. best friend week - project #2 .

my desk has been a work in progress since i bought it.  i've never had it like i wanted it and, since i spend so much time at it, i had to get it looking right.  i didn't get a before pictures, but i think i've posted one before.  i really just needed something hanging above my extra large computer to balance it out. 

i remembered i had this huge bulletin board that my mom gave me to use for something else.  i brought it in and it was the perfect size.  i also had a table cloth that a friend gave me.  i've wanted to use it because i love it and it matches perfectly, but couldn't find the right spot for it.  i know.  table cloths go on tables.  but i can't have one on mine.  not with all these kids.  i'd have to wash it every day. 

so i stapled it to the bulletin board.  i'm in love once again.

i still need to get it organized and the "stuff" put in the right spots.  that'll change constantly i'm sure.  i want cute stuff on there, pictures, my weekly menu.  but i'm not real sure how i want it just yet, but how cute is it already?!?   it worked out so good.  i already had the antique bicycle basket hanging on the right.  i've wanted to use it for so long and haven't really had a spot for it either.  it works perfectly for our checkbook binder and my receipts holder.

and, the chair MUST be accessorized to match the bulletin board somehow, right?  we thought about making a seat cushion, but i'm really liking this final touch.

yep.  a piece of the table cloth tied in a simple knot.  i'm also going to try to make a few pillows for my couch to tie it all into the living room.  PLUS ... another free project.  i had/was given everything i used.  my mister is loving this!

. best friend week - project #1 .

ok ok ok ... here's the big reveal.  it's probably not as HUGE as you thought it'd be, but we LOVE it.  everytime we walk in the dining room, both of us utter the words "that window is AMAZING!"  and, it's true.  so here she is ...

the before  - it's the door to the back yard that is in my dining room.  the curtain just wasn't working for me.  always fell off.  and was pretty ugly.  i've been looking for a solution for a while now.

enter pinterest.  i found the idea here and LOVED it. 

enter jasey.  she makes me do things.  i like being lazy and i'm not allowed that this week.  she's kept me BUSY!!!  but it's all been so good and has made a huge difference in my house.

we started with these supplies.  contact paper (the clear-ish kind).  scissors.  the blog i linked above had a link to another blog where they found the idea.  unfortunately, at this time, i'm unable to go to the original blog and link that one, but they posted a template that worked perfectly.  the design fits my style right now perfectly too!  so, i printed the template, then cut it out of cardboard so i'd have something better to trace.  oh, and of course you'll need an orange sharpie.  yes, it's necessary.

i started tracing and jasey did this ...

i certainly did put her to work.  she did most of the cutting out, while i stuck the shapes to the window.  we traced and cut out forever and, with 7 kids in the house, this project took us forever to finish.  several hours it seems.  we were about 4.5 hours behind our deadline, but we eventually got it done.  and i LOVE LOVE LOVE it.  here's the big reveal ....

whatdya think?  there are some bubbles.  but you can't really see them unless you are up close.  we don't have backyard neighbors, but i still don't like people peeping in.  this doesn't prevent that, but it helps a lot.  and ... it's CUTE.  which is what i always go for. 

OH WAIT ... the very best part, other than it being AMAZING ... was that it was FREE!!!  i already had a huge roll of contact paper for art projects, so i didn't have to buy a single thing to totally transform an entire door.  can't beat that!

. 31/365 .

i got this brilliant idea to let the kids play in shaving cream today.  i stripped them down and sprayed a glob in front of each kid.  they had a blast and required showers aftewards.

i did love the way my house smelled afterwards.  smelled, i said.  not looked.  it was everywhere.  on th walls.  on the floors.  in every nook and cranny.  but they had such fun, which made it all worth it.

. 30/365 .

these kids have played pretty well together the last few days.  konner got these legos and i was so surprised at how well my girls played with them.  for hours.  seriously.  we may be investing in some. 

. 29/365 .

how fabulous is this fan that the BFF got me for my birthday?!?  i'm not that great of a gift buyer, so i always feel guilty when she buys me amazing gifts like this.  this fan is super cute.  and it's me.  and she knew that.  that's what i love about her.  it's not only the gifts she buys, but it's mainly that she thought of me when she saw it and knew i had to have it.  it's perfect.