Using What I Have

Since I've spent so much time at home lately, I've been looking for ways to make small tweaks to some spaces around our home.  And since I've been trying to reduce the waste we produce and all the stuff we consume, I've been using things I already have to spruce things up.  My latest target was my laundry room. 

The first thing I did was repaint the generic canvas that was hung up to cover the water hook-ups.  At first I was going to try to find some different artwork or order a canvas photograph, but then I decided I could just use what I already have!  I have plenty of acrylic paints leftover from other projects, so I pulled a few colors that went well together.  EttaVee was my inspiration (though what I ended up with is nowhere near her gorgeous artwork!) so I picked some bright happy colors like pink, orange and yellow.  I also pulled in colors that coordinated with the wall color like teal and navy.  I didn't really know what I was doing, so I just squirted globs of paint on the canvas and swirled it around with a paintbrush.  The final project is bright and happy and makes me smile.  Plus, it was free! 

Next, I took down the blinds.  I've decided I just don't care for blinds.  They collect dust and prevent the maximum amount of sunshine from coming in, even when they're open.  So I took those suckers down.  I left the window naked for a few weeks before deciding my next move.  Since the window is crammed in the corner of the room, I decided I needed some sort of window treatment that fit within the window frame.  I considered making a Roman shade, like I did in the kitchen.  But I decided I didn't really need a functioning shade since I wouldn't be opening and closing it each day.  That's when I decided a little valance would do the trick.  

I wanted something that was fun and had a little whimsy.  (I need all the happiness I can get when doing laundry!)  So I started looking for valances online and saw some cute ones with pom poms and tassels.  I almost bought one, but I looked a little closer and realized I had everything I needed to just make one myself.  After a little searching, I found a handy video that showed me how to make tassels.  I decided to go with teal and navy tassels, to pick up some of the colors from my painting. 

Once my tassels were made, I set about making the valance.  I decided to go with simple white.  I ended up using some curtain lining leftover from my Roman shades.  It was pretty sheer, so I doubled up the layers to make it less see-through.  I wanted my final curtain length to be about a foot long, so I added 3 inches to allow for the hanging process.  The width inside my window became the width of the curtain, but I added an inch to allow for a half inch seam allowance on each side.  I folded the two layers in half and sewed the sides shut.  So the bottom ended up being folded and the top was open, like a pillowcase.  I flipped it inside out and ironed out all the wrinkles at this point.  

Now it was time to add the tassels.  I ended up using a large upholstery needle to sew on my tassels.  I needed a larger eye for my embroidery thread to fit through and an upholstery needle did the trick.  I sewed the tassels on the bottom of the curtain (the folded part) and tied the knots to secure them inside the curtain.  And I used the ol' eyeballing it method to decide how far apart to space each tassel.  (Don't tell Adam.)    

Next, I moved onto figuring out how to hang it up, again, using what we already had on hand.  I decided to use a similar method that we used when installing the Roman shades.  I had Adam cut down a 1x2 to the width of the curtain.  I wrapped it in the same white fabric and stapled the fabric on, much like you would wrap a present.  Just use staples instead of tape.  Then I stapled the top of the curtain (the open side) to the top of the board.  I didn't worry about finishing the top of the curtain since it will never be seen sandwiched between the board and the top of the window trim.   

  

Finally, I held it in place inside the window frame, while Adam screwed it into the top of the window frame from the bottom of the 1x2.  We made sure to pre-drill the holes first so the drill wouldn't bunch up the fabric.    

It turned out adorable!  The curtain helps finish off the window and adds a little fun to the space.  It also helps tie in the painting.  

These scrappy DIY projects are always my favorite.  There really is something to be said about making something yourself.  I tend to enjoy them long after I've finished making them and they bring about a sense of pride.  And isn't that what your home should be all about?  Your home should definitely be a place you're proud to call home and a space you enjoy being in.  

Making Over My Living Room For Free!

Spending more time at home during this pandemic has made me a little stir-crazy!  It's been trickier to try to find things to do to keep myself entertained.  While I was sitting on our couch the other day watching Cocomelon for the thousandth time, it dawned on me that I should rearrange my living room!  I realized that as soon as you walk into our living room, the first thing that stands out is the TV.  While it lives on a very cute cabinet, it's still not the prettiest thing to look at upon walking into my living room.  So the gears started turning in my head and I considered what it might look like if I swapped where the couch and the TV cabinet were situated.  I decided a nice view of the couch would be more welcoming than the TV.  

So I whipped out my measuring tape and measured our sofa table and couch to make sure it would fit beside the fireplace.  According to my measurements, it would just fit.  Now, I'm a very visual person.  I typically need to see something in person before I make a decision about it.  So it was a little bit risky to swap around my whole living room on a whim.  Switching things up meant I'd also have to move artwork, fill in nail holes and repaint.  Plus, I'd have to deal with all those cords behind the TV cabinet.  After hemming and hawing about it for a few days, I decided to just go for it.  What else did I have to do?   

So while Adam gave the kids a bath, I got to work.  I decided our couch cushion covers could use a good cleaning while I was at it.  Luckily they are removable, so I took all those off (along with Archer and Lyla's chair covers) and started the laundry.  Then I got to work doing the heavy lifting. 

While moving around the couch and TV cabinet, I took the opportunity to give the carpets a good vacuuming and I dusted all the baseboards.  I thought my house was clean, but my baseboards behind the couch told a different story!    

It was at this point in the evening, when I started to regret my decision to rearrange.  But I continued on!  

As I got the sofa table and couch in their new home, things started to fall into place.  I knew it was the right call and was glad to have made the switch!  Even without all the cushions on the couch, it seemed so much more welcoming!  (You know, for all the guests we have these days.)

Once the couch cushion covers were dry, I wrangled those back on the cushions.  Boy, was that a job!  I was sweating by the end of that task.  I also plan to never remove those covers from Lyla and Archer's chairs ever again.  I think I burned 1,000 calories trying to get them back on!  

But let's take a look at some before and afters so you can see what I'm talking about: 

So much better, right? 

I took advantage of some more space in the corner next to the TV cabinet to make a little reading nook for Archer and Lyla.  I tucked in their chairs and toy basket to make them a space all their own.  While Lyla and Archer have free reign of the living room, it is nice to have their chairs and toys tucked into the corner.  Plus, it gives them more room to spin around and dance and build train tracks.  Archer and Lyla have certainly taken full advantage of all the new space! 

Adam and the kids were happy with the changes, but poor Jazzy took some time getting used to the new setup!  She had a designated spot on the couch where she would look out the window.  I moved her blanket over to the other window, but she wasn't too excited about her new perch.  The day after I rearranged, I would find Jazzy in a different spot on the couch each time I walked into the living room.  She couldn't quite figure out where she was supposed to sit! 

But some treats helped her get it all sorted out.  I'm sure she'll have a Jazzy-sized dent in this new couch cushion in no time at all. 

So there you have it!  I completely transformed our living room without spending a dime!  So if you're bored like me, wander around your house and try to find a room to tackle.  Even sitting on the couch now makes me feel like I have a whole new point of view.  Happy rearranging! 

Three Years!

I'm not quite sure how it happened, but Archer and Lyla turned three years old on August 3rd!  It still baffles me that my sweet teeny tiny babies are now full-fledged three-year-olds!

Just as surprised as I am to have two three-year-olds, it's even more surprising to have two three-year-olds in the middle of a pandemic!  We are extremely fortunate to be in the position we are in.  I get to stay home with Archer and Lyla, while Adam gets to work from home.  We have a roof over our heads and plenty of food to eat.  We've been very careful and have made every effort to keep our family safe during this crazy time.  Archer and Lyla haven't been to any stores or public places since March, with the exception of some nature trails and empty parking lots to ride their tricycles.  We're very lucky Lyla and Archer are still young enough to not really grasp what's happening and just how small their little worlds have shrunk.  And I am so happy they have each other to play with and continue to grow their social skills.  I keep reminding myself this is a temporary situation, but I'd be lying if I said we weren't suffering from cabin fever.  

Craziness aside, both Archer and Lyla are thriving.

Both are incredibly active and like to play "little monkeys jumping on the bed" (and couch and ottoman and hammock...)  They enjoy racing and chasing each other and avoiding near catastrophic injuries an insane amount of times each day.  They are professionals at getting stains on their clothes and are quite skilled at finding even the smallest trace of mud.        

They both still adore reading, which is no surprise since I read to the kids every day and Adam and I make sure the kids get to enjoy books before bedtime each night.  I would be lying if I said I'm sad when they pick the short ones.  Both Lyla and Archer have mastered their alphabet, both lowercase and uppercase letters.  They have even learned what sounds each letter makes and several words beginning with each letter.  I wish I could take credit for these newfound skills, but they just enjoy watching educational shows on Netflix. 

They've each memorized several books apiece and like to "read" them to us.  I still have to brush away a little tear each and every time they do.  I love how much they love reading.  They miss going to story time at the library and picking out books to check out at the library, but we've taken full advantage of curbside pickup to bring some new reading material into our home.  

I adore how their relationship continues to deepen.  Of course they have their squabbles and there's a lot of "NO, MINE!" being shouted every day, but they do truly love each other.  I catch little moments of their love all the time, of course never when I have my phone handy to record it.  If one falls down outside, the other runs over to offer a helping hand to pull them back up.  If one gets a boo boo while playing in their rooms, I'll hear the other one ask where they need a kiss.  Archer climbed in his swing the other day and I looked over to see Lyla pushing him.  Lyla said she was sad the other day and Archer retrieved her night night (aka her blanket) saying "this will make you feel better."  There's a part of me that's sorry they will never get the chance to be an older brother and sister, but then I remind myself that they have a connection that not every kid gets to have.     

 

Archer is a wild man and rarely sits still.  Even when we're sitting together reading a book, he squirms and wiggles and has smacked me in the nose on more than one occasion.  He will snuggle with me when he first wakes up for approximately 30 seconds and I eat up every second of it.  He does like to give us kisses and hugs and his little arms wrapped around my neck are pure magic.  He enjoys making tracks for his trains and playing with his cars and trucks.  Archer loves to sing songs and I often hear him singing different tunes over the monitor when he should be napping.  His naps are few and far between these days, but I still make him go up to his room to "rest."  He'll still come up to me and say, "you snuggle me?" and it just melts my heart.  I love him so stinking much.  

Lyla continues to be confident and knows exactly what she wants.  She doesn't always get it, which can lead to some screaming from time to time.  Generally speaking, she's a happy girl and her favorite thing to do these days is take care of her baby dolls.  She's a very good mommy and even requires that Adam or I help her put on her baby's pajamas each night before we put Lyla to bed. Lyla is always very curious about what I'm cooking for dinner.  She'll wander in the kitchen and smile at me and I will give her a little bite of whatever I'm cooking.  She also always asks to help stir if I'm mixing something up.  She's very adventurous with her eating and will try just about anything.  She's been waking up in the middle of the night lately calling for me.  Even though I yawn a bit more these days, I don't really mind rocking her in the middle of the night.  I know some day she'll be too big to rock with me, so I'm trying to just eat it up while I can.  

They both got new big kid bicycles with training wheels for their birthday (thanks, Grandma and Grandpa!) since they have mastered their tricycles.  Archer has taken off on riding his, but still needs to practice with the brakes!  It's a workout when he rides his bike!  Lyla has been more cautious with riding her new bike and still prefers her tricycle, which works out for me so I can run after Archer.

I decided to record a birthday interview of each of them and hope to keep the tradition alive in years to come.  They didn't exactly sit still or answer the questions as thoughtfully as I had hoped, but here they are in all their glory:  

Archer's Interview

Lyla's Interview

Celebrating their birthday this year amidst the Coronavirus pandemic was a far cry from our celebrations in years past.  Adam and I didn't feel comfortable with a big family get-together this year, so we spread out their birthday celebrations.  Two weeks before their birthday, we celebrated with my parents.  We had a small party with some low-key decorations and games.  I raided the recycling bin and made a coconut tree similar to the one from Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and let the kids run around the house finding letters to put in the tree.  We enjoyed some pizza for lunch and cupcakes after singing "Happy Birthday!"  Both Archer and Lyla were quite adamant that I make them chocolate cupcakes with blue icing for Archer and pink icing for Lyla.  I was more that happy to oblige.    

Adam and I celebrated with the kids on their actual birthday.  The weather was unseasonably cool, so we took full advantage and went to a walk on a nature trail.  The trail is close to some train tracks, so we got to see a real train, which added to their excitement.  We went through the drive-thru at Lion's Choice and brought home lunch which we ate picnic-style on our front lawn.  After lunch they had a socially-distanced visit from their Grandpa Dave and Sherry.  Archer and Lyla were very happy to see them, but were bummed when we had to remind them we couldn't hug them.  They requested stroganoff and broccoli for dinner, so stroganoff and broccoli they got.  

This past weekend Lyla and Archer got to have yet another birthday party with Nana and Ted!  The kids are obsessed with watching the video of them hunting for Easter eggs, so I decided to let them hunt for some eggs during this birthday celebration.  Not your traditional birthday activity, but it made them happy.  

I love these little knuckleheads so very much and am so lucky to be their mom!  Watching them grow and learn is truly an honor.  I can't wait to see what this next year will bring for them!