Crafty Name Project - Tutorial

I am calling this a "tutorial" - and using the term very loosely - only because several of you asked for more details.  I am not crafty and I am in no way, shape or form an expert ... but I'd be happy to be your tutor :)

First, I bought the letters at Michael's for like $2.99 each.  If you're a little loco thrifty, you could amass a bunch of 40% coupons and make multiple trips to the store and get each letter for like $1.80!  I was not impressed by the plain white primer paint.  I knew I'd either have to paint them - dread, dread, dread - or come up with another way to cover them.

It just so happens that I've recently discovered Mod Podge ... and used scrapbook paper to create this and this.  And those nursery letters became the inspiration for these letters, too.  I waddled myself over to the scrapbook paper aisle ... and aisle I love but don't frequent because I do not "scrap."  I found a series of papers with colors that coordinate to NHV's new bedding - but don't match.  I am not a big fan of matchy-matchy.  I liked that this paper had some prints with white backgrounds and others with brown - and I alternated them in the final product.

Got it all home ... and first pondered attaching the paper to the letter and then using an exacto-knife to trim it off.  Decided that my lack of brain cells and somewhat shaky hands (from the doses of Terb I've been taking) would not be a good combination with an exacto-knife in hand.  So Plan B was hatched.

Trace the letters, cut out just inside the pencil line and then attach using the Mod Podge.  I only used the glue between the paper and the wood. and gave the edges a little "special attention."  I did not cover the entire thing with Mod Podge, but you could because it dries completely clear.  In fact, I may do that before we hang them ...

This worked great ... except for the pencil marks left behind on the lower edges of the white letters.  I used an eraser, a damp cloth, and some fine sandpaper to make sure that yuckiness wouldn't show once I hang them on the wall.  You could also paint the edges of the letters with a coordinating color, but that seemed like too much work for me, and I like the white against the wall color.

It really is that easy.  I plan to hang them - this weekend - using just the nail holes on the back (and a good level and lots of help from my handy husband).  I think hanging them from ribbon would be really cute, too.


Noticed that BJ_Mama - queen of craftiness - linked up over at Today's Creative Blog ... and I decided to be a copycat ... mainly in the hopes that this will keep me motivated to be crafty :)

What'd You Say? Grass & Eyes

Driving down the road, NHV spots some horses in the field.  The following conversation ensued ... her thought process and what she says just cracks me up!

N:  Wat horsey dooo-wing?

M:  I don't know. What do you think the horsey is doing?

N:  Horsey tak-eeng nap?

M:  Maybe, but I think the horsey is eating his breakfast.

Silence.  Must mean my answer was satisfactory.  Score one for the mommy!

N:  Horsey eat gwass?

M:  Yep, that's right, horseys eat grass.

N:  Ofver aneemals eat gwass?

M:  Yes, other animals eat grass.  Can you think of another animal that eats grass?

At this point, I am guessing daddy recently had a chat with Natalie about animals and what they eat.  I had no idea where all of this was coming from!

N:  Yambs eat gwass?

M:  Wow! You're right.  Lambs do eat grass ... (don't they?)

Thinking that was a lucky guess ... 

M: Can you name another animal that eats grass?

N:  Cows?  Cows eat gwass?

M:  Yep, baby girl, cows eat grass.  Horseys eat grass.  Lambs eat grass. 

Holy cow!  Where did she learn all that?!  Score for the baby girl!

Quiet.  Quiet.  Quiet.

N:  See mowre horseys?

M:  I don't know if we'll see more horseys.  Keep your eyes out for them.

Quiet.  Quiet.  Quiet.

N:  No eyes out.  Mice eyes IN.

Well, you've got me there, Natalie!

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Because I can't resist, here's a pic of NHV admiring the horseys during our recent pumpkin patch visit ...

All About MEme: Prompt 11/9

with MommyBrain and SupahMommy

Momma needs a new pair of shoes (preferably ones that don't require tying) ... and a well-fitting bra (thanks, Oprah!) ... and some comfy yoga pants (not because I do yoga but Supah looks so feeee-yine in hers)!

It's time to dump your dull duds

and sassafras your wardrobe!

Supah and I just handed you a big, phat (and very phake)

VISA gift card* with your name all over it. 

Now, go spend it ... in the first evah,

All About MEme Shopping Spree-Spree!

Shop 'til you Drop and buy - you guessed it - FIVE new items of clothing, accessories, shoes ... something you put on your hot little bod!  Tell us what you "bought" in words, photos, links, ... you decide.

Come back on Monday to LINK UP ... because ...

It doesn't matter what you wear

Just as long as you are there!

*Just clarifying - for legal purposes and what-not - that the aforementioned gift card is not real.  Please do not send your credit card bills to either MommyBrain or SupahMommy.  We're just as dough-challenged and cash-strapped as the next SAHM ;)  But please feel free to spend on this spree as if it were someone else's money ... just not ours ... for shizzle.

WW: Nesting? Ya Think?

This is not how my pantry normally looks.

This is my pantry on ... 3rd trimester pregnancy hormones.

And it makes me smile everytime I open that door!  It's not alphabetized, but all the "like" foods are happily together - hanging out in those super fabulous black-and-white bins.  Cannot tell you how good it felt to do this ... totally gave me the nesting fix I so desperately needed!

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My nesting tendencies are being put to good use in NHV's new big girl room, too.  It's still a work-in-progress, but the walls (and ceiling and closet and doors) are painted ... the bedding is washed and ready to roll ... and the bed - being hand-crafted by my ridiculously talented husband - is in the final stages of being painted.  As for my part in all this?  Well, I washed the bedding.  And I've been working on a few crafty projects!

NAME:  I bought wooden letters and scrapbook paper (coordinated to the bedding, of course) and modge podged it all together.

CURTAINS:  NHV loves a dark room, and she's a good sleeper ... so I am more than happy to oblige this little requirement.  But the chocolate brown curtains seemed kind of "blah."  Not to worry, nothing a few yards of ribbon and some hemming tape won't solve.  I am even watching videos online to learn how to make bows - to attach to the curtain tabs!

ART:  First, I scanned images from some of NHV's favorite owl books.  Then my dear friend D let me use her color printer ... 'cause Kinkos said they can't make color copies of copyrighted materials ... ooops!  The canvases will be painted chocolate brown, images modge podged, and a clever quote* added.  Should be adorable!  *If you're feeling clever or inspired, I would appreciate suggestions for an "owl" saying to add to the second canvas - in the white space in the middle.

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I know what you're thinking ...

How is she possibly finding the energy for all of this fabulous nesting and crafting?

My secret ... afternoon naps and ...

Somebody, please stop me :)

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You can see more great photos and Word-less-ful Wednesday
posts here and here.

Bits of Randomness

BGV 2.0 & Appointment Details: Had my 10th ultrasound of this pregnancy yesterday.  (Tried to count all the OB appointments and NSTs, too ... but couldn't come up with a definite number.)  First and foremost, BGV 2.0 is looking great.  She continues to move and bounce around and try to escape through my right side. I just love her so much already!  Measurement ultrasound is scheduled for next week; my specialist is giving her two weeks to grow in between.  Good fluid levels, good blood flow, good heart reactivity.  Does my heart good to hear it's all good :)  P.S.  We are finally making some progress on her name ... narrowed a list of 9 down to 4!

Had a new ultrasound tech for yesterday's appointment, and let's just say I was not impressed.  Granted she was new to the practice, but she claimed to have 20+ years experience as a sonographer.  And I guess I should give her a break because it was her first day of a new job, but really I was not amused by some of the mistakes she made - and I've had this done enough to know how it should/should not be done.  She jabbered through the entire scan , told a toilet miscarriage story, and made me feel like she wasn't really paying attention.  She was really rough in her attempt to "startle" BGV to catch her taking a breath - and laughed about it.  And - her biggest blooper - she didn't wait for a "chaperone" and instead left the door slightly open while conducting the vag part of the exam and commented that her training - all those years ago - didn't include how to insert a vag thingy.  Ugh!  Seriously?!

My NST (non-stress test) was also a "training" session for a nurse moving from ultrasound to the NST side of things.  So I got to play guinea pig.  Again, not amused.  I've been poked and prodded and monitors to the max.  I've spent hours every Monday since like 22 weeks putting BGV's care in the hands of this practice.  Guess I am just growing a little tired and weary after so many appointments.  Shouldn't complain - things are good and all of this is tolerable.

MommyBrain Moment: Went to the market after dinner one night last week.  It was dark.  It was rainy. But I just needed to get out of the house - by myself.  Did my shopping and headed for the parking lot ... where I spent minutes - several long minutes - looking for my car.  Panic was setting in, and I decided to push the alarm button on my remote thingy.  I've never done that before, but desperate times ... 

Reached into my pocket to grab the keys.  It was then that I realized I had been looking for the wrong car.  I was driving my husband's silver truck, not my white SUV.  Stood there in the middle of the lot laughing hysterically.  Gotta love some MommyBrain! 

Favorite NHV Quote:  "Whur's mice jack-o-lattern full uff canneeee?"  And she says this in her hilarious "low" voice like she's trying to intimidate me or something.

Have a terrific Tuesday!

All About MEme: Our Story, Part 1

When I started this post, I wasn't entirely sure where it was going or even which prompt I was writing to ... but I love the result.  It's a story that I want my baby girls to know someday.  It made me smile and want to give my hubby lots of kisses. And perhaps I'll get inspired to write the other parts.



How We Met
It all started on a beautiful day in May, 1992. A friend of ours, Moxey, invited both CPV and me to play Frisbee in a field next to a nearby elementary school.  Chad and I went to the same high school, so we knew each other.  In fact, we sat at the same typewriter during different class periods of a typing class.  (Yes, apparently we are that old!)  The only reason we know that is because I accidentally typed my full name on the part where the paper is suppose to go - before I inserted a piece of paper.  Chad remembers looking at the name ... and probably thinking I was a moron.  I think it was destiny ;)  I also remember borrowing a quarter from him one sunny day after school.  I wanted to buy a Mountain Dew but only had one quarter; he loaned me the other.  What I am trying to say, is our paths crossed ... but CPV dated a girl all through high school and they were even named class couple!

Just Friends
After that day of playing Frisbee - during which I discovered that Chad had been dumped by his  girlfriend - and for the rest of the summer, we spent a lot of time together - watching movies, hanging out with friends, and getting to know each other as friends.  And then Chad left to go to college at the University of Illinois, while I began my senior year.  I was sad to see him go  because he made me laugh and he was so smart and different than other boys I knew.  But we  continued our friendship via many letters (not emails) and “hung out” during long weekends and breaks.  He even took me out for my birthday in January.  After dinner we watched Top Gun (one of our favorite movies) and then went outside and played in the snow; this was the night that I really started to like him - as more than a friend.  But I didn't tell him that.  I was trying to play it cool.


More Than Just Friends

We didn't see each other again until Spring Break in March - it was 1993 by this point.  Again, we made it a point to see each other, and he took me out on another - what can only be described as - date but we didn't call it that.  Seeing him this time had my head spinning and my heart pounding.  But I still didn't know where I stood - how we were defined.  I knew we were friends, but I also couldn't help but wondering if there was more ... or the possibility of more.  In the car on the way home from our non-date, I worked up my nerve and I asked him, "Are we just friends?  Because some people, like our friends, think we're more than just friends.  Does that bother you?"  His first response was, "No, it doesn't bother me," which seemed a little vague and enigmatic to me.  


As an unexpected spring snow began to fall, a conversation ensued until we reached my parent's driveway, and which point we shared a moment of awkward silence.  I can still remember watching the flakes hit the windshield and wondering what he was thinking.


At last, I finally broke the silence and asked this all-important question, "If I asked you to kiss me, would you?"  And he replied with a very simple, "Yes."


The Kiss

A brief pause - during which I thought he'd press his lips to mine- and then he suggested that he walk me to my porch.  Those steps through the gently falling snow were charged with anticipation and filled with the kind of silence that comes along with a fresh snowfall and no need for words.


We faced each other.  He pulled me closer.  I stretch up to meet his lips.  It happened.  This amazing kiss that I felt all the way to my toes.  That left me a little breathless.  That made my head spin in such a delicious way.  It was innocent.  It was perfect.  A kiss that I will never forget.  A kiss that brought us to where we are today.

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As an added bonus - and one that brought tears to my eyes - CPV surprised me and answered the Inspiration questions.  He's a man of few words and gets to the point, which I love about him!

I admire you for... your honesty.

Your laugh is ... contagious.

It makes me smile when I see you ... teach Natalie something new.
 
I love that you ... are so naive.

Your heart is ... genuine.

I hope that you know ... I will get you to see a "double feature" someday.

When we first met I ... just knew.

You are ... the foundation of our family.

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Now it's your turn to play along ... my favorite part of all this mayhem!

• Put together a post that remotely resembles an answer to the prompt.
• Be sure to copy/ paste/ post our super fabulous button thingy (at the top of this post) on your post somewhere! (That's how we'll grow and we THANK YOU 100X for helping!)
• Come back here and link up with Mr. Linky! (If you can't see it at the bottom of this post, hop over to Supah's place and link up there.)
• Visit the 3 blogs above your name if you have time and leave them a comment!!(This is the secret to growing a blog!) ... and if you're first, ... well then aren't you special! You'll just need to visit the 3 below your when name when they appear and leave a comment!
• Look for a comment from SupahMommy and MommyBrain; we've made it our personal mission to visit and comment on all of our meme links ... that's how much love we have for you all :)

Rootin' Tootin' Halloween

Tammy, my friend and neighbor - and mom to one of NHV's best buddies, Owen - hosted a fantastic Halloween Par-tay for toddler and parents. She's one of those people who make entertaining look easy - I am so envious! Her dessert display was so gorgeous; I hope she posts pics on her blog for you to see. Anyway, it was just so nice to have a place to go, let the kiddos play, and then trick-or-treat in a mob of two year olds! Good times, I tell ya, good times!

On the walk down the street - to Tammy, Owen, and Scott's house, we prepped NHV for all the fun she could expect in the coming evening ... friends, playing, candy, knocking on doors to say, "Trick-or-Treat," ... all the good stuff!  Figuring we should kick-off the festivities at their door, we knocked and readied Natalie to say her cutest, "trick-or-treat."  Big, bad scary Scott opened the door ... dressed in this normal clothes - NOT a costume or a mask or anything -- illicited this reaction for my daughter's first Trick-or-Treat experience ....

And, no, that was definitely NOT happiness to see you.  She cried harder than the last time she got a shot at the doctor's office!  It was hilarious and awful to see her so upset ... so daddy started snapping photos while I did my best to console her.  Thankfully she recovered quickly once inside.  The toddlers had a plethora of toys at their disposal as well as a bouncy house in the garage.  The dads, bottles of beer-in-hand, monitored that chaos while the mommies took the opportunity to visit ... and compare pregnancy notes.

After coaxing a few bites of pizza into the younger bellies, we headed out for trick-or-treating in the 'hood.  What a blast!  It was so cute to watch our little mob of toddlers - nine in all - making their way to the porches.  The various costumes - from Frankenstein to Wonder Woman - inspired quite the response from the candy-givers.  I especially loved seeing N and her buddy O in their coordinating cowboy/cowgirl costumes.  (Owen's wig cracks me up!)

A little about Natalie's costume ... because it's very special.  That little cowgirl shirt was mine.  It was a gift from my Grandma Tex, a nickname bestowed on her because she was born in Texas.  I wore it for my second Halloween.  My sister wore it, and her daughter wore it.  Someday, BGV 2.0 will wear it, too.  Precious, right?

The rest of the costume (the original skirt was lost) was pieced together during my mom's recent visit to the NW.  We found the hat at the Halloween store for $2.50.  The skirt was on clearance at Children's Place for $3.99 - and will be more again and again.  The tights and boots are from Target - and will be staple pieces in her fall wardrobe.  Cute, nostalgic, and thrifty ... how about that!?

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Oh, and I threw together "costumes" for me and CPV, too.  I wore a clipart oven on my baby bump, and my baby-daddy wore a chef's hat and went as my baker.  Get it?  Bun in the oven ... baker?!