Just a BlinkProof Time Flies

Claire’s Crib

I love the feel of a pieced together home style. A little of this and a little of that. New with the old. Pastels with the bold.

Claire’s sheets are white with multi-colored polka-dots.

I purchased the big “C” at JoAnne’s and painted it pink. The sticker on the small plate displays the definition of GIGGLE.

The blanket was a gift from the NICU. The sweater was worn by my mother Lucy as an infant. The lamb was a toy I played with at my Grandma Mary’s house. The plate, a family pattern, was past down to me from my late Uncle Wayne.

I made her nursery space very personal and unique by selecting a few meaningful objects to decorate Claire’s side of the room.  I love what a big impact her wall decor has for such little financial investment.

Look around to what you may already have in your home lurking in the attic — it may be just the personal touch you were looking for in your decor!

Love,

Jess

I had so much fun with thrifty decor in the kids’ new room. All 4 kids in ONE room…twas a challenge. The room looks a lot like summer camp meets a tea party (lots of beds and lots of cuteness).

I plan to leak out bits and pieces of their room over the next week or so.

Diaper Table Wall

The white shelf was a rescue from a friend. She was in her car on the way to the donation center when I spotted the shelf. I literally reached through the passenger side window of her car (while standing in the street & chatting after MOPS) to snatch it for my own.

Since I am not a “fabric arts” gal, I don’t have stock piles of beautiful fabric lining my craft shelves in neat, colorful rows. But, I did have an old pink washcloth that I was willing to sacrifice for my cause.

Ahhh, gotta love the Dollar Store. I lined scrapbook paper in these cute little $1 frames, then added  a 3D sticker to the outside of the glass. I embellished the hanger with a red ribbon and viola! Cuteness.

I stole these BABY blocks from the toy box. Free. Easy. More cuteness.

Changing 15-20 diapers a day goes a lot more nicely with such sweet little things to look at by the diaper table!

Love,

Jess

Worth the Wait

It all started when….

I took home a dresser, as a freebie leftover, after helping out with a family garage sale.

You know the moment. The, its free, I’m sure I could fix it up and use it, moment.

That was about, um…..4 years ago or so.

Now, attempts have been made. But, the weather or pregnancy  or a good TV show kept getting in the way.

In fact, I picked this dresser project up a few times over the last year.

One such time was written about last fall called, Scrapping the Crud Off.

They look fine, but, using free recycled paint doesn’t always work out so hot. Like it didn’t in my case so much. I mentioned this this previous post that it may be “getting too cold”…it was.

Back it went, to the depths of the crowded garage for another two seasons.

Summer came. There I was, faced with the real deal. Do this project or put it in a bonfire.

Have you ever been there? I CAN’T get rid of this DIY dream or I’ll finally be admitting I FAILED! So I just did it.

Before-

1. Lightly sand and wipe with a cloth to get the cowebs off, I mean, to prep the wood.

2. Slap on paint. Roll the fronts. Use a foam brush to blend in drips on the sides.

3. Spray those knobs outside! I bought cheap wooden ball knobs. Just mow your lawn after your done.

4. Make it customized. I attached a wood-chip bumble bee, purchased from a big “fabcrafart” store, to the top drawer front. I drew bzzzzz lines with a sharpie pen.

After-

Still looking for the screw to the last knob. I tried to tape it on for the photo. Seriously, I did. What a fraud. But, as it should be, the knob fell off during my photo.

Better-Than-Trash Dresser Redo has Behr Cottage White Latex paint and Kylon Black Satin spray paint.

P.S. I think I’ll add another bee and some more bzzz lines. It needs a little more pizazz.

How about, 4 bees for my 2 (soon to be 4) children busy bees? Sounds good. Any reason to go to the fabcrafart store, right?

Moving phases for nostalgic  freaks (like Ryan and Me):

Phase one: Treasure the present. Feel the room with your eyes and heart. Take pictures.

Phase two: Talk about setting what “is” into the what “was” category. Nuts and bolts of the moving plan can be discussed.

Phase three: Firm up memories. Remember when you did this or that, here and there…

Phase four: Make doing things in the room special by doing them, one final time.

Goodbye blue ceiling with Mama's painted clouds.

Molly waves goodbye! Notice their faces are bittersweet.

Goodbye Molly's crib. Soon you'll be reborn as the twins' crib.

Goodbye dresser/changing table. We did have fun jumping off of you!