Not Much Crafting, But Lots of Decorating!

Things have been busy, busy, busy around here! Finding spare moments to do crafty things is much more difficult with three kids about...sometimes I'm lucky enough to have all three down for a nap at the same time (like right now!), but most of the time I'm juggling between at least two.

It took me at least a week to get all my Christmas decorating done, but done it is, and I've taken pictures to show you!

Above is our fireplace. Last year I had a display of vintage reindeer up there, but I decided to change things up and do Santas this year. I find the little flocked vintage Santas at thrift shops all the time, so have accumulated quite a collection!


I got this wooden Santa sign at a craft fair over Thanksgiving-perfect for over the mantle! I fashioned a wreath "frame" out of garland and added some vintage ornaments for "bling". And on either side are little elf shelf-sitter hangings I found at a thrift store.

And here are all the Santas. My favorite is the tallest one-he has a really sweet expression on his face.

My other prime decorating spot is this china cabinet. You'll recognize many of the pieces from last year's collection, but there are plenty of new things as well.

I found several of these little gnomes on the top shelf at an estate sale last month. I don't know how well you can see, but behind them are two little houses that are perfect gnome-y little cottages.

Lots of little angels and Christmas-y girls!

The three caroling boys above have eyes that wink when you tilt them. They're a little creepy/strange looking, but cute at the same time. For 25 cents a piece, you can't go wrong!

Little putz village...

I got the large pink church at an estate sale- love it!

Lots of elf shelf-sitters!

And on the bottom shelf, I put all the reindeer amongst a forest of bottlebrush trees...

I do still have a couple things on my Christmas decorating to-do list. I'd love to make us all vintage-style felt stockings.

I found these two stockings and tree skirt that I may disassemble to make new stockings. We'll see if I get around to it- maybe it's a better project for next year's Christmas...!

I also have this pile of goodness awaiting me. The box is full of vintage ornaments. I can always make another wreath, or I'm waiting for inspiration to strike and perhaps give me a different idea. We'll see-again, it may be something that is done next year as well.

But I could sit and stare at this box all day, couldn't you? In fact, I really need to put them into a nicer container while they're just sitting, waiting....!

And speaking of things I could stare at all day long, this sweet thing rolled over for the first time the other day!

This photo is from a couple minutes after her accomplishment-isn't she proud?

So, since I'm just overwhelmed with all this free time (that's sarcasm there...!), the last thing I needed was another decorating project, but nevertheless, I decided to redo this wall in Avery's room. The arrangement used to be very symmetrical, but that kind of limited my ability to add things. I had gotten a few new pieces of art, so I tore down the old wall and redid it. I love the "randomness" of the new wall!

Here's a closer shot. The two pastel paint-by-numbers of little girls with deer and bunnies are so adorable! I found them thrifting, along with the ceramic hanging music box on the right side. It plays "Country Road" by John Denver! And the embroidery in the center is done by Avery's grandma. It is the nighttime prayer I say with her before bed.

The one bit of crafting I've done this past month was to make this lambie. She's wearing a vintage baby dress that fits perfectly! I didn't use a pattern-it's something I made up as I went along. I've considered writing it up to sell on Etsy-is anyone interested?

And although I didn't make the doll above (I found her at a thrift shop), I am now obsessed with making a doll out of a vintage pattern similar to this one. It's really difficult to choose the pattern though, because all the vintage patterns I'm finding (on Ebay, online, etc.) only have drawings to show the finished product, and no photos. Does anyone have some good recommendations?

I also found the purple Bradley doll above at a thrift shop. The green one was the very first doll in my doll collection as a child, so I thought it would be neat to put them together in Avery's room.

And how fun is this book for my family? Two older boys and a younger girl!

Okay, well, guess that's all for now. I hope you're all having a wonderful holiday season. Thank you so much for the sweet comments you guys leave me-I'm not the best at responding, I know, but I really do appreciate them!

So Much to Show...

I've got so much to show you, but I know I would never get this posted if I took the time to write about everything, so I'm just going to let the pictures speak for themselves! Time just disappears with three little ones around, but as you can see, I've been productive in spite of the chaos!

Things I've Made

A collage about the three kids:

An entry in Avery's Journal about the blanket made by her Grandma and Great-Grandma:

An entry in Avery's journal about her sucking her hands:

A wall hanging for Avery's room with her birth info, hand and footprints, and first photos:

An entry in Noah's journal about becoming a big brother:

An entry in Noah's journal about his first day of preschool:

An entry in Riley's journal about becoming a big brother:

An entry in Riley's journal about turning four:

A yo-yo clown for Avery:

A revamped car seat for Avery (it used to be green for the boys-came out cute, but boy, I wouldn't want to do that again!):

Events That Have Occurred

Riley turned four:

He's as proud as can be!

Noah drew his first "happy face" (probably 1/2 luck and 1/2 intention, but it does look like a happy face!):

We picked out a really cute pumpkin:

Riley as Lightning McQueen:

Noah as Mr. Incredible/pirate (he insisted on the dagger, which he claimed made him part pirate!):

Things I've Bought

Vintage stitcheries:

Vintage lamb planters:

Little girl music box:

Baby face wall planters:

Little girl planter (love her!!):

Well, that's about it! I hope my (very) brief descriptions were acceptable, considering all the eye candy I gave you instead!

I'm getting excited about Christmas coming up! My local thrift shops are beginning to put out their Christmas stuff, so I've been on the lookout for yummy vintage ornaments and such. And speaking of vintage Christmas, check out this blog giveaway I entered- I hope I win!

Busy, busy, busy!

So, besides gazing at this sweet face....

and this cute ruffled bottom....

and this adorable belly button....

I've actually been keeping quite busy!

I did the cover to Avery's first book, which was all of the artwork I did during her pregnancy. I love the way it turned out-girly, girly, girly!

I've also done a couple spreads in her new book. This one is about her sweet smile. She really has been smiling since her first week!

The colors and layout of this spread just all came together so nicely-it's one of my favorite journal spreads ever, I think! I must just be extra inspired by all the girly colors I'm now allowed to use!!

The vintage pieces in this spread are from an old baby card. Jamie sent me an entire scrapbook full of vintage baby cards- to die for!!! Thank you so much Jamie! You know you'll be seeing bits of those show up in my art!

And here is a spread just about my continued giddiness over having a girl-picking out her cute clothes, etc. This seems to be a repeating theme in her journals, and I don't see an end to it anytime soon... I still am just in shock that I actually have a girl!!

Continuing the "girl" theme, here is my first handmade dolly for Avery. She is a modified version of this pattern. I wanted her more "girly" than the original, so I added a little ruffle for her bonnet.

I see a lot more handmade dolls in her future- I really hope she likes them! So far, the response has been good...

I also made some "baby legs" for her yesterday, following this tutorial. So easy, and so cute!

I framed her birth announcement stitching, done by her grandmother. This frame used to hold a mirror, but I think this is much cuter! Her grandma also did an embroidery of a bedtime prayer, but I'm still waiting for the perfect frame for that one.

And in non-Avery-related news (what? is there anything else???), this little one started his first day of preschool! How cute is he?

Big brother also started his second year of preschool...

I finished Noah's most recent journal, and did the cover.

Now I need to catch up and do pages in both the boys' books about being big brothers and the first day of school....too many projects, too little time!

And of course, even though I'm complaining about "too little time", I couldn't let the past month go by without doing some thrifting!

This purple doll brought back memories....my sisters and I had several when we were growing up. And the big elephant is actually a bank that was never used-it's the kind that needs to be broken to get the money, but it's still intact!

I went to my first-ever estate sale, and came out with some real beauties...

The kitty is a paint-by-number. I'm sure it's not very old, but I loved the colors!

Okay, guess that's all. Hope everyone's having a wonderful start to the fall season. We're still roasting in Florida, but every so often we get a cool spell that gives me some hope!

Newborn Cuteness & Other Nice Things

As promised, here are some more photos of little miss Avery, in all her girly cuteness! I can't believe she is already three weeks old!

She was definitely "worth the wait"...

These sepia ones below are from a little photoshoot I did of her. I did the same thing with my boys at this age, so it's always neat to see how they compare with each other.

Love little baby yawns!

And here she is in her first tu-tu. I found it at Goodwill, and just couldn't resist!

At 10 lbs, she's a big newborn, but when I catch a glimpse her up on my shoulder like this, I'm reminded of how tiny she really is- love it!

This child's been smiling since the day we brought her home from the hospital-and I swear they're real smiles, not just gas!

Big eyes, up on Grandma's shoulder...

I've been much more creatively inspired lately, so have done some work in the kids' journals. Here is the last spread in Avery's pregnancy journal- her "arrival" page. I've written out the timeline of her labor so that I can remember each step!

Here is the last page in Noah's current journal. It's about his obsession with "doing things myself"! Ah, the life of a two-year-old...!

And I also have finished Riley's most recent book. This is the cover. I love this puppy dog graphic!

Of course, despite trying to take care of two toddlers and a newborn, I've still managed to do a little thrifting! (it helps that my husband is still out on paternity leave!) I found this gorgeous vintage baby dress, as well as a little train planter and a wishing well bank.

I also found this adorable baby mobile that I'm deciding how to use. I adore the little hanging animals, but am not crazy about the bright graphics on the "umbrella" part of it. I'm trying to think of a cute way to use the animals in a project (not necessarily a mobile, but could be). In fact, does anyone have any good ideas?

Finally, I want to thank the sweet Jamie for this wonderful package she sent me full of baby planters and other goodies! I especially love the choo-choo train with the face!!

Thank you everyone, for all your congratulations and well wishes. It's been such a fun (albeit exhausting!) three weeks, but it's already going by way too fast! So bittersweet, knowing she's my last...

Introducing...

Avery Grace Moortgat

August 16, 2009

9 lbs. 12 oz.

1:04 PM

21 1/4" long

Yes, she is finally here, and we are all so blessed to have her!

Delivery was wonderful and easy. I suffered no pain (thank goodness for epidurals!), and did not even have to push-she literally slid out on her own! What a wonderful experience for what I know will be my last baby...

We are all getting used to a new routine around here, but things are going well so far. I want to get some better photos of her, but for now, here are a few...

Gazing into Daddy's eyes:

Rocking with Mommy at the hospital:

Sleeping in the swing after the drive home (the dress we brought her home in is one from when I was a baby):

Being adored by her brothers:

Okay, well, time for me to go engage in some more baby girl adoration... I will post again soon with more photos!

Final Bit of Productivity While I Wait

Well, still no baby here! My due date's in five days, and boy, am I ready! I swear this has been the longest three weeks of my life- I don't know why I'm so much more impatient this time around- I don't recall feeling this way with the other two!

Anyway, I completed the final big project for Baby Girl's nursery-refinishing the dresser. You can see what it looked like before in this post. All I did was repaint it a minty green, add pink glass knobs, and add some vintage decals- so cute! I am so in love with vintage decals!!


Here's a closer shot:

And I decorated this little cradle with matching decals as well:

Now the only thing left to do in the room is find a baby to live in there! Wait, is that a contraction I just felt?? No, just wishful thinking....!

I'll leave you with a photo of my thrift finds from the past couple weeks. Riley is obsessed with trains, so this book was a really nice find for only 75 cents!


I also wanted to express a really big thank you to all of you who have commented recently with your well wishes, etc. I know I'm not always the best at responding to every comment, but please know that they are all extremely appreciated.

Next post will be the new baby post, so stay tuned!!! :)

A Little More Done Before I Pop...

Well, about 3 weeks left until my due date, but my wishful thinking makes me feel as though she'll come early. That's my hope anyway, because I am really struggling with the aches and pains lately! Here are some self-portraits I did a couple weeks ago. I really need to have my sister or husband take some of me, but if that doesn't happen, at least I've done a few myself.

I've also gotten a few more things done in the nursery. I found this wonderful, HUGE paper doll on Ebay. She's almost 3 feet tall, and looks like what I could envision Baby Girl to look like one day, if she has my dark hair and blue eyes.

One task I can cross off my to-do list from the last post is recovering the glider. I mixed vintage pink "popcorn" chenille with pale yellow striped chenille around the edges. It came out really cute and comfy!
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I painted this shelf and hung it by the window. The three little figures on the top are all nightlites that give off a soft pink glow at night. I keep rearranging the knick-knacks between all the shelves in the room, but for now, this is where this group resides.

I've also done some art in the kids' book. The first is in the Baby's book, just about how hard it is to wait for her birth:

And the second is also about waiting, since that's really the main focus of my life right now! But I also included a pocket to hold some notes written to her. I belong to a small bible study group, and they threw me a little shower where they each wrote a note to the baby.

The last page is in Riley's book. He is learning to write his letters and spell his name, as well as all the letter sounds. So I had him write his name and did a page around it. This is the final page in this journal for him, then I'll be starting a new book for him. Once the baby comes, I'm going to need to simplify these journal pages for a while, because doing books for three kids is going to kill me! This spread was really quick and easy to do, so I may use this sort of layout as a kind of formula in his next book, and see how it goes.

And finally, although my thrift-shopping has slowed a bit, since I can't handle being on my feet much, I've still managed to accumulate a stash in the past few weeks. I found these three cuties a couple days ago at a local thrift shop:

And I did some antique/thrift shopping with my mother in North Carolina a couple weeks ago, and came home with all these goodies!



Alright, that's all to show for now. If I'm lucky, this baby will come soon, and my next post will be about her! But is she decides to be a slowpoke and waits a while, I'll try to post once more. I'm working on refinishing her dresser, so that's still to come!