Finally, we measure up! My DIY Measuring Chart

So I have seen tons of these Measuring chart boards on Pinterest and various blogs.  None that I thought quite worked with our decor. However I wanted one badly, because we were missing our precious opportunities to measure these boys....I had done all of Zanes measurements on our laundry room door in our old house, and of course didn't take the door with us.  Now if, IF, we ever moved, this puppy can travel.

My girlfriend Amy sent me a blog with one similar to what I created- I loved the really distressed look, but the modern color of the wood.  So I did a variation.

First I stained it a darker stain. Of course I missed a few photos in the process. Did you expect any less???  The ones I did get are in my dark dungeon of a craft room....ha.
Then I took chalk paint (my homemade version!) and I taped off the segments by feet.  I started the 1 ft mark 6 inches up the board, because whatever wall we were going to mount it to, I know it would need to mount 6 inches up due to floor board etc.

So I taped at the 6 inch mark, then a foot up each time. 
Once that was completed I stenciled on the numbers.

Then I took a hand sander and heavily sanded the entire thing, followed by 2 coats of clear semi gloss poly.  Voila!

We were going to put it up at the top of the stairs by the boys rooms, but my husband liked it so much he wanted it as part of our decor!  Now each measurement we will use a sharpie to mark it, date it and label to whom.

I have so many cool ideas for these, I think I might put some customizable ones on my Etsy store as well.  Will let you know when I do that.

Hope it inspires you to keep track of your growing babes.  It happens so fast. My boy who just turned 5 in April just measured in at 4 ft.  Oh my.

buffet makeover- using chalk paints, Annie Sloan & homemade

So I had a dresser in our living room, trying to use it for diapers, toys, etc.  However the drawers need serious fixing, and the kids were wreaking havoc on it.  So it is now in our bedroom....and I have a new idea for it, but that will come later.

I went on Craigslist (of course) and bought a buffet for like $70.  It is Per-fect!  Holds diapers, blankets, toys- so much neater in our living area now!  The basement...well that is another story :-)
It is a heavy piece, and was dark brown.  Yet again, I seem to have not taken a good before picture.  I am not sure I will ever get better at that part! I have some 'in progress' though. Anyway, you can see the darker wood that it was.  I love yellow, it is one of my faves, and the dresser that was in there got so many compliments I decided to keep the same color. I did however, clear wax the entirety and only use the dark on some spots, whereas the dresser was done in all dark wax.

I did however decide to add some 'trim'.  I was out of white chalk paint though, so I finally got a chance to try out the homemade chalk paint.  It was super easy:

1 cup of flat paint in your choice of color
1 Tbsp of unsanded grout

Thats it!  And it works!  However, I have yet to find a way to store this effectively.  It basically dries up and turns into a brick.  So if you are doing a smaller job, just 1/2 your items (ie 1/2 cup of paint, 1/2 Tbsp of grout, etc).

So here is my final piece.  Loving it.  Hope you do too!

Try, and try again...and again. I'm not a quitter.

So I am realizing (have already realized) that this Blog and Etsy store is not going as I thought it would. I got so fired up about getting creative again, and sharing, that I didn't think about the fact that I have 3 kids....that are constantly going to change.  So although it was getting easier, and Zane was in school, and I had a bit more time on my hands, I didn't anticipate that another change of events was on the horizon.  The fact is, the twins are getting older- yes, they are able to play together better, occupy each other etc...but they also are hitting the 2's. Also, Zane is now done with preschool for the summer. So even less time to do projects. 
I never thought I would have a hard time getting stuff done- and I don't!  Once I set my mind to it, I can get it done..but if there isnt time to do it, well that is where the problem lies.
So, I have to come up with a solution.  Its what I do- I find solutions, and I plan.  Sometimes too much, which is where another problem lies. 
I have come up with a plan that I believe I can live with.  I will blog twice a week for sure.  Anything above that is icing on the cake so to speak. Believe it or not, blogging takes time.  Especially focusing on projects where you have to do before, after etc.  I bet the longer I do it, the easier it will get, but right now, it still takes time. Especially when trying to do it while 3 kids are screaming, biting, and playing with anything that is NOT a toy.
As for my Etsy store- that is much trickier.  Much more time consuming, and currently seems almost impossible.  So, what I will be doing is getting a sitter once a week for multiple hours, and also organizing 2 other evenings where I have "project" time.
I do not expect in any way that this will work out perfectly or as I see fit...but its a start!  And mentally I need this. I need a plan.  I also need to understand that life happens.  I need to appreciate that there are times I will push aside these types of things to spend quality moments with my kids.  I want to learn to stay patient when they are stopping me from completing a project. I want to stop- breathe- sit down with my kids and give them the moment they need. 
This is my plan, these are my wants and needs.  Because a year from now, when my oldest is in school every day, and the twins are playing together and I am doing more work, I will be sad.  Even though I will be doing what I want, I will be sad at the same time because they are growing up.  And things are changing.
So, I will try, and try again.  I'm not a quitter.  Not with my family, and not with myself.

My vintage finds...and the projects they have prompted!

I know. Right now I am literally out of project sheets I have so many going...and unfinished. So I thought, of course I should add more!!
A couple weekends ago I went to see my girl Carrie and she took me to Marshall Michigan. Cute town! We went to see a store called Jill's Addiction. You can find her page on Facebook. She basically buys stuff she likes and resells it. I found a couple vintage/retro finds that I had to have. They of course have prompted the next project....and a room swap in our house (which has been coming). You see, when we moved in here we figured we would give our oldest the big room- he deserves it, it will help him adjust, yada yada. well, now I'm realizing that we have to fit 2 beds in the smaller room with twins (eventually). Plus, my son does not seem to like his room- no matter how many times I have redone it, changed lights, etc etc.
Soooo, I found a couple things at the store that gave me an idea for his new room. I saw a lava lamp, and thought "what a perfect nightlight! So cool, relaxing, and fun to watch. I didn't buy it there cause she wasn't sure it worked, but then I found a brand new one still in box on Craigslist- for $5. Score.

Then I found this camera, which technically serves no purpose, but gives me some ideas...I then asked my mom if she had any; well of course she did!  And an old viewer. Im going to take some photos of Zane in his superhero costumes and hang them around the shelf.

Then as I was checking out, found this book. Which is just awesome. It literally is about everything "boy". How to make a paper airplane, info about the war, guns, artillery, information about reptiles, animals, science projects, you name it. Perfect.

So that was the start to my idea: retro superhero type room. Gonna do the "bam" "zap" "pow" on his walls. Take photos of him in superhero masks and "retro-fy" them to hang on wall. Lava lamp for ambience, and I hope to do his dresser front in comic book pages. Stay tuned for all that.

The next purchase was this clock from west Germany.

I love red. Period. But something else appealed to me so I had to see it off the shelf. Well, once I wound it up, I was sold. Tick tock was AMAZE-ing. Like on 60 minutes intro. Even my husband loves it. "can we keep that in our room?". Well, not my intention but you never know. Anyway it has somehow inspired another living room project. I won't go into detail yet, I will just show you when it's done. Anyway, fun time! I never get to go to those types of stores anymore. Too many kids. So I loved it. Well, today I have to update all those project sheets, and I printed off about 1/2 dozen more. Lord help me. I hope to show some finished stuff soon, for crying out loud! Til next time.

My babies birthday right by mommas day...Oh the journey so far!

Happy Mothers Day!
On this day, I have to reflect back on the birth of my twins. This week my twin boys turned 2. I remember the 24 hours leading up to, and delivering, of those babies, because I had wanted it to be that Sunday, Mothers Day. Well, the next day I delivered my 7 lb healthy bundles of joy. 14 minutes apart. Delivery went pretty great, staff was awesome at Beaumont as usual.
Two babies. Sometimes it is still surreal that I grew. 2 beautiful healthy baby boys all at God's will. He knew what he was doing. 6 years prior you would have heard me contemplating having 1. After having Zane I realized how much love I could feel and give and decided it was time for number 2. Realize this is a planned thing for me. Being a Type 1 diabetic means lots of prep to even consider trying to conceive. My A1c has to be at a certain level, which with Zane took about 3-4 months of diligent focus. Add on having a 1 year old and running a business, and this time it took a bit longer. However my husband and I were very blessed that with both pregnancies we didn't have to try long at all.
I remember after I took the home test and got the positive, I scheduled an appt with my Maternal Fetal Medicine team immediately. I always go in, pee in a cup, they go over my sugar numbers and I see them again the next week. So I figured they would clarify the positive test and I would be on my way. It was a Wednesday. My husband was out of towns til thursday evening. I was 6+ weeks along and had an ultrasound scheduled for 7 weeks (they start early with diabetics!). When they came in the room they said they wanted to do an ultrasound right then, and I worried that something was wrong. He then proceeded to say " uh huh- that's what I thought. So how many you think you got in there?". Twins. Seriously. I think I said something that involved a swear word. Then I laughed, then I started to cry, then laughed hysterically again. The nurse consoled me. I wasn't going to see my husband for about 36 hours. 36 hours of holding that in. I cried and laughed the entire drive home.

After that the next shocking period was finding out the sexes. I didnt do that with Zane and I wouldn't have with this pregnancy either had it been only one. But 2? What if it was 2 girls? We had nothing planned, and I still couldn't identify my feelings. I had to know- I had to be closer to these babies. 2 boys? I'm sorry, are you sure? For those of you that knew me in college I said if I ever had a boy, I would only have one cause they are loud and obnoxious....now I would have 3. My husband reminded me that I am a boys mom. Girls scare me a bit, and I'm not into frills. So this shock also passed.
At 35 weeks I was absolutely beside myself.  Hadn't slept in about 5 weeks, and when I did, it was in a chair. I could not lay down. I had my usual Wednesday appt that 2nd week of May.  From that Wednesday, until Sunday May 9th, which was Mothers Day, I gained 14 lbs of water weight.  I had no ankles, I had no knees, I could not wear shoes (only 1 pair of stretched out flip flops) and had a blue 'tent' dress I wore with no underwear.  Nothing fit.
I finally talked them into inducing early with no Amnio. I had 2 gorgeous babes, no C-section, and 14 minutes apart. 
To this day I am still in shock.  I look at them, one blonde curly haired Bull Moose who is scared of NOTHING, and one brunette softy whose tall and gangly and cries at the drop of a pin- and I cannot believe I was so blessed. 
So this mothers day, I thank God for giving me my 3 boys.  I thank my mom for raising me tough enough to handle it, and I thank all the other moms out there for their continued efforts....because until you are a mom, you will never understand.
God Bless you all!!

Party like we are 4 going on 5! Reptile style...

So it is way past his birthday, and we are now prepping for the twin's second birthday...however theres will just be family, some presents and some cake.  Zane's was special.  It was all his, and exactly what he wanted.  I mean, what can you expect when you are turning 5??  This is a big one, right?
Well, he actually is a laid back kid when it comes to that stuff..."What you do you want for your birthday Zane?" "Whatever, toys, you know."
But when I asked what kind of party, it went right to snakes and lizards and turtles.  I remembered a friend on facebook talking about her sons Reptile party, and remembered he was here in the GR area. So I called.
Rick the Reptile Guy.  He is vague in communication, says "Dude" ALOT, and just really isn't into details when you are talking about the planning aspect. However, when it came to entertaining, this is your man!  He loves his reptiles...and did an awesome job :-)
I did some decorating, balloons, banners, gift bags ( all which I believe I forgot to take photos of, as I was partaking in wine incase of snakes- I told Zane if he got scared I would hold it...), and I also did a snake cake, and had fun letting him pick his invites, thank you's, gift bag labels (not shown) etc. (courtesy of www.festivityfavors.com)

This was the beginning process of the cake....cannot believe I didn't get a finished shot.  Frosted in green with m & m dots...you can envision it, can't you?!  Ha.  Mother of the year, and blogger of the year award.  Anyway, found the recipe for snake cake on www.familyfun.com
2 bundt cakes cut and frosted together.  SO easy.

So there was food, presents, and then the main show.  Snakes, lizards, tortoise (that you could ride!), alligator, Iguana, and then the Boa.

Rick The Reptile guy from Boulder Park in Alto, MI

Riding the Tortoise!

All the kids holding the 8 ft long Boa...

Zane, Loving it!  Had no fear at all.

Mommy on the other hand.....

Ah, good- I did have enough wine beforehand....

What a Party it was!  Even the grandfolks got in on the action.  This is how I know my mother loves my kids- she wouldn't even look at a snake without screaming when I was little...

Gramma Erickson and Grampa Panchula

Well, thats about all I've got for this one.  What a fun time, and a great idea for my biggest baby boy.  He was so happy.

Bright and cheery sunshine project!

I am having a heck of a time lately getting this blog thing to work for me- all kinds of hiccups between my ipad and my pc....So thanks for patience.
Anywhoo, I wanted to show you something that I did quite awhile back.  Now that the walls have been repainted this awesome light pewter, all my colorful projects are looking awesome.
This one in particular is a fave.  I saw it on a blog quite some time ago- so long ago I cannot even reference it...  However, I do know that this was originally a wood piece for sale somewhere on Etsy. I saw it and my 5 year old said " mommy you gotta get that!  You sing that song to us!" well of course I had to have it. The price tag was may more than I could stand, so I recreated it.
This one is done on canvas, with a poster mod podged to it. 
First I created the poster in Illustrator and had it printed to size at Office Max. ($35 because I used a silly pantone match color- ugh)
I then purchased the blank canvas at Hobby Lobby ($12 with coupon) and trimmed the poster down to a bleed to place on the canvas.

I then mod podged the entire canvas with a coat, and started from one end pushing the poster across and on, readjusting a bit as needed, but once you start, you are pretty much stuck, so beware!
I smoothed it out with a credit card but still kept getting bubbles, like the paper was too thin and was getting too wet.  I panicked but a friend said just wait and see what happens after it dries.

See the bubbles if you look close enough??

Once it dried, the bubbles were almost obsolete!  It was crazy.  There were a few areas with creases, but that added to the distressing. 
Next I took a sandpaper wedge and distressed the sides and letters a bit.  This was touch and go, and wasn't going as I expected, but turned out fine.  I should have probably done the distressing in Illustrator or photoshop, but Im not quite there with that yet :-)
I then applied 2 more layers of mod podge. (Every time it bubbled, oy the panic...)
Voila!  She was ready to hang.

This was on my yucky old color, and the yellow clashed making the walls look even more pink...

I love yellow- but every time I was using it, this house looked more salmon and 'pink'. Below is on the new pewter color.  L.O.V.E.

Seriously, look at those gorgeous boys too?  Doesn't hurt to have those babes hanging next to it :-)

HOPE YOU LIKE! I have so many colorful projects up my sleeve now: I have a measuring board for the boys, a dining room table and chairs, a buffet/cabinet I snagged of Craigslist, a subway art piece for upstairs, and more- so excited.  Even more excited to be able to share the upcoming projects with you all!  Happy Monday!