{modkee} Jewelry by April Hackbarth

Break

2010-05-01T20:17:00.001-07:00

My shop is running low and my inventory is very sad right now. I am about a week and a half out from having a baby so things are not getting done as much as I want.

Hopefully after I get a handle on this having a newborn around, I will have a chance to get back into my studio to play and create!

Happy Spring!

the little fishing pro

2010-05-01T20:05:00.000-07:00

Here is my little seven year old fishing for Steelhead with her father in Challis, Id. Colby decided that he would make a special father daughter trip because she has been begging him to go. They had an amazing time and even more amazing is this steel head she caught all by her self! She got the hang of it and caught this tricky fish! I'm realizing that this is pretty impressive as many a fisherman try and sometimes never land a single salmon! She will remember this trip for a lifetime!

Great job Keeli! Great teacher Colby!

Happy New Year! Time to clean out drawers & organize. Crap.

2010-01-05T21:10:00.000-08:00

Well hello and thank you for not judging my messing house. I have been a real dud the last couple of months when it comes to cleaning my house and picking up after my kids. Man I was so sea sick and Tired! But things are looking up now. Oh! and I have a big announcement ~ It's a Girl! ~ We are very excited! Mason on the other hand had this to say after it really sunk in...

"Wait, then there will be 3 girls and only 2 boys, ...that's not fair!"

I thought that was pretty funny and Colby just shook his head and agreed and noted that they were in big trouble now because they are outnumbered.

So here is a photo from right before Christmas day, we had so much fun making a gingerbread house. I didn't get very good photographs on Christmas Day of the kids because I was busy being so sick with a cold flu!

The kids got to hang out with cousins in November and December, here are some best cousins photos from Thanksgiving.

Well I guess that I will get back to organizing and trying to fluff the nest. I will share some new photos that I stayed up till 2:00 in the morning last night taking of my pendants and charms. Sadly, even with my light box I still had to manipulate the photos to an extent that anyone that knows anything about real photography is probably croaking over right now! Well I gave it my best shot and they are starting to head in the general direction that I am wanting ~style wise. So here they are~

~and have a Lovely and freshly organized New Year!

baby oh baby

2009-12-14T18:22:00.000-08:00

Wow, I look at this photo of my son from 4 years ago and I can't believe how quickly they grow up... Well I guess it is time to have another one! **eek** Yes, I am pregnant with my 3rd baby and we get to find out what the gender is this Wednesday. We are so excited! The baby is due on May 20th and I am actually thinking that is the perfect time to have a newborn. Things will be finally getting warm and sunny! I can't believe that I will have 3 kids, I think that I need a bigger car.

focus

2009-09-03T21:36:00.000-07:00

Can you see the focus? The drive? I am concentrating on organizing and focusing my attention to the things that are bothering me most right now. Nothing serious or a big deal, I am just ready to simplify and make life as enjoyable as I can. I have made the mistake the last couple of years of stressing over things that in the end are really not very important. Life is so short and cannot be spent stressing. I think I am feeling a renewed sense of finding joy in the little things from the passing of a friend. Jenny's laughter was infectious and she always had the time to make everyone around her happy and feel loved. I posted the photo above because I knew that if Jenny saw that she would laugh as she liked to be silly too! Jenny was my mom's dear friend and she will be missed dearly.

camping

2009-09-03T21:13:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had the chance to go to the Perrenoud family reunion and we had so much fun with the kids. We stayed at Rock Creek Girls Camp in St. Anthony. We got to stay in an A-shaped cabin. I had a really nice time seeing family and letting the kids just run like crazy and play.

Keeli was a little fish and played in the pool all day Saturday. I got in for a brief moment and quickly got out. Mountain pools just don't ever get warm, even in August.

There was even a Sasqwatch sighting!

Mason and Sarge. Sarge is so good with Mason.

Mason going fishing on the hidden bridge that quickly became the kids "hide-out" and "fort".

Ashlee, Me, Mason and Keeli. Sarge was quick to jump in to our nice little pose!

We had a really great time and I am so grateful that my extended family makes the effort to get together each year. It really is a blessing to re-connect and to be able to have my kids make friendships with cousins and get to know everyone!

the ranch

2009-09-03T20:10:00.000-07:00

So here are the wheat fields looking thick and golden yellow. I found a nice little thistle at the edge of the field and decided that even though it is a painfully thorny weed and it spreads quickly, it is very beautiful in it's own way. Maybe I like it because I always cry at the funeral scene in Braveheart.

A view from the cabin....

The most charming barn on the property....

My Man working on the combine. He would say "wrenching" as that is what he seems to do so much of the time beforehand to keep everything running smoothly during harvest.

Apparently these machines are fairly dangerous. Good thing for graphic stickers.

My Little Man checking out the super size tires, and of course to help dad if he needs any help.

Keeli and Sarge, best buds. Thank goodness for Sarge, he is such a good dog.

so cute camera straps

2009-08-30T20:30:00.000-07:00

My sister-in-law has opened a new etsy store! Her store name is Mama's Boutique and she has beautiful camera straps to add to your slr camera to give it more style and comfort. Check them out here:

www.mamasboutique1.etsy.com

my sissypoo, well one of them anyways....

2009-08-13T19:11:00.001-07:00

How cool is my sister? She takes crazy photos like this and always looks so cool. She is one of the most unique people I know. She has great taste, well most of the time. There was that one time I got rid of a really ugly lamp that has been around for decades and she wanted to keep it! That is the one exception. Other than that, she is a great photographer, artist, friend and sister. I love her.

And she is the only person alive that truly understands my complete love of "Pride and Prejudice." Especially the Joe Wright directed film.

i like routine...

2009-08-11T15:40:00.000-07:00

Well I registered my Keeli for the 2nd grade today. I am sad to see her going back to school but excited at the same time. Routine is the name of the game when she is in school and I accomplish so much in that time while she is off learning!

Here are some pieces that I photographed on blue and I think that I like the way they turned out. I also love the ctr pendant in white!

I also had to get a shot of Mason with the camera. He just hangs out and plays with his toys in the studio.

modkee.com

2009-04-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

well, I did it. Finally, I have cast some of my jewelry in pewter and now have the end product that I really wanted! The castings have come out perfectly and I have been able to polish them up to a brilliant silver! I am so excited to finally be to the point with this "project" because I figured out the kinks and struggles of how to do it successfully. I am at a new starting point I suppose, but when I look back to my earlier days of sculpting I realize how really far I've come! You can see the pendants and charms at: www.modkee.com or click on one of the links below.

www.modkee.com

www.aprilhackbarth.com

Some of my Favorites from Etsy

2008-09-30T15:47:00.000-07:00

hello fall

2008-09-09T15:07:00.000-07:00

I had to get a photograph of my chillins in the wheat field at the ranch. They were so happy to go frolick out in the field. Keeli is completely intrigued by a head of wheat and likes to pop out a single grain and eat them up individually. We love to read the story "The Little Red Hen" and talk about having them help me make some yummy bread!
I am so happy that Colby has almost finished the harvest. I am not used to having him gone so much. I'm starting to get the suspicion that "Harvest" is going to drag out some now that bow hunting season has started and there are lots of little elkies up there at the ranch..... hmmm..... yah, I am definately positive. Ladies..., Is it time for a shopping spree?

Grand Folks

2008-08-27T13:16:00.000-07:00

My Grandma and Grandpa. Aren't they the cutest? And the best sports ever??? My favorite part is my cousin pointing at grandpa laughing at his picture!

My Dad

2008-08-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I have another silly photo to share. This is my dad and this picture cracks me up. I am at a total loss of words and my stomach hurts really bad from looking at all these pictures of everyone. Don't worry, yours may be next.....

Helena, Montana

2008-08-13T10:07:00.000-07:00

So we finally have our storage units built in Helena and Vernal. They are so beautiful, aren't they? No, I don't think you can really make storage units beautiful! ~well I tried to doctor up this photo to make it look attractive for my flyer. Colby has been planning for these babies for quite some time. It is really exciting for us to see tangible buildings up and ready to go. yah!

Lava Hot Springs

2008-07-28T18:23:00.000-07:00

We had fun camping this weekend. I thought that I had forgotten my camera and then I found it late Saturday night. This was my favorite photo.

My Bro

2008-07-22T21:53:00.000-07:00

Okay so this photo goes way back to last fall but it is a classic. My brother is quite the good-lookin guy but these photos make him look so funny! My daughter is quite the little cone head. Isn't public humiliation so much fun??!! Ok, okay, so if you let me post a few more, I promise I will post a really bad one of myself.....someday.....

Say What???

2008-07-18T20:52:00.000-07:00

This is my sweet baby boy learning how to talk.

The Incredibles

2008-07-18T20:42:00.000-07:00

Hello Mrs. Incredible! (aka "Janeal" ) This photo is hilarious! I can't believe how much it makes me laugh each time I see it. What I really can't believe is that you didn't delete it from my computer when you had the chance! Don't worry everyone else, your day will come soon also! (dark, sinister laughter) ha ha ha ha ha!

3rd Cast

2008-07-15T10:49:00.000-07:00

I don't know how he does it. Once, twice and then 'Fish on". His little crowd is always wowed and amazed at his swift ability to pull fine looking specimans like this one from the water. We were on the banks of the mighty south fork of the Snake River in Swan Valley, Idaho over the holiday weekend. Isn't my husband so cute? Farmer tan (literally) and all?

Silly Eyes

2008-07-13T20:16:00.001-07:00

My kids got on my computer the other day and opened up the program photobooth and took this picture of themselves. It was pretty funny seeing this without expecting it. The great thing is this program has saved many a people's silly photos which I believe I will begin posting in the future......beware family......I have some pretty bad ones........lol!

modkee jewelry

2008-07-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Zoo

2008-07-11T17:50:00.000-07:00

Janeal and I took the kids to the zoo last week. It was just a quick trip but the kids had fun. It is amazing that each time you go you seem to see different animals more active than the others. One thing you can count on everytime is the stink that comes from the monkeys and the penguins!

Keeli & Mason

2008-06-12T20:39:00.000-07:00

I can't believe how quickly my kids are growing up. They were so good to take these photos for me. This one was the first that I took and turned out the best. Mason is talking so much and has such a cute little personality. He is quickly picking up on his sisters silly mannerisms. Oh, and of course her fiesty side too.

Dang Dog

2008-05-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

So my new dog who we got when he was more than a couple of months old...is a real wise guy this weekend. So far he has been very well mannered and minds really good. But, here is a picture of my sweet Sargent Pepper "Sarge" for short, chilling on my back deck, lounging on my patio furniture when I came home from church. ---But oh, of course I don't let my dog run free and wild, he climbed out of his 6 foot tall fenced kennel and escaped! Apparently he has figured out how to wedge himself between the corners and the dog house and shimmy over the top, plunging to certain freedom. I would have figured him long gone to run with the other wild and free spirits, but to my complete surprise I find the truly devoted dog waiting patiently out back, waiting for us to get home! What a loyal friend.

2008-05-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

Okay, here goes. I will now blog with the rest. Funny how you have so much to say, yet when it comes right down to it, sometimes listening (or reading someone else's blog) is so much more interesting at the moment.....