Art imitates life imitates art . . .?

I mentioned Jackson's current coloring obsession awhile back. I'm thinking I left off with the potato head craze. Which was then followed by a Spider Man craze with a few more potato heads mixed in for good measure. Then he landed on "Wall-e" from the movie of the same title. I counted tonight and there were in the vicinity of 14 Wall-e pictures. He then decided he could make his own Wall-e. Which he has done about 7 times now, he draws his Wall-e, and then I must make the rocket and the "Eva." He attaches a "grabber" to the rocket that is always holding Eva and adds a few more "Eva's" to the rocket windows for good measure. Same thing, every time. But the last two pictures he added some grass and sky. I was duly impressed. And then he showed me his latest masterpiece: What's on Wall-e's eyes you ask? Oh, that's a bra.

If you're familiar with the movie I think there's a part where Wall-e is going through a trash pile and ends up with a bra on his eyes and he say "Woa!!" I'm not too sure if I have my details correct because it really wasn't a part that caught my attention. But apparently it caught the attention of a certain four year old boy. Because not only has there been this incident, but Josh and I discovered him trying on one of my bras, and then putting one on his eyes and saying "Woa!!" with perfect mimicry. Just lovely. I would have taken a picture because it WAS pretty funny, but quite frankly I'm not interested in flaunting my personal items on the world wide web. So, you'll just have to take my word for it. ;o) I can't begin to express how proud I am that this kid couldn't write his own name to save his life but can draw for himself a brassiere with delightful accuracy. And such a brilliant shade of magenta . . .

How great our . . .

Joy, joy, joy!!! (Are you singing along yet?) ;o)

These were originally going to be "joy pillows" an idea I saw here where you have three star shaped pillows and affix a letter to each to spell "joy." But after I got going on this project I decided I wasn't really in the mood to stuff the appendages of a star--times three. Then I thought I could just fit all three together in an 8x10 frame. But the letters didn't fit. Which brought me to my final solution, individual 5x7 frames, which serendipitously I just had laying around from an uncompleted project of long ago. In fact, this whole project was FREE (aside from the $0.35 I had to spend on more black embroidery floss) because I had scraps/leftovers from other projects. I used another font I got online called "leaf" (hence the leaves). ;o) And while this project is a fabric/sewing project I'm thinking there are tons of ways you could recreate it in other mediums, like paper, or get three little chalkboards and write the letter on with chalk . . . Possibilities are, as always, endless. (Although an ornery husband could have fun with the chalkboard idea and might keep you on your toes changing out letters on you.) ;o) Another shelf in my hutch is complete. Now to finish up the third and this area will be officially decorated. ;o)

Friday Finishes~11/20

I didn't get as many of my projects done as I had hoped, there are a few things nearing completion, but not ready for a "grand reveal" yet. I did however get lots of other little things done, like the boys' bunk bed is set to arrive on Tuesday, all the bedding is bought, the kids' "Christmas Eve outfits" (to which Josh rolls his eyes at my weirdness) all ready (except some black shoes for Marissa, can't find her size in anything I like yet). I pulled out a suitcase to have ready for hospital packing . . . all those little things that must be done . . . I'm getting there. I had a nice day to myself yesterday, more of an errand day, but even those can feel like mini-vacations when all by your lonesome. ;o) I also had my midwife appt. and discovered that my iron is pretty low. Which explains the intense need for ice and a few other things--coldness, breathlessness, heart palpitations . . . A lovely "aha" moment. ;o) So, I've dutifully begun taking some iron supplements and that should help bring my energy levels up. I also bought myself some popsicles in hopes of not continually running to the freezer for ice cubes. It's not really working. Although I figure, while my teeth may not like me, ice cravings are probably better for me than ice CREAM cravings. ;o)

So anyway, my "finishes" a new Christmas sign--found the font "Christmas Card" on "dafont" and then I experimented with a light mist of spray adhesive and glitter. Not sure if you can really see that or not. I hung it above the piano, and like all my signs, I'm not the best at lettering, but it'll do, and it saves me lots of money.
And then my little "Christmas Countdown" garland. I found the mini paper sacks at Hob.by Lob.by as well as the clothespins, then I just printed out the numbers on red cardstock, glued them on and we're ready to go. (This is my kitchen bulletin board by the way, cleared of all it's miscellany to make way for the Christmas cards and pictures.)

And we also "finished" France and celebrated with some French cooking. Now to be perfectly honest I'm not sure how "French" it was--a "Quiche Lorraine" with a frozen pie crust from Wal.mart and "REAL" bacon pieces probably isn't exactly what France is serving up. As well as "Brioche au Chocolat" made from refrigerated crescent rolls and some chocolate chips. I'm thinking Julia Child might be horrified. ;o) However, it was still tasty and the girls declared that if they lived in France they would love every single meal they ate. I'm sure.

Tomorrow will find me cleaning, and sewing, oh! and baking too--forgot about our Sunday night bake sale!! And I'll officially be one month from my due date! Can you believe it?

Random Thoughts

I've done my best to remain a hermit since Sunday night. We did venture forth yesterday evening since Josh was home earlier than usual and did a whole bunch of little errands, like he runs into one place, I wait in the van with the kids, I run into the next place, he waits, etc. But by the end of that Jackson was sobbing in desperation because he was in dire need of a drink, Emmett announced he had to go potty (all while it was MY "van watch"). . . Reminding me why it's better to remain a hermit. ;o)

But today is Wednesday--violin lesson, orchestra, and AWANA night. I ventured out of my knit pants for today and put on some jeans, applied some make-up, and had grand plans for actually doing my hair. But alas, that proved too much and it is twisted up in a bun, once again. I go back and forth between longer hair/shorter hair. Longer hair can be easier because there is more you can do with it to hide the fact you didn't do it. That's nice. But on the other hand shorter hair forces me to actually do something and make myself presentable. A "catch 22" I believe. ;o)

I'm still furiously nesting--lots of little projects, found the floor of my closet again, being really creative with meals because I haven't wanted to go grocery shopping . . . sloppy joes on hot dog buns works right? ;o) "Candy Cane Milk" is available at Su.per Sav.er again, still just as tasty as it was last year. I tried a new cookie recipe called "Chocolate Peppermint Snaps" and they're REALLY good. Especially with a glass of candy cane milk. ;o)

Tomorrow I am taking a "personal day." Well, probably more a "personal 3/4 of a day." I have been in desperate need of a break from the cacophony (there's your word of the day) ;o) that has been home life lately and Josh finally has a bit of time to make that happen. So, he's taking all four of them on a field trip to the fire station tomorrow. I will enjoy having the house all to myself, and once they return I'll leave for awhile, visit my midwife, etc. It should be refreshing.

So, nothing too exciting happening here, just plugging along, and the time really is flying for me. Which is both a good and a bad thing. Kind of like the whole short hair/long hair dilemma. ;o)

Brown paper packages tied up with strings . . .

. . . these are a few of my favorite things! I've had this idea for awhile--I always love in magazines how they'll throw in a few very simply wrapped gifts and it just makes the picture appeal to me more. I thought it would be fun to have a "present display" on a shelf in my hutch for Christmas this year. If this idea appeals to you at all, here's what you need.

1) After finishing a box of cereal, macaroni and cheese, cocoa, etc. save the box and tape it shut. (I originally had plans to use styrofoam but my goodness is that stuff expensive!!!) Instead, I went through my trash . ;o)

2) Purchase some brown craft wrapping paper from Hob.by Lob.by for $2.99 and use your 40% off coupon. Or use some saved brown paper grocery sacks--free. While at the Hob Lob get some craft cinnamon sticks in the Christmas crafting aisle that seem to be 50% each week and some jute twine.

3) Show your kids you are wrapping EMPTY FOOD BOXES, there are NO PRESENTS INSIDE.

4) Wrap the boxes--I used a glue stick to secure mine because I didn't want any tape noticeable.

5) Tie a nice little twine bow around them

6) Scavenge around for a Christmas-y looking garland and discreetly snip off evergreen parts to stick under the twine. Or go into your yard and trim some trees. Add a cinnamon stick. Your present is done.

7) Arranging--the hard part--I seriously messed with this for the last two days because it just didn't "feel" right (I agree, perhaps a bit neurotic for a bunch of fake presents) but anyway, what kept bothering me was the clean, straight lines of the presents and empty space. I kept scavenging around my house for things to tuck around them. First, a red berry garland that I cut into lots of little pieces. Then I added pine cones. Then I took them away. Then I rearranged . . . Finally, I climbed up on the arm of my wing chair--something I tell my kids not to do, and particularly not the smartest idea when you are 8 months pregnant and have a slight balance issue--and grabbed a handful of grapevine garland from atop my armoire. ;o) Then I started shoving bits and pieces of sticks all over the place. I discovered the messy woodsy look made me the most happy. SO glad that crisis was solved! Should have known it needed grapevine . . . ;o)

Anyway, a very cheap and easy project if you have an empty spot somewhere. ;o)

My Apologies . . .

I realize we have yet to celebrate Thanksgiving. I know it is still fall. And yet, I officially have December on the brain. Therefore, I had to remodel the blog. ;o) So enjoy the Christmas music, the red and green . . .

And realize I may have plunged off the nesting edge.

Friday Finishes~11/13

I saw this idea somewhere else, a goal of a "Friday Finish" where current projects get finished up for "show and tell" on Friday. It's always nice to have a deadline, even if a self-imposed one (I tend to start a number of things at the same time and then have projects scattered everywhere). So, here's what got focused on this week:

New Pillows--2 red homespun ones for the "craigs.list chairs", a wool/homespun candy cane pillow to put somewhere for Christmas, and a tiny little wool star--that desperately needs a little rusty jingle bell in the center--to tuck somewhere.

I have a few things that are "distressed pine" and we've had them since we first got married. They have taken a beaten, but they are tough pieces. However my coffee table was looking pretty pitiful. It's seen many meals upon it, late night snacks, kool-aid spills, marker stains, and even served as a cat's scratching post. I was debating sanding everything down and trying to restain. And then I decided I still had more black paint. ;o) If it didn't work I wasn't out of too much.

End table before:
End table after:

Coffee table before:

Coffee table after:

Now the top of my coffee table has a lot of "distressed gouges." I did try to sand it down, but honestly I would have needed a planer to get that thing smooth. So, it remains an imperfect piece, but definitely "good enough" for the current state of my household. ;o) And I like how the black looks with all the cranberry colored furniture I have right now. It looks much better than the pine.

But now I'm eyeballing this:

The lone piece of distressed pine remaining. Dare I? I still kind of like it as is, but I also think it would look pretty awesome black. It would be a very big project, and because it houses the tv would also require painting the inside. Hmmmmm. Something to mull over. But I am FINALLY running a bit low on black paint. I'd for sure need another gallon for this big boy. ;o)