration & pinning like crazy....

Source: adaanddarcy.blogspot.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

or this vibe:

Source: poppytalk.blogspot.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

I quite like this:

Source: lecourtier.tumblr.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

is this too much? *grin*

Source: pharaohs-furniture.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

or something subtle like this?

Source: countryliving.com via Rhonna on Pinterest

ok....help me...what would YOU do?

blue. green. yellow. pink. orange.

I want POW....help?

monday makeoveR>>>DIY Toilet Paper Roll art: honeycomb

Ok...so, I"m a little better than last week...at least today is Wednesday (not Thursday)...BUT>>>Blogger was down..so, now it IS Thursday! oy!

 

My Monday Makeover is only a few days late! LOL! But, it's fun stuff!

Lots going on over here....exciting things...so much to blog about, but I just don't have time! 

Today is my first born child's bday...wow! time flies. We are headed out to have some fun..& then off for a week!

So...before we got things going...I wanted to share how my thrifted-spray-painted-butterflies ended up on my bathroom wall collage...

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you likey? I LOVEY!


I was noticing a lot of hits on my 4th of July Toilet Paper Roll art from last year & it got me to thinking about how many rolls of TP everyone goes through...why not do another fun art with those millions of rolls?


and...since I was making over our bathroom...Toilet Paper Roll art was perfect for this room! *grin*


I love the way it turned out....

the spray painted butterflies.

the white card stock butterflies

the TP roll honeycomb

& the grey vinyl be. & bee image.

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Here's an Instragram shot of the shelf on the opposite wall....not very good..but, you get the picture. It just makes me smile...makeovers are always nice!
  When we get back, I'll take better photos...but, for now...thought you'd like to see! 

monday makeoveR>>>on Thursday.

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I do apologize....My monday turned into Thursday... this week has flown....I've been enjoying & celebrating every moment with my kids.

Monday: got a bit sick when I tried to introduce gluten back into my diet...so,

Tuesday: chilled all day...enjoyed each other's company & made memories. :)

Wednesday: getting ready for a big meeting. In my church I serve with the various congregations (we call them Wards) in our surrounding area (which we call a Stake) in a program for children called Primary. I am the President of the Stake Primary programs & oversee all the various Wards. It's truly one of my favorite things! But, when we have Conferences coming up...& I'm in charge...it takes a lot of work...I'm so happy to do it, but I do get wrapped up in it! LOL!

&...Today. Thursday...finally doing some makeover stuff I've been needing to do.

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A while ago, I thrifted these butterflies & knew I wanted to create a little wall collage in my bathroom...which has aqua walls...(my previous work of art was knocked off the wall & broke)....so...

working on this wall collage...how about this coming Monday, I actually SHOW you the make-over...ha ha!

enjoy today...& do it again tomorrow!

monday makeoveR>>>photo back-drop board

Happy Monday! 

We had a fantastic weekend...lots of family time, relaxing time & just enjoying each other...

Have I said lately how much i LOVE Summer? 

I LOVE having my kids home & just playing with them...We've been having so much fun....

So....this week's Monday Makeover is super simple, but I've been wanting to do it for quite a while...

I've had this random wooden board that I painted one side blue & when I take pictures for styling, I've used it as a backdrop...I've loved it, but on the other side, I wanted something with texture & character....

I have this large print vintage dictionary I got at a thrift store & I just ripped out a bunch of the pages & mod podged them onto the board..easy peasy...

 

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Not much...but enough that when I style things...I'm excited for just a hint of 'vintage coolness' in the backdrop of photos....

(frame from my fRame woRks digital kit found HERE.)

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See? Just a little makeover with a lot of *ka*pow*

....took me about 30 minutes...

It's funny how this has been in my mind to do for months...yet, it wasn't getting done.

It was time to stop procrastinating...take that 30 minutes...& get it done. 

I'm so glad I did.

So, what have you put off for a while...that you can just carve out 30 minutes & get it accomplished?

Time to get inspiRed...

ready? Set? GO!

Happy Monday!

...and...tomorrow I'll announce the 3 winners of the Go Bands! LOVED hearing your stories!

...just keep going...

monday makeoveR>>>DIY Fabric Flower/Ruffle Pillows

For today's Monday Makeover, I'm hoping these ideas uplift & inspire you!!!!

I wanted to show you how my pillow makeover turned out....I love them! A few weeks ago, I got this summer quilt for our bed....LOVE the color combo! grey, tan, white, cream, mustard....so FAB!

As I showed you HERE, I started doing some no-sew ruffles with the cool fabric glue gun technique! Sew Easy! *giggle*

So, I added those ruffles to the edge of the plain pillow shams I got that went with the quilt...Loved the effect.

I took the covers off of some square throw pillows I had & hot glued pins on the back of all of these fabric flowers I made using THIS tutorial.  So, I could just pin them into the pillow form...easy. cheap. & I LOVE how it turned out!

Pin ItThen, I grabbed some of my fave grey flowers from the Pink Paislee collection: Parisian Anthology that we did with House of 3....Pinned them on the pillow...& voila! A floral decorative pillow....agian...Easy peasy makeover!

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The middle pillow is a plain cream pillow I had & I just did the same technique to make the ruffles....& hot glued them on. It's simple & versatile enough, I have a feeling I'll be using this pillow for a long time to come...love it!

 

** all NO-SEW!** I just used the fabric hot glue gun...my best friend! *grin*

I am in the process of designing & YUDUing a burlap lumbar pillow to top off the whole look..but, I ran out of emulsion & have to burn still burn & yudu the design on the burlap.  So excited how the design turned out...I'll have to show you as soon as I'm done!

So...happy Monday!  It was so fun to makeover the pillows...what are YOU up to today?