$10 headboard

I bought this pretty rough headboard at an estate sale in May. It was on a Sunday and half priced at $10. It had a back to it, dangling on by staples, and a lot of shellac. This weekend I sanded it.

Then I gave it a couple of coats of bright turquoise paint. I used some fabric and batting that I had in the basement and padded the back piece.

Then I stapled the back padded piece to the back of the headboard and voila! We moved it into Audrey's room and now she has yet another spot to collect sticks, rocks, feathers, toys, books, empty paper towel rolls...you know...kid's stuff. And since I had all the supplies for this already on hand, the whole thing cost me $10. Win-Win.

Giant Cupcake Project

Audrey's preschool is studying the giant art of Claes Oldenburg and all students were invited to create a sculpture for the spring parade. I did some online research, made a supply list, and put my super awesome babysitter on it. She and Audrey worked on the project for days and it turned out so great. Jen watches Audrey 2-1/2 days a week and we love her. She earned her MFA from Washington University in 2012 and next week she is traveling to Germany for a presentation. As much as we love having her watch Audrey, I do hope she finds a permanent teaching position. She's brainy, talented, and sweet.

Homemade Ornaments

Full of ambition and optimism, I packed all of our Christmas stuff in the pod back in July. Then, when we couldn't find a house, we decided to wait to sell our house until 2013. So this year, we are having a very homemade holiday, and actually, I'm really looking forward to it. We are simplifying the entire season out of necessity. On Thanksgiving, the three of us made ornaments from tree branch slices that my dad made for us. It was a fun family activity and Audrey was very proud of her decorations. She bedazzled the heck out of them. I can't wait to have a real tree this year, strung with popcorn and yarn poms.

Critter Crafts

This past weekend, Audrey and I worked on this fun little project. She loved painting these rocks we nabbed at my mom's. Then she glued googly eyes on them. Some of them she deemed bugs (ladybug, beetle, etc.) and others she deemed aliens. This was easy and fun. They may be your Christmas gift!

Summer!

Summer Poem: Summer in a Small Town by Tony Hoagland
Summer Outdoor Crafts: See below.

Outdoor Activity Crafts for Preschoolers -- powered by ehow

Valentines

We made versions of these Valentines for Audrey's first party. I made little stickers of her face for the back and let her "sign" them with her sticker and some coloring. The three-year-olds will at least know which valentine came from her that way (I know...like it matters).

Wrapping the Week

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1. Fun & Good
Yesterday, I got the wall under our kitchen bar area covered in 4 coats of metallic primer and one topcoat of chalkboard paint. One more coat of chalboard paint, and Audrey will have the creative space of my her dreams. Now that the wall is so black, I am even more determined to find new kitchen chairs. We need some contrast to lighten up the dining area. I am on the hunt for mismatched chairs to paint in either high-gloss turquoise or lime green. It is going to look fabulous. I'll post pictures when I'm finished...which may be this time next year.

2. Not Fun, but Good

Recently, I read an excellent article in The New Yorker on hospice medical care for dying patients. Earlier this week, there was a New York Times article on a study showing palliative care extends life of cancer patients. I know these aren't exactly upbeat or sexy topics, but they are important. Especially with all the recent fear mongering of "death panels" in the health care debate.

3. Just Fun
Lost Cat Posters

Zipper Boat
Bag of Hammers

Have a glorious weekend. Summer is almost over.

Octopus

Audrey has learned how to say octopus (oct-puh). I found this adorable little free download paper craft at Zooguu. I'm also going to break out the store bought Play-Doh today. I made some homemade clay a few months ago, but of course, it didn't have the Play-Doh smell that I love so much. So we are going to have some fun, if I can tear her away from that damned Zhu Zhu pet.

Final Countdown

Just a few more days now. My c-section is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 7:30am. We both can hardly wait. I worry a few times a day because I've never been in the hospital and now I'm getting surgery. But for the most part, I am so eager for the physical relief of having this bowling ball removed, and so eager for the emotional relief of knowing that she is here safe and healthy--that nothing else really matters. Lindsey keeps reminding me that while all of this is new to us, it is routine for everyone else that will be involved (i.e. my doctor and nurses). Can't wait. Can't wait. Can't wait. We got a lot of calls from family and friends this weekend, all anxious too, about the big day. (Thanks everyone!)

We celebrated Christmas this weekend with my immediate family at our house. We usually go to my parent's in Cole Camp, but since I couldn't be that far away from the hospital in case I went into labor, we thought doing it here would be best. It turned out nicely. We bought my nephews screaming monkey slingshots. (What was I thinking? Those things are loud!) After two great games of Apples to Apples Junior, I showed Sam how to diaper the monkey up in the baby's room. He even wanted to put booties and socks on the monkey. A future baby sitter? Perhaps.

There was a great article, Handmade 2.0, on yesterday's nytimes.com website. It was about the DIY/crafter scene and specifically talked a lot about Etsy, where I purchased several holiday gifts this year. I did more online shopping this year than ever before and found the Etsy site inspiring. 

My main computer is still down, which explains why my website has not been updated and why the 52nd City website has not been updated. I haven't even been able to post to the 52nd City blog. I think this should all be resolved in the next couple of weeks...but I doubt I will care too much. I'll be all cocooned in this house with my little lambchop.

More to come...