Superhero Room

The boys share a room and have had a super hero decorated room for awhile, but this past weekend we completely redid it and switched up some rooms. The current guest room was bigger and had a much bigger closet (which I used to store photo props and misc. other items in), but with 2 boys sharing and their clothes seemingly getting bigger by the day, it was time to swap.

Their current room was blue, picked to match the color in their bedspreads. I had wanted to get some really nice Pottery Barn ones several years back, but my budget just didn't allow for 1 of those, let alone 2 complete sets. I knew the color scheme that I was going for and I ended up finding a bedspread set at Target that would be great. They only had one in store, but when I looked online, they turned out to be on clearance! Score!

We were keeping the bedding for their new room, but changing up the paint color and adding the coolest superhero surprise for them. The old room had tin superhero pictures (found at Hobby Lobby) on the walls as well as 2 lights that hung on the wall. One was Captain America's shield and the other was Thors hammer. I loved these, but Caps shield had been pulled on one to many times and just wasn't going to go back on the wall. I'm a little bummed by this as they are really cool (found those at Target), but the boys didn't seem to mind.

To start this project I first had to clean out everything that was in the guest room. With the kids gone I was able to pile it all in the studio or Belle's room, and let me tell you there was a lot!!!

 Like I said, A LOT! And that didn't include items from the closet. Some of those boxes are the same as they were 3 years ago when we moved. YIKES!!!

Once all the stuff was cleared out, I started taping and getting ready to paint! I really like painting! 

 I have been wanting to paint some things gray, so this was the perfect opportunity to do that. I knew I didn't want to go blue again (just because I wanted to change things up), but there really wasn't any other color that was grabbing me, so gray it was! I ended up choosing a color from Sherwin Williams called Online, but again, got it made into Behr paint from Home Depot. I liked that it had more of a blue undertone and that's what was going to work best with this room.

Once I started painting I knew I had chosen the perfect color for the room.

I had to let the paint dry, which surprisingly didn't take long. While I was waiting for that I started to move everything out of the new closet and then bring everything else in from the old closet. That was a chore! We decided to hang most of their clothes and combine the other stuff into one dresser. We also decided that dresser would go in the closet. There is a certain monkey that sleeps in the room that likes to climb on top of the dresser and then launch himself off! 

Once the walls were dry came the next step. Both Chris and I were looking forward to this. I had purchased a superhero wall mural months ago off Zulily. It is from a company called Room Mates. This is the one we purchased. It was cool all rolled up, but once we got it on the wall, it was AMAZING! It was time consuming to put up, but not terribly hard. I suggest having two people to put it up. You could do it by yourself, but it was far easier with 2. We ran into a few bumps along the way and have a few spot that have creases, but unless you know where they are, you can hardly tell. I highly recommend this product to add a huge statement to a room or just added fun! Chris loved it so much he thought he might sleep in the room that night to admire it. I was right there with him as Thor is on the wall! It looked great with the wall color and I was happy I went with the blue undertone here!

Lastly we were able to move all the furniture back in. There was far more room now, which is good for two growing boys. We hung up 3 of the tin superhero signs by the closet and plan to get some floating shelves and put one above each bed along with a tin sign and some other fun memorabilia to complete the look. 

I think the boys were quite pleased with the new room, and really what 6 and 4 year old boy wouldn't be!

Painting Our Front Door.

Last weekend, my parents were kind enough to take my kids for the weekend (all 3 of them!!) I deal with them daily so I know what a mind boggling event this can be! They brought them home Sunday, so I was still able to see them on Mothers Day. After all they are the reason that I get to celebrate this holiday (or in reality treat it like any other day). It was also our 7th wedding anniversary so we got to go out for supper Friday night without having to find a sitter and pay for a sitter.

But the really reason that we had a kid free weekend was to get a few things done around the house that we had wanted to for awhile, but find it near impossible when there are 3 small children "helping" you at ever turn.

I managed to accomplish 4 of my items on my To Do list, so I was quite pleased with this. The first task I started on right when we got up Saturday was to paint our front door. I have always wanted to paint our front door red. I think it would look nice and match a majority of the holiday wreaths that get hung on it through out the year.

This is the before. I probably should have also cleaned the finger and probably lip prints on the side window and washed off the outside where some birds thought that I might let them build a nest. My kids had fun with the hose that day!

In the end I changed my mind and I painted it blue. Commodore to be exact. I went into Sherwin Williams to get some paint swatches. I was also painting several things gray and I knew I wanted the Mindful Gray color that they had. I have grown to like the Behr paint from Home Depot though and so ended up going there and having them color match it. The price is right there and they offer a military discount, so I will happily give them my business.

 

My husband was around to help me get the door off the hinges, then we took the bolt out, but left the handle on as we weren't sure exactly how to get that off, with still being able to put it back on. In the end I wish we would have found a way, but all's well that ends well! Once the door was removed, I required some good coffee for my long day ahead, so Chris willingly ran to Starbucks for some fuel while I washed the door down. Surprisingly it wasn't that dirty! I also ran the magic eraser over the door heading to the garage, as my daughter decided to kiss it several times one day while eating a chocolate chip cookie. (Just smile and nod)

I then started on project #2 and the largest project of the weekend, while Chris sanded the door down a little and used a tack cloth to clean it up. I was a little worried after painting the first coat on it as you could still see the white (I didn't expect it would be completely gone with one coat, but you know) and the brush strokes. I was worried I had just made a huge mistake and that I would now be investing in a new front door so that we didn't have to have this Pinterest fail as the first thing that guests saw when coming over. 

 The best way I found to paint the door is outlined below. Start with the groves, and the follow the numbers. This helps to show less brush strokes if you follow the flow of the door.

Thankfully once the second coat was applied I was feeling far more confident in my decision to alter the door and was very pleased with my color choice. So was my husband, so then we got to have a lengthy discussion about how there was not going to be orange letters spelling out Chicago Bears or a giant Bear head in vinyl on the front door. (He's a bit of a die hard if you didn't already know)

After 2 coats of paint.

After 2 coats of paint.

 We ran a small tower heater on the door while it was drying in between coats. We only really had one mishap when the garage door was opened and the wind blew some dried grass in an right onto the bottom of the door. I thought I might cry when Chris came to tell me, but luckily we let it dry, then I took the tack cloth and was able to remove the grass without wrecking the paint. Crisis averted! 

Once the door was dry I removed the frog tape from the handle and unfortunately had a little bit of the paint peel up as well, so I had some minor touch up to do there, but nothing major.

The door was dry and we were able to put it back up by supper and it looks fantastic. The next day I added the hello. I simply cut the vinyl from my silhouette and stuck it on. Easy peasy. I really still want the hello to be yellow, but I will need to order yellow vinyl to make that happen so for now it is red and very patriotic!

The finished door.

I choose this image from the Silouette online store for the Hello and just removed the Sunshine.

Vinyl red hello.

I love the different look it gives the house, but I still have to get used to it. Every time I leave the house or come home I instantly think someone left the door open due to it being dark. I then remind myself that it is just the blue door. I think I may have had several small heart attacks.

New Dress

Recently I participated in a Sew A Long with Little Lizard King. What is a Sew A Long you might ask? Typically pattern makers have Facebook groups and they will choose one pattern to write blog posts about, post pictures of and just offer help to those working on the pattern. Oh, and there are usually prizes, and who doesn't love prizes! I LOVE their patterns. They are easy to follow, well written instructions that make Fabulous dress' and other items for your little ones!

This pattern is the Elise, it comes in sizes 3 months through 12 with an 18" doll pattern as well. This was the pattern I used last year to make Isabella's Easter dress. She no longer fits into it so I knew she needed another one.

Although I don't let her play with the American Girl dolls yet, I had to make a matching dress! Her dolls will have a closet full by the time she can play with them! The bonus of the dolls, they are amazing models and the shoot with them takes no time at all.

On the other hand the shoot with Belle, is a little more work! But seriously in a year, look at how my baby has grown.

Looking back at these photos, I apparently like this backdrop.

I sewed this up at night, as I have to take over the kitchen table to set up camp, so the fit is a little big. But she will grow into, and at the rate she is going it could be within the month. I have two more cut waiting for a chance for me to finish them up, so I will be sure to adjust the elastic in the back for a better fit.

I love all the little details with these patterns and the options. I could sew 10 of these up (and if I could find the time I would) and they would all be a little different. Be sure to check out Little Lizard King if you are in need of an adorable pattern.

 *This is not a sponsored post and all opinions are my own.

Resolutions

2015...Already?!? How can this be. With the start of the new year, it always makes me think of a clean slate. Which then makes me think about cleaning/organizing. Which is something I really need to get a handle on at our house. The stuff is starting to take over and some of it I couldn't even tell you was here. Lets face it, it's probably closer to half! I'm pretty sure there are still a couple boxes that are unpacked from when we moved in 3 years ago.

So resolution #1: Organize more this year. I know, I know, super cliche right. 

Well then you will LOVE me when I tell that resolution #2 for me is start exercising. Something, anything to get my body moving a little more each day. My plan is to start going back to the gym (sadly it's been like 2 years) and start running again. And if you're not thrilled with my resolutions so far, just think of the poor people at the gym. The ones that have been working out all year and now have to deal with the influx of people just like me that make a resolution to start working out.

Resolution #3 and the one that I hope to work on the most this year. Stop yelling so much. My kids can be a handful and daily it gets the better of me and I end up yelling. I don't want to be remembered as "the yeller!" So far I have done pretty good with this. Which is amazing due to the fact that I have all 3 kids home during Christmas break and it is FREEZING outside!

#4, not a resolution, but something I want to continue is my Project 365. I plan to do a digital one this year, so we will see how that goes. I do love the feel of actually scrapbooking paper, so the digital version may be difficult for me at first.

In light of #1, I am starting in my closet. This is a long overdue project and one that I have been wanting to deal with for a while. I have way to many clothes that I don't wear, yet I can't seem to get rid of, because I might wear it. Sound familiar? I know I'm not the only one. 

We have a very large closet in our bedroom and so I was able to move all of my clothes away from the spot I typically keep them. Once an item gets washed and worn, it will move back to the spot where I keep them. I'm starting with 3 months and I am going to see where that gets me, I may give it 6. Hopefully after that time I will be able to clean out all that I don't wear. *Exception: It is cold and winter here now, so any tank tops and capris/shorts are exempt from my initial purge and will face the  same wrath in the summer months!

This is where my clothes will go once worn!

 

And as you can see, I have ROYGBIVed my closet! I highly recommend it to everyone! I find I spend far less time looking for clothes in the morning when I can just go straight to that color. Before the one thing I was looking for always seemed to get lost, sandwiched between two other items of completely different color, so I would skip right past it. 

Wish me luck on my resolutions!

25 Days of Baking: Day 25

Can you believe it. I made it 25 days! I have too many treats to imagine and have gained a few pounds I'm sure! But the fact that I kept up with it, makes me happy.

On a side note, Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday to ME!!! Yup it's my birthday! In honor of that and the fact that Santa came I opted for an easy out today.

Santa Brownie Hats

• Boxed brownie mix (whichever one floats your boat)
• Strawberries
• Buttercream frosting (I posted this yesterday)

Directions

1. Mix brownie mix as directed on the box.
2. Scoop into mini muffin tins. You will have extra, so you can either make another batch or like me, just put the remainder of the mix into a 9x9 pan and bake.
3. When baking the mini muffin tin, set the oven to the temp on the box, but then only cook for half the time. I believe mine cooked for about 18 min. and they were perfect.
4. Once cooled, pipe frosting onto the top of the brownie cup.
5. Cut the top off of a strawberry and stick into the frosting.
6. Pipe a small dot of frosting onto the top of the strawberry and you are done!

Easy peasy and great treat for Christmas Day. Thanks for following along these last 25 days. I plan to keep up with this blog by adding crafts, recipes and random things I think up!

25 Days of Baking: Day 24

Happy Christmas Eve to all! Can you believe it?!? I'm not sure it feels like it should really be Christmas Eve? There is a little snow where we are spending Christmas, but not the norm. I'm sure that it's helping it any!

Today's treat is sugar cookies. This recipe came from a friend from schools mom. It is the best I have ever had. She used to make all her kids AMAZING valentine cookies to bring to school as their valentines. They were always impressive and so good. I now try to make them for my kids friends, but man they are a lot of work! But so worth it.

Sugar Cookies

• 4 1/2 cups flour
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup margarine
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 3 large eggs

Directions

1. Sift flour, salt and soda together.
2. Cream remaining ingredients together; add dry ingredients. 
3. Dough can be used at once without chilling.
4. Bake at 350 for 10 min.

Buttercream Frosting

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 lb. powdered sugar
• 2 Tbls milk

Directions

1. Cream butter, shortening and vanilla.
2. Add sugar 1 cup at a time and cream together.
3. Add milk.
4. Mix until it is the right consistency you want.If too runny add more powdered sugar. If to hard add more milk.

I love sugar cookies! If I could have them in my house all the time I would. I love to frost them. Sometimes with this buttercream frosting recipe and other times with a recipe that allows for a little more decoration. I am slowly working on my cookie skills.

The pictures today are lacking, but with the craziness of the holidays it is just going to have to do.

25 Days of Baking: Day 23

When I think of the holidays (and that's any major holiday) at our house growing up we ALWAYS had rolls! The recipe came from my Grandma. I can remember living on these for days during the holidays while running around my grandmothers house with the cousins. I have very found memories of those times!

I have tried to continue this tradition even when we don't make it make home. It's something that I want my kids to remember growing up as well! And just like us, they have free reign on them when we make them.

Grandma Berry's Homemade Rolls

Group 1

 ~1 pkg yeast
~1/4 cup warm water

 Mix together

Group 2

~3/4 cup milk - scalded

~1/2 cup shortening

~1/2 cup sugar

Mix together

Group 3

~3 beaten eggs

1. Mix 1, 2 & 3 with 4 1/2 to 4 3/4 cups flour

2. Let Raise

3. Once it has risen, take half the dough. Flour a large cutting board or even the counter. Roll dough into a larger rectangle shape. 

4.Spread butter over the entire surface of dough. Sprinkle generously with sugar and cinnamon.

5. You will then fold the dough in 3rds. Fold the bottom up 2/3 of the way. Next take the top and fold down to line up with the bottom.

6. You will then slice the dough about 1 inch thick. Twist the dough and place on a cookie sheet to bake.

7. Bake at 375 for 8 min.

Unfrosted rolls are best to eat warm and right out of the oven!

Frosting

~1/3 cup soft butter

~3 cups powdered sugar

~1 1/2 teas vanilla

~2 Tbls milk

Blend butter and sugar together. Stir in vanilla and milk; beat until frosting is smooth and of spreading consistency. Spread on cooled rolls.

These are amazing, they do take some time to make so plan accordingly.  We love these so much, that we typically double the batch to have enough for everyone.