New Adventures In Painting!

Welcome to my new adventures in painting! Before I start let me say these are not perfect professional quality! These are my fun quality! I have never been able to draw very well but always like to try. A business here in town called Simply Yours does fun laid back painting classes. They tell you what to do and you pick out your colors and do it. (They explain step by step directions.) After taking the class I became hooked on painting! I find pictures on Pinterest and try to duplicate or add my own touch.  

This bird picture is the reason I am hooked! It was really very simple to do. Some ladies picked pinks, purples and blues for their sky but I was not brave to stray away from the original. (lol) 

Painting words is the hardest thing for me right now. I cant get the paint thick enough or letters straight enough and spaced right. But I am ok with all this being a beginner. 

I found a few pumpkins to try. I really like to paint these! I have not figured out the blending yet. Also, I did not have canvases so I just used the watercolor paper I had here. Its very thick. Then I was thinking maybe I could switch these out with the pictures I already have framed, hanging up. (That didn't work....The watercolor papers are bigger than an 8x10.)

This was my favorite! So many colors to layer. I don't really like waiting for one color to dry before I did the next part. Loved doing the spider webs and the spider. Lettering like this is alot easier than little thin letters for me. more fun also!

Not really sure how I feel about this one yet...I found this one on Etsy or Pinterest and thought I would try it. I like the Live Laugh Love, just not sure about the shading.

I am so happy how my "BOO" turned out. The feet were a little rough going with a 3 year old helper that doesn't stop moving. But she was so excited to help me out! Thanks to Husband for cutting out my candy corns for me. I like how they turned out. 

This was my first attempt at words...Not so great! (probably didn't help that I used yellow finger paint because that was what I had laying around.) 

This was the first attempt at painting a pumpkin. EVER! I was very happy with how it worked out. The lighter shades made it look like part is glowing. 

Another favorite! Wasn't sure how to do the shoes but they turned out. Thanks for hanging out and seeing all my new projects. The norm is "My crafty usually turns out crappy". But in this case, I am a proud lady! Watch my blog to see what other craziness I decide to try. 

 

Hello and Be*You*tiful afternoon to everyone! I am beyond excited to say that right now The Mattoon team for the Mattoon to Peoria run for St. Jude Children's Hospital and Research Center are $45 away from $71,000!!! Our goal is to reach $100,000 by August 1. That is only 31 days left can we do it? Can you help us? Each runner had to earn a minimum of $750 to participate in the run. This is a relay style run that covers about 130 miles in 2 days.

Here are a few facts from this years Mattoon team:
Team Mattoon by the numbers:
77 Runners
(20 Volunteers will make the trip too)
26 Runners are over $1000
21 additional Runners have made at least the minimum
11 other Runners are within $250 of the minimum
31 days til we launch

Finding Cures. Saving Children.

Here are a few facts about St. Jude and what they do:
 Did you know?

• Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food—because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
• Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation.
• St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade.
• St. Jude has helped increase the survival rates for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from 4% before opening in 1962 to 94% today.
• Because we have seen our patients with brain tumors improve dramatically through proton therapy, we are building the world’s first proton therapy center dedicated solely to treating children.
• St. Jude researchers and doctors have research and treatment programs for children with pediatric HIV and AIDS, as well as using new drugs and therapies to fight related infections.   

Please help me to help these children by donating to my Run Fund by clicking the link below (if that doesn't work you can copy and paste to your address bar). You have the easy part of Donating. I will do the hard part of running for those who can't!

http://peoriaruns.stjude.org/brianacisna

I have decided to sign up for the Mattoon to Peoria St. Jude Run. I AM NOT A RUNNER! For some reason God keeps calling me back to run again. I have coached Girls on the Run for 3 seasons and this coming fall will be my fourth. The first two seasons I was not super excited about. The third I was very excited about at the end and said yes immediately to a fourth! God has called me to running yet again for the Mattoon to Peoria Run. None of these are selfish, I just want to run for myself, projects. These are helping others and doing what I can, (or trying). Now God is calling me again to run. I have come across a running program online called Run For God( http://www.runforgod.com/ ). It incorporates training for a 5k and lessons about God. This is something I have not been able to get out of my head for a couple of weeks now. At this point I cannot even run more than 1 block. I have to be able to run 4 miles at a time in just a few weeks.  August 1 & 2 to be exact! I am definitely scared but I have a huge support team. My parents, Husband, my children friends from work and church family. I know God will pull me through this if he wants me to do it. I cannot wait to run for St. Jude.

Did you know?

• Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing and food—because all a family should worry about is helping their child live.
• Because the majority of St. Jude funding comes from individual contributors, St. Jude has the freedom to focus on what matters most – saving kids regardless of their financial situation.
• St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent in the next decade.

St. Jude won't stop until no child dies of cancer, and neither will I. Will you support me by making a donation?

Please help me by donating for my August 1 & 2, 2014 Mattoon to Peoria Run! 

http://peoriaruns.stjude.org/brianacisna

"Girls on the Run" creator Molly Barker is a 'Breakthrough Woman'

This woman Molly Barker is AMAZING and INSPIRING! I am so proud to be a Girls on the Run Coach!

There is so much Girls on the Run items out there. Pinterest has a ton! I keep finding more and more ideas on there. Program she has developed is also AMAZING! I love that it helps build self esteem and combat bullying. There are a lot of kids that don't always here the positives about themselves. If you have or know of a boy or girl from 3rd to 8th grade, you should check our Girls on the Run or Stride programs in your area!

Here are a few neat things I have found relating to Girls on the Run....

Those who volunteer to coach are super heros! They are empowering young girls everywhere. The girls are also super heros because they encourage others on their teams!

The back of the medal each girls gets for finishing the 5k. It is not a race. It's about achieving your goal to finish.

YES WE ARE!!!

I LOVE THIS!!!

TRUE STORY! THERE'S NOTHING LIKE RUNNING IN A TUTU! I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE OTHER REASONS!

JUST A LITTLE GIRL ART!

 OH BOY DO WE EVER LOVE IT!

 MOLLY BARKER! AMAZING! INSPIRING! EMPOWERING!

EVERY GIRL SHOULD WAKE UP TO THIS EACH DAY!

THIS IS A GREAT QUOTE. SOMETIMES HARD FOR EVEN ME TO REMEMBER!

Charity Miles app: If you’ve resolved to hit the gym this year or get outside, log your miles with this free app to cash in on your hard work. Simply choose a charity, open the app, and, as you walk, run, or bike, the app will donate money to your charity.

SOLEMATES IS ANOTHER GREAT ORGANIZATION THAT DONATES MONEY TO GIRLS ON THE RUN. A LOT OF FAMILIES DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR THEIR GIRL TO PARTICIPATE IN SPORTS. SOLEMATES RAISES MONEY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THOSE GIRLS TO PARTICIPATE.

Alot of Business From 2013

I haven't been able to login for over a year. I think my last post was from 12/12! But I am back and have a lot of catching up to do and will have new things to tell you about! I am super excited! Here is just a few things from 2013! 

No pool...No big deal! We just improvised! Elle had fun splashing and playing.

Husband took me on another date to see Justin Moore. I do believe he is my favorite!

(Husband and Justin Moore)

Cowgirl Elle. Looks to me she is practicing to be on a Most Wanted poster!

 I made a name block for my desk at school! AND it's reversible! 

Elle and Baily watching Husband clean squirrels. Too gross for me!

 My brother made these awesome boards!

This little bat was hanging on the side of a building. Diagnosis is a broken wing.

Guess who is a Girls on the Run Coach again! I am beyond excited! This was my 2nd season coaching and we are just about done with my 3rd!

I was so excited for my family to do this 5K! Baily, Kris and Elle's first 5K.

Saw these beautiful ladies on the 5K!

Elle and Daddy moving forward.

Our GOTR team wore capes so I made Elle a cape for a tribute to Granny.

I found a great picture from the photographer

of Elle getting her medal at the finish line.

 Elle's first coonhunting adventure! She was so excited and got to carry her very own flashlight!

Got to meet John Force this past summer. 

  Just a couple of my project signs for the yard. Contrary to popular belief, the wicked witch sign is only for Halloween. 

Amazing what you can make a wreath out of. Pizza box, yarn and plastic spider rings and little fishing line.

 Uncle Sylas Baily.

Kris as an old man.

Lol. Not too far off from reality.

Elle is practicing to be a bag lady.

Elle is

practicing

to be a

bag lady.

 Elle's patiently awaiting a ride in the combine with Justin.

    

I ran in to a wonderful music and band teacher at the play A Christmas Story.

Christmas 2013.

Elle posing in her Christmas dress. 

Santa sitting on Elle's lap telling her what he would like for Christmas.

 

 Winter 2013/2014

 Baily enjoying his snow ice cream.

.

Husband telling me not to take pictures of him eating snow ice cream.

 Elle is much enjoying hers. 

This is a little better pic. Thanks Husband!

I will take snow ice cream over real ice cream anytime! We made a few colors this year. Pink, Red, Blue and of course YELLOW! 

 

Elle likes to go to the doctor. She always has to try out the bed and all chairs in the room!

 Elle

enjoying

the snow!

  

 This is just a few pics from 2013 (and the winter of 2013/2014).