Week 18 & 19 Assignment - May the FORCE be with me!

The countdown to B-Man's Birthday Party has begun!!  So this week, I plan on getting the favors out of the way as well as get as much prepared for the party as I can!!  First big project...LIGHTSABERS!!  I found this on Pinterest and figured it was a perfect way for 5 year olds to hone their Jedi Skills without hurting eachother!  :)

Thanks to a trip to the Dollar Tree, I grabbed 30 pool noodles for $1/each!!  I'm hoping cutting them in half and wrapping them with tape won't be a huge pain in the butt!!

I found this link on how to make a "Death Star Pinata"...yes, I am insane!!

I'm also going to make food labels using a cool Star Wars font I found.  Here's a look at my proposed menu:

Ackbar’s Snack Bar
“Sith Snaks” – Takis (Crazy Spicy Corn Chip Tubes that I am absolutely addicted to!!)
“Rebel Treats” – Cheese Puffs
“Droid Parts” – square pretzels and pretzel stick mix
“Wookie Cookies” – chocolate chip cookies
“Slurp Sabers” – Gogurt
“Fruit Sabers with Darth Maul Dip” - fruit kebabs with my favorite "Crepe Creme" for dipping

Mos Eisley Cantina – 

“Yoda Soda” - 3/4 cup limeade, 1/2 cup sparkling water, 1 scoop lime sherbet

“Padme Punch” – Fruit Punch

“Boss Lyonie Lemonade” - Lemonade

"Mon Cala Water" (If I have time and can figure it out, make labels for the water bottles?)

Pizza the Hut – (Gotta love Costco!!)

“Padawan Pepperoni”

“Chewbacca Cheese”

“Count Dooku Combo”

And of course..."Obi-Wan Kenobi Oreo Cupcakes"!!  

I'm going to be realistic and give myself two weeks to get everything done, so I'll see you after the party!  This time, I'll remember to take pictures!!  :)

Week 17 Assignment - Results

Well, it's official!!  Potty training is kicking my butt!!  I don't know when it happened, but my sweet, lovable, angel daughter has turned into the most stubborn person I know!  Although we've had two successful potty poops in the last month, they were both a result of making her sit on the potty for AGES after she went a little in her pants.  Other than that, she just refuses to do it!  The funny thing is, after each successful one, she was so happy and proud saying that it wasn't so scary going in the potty...but unfortunately the euphoria doesn't last.  :(  I've tried everything from bribes to punishment to no avail.  Couple this with the fact that nap times may be coming to and end in this household and the end result is my "me time" may be becoming a thing of the past.   

So what did I accomplish this week???  Unfortunately not much.  I did get the "artwork" done for the bathroom and after several attempts I finally figured out how to use the stencil.  Funny how all I had to do was trust the people that made it and follow their directions to the letter!  :)  When they say you need to roll almost all of the paint off the roller onto a paper towel before using it on the stencil they actually mean it!!  Once I stopped trying to fight the stencil, it worked like a charm!!  What do you think...

I also spent the week making "Teacher Appreciation" projects which were a blast!  I made three "Mercury Glass" dollar store vases for "flower day" where each student brought one flower for each teacher.  The bouquets ended up being really adorable!!  I also made these M&M gifts that I found at Domestically Speaking and boy are they cute!!  :)...And check me out!  Finally learning how to make a photo collage in Picasa!!

So I guess the crown molding will wait for another time.  The good news is it doesn't look too bad even without being "finished"...or maybe that's the bad news.  I think if it looked like crap I'd be more motivated to get it done.  But since B-man's birthday is less than two weeks away it will have to wait!! It's time to get my Force on!  Maybe I can use the Force to help potty train the Pooptress!  :)

Week 17 Assignment - Back to Work!!

So, now that I'm rested and relaxed (yeah, right!!) I think I'm ready to get back to work on the bathroom.  My main goal for the week is to get the "Crown Molding" caulked and painted, but I'm struggling with how best to deal with all the seams.  So I'm going to try one (in the back of the bathroom above the bathtub) using caulking and a second using spackle.  I'm thinking the spackle will sand down better and help be bridge the gaps between some of the more uneven seams, but I just don't know.  Regardless, I have to get this done so wish me luck!

I'm also going to try and get some decorating done in the bathroom.  I bought some canvases when they were buy one get one free at Michaels a few weeks back and want to use my cool stencil I used on the cabinet door in there to make some "art".  I started one...

I sure hope it works!!!  See you next week!

Week 16 Assignment - Results

Wow, do I feel better!!  I think I have completely erased all evidence of the party from our home, and thankfully I didn't find any more scary surprises along the way!!  I also had a chance to do a little something fun!  I took some dollar store finds I had purchased a while back and experimented with "Mercury Glass".  Not only was it fun...it was SUPER EASY!!  The hardest part was finding the Krylon Looking Glass paint which apparently is sold out everywhere in Southern Orange County!  Thankfully, I found a bottle (from what I can tell the absolute last one in the area) and got to painting.  I first tried Katies Rose Cottage technique of spraying the Looking Glass on followed by spraying with a half vinegar half water solution.  It looked great in the areas where the Looking Glass hadn't already dried (man, this stuff dried FAST!!) but I had quite a few areas that didn't work because it was dry before I could get it sprayed.  I found a couple other tutorials that suggest spraying with the vinegar solution first and then the Looking Glass so I tried that and it worked much better.  I ended up doing a little of both, spraying the vinegar solution first, then the Looking Glass, and then a little more vinegar solution and viola!!  It worked like  a charm!  I also tried doing both the inside and outside of the glass as well as just the inside and found I really like the result when I did both best.  So I have ordered some more Looking Glass online (found it on Amazon for less than I paid for the bottle at Michaels with free shipping).   I guess I went a little crazy because here's what I ended up with...

Recognize the last picture??  Well, I got tired of paper cherry blossoms falling into my sink so I gave up on the ones I had made and found these light up blossom branches at Bed Bath and Beyond.  I know...they are a bit tacky, but they make me smile so what the hell!  :)  I originally was going to try and cut the bottoms off my frapuccino bottles because they have wires connecting the branches, but after seeing a bunch of tutorials on Pinterest I decided there had to be an easier way and there was!  I found these cylindrical hurricane shades at Modern Vase and Gift and I was sold!  Their shipping is a little high but they are located in Southern California and they let you pick up your order for free if you are willing to make the trek to the City of Industry.  I figured I'd spend that much in gas getting there and opted to have them shipped...plus, I'm lazy!

All in all, I've had a great week...just wish potty training was as easy as making Mercury Glass!!  I'm  afraid if something doesn't give my beautiful blue eyed daughter will become my brown eyed girl!  But I'm hopeful...yesterday I bought two Disney Princess dresses and one Minnie Mouse dress and hung them from the shower curtain rod in the bathroom.  I told Brenna that every time she poops in the potty she gets to pick a dress, but if she goes in her pants I have to take one back.  She's still resisting but she REALLY wants to dresses so I'm hoping she'll come around.  Nothing like bribery to raise your kid right...right???

Week 16 Assignment - I think I need a week off!! :)

After the last two weeks, I can honestly say I have zero motivation to do anything but "Un-Party" my house.  So, instead of giving myself an assignment that I know I won't finish...I think I'm just going to try and get caught up on my Spring Cleaning (I'm still finding things in strange places...the day after the party I found a full cup of beer in Brenna's doll house and a dirty diaper at the foot of Bradan's bed.  I'm not sure which is more disturbing!!).  If I get the bug by the end of the week, I may give this "Mercury Glass" Tutorial I found at Katies Rose Cottage a try to turn a few Dollar Store wonders into something fabulous...but I'm not making any promises!!  :)

See you next week!!  :)

Week 7 Assignment - Results

What a week!!  It sure has been a roller coaster!  It started with a call from a headhunter with a position I can only describe as my "dream job".  To make a long story short (well, as short as possible), when my oldest was born I walked away from a job I loved to become a stay home mom.  I have been so blessed that with some purse-tightening we have financially been able to manage on one income for the last four and a half years.  The deal was I would go back to work once Brenna started Kindergarten two years from now, but I felt that if I didn't at least look into this opportunity I would regret it down the line.  As the headhunter said, I'd either hate them and the job and my decision would be easy...or I'd love them and the job and while it would be a little harder the decision would be mine to make.  Turns out there was a third option.  I'd love them and the job but they wouldn't love me.  :(  I can't tell if I'm more disappointed or relieved, but I can say that my ego is a bit bruised.  I've been fortunate in my life to have only interviewed for one job (now two) that I haven't been offered. But once my ego bounces back I know I will still have the best job in the world...getting to stay home and raise my two beautiful children!!  And I still get to give myself some exciting assignments!

Speaking of assignments, this weeks assignment was a fun little diversion from all this serious interview preparation!  I ended up making two sets of pillowcase dresses (I'm finishing a third but Brenna has already claimed it!) and they sure are cute!   They are pretty easy to make once you get comfortable with the process, so if you are going to give them a try I recommend making one with some scrap fabric first.  The hardest part is putting the bias tape on the arm holes, so if you do try and make one and get stuck let me know.  I'd be happy to post a "how to" on the bias tape!!  :)

Take a look!

Week 7 Assignment - Kindergarten "Homework"

 As some of you already know, my son, Bradan, is on the waiting list for the Mandarin Immersion Kindergarten next fall through our school district.  We are supposed to find out this Friday if they will be adding a second class and if he has a spot.  We have been on pins and needles since we found out we didn't win the "lottery" for a spot in the first class last December.  There are two things that adding the second class are contingent upon - 1) finding a teacher and 2) FUNDING!!  Since there was really nothing I could do to help with finding a teacher, I decided to focus my efforts on the latter.  I volunteered to make pillowcase dresses for an upcoming fundraiser and I need to turn them in this Friday.  Nothing like procrastination!!  :)  But no worries, I have an amazing pattern with detailed instructions I found on Etsy a couple of years back that have helped me become a Pillowcase Dress Diva!  She now has her EZ Pillowcase Dress patterns on her own website and I can tell you it's well worth the $4.99 for the pattern!  Here are some of my past creations...

My plan is to make sets with a dress in size 6 and a matching doll dress.  I promised two sets but I'm hoping I can sew like the wind and make three of four.  Let's hope this week is a better week for naps!!  :)

Week 5 Assignment - Results

It's a good thing I decided to take it easy this week...I was definitely not in the zone!  :)  But I did manage to finish my projects, despite the fact that I think I spent more time planning my next months worth of projects.  Guess that's why I'm blogging to keep me on track!


The bread box was more of a challenge than I thought it would be...it was determined to remain a blonde, but I was more determined to make it a brunette!!  While sanding it down to prepare it for staining, I realized it wasn't solid wood but was veneer instead.  I tried staining a small bit on the back but it just wouldn't take...so I resorted to primer and spray paint.  I had some leftover Espresso spray paint from my Family Sign assignment which did the trick...but I still wasn't in love with it.  So I played around with some Black Antiquing Glaze and ta da!!  Not what I had in mind exactly but it will do.  Take a look...

A couple of tricks I learned:
1)  Have the folks at the Depot cut your MDF to a size slightly larger than the interior of your bread box.  That way you can sand down the edges as needed for a tight fit.
2)  For the notches in the MDF for the cords, I used a straight edge and a box cutter.  It was time consuming but gave me nice, straight edges for the openings.  Do this BEFORE painting your MDF.


I love the fact that I don't have a bunch of charging cords slinking around my kitchen counter!!  Definitely worth the effort!

And our Mommy Play Date was sooo much fun!!  I think we may have had more fun than the kids!  We had to get a little creative with my planter box because my window sill where I wanted to put it was only 4" wide, but we found some Alder 1/4" x 6" sheets that did the trick.  Terri was making hers for her mantle so she was able to use 1" x 6"s in Pine.  I was amazed at how easy these were to make...even if you don't have access to power tools!  Most home improvement stores will cut wood to your specifications (within reason) so all you need to do is drill a few holes and install a few screws.  I think the hardest part was drinking all the frappuccinos!  


Now to fill those lovely frappuccino bottles, I decided I wanted the look of cherry blossoms...but I HATED how the stems looked on the silk ones I found.  But not to fear, Pinterest is here!!  Found this pin on one of Tracy's boards from Apartment Therapy  and went to work...

Easy?...YES!! Tedious?...ABSOLUTELY!!  You may notice that I only finished 3 of the 5 branches.  This is because I decided to stop before poking my eyes out with my scissors!  :)  I can't imagine how this woman did a whole room of them??  I think this is a project best completed with friends and accompanied by your favorite beverage!  So I will take a little break and maybe finish the last two branches with a Blue Moon!  Anyway...here's what I've done so far...

Now that I've taken a week off...guess it's time to get back to work!  

Week 5 Assignment - More Organization and Power Tool Fun

After last weeks DIY-a-thon, I think I'm going to take it easy this week...but I still have a couple of projects up my sleeve!

First, I'm going to get rid of the charger cord disaster that is my kitchen counter thanks to an idea I found on Pinterest from Better Homes and Gardens.

The bread box they show in the picture retails for around $70...and I couldn't find another stainless steel one that didn't look HUGE, so off to eBay I went and found this little wonder.

I'm hoping I can sand it and stain it the color of our kitchen cabinets...maybe with a little black glaze just for fun.  Wish me luck!

I'm also going to take advantage of my good friend Tracy and her power tools again to make this planter box from Shanty 2 Chic for my kitchen window sill.

There's a pretty funny story behind this one!  One of my closest friends, Terri, made a comment to Tracy (Bob Vila with Boobs) at my birthday party a couple of weeks back that it wasn't fair that I got to take advantage of all of Tracy's Built-It-Yourself-Talents because I lived closer to Tracy than she did.  So Tracy, being Tracy, offered to help both of us build this when she saw we both pinned it on Pinterest.  Final result of the conversation...Terri is coming down with her kids on Friday for a dual play date at my house!  Her kids and mine will play with eachother while Terri, Tracy and I play with saws!  :)  I can't wait!

Week 3 Assignment - Results

Well...it's been an interesting week around here.  Between two sick babies, a sick Mommy and Daddy, and celebrating my 40th birthday, it's amazing I got anything done at all!  So, I have good news and bad news...which do you want first?

Let me start with the bad news.  I didn't finish the above-the-toilet cabinet this week for a couple of reasons.  While I think the advice I got from Alter'd Designs would have worked the first time I painted it, while trying to remove my train-wreck of a prior paint application I pretty much destroyed the laminate layer of the cabinet and was left with a less than perfect surface to work with.  I did prime with several coats and probably could have made it work, but while staring at the cabinet for hours while prepping it I decided I absolutely hated it!  It probably didn't help that I found something on Pinterest that I absolutely loved a few weeks ago and couldn't get it out of my head!  :)  Any guess what my next project will be????

But let's not dwell on the negative...on to the good news!  The good news is my family sign is one of the cutest things I've ever made!!  And I have my friend Tracy to thank not only for helping me get it done, but also for teaching me how to use some fabulous power tools!!  I think I may have found my latest addiction!!  It's funny how intimidating something that can cut your hand off can be...until you learn how to use it!  Now I'm all over Pinterest finding things to build and create.  Who knows, I may just beat the hubs to becoming a woodworker!   She also taught me the fine art of distressing...I had no idea destroying something on purpose could be so much fun!!

This project was perfect for someone who had no idea what she was doing when it came to power tools because you don't have to have exact measurements and to be honest you don't even need to make straight cuts.  And if you don't have a saw or don't want to use one, if you're really sweet to the guy in the lumber department at the Depot they'll make all your cuts for you!

So, enough gabbing!  Here's my latest masterpiece!  I'm a little bummed that the second line of text isn't as prominent as I'd like...but I'm not sure it bums me out enough to repaint the plank and do the letters again!  :)  We'll see...I'll probably change my mind by the end of the day!

Week 3 Assignment - Another Honey Do and Some Fun Too!

So I guess I need to confess that I've been re-doing our Master Bath for a while now...let's just say it's been too long!  But the finish line is on the horizon and there is just one item left on my Honey Do List and I'm going to tackle it this week.  I need to finish repainting the above-the toilet cabinet.  I say finish because thanks to some less than helpful advice from my friends at the Depot, I'm having to do it all over again just as I did with the vanity.  The vanity was truly a nightmare...the first time the side peeled off completely in two pieces, so I'm hoping this tutorial at Altar'd Designs will help.  Man I wish I had found this before I painted them the first time!!

And now for the fun!!  I recently got my best friend, Tracy, addicted to Pinterest and when I found this adorable family sign tutorial at Every Creative Endeavor (one of my favorite blogs!!) she said..."When are we doing this??" 

This is especially huge because Tracy (as far as I'm concerned she's "Bob Vila with Boobs") is my Power Tool Princess!  She can build anything she puts her mind to.  I, on the other hand, have a garage full of power tools (thanks to the hubs and his yet unfulfilled desire to become a woodworker) but have NO idea how to use them!   So, wish me luck and see you next week!!