Painted Signs

I have just started tampering in the painted signs department.  It really intimidated me to use a stencil and make sure the paint didn't bleed under the vinyl.  But I have a few tricks that I tried that worked amazingly well for me!

I first designed my stencil in my Silhouette 

I then cut out the stencil on Oracle 651 vinyl (an outdoor vinyl that is stickier) and placed it accordingly on the pallet.  I then applied a thin coat of Mod Podge over the letters to seal the edges.  After that has dried, you want to paint with an almost dry foam stencil brush and use a dabbing motion until everything is painted.  (Stencil Brush like these)  Let the paint dry slightly before removing the vinyl stencil.

I made this circular sign the same way as above.  I did my design in my software and cut my stencil out to fit the sign.

 My wooden sign I used was the bottom of a whiskey barrel that had broken.  It was a little trickier to do this sign since I had to cut it in several pieces to fit this size of sign.

 Finished product!

What Fall Looks Like Around Here

I always enjoy the many things fall brings, and one of those is decorating!

Our mantel:

 I made this sign new this year.  Keep an eye out for details in the next blog post :)

 Our table centerpiece.  I through out last years rotting decorations in the garden and had an abundance of fun pumpkins and gourds that came back this year!

 Another sign I made using my Silhouette cutting machine.  That cute little owl is actually a salt shaker from Wal-Mart.

 Our front porch.  Another new addition to this years decor was a pallet I painted and used as a holder for the corn stalks.

This is an old whiskey barrel turned on its side.  There used to be quite a few more pumpkins and gourds in that basket until the puppies discovered them!

I stained a couple unfinished crates for the steps.

Our mums just ballooned this year!  I couldn't believe how big they got after we transplanted them this spring.

And of course, the coffee bar is back!

To see last year's fall decor, go HERE.

September Instagram

Where did September go?  It just flew by for us!

My office this evening.  #farmlife #farmerswife

Semi decals #creativetouchbykrystal

Loved having my mom here!  I always tend to find a project for her to help me with. #paintthekitchen

Life changing, fresh salsa making machine! #vidaliachopwizard #birthdaygift #thankyoumama

It's a hot dog roastin' in the fire pit kind of night.

Apple cider crew

I absolutely love getting pictures like this first thing in the morning! #adorableniece

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Busy September

We had some lovely Aussies visiting Labor Day weekend.  Jacob's aunt was a  part of a program when she was in college that she was able to spend about 10 months in Australia learning.  She lived with Malcolm's family for part of the time she was there.  We enjoyed getting to know them and learning about Australia! 

I spent many a afternoon and night with this as my view this month.

Mom and Dad came for a short visit and I put her perfectionism to work in my kitchen.

While Dad enjoyed relaxing.

We went to Branson for a few days with Jacob's family.

And visited Big Brutus on our way home.  It is the largest electric shovel in the world... Right here in Kansas.  Sounds exciting, doesn't it?  I assure you, us ladies were done LONG before the men.

We had the Sunday School boys over for a swimming party.  It was a little cool, but they insisted it wasn't too cold...

Some of them lasted a whole 3 minutes!

We were able to break in the fire pit when the evenings started getting chilly.

Harvest is starting now, so it will get busier before it slows down!  

August Instagram

I am so excited that September is here!  Fall is just around the corner!  The weather has already begun to feel like fall and I just can't get enough of it!

Much needed break on our run this afternoon.  He may just be my favorite running buddy now!

For the first time ever, my hubby offered to pack my lunch... I told him to surprise me because I HATE it when he does that to me for supper suggestions.  Well... he did what I told him! #mostrandomlunchever #hecanalwaysmakemesmile

Time for some swimming lessons.

Enjoyed the ranch rodeo with some friends.  What a fun night!

Eww!  No!  You just ate a roadkill mouse!  #onourrun #beautifulday

Loved having our cousins come visit us!  We had such a grand time catching up on life!

#creativetouchbykrystal

This is how I feel about hauling hay at 3:30 am.  #farmerswife #farmlife

My love <3

Busy Summer in Mostly Pictures

Gorgeous sunset.  I have decided of all the places I have lived... Kansas has the best sunsets.

Jake has been working on putting in a spring development in the pasture this summer.  Now we won't have to chop ice in the winter for the cattle!  Yay!

The latest addition to JFK Farms... meet Skipper, a border collie.

I was getting ready to go running one night, and Jake stopped me and said that if I waited a few minutes he would go on a walk with me.  Well, of course!  We got about .00425 miles (okay... maybe that's a little dramatic) down the road and he calmly said, "This is one of those times I wish I would have kept my mouth shut!"  So I had to take a picture in case it never happens again!

Friends over for pizza and a pool party.

Skipper got a swimming lesson.

Cool dudes!

JFK Farms Seed Cleaning has been super busy this summer.  We are so thankful!

Went to the fair and ranch rodeo with some friends.

Yes, I left this photo small for a reason :)

 Ranch hands all ready to rope and brand!

He loved it!

I froze a bunch of blueberries for my smoothies this winter.

We are looking forward to a safe and bountiful harvest in the next few months!