Changes and Growing

All that cleaning of the craft room was to make room for Miles' old twin bed.  The twin bed had to come out so a new bed could go in!  BUNK BEDS!!!

Mile is beyond thrilled and has thanked us for the bunk beds about 10 times since this afternoon (which is when he got home).  I didn't want to just switch the beds out, but wanted to update this room and make it a space for both kids to enjoy.  I wanted to cover up that macaroni yellow and went with a light green.  I've been using Olympic One paint with all my painting the past few months.  In all other rooms, I've only needed one coat with some touch ups.  This  room needed two because of the orange  it was before!  Just the new color brightened the room and made it feel bigger.  THe painting of the room required the kids to be out of the house, so they were at Grandma and Grandpa M's for the night so I  could paint and prep.

Ben and I did a little shopping and got a new light fixure, some sheets for Isla, and some random things for a few projects.  We cleared the room out with the exception of the mattresses and began painting.  Then I replaced the light with a fun chandelier to add a feminine element for Isla.  I even went so far as to vaccuum and steam clean the carpets (it was GROSS!!!).  If you're wondering how I have time for all this, well, the kids were gone for starters, and I was up till 3am cleaning and working on projects to put the room together.  The beds were delivered and built this morning.

I used the old crib rails for safety rails for Isla.  It makes a nice enclosed space for her, but I can still get in and snuggle :).

The valance and roman shade were both made by me a few years ago.  I painted the bird painting last night.  It was inspired by a print I found on www.pinterest.com my latest obcession.  In fact, much of my inspiration was found there :).

The book slings and button letters were also found on Pinterest.  I love how the button letters turned out!  That is a cursive "I", if you can't tell :).  I already had the fabric for the slings, paint, and canvases, so all I needed for these projects as the brackets, dowels, and buttons!

A close up of the button letters.  Miles was sorely dissappointed that his was an "M" and not a "B" (ya know, for Batman!).

Miles' old dresser, which became Isla's dresser, got another make-over.  I wanted to recreate the bird print on canvas and kind of used that as inspiration for other accents in the room.  Therefore, there is kind of a bird/nature theme, if you can call it that.  I used Miles' bed quilt for my colors, since that won't be changing...ever.  It was made by Grandma Sara.  She's going to make a similar quilt for Isla using the same block pattern and colors, but different fabrics with some girlier prints to them...and maybe some pink :).  The tree on the dresser was inspired by a pin I found on Pinterest!  Are you surprised?  :).  It also got knew pulls.

The idea for the crate with diapers and wipes in it also came from Pinterest.  It is currently hanging on nails, but I think I need to screw it into the wall and probably into a stud...ya know, in case Isla decides to try to hang from it...

This framed bird print has been sitting on the desk in my craft room for years.  My brother's wife, Heidi, painted it for me as a Christmas present many years ago.  I've always loved it.  While I was cleaning that room, I realized that it would be perfect in the kids newly decorated room!  I'm so excited to have it on display.  The other knick knacks were also in my craft room...an old glass knob from a power line, a pretty bell that my big sis got in India for me, and a tea cup and silver spoon, that I beleive was a gift Ben got as a baby.

Miles is always  set on having a light on at night.  He had stolen my lamp, but I was anxious to have it back.  Also, there is no where to put a lamp in here, unless  I get a side table to put next to the rocking chair (wich may or may not happen in the future).  So, I got him this clip on light for his bed.  He loves it!

Last, but certainly not least, Miss I sleeping in her new "big girl" bed.

More House Changes

I finally tackled cleaning and organizing my craft room.  It became a complete catch-all and storage room.  It is still being used for some storage, but at least you can see the floor!

The books in this bookcase have been sitting in boxes in this room since the day we moved in...almost 4 years ago!  I had to get those boxes off the floor.

This is my desk that houses my sewing machine. In the corner on the  right are  important papers and scrabooking papers, embellishments, pictures, etc.  The desk also houses a few boxes that contain random scrabooking and sewing supplies.  It might not be super pretty, but everything  is now in its rightful place and labeled.

Clearly there is still some random storage going on.  I'm not sure what to do with that computer that is now 10 years old and doesn't work.  I hesitate to get rid of it for some reason.  Just like I hesitate to get rid of the infant swing...

The other side of the room houses my craft table, the crib, and Miles' twin bed.  Making room to store his twin bed down here was my inspiration for organizing this room finally. 

Love a clear craft space!

I also organized my wrapping  supplies.  I know it doesn't look like anything special, but all the paper, bags, tissues and ribbons are now nicely put away in a LARGE gift bag...contained!

This is in  the closet next to the dresser.

I cleaned a bunch of random things out of this dresser (clearly, some  random things still exist).  It is now  full of my fabric! 

The first drawer is random things (pictures, etc), the second drawer is unfinished projects and some fabric.  The last two are just fabric. 

Well, that's it.  Nothing fancy!  I did realize the sheer volume of scrapbooking supplies I actually own and the huge amount of fabric I have!  I'm planning on making Isla some dresses for  spring/summer and was going to go shopping for fabric next week...Well, I went shopping in my basement instead and found several cute fabrics I can use!

This whole project took me about 2.5 hours (sitting in the dark because the light was burned out and all I had was the lamp from the playroom) and three trash bags. 

Random side story:  While cleaning out the dresser, I found a bunch of things from college (papers, course catalogs, etc).  I came across my acceptance letter to nursing school and loved reading it again.  Brought tears to my eyes...I'm such a sap :).  I distinctly remember the day I got that letter, sitting at my parents dining table on Black Friday, 2004, studying for my muscle or bone test for A&P.  I heard the mail man come and just "knew" he had my letter from the school.  I waited for him to pull away, then walked calmly to the box.  Sure enough, the big packet was there!  I walked calmly back inside then ripped it open and read my letter through tear filled eyes.  No one was home, so I immediately called my Dad, who was at the office, and told him the news.  I think he thought someone had died, as I was a blubbering mess :).  Ahhh, that day changed my life.  It was my dream for as long as I can remember.  Nursing school was difficult, many long hours, but amazing and I loved almost every minute.  I am so blessed to have landed my dream job right out of school and have now been a NICU nurse for FIVE years!!!  (eeek!  How did I get so old?)  I have an amazing job and amazing coworkers.  How lucky am I that I get to see the miracles of God every day at work?  It's easy to get caught up in the hustle  and bustle of every day life and stresses. It is all too easy to focus on my 1st world problems.  I needed a reminder of the many blessings in my life.  This is a huge blessing.

Catch-Up

We haven't been super busy the past month and a half.  Mostly laying low.  I've had to remind myself to grab my camera and snap some pictures of life. 

Back in February, Ben and I went on a little staycation to a local resort and casino.  We got the Valentine's special package which included a spa pedicure and champagne for me, one night stay at the resort, $40 dining credit to any of their eateries, and $20 match play at the casino. 

I refrained from bringing my camera on the floor for fear of getting in trouble.  It was a fun night out.  I loved my pedicure and may go back there next time I'm in need (and have the cash...haha!).  I had a mimosa during my pedi, which I've never had before.  I've also never gambled before, and enjoyed some slots for a few minutes.  Though, it was kind of boring...  We walked out of the casino even...success in my book!

We also enjoyed a late lunch at Fat Guy's burgers, a nice dessert at Masselows (sp?), and some  drinks.  We slept in the next morning, and enjoyed some coffee at Starbucks before heading to pick up the kids. 

Here are a few pics of us all dolled up and ready for our "night out"  :).

Hair inspired by a tutorial on www.thesmallthingsblog.com .  If you ever get bored with your hair, check out her blog.  It is AMAZING!

A pic of my silly kids being, well, silly! 

Miss Isla is now 16 months!!!  Where is my baby girl going???  Growing too fast.  She is now 21# 9oz.  I have no idea how long she is.  We only know her weight because we just went to the doctor last week for ear infection #4 :(.  They gave her amoxicillin again this time (instead of augmentyn like last time) and she loves the stuff.  It is like crack to her.  She gets so excited when you pull the bottle out of the fridge!

One of her favorite activities is reading stories.  It is quite the pastime for her and Ben when I'm sleeping.  He lays here on the couch (instead of sitting because it feels better on his back) and she brings him book, after book, after book.  He hides them behind the couch cushions after reading them, otherwise she'll bring him the same book over and over again :).

Reading "Go, Dog, Go!"  Sorry for the poor quality.  It's a combo of not having my flash on, after dark, and a dirty lens!

What can I say?  The girl loves a good book!

Playroom Update!

So, the playroom is basically finished.  I say basically, because I'm sure I'll always be wanting to add or change things.  There are a few specific things I want to change, but not much.  Both kids LOVE playing in the playroom!  Success :).

I sewed some  curtains out of my inspiration fabric, Bunting in Retro by Michael Miller.  The colors in the fabric are strewn about the room.  The chair at the desk was also recovered in the fabric. On either side of the window, I added some quote prints I made on Photoshop.  Also, I need to add/change the items on the hutch shelving.

This is the finished reading nook.  The bench was upholstered with the inspiration fabric and also trimmed out.  Lowly worm loves the bench :).  It also provides a great space for storage underneath.

To the left of the window is the chorus from "You are My Sunshine".  I sing this to Isla frequently.  I love it.  I had these printed at Costco in 11x14.

This one is on the right of the window.  It is from "Oh the Places You'll Go", my original inspiration for the room.  I had to tie it in a few places.  Such a great book!

Lastly, I updated the cloud on the rainbow.  I made it more wispy...not sure if anyone can tell, but I like it better.  The lines were too "clean" on the first version.