Wall Art Station for my Kaitlyn

So I seen this wall art station on the infarrantly creative blog and thought the ideas was cute, creative and functional. So I had to make one for my daughter. I had a small spot in my kitchen were I could  hang this art station and thought it would function well for my daughter. I also had plans to make myself a magnetic calendar for above the art board and to hang a cork board on the cabinet next to the magnetic calendar as a little info center for me. I'll discuss each of the other projects in upcoming blogs.

So back to the wall art station it was easy for me to make because I do have some power tool experience. I did change my art station in the size to work better for my space and used chalkboard paint on the large MDF board to make it usable for chalk as well. This decision has paid of well for me because my daughter loves it. The only draw back is... I do have a lot of chalk dust to sweep up. Small price to pay. It is not only great for keeping her busy but she can work on her art board when I'm cooking or just working  in the kitchen. The location is perfect she is out of my way and away from the range when I'm cooking but she can still be with me in the kitchen during meal prep etc. with out being under my feet (in the way) which is a good thing when your a mom. See my daughter is mostly attached to my hip. We joke about the umbilical cord not being cut! HA! HA!

First thing to this project was I like the overall look of the art station and that it was painted black. I love black but not in a dark way! It must go back to my childhood were I wanted to paint my room black but of course my mom said "N0" Sorry mom! Someday I can discuss this w/ my Therapist! LOL!

My kitchen is the last room in the house that needs to be remolded and the most expensive so being on a budget we have to take it one step at a time. We have been working on replace all the appliances this year and then moving forward in the future to a new floor, cabinets and counter tops. It will get completed someday. When we moved in the kitchen cabinets were the ugliest color baby poop brown.... this is what I called them.  I painted my kitchen red and paint my cabinets rustic black and went with a apple theme. Well last October the red was looking pretty sad and I was ready for a change. So I picked a new wall color something a little brighter/ warmer and the winner a creamy buttercup yellow (paint color tearose) and did it make a difference. The kitchen no longer looked so dark and closed in and the new color looked great with the black cabinets.

So for the art station the items needed is a shelf (which makes the top part)  1- dowel rod  (to hold the paper roll) 1- 1/4 thick 24" x 48" piece of MDF board (makes the back) it will have to be cut to the width of the back of the shelf. 1- 1" x 4" x ? what ever the width of the MDF board ends up being cut to ( This is the shelf that holds art supplies) then 2- 1" x 1/4" x ? what ever the width of the MDF board ends up being cut to (These are the boards that holds the paper down) 2- L brackets ( Which will hold the supply shelf), screws and 4- nuts. The hard part was the top shelf... I liked the one used by infarrantly creative but she found hers in someones trash. Well lucky for me I had the same shelf hanging in my hall and I bought mine at Pat Catan's. Bad news is Pat Catan's no longer sells that same shelf. Looked at several different craft stores with no luck. So I decided to use the shelf from the hall and later I'll do something new in the hall. Except my shelf was smaller width wise then the one used by infarrantly creative but on the plus side my space for the art station was smaller as well. So all around it worked out for me. Like I had mentioned earlier I made changes to length & width and used the chalkboard paint on the large MDF board so it can me used w/ chalk which my daughter loves more then the paper part. I also used a 1/4 thick MDF board then 3/4 originally used. I had to use a different size dowl rod to fit the diameter of the paper I found. So over all the cost: Shelf- free, MDF board $6.00 (Home Depot), Dowl rod $1.00 (Pat Catan's), Cheap flat black spray paint $1.00 (Wal-Mart), Chalkboard spray paint $4.77 (Pat Catan's) 1- 1"x4" x ? used for the bottom shelf free (left over)  2- 1" x 1/4"  board to hold the paper $2.00 (Home Depot) Screws- free (left overs), 4- nuts free (left over), 1- Pack L brackets $4.00 (Home Depot) I had to buy them in a pack of 4 but only needed 2. So to build less then $20.00 dollars. Then I found white paper on a roll at Pat Catan's for a $1.00 but it was to long in length by 1 inch but my husband offered his advise... cut it on the miter saw and it work perfect. Chalk 60 pieces $1.00, eraser $1.97 all at Pat Catan's. Then my metal container $1.00 Target. P.S. I love the $1.00 bins at Target. Also keep in mind Pat Catan's does have cheap art supplies for kids in the $1.00 range markers, paint, crayons etc.. which goes a long way when on a budget. So for complete instructions check out infarrantly creative blog:  http://www.infarrantlycreative.net/  go to all things I.C. on the right and under kids stuff. I have to thank this blog for hundreds of great ideas it has given me and inspired me!!! Love this site!!! Thanks infarrantly creative !!!!

Here is my completed art station. I have it hanging in my kitchen. This is w/ the paper down.

This is with the paper rolled up and to use the chalkboard side.

Here is Kaitlyn being creative. Wonder who she gets it from?

Snow...Snow...snow and more snow

YES, NE Ohio has been hit with about 6 inches of snow this evening. We got some snow...it fell fast. In the morning I will be out using the snow blower to clean up the drive and walk ways and my daughter Kaitlyn will be in her glory. She will get to make snow angels and build snowmen. To be young again and excited about snow.

Project Time....

So I have a few craft projects... I have been working on. I love when I find a craft that is fun to make and is also usable/ functional in our everyday lives. I will post a picture when complete.
1. Project is a 16 x 20 photo frame I had a piece of metal cut to fit. Painted metal + frame black then used a paint pen to drawl out a calendar on it. Will make monthly titles and dates w/ magnetics attached to them so it can be changeable monthly but also help keep me organized. I love to be organized. 2. Is a cork board to hang on the side of my kitchen cabinet next to the magnetic calendar. 3. Is a art easel to hang in the kitchen to keep my daughter busy, out of my hair and away from the oven when I'm cooking. Will post pictures when complete. I have a few more things to do before their complete. Also need to finish my St. Patrick's Chair backer and making a advent calendar to countdown the days to st. Pat's my daughter loves to help w/ the calendar daily so a advent calendar works well in our family.

Cold Season...is it over???

So Kaitlyn was sick for about 2 weeks then me. I'm thinking I'm finally on the path to recovery. I hate being sick and not getting things done. I hate this season it's like every other week we are sick. Everyone we know has been sick and it's been the worst season for colds. Looking forward to warm weather and less cold symptoms!!!!

It will be a slow process...

Finally putting some money into the kitchen. We have done all the other rooms in the house and a complete bathroom make over/ remodel. All the other rooms look great.  We also put a lot of work into them to get them this way. The poor kitchen has suffered greatly. Glad to be starting the finial room remodel. Of course it will be a slow process but at least it's started with some new appliances. The new range is great and the over the hood mic love it! We only have to replace the floor, fridge, dishwasher, cabinets and counter tops. The kitchen is not bad but not how I in vision it. We joke about being in our home almost 10 years and we still have a to do list. It's like we mark off one project and add another. Ha! Ha! We love to improve our home and take great pride in it. We have so many ideas inside and out. We always get so many compliments. My husband has done a wonderful job with the landscaping and we'll never be done. I want rocks and flowers everywhere. Love that country look and feel my house is finally starting to reflect that. and me.

Traditions- Valentine's Day

Traditions are important in any family. Traditions we remember, we are proud of, we carry on and become our most fond memories. Valentine's Day-Tradition fun and family related. We spend as much of the day as we can together as a family. Since Valentine's Day is on a Monday this year and my husband will have to work I'll do little special fun things with Kaitlyn until he comes home and then let the party begin.
We will start Valentine's Day off wishing each other a Happy Valentine's Day. Then off to check out the Valentine's Day chair backer filled with goodies. Will make a special Valentine's Day breakfast. I have Kaitlyn call family to wish them a Happy Valentine's Day. I like to do a Valentine's Day lunch and then dinner. Little tiny fun Valentine's games and crafts through out the day. I even go as far as...ever since Kaitlyn was a baby my Mother or I would buy her a Valentine's Day outfit and Pajamas to wear. The nice thing is that family will usually join us for dinner and sometimes they'll make dinner. Last year my Aunt Nancy made a fabulous meal with lobster, clams, pasta and dessert for Valentine's Day.
My saying is this "Holidays are just an excuse to get together with the ones we love, eat great food and share past, present and make future memories along with laughter" This is fine with me I look forward to it monthly.
You'll see I do the same for St. Pat's Day, Easter, all Patriotic Days, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Kaitlyn's Birthday or anyone one else in the family's Birthday and Christmas did I forget anything! Each month we do something special and for the months that are not so special we make are own holiday. I will share my ideas with you each month so check back monthly.
This is what my daughter will have fond memories of and as always we spent it with family and some times good friends! So give it a try with your family... it just might become a tradition in your home as well.

Obsessed with the Pottery Barn Kids Chair Backers

OK, I'll say it!! I'm obsessed with the chair backers from Pottery Barn Kids. I love the idea. I first seen the chair backers on Jon & Kate Plus Eight. Of coarse the episode I seen them on was from the previous year. I checked out Pottery Barn Kids to buy one because I wanted one for my daughters first Valentine's. Thought Kate's idea w/ some small items placed in the chair backer on Valentine's Day was cute and the making of a new tradition for us! Well sorry, Charlie they no longer carry this item anymore. So of coarse I set out on a misson to create my own. Found some inspiration from Our Scoop a blog where a mother made them for her kids. Well I did...I made my own chair backer but my perfection to details gets the better of me ever time. I truly felt mine was not as nice looking as the Pottery Barn chair backer but Kaitlyn was only 2 1/2 months old maybe next year! 

Well the following Valentine's Day 2009 since the Jon & Kate Plus Eight show made the chair backers desirable and Pottery Barn Kids had them for sale. YAY! So I ordered mine as fast as I could. Well the day came when my chair backer arrived but wait... the box was so small...the biggest disappointment ever my chair backer was cute but very tiny. I know they had the size marked online but in my mind I had it pictured much bigger.You can not fit much in the pottery Barn chair backer! Not like my chair backer books, card, coloring books, crayons, sticker and some candy etc! Basically I would pick up $1.00 items here and there the month before Valentine's Day. It is fun to watch Kaitlyn dig through the bag for all her little goodies on Valentine's day. A little special Valentine for my little Valentine. It is also so cute on the back of her chair at the dining room table. So since I love the chair backers from Pottery Barn Kids so much and the idea behind them but I already know I do not like the size then the only thing to do is create my own. I'm currently working on one for St. Patrick's Day which Pottery Barn Kids does not even sell one for this holiday. I'll post a pic when it's complete. I hope anyone who reads this gets inspired to get creative and create your own for your little one or ones. A Family who has fun and celebrates together stays together! A new tradition that is fun for all! Consider this...it can be used in the future for the school Valentine's Day Party's where the kids usually exchange cards.



Pottery Barn Kids Halloween chair backers






Pottery Barn Kids Valentine Chair backer









My chair backers

My Thanksgiving Turkey Chair backer

My Halloween Skull chair backer

My Halloween Cat chair backer

My Valentine's Day chair backer

 The nice thing about my chair backers is that they can hold a lot and large items like kids books or coloring books. I always buy something crafty to include since my daughter enjoys being crafty as much as I do. The Dollar Store is a great place to find cute cheap items. Hobby Lobby is good for cute cheap craft projects usually found in the Valentine's Day section and closer to the holiday they mark Valentine's Day items 40% off which I love a great deal. Please do not forget the candy. What's Valentine's day with out the chocolate!!!! If your just not crafty but love the idea then check out Pottery Barns Kids or Esty a web site for selling homemade items. I also like Esty site for inspiration on future projects. A lot of the items I look at on Esty are more geared for kids and their made by mom's like me. Mom's who are now housewives trying to make a buck or two for their families. I also have another cute easy and cheap chair backer I'll soon be sharing.









Creatively Desperate

So I'm desperately searching for my next creative idea and craft project. As soon as I find something worth wild I'll share it.

In Loving Memory of Zeus Orion my Flat Coated Retriever

This picture was taken of Zeus when he was about 10 weeks old.

Last week my family and I suffered a major loss of our beloved dog Zeus. He was 9 years. Zeus was a good dog & his eyes would melt your heart. He was very laid back, so loving and great with my daughter Kaitlyn! He was the first pet my husband and I got together. He is sadly missed but I feel mostly by me. It has been hard to carry on without him. It is hard to fight back the tears. He was like my first child. My house even though we have 2 other great loving dogs feels empty. It has been hard on me but only time will mend a broken heart. The most difficult part was explaining his passing to my 3 year old daughter Kaitlyn but I feel that with some facts and some sugar coating on the situation went a long way. She needs to understand but without the harshness of the reality to life since she is only 3 years old.

February is for LOVE!

I love February!  Not only is it the month of LOVE but I also get to decorate for Valentine's Day. I love those fun Valentine's day crafts, cookies & cupcakes. February is also the month of my Mothers Birthday whom I love very much. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!

This is 2011 Valentine's day Tree!

This is my version of the Pottery Barn kids Valentine's day Chair Backer!

As I get my blog up and running I will be posting and sharing my ideas, life and family. I also want to share info on my cute creative craft projects. Some of my ideas are to help save a buck or two, holiday related or great ideas for anyone who enjoys crafting!