Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Project Failed

Don't you love it when you come up with a brilliant idea and it fails miserably? Me either. Makes me want to cry.

I have two projects in the works.

1. Magnetic Memory game - failed - my magnets weren't strong enough
2. Hooded Towels - well, this one hasn't failed completely, I just broke the needle on the surger. I don't know how to replace it.

Mom, please help.

Love,
Jenn

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Crib Caddy to Toddler Bag

Sophie is now 2.5 and we are preparing her for the most challenging event in her life thus far.

The move from crib to a big girl bed.

I actually think I'm having a harder time with it than her. What will I do with all the adorable bedding Grandma made for her?

Below is a crib caddy that I stuffed diapers, wipes and paci's in for those late night changes or fits. It hasn't been on the crib now in about a year since Sophie is constantly pulling at the ribbons.



I was tired of seeing it sitting on the closet shelf. I didn't want it to go to waste. Especially since it has her name embroidered. So I turned it into a cute bag! She loves and uses it to carry all her "goodies". It will probably end up being her overnight bag when she stays with Grandma :)



Friday, March 26, 2010

Buffet: Before and After

Yet another piece of furniture swiped from my boss's "moving sale" a few weeks ago. I desperately needed a place to store my china - given to me by my mother in law. The hall closet is meant for spare light bulbs, kid's art supplies, flash lights, fake florals, portable DVD player, a matchbox car, a size 3 diaper, a tube of lipstick and a few coats and scarves - NOT fine china! Sheesh.

I'm not a professional. I'm the type that has this grand idea and I start a project without researching or investigating on how it SHOULD be done. Instant gratification. Then, once I get started, I've been know to:

A. take short cuts
B. get bored and my project sits in the garage/spare room/on a shelf for weeks
C. drink too much barely infused liquids and really mess it up

And listen, you don't have to remind me of my downfalls, I'm well aware.

Point in case, this buffet. Although I didn't take short cuts, it did take me approximately 3 weeks to finish.

I wanted to keep it's integrity and I'm in love with Red Mahogany right now.

3 coats of stain, approximately 6 coats of polyurethane, new hardware and voila!

BEFORE:


AFTER:

This pic shows how beat up it was. I mean how loved it was:

Close up of bottom with all the scratches buffed out.

You'll notice the hardware looks almost identical. Funny you should ask. NEVER throw away the hardware from an older piece of furniture. Especially with random boring sizes and when the furniture has curves to it. I made that mistake. Thankfully, Van Dyke's Restorers came to my rescue. I located drop handle hardware on their website.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

I Heart Jelly Beans

Every Easter I get a little giddy going over to my parents house. My dad always has a bowl of jelly beans on the end table next to his couch.

I had this craving at lunch today for that chewy goodness. So while at the Dollar Store searching for crafty goods, I picked up a bag of generic beans. Not even sure if its a brand. But it's a buck! So I began munching on them in the car except they were a little crunchy.

At the red light, I scanned the back for an expiration date - 10/14/09 - OH NO! Am I going to get sick? How old is too old? Do I continue eating them? Should I throw them out? And why in the world do they still make black licorice beans???

Disgusted and disheartened, I spotted Walgreens..whipped in, parked and marched my jelly bean seeking self to the Easter Candy aisle. I scanned the display shelves and to my dismay, there's not 1 or 2 choices, but more like 12 options! Are you kidding me? Now what do I do?

2 bags for $5.00 - why not? Sweet Tarts and Starburst it is.

When I run out, I'll try Jolly Rancher and Life Savers.

I arrived back at the office a wee-bit late but satisfied.

TIP: leave the dollar stores to what they do best - selling what some might call junk but what others see as a project waiting to happen. Let the expired edibles remain on the shelves.

And as a side note, there is a Sweet Tart Jelly Bean fan page and a Starburst Jelly Bean fan page on Facebook. I am a fan of neither.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Skirt for Sophie

I did it! The first article of clothing I've sewn! Aside from pajama pants and a bandana dress. AND, I did it without a pattern. Dang I'm awesome.

What I won't tell you however, is that it took me like 8 hours total. Ok, maybe not that awesome.


Thanks to mother nature and my sheer boredom over the weekend.

And here's a pic of the little booger wearing it.


I'm sharing this post with: My Frugal Family

Saturday, March 20, 2010

March Madness

No no no...I'm not talking about Basketball. Come on, did you really think I could dribble? Don't answer that.

Look at this crazy snow we've received!

of all places...Tulsa, Oklahoma

of all months...March

March 20th no less!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Cupcakes

I got cupcakes for my birthday! Neener Neener Neener!

Jealous, right? Well you should be. They are from Cake Tales and ooohhh sooo delish!

I wasn't entirely selfish though. I shared 10 of them with my co-workers.

Donna, here is a plug for you...but sorry, I don't have any followers yet. :)



Wednesday, March 17, 2010

My Birthday

So yesterday was my birthday. It was pretty much a typical day. I did leave work an hour early and we had family over for dinner last night. But I'd have to say, the card below made it the best day ever :)