For the Mommas

Can you ever have too many bibs?  Well, maybe only when it's laundry day but otherwise, I know I like have drawers full of them (spreads out the laundry days...)  Reading around blog world - I ended up on Homemade by Jill - and if you haven't checked her out - go do it and come back...please.  :)  As fate would have it - the top tutorial (thankyou alphabetical order) was her bib tutorial.  Easy cheesey.

My sewing table happens to line up directly with my bin of "cute" (read - not in daily use) dishtowels.  And in that stack was KMart's Martha Stewart fruit set that I coveted for months until I finally gave in and paid way too much for them.  They're towels.  And they get dirty.  But I love them.  Which is also why they are in a bin and not under my sink....moving on.  In the name of things I have actually getting used - I thought they would make ADORABLE bibs.  Kids eat fruit - makes sense.

So I printed out the template, cut the towel while it was doubled over, sewed it inside out, flipped right side out, topstitched, added a snap (because I don't have white velcro handy and I'm trying to keep myself out of fabric stores this month), and voila.  I'm in love.  I can't wait to cut into the rest of the set.

This would be adorable with any cutesy set of dishtowels - and I may not be allowing myself in the fabric store but I'm pretty sure the dollar store is not necessarily off limits...just saying.  Or Target's dollar section might also get a visit shortly.  Plus, with all the scraps of fabric I have - maybe I should just pick up a bundle of washclothes and go to town.  The possibilites are endless!!  And these would make such a cute gift paired with a burp cloth!!   And be sure to check out the rest of that blog too - it's AWESOME!!

Waiting Game

LOOK WHAT MY NEIGHBORS FINALLY THREW OUT!!

This beauty has been sitting on their front porch for weeks and I've been SOOO tempted to walk over there and make an offer. Good thing I didn't - they finally put in on the side of the road!!!

As soon as the sun went down, and pepito was asleep, I went over all stealth mode and grabbed it. Seriously - it's sturdy and HEAVY.

Project wheels are turning.... (I'm leaning towards a bench on the screen porch - real furniture out there - oh my!)

....I don't even want to know what the hubs is going to say about this...

Tweet Tweet

I haven't joined Twitter. I still don't understand what it is... is that sad?

No - I found some brass birds at Salvation Army. I don't know why I don't stop in there more often - it's really close to my house - well, closer than Goodwill anyhow. Anyhow.

$1.50 for the set. Very sturdy. Probably could've left them brass - I again forgot a before picture... But they didn't begin nearly as cute as this one so I'm saying it's ok...

So - I lightly painted on a couple coats of gloss white spray paint that I had - and love. But then instant gratification got the better of me - and I touched them (moved them off the floor so the dogs didn't trample them) and in doing so - messed up the finish.

with one very light coat of paint

I spent the better part of the day soaking them in paint thinner and sandpapering off the paint. Luckily, I was able to get most of the bad paint off. Then I started from the beginning again and vowed not to touch them until I got back from class.

soaking in mineral spirits - this took hours

And, just so you know, there's a very good reason they say don't spray paint in an unventilated area. I was high as a kite when I walked into class this evening. I doubt that it helped me on the quiz, but I sure was happy to take it!

tweet tweet - their eyes look kinda mean don't they -

huh - didn't notice that before - oh well!

Turns out, after all that, I missed a couple spots but seriously, those will just have to be that way until it warms up and I can paint outside. Good enough for now and I still absolutely love them. Terrified of putting still barely tacky birds on our inherited console - I put them on a tray. I'll rework the whole thing tomorrow I am sure but after all my efforts I wanted to blog now!

She's Crafty

I'd like to think so - but I'm pretty sure the jury is still out on my crafty prowess...

I did, however, manage to complete my crafty corner redo in two days. Painted dresser and craft organizer board. HUMONGOUS difference!! Big plus for me since it's pretty much the first (and only) thing you see from the kitchen.

The dresser was a big red mess and now, after sanding and three coats of antique white semi gloss paint it is delightful. The finish probably leaves something to be desired - but it's good enough for me. Three coats is my limit. I hate painting.

I still want to paint little sayings that relate to the drawer contents on the front - but maybe chalkboard paint would be better - then I could always EASILY change the description. Good idea Meghan! Well, thank you self. haha

OOH - or if I could get mini chalkboards on sale - paint the frames green - ooh yes. Much better. Remind me to find those one day.

The craft board isn't quite done - but only because I can't figure out what else I need it for. I hung the baskets, picked up at IKEA for $1.99!, threw in all my glues, tapes, wire and scissors, and now I have no idea what I want it to hold. The dresser holds everything else so neatly that I am at a loss. Suggestions? Ideas?

(Aside - I'm also thinking about painting a giant R in the middle...because who doesn't love a pretty monogram?!)

It's too short to hold wrapping paper - that is in a bin in the corner. First drawer holds craft paints and excess materials. Ribbon is in baskets in the second drawer.Third drawer is pretty paper and stickers. Fourth drawer is cards, tissue paper, bags, etc. So - with all that - what should go on the board?

And finally - our "extra" dining chair - recovered with happy roosters. I probably meant to put the roosters facing out - but didn't notice until every single staple had been stapled and I screwed the seat back on. Yeah - need to pay a little more attention next time. Though, I'm not sure it REALLY matters. Love this fabric - makes me smile every time!

Now if we could just replace the nasty old carpet IMMEDIATELY...when will money grow on trees?

Attic Treasures

I went surfing in the attic Friday. It started out just to visit my bolts of fabric that I have stored up there, turned into a search for my art paper (which I still cannot find), discovered some frames that would be perfect for some botanical prints we have, and ended up finding what appears to be a panel of some sort for something in our house. I have absolutely no idea where this thing is supposed to be - but it just so happens to be the perfect size for over my craft dresser. Now I just have to decide which of the many functions it could hold would be most appropriate.

You're lucky I'm not showing the whole room - didn't realize what a disaster the "office" is - guess that's what I'll be working on while Sam is gone. Anyhow - the big black board is what I discovered in the attic and Sam says he doesn't know what it was for and I can have it. Sweet.

I've wanted a peg board all things crafty wall organizer for forever. So - it seems that doing this would make the most sense. I will obviously have to think a little bit about how to get the bins on the board since there are no peg holes - but that's just wandering around the hardware store and pondering...

I've had this magazine page on my inspiration corkboard for years! I think I've moved it twice!

What I really need to decide is - paint, fabric, chalkboard paint... And now that I've said it "out loud" - I think I am going to cover my monster corkboard in fabric - so that's out. And, while in the attic, I also discovered an old mirror that would be perfect for chalkboard paint - so that's out. (all these fun projects and not enough time!) Paint it is.

In an effort to NOT run and get spray paint, which would be so easy, I'm going to work with what we have. And we have A LOT of paint in the storage closet.

The office is painted Provence Blue, the fabrics I'm using in here are green, blue, yellow, and the kitchen, which is just off the office, is painted China Pattern Blue (super dark and bold - I love it!)

I could paint the frame Shagreen (our living room color), Colonial White (seriously the best white ever), Divine White (our hall color, but I think we also have it as a tinted primer) or China Pattern Blue (super dark and lovely).

Or - maybe a two tone paint job would be best. Hmmm... Definitely one of the whites in the center - depends on which one I decide to use on the craft dresser below it. Done. Now - I'm thinking the green for the outside frame. It's happy. I like it. I love it. I want some more of it. I try so hard.... I digress.

Well, actually, I think I might be done for the moment. Until I actually do this project - I suppose there's not too much to say. My hubs is in for Germany then Toronto for two weeks and pepito is going to be MIA with the grandparents for the next couple days - so needless to say, I am looking forward to a VERY quiet house. Perfect for projecting uninterrupted and studying. Boo to having to read 400 pages of Anatomy.

Catch ya on the flip side.

For the Moms and beyond

For Christmas we asked for formula. All you moms out there understand I am sure. The cost of formula is crippling our budget and since we don't "need" anything, Sam thought it would be wonderful if we were to receive months of supply. Our family rocks - we got almost 2 months of formula as gifts!!

and so it begins...

Some of the formula came in the form of cans, and not the plastic bins, and I just knew there had to be something I could do with them. An upcycle - is that the word everyone is using for this? - of sorts. Unfortunately I didn't inform Sam of my need to hold on to these cans soon enough and so some were lost. But I did manage to hold on to two of them. Enter my project.

don't judge the state of our ironing board...we're going to buy a new cover SOON! ;)

I already redid my "craft closet" by making a "craft dresser", but some of my supplies could be better contained. My first idea was to use scrapbook paper but the circumference of the cans was larger than 12" and I didn't want four seams. Second idea was to use - fabric -my favorite!! I have tons and had some scraps that would be perfect and I wouldn't have to cut into any large pieces of my favorites.

the home stretch...

I figured out the height and then just cut to the end of the piece knowing it would be too long but long is better than short! I pressed the hems on both and then plugged in the hot glue gun. Couple dots to get started and then started wrapping, dotting glue as I went along on top & bottom. Folded over the edge when I got back to the beginning, bead of glue to hold in place, and voila. New and improved container for paint brushes, scissors, glue sticks, tape, & sharpie pens. I really wish I had one more, might have to abandon the Sam's Club formula bin for one more can of Similac just once... I don't think Sam would approve though...we'll see.

one down, one to go

Anyhow - now if I could just find the time to repaint the dresser and the money for some shelves above the dresser and my little craft station will be in serious business! And it fulfills my need for all things fabric & sewing, since I'm supposed to be studying for two exams this week, without breaking out the sewing machine!

so much more fun than stuffed in a drawer.

Goodwill To All

After being seriously inspired by Bower Power that it might be possible that my Goodwill doesn't totally stink - I've been popping in maybe once a week. This week - I went with a $4 budget (that's the cash I had on hand). Which was kinda fun and kinda not. I had to turn down some "silver" platters that would've gone great with the ones I already have but I wanted all 5 and it that meant I would've had to break out the debit card... Oh well.

Wandering around though - I did find a lonely wall pedestal thing - I had no idea where in the world I was going to put it but it was speaking to me. At $2.32 - Yes please - I will take you home. It had some scratches, which I am sure that some Beeswax magic stuff will fix if I ever remember to do it, but it's perfect. I had considered painting it - but my hubs thought it was just fine the way it was. And turns out - he was right! It fits in right nicely in our hallway - perfectly actually - less than a 1/4" to spare. And - the little silver vases had become orphans after I redid the dining room console (AGAIN! I'll show you later!) and now I can see these much more often.

going to oh so cute when I get flowers - little happiness in the hallway!

My second little treasure didn't look like a treasure at all. In fact - it was a little creepy. I'm not sure I even understand why there are roman numerals all over this - but whatever. It was a cut size and I liked the little "hook" on the top and it occurred to me that the raw material to make a door sign for William's room would be more than $1.31 - so it came home with me as well. And since we already own TONS of paint - this was easy cheesey. Three coats of green because I didn't want to mess with primer, two coats on the dandelion, stencil the letters & one coat of brown. Done. And so cute. Even Sam likes it. Which means I did good.

see what I mean - what is going on with the roman numerals?

super cute!!!

I had originally thought to hang the sign with ribbon - but decided that banging on the nursery door would be bad, very bad. And it had a sawtooth on the back - so nail in the door and some of that sticky moldy type stuff on the two bottom corners and it's not going anywhere! No reason to wake up a sleeping baby because I wanted to make something cute!

More is More

There is very little that I love more than a large series of pictures all hung together. It makes me ridiculously happy. Seriously. Love. I was thinking last night that I am probably a more is more kind of person (unless you're talking about table surfaces and then I like them clean and useful). I would hang every single print and piece of art we own on the walls if I could make it work. As it is, I have probably hung more than my sweet husband really wants. I try to edit myself, but I think it's more fun to be surrounded by the things that make you most happy.

Our bedroom in the first house we bought - the prints are now in our kitchen hung as a set of 8

Southern Living

House Beautiful - LOVE THE DARK WALLS!!

Southern Living - y'all know this one - Erika from Urban Grace She's amazing!!

Now the point of this post was to show you our new "family" (ie - William) wall in our bedroom. I love family pictures everywhere - but Sam prefers them to be less OUT THERE!! (Someone has to be able to reign me in!) So, we compromised, what a good marriage we have :), and I get to hang all the pictures I want in our bedroom. And, seriously, there's nothing and no one cuter than my kid. I picked my favorite faces from the past 6 months, edited them in black and white, and sent the to Snapfish. (seriously - check them out - cheap cheap) 14 pictures are in my mailbox less than a week later. I practically stalked the mailman for this package - I was so excited!

Into the frames and off we go and here we are. Granted - I only bought 12 this first time around but at $3 a piece - I am just going to pick up two every time we grocery shop and then I'll have the rest I need.

And just for the record, and to get this post back on track and less about my kid, it was REALLY easy to hang all these. All you need is a level (and a tape measure for the first one to find the center) The frames were 12" wide, I wanted approximately a 2" gap between pictures - so I put a pencil mark every 14". And then did the same after going down 12.25" for the next row. Obviously this is really easy when the hangers on your pictures are all in the same place on the back, otherwise you have to measure individually and you will be braindead by the end of the day. Not that that has happened to me... ;)

I'm thinking I like the four rows - opinions anyone?

So - the whole project, to this point, has cost me $36 (plus tax) for the frames and $14ish (we had a gift card from buying Santa picture in December so we really only paid $4) for the pictures. Not too shabby for a wall I will spend hours staring at! Now to just take more pictures and buy more frames - it could go on forever!!!

In the Works

This is for William

This is for our bedroom!

I doubt there's a whole lot of mystery behind either one of these - but since I don't have the finish products yet - this is what there is. I am absolutely tickled about both though!