Projects Update...

So writing the post on my playroom projects got me moving a bit.  I thought I'd give an update.

Magnetic Chalkboard - Alrighty, this one is done!  I bought the drip pan at Wal-Mart for $11.99, chalkboard spray paint from Lowes (not sure of the price - the hubs bought it), and Velcro strips from target for $6.99.  All up, this project probably cost in the $25 range.  Gigi won't be able to use it for awhile but it'll be a fun addition for when she's ready.  The only thing I don't like is that the drip pan has some writing imprinted on it and you can still see it after putting on the paint.  For the price, I can't complain but it's a bit annoying.

I'm now looking for the plastic magnetic letters but can't find them at Wal-Mart or Target.  I'll probably just have to order them from Amazon like everything else.

Texture Board - This one is mostly done.  I have one more ring I want to do but thanks to my sister, Jillian, I was able to get the rings attached to the cork board without using any tacks.  She suggested velco strips and I had a few tucked away so I gave it a go.  I take the rights down and let Gigi feel them so she can see different textures.  I can also change out the fabric as I want to.

Alphabet Wall - I finished up the letters I bought as a test run and I really liked them so I've bought all the other letters I need (they were 40% off at Hobby Lobby!).  I plan on starting the rest of the letters this week.  I'm hoping to have them done in the next couple of weeks.

I still haven't done the book shelves.  They're currently hidden away in her closet and I forget about them.  I should take them out and then maybe I'll get them done.  I've a new project to the list - a growth ruler for the wall!  She's already 27" tall and I don't want to miss anymore so I've got to get this one done quick!

Projects, Projects, Projects

When you're a SAHM, you need to find something to do besides laundry, dishes, dirty diapers, and story time.  For me, I'm taking on getting the playroom sorted as that's where we spend the vast majority of our time during the day.

We have a bookcase full of toys and books.  I bought a mat for the floor so that she won't bonk her head when she rolls over.  I have a chair for me to sit in and we got a tv to play PBS Kids or something more adult for me when I'm getting bored.

But during her naps, I'd like to try and find something else to do.  I've found four projects on pinterest that I want to try out.  I am, however, not being very proactive in getting them done.

Texture Wall - I found this on pinterest and thought it would be fun.  We've already been to Joann's and picked out a few fabrics for the wall.  I had no idea how expensive fabric was and especially since I don't want large swatches of fabric.  Anywho - I have these all done, I just have to find a way to attach them to Gigi's cork board without using tacks (I don't want them to fall off onto the floor).

Book Shelves for Gigi's Room - In the old house, we had some small book shelves up in Gigi's room but with the new house, she has a whole playroom with large Ikea book shelf.  I thought it would be fun to still have some books in her room so I found this pinterest idea for book shelves using Ikea spice racks.  I have the spice racks - I just need to paint them white.  I should just get this done - it would be super easy.

Magnetic Chalkboard - This one will be fun as she gets older and should be super easy.  I have the drip pan and chalkboard paint.  Again, I should just get it done.  Note - mine will not be as fancy as the one in the picture.

Alphabet wall - I've really wanted to do this one since I found out that I was pregnant, but it will be the most time consuming and expensive project to do.  I've bought the scrapbook paper and three letters (her initials) to see just how time consuming this will be.  Who knew that these 8" paper mache letters would cost $2.99 each!?!  I'm going to try the letters I have this week and make a decision on if I want to finish the project or not.

Hubby Lifting: Part 3

We're continuing to work through our honey-do list. One of the major items on the list is the fireplace in the living room. I've never been a big fan of it but I've never been sure what to do.

We're in the process do redoing a lot of the house and specifically the living room. So I decided to tackle the fireplace. I decided I wanted more light in the living room so I decided we were going to paint the fireplace white! I was nervous about this decision. I don't want to impact the value of the home but I couldn't stand to look at the ugly brick anymore.

I talked Adam into starting the project on a Saturday afternoon thinking it would just take a couple of hours. I was wrong. We did the first coat on Saturday but then we had to finish it up on Sunday.

I am very happy with the fireplace now. It really brightens up the room and it makes it look much more modern. Now I just need my new furniture to get here, decide on a new rug and paint the walls!

Original Fireplace

Updated Fireplace

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Hubby Lifting: Part 2

With Adam not being able to work, it's become like I have a live-in handyman. We have a list of things that need to be fixed and he's slowly working through them. It's fantastic!

One of the items was to paint the cabinets in the laundry room. I don't know if they were original to the house or not but they were very old looking. The laundry room doesn't have any windows so it's very dark. It's In desperate need of some brightness.

So I told the hubs what colors I wanted and then left it to him. One week while I was in Harrisburg (yes, I know I'm late posting this!), he sorted out the laundry room for me. It looks so much better now!

PS what you can't see is that he also painted the walls a very happy yellow.

 

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Right Side Up

Well, it's done!  I'm back in the United States for good.  That's right - back on home soil.  

It has been fantastic being home.  I'm in love with nesting at the moment.  I've turned into a serious homebody.  

I'm travelling to PA every week for work so I just get a few days at home each week.  When I'm home, all I want to do is be home.  I'm a completely different girl than who I was in Oz.  No more late nights with the boys drinking lots of beers.  Now, its the couch and the TV for me - and I'm ok with that!

First order of business was to redecorate the bedroom.  I had been wanting to do that before I left but felt it best to wait.  I had a beautiful golden brown bedroom set but I was ready for something new.  Something lighter and more versatile.

Old Bedroom:

Old Bedroom

New Bedroom:

New Bedroom

I'm not done yet - I need to find some artwork for the walls, put up the new curtains, and new lamps for the bedside tables.

So excited to be home!!