A Little Organization

I've got an odd little wall in our kitchen that can't take a tall piece of furniture because of the light switch in the middle of the wall.  I've also got two kids in preschool (who bring home LOTS of paperwork) and my own miscellaneous papers to deal with.  It was time to do something about it!

I already had the chest from HomeGoods, which holds kitchen things, but I needed something functional on the wall above it for all the paperwork.  I found these file boxes at Target.

The file boxes were from the Martha Stewart Living collection, but I can't find any photos online to show what they originally looked like...  But anyway, they were originally just solid colors- teal, green, and brown. 

I covered them in scrapbook papers, and added little nameplates to the front.  My husband put grommets on the top so that they'd hang on the wall.

 They each have three "slots" for papers or files, etc.- plenty of room!

 I also bought some coordinating decorative file folders from Tuesday Morning to further organize each "slot".

So now I've got something that is functional, pretty, unique, and fits around the random light switch!

Journal Pages Roundup

I haven't been keeping up with my kids' journals as much as I'd like lately, but I've managed a few pages in the last couple months.  Here they are!

In Avery's journal:

    

A spread about learning to crawl.  She's been crawling for a while, but I'm still waiting to do the "walking" page!  She's taking 7-8 steps at a time, but won't give up the crawling yet!  I guess I shouldn't complain- with my last baby, I shouldn't want her to grow up too quickly!

A spread about her baptism.  The baby in the cradle is from a vintage baptism card, and the cross above it is from the card my mom gave to her. 

Her first birthday spread.  I love these pages!  I used wrapping paper from her presents, and the little girl image was sitting out as a decoration.  As you can see, I love to use mementoes from events in my journals...

And another about her first birthday.  As I detailed a couple posts ago, I kind of obsessed about what she should wear for her birthday.  That also extended to what she should wear for her first birthday "formal" photos at the studio.  These were the two final choices- I used fabric from the outfits (scrap-I didn't cut up the outfits!) as the "lines" for my journaling.

In Riley's Journal:

 

Poor Riley's journal has really been neglected this year, but I guess that just happens as kids get older and don't reach as many "milestones".  But I do try to document big events in his life, like learning to swim!

 

And turning 5!  His birthday was this past weekend.  We had a pirate party (his first real birthday party), and I used mementoes from the party on his pages.

In Noah's Journal:

This spread is about Noah learning to write his letters.  If you can decipher it, that says "N-O-A-H" over there!

I still have lots of vintage finds to show you, and two new decorating projects.  For Riley's fifth birthday, the boys got bunk beds, so I've been decorating a new shared bedroom, as well as turning Riley's old bedroom into a playroom.  When I have some more time, I'll show you!

Doll Dresses

Well, I was prepared to show you a few pictures of some new decor in my studio, but Blogger is uploading half my photos sideways for some reason.  So you can head over to my Flickr page if you'd like to see some more detailed photos...

But anyway, I've recently acquired some things that required me to do a little rearranging.   I found the dusty pink knick-knack shelf (towards the left side of the top photo) at an antique shop, and I purchased the pile of vintage doll dresses on Ebay.  So down came some of my old stuff to make room for the "new" stuff!

You can see photos of the old wall arrangement here.  I know, it's not a big change (in fact, my husband couldn't even figure out what I changed, even with prompting!), but I do love those doll dresses so!  I've recently been on a little bit of a vintage doll kick.  Above are a few of my vintage dolls, and I'll show you some others soon.  And don't even get me started on vintage doll furniture- I really need a support club for that one...!

Head over to Flickr if you want to see a couple more photos, including one of a great thrift store find!

Look Who's One!

Yes, this little girl is now one!  And proud as can be, as you can see!  On the morning of her birthday, I took her outside for a little birthday photoshoot, and here are some of the results.

I obsessed (and I mean really obsessed!) about what she would wear on her first birthday.  Funny, I never really thought much about it with the boys, but oh my, this little girl was going to have the perfect outfit on her birthday!  I had just about given up hope of finding something suitable, when I came across this seller on Etsy.  I fell in love with these little ruffled sunsuits she makes, and found my girl's birthday outfit!  As you can see, I also made a matching birthday crown for her to wear!

I've been trying out the pigtails on her, but they only last for so long!

Oh my, how cute is that ruffled bum???

And here was her party.  It was just a few family members, but I wanted to decorate just the same.  Something about the fact that this was going to be my last "first" birthday party.... sniff!

Most of my family thought I was nuts for hanging sheets and blankets up on the walls, but I wanted a pretty backdrop for everything, as I'm sure you all can relate to!

Not sure that you can see it very well, but I made a bunting with vintage embroideries of birthday girls on the flags to hang on the wall.

My sister and her boyfriend made the cake-isn't it gorgeous?  And yummy, too!

And here's the birthday girl eating her cake.  None of my kids are the sorts to dive in and make a huge mess, so this was as messy as it got!

It goes without saying that she got plenty of dolls and strollers and baby carriages on her special day, including this doll I had made for her.  She's slowly but surely starting to show interest in her dolls, so I hope to have the opportunity to make lots more for her!

The Picnic Blanket

Here's the picnic blanket I mentioned in my last post.  (It's been a while, I know, but better late than never!)  Since Avery has been crawling around, I've continually wished I had a nice blanket to lay out in the grass that was waterproof on one side, and soft on the other.  Well, I looked and looked, and could never find exactly what I was looking for. It seems like such a common thing to want, but apparently not!
 

Well, a couple months ago, I discovered laminated cotton, and the rest is history!  I made a patchwork with a bunch of vintage sheets, layered some thin quilt batting in between, and finished the edge with blanket binding.  Really simple, and works beautifully!   We've used it in the grass several times, and it made its debut at the beach this weekend, with great results!

As you can see, the kids love it, and it's plenty big for everyone to fit!  And it's super-soft and comfy because of the vintage cotton of the sheets.

That's it for today, but I've been accumulating a lot of wonderful thrift and vintage finds that I hope to post soon.  Oh, and Miss Avery had a birthday, so I'll show you pics of that as well!

Oh My, Has It Been That Long?

Okay guys, I have had these photos sitting here for about two weeks, awaiting some time for me to sit down and blog about them.  I just don't think it's going to happen!!  I'm sorry I'm such a bad blogger!  But, instead of waiting another couple weeks, I am just going to send this out into cyberspace with minimal description, and hope you guys can forgive me!

A piece I did on my 38th birthday.

A stand-alone piece- I like it-might try some more in this style!

Cover of Noah's latest journal.

Spread about Noah's many "collections".

Spread about cutie-pie Avery in a swimsuit.

Cover of Avery's latest journal.

Reversible necklace with the kids' silhouettes.

Little missy approves!

Vintage toy ironing board and iron I got!

I also found this vintage doll outfit that fits my handmade doll perfectly!

A pic of the lovely aqua underside of the ironing board.

A favorite recent find!!  Found at a children's consignment shop...

Dolly loves it!

I've eyed this Alice piece for the past year at a local antique shop, and snatched it up when I saw it at half price!

Cute thrift find.

Love these puppies!!

Got the Josef Christening angel on the top shelf for Avery's recent baptism.

Found this out thrifting!

Love the cover illustration on this book!

Here's the sweetie in her Christening gown.

Lots of fun times at the beach for us recently!

Okay, please forgive me for such brief descriptions here!  I'll try to do better next time.  And I've got a lot to show you next time as well- some great vintage scores, more journal art, and a yummy picnic blanket I made out of vintage sheets! 

(Unrelated, but if you believe in the power of prayer, please say a prayer for my cousin and his family.  Their 16-month old little boy fell into a swimming pool and went several minutes with no hearbeat or breathing.  He has suffered severe brain damage, and the outcome of his injuries are still to be determined.  Their family needs as many positive thoughts as possible right now...  

Update:  Here is a website that has been set up for more information about this heartbreaking story)