Pre-Baby To-Do List

Checked Off on the To-Do List

1. Get to the "uncomfortable every minute of the day" stage of pregnancy (these photos are from 29 wks, and I'm now at 33 wks, so even bigger...). CHECK!




2. Reorganize Noah's room into a "big boy room" in order to move the crib into the new baby's room. This includes:

2a. Attempt to throw out some "hints" about "big boy" things to do (like picking up toys). CHECK!


2b. Take apart the crib bumper I made him when he was born, and turn it into a toddler bed quilt. CHECK!

2c. Rearrange the room multiple times and rehang everything on the walls in order for everything to fit properly. CHECK!

3. Reorganize Riley's room into a "BIG big boy room" in order to move the toddler bed into Noah's room. This includes:

3a. Rearrange the room multiple times and rehang everything on the walls in order for everything to fit properly. CHECK!

4. Begin decorating New Baby's room. This includes:

4a. Have Husband paint walls lavender and pale yellow. CHECK!

4b. Finish making curtains. CHECK!

4c. Outfit crib: Find crib bumper at thrift store that matches color scheme perfectly so that I don't have to make one from scratch. CHECK! Repurpose twin-size bedskirt found in thrift store into crib-size bedskirt so that I don't have to make one from scratch. CHECK!

4d. Crafty projects: Repurpose vintage high chair into doo-dad holder over changing table. CHECK! Make frames for cute felt animals from Jenny. CHECK!


4e. Generally decorate and hang cute vintage things around room. ALMOST CHECK! (still a few more things to do, but getting there)

5. Find time to do some journal spreads in the kids' books. This includes:

5a. Spread in Riley's book about how his eyes have turned from blue to olive green. CHECK!

5b. Spread in Noah's book about his new "big boy" bed and the kitty companion that seemed to accompany the bed. CHECK!

5c. Spread in Baby's book about this stage in the pregnancy. CHECK!

6. Prepare for and teach all-day workshop at library (mentioned a couple posts ago). CHECK! (the class went great, and I was the recipiant of this lovely gift from one of my students-thanks, Jane!)

Not Yet Checked Off on the To-Do List

1. Convert Riley's toddler bed quilt into a twin-size quilt (this one is low on the priority list, but still bothers me)

2. Refinish, paint, and find knobs for Baby's dresser. (I'm thinking about painting it lavender and putting vintage decals on some of the drawers)

3. Recover rocking chair in Baby's room. (I've ordered a vintage pink chenille bedspread from Ebay to use for fabric- just waiting for it to arrive)

4. Despite the reminder sign in Noah's room, get the kids to ACTUALLY pick up their toys! Bending over and picking up toys is definitely not a fun thing to do at this stage of pregnancy!

Slowly Working on a Nursery...

Well, it's been a slow-going month since my last post-we were out of town for a week, then had a houseguest for another couple weeks, then add to that the fatigue and laziness of pregnancy in general, and well, you get the idea! Not as much artwork and girl-y decorating to show as I'd like, but still some fun things!

First, I'd really like to thank everyone for your congrats on my great news from the last post. It has sunk in somewhat by now, but I'm still floating on air about having a little girl! And thank you for all the fabric source tips. I had forgotten about some of those, and I was able to find the perfect fabric for the nursery curtains!

Isn't this just the cutest? It's from ReproDepot, and I love it!

I added ruffles, and may add a valance to the top. I'll decide once I hang them up.
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I'm currently waiting to "gain possession" of the room which will be the nursery. My husband is using it as an office, and is in the process of moving upstairs, but until then, I can't actually begin decorating. It's agonizing, because I've been accumulating so many cute girl things, and I don't have anywhere to put them yet!!

And speaking of cute things, take a look at this stash I recently received from Kari!! She and I did a personal swap, and she found the cutest things for me!

Here is a closer shot. She included a to-die-for baby blanket with vintage nursery rhyme fabric, which I now realize isn't really visible in this photo, unfortunately. Also, another knit (crochet?) baby blanket, a little doll's quilt, adorable wall hangings, and lots of fun ephemera! What a wonderful package to open!!

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Then, here are some of my own vintage finds from the past month, most which will make their way into the baby's room as well. I found the wicker baby bassinet (that is holding everything), as well as a vintage wicker changing table that I love. I didn't take a photo of that yet, but you'll see it once it's in the room.

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Oh, hurry up, Husband!! I'm chomping at the bit to get in there and start arranging this stuff!

The little dog and the little lamb are actually nightlights- so precious! I found them on Etsy from two different sellers, but they match each other perfectly!

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Unfortunately, I haven't had the motivation to get into the studio much and work in the kid's journals. I really need to get working on that, because I know once New Baby comes, I'll have even less time, and I don't want to get behind! I did manage to do a spread in Noah's book though:

Being a second child, he is just so much more advanced than Riley was at his age. He knows all his shapes, even fairly complex ones, and he loves playing with toys that focus on them.

And of course I also managed to do a spread in New Baby's book! Hey, I haven't been able to work with pink for a long time, and I'm taking advantage!

These pages are about how I still can't quite believe that I'm finally going to have a girl. I literally am still in awe! All the ephemera on these pages are from Kari- thanks again, Kari!

The spread is also about the dozens of little pink dresses I've bought thus far for her! Goodwill isn't just good for vintage collectables- every time I go, I also spoil myself by spending time in the baby girl clothes aisle! My little girl is going to be outfitted almost exclusively in 99 cent outfits from thrift stores, and she's going to look great! So many cute clothes there, both modern and also lots of sweet vintage!

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Okay, that's all I've got to show today. Hopefully, by next time I post, I'll be well on my way to decorating the nursery, and will also have some more artwork to show. Poor Riley hasn't had a new page in his book for several weeks! Hope you all have a good week!

Miscellaneous Business, Plus Some GREAT News!

So, first off, I want to say thank you so much for all your congratulations on our news! It is definitely exciting for us, and now that I'm feeling better (other than a week-long round of the flu for everyone in the house from which we are finally recovering...), I am in full-on planning mode.

We're going to do some rearranging of bedrooms in the next few weeks, and then I get to decorate a new nursery- fun, fun, fun!!! By the way, can any of you give me recommendations on good fabric websites or brands that sell vintage-inspired children's fabrics (preferably larger scale images as they'll be used for curtains)? I used to have a bunch of links, and then lost them at some point...

Then, I also want to send out a special thank you to Jenny, for this wonderful package she sent me! I won a giveaway on her blog, and she really spoiled me with treasures! Tons of vintage stuff, and some of her adorable cupcake art! You should have seen my kids when I got the package-they thought it was Christmas! I let them help me unwrap everything, and I almost think they were more excited than me!

Here are some of my favorite bits. LOVE these little bunnies!!! I'm not sure yet what I'll do with them- I have a feeling they'll make it into the baby's room though...

I also think these adorable felt animal images will show up in there as well!

And of course, you know where this will go!

And onto other business, I often get questions about whether I teach classes or not. I haven't recently, just because with little kids, I haven't had time to go to any of the great retreats around the country. And, in general, there's not a real big market for my kind of art right around where I live.

However, I'm pleased to announce that I will be teaching an all day workshop on June 20th in Jacksonville, Florida! It is being put on by the public library, which also means that it is completely free (other than perhaps some supplies which will be required)!!! So if you live within a few hours, it may be worth it to make the drive!

It is called "Playing With Blocks", and we will create a piece similar to the one on the left. I don't have all the details yet, but let me know if you think you may be able to attend-space is limited to only 40 students, and I'd love to have some of my blog-readers come!

(And no, this isn't even the really GREAT news yet!)

Now, onto some artwork. The first is a piece in Riley's journal. We recently went to the Monster Truck Jam in town, and my kids LOVED it! Riley particularly liked the truck named GraveDigger, and he is now mildly obsessed, watching the trucks on TV and playing with his own trucks constantly.

I used his actual truck to make tire tracks on the page, and now he frequently requests to sleep with his "GraveDigger tracks"!

The next is a spread in the new baby's book about feeling the baby's first kicks in my belly (referred to as "quickening").

I really like the way these pages turned out!

And now, onto my really GREAT news.......!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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(drumroll please....)

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Oh my gosh, I am still floating on air about this! I can't believe I am finally having a girl! For those of you who have followed my artwork, you know how desperately I've always wanted a girl. I just couldn't fathom the thought that I may never have someone to share in my love of "girly" things, and honestly, this was my last chance, because three kids is enough!

I probably don't need to tell you that I cried in the ultrasound office when she told us it was girl! So now you know what I mean when I say I'm excited to decorate the nursery- I just can't wait! Not to mention buying all new baby girl clothes-hurray for PINK!!!

The "We did it!" item at the top of the first page is from a card Jason gave me, attached to a bouquet of pink roses!

So, that's everything for right now! My camera's on the fritz right now; otherwise I'd show you a few new vintage/thrift finds I've acquired, but I'll save that for next time. And of course I'll keep you all updated on my nursery decorating progress!

Hope you all have a great weekend!