a fabulous new table

I have been looking for a dining room table for quite some time now and was so excited when I came across this beauty. We went hunting at Value Village one Saturday, I walked back to the furniture section and immediately knew I had found it- it was the right size, had a leaf and was only $30! Whoot! 

Fortunately for me I have the bestest husband ever and he loves all my DIY projects and he loves to work!  He did all the painting- which I am terrible at and I did the sanding- I had the easy part but since he hates to sand we make a good team! 

The Before.

During. 

The After.

Ready to go.

It is so wonderful to have us all at the table and have room to eat!

LOVE!

a valentine's recap

One of the things I was most excited about as we began a family was starting traditions. Those little things that make days brighter and lives happier. Anna is finally old enough to understand that something is different, something exciting is happening and for whatever reason today is just a little more special than yesterday.
I love love and looked forward to sharing Valentine's Day with Anna. After she went to bed Monday night I dug out some decorations (all made by me or purchased at Dollarama) and decorated her bedroom doorway. I hung hearts, a banner and blew up balloons (which she LOVES) to have all over the floor.
Here's what it looked like and let me tell you this- a little girl woke up and was beyond excited that her bedroom floor was covered in balloons! It made our day to see her about to burst because she just couldn't get to them all at once! Awesome!

On my 2012 DIY list I had "make a Valentine's tutu for Anna". Here it is.

I bought tulle and an elastic. I measured the elastic around her waist and then sewed it together. I then cut the tulle into strips, put it around the elastic and tied it off into a double knot. I would prefer to not see the elastic but once it was on her you didn't even notice the white of the elastic through the pink tulle.

My Sweet Honey Valentine.

Anna & I spent the day doing things we love and throwing balloons all around the house. That night Cory and I went to Starbucks for full fat lattes and pink whipcream!

I hope everyone had a wonderful day and found something lovely to do.

xoxo

My 2012 DIY List

I have so many projects that I really want to do... and that was before Pinterest came into my life. The list gets bigger and bigger every day but unfortunately time is not on my side. Or perhaps it's that I waste what little time I do have, honestly that is probably more the case. I love the satisfaction I get when I finish a project & when I save the money making something myself. I also love to share ideas and how to's so I thought that if I shared my projects here that I may be more likely to complete them and share with you.
Here's my current list of "want to do's", I'm sure I'll edit and add as the days go by but for now this is what is bouncing around my head.... it's a very busy head with lofty, lofty goals. I have included a few images I found on Pinterest that made me happy.
My DIY Project list for 2012:
- valentine decor (hearts to hang, love garland)
- make a heart pillow
- make a "love" pillow
- make a stripe pillow for our bed (bought the fabric today)
- paint a tree on Anna's bedroom wall
- redecorate Anna's room (garlands, Pom poms, pillows, name banner)
- quilt for our bed
- add hooks to old window frame

Source: emilyaclark.blogspot.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- measuring board for Anna half finished

Source: sewmuchsunshine.blogspot.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- make fabric covered bulletin board  painted one instead
- make owl painting
- "I Love You because..." picture frame

Source: witandwhistle.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- Make a quote pillow
- make a T-shirt scarf

Source: yougogirl.typepad.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- make an owl
- plant a herb garden
- make a tutu for Anna for Valentine's Day

Source: alainnotebook.com via Nadine on Pinterest

- make a heart in the snow and take a picture
- make a "you are my sunshine" art piece
- make a ruffle canvas tote got one as a gift
- make a frame with chicken wire or a chalk board  made an entire wall of chalkboard paint
- scrapbook 5 layouts a month.... This seems attainable without being overwhelmed by deadlines (have only completed one, have 5 days left)

I promise to keep you posted with my progress. What is on your DIY wish list?
xo

Update: Dec. 30- going back through this list there were many things I did do, some that I never did but wish I had and some that don't interest me any more. Overall I'm really happy with all the DIY's that happened around here from this list and others that were added throughout the year!