i am crazy like that

a bit from our easter week...

we had a cookie decorating party with our friends... school friends, ballet friends... it was total mayhem, but we loved it. 

we made easter bags and treats for the easter party at school

bunny crackers, of course and egg cookies were on the menu

  we hunted for eggs... 4 times

 i made some decorations 

 how did i make it?  

jelly beans, stick, styrofoam ball, glue gun, 1 hour and a small bucket

hot glue the jelly beans to the ball, stick the stick into the ball and set up in the bucket {i used homemade playdough to stand it up}

 i covered the bucket with paper to match

 used the same paper to top these mason jars and filled each with candy 

{although i should have glued the lids shut... i couldn't keep my hands out of them}

so, i am crazy like that... i glued every little jelly bean onto that ball and invited 13 kids over to frost and decorate cookies... all for the joy of my children and to see them smile so big.  it was a fun week.

room change up

n has been in his big bed since november.  back when he was much littler, i thought i would go with the sports motif, what many little guys like.  well, of course, n is not as into sports as he is into animals.  he is the biggest animal lover {right now anyway}.  yesterday he said, "mommy, i really care for all animals," in his little two-year old voice.  so i needed to come up with a different game plan for the change over from his nursery to his 'good boy' room {as he calls it}.  out with the sports and in with the animals.  i like to keep things simple and inexpensive.  

i decided to go with simple animal images using stencils.  

materials used: 

• stencil paper
• sharp detailing knife
• acrylic paint
• foam pouncing brush
• stretched canvas 
• artist paper

i used various animal silhouettes and cut out each on the stencil paper.  

instead of buying more, i decided to use the existing hooks and just cover them with the new pictures.  

just pounce over the stencil.  you can leave some brush strokes or lay it on thick, what ever your style.  you could also use multiple colors and layer, but i wanted simple lines and images.

there is still room to add a few things on his wall, but for now he loves it.  

i also painted a large letter n on a larger canvas for another space in his room in his favorite color.  we placed it by the chair i refinished for his future desk area.

adding a few new and old items to his shelves makes a cute area for storage.  

the letter n again along with a few other keepsakes.

n loves his 'good boy' room, complete with his big bed and all his animals.  there is lots of room to grow around here.

oh christmas tree

or should i say, oh my, christmas tree?!

i let 1 and 2 decorate the cookies any way they wanted...

fun times... more is better, right?

elements of my desk

my supplies; embosser, business cards, envelopes, washi tapes , a little writing paper, and a beautiful fossil paper weight.  i am loving the new winter oak design... just as the leaves are falling all around us.

happy weekend.

art display

Now that B is in Preschool, she brings home lots of artwork and schoolwork.  Our refrigerator was beginning to become quite cluttered.  Solution...

I know this is not at all original, however I thought you would like to see my inexpensive take on this great idea.

What do you need?

1. 2 nails and a hammer, hammer in the nails the desired distance
   
2. 2 decorations to cover the nail head
3. glue (I used a hot glue gun), glue your embellishments to cover the nail heads
4. ribbon or string, tie each end onto each nail
5. clothes pins, to hang your art
6. fabulous art, to display proudly

Happy Crafting.

kitchen look

View from my kitchen...

I have not always been one for display, however one of my bachelor's is in merchandising, 

so I think it is a habit or some subconscious thing.  

Not sure if I'm feelin' it, but I like the "things" above my refrigerator.  The rooster was my Nanny's and the lemons remind me of both my Nanny and Grandma.  The bottles of wine in the basket remind me of... ah'hem, my mom and my hubby's mom.  And the big poppy is just so bright and fun, I couldn't resist.  

creative space

I have a little creative studio space to do my thing... everyone needs a little inspiration.  I wanted this crate because of the charm of vintage, but mostly because of the symbol on the side.  It is very similar to my family crest (on my dad's side).  

I use it for my fabric stash.  

I also have a bowling pin.  It reminds me of my grandfather who was a fantastic bowler.  

Next to the pin is my Nanny's Kewpie doll. Isn't she cute?!  

Happy Monday.

change

Change is in the air at our place...  I have a degree in textiles, so the use of fabric is natural, plus it is economical for our young family budget.  

The kitchen and living room both got an up-do and so did the art panels.  

What a pop of fun!

New Color

Our family room was in need of a little color.  The room is an open concept with the kitchen and since I toned things down by painting the red kitchen, white, we needed to add in some color.  

I love the scandinavian, bold print on the new pillow covers.  

before...

after...

Art please?

We moved into our house with virtually zero art and we had tons of space to fill.  I have a love for fabric - the different colors, designs... it's art and it's not too expensive.  

On to the walls it goes...

 

decorating cents...

i needed something as original as my little gal...  i made the kids' windows fun with a bit of color and warmth.  this window treatment cost a total of $3.    

a few dots on the nursery wall with paint, coordinating fabric, 

and a soothing space for my little one was created...  

simple paint can do a lot for the look of a room for very little money.  i made the dots pop by adding paper balls above the crib.  and of course the bedding - the bumpers, quilt, and sheets, handmade by me.  they have been through two munchins, a girl and a boy.  can a girl go with the blues and greens?  in our family they do.  now she is 100% girl, pink and all the frills.