Family Art

This kind of family art is all over blogs right now, but I just love the idea and had to copy! I'm so glad I did!

I used a picture frame I already owned, scrapbook paper from J1's baby book, and chipboard letters that I painted blue.

I also painted the mat for both of these frames.

I put together black and white pictures of each of my boys and finally framed that as well.

  

 I'm hoping to put together a gallery wall using black, white and blue. 

In other news, I'm guest posting for Nikki at Thrifty Decorating today! Thanks, Nikki. And my Nursery Tour was featured at Delightful Order! Yay!

Have a great weekend!

Dry Erase Calendar

We all love ugly duckling stories, right?

We love burlap and calendars and glossy black frames and projects we can do for free.

I had this ugly duckling that has been hanging around out of sight since high school (um, early 90s...)

I took it apart, cleaned it up, painted it black, exchanged the tacky gold-framed picture cut-outs for burlap and ended up with this swan:

Isn't she pretty?

The white paper is behind the glass, while the writing is on the outside.

That means I can erase the calendar each month and start again!

It's the same idea as this Menu Board that I did a year ago:

Love it!

I'm also loving that my boys went to the garden while they were playing outside this morning. When they came back their wagon was full of this: 

Isn't that nice of my 2- and 4-year-old to do?

I'm also loving Beth at Home Stories A to Z. Not only did she mention me in her Tips & Tutes this week, but she also featured me at Tip Junkie Decorate!

Ok, so it wasn't ME she featured, it was this adorable mobile:

Hope you can find an ugly duckling to transform today!

Shock & Awe

My nursery closet

and gallery wall

were featured over at Under the Table and Dreaming!

 

Thanks, Stephanie Lynn!

Now I'm off to get my son ready for VBS. 

Since when do I have a kid old enough for VBS?!

Advice and an Award

Here's a question for you:

Would you paint this?

White, with glaze around the detail so it'll coordinate better with this

and this?

If so, how would you go about it? Sand? Prime? Spraypaint? Brush? Any advice?

Now that you've taken care of that question, I wanted to share that this project was featured over at Sugar and Spice in the Land of Balls 'n Sticks. Thank you, laxsupermom!

Sugar and Spice in the Land of Balls 'n Sticks also awarded me with this:

How fun! It is an award especially for blogs with less than 300 followers. Once awarded, you get to give it out to other blogs you love with less than 300 followers.

Three of my favorite reads that are fast approaching the 300-follower mark are On the Banks of Squaw Creek, Notes from the Heartland, and It's Good to be Queen.

Katie of On the Banks of Squaw Creek lives on a turkey farm with her husband, adorable son, and Baby Brudder due any day. Not only can you read about the farm, you get to see how they've been fixing up their farmhouse. Katie is creative and resourceful and funny!

Speaking of funny, Jen of Notes from the Heartland always cracks me up! Jen, a mom of two boys, is an amazing sign-painter and has single-handedly taken on the renovation of her kitchen. You'll never believe how good she can make her finds from Habitat for Humanity look!

Sara of It's Good to be Queen might be sharing the spotlight a bit more in the near future--she is a mom to three boys and just found out they're expecting a GIRL! I enjoy the variety of topics on Sara's blog and am looking forward to seeing how she personalizes the family's new home.

Thanks again, laxsupermom, for the award!

Merry Christmas to Me!

I won a giveaway over at NewlyWoodwards! Thanks so much, Kim! 

The giveaway was from Michael at Inspired by Charm. Michael owns and operates the Old Charm Bed & Breakfast which also has a gift shoppe! Michael's blog is full of creativity and can steal a big chuck of your day because it's so fun! 

Anyway, here's the big package I got yesterday, and a look at the goodies inside.

Fun to unwrap! I could smell the soap & candles right away!

Santa came two days early!

Michael included this nice card.

I can't wait to use this pack of Christmas cards!

This homemade jelly is so yummy!

These candles are now in jars with epsom salt "snow".

This Christmas tree candle completed the
decorations on my piano.

I love this jar!

My husband keeps bees and was
impressed by this goldenrod honey.

I added this goat's milk soap set to my husband's stocking.
Naughty on one side; the lighter bar is Nice.

Thanks so much Kim and Michael! You've helped my Christmas be a merry one!

Thank You!

A few weeks ago I won a giveaway from Little E and Company. She gave away a lovely sign of my choice from Sew Saucy Stitches.

This is what I chose.

"It doesn't matter

where you go in life

what you do

or how much you have

it's who you have

beside you."

The quote is on Kodak 8X10 photo paper and came in a clear plastic sleeve next to a cardboard insert. I appreciate such care and quality!

I used a frame I already had and mounted the photo paper onto a large piece of scrapbook paper that I ripped. Here it is framed:

I love it! So does my husband.

Thanks so much, Little E and Company and Sew Saucy Stitches!

Blog Award

Jen over at [Frame Fanatic] gave me this award!

Thanks Jen! 

10 Things I Like:

(I chose to not do the usual Jesus-husband-children thing)

* A nice pedicure

* Traveling

* Coffee dates with a friend

* The sound of my boys' laughter

* That my BFF can now IM from her phone

* Mom's annual visit

* A good decorating makeover

* Babies

* The blog world

* Laughing & talking with my husband when we should be sleeping

10 Blogs I Read:

*Acorn Hollow

* Cowboy {Phraseology} 

* House of Grace

* House of Smiths

* IHeart Organizing

* Notes from the Heartland

* On The Banks of Squaw Creek

* Savvy Southern Style

* There Was a Bright Flash of Light

* White House, Black Shutters

Rules, if you're into them:

1) Post who it was who gave you the award

2) List 10 things you like

3) Pass along the award to 10 other blogs and let them know!

Happy belated 10.10.10!

Top Ten!

Can you believe it?!

I entered my Fall Wreath at Fireflies & Jellybean's Iron Crafter and I'm in the Top 10! 

 

So.... If you have a minute today to hop on over and vote for me your favorite finalist, that would be great! Thanks!