Ballerina Mobile

 Trying to not use Pinterest as a project hoarding place, and actually make some of the things I pin, I made this ballerina mobile for the girls room. Ella told me that she wanted "Ballerina's, Princesses and Mermaids in my fancy room." Okay, I can do my best and accommodate that. :)

The idea is found here. I went to the blog and it's not in English, so I will tell you step by step how I did it.

First I saved her images. Then I opened them in publisher and increased them to the size I liked. After printing them, I traced around the image with a pencil, flipped it over, placing it on cardstock and traced the image again (this transfers the pencil on the other side onto the cardstock). Using sharp scissors, I cut the ballerina's out.

Since our ceiling is white, I wanted the snowflake tutu's to be in color. I used scrapbook paper scraps and cut out 3 snowflakes, using the six sided snowflake method.

I tied a strand of thread around their wrists and then just taped them to the ceiling at alternating lengths.

Ella laid in bed the first night and just giggled at watching them twirl in the breeze from the ceiling fan. The best possible outcome from this project!

*The tape is only visible thanks to my flash.

Big girl(s) bed

 Ella has one of those Convertible Cribs. She used it as a toddler bed for a long time, and now it was time to upgrade to the full size. Our plan is for the the girls to share a room, so while a full size bed might seem like much for a 3 year old, its just right for a 3 year old and a 16 month old. Thea has been sleeping with us since she was born, so I have no concerns about her sleeping in a big bed. I did want to keep the bed low to the ground though, easier for Thea to climb in, and less of a fall if she does fall out.

So the plan was to use the slats from Ikea in lieu of a boxspring. The one problem is that our bed doesn't have a center rail to rest the slats on. I asked them at Ikea about it, and the guy said that it wouldn't be a problem, that the slats attach. Um, no, they don't. Off to Home Depot to see how I can make this work.

I pre-measured the bed before I left, specifically the length of the bed and the height of the side cleats from the floor (77" and 8" respectively).

I ended up with a 2x8 and six 8x8 steel brackets. They cut the 2x8 to just inside the mark of 77" (my request, just to make sure it fits inside the bed and not scratch it) for me, and after grabbing some 1 1/4" wood screws, home we went.

When I first stood the 2x8 in the center, I checked it against the cleats - perfectly flush. Unfortunately the brackets stood above the 2x8 by a 1/4". I had a moment of "AAAH!", and then I placed the slats on top to see, and low and behold, the slats are 1/4" thick, so the brackets become flush. Yay!

So I preceded to screw the brackets on, lining them up with the slats laying down in the picture. With the brackets, the 2x8 is free standing (and strong!) and I didn't have to attach anything to the bed (which keeps it functional as a crib or toddler bed if need be down the line).

Here is is with the slats on. It works! Phew!

And their bed all read to go!*



*Bed is Rockland, Cottage Bed, JC Penny's. Sheets are Ladybugs from Target. Quilt is made by my Grandma.

Another Fabric house

I love UK Lass's little fabric house. I especially love browsing her flickr group and seeing all the wonderful houses others have made. There is one that is made of felt and everything about it makes me happy. So, when I got a 4 year old girl in our Secret Santa exchange, I knew exactly what I was going to make her. This is inspired greatly by Jenn White's felt house in the UK Lass's flickr group.

The little girl received the Calico Critters Buttercup Kitten Twins to go in this little nursery. Here I used our Calico Critters Elwood Elephant Twins just to give you an idea of scale.

I loved this construction process so much more then the other houses. This time I pre-embellished all the house parts, and then assembled. The blanket stitch assembly was a little tricky, but would be easier to do the next time I go around, now that I have done it once.

Ultimately, I think I just really like embroidery. It is very satisfying to me to hold something dainty in my hands and make something that looks so charming.

I can't decide what part I like the best, the stone path, the bunting, or the bluebirds on the fence. It was difficult giving this one away.

Garage Door Make-over

I love the chalkboard refrigerator on Disney's show Good Luck Charlie. They use it like a calendar, with the weeks events on it. I love the colors, the attempt at organizing a large family, just everything about it.

Our interior garage door is the main door for our family. It also is a fire door, which means its magnetic. The door was a dingy off white, that attracted all sorts of dirt. To the right of the door is a small closet that is currently getting a make-over as well.

Since Andy and Luke leave before I get up in the morning, and go to bed before I do, I thought the chalkboard idea was the perfect one for this space and gives me a chance to get last minute reminders across. Andy is not so sure. Oh well, if we don't like it after a while, it can always be painted again. :)

Of course, I would get this done last night and draw on it today (although I think I was supposed to wait 3 days? Oops), when Luke is gone for the week and I really don't have anything to schedule.

I was able to pick up the primer and chalkboard paint off of freecycle, which makes this an even better project!

Super mario Bathroom

This is Luke's bathroom, still in progress. A year later. Sigh. My goal is to get it finished over Christmas break and surprise him when he gets home from his Dad's.

I free hand drew everything with a pencil and then have been painting it with acrylic paints. I think I will go over it with a sealer when I am done, but what is done in there has held up well after a year of using the bathroom, so it might not be needed.