Darcy Date Day

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

A couple of days ago I made a decision. I wanted to have a Mummy-Daughter Date Day where we did nothing but fun things and no work, errands or chores. And so we did.

I didn't take too many pictures because we were too busy being in the doings AND photographing an excited toddler is like catching clouds- impossible!

 Excuse the messy background, this was a little snap I took pre paints but post toddler joy at finding a roll of parcel paper. The fun she had with that! I had the paint out and her in a vest ready to get messy, but a roll of brown paper and a my little pony hair comb was far more exciting than the carefully planned activities I'd laid out. 

It only took about 3 seconds for me to realise I was going to have to go with the flow and if that meant finding 600 games with tubes of paper, then so be it.

It turns out that paint hand prints are not our skill. Pinterest makes these things look so easy but alas, they are not. These were the sort of standard we got but I'm happy. Baby Glitter got quite the kick out of squelching paint in her chubby little fists, so all was not lost at sea. 

Footprints on the other hand (oh, hand, see what I did there?) were quite the breeze and I now have about 30 mint copies of Darcy's right foot. I also have art from this time last year too so I look forward to seeing how much she's grown.

Thank goodness for wet wipes!

It was a brilliant day. We did SO much! I'm sat here at this computer, typing and deleting sentences because I want to put into words the love and bond I feel for this little creature that came into my life under two years ago but it's so difficult. To put it simply, I feel like she is a part of me. I sense all the things she feels without her saying and I never go a minute without having her on my mind. I feel like my mind is richer for having her in it. When she plays with me and puts her little warm hands on me I feel honoured that I was given such a blessing. *Grits teeth* I want to squish her little head! (NB :: This is a figure of speech, obviously would NEVER squish her head!! Cripes!).

I can't believe I went so many years without her in my life because now I can't imagine a life without her.

Taking a day out has made me cherish those 100% moments and I am all the more than happy to ignore the dishes and the emails and the rest of the world to spend that time with the little love bug.

I'm quite sure that if you are not one for children that this post might have made you a little queasy at the smooshiness, but if you are a 'baby/child person' or a Mama yourself, I know you'll get it.

From the photos above, can you guess what we made?

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Toodlepip!

xx

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Remembering Disney {2012 Edition} + Etsy

The littles were beyond excited when a box full of pictures from our December Disney trip arrived on our front stoop over Christmas break.  We spent almost a whole morning snuggled on the sofa pouring through them, choosing just the right ones for each section of our memory books and then pasting them in.  It’s hard to believe that was well over a month ago – we’re already itching to go back!!



There is a section in the book for each park and for all of the special events we attended.




We included the Messages from Mickey that they received in their stockings each morning and other special things like the confetti they collected at the Fantasyland Grand Opening.


And of course, there is the coveted signatures collection from all of their favorite characters.  I hope they never outgrow that :-)

 
This year I also included lined pages for the PCP to jot down his favorite memory from each park and event.  Since we were missing a week of school for the trip his teacher asked that he write about his trip each day and this was a great way to capture his thoughts.  In the baby’s book I just transcribed what he said were his favorite memories.

Like last year’s books, these have already been poured through many, many times!!

 
I sure hope next time is sooner rather than later :-)



After a few inquiries, I have added a completed and a DIY printable version of these books to my etsy shop.  The listing for the complete/finished product version of the book will only be available through the end of the month!!

xoxo

VISIT MY ETSY STORE!

See all things DiSnEy here!

See how I made them here

See Disney  Memory Books {2011 Edition} here

See Remembering Disney {2011 Edition} here

 
Find me at: Between Naps on the Porch, My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Shabby Creek Cottage, Tatertots and Jello, A Stroll Through Life, French Country Cottage, No Minimalist Here, The36th Avenue, Bacon Time, It's Overflowing, At the Picket Fence,Shine on Fridays, DIY Show Off, House of Hepworth, Homemaker on a Dime, Stuff and Nonsense, 52 Mantels, I Heart Nap Time, The FrugalGirls,Six Sisters Stuff, One Project Closer,Jennifer Rizzo

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Best of 2012

As we sit on the brink of a brand new year, I thought it appropriate to take a walk down memory lane.  Here’s a roundup of reader favorites from 2012…

Monogrammed Canvas & Holiday Monogrammed Canvas

Teacher Appreciation Round Up

Guest Room {Before & After}

Mason Jar Soap Dispenser

Have a BALL this summer! {Free Printable}

Snowman Soup

Deck the Halls 2012

Big Boy Room

Southern Porch

Chili & Beer Tasting Party

 

And a few from 2011 are still in my all time top viewed posts… 

The Road to Disney

Messages from Mickey {2011 Edition}

Finally Finished Banquette

He's Baaaaack!

Last but not least, I’d like to take a minute to thank my top referrers – all of which are fabulous blogs written by amazing and inspirational ladies. 

Savvy Southern Style

House of Turquoise

Kelly’s Korner

My Sweet Savannah

Mom Endeavors

When I started on this blogging adventure I didn't have an inkling as to all the wonderful people I'd have the great fortune to "meet".  Many thanks to each and every one of you that take time out of your day to spend a few minutes in mine.  With that, I think I’m going to sign off from the virtual world for a few days to soak up time with Honey and the boys.  

I’ll see y’all in 2013!!

xoxo

See the best of 2011 here!

Flattered for the features at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia and Six Sisters Stuff!

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Holiday Monogrammed Canvas

When I started thinking on how I’d decorate our new porch space for the holidays, I just knew it would be the perfect place for a second DIY monogrammed canvas.  (See the original here.) 



The first thing I did was purchase a 20x24” canvas from Michael’s when they were on sale for 50% off.  I used a staple gun to cover it in burlap I already had.  Be sure to pull it VERY tight if you do the same.

Next, I went right back to Scrappin Plus on etsy to order the monogram, since I knew they had the best prices and I had such a good experience with them the last time.  I ordered a 16” script cursive “W” out of wood this time and Tamera knocked my socks off when she generously sent it free of charge!!  (I’m guessing this size would cost about $10 plus shipping.)

I already had a container of Martha Stewart Glittering Glue from a project a few years back (though I suppose elmer’s would work just fine), and I used 40% off coupons to buy two jars of Martha Stewart’s glitter in White Gold from Michael’s.  Over the course of a day, Mother and I  spent time spreading on the glue, pouring on glitter and then repeating the process many times to get all the nooks and crannies.  I let it dry over night and used super glue to attach the glittered monogram to the covered canvas. 


The pictures hardly do the glitter justice - it is so fine and sparkly and gorgeous!!  Sister was a doll to do my garlands on the mantle.  I mean, her attention to detail is just outstanding and she spent waaaay more time on it than I ever would have.  She started with two swags, weaved in a string if mini lights and a string of large white lights, layered in large pinecones and then tucked in burlap ribbon (all purchased half off from Hobby Lobby.)  And isn’t her belly just the cutest thing??  The burlap stockings were purchased on our New Orleans trip and are made by Mud Pie.  (I really need Honey to put those logs in that fireplace!)
   



So, I know some of yall are wondering “why is she decorating for Christmas so early???” and others are saying “one holiday at a time, pretty please.”  Five years ago on Thanksgiving day I had a stillborn son.  It was devastating and has forever changed my view of the holiday.  Don’t get me wrong, I am immensely thankful for so many blessings, I still cook the requisite Thanksgiving bird and I try my best to compose myself for the sake of the two sons that I am so grateful to have here on earth.  But, for some reason five years ago, I decorated early for Christmas.  When I came home from the hospital without my baby, I lit up the trees and garlands and wreaths and it brought so much joy to me in such a dark time.   Since then, my Christmas has gone up in November but I wait until Thanksgiving day to turn it all on.  It’s just something I do and it’s something I’ll probably always do.  I realize y’all probably came here for a craft project and not to hear that sad narrative :-)

So, with that, I'm delighted to say that the whole house is decorated (I don't do the outside until next Friday) and there’s much more Christmas to come (though I’ll wait to take pictures until I light it all up on Thanksgiving)!!
xoxo

Flattered for the features at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia and Uncommon Designs!

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Mapped Out

I mentioned in my last big boy room progress report that I framed a copy of the Savannah River and Wassaw Sound nautical chart (procured from River Services in Savannah) in the gallery wall. 






Weeelllll, the original ended up inside the secretary - I cut it down to size and used glue dots to adhere it to the back of the piece in about three minutes.  I love love love the look.  (And must totally give Sister and Mother props for mapping out their respective secretaries first.)
 



Buuuuuut, before I cut the map, I hauled it off to Kinko’s to make a few color copies.  I wrestled with the darned thing for about fifteen minutes to get a handful of copies of various parts of the map.  (Though that fifteen minutes included deciphering the machine’s gazillion buttons and options while trying to keep the baby from pinching his preciously fat fingers in the swinging waste compartment built into the cabinet AND trying to carry on a coherent convo with K from Supper Club who also just so happened to be spending her Saturday at the Kinko’s.  Happenin’ place.)  The baby “helped” me modge podge the copies to the gold “W” (Hobby Lobby) that was in his nursery.  We cut the copies into manageable pieces and just followed the instructions on the bottle.  It took no time at all and is one of my favorite details in the room!




You can rest assured that I’ve mentioned to Honey at least a hundred times how far I made that $20 map go…
xoxo

Flattered for the feature at Craft Gossip!

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Ribba Love

The latest project in the baby’s big boy room was putting up the gallery wall.  (And hanging the curtains, obvi!!)
  
I gathered up some of our most beloved pics of the baby, a few prints and a couple of other special items for the wall, including the Yes Ma’am, No Ma’am print from The Old Try (see my others here), How to Tie a Bow Tie – A Gentleman’s Guide, the John Derian plate he received for his third birthday, a monogrammed bib from Mother and a copy of a nautical chart of the Savannah River and Wassaw Sound from River Services in Savannah (see it on my coffee table here.)

And while we’re on the subject of the gallery wall, you really cannot beat an Ikea Ribba frame if you’ve got a pile of pics to hang on an ant-hill’s budget.  I mean, they come in a whole slew of sizes and you can mix and match everything from a standard frame to a collage to a matted picture to a shadow box.  Oh, and did I mention that they are totally affordable?!?!  What’s not to love?

I hung these using the very same tried and true process used in the massive basement stairway gallery.
 
1. Trace your frames onto paper and cut out.
2. Use painters tape to move them around on the wall until you find the perfect layout.
3. Put your nail in the wall straight through the paper for each pic.  Pull of the paper and hang up your art!

I’ve got a few more projects up the proverbial sleeve… stay tuned!
xoxo

More big boy room projects:

Big Boy Room Kick-Off

A New Old Chair

Catherine Lovett's Crab
Crown Molding
Chalk Paint Dresser

Big Boy Bedding
Two Skirted Tables

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Two More Skirted Tables

I’m still chipping away at the baby’s big boy room!  I started with two mismatched size tables that I liked for their height and similar sizes.  Unfortunately, that’s where the like ended.  The white table was picked up at an antique store (though it was more “junk” than “antique”) and the demilune was in my foyer many moons ago.




Last week the baby “helped” me chalk paint the tops of these two tables in Annie Sloan’s Old White and coat them in clear wax.  We then stapled on a few yards of burlap to cover the mismatched legs.  The whole thing took a couple of hours…but I’ll be the first to admit that we didn’t do the most precise job (see the size of the pleats, for example.)  Mother will laugh at the fact that my “good enough” quickly went downhill to just “get it done” in the matter of about fifteen minutes.  The whole thing took place on our front porch seeing as it took nearly all my energy to just carry the two things down the stairs and this was the closest exit.  I’m sure the neighbors wondered what kind of hair-brained idea the crazy girl and her baby were up to this time :-)

 
This is officially the very end of burlap skirted tables around these parts.  Clearly I’ve an unhealthy obsession – it’s just that they are cheap and easy and pretty darn good looking.  Hold me to it, y’all!
xoxo

More big boy room projects:

Big Boy Room Kick-Off

A New Old Chair

Catherine Lovett's Crab
Crown Molding
Chalk Paint Dresser

Big Boy Bedding

Read More

Nevermore

I mentioned when I shared our Halloween decor that I made another DIY canvas for the porch.  Here’s how:

1. Download my Nevermore image by saving the one below or emailing me for the full resolution file sized at 18”x24”.  The background is Edgar Allen Poe’s Nevermore poem.


2. I had mine printed in black and white on paper at Office Depot for $7.  They said it would cost $12 and then charged me $7 so I’m not sure what the discount was for.  And I certainly didn’t ask.  (But I did make up for the difference in delish Reeses’ pumpkins that the baby and I promptly devoured before we even left the store.)

3. Use painters tape to tape off the edges of your canvas if desired.  I then gave it a couple of quick coats of black spray paint to make a striped edge on the gallery wrap canvas.  I purchased the canvas at Michael’s for $9 with a 40% off coupon.


4. Following the directions on the modge podge container, adhere the paper to your canvas.  Mine seemed really wrinkly and full of air bubbles so I stretched and pressed and did everything I could to minimize them without tearing the paper.  Be careful! I finally gave up and thought I’d just go with the wrinkled look.  Well, as it turns out when it dried they were really not too noticeable and it ended up looking great!


5.  Enjoy your $16 piece of art!
 

And now that I’ve got a 4th of July and a Halloween canvas I’m out of the canvas biz on the porch.  Nevermore, y’all.  Nevermore.
xoxo

Flattered for the feature at Eighteen25!

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