On November 24th, 2017 I found out my ultimate dream was coming true. In April, Aaron and I would welcome a daughter into our family. I can’t describe in words the joy I felt in that moment the ultrasound tech told me it was a girl. A thousand dreams flooded my mind…. little girl dresses, tea time and tiaras, tutu’s, pig tails, ponies, ballet slippers, mother daughter excursions like baking or going to the craft fair the list just goes on. The next day which happened to be Thanksgiving, I woke up feeling extra blessed. We were so excited to share the amazing news with our family on such a fitting day. The next week or so we spent living on cloud nine while imagining how our lives would soon change as we welcomed our daughter, Audrina Marie Rakow into the world.
Minnesotan Mom Blog
Mini Happy Mat
I just love this little happy mat so much that I wanted to share this with all the busy mamma’s out there. This new mini mat style comes in a shape that fits most highchairs. It’s also great for stuffing in the diaper bag and using for meal time on the go. It has a nice suction cup to the bottom so it stays in place. I can’t tell you how many times that has saved me dining at the restaurants. It also comes in a little resealable pouch for easy clean up. I take it out when I get home and pop it in my dishwasher. Looking to get one of your own? I got mine from Baby’s on Broadway in Little Falls, MN.
Let’s give a grand “hurray” for no more clanking bowls on the ground!
Mississippi River Trail Painting
I’ve always been one with an adventurous heart, and I like to explore. Especially places in Minnesota, the place I call home. My favorite part about living here is our lakes. Land of 10,000 lakes and there’s one around every corner. On top of that, we have the Mississippi River that runs directly through our state. At the center of our state, lies a hidden gem; the town of Little Falls. The Mississippi River Trail runs directly through this charming town so it’s a great place to bike to. It’s packed with historical places to visit such as Charles Lindbergh boyhood home, Camp Ripley and the Military Museum, and Linden Hills. There’s the Pine Grove Zoo and a ton of other things to do. When you head to town, stop in the Convention Visitors Bureau first and they can get you a pamphlet full of information.
Flower Painting – Relay for Life
Interested in owning one of my original artworks? This one will be up for grabs at this years Relay for Life event held in Little Falls, MN.
I did this painting with a beautiful vibrant purple background to represent the cancer survivor, and to celebrate the life of those affected by cancer.
Event Details
Morrison County Relay for Life
Date: Friday, July 21 – Saturday, July 22
5:30 pm – 3:00 am (7 p.m. walking)
Morrison County Fairgrounds, 15575 Hawthorn Rd., Little Falls
Morrison County Fairgrounds, 15575 Hawthorn Rd., Little Falls
Painting Class
Interested in attending one of my painting classes? If so, join me 5:30pm this Friday at the Old Creamery Quilt Shop located in Randall, Minnesota. Class is $30 dollars, and all materials are provided for you. So just bring yourself and a friend for some fun painting. Contact the creamery to save your spot.
Painted Trash Can
I’ve always been kind of eclectic in my style and love taking something kind of ugly and making it beautiful. Like these trash cans for example. These would be really cute in a whimsical garden.
Part 3 Girl Scrapbook
This is the 3rd scrapbook I created using the cute girl collection by Crate Paper. If you haven’t already seen part 1 of this scrapbook you can check it out here: Cute Girl Scrapbook. All three scrapbooks were made using the cute girl collection of paper, however I’ve also included bits and pieces from Maggie Holmes bloom collection.
I love the front cover of this mini album. The corners have been distressed with Tim Holtz ink and all the embellishments look 3D because they pop out from the page. There is so much cute packed into one little album. Check it out!
Our Family Scrapbook
This is probably one of my favorite scrapbooks of all time. I made this just before my maternity leave and then put Everett’s newborn photos in it just after that. This scrapbook has my most precious photos that were taken by my friend Lisa Sherwood. I’m very blessed that she was able to take his newborn photos because she is an amazing photographer. I love everything about this scrapbook!
I made this scrapbook using The Story of Our Family paper line by Echo Park. In addition, I used some chipboard pieces from the same collection. Much of the embellishments came from my large stock so it would be hard to point out every detail. I can however give some basic direction on how I made this book.
Fishing Buddies Mural
Here is one of my most recent works of art. It’s a mural done with acrylic paint on a wall measuring about 9ft by 12ft. You really get a good view of the mural from this angle pictured below. Nothing makes me happier than painting a large scale piece of art like this one. 
Restoring our Rainbow Playset
We are so excited to have this new addition to our house! It took a ton of sweat equity and a whole lot of love to bring this baby back to life.
We were able to purchase this used Rainbow Playset for a heck of a deal. It was however painted brick red and much of the paint was wasting away. Oh how I wish I would have saved a “before” photo so you could see how much it’s changed.
It took us about 3 days straight of stripping paint, sanding and staining but it was well worth the effort. Now when I look at this playset I can admire all our hard work. Here is how we did it . . .
tristarakow.com 