Nailing Out the Mudroom

Today is Day 1 of Spring Break around here and I couldn't be happier to be at home. Lest you feel bad for us, the whole B family will be soaking up the Florida sun in the near future; but for now we are staying put.

Since no one will need book bags, boots (yes, it is still freezing here), paperwork or lunch bags for the next week, Spring Break lends itself to the perfect opportunity to tackle the mudroom.

One day we plan to move the laundry upstairs and this would be my ideal mudroom.
But for now, we'll work with what we've got. Hoping to channel this inspiration.

So if anyone needs me, I'll be up to my eyeballs in paint, clutter & indecisiveness……sounds like fun huh? But the payoff will be so worth it. Let's just hope I've finally figured out a layout that works (catch up on the saga here and here). Anyone else have Spring Break DIY plans?

Cupcake Topper Tutorial: Designing in Picmonkey

I have gotten a few questions about how I used picmonkey to create the cupcake toppers for Peanut's party. So, I have put together a tutorial that hopefully has all the bases covered. If not, I'm always just an email or post comment away so please feel free to ask.

Let's get started!
Picmonkey's web address is www.picmonkey.com
On the homepage you will want to click on create a collage

• Once there, select layout (2nd icon from top)

• Under the heading square deal select the set of 9 squares
• If you wish, you can fill in the squares' background

• To do so, select the images tab (first icon on left) and then open photo to select an image saved on your computer.
• Note: For Peanut's toppers I did a google search for orange & white stripes. Saved the image to my computer & then loaded it following the step above.
• To apply the background color/image. Simply select the uploaded image and drag to the square. You can use the same image multiple times.
• Once finished, save your collage

Then return to the pic monkey homepage and select edit a photo

• Upload the collage you just created
• On the left hand side select overlay (5th from top)
• Under the heading geometric you will find the circle

• Select it and then draw a circle centered within one of your background boxes
• Repeat until all the boxes contain circles
• If you wish to layer on a dotted circle, that option is located under labels within the overlay tab
• Repeat the same steps as outlined above

• To add text select the text tab from the left hand side (4th from top)
• Click on the font your desire and then the add text box

• Type in your desired message & alter sizing/color.

• You will need to repeat this process for each circle/box
• When you have finished, save your photo.
• It is important to note that once you have saved the photo, you can not come back and alter the text/colors. So if you think you may want to reuse the background at a later point, it might be wise to save twice. Once before adding the text and then again after.

I opted to print my toppers at Kinkos. I selected a heavy, white card stock and had the image scaled to fit an 8.5x11 sheet.

I then cut them down to strips before punching them out.

I purchased this 2" punch from Michaels for around $6.00 (40% off).

Tip: I found the key was to turn the punch around so you are looking at the bottom. Insert the sheet upside down and this way you will be able to tell exactly where you are cutting.

After I had punched all my circle, I gathered the rest of my supplies: glue gun & small lollipop sticks.

Tip: I found it easier to have the sticks out of the bag and waiting so I could quickly press it into the glue. If I had to fish around inside the plastic bag for a stick, the glue would harden and I ended up with a gap between the punch & the stick.

Once the glue has dried, you've got yourself a cupcake topper.

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Birthday Journals

Growing up, YiaYia and Bopi wrote a letter to me each birthday in a journal. Upon graduating high school, I was presented with the keepsake filled with beautiful letters my parents had written to me throughout the years. To this day, that red velvet journal with the gold kitten silhouette is one of my most prize possessions.

So naturally, this is a tradition I have carried on with my own little ones. In each entry I like to take the time to tell them a bit about their likes and dislikes at this age. I recount their birthday parties, guests, favorite gifts and games we played. Most importantly, the journal is my chance to tell them each in a private and personal way just how much I truly adore being their Mommy. And how every ounce of me loves every ounce of them. And one day, when they are no longer under my roof they will be able to open these pages and feel the love of home. And perhaps, even find a bit of guidance.

Anyone else have a similar story? Did your parents write you birthday letters? Or do you keep a journal for your kids? 

And for those of you with older children it still isn't too late; during my engagement Bopi worked on a journal full of "life lessons" and gave it to me as a wedding present….that little book is worth 1000xs it weight in gold. 

Mirror Mirror on the Wall..A New Chalkboard for All

So I finally jumped on the chalkboard bandwagon a few weeks ago and repurposed a mirror, that I was no longer loving, into a chalk-tastic piece. I was extra inspired and even gave the frame a little faux-chalk paint treatment. So here's how it went down. 

I lugged this bad boy to the basement from Hubby's office where it sat in semi-storage.

Then I attempted to scratch up the mirror in efforts to provide the paint something to grip onto.

 I gave it a little windex wash down to remove any debris.

And a polish with a microfiber cloth in attempts to pick up stray lint or dust prior to painting.

I picked up a bottle of chalkboard paint at Michaels for 40% off so I think it rang up less than $4.00

The mirror after the first light coat.

Then the second coat. Wish I could remember how long I waited between coats, but it wasn't too long…5 minutes max.

 At this point, I was a little concerned. The paint was looking blotchy and spotty.

 By the third coat though, nothin but bhutta…..nice and smooth.

I let the paint cure for 48 hours in the basement before bringing it upstairs.

 I knew that I wanted to give the frame an accent color. I had planned on using chalk paint since everyone raves about it, but: 1- I was too cheap to spend $30 on paint when I only needed a quarter sized amount. 2- I was too lazy to drive across town to the antique store where it is sold. So since I was in Michaels already, I picked up 2 bottles of 89 cent acrylic craft paint. 

I decided upon the grey paint on the left hand side. I placed a bit on a dry paint brush and dabbed it onto the metal in an up and down motion…similar to how you apply paint to a stencil. Some areas are heavier and others quite light, but I like the patina appearance.

Once dry & the chalkboard primed, I hung it in the kitchen on the narrow wall between the mudroom door and the family room. It is as if the piece was made for that exact spot. I was sure to hang it low enough so the kids could reach if they feel the need to doodle away.

The black ties in nicely with the ORB finish of the light fixtures and helps anchor this end of the kitchen. (And yes that is a baby on the kitchen floor.)

So I am officially a member of the chalkboard fan club…how about you? Do you succumb to decorating trends or try to steer clear of them? Do you have a chalkboard or two around your house? I have a well over half a can of chalkboard paint leftover so I'm on the prowl for my next victim makeover. So I'll more than likely be back with another project or two. I'm thinking chalkboard plate chargers or perhaps something for my little ones' rooms.

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Belle's Pink & Purple Beanie Boo Birthday

Our baby girl celebrated her 7th birthday with a fabulously frilly affair. Belle had requested a "beanie-boo party".  I decided to plan the party around Belle's favorite colors: pink & purple. Glittering lights, etherial tissue flowers, princess color palette and a sprinkling of beanie-boos made for the prefect presentation.

The party was in the afternoon so the girls nibbled on vanilla cake, rice krispie pops, brownie bites topped with bubble gum, kettle corn & pink sugar cookies. I made a tulle skirt for the dessert table by cutting 6" strips of tulle and knotting them onto elastic.

The centerpiece featured shades of pink & purple flowers that I crafted out of tissue paper. Four different colors of scrapbook paper were alternated for the placemats. On top of them I layered a pink square plate, striped purple napkin, whimsical straw & polka dot place card. Mini water bottles were wrapped with pink shimmering star ribbon.

To carry the tissue pom theme around the room, I created a number 7 out of mini poms and then attached them to the mirror with double-sided tape. Belle's gigantic beanie-boo made a great favor table centerpiece.

Once the guests arrived, they started to work crafting a custom party hat for the beanie-boo they brought along. The girls really enjoyed themselves and I was amazed at the level of detail some of them put into the project. As far as supplies go, I cut mini hats out of a piece of poster board and then had various ribbons, feathers, stickers, polka dots and markers for the girls to use to decorate.

Afterwards, we headed into the dining room for cake and sweets. The girls brought their beanie boos along each donning their newly adorned party hat.

Fourteen sugar filled girls need to burn off some energy so it was over to the family room for a rousing game of Just Dance Disney. The girls were too cute for words singing and dancing to their favorite songs.

Finally, the group tired out and Belle had the chance to open the presents that had been tempting her in the corner all afternoon. Besties B & H hung out with us the rest of the night and I would be remiss if I didn't send a huge "thank you" out to Bestie B who saved helped me during the party. Eventually, I tucked one very happy & worn out Belle into bed.

Happy 7th Birthday Princess! We love you.

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