Fireplace Planter Box

After all that talk about de-cluttering and easy cleaning I have gone and done the stupidest thing.  But my desire to live out my own childhood fantasies has trumped common sense.

So, come visit little dust mites,  build your web here spiders.  I don't care because if I could I would climb into this patch of flowers and take a nap with the butterflies.  Yes, I still kind of believe in fairies.

Last time you saw it looked like this.

After a visit to the dollar store I was armed with flowers and floral sponge.

I let Pearl poke all the flowers into the sponge, which was nice of me because it is oddly satisfying.  All I had to do next was arrange the rectangles in the box.  I had to use rocks to hold down the tall flowers.  

Once everything was in place I bent the flowers to give them a more natural shape and added dollar store butterflies.  I am searching for a little metal watering can so Pearl can "water" her flowers.  I think I have found the fountain of youth.

Tree Mural: Part Duex

Hmm, this project has turned into a series of blogs.  Would there even be progression without the blog?  I choose not to go there.  Anyways, I left you with this this last week...

I did add another coat of paint but Steve convinced me to stop there because he liked the textured look of the strokes, saying they were more "tree like" (he is a realist in all facets of life).

I picked out some scrapbooking paper,

printed out a bird template, drew a leaf shape, and traced and cut the hours away.

In the end I decided to use this product called Zots, which is the equivalent of using a hot glue gun.  I am a fan, just don't touch them with your fingers.

I place my birds and leaves one pattern at a time so they were equally distributed on the branches.

I think I am going to need a few more sheet of paper to fill out all the branches but I am basically done with the front of the fireplace.  Steve built a little flower box out of the leftover shelves from this  reclaimed piece of furniture in the playroom.  What's next?  I plan to wrap the leaves around the fireplace and onto the wall, as though they are blowing in the wind (need to paint wall first), and fill my flower box with dollar store flowers.  Looks like the tree mural posts will have to continue.  Mama needs the motivation!

My First (and last) Wall Mural

I am two months away from my due date and have entered the nesting period.  Up until this point that has translated into lots gardening.  However, I am finally starting to tackle some indoor projects, the first being Pearl's playroom.  Before painting the walls I decided to address the unused fireplace because I have had a plan for it for some time.

 I always struggle with what to put on the mantle and in the fireplace...and it shows.

 I have always thought it could be a cute focal point in the room but it wasn't until I came across this project that I was truly inspired.

I found a tree shape I liked on Off the Wall.

And borrowed one of Pearl's washable markers to roughly sketch it out.  If you are a perfectionist you could make a transparency of the picture and project it onto the wall to trace.  If you are me, you look at the picture, start drawing, and thank God for washable markers.

I have had this bucket of silver paint for a long time and am so happy that I finally found a use for it.  This is after the first coat and I'm guessing it is going to need several more.  After I am done with the painting I am going to add leaves and birds; either out of vintage wallpaper like the tree from Enfant Terrible or scrapbooking paper...not sure yet.  Other plans I have are for an mirrored owl and flower box in the fireplace.  I will keep you posted!

The Easter Bunny cometh: A cheap Easter basket for under $8

She has reached the age of stockings, baskets, and boxes.  Basically, mommy can't get away with the no present thing anymore.  And because mommy can't handle a bright pink plastic basket, filled with plastic eggs, wrapped in more plastic, I made her an Easter basket for around $8. 

  I bought the basket at a thrift store for a dollar and the flowers, moss, and twine at the dollar store.  The eggs were on sale at Jo-Ann Fabrics for around $2 and the little birdie's are part of my little birdie collection that I inherited (weird because I have an irrational fear of birds), but you can buy them at any craft store.

 

 I wrapped the handle in Jute twine, (got this idea from Kimba at A Soft Place to Land) doubling up the string and working in small batches so I wouldn't get all tangled.  I used a glue gun ever so often so things stayed in place.

I pulled the flowers off their stems and used the glue gun to secure them around the basket.

Finally, I added my birdies, filled the basket with Spanish Moss, and placed my eggs.  For now it is a center piece on my dining room table but in a few weeks it will be filled with the the Easter Bunny's bounty.

Giving old frames a facelift

I have been afraid of this green box in my closet for about five years now.  I inherited it from a great aunt and its contents (sequins, glitter, and colorful paillettes) seemed a little "fancy" for my taste.

Then I had a little girl who seems to require "fancy". Oh, sweet irony.

So, I have decided to bedazzle my way through this box, starting with a collection of mismatched frames that have been gathering dust under the bed. 

 

I have found that I don't mind glitter as much as long as I am outside.  A coat of spray paint, a layer of glitter and some very tense moments gluing sequins on with a q-tip, "look at me, I'm crafting!"

Three blinged out frames with a cohesive look.

I printed closeups of our faces and put them in the frames for Pearl's baby sister to look at when she arrives in June. 

Gotta love a project that uses stuff you already have.

Linked to DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land

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Tip Junkie's Tip Me Tuesday

Big Bang for Your Buck with Paintable Wallpaper

Using paintable wallpaper is a fabulous way to add texture and interest to a room.  I knew that I wanted to use it in my daughter Pearl's room but for around 35.00 a role it would have cost me a couple hundred dollars to do all of the walls.  Instead, we put up a chair rail and wallpapered the upper section of the most prominent wall.

I was shocked at how easy the wallpaper was to put up and how seamlessly the edges came together.  My point is don't be afraid, if I can do it, you can too.  I bought my wallpaper at Lowes (because once I get a bee in my bonnet I am too impatient to wait on shipping) but there are many beautiful options online.

Because we painted all the upper walls the same color the wallpapered wall gives the illusion of going all the way around the room.  In the most visible corner I added these beautiful paper flowers from Maxine's Floral and Gift to soften the transition.

I find that adding texture to a wall can make even the coolest of colors feel warm. So, consider the impact adding a section of paintable wallpaper to a room in your house can have.  I promise a big bang for your buck!

Linking to DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land
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Tip Me Tuesday at Tip Junkie 

Art Appreciation Day

I will be honest.  I start sweating when Pearl asks me to draw an elephant.  I am a stick figure kind of girl.  But I LOVE art.  I have so many vivid memories from my childhood that center around it.  My beautiful and brilliant neighbor that would invite us over for an afternoon of making paper mache masks.  Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of art with my mother.  18 years old, standing alone in dim lit room at the Musee D'orsay, surrounded by paintings and sculptures by Degas.  The first time art moved me to tears. 

If you are free of young ones.  I encourage you to go out and support the artists in your community.  Art walks are often free and most cities have nights when they open the doors of their galleries for little or no cost.

If you are rocking the title of parent, then I suggest you visit a sculpture park.  Why?  Because wide open spaces offer a place to "run" your child.  Ok, there is more.  I also believe that it is never to early to teach your kids not only to appreciate art but to talk about it.  Do you like this? Why? Why not? 

My husband and I like to play a game where we pick the piece we would be most proud to say we created and the one that we wish we could take home.

 My mom got Pearl the most amazing book called Make Van Gogh's Bed for her Birthday.  I was thrilled to find out that it is part of a series.  If you have kids or know someone that has kids I forcefully recommend these books.  They send a great message about the interactive nature of art and its power to inspire the creativity that is in ALL of us.

Too many cheesy things come to mind...so I will abstain.

Find your inner Yogi

I just came back from Yoga at the YMCA. 

 

A little bit of this...

A touch of this...and man I am feeling one with my body.

I kid. Obviously.

It was little more like this.

I was actually at family Yoga with Pearl. I am reading your mind right now and you are thinking, "how relaxing" (sarcastic voice).  Yes, Pearl sang in a loud 2 year old voice during meditation and occasionally there was a 22 lb weight on my back in upward dog but I have got to say I still feel rejuvenated. 

I have practiced these three styles of Yoga over the years; Ashtanga (changed my body), Bikram (Speedos are apparently not just for swimming), and Vinyasa (great intro to Yoga that won't bore you).

And now I practice in the main ring with Pearl the clown.

In all seriousness I have found that my mind as well as my body needs this time.  I have been having trouble sleeping lately because I can't seem to clear my mind.  For me meditation is about just being with my body, the moment I try to not to think, I snap back into reality.  

Let me illustrate.

 

How I love thee nothingness.  

So, my point is that you should try Yoga.  And please don't just try it once, keep looking until you find a style that works for you.

Now back to more pressing matters like: what is really going on here?

A Birthday party on a budget i.e. without pony rides or a jumpy castle

Yes, it's true, (cue sad violin music) Pearl's Birthday came and went without intricate balloon animals or a visit from the reptile man.  But I think it is safe to say that she had a great time. 

 

I just wanted to share a few things I learned in doing this (my first time) that I hope might relieve some stress for those of you out there that are as frightened by children's Birthday parties as I was.

 

You might recognize some of these decorations from this post.  The great thing about having a collection of neutral decorations is that you will truly use them over and over again.  I spent about $30 at the dollar store for this party and with one girl and another on the way I am sure they will get used many times!

I put a framed picture of Pearl on our front door to welcome guests and collected black frames from around the house to decorate the mantle.  Then, because I had a hard time choosing what to frame we covered the whole fireplace with pictures!

  

My wonderful mother-in-law made the cupcakes, my soon to be sister-in-law took all the fabulous pictures, my sister made a salad, my mom made black beans and my mom and dad saved me in the kitchen, prepping ingredients and doing dishes.  What did I do?  Sat on the couch and ate bonbons of course!  My point is that there is little glory in a one woman show.

  

This is not the time to try a new recipe or make anything that needs to be fired up last minute.  I made two different types of enchiladas: Shrimp and Cotija Enchiladas with salsa verde  and my own recipe for chicken enchiladas (ask me for the recipe).  My mom made some black beans, dressed up with bacon, onion, roasted poblano chilies, and Cotija cheese.  My sister made a fabulous Caesar salad and we had tons of salsa,  guacamole, and sour cream to munch on beforehand.  If you do decide to go the Mexican food route please find your nearest Latin market and purchase as much as you can from them.  The quality and prices are better and you are supporting an important cultural fixture in the community.

Unless you want to stand next to your food and give descriptions.  Didn't think so.

Hurray for glow in the dark jewelry from the dollar store, and balloons you have to (gasp) blow up yourself! Put on some tunes like Putumayo's Latin Playground and get down with your bad self.  At the end of the night we all sat down and watched Pearl's favorite short film "I Want a Dog" . 

As long as everyone is having a great time, I believe that it is all good.  You know your child, so hopefully you wouldn't have a rager for your sensitive introvert.  Throw your hands up and put your feet on the coffee table you just cleaned five minutes ago.