I'm jumping in.
My bare feet were barely griping the slippery rail of the ship. I looked down at the dark, choppy, waters far below. I knew I had to jump. I didn't know the why, but there was no other way.
Do you ever lucid dream? I was not controlling this dream, but I was very conscious of my thoughts. I knew I had to jump, and I was surprised that I had no fear. Somewhere in my mind, I knew it would all be ok.
I looked back once more at the people behind me. Their eyes were wide with fear, and their expressions made it clear they did not have much hope for my survival. They could not help me, jumping was my only choice. The anticipation of something is what I fear the most. I did not want to wait anymore, so I slipped off the rail and went tumbling down. The impact from slamming into the cold water forced my eyes shut, and I began to sink. Suddenly, I was near the bottom of the ocean. It was peaceful way below the surface of the storm above. I opened my eyes. There were four wooden pillars to my left, and I caught a glimpse of a mermaid tale, disappearing between two pillars and into the dark, murky, waters.
I slowly started to rise back to the top of the ocean. It did not take as long as I thought it would before my face breached the surface and I drew in a deep breath. The sun was breaking through the clouds, and it's warm rays greeted me as I began to float on top of the now calm waters. I was fine.
Rarely do I have such vivid dreams. This one is as clear as a memory. It feels as though it was sent to me as a message, or a reminder. Recently, I have begun some new projects. I am taking my business in a new direction and working towards a life dream I have had for a long time. It is time consuming, and challenging. It means staying up till 4 a.m. working, even though I have already done so for the past week. My body has a strange way of dealing with excitement and anticipation. I am always nauseas and shaky when something big is happening in my life. All of these recent changes do feel a bit like diving into murky, violent, waters. I may go under, but I will rise up and it will be ok.
These days may be challenging, but they are a gift. Highly caffeinated coffee lost it's affect on me long ago, but the thrill of building a dream energizes me everyday.
Your future is in no ones hands but your own. What motivates you to get up everyday, and make your future a better one?
Puppet Booth Makeover
I know what you're thinking, why mess with an already adorable puppet theatre, like this one from Melissa and Doug? Don't worry, I haven't gone Pinterest insane! This theater was handed down to Mia from her sweet cousins. It was obvious when I received it, that it had logged a lot of playtime hours! Originally, I was planning on painting over some marker stains and washing the curtains, but then this happened, and I absolutely adore it.
What you will need:
I started with this theater.
- Chalk paint - let's pretty much assume this is all I am painting with, from here on out. It's so amazing!
- Wax creme - don't skip this! It will condition, seal, and protect your paint. You can purchase glossy, matte, or darkening wax.
- Chalkboard paint
- Photos or other decorations, to personalize with. You could add some fun lettering, or stencils designs!
- Fabric for curtains and side panels
- Mod Podge - I used matte
Tools:
- Screwdriver for assembly
- paint brush
- wax brush
- sewing machine, because I don't recommend trying to hand sew these curtains!
I had so much fun picking out paint colors and fabric, as well as taking these "head shots" of Mia for this DIY. She really hams it up for the camera! If she ever get's any siblings, does this mean I'll have to build them their own puppet booth?! ;)
I used two coats of chalk paint, which each took about 30 minutes to dry. Then I sealed it with a cream, matte wax. It dries quickly, and looks beautiful! The wax makes it easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth. A huge bonus when you have a toddler!
For the chalkboard part, I also used two coats of paint. In between coats, I let it dry for an hour, and I let the second coat dry all day. DId you know that your chalkboard paint needs to be "seasoned"? I didn't until recently, and it makes all the difference! After it's seasoned, the chalk will go on better, and wipe off easier. To season your chalkboard, let the paint dry completely, then smear chalk over the entire surface. Let it sit for a minute before wiping off the chalk. Now your chalkboard is ready to use!
To add the images, I smothered the back side in some good old Elmer's glue, and pasted them on the particle board. After the glue dried completely, I used a paint brush with very fine bristles to add a top coat of Mod Podge. It will look milky when you first paint it on, but it will dry completely clear and help protect the images for years to come. I think I love Mod Podge almost as much as chalk paint. It's what crafting dreams are made of!
Lastly comes the sewing (did I just hear some screaming?!). Never fear, if I can do this…you absolutely can! This is not a lie, I literally google searched: "how to sew" when I began this project. Ha! I had to look up videos on how to thread my bobbin. Yikes! It's been awhile since my old Singer came out, but I persevered and the curtains and side panels are almost decent! I know they're perfect for my three year old daughter anyway, who has already begun making lasting memories with her new favorite toy. That's what matter most…and it was totally worth the effort!
The possibilities with this are endless. I'm still contemplating some gold lettering at the top, and possibly wiring it for some flashing bulbs around the edges. Too much? Hmm…I'll update you if I make any adjustments.
Questions, comments? Want to show off your latest D.I.Y?! I'd love to see it! Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Bye now!
Coffe Table Makeover
Furniture with a story is the best, isn't it? This table has been around for a while, but you would never know it. After it's close brush with death (a trip to the dumpster) and then years of hiding under shoes in the back of my closet, it really hasn't had a chance to shine. Awww, poor table! The good news is, the hiding days are over now. I dragged it out of retirement and spruced it up! Today, it is one of my favorite and most functional pieces of furniture!
I'll be honest, this was not a "quick" fixer upper DIY. I could sing chalk paints praises all day long, which is what I painted the body of the table with. Wood stain, one the other hand, is what I consider the "toddler" of paints. Ornery! I do LOVE the results though! It simply requires some extra patience and loving. Aka, lot's of drying time, a good place to dry, and the right brushes.
You will need:
- Measuring tape - I am being caption obvious here, but you will have to take measurements before heading out and cutting wood for your new table top!
- Hammer - a heavy duty one, nailing that thick oak down was a workout!
- Ultra fine sandpaper - I recommend safety glasses, and mask too when using sand paper. Safety first!
- Chalk Paint -I LOVE this one!
- Wax - to condition, seal and protect your chalk paint.
- Woodstain - I used Black Cherry, ooh la la!
- Sealant- to seal, protect, and finish off the stain.
- Nails
- Oak wood panels - or whichever wood you prefer! I liked this one because it was so pretty and smooth.
Recommended Brushes:
- Slanted staining brush
- Wax brush
- Fine paint brush
(both of these can be washed with warm, soapy, water after using chalk paint or wax)
- Paint thinner - to clean your brush after staining.
Optional: New knobs for drawers
First things first: Plan out your project. Where will you display it, how will you use it, what type of wood and paint will work best to first your needs?! Secondly, measure your table, then load up and head to Home Depot (will Home Depot and Hobby Lobby just get married, already?!).
Once you're there, pick out your new table top! I purchased the cheapest oak I could find, because a) It was pretty smooth and b) I am not rich. You guys aren't going to believe this, but I have never purchased wood before. Thankfully, the guys at Home Depot offer excellent customer service, so I handed over my choice wood and some measurements then ran off to shop nails, stains, and brushes! Bonus cupid tip: Take your single friend with you, and leaver her to talk it up with the bearded, buff, wood cutting, dude. You're welcome, single ladies!
I know this Varathane stain talks a good game with its "achieve color in one coat" and all, but to get a nice, even, coat, I layered it on four times. Each coat dried for about 24 hours. I let the final coat dry for a couple of days before I added the sealant, and then I let that sealant dry for several more days before assembling the table. Also, if you don't have quality brushed already, invest in them! As long as you wash and dry it properly, it will last a long time and they really do make a difference.
Ok you guys….I have been dying to tell you this. Chalk paint (not to be confused with chalkboard paint), is AMAZING!! It requires no priming other than cleaning off the surface you are going to paint. I'd like to refer to it as "the butter of paints". It goes on so smooth, and just melts into the wood. I used the art deco brand, but Annie Sloan is a great brand as well. The chalk pain dries incredibly fast, and there are almost no fume. I painted this right inside my dining room! All it took was two coats, which both dried within 30 minutes. Once the paint dried, I applied a matte wax, to protect and seal the paint. Again, invest in the right brushed. I purchased a wax brush at Home Depot, and it worked beautifully. There is gloss, matte, and darkening wax. The darkening wax will change the hue of your paint so make sure and do a test spot before you paint the whole thing!
Last of all, the most fun part! Picking out new knobs at Hobby Lobby. The only thing hard about this, was narrowing down all the wonderful options.
You can use a wood putty to hide the tops of the nails on the table, but I love this rustic, exposed nail, look!
Table make over total: $85
It sounds like a lot, but this is coming from someone who had to buy all the brushes, nails, stain, and knobs. If you already have those items, the paint does not cost much at all and the wood was about $38.
I learned a lot, and did a lot of youtube searches during this project. If you have any questions before starting your make-over, please leave it in the comments and I'll get back to you! Show me your projects in the comments too!
Best Apple Cider Ever
It's Fall,
ya'll!
I am here to get your season off to a great start by sharing my favorite Autumn recipe with you. It really is the best ever, that's a fact that I just made up…but once you try it, I think you will agree.
Added bonus, it will make your home smell better than any candle ever will.
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- pinch of cloves (too much cloves or allspice will make it bitter)
- pinch of allspice
- 2 tbs. sugar The sugar optional, sometimes the apple juice is sweet enough! Taste as you go, and make it to your preference.
- 5 cups apple juice
- 2 cups of orange juice
The Cure For Mommy Blues
I found the cure for the mommy blues.
Despite the fact that I get to see my daughter everyday, there is often a moment where I look over at her, and realize she looks twice as tall and so much wiser than she was yesterday. Instead of running to the attic and crying over boxes of baby clothes, like I used to do, I’ve started a new tradition. I I grab my camera and set out to make a time photo time capsule.
Like most moms do, I always snap some photos when my daughter is headed out in a new outfit or when she is drawing a masterpiece...on the walls. Still, I haven't captured many of my favorite moments that may fade to blurry memories too soon. I always think I’ll remember which stuffed animal was her favorite for the first 8 months, or what her reaction was like the first time we put a bunch of glowsticks in the bathtub, but sadly, it’s hard to hold on to all those happy memories forever. I blame mom brain! Thankfully, photographs can last long enough for her to share those memories with her grandchildren one day.
Mornings are hardMornings are hard
The time capsule project is as much for her as it is me. We will soon move out of her childhood home, and toys that were once her favorites will be passed along. There are certain triggers, like smells, colors, places that bring back a rush of memories. I like to think that photographs can trigger some of those priceless memories, and help fill the gaps where our minds have failed us. The point of creating a photo time capsule is to freeze a day in time that captures all those little things, and then make an album filled with memory “triggers”.
The challenge: 12 hours. Capture everything.
Before you start shooting, take a moment to think about all the little things that you want the remember which make this season of life so special. Their silly hair in the morning, a song that always puts a smile on their face, their crazy eating habits, or a stuffed animal they never travel far without.
One of the things to love about toddlerhood, is that it’s easier to be a “fly on the wall” when photographing them. I don’t think it will be so easy for me to capture these genuine emotions and candid moments once she is more aware of the camera, and decides to strike a pose. The trick though, is to be very fast. Some of the most breathtaking moments only last for a brief second. My camera is never out of my reach all day when I am shooting a “time capsule”.
Given that the time to snap one of those candid moments is so brief, my camera has to be set ahead of time. Here are my “go to” settings. My 50mm lens is my all time favorite for in home lifestyle sessions. The only time I may mix it up is with my 85mm for some details shots, or something fun and funky like a fisheye lens. Anytime I photograph a bouncy little kid, I start with shutter speed of 1/250 or faster. My favorite place to stay for my aperture is between f/2.8 and f/4.0. I will be mostly shooting with natural light, and occasionally rely on my 580 EXII speedlight to light the way. Since none of these shots will be staged, it means working on the fly with whatever light is there. I start out by opening all the curtains and blinds so most of the rooms in my house will have decent lighting and be ready to go. In fear of grainy images, I prefer to keep my ISO below 1200 when possible. However, I am not afraid to embrace the dark if it fits the mood. After all, this shoot isn’t about getting the perfect exposure, but capturing life exactly “as is”.
What is it about tiny little toes? Even though I am admittedly terrified of all adult feet, I can’t get enough of those baby toes.
Bonus points, add a handwritten note for your child in the photo album. Stash it away to reminisce together in just a few short years. Oh boy, where are my tissues...