Thomas the Train Book

Even though we are fully obsessed with trains around here, we're a little lacking on train themed books in our house. So, last night, I threw together a couple of Thomas books for the boys. I just pulled a few pictures off the Thomas website and covered them with contact paper to add some strength. Although, after watching them "flip" through them for the first 5 minutes, I'm not sure the contact paper is going to help us for very long!

Anybody know the answer?? Anybody??

The top item on my wish list right now is a Cricut Cutter. I am definitely planning to get one sometime this summer, but here's my question. Which one?

I'd love to get the Cricut Cake Cutter because I know I'd use it all the time for fun cake projects! I love making our boys' birthday cakes every year, and with the cutter, I could do so much more. But then again, I'd also love the Cricut Paper Cutter and know I'd use it all the time also.

Now, the cake cutter says it works with the regular cartridges. Does that mean the regular cartridges to cut fondant, or the regular cartridges and you can cut paper?? In other words, can you cut paper and icing with the cake cutter? It seems too good to be true, but would love it if I can do both with one machine.

Any sage advice from Cricut experts out there??

Thrifty Find

I've been wanting a mirror for our entryway for some time now, but just wasn't willing to pay $20 and up for a simple black mirror. So, I decided I'd just wait until I could find one at Goodwill to fix up just like I wanted. The boys and I have started stopping in at our Goodwill store every Tuesday morning to see if there's anything good we need.

I found a mirror a couple of weeks ago that was the perfect size and shape, it just needed a good coat of paint to cover up the ugly!

(see what I mean about the ugly??)

After a couple of coats of shiny black spray paint, I have a fabulous mirror that is perfect in our entryway. And it only cost me $7.99 (would have been cheaper at Goodwill, but we were shopping at Savers that day and their prices are just a bit higher).

(it really does hang vertically in our house, but I can't figure out why it's rotated)

Sewing Weekend

I spent most of yesterday at the sewing machine, and it was so good for the soul. But I spent enough time there, that S started calling me Cinderella. I had bought some material on Friday, and I was itching to get at making something.

Thing 1 and Thing 2 love to empty out my apron cabinet - yes, I have an entire apron cabinet because I'm slightly obsessed, don't judge - and wear them around the house. So, I thought it was time to make them their own pint size models. I found some adorable robot material that I thought would be just perfect for two mini tool/craft aprons. They even have individual crayon/tool holders in the pockets. I can't wait until they're old enough to put them to use beyond just wearing them around the house.

And a little loin cloth apron modeling for your viewing pleasure.

My next project was some new pants for the Things. I love reading this blog and all the craftiness she comes up with , and each year she celebrates the Boy for a month. Perfect for my house!! When I saw the pants, I knew my boys needed some, so I got to work. I loved her seersucker pants, and went for a similar look with simple striped shirting material. I think they'll make their debut at church next week.

Birthday Presents

I guess this is a creative post as well as a birthday post. I worked to keep the boys' birthday presents simple this year since they don't know the difference and don't really need anything. The only thing we bought them was a bilibo. It's so great because it can be just about anything they want it to be; and they're already having fun with it.

So, I made them art smocks since we'll be diving into messy crafts at some point this year.

And they each got a soft turtle buddy for a new friend.

Another Kitchen Update

I had one of those random thoughts a couple of weeks ago that it would be fun to have the word 'eat' somewhere in our kitchen. I also wanted it to be in the peacock color from my Fiesta Ware. So, I picked up some plain letters from Hobby Lobby and a can of spray paint, and here's what I got for $8

I really wanted three different fonts for my letters, but they options they had wouldn't have looked good together. And I was too impatient to drive around to other stores to look.

After one coat of spray paint.

Since they're so thin, they weren't going to stand up on their own. But we had these nifty little pieces of thick cardboard left over from something we bought. So, I hot glued each letter to one of these. Unfortunately, I realized afterwards that I should have cut around the parts that would show through before I glued them, but we improvised and made it work.

And here's the finished product! I like it and I think it's a fun touch for our kitchen!

Eating Area Makeover

I've been wanting a desk/command center in our kitchen/eating area for quite a while now. I needed an area where everything had its place, and a good spot to use for keeping our family activities running smoothly. The original plan was for my fil to make a desk top to go on top of desk drawers we already owned. But, earlier this week, S had the idea to use a table we already had in the office since he was also planning a makeover in there also. So, for now, this is my command center. What do you think? I think, size wise, it fits the space well; but of course, I wish I had more room or some storage. But I'll live with it for a while and see how I feel about it in a few months.

And since we put the table here, the shelves that resided here had to go somewhere else. So they are now over in the little sitting nook in the eating area. I don't love it, but it's growing on me. Of course, I don't love the shelves to begin with, so that probably has something to do with it.

The next project is the garden window in the kitchen. Last summer, I had two of my plants living in the window with a couple of photos. But then the crazy winter we had hit, and we were having to keep the shade closed on the window to keep out some of the draft and my plants were getting frozen. They have now found new homes, and I'm not sure I'll put them back in the window. So now, what should I put here? Right now, the little wheelbarrow will stay; R made it and we're going to plant some flowers in the pot. What else should I add?

I've been making quite a few bibs for the boys because, well, with two kiddos, you go through a lot of bibs. They're modeling their Irish spirit here.

(Kiss Me I'm Cute 2)

(Kiss Me I'm Cute!)

Here's Thing 1 and Thing 2 hanging out tonight after bath time. Just chillin' in their robes.

Please, oh please, say you see Thing 1's huge mohawk! It's getting so long, and is in rare form after baths.

He managed to get his robe untied and used the tie as a pacifier. He was quite content for some time.

I could photograph these eyes all day...