almost-done projects

I am sure many of you, knowing that I am a busy-body have been wondering what I have been doing with all of my free time since school has been out. Besides spending every waking moment with Carson (my heaven)going to the park, the library and the pool (Carson's favorite). In our spare time I/we have been working on some projects. I don't normally like posting home improvement projects but with the encouragement from some friends, here are the latest projects, starting with Andrew's work.

The first project you saw sneak peek of when I was painting the ceilings. Andrew's dad is a jack of all trades. He was enthusiastic about putting crown in a couple places in our house so we jumped at the chance to have his expertise and his HELP.


The crown was a little harder than anticipacted because who knew that our ceilkings are uneven! So an extra step had to be added to ensure that it would go up straight all the way around the ceiling. It was also super messy...sawdust everywhere! The project is not finished completly because we need to fill in the nail noles and then paint the crown. However, I am so proud of Andrew, it took longer than if we would have hired someone, but we appreciate things more when we do them ourselves!


This next thing is so silly and uncool but I love it! Whenever we carry in groceries or Andrew gets software or has to do a shipment we prop our door open with random things; my purse, a paint can, a shoe and with this, now we don't have to search to find a door stop because the door has its own. Seriously, if you don't have one of these, go get one! Thanks Andrew!


As for me, I have been busy "beautifying" our home.

For awhile I had wanted to recover my ironing board. I had seen a few covers you could purchase but they weren't very cute and I thought that I could make one for less than what they were selling for...and I did!


With the leftover fabric I replaced the existing "blah" curtain and recovered an old board to match for a complete look. I love how everything turned out! I also like ironing slightly more, I'm not in love but I love the fabric so it is more enjoyable for me.

Additionally, I have also made a few aprons (also pictured); one for me and one for Carson. Whenever Carson sees his he says "aarrggh" like a pirate-too cute! I also recently tried demonstrating apron making and I learned that I may be a doer but I am not a good teacher! I think I am burndt out on sewing for awhile.

Another project that has been on my mind that is not finished yet but so close is a picture wall for our master bedroom. Our room is pretty big and we have this big empty wall where most people would but a tv or an armoire. I am one of those people who believe that a room is for sleeping so the tv is off and I don't need more storage space so I didn't really want a bulky peice of furniture there either.

When I did my other picture wall I spent quite a bit on frames and for this one I wanted to keep the project inexpensive (close to #30) so I headed to D.I. in search of some frames that would look decent with some TLC.

Frames: $9 at D.I.

I only wish I would have taken a picture to capture the true hediousness of these frames and the pictures they held! They were gross!


Spray paint: $7.50 at Lowe's


mats: $10 at Michael's
pictures: haven't printed them yet
Time (sanding, painting, waiting, sanding, arranging): approx. 4 hours

Since taking the picture, a couple of frames have been arranged...I'll have to post a completed photo when I finish.

You know that they say; as soon as you get a home exactly the way you want you move...that doesn't seem quite fair and it won't happen anytime soon but I wonder what we'll tackle next...

Here birdie, birdie

Today has been the perfect day. Went for a run. No school. Great weather. The best part was that I had Carson all to myself! The day could have ended up like all the rest but "we" decided to make a birdhouse.

I wasn't sure if Carson would be that into it, boy was I wrong! He loved using the tools and was there every step of the way.

Checking out the supplies

He was austere and diligently working! As he was building he kept calling,

"here birdie, birdie"



It was so amusing! I was pretty proud of us for building the birdhouse and felt a sense of accomplished because I kept Carson thoroughly entertained, it occupied the whole morning and Carson hadn't even asked to watch "la-la" (Sesame Street).

I was relishing in the fact that Carson was enjoying himself, however, I think all of the "cool" points that I had earned today were eliminated the minute I started painting the birdhouse to match the exterior of our house...why couldn't I have let him pick some crazy color and been one of those hunky-dory mom's?! ...I should have, but I didn't.

Anyways, while the paint was drying we ran to the store for some bird seed. First of all I have never had a bird and didn't realize how many different kinds there were. While amongst all the bird stuff, I must have been in a trance because I was this close to buying a hummingbird feeder--don't worry honey, I didn't.

Admiring the finished project!

Needless to say, Carson was sad to part with the birdhouse. After all of our building, painting and supplying it with food we had to find a home for it. The kit came with two small suction cups that fell off the window without holding anything in about 3 minutes so we improvised making it a part of the fence. We often have birds in our yard, now they should feel right at home!

Van Gogh

Choosing a paint color can be a daunting task. I have been wanting to paint for over a year now and with summer just around the corner and another project on it's heels I am going to tackle this daunting task. My project/spaces include: master bedroom brown accent wall, red ceiling in hall-way/walkway and brown ceiling in entry way--it will look good, yellow half bath, and blue/turquoise laundry room.

So in search of the perfect color we have this handy dandy paint wand that I have been studying for what seems like a year. Now, it could be helpful, but just like a menu at a restaurant there are too many choices. Sure, they all sound good but am I daring? No, I just pick the same old thing-love it mind you-but I am always wondering what could have been.

In this case, I know what I want it's just a tough call.

You read that paint can transform a room-yeah but it could be awesome or really bad.

Let's say it's bad, how bad are we talking here? Bad enough to dare to pick another color and re-paint, not likely. There are just too many choices. I will pick a color and then I see another one that I also like. Then I'll be set on a choice and someone has feedback about the color I have decided on; the brown is purpley or the tan is too pink. It is so much harder than it looks!


Despite my doubts, I think I am going to be brave and just do it...because...

it's too late to have second thoughts now.

I might post a picture of the final project(s) -or you'll just have to come visit!
...and yes, I am wearing "painting" goggles and that is a rag on my head.