Creative outlet

I do not consider myself to be artistic. But I do love a fun project every now and then. It seems like it has been awhile since I have done a fun project and I needed a little outlet. 

About a year ago I found this adorable hand painted bangle. Unfortunately it was $60. I do not trust myself enough to paint letters onto anything so I just kept the idea in the back of my mind. I did but a wooden bangle from Hobby Lobby for a couple dollars in preparation for doing something similar. 

A few weeks ago I ordered a monogrammed sticker kit off Groopdealz for my iphone. It had 2 circle monogrammed circles and one strip that was meant for wrapping around your iphone charger that goes into the wall. Knowing I have no need to add a monogram to my charger (but really wanted one for my iphone case) a light bulb went on.

I got out my wooden bangle, my paint, my sticker and about $8 later

It isn't perfect but my goodness it is going on my arm and not a museum so it doesn't have to be. The inside is a great gold paint color that it actually used for model cars (called Testors and you can find at Michaels for cheap). I started looking around my house to find what else I could add a little gold to :) So I got my fix for projects for a bit.

Baby Quilt

A girlfriend (who has great style) had a son almost a year ago. When I saw her quilt for the first time, I thought she had to get that from Etsy or some boutique, it was the cutest baby quilt I had ever seen.

 Here is her quilt (That has been used a lot and is still in great shape)

When I asked where she got it, I was floored that she said Kathy. Larry and Kathy have watched our kids for our date nights ever since Payton was little. I knew Kathy sewed a lot, but didn't know she was into quilting. I had to find Kathy and give her a hard time, asking how we missed the baby quilt train. She said she actually made one for Colton (it was her first one she tried) and she thought it turned out so terrible that she threw it away. I sweetly smiled and said we would love to have one for our baby growing in my belly. (Which Colton did get a beautiful homemade quilt from Steve's grandma Granny Southards, so he wasn't too hard off).

Fast forward to my shower this past weekend. I was super excited, especially since I knew Kathy would have the quilt. She had come over a few weeks earlier and let me have input on style and color. She was the one that suggested the chevron design. Needless to say, I was extremely thrilled with how it turned out. I love the classic look. The amazing thing is too, that Kathy made the quilt in 3 days! Yes 3 days, she got the fabric late (from ordering it online) and Larry had surgery late last week, so she cranked this beauty out in 3 days! 

 

The back had a few fun colorful lines too (it is mostly pink)

The colors match the nursery. It is hard to tell but the pink and turquoise have very subtle pattern on them. 

Kathy is starting to sell her quilts in her daughter's Etsy store. They are reasonably priced and if you are looking for something personalized and beautiful for yourself or a baby shower gift, check with Kathy. She is a perfectionist and very humble, and does an amazing job!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/jennyjustjenny

DIY Artwork and Master bedroom updates

I am 4 days away from turning 30. I still have a goals on my 30 Before Thirty list that I haven't accomplished. Some of the crafty ones are just waiting to be done. I have had the supplies, just not the time. Well, I crossed one off this week. I did my "Paint an artistic piece."

Our master bedroom has had a large bare wall for a long time.  I have changed things since the post on our master bedroom makeover, you can see HERE, that the mirror was moved and I had a blank wall starting at me every morning when I woke up.

I bought a 36x48 canvas from Michael's awhile back for really cheap. I asked my neighbor Hil who is an actual artist some tips on technique and supplies. I looked for a long time online for inspiration. I knew I wanted circles and multiple colors, but wasn't sure what else. Long story short, I ended up using my a Martha Stewart stencil (from Michael's) because I didn't trust my free hand. I was so excited with the results. If you are a real artist, you might cringe and not call this artwork, but it is to me :)

I couldn't be happier with what it adds to my bedroom.

Speaking of my bedroom, I never posted pictures of changing from jewel tone colors to yellow as my accent in the grey room. I resisted yellow in my initial make-over because I felt like it was so overused, but after spending time with the other colors, I see why it is used so much, because it is so cute. Yes those are Dwell Studio pillows from Target that you see ALL over blogland. You will also notice I brought more beach decor (shells, coral reef and some weird thing on my bedside table). I accented the yellow/grey with sea green and light turquoise (colors I used in my painting).

These crosses got a spray painted face lift too. They were originally mossy green, have been white for a long time, and just got a little more punch. I am still considering what to put where the frame it, I threw that up there for the time being.

One more close up of my artwork. For fun I added pink in the top corner. It is a bright pink, the picture doesn't show the color well.

Thanks for checking my updates. I have so many other house projects in my mind right now. The big one is reupholstering my chair that will not be done before I turn 30 Monday, but I will be starting on that soon. 

Steve is hunting in Texas, so the kids are I are leaving for my in-laws in St. Louis today for the weekend. I am thankful we will be able to spend time with them. Sister can't wait to see Uncle Benny

DIY Gator Yarn Wreath

In honor of football season, I made this wreath

Since we live in the middle of the US, far from Gator Country, I can't go to the store to buy my Gator gear, so I make it. I had been wanting to do a yarn wreath and thought this would be a good excuse. 

I referred to this tutorial to make mine wreath.

We have a big game today, even with our #1 QB out, I still  have faith in the boys.

GO GATORS!!!

DIY Mirror

I have had it on my mind to do a sunburst mirror over our bed. I was thinking of something like this..

There are so many tutorials online using bamboo sticks, paint sticks, even plastic spoons. But when I stumbled upon a large round ikea mirror for $2 at a garage sale, my plan changed. So I searched the web and found inspiration.

ZGallerie had this one for $200

So off to Hobby Lobby and I was fortunate enough to wander in there when the mirrors I needed were 50% off. Here is what I started with

I wasn't really sure what pattern I would do, I just got different sizes. Unfortunately, many of the mirrors were broken, so my default of what was available, my pattern was formed. I hot glued the mirrors down, crossing my fingers that it would hold. I was really happy with the 2 layers, but didn't consider how I would pick up the mirror to hang it.

So while I was trying to hang the mirror, little mirrors started falling off. I was about ready give up. I thought about just pulling all the mirrors off and going a different route, but most of the mirrors were stuck for good, just a few were temperamental.  So I decided to leave them off, get a better hook, because I didn't trust the little nail in the wall, hang the mirror, then hot glue the little mirrors back on.

I was so happy with how it turned out, I am just praying that the mirrors don't fall on us in our sleep. 

So instead of a $200 mirror, I have a lovely $17 dollar mirror hanging above our bed.

Memorial Weekend

We had a very nice relaxing weekend. No where to be, just hanging low. I was going to paint the laundry room, but didn't have the gumption, we just hung around getting other things done, swam, took naps, watched movies, it was great.

Steve took Payton on a daddy/daughter date yesterday to the movies. It was her first time in the big theater. She loved it, I put a few treats in her little pink purse and off then went.

Payton kept trying to take a picture of me on her iphone while I was taking her picture

Steve is always getting kisses from his little girl

Steve wanted to clean out the garage this weekend. He had gotten a new mower last week and wanted to get rid of the box, I asked to keep it, because every little kid needs to have a fort made out of a box sometime in their life.  I wanted to let Payton paint the box, but decided to do a base coat so it was cuter, then she could add her touch.  

I had already cut out the windows

Buster slept for some of it, then he watched and learned as I painted

Just because I am so head over heals for his smile, here is another picture of him

The box painted, these colors were "oops" paint that I had on hand

Sister adding her touch, this was her first time painting and she loved it. She didn't like getting her hands dirty though.

Her finished fort. I ended up opening the lid to give her extra space and we used tulle for a roof. More a castle than fort :)

Inside doing her "work"

Inviting me in, I can't fit in the door. I did add some ribbon for little handles to open and close the door. Yes this door is backwards, I really wasn't planning well when I started cutting the box.

Playing peek-a-boo.

Who knows how long she will enjoy her castle, even if she looses interest, no big deal since it didn't cost us a penny!

Babies and a break

This weekend I was so excited to get to see "the girls" Ava and Reese. They are our neighbors twins that were born at 26 weeks.  They have grown so much since I saw them a month ago.  Their actual due date is in about a week.  I so cherish my time I got to spend with them and their mommy and daddy. They are healthy enough now, that I got to hold Reese! I got to hold her for almost an hour, it was such precious time. 

Reese is getting so big, she is nearly 7 pounds! She is breathing on her own and doing so well. She has spells while she eats, but she is such a trooper. As long as nothing changes for the worse, she could go home within a month. 

Her sister is growing as well. Ava is over 6 pounds herself. She is still having assistance breathing.  Please keep Ava in your prayers. She is being transferred to another hospital either today or tomorrow to have a tracheotomy. Long term this is a good thing, but it adds some complications for awhile. Ava will have the surgery at Children's Mercy and then stay there for the duration of her time in the NICU. This means that the girls will be separated and mom and dad will be torn between the 2 places. Also, when Reese comes home, she will not be allowed to enter (with Hil) the NICU at Children's because she herself was not there, so again 2  babies in 2 places. This will add some stress to an already difficult situation. Please pray for Ava as well that she does not receive any infections as most likely she will not be in the private room she is accustomed to at OP. She has been more prone to infection than her sister.  Zack and Hil have been so thankful for the wonderful staff at OP that they have gotten to know the last 3 months, and now they have to start over with new staff at Children's. Please keep them all in your prayers. After spending time with the girls, I came home and hugged Colton a little tighter, I am so grateful for the health of my son. Ava and Reese have the most loving parents and I am amazed at Zack and Hil's steadfast faith and positive outlook during this time.  We can't wait to have both the girls home and healthy!

On another baby note, my super creative and talented friend Jenny showed up with some gifts for us today at Bible Study. She makes baby items for local boutiques and I was so touched by her gracious gifts. I kept shaking my head in awe of her talent.   Thank you Jenny for the thoughtfulness!

Buster got an adorable ensemble

Momma got a notebook to write things down since my brain cells have been shot with these kids

Sister Bear got an adorable tank for the summer and the coolest crayon holder. If you look at the first picture, it rolls up and is perfect for on the go.

One last thing...
I will be taking a break from blogging for a few weeks. For some personal reasons I am going to really be intentional with my time, and I am going to step away from the computer (blogging and facebook) which somehow seem to zap my time.  Don't miss me too much, I will be back.

Payton's New Room

Payton's "Big" Girl room is pretty much done.  The whole room cost me under $50!!!!  Most of the decorations came from Steve and my first bedroom. Yes we had a pink and green room when we first got married, which is completely different than now.

I originally had envisioned more of modern room with totally different colors, but when I scored the Pottery Barn bedding for $20 (Retailed over $400) at a garage sale, my whole idea changed quickly. I am easily swayed by a cheap, great deal! And since I like to redo things, I figured even if I kept this for a few years then changed, I wouldn't feel bad about my $20 spent.

Here are some pictures for your viewing pleasure, see the breakdown after each picture

Pottery Barn Queen Bedding (Quilt, Sheets, Sham, Throw Pillow, Valance) = $20
Head Board - Recovered a headboard that I had used with this bed in guest room - Fabric $12
Night Stand - already owned
Dresser - free from neighbor, had painted it awhile back with "oops" paint
Art Canvas (3) - already owned, purchased from Marshall's many years ago (from original master bedroom)
Piggy Bank - Gift
Green Decor Piece - Already owned
Wall Color - was already this color when we moved in

Up close of headboard, I love this fabric and under $6 a yard you can't go wrong. If you live in KC area, you have to check out Home Fabrics & Rugs on Metcalf and 119th! You can kinda see the sheets that came with the set, white with green polka dots.

My 20 minute project the other day. I wanted to spruce up my lamps (small one for nursery) and I never could decide on pictures for the frames, as Payton changes so quickly so I decided to add my own little touch. I went to town with the hot glue gun, and $2.40 later ...

Ribbon = $1 per roll = $2
Scrapbook Paper = $0.20 each = $0.40
Scrapbook letters - already owned
Lamp shades - already owned
Frames - already owned (were navy and white but sprayed them white awhile back for another room)

Flowers and vase = already owned (yes from original master bedroom)

Dresser - Free from neighbor, painted awhile ago
Mirror - Already owned, painted white awhile ago (Steve had bought these for his first office and I used to hate these mirrors until I spray painted them white when we first moved here)
Flowers, frames, basket with books - Already owned
Rocking Chair - Cracker Barrel rocker from Papa Southards (Steve's Dad)

I am very excited for the completed project, especially with the price tag, that makes a job a successful for me, cute and cheapo!

Here is a picture for the guest room now. The twin beds were moved in here, and since I had no budget for this room, I just used my old queen bedding and pillows for this room.  I have wanted to do something with this room for awhile, but with the rate that we add kids and move rooms around, it isn't worth putting money into this room until I know what it will be used for long term. So it stays simple and clean, which is nice for a guest room.

And progress is being made on the nursery, paint is done (yes it is dark navy and I love it), here is a teaser of the room with my new $0.60 artwork ...

Hope you all are having a great weekend!