Gnomes

I'm quite certain that my current favorite to-do list project is gnome-making.

On a whim, and with inspiration from Salt & Chocolate, I started making these little cuties the other day. Camden loves them, and lights up with each new friend he receives.

The tiny family of three is growing, so I'm sure you'll see them again soon.

Progress

As long as we've been together, Ryan and I have moved from one spot to another... an apartment, duplex... a year in a house... and I always wind up with spaces that are never quite finished. Maybe that's because we move so often, but I also blame a lack of funds, and heck--a busy, baby-raising life!

I'm really feeling motivated this time, for whatever reason, and I'm trying to make the most of that motivation. My goal is to have our entire apartment photo-ready before Christmas. It's coming along, our little space, and I'm so excited with the results.

Crafting and decorating on a budget are important to me, because I know I'm capable and it seems silly to spend so much when I can do it myself. And who am I kidding? It's also important because we're ON A BUDGET! (Who isn't??)

Anyway, my focus right now is on the common area that includes our dining room, living room and kitchen.

...have you wondered why I'm telling you all of this? Are you scrolling to the bottom of the post yet, hoping I'll just.spit.it.OUT! already!?

Here it is:

A peek at my current favorite DIY! I'm really happy with the results, but the project isn't finished yet either. More soon!

We're on the Move!

I'm here.

We moved. Did you know? No, no. You didn't. Because I didn't tell you. I know, I know, I've kept pretty quiet about our change of surroundings. Don't worry though, I'll give you some peeks around our new space as it begins to come together.

Boxes abound, as do missed bed times and precarious situations for the curious little toddler who now calls this (big!) apartment home.

The apartment? It's on the edge of town in a small non-complex. There are two (two!) bedrooms (bedrooms!) for us to spread ourselves out in... a space for our table... a separate kitchen. Ah, yes, this is going to be good.

We're still moving and settling, but that hasn't kept me from other, more interesting activities.

I photographed two birthday parties almost two weeks ago now, and promise to share some of my favorites here.

Ok--fine. One now, more later:

This little cutie has some of the most amazing eyes I think I've ever seen. She was exhausted when this picture was taken, but her eyes were still twinkling.

And look! My logo as a watermark! Do you love it? Because I do.

...and I've been satisfying Camden's new-found love for coloring with some homemade, chunky, hold-able crayons.

More on those in the days to come. They're so quick to make, and so much easier for Camden to hold in his hands.

I've missed this place. Seriously. And I want to come back and be more of a regular. Perhaps once we're a bit more settled? I've sure got a lot to talk about...

The decorations.

I'm a little bit behind.

Again.

As usual.

But I'm finally collecting my thoughts following Camden's birthday party, and it seems logical to share some of my favorite details and moments with you, my bloggie friends.

So I'm starting with the decorations.

I was really proud of myself, when everything was said and done, for having made the majority Camden's decorations. We can hardly wait to pull out his birthday bunting again next year, and that makes me, well? proud! and happy!

Anyway.

I also made these big, fluffy-looking tissue paper balls. They hung in different corners of the room... and, if I'm being honest? I loved them too much to crumple up and throw away.

So they're hanging above our bed.

...and Ryan thinks I've lost my mind. He won't admit to it. But I can tell.

Moving along.

The bunting and the tissue paper balls made up the majority of the decorations, but I also put up a few crepe paper streamers and we made a last-minute decision to buy twenty red and blue balloons to be used as a back-drop for Camden's cake pictures.

I cannot tell you how glad I am that we made that decision. It just... I don't know... added something to the pictures?

So there you have it. I like to think I managed to keep the decorating simple enough to be pleasant and not in-your-face obnoxious. It was exactly what I was going for.

...and if you were there and it was obnoxious? Please do not tell me. Just let me live out my fantasy. Thank you.

Hooked.

We all know I've got a major case of ADD when it comes to crafty things, right?

So should it come as any surprise that I've picked up something new? Again?

Of course not.

I like to sew, you see. Living in a one-room abode, however, does not lend itself easily to late-night sewing jags... or to nap time projects.

So I needed something quiet.

Something... relaxing. And happy.

Enter a new crochet hook, some basic online directions and some pretty yarn. The color says 'aquarium,' and a dreamy color it is.

Surprisingly enough, I'm not half bad, either! I'm just playing around and trying to figure out how not to make a mess right now... but I think I may be hooked!

Yea--that was bad.

Anyway.

Aren't the kitty-tooshies in the background fitting?? I think so.

Bunting

Remember the fabric we picked out a couple of weeks ago?

It was for Camden's party, of course. To be made into Birthday Bunting. My hope is that we can pull it out every year in the week leading up to his birthday. Kids like tradition, don't they?

I've got visions of hanging it over our kitchen table... the one that resides in the sunny, cozy breakfast nook in the cute little house in my head.

Anyway.

Here's the finished product:

I thought about writing up a tutorial for you, but there are so many of them already available. Instead, I'll share the link to my favorite tutorial.

I'll make sure to take photos once it's been put up for the party, too, because I'm absolutely in love with how it turned out!

Up to my eyeballs.

Yep, that title sums up the current state of affairs. I'm up to my eyeballs in birthday bunting, coordinating napkins and plates, decorations and dinner plans. But I'm here!

The week in review?

...a 24-hour power outage.
...wind. Lots and lots of wind.
...and rain. Buckets of rain.
...an obscene amount of money spent on one very important (and delicious!) cake for one very important little boy.
...gift shopping.
...rain. Have I mentioned it's been raining? Scratch that. Pouring.
...multiple trips to the party store, the craft store and Target.
...five days off for Ryan. I wish he could be around like this *all* the time.
...and this little guy:

He's learning to trust those legs he stands on. Slowly, but surely, he's getting to be more and more brave. Tell me though. Have you ever seen a tiny one who stands up in the middle of the room and starts off walking as opposed to letting go of a piece of furniture somewhere?? I haven't. But it's stinkin' cute!

I can't believe he'll be an official toddler this time next week.

Decisions, DIY Projects and Growing Up...

I feel as though it's been ages since I managed to post two days in a row. The hours slip by so quickly, and then it's time to get up and start all over again. I feel as though an update is in order... perhaps I'll find my motivation along the way?

We've been busy around here. Really busy.

Party plans are swirling around in my head, some of the ideas making their way on to paper--some of them lost before I even have a chance to jot them down. Invitations are in the mail, and believe me when I say that felt like a *huge* accomplishment. More on the party later.

Ryan spent the weekend away. He drove the five hours across our state to visit our old college town. It was cold. Really cold. But he had a good time anyway. Boys are funny that way.

While he was gone, my mom helped me pull a sneaky stunt and we tiled the backsplash area in our kitchen. White subway tile... and man, am I ever in love. This picture is almost embarrassing it's so... ugh... but it gives you an idea.

Camden has decided he no longer requires assistance where spoons are concerned. He's all about feeding himself. I had no idea it was possible to clean a floor so often.

Messy or not, he sure is cute.

Eating on his own isn't his only new trick. Yesterday, I watched as he took five big steps all on his own. I wonder, will we have a toddling baby at the party??

Everyone tells me I'll be sorry when he finally discovers his ability to walk. Truly though? I'm just excited. Nothing makes me happier than seeing him learn and grow... and if we're being honest? I'm a little bit excited to be able to put him down in public from time to time without him instantly crawling all over a yucky floor.

There--do you feel up to speed? I do. Sort of. I also feel wildly awkward posting an "update" to my blog... but hey, a mama has to do what a mama has to do.

Look for me. Hold me accountable. I'll be back.

Blocks.

I've been busy this week turning these:

...into these:

I've been searching for a nice set of wooden blocks for Camden, and just hadn't come across anything that really jumped out at me. Instead, I thought I might make him a set all his own.

It's slow going, trimming the little pieces of paper to fit each side, and then applying so many coats of Mod Podge while he naps, but definitely worth the outcome.

They're not all patterned, but you'll just have to wait and see what else I've got in store!

Why I Love Craig's List

...because you can score a super-awesome, egg-shaped spinning chair that will entertain your almost-toddler for ages while you do ten different crafty projects all at once.

The crafty projects? Those are coming. Soon.

The chair? $30. Sold by Ikea.

Ruffles have r-r-r-ridges!

Remember that commercial?? For potato chips?

I don't think the Ruffles slogan is the same anymore, but I still think of that phrase when I see a bag of chips.

Anyway.

This post has nothing to do with chips. There's a surprise.

It has everything to do with a couple of has-been shirts, though, that hang in the 'dead zone' of our closet.

A couple of things you should know about me: I'm obsessed with t-shirts. and I'm obsessed with gray and brown clothing.

What do those all add up to?? ...a wardrobe that makes me yaaaawn.

But between the recent refashions and the ruffle tee tutorial over at Homemade by Jill, and the ruffle tank on Samster Mommy, I've been cooking up an idea. I think my plain {gray} tee's might have potential!

J.Crew offers a selection of ruffled tees and tanks, but I think I'll keep my $29.95 and try my DIY version instead.

What do you think? Try it? ...or will I risk looking like a washed-out (washed up??) pinata??

The Party.

My last post hinted about plans for a party. A party for a certain little boy who will turn one at the end of this month. Can you believe it??

The red and turquoise goodies are the beginnings of a theme, and the fabrics and binding are, indeed, waiting to be made into a cheery string of bunting.

It is my goal to make as many of the decorations and goodies as I can. The themed birthday supplies at the party store really just don't appeal to me, so what better way to get what I've been looking for??

The picture above is my trial-run invitation. I'm so happy with the way it turned out!!

Plans.

We took daddy shopping today. The party store and Joann's. He was so brave... and even took a number for us at the fabric cutting counter. Perhaps the promised trip to the Olive Garden, his pot of gold at the end of the errand rainbow, was what kept him going.

Anyway. Here's our loot:

Any guesses what I've got up my sleeve this time??

Mirror Image

Apparently I'm going to have to stop making promises I can't keep. Because believe me, while I had the best intentions of promptly posting photos of my projects, it just didn't happen...

Baby needs, mama needs, daddy needs, messes and dirty dishes... all things that have gotten in my way over the last couple of days. The list is a lot longer than that, but I won't bore you. At least not intentionally.

Anyway. Here's that ugly mirror...

What do you think? It's ok if you hate it, because I love it. And it lives on my wall--not yours!

I wish Ryan were equally impressed with the transformation, but no such luck.

The frame? Well, that'll have to come another day. It's painted, and I'm sure you can guess which color, but not in place yet. Like I said--another day.

A new coat of paint...

My overwhelming urge to be crafty is still here, and with daddy home today, I was free to go outside and put two fresh, new cans of paint to use during nap time.

The lucky recipients of a new coat of paint are this mirror, a Goodwill find that my entire family finds to be beyond hideous:

(Yes, it's a mirror. I got too excited and taped it up before the photo.)

...and this frame. It's going to, uh, frame... a project I'm working on for Camden.

There you go! A peek into my day... what do you think? Is the mirror truly horrible? Any guesses what the frame will hold?

I'll post the finished projects tomorrow morning.

Honestly.

I'll be honest. I've got nothin' of my own for you. My mind is mush--perhaps flooded from all of the rain we've experienced in the last week.

But! I've had a major crafting bug lately, and so I've been doing a lot of nap time surfing. Want to see some of my newest favorites? Maybe they'll spark your creativity too.

I love Samster Mommy's quick crafts. I'm having visions of adding some waffle sleeves to baby's onesies just in time for the colder months? Adding some ruffles to a boring tee is sitting on my list too. How cute!

This playhouse from Homemade by Jill would be absolutely *perfect* for us, considering our, ehem, spacial... issues. I'd love to make one for Camden, but I've got to get over my fear of giant sewing projects first. While you're there, take a look at her handmade birthday decorations for her little guy. We've got a birthday coming up, you know! ...and I'd love to make one of these cute butterfly 'specimin cases' too.

This advent calendar from Pottery Barn Kids caught my eye a while back. But I cough and sputter every time I look at the price tag. So I'm making my own. More on that later... and would you like to see the whole process? or just the final result?

What's on your crafty, creative list?

I'm done!

I've learned something about myself in the last 48 hours.

I am, without a doubt, not a fan of tying quilts. Not sure what it was... perhaps the fact that I stabbed myself with the needle? In.my.lip. (don't ask. I don't know.) ...or perhaps the fact that I BROKE a needle?

Anyway. It's done.

Please excuse this second photo. I've had visions of hanging the quilt out on an old clothesline, wheat field in the background, soft breeze blowing... but that's just not happening. The kitchen floor will have to do.

Oops.

This might contradict what I was saying the other day about unfinished projects, but when I get an idea in my head, and I'm excited about that idea, I have a tendency to shove everything else to the back burner until I've finished my mission. You know... unimportant things. Like the bills, grocery shopping, blogging... er. um.

Anyway. I cut out 80 6.5-inch flannel squares on Saturday. I had a decent stash of kid-prints and solid colors going, and I wanted to put them all to good use. I also wanted to make a new blanket for Camden.

Yesterday, I sewed all 80 squares into a quilt top. I ironed, I snipped threads, I pinned and I stitched. All afternoon.

Today, I went off in search of the backing, and found a spunky, sports-themed bed sheet. The perfect back for a quilt, as there are no seams required! Yippeee!!

I washed, I sewed, and I pinned some more.

Tomorrow, the finishing touches where sewing is concerned... and then I've got a date with a big, fat needle and some embroidery floss. I'm going to tie the quilt as opposed to, well, quilting it.

Does that mean I'm making a tie?

Pictures to follow.

For your reading pleasure...

Camden took an extra-long nap today, and perused the internet for entirely too long as a result. Being the craft fiend that I am, I tend to go off in search of tutorials and what-not...

Anyway--my quest for a coffee cup cozy brought me across this site.

It reminds me of Cake Wrecks, only craft-oriented. I giggled, I sympathized, I giggled some more...

People. Click the link. I promise you'll laugh!!

Orla Kiely at Target

Do you ever see something, put it in your cart and wander around with it... and eventually return to the spot you found it, returning it to the shelf?

I did that a couple of weeks ago with a set of Orla Kiely dish towels from Target. I've got some birthday money left over, and I'm absolutely head-over-heels in love with the line Orla put out with Target. I wanted to use the towels to make a tote bag.

Even more exciting than the towels is this tray, but I cannot find it anywhere. Believe me. I've tried. I might go to some pretty intense lengths to get my hands on this tray. Seriously.

..and have you seen these canisters? Be still, my heart. They're fabulous too. There's also a table cloth that would make a fabulous set of pillow cases... yes people--this is the stuff that goes through my mind. regularly. and when Ryan reads this, he'll smirk and shake his head. because it is oh-so-true. Or throw pillows.

Ok. Who am I kidding? It's all fabulous, and it's almost all sold out. The good stuff is gone, never to return, and I missed it. At least I can live vicariously through this Flickr Pool... or buy it for three times the price on eBay.

...but that tray. Has anyone seen that TRAY recently??