Cohen's Nursery Re-do- After...

Eek! I love the way Cohen's nursery turned out.  As I started to look around for bedding everything just seemed to look the same.  I had an idea in my head of what I wanted and couldn't find it.  I then thought this shouldn't be too hard to throw together right?  Sticking with my motto hang out with talented people (MiMi) I got busy daydreaming in my head.  The project took about a week to come together.  After the idea was born I ordered fabric online and hit up the local craft stores for supplies.  MiMi sewed up the bedding, changing table cover, and curtain with lots of love.  I painted the crib, painted the artwork, and made the banner.

Well.... here it is!  

I just love bold colors and fun patterns!

This is where I received inspiration for the color palette:
http://oneporkchop.blogspot.com/2012/03/week-36-and-addendum.html

I am happy that I was able to still incorporate some components of the old nursery.

(the rug and Blue Dog artwork)

Closer look at the bedding.

Bumper pad in orange chevron print,

sheet from target,

mod dot crib skirt in aqua.

I sanded down the white crib with intentions to distress is.

I followed an online tutorial, but chickened out.

I just couldn't mess up all of my hard work. 

I thought that I was a reformed perfectionist.

Apparently not...

You are my sunshine painting done by me.

I am really happy with the way that this came out.

I also had have intentions to distress this piece.

Not sure if I will or not?

I followed this tutorial:

http://akadesign.ca/?p=8289

and made just a few changes.  

We didn't find out the sex of all 3 boys.  People always said you need to find out to plan and get everything ready.  Cohen is now 6 weeks old and pretty set in his cool crib!  See it can be done folks!  

I love the way that Cohen's nursery turned out.  I am too indecisive to make the major commitment to change wall colors.  This was a fun way to give the space a total face lift without having to change the color on the walls.  I actually like the aqua and orange against the original color palette.  I still have a few things to do to accent the room.  I am looking for an old dresser to paint the same color as the crib and use as a changing table.  I also need to change out pictures in frames and funky up an old lamp.  Thanks to MiMi for all of her hard work.  I am so happy with the results and I hope that Cohen will find his inner "happy" in his new space!

Cohen's Nursery Re-do- Before...

Before New Baby was born I decided that it was time to redecorate the nursery.  Boy or girl.  Everything has been basically the same since Griffin resided in this very spot 4 years ago.  When Griffin moved out and Roman moved in I just changed out the bedding.  I have never gone all out and purchased dream bedding.  Both Griffin and Roman had thrift store finds that worked quite well for us.  We have also used borrowed cribs and a changing table purchased at an auction.

When you have 3 children of the same sex by the time you get to number 3 he (as our case may be) doesn't need much of anything.  Cohen has all of the clothes and toys that he "needs."  Rather than just buy him more stuff I decided to have fun redecorating his nursery.  

The week that I decided to do this I was kicked off of Pinterest because of a hacked account.  Boo.  I went "old school" and googled up ideas the way that I used to research my dream projects.  As luck would have it MiMi is spending time at our house and was able and willing to sew new bedding for me.  That is how the dream was born!    

Before: bed given to us by a friend who was moving.
Bedding mixed and matched from thrift store finds.
Rug: Target about 2 years ago
Mobile: gift when Griff was born
Fleur de lis: wedding gift from a friend
Animal art: made by me about 4 years ago
Rocking toy: MOPs toy exchange

George Rodrigue Blue Dog- signed artist proof
After Katrina I was standing on my front porch uptown when I noticed
my neighbor walking to the garbage pile with this print in hand.
I asked her if she was throwing it away.
She said yes because it had a water mark.
I then asked if she would mind if I took it.
She gladly said yes.
Crazy story huh?!?
I have had it from the nursery from the beginning and each boy
has loved to count the dogs while getting a diaper change. 

Pictures above the bed.
This was one of my first Momma projects.
I looked around for some artwork for the nursery when I was decorating for Griffin.
I was surprised to:
(a) not find what I was looking for and
(b) the cost of things
I then decided to do it myself.
I gave it a go and was happy with the results.
I painted canvas and embellished with paper, felt, and buttons.
I thought it gave the room a cheery feel!

Next up: Cohen's new nursery!

Christmas card photo session

Yes, it is that time of year again. Time to get that "perfect" photo of your child for the annual Christmas cards. Anyone who has a child or two knows how stressful that this ordeal can actually be. To top it off I decided to try to capture the moment MYSELF with not ONE, but TWO moving targets. I have been planning this for quite some time in my head. Putting together outfits, locations, props, and bribes is A LOT of work! I was nervous because it is really hard to photograph my boys together. I would say that the experience rivals herding cats. I talked it over with several people. A friend gave me the brilliant idea to just go casual in Christmas jammies and let them play in my bed. That is how the idea was born! Honestly, I didn't think that I would actually be able to pull it off. I expected to just settle on a "good enough" picture and put the cards in the mail. I must say that I am pleasantly surprised. I know that I am a bit biased, but I really LOVE several of the pictures that I was able to get. Here are some of my favorite individual pictures of the boys. These are not the actual pictures that made the final cut for the card. That you will just have to wait to see...

I would like to send a special thank you to MiMi Kat. She was an awesome "assistant" in helping out with the boys. By the end we were both sweating and exhausted but it was so worth it!

Thankful bucket

Today I started a new tradition called the "Thankful Bucket." I set out a jar with index cards so everyone could write down a blessing to share with the family. I love the idea for many reasons. I want my precious boys to be thankful and acknowledge the MANY blessings that are bestowed upon us.

I am thankful for my 2 special blessings who are now my addictions. - MiMi Kat

I am thankful for God sending me my Prince Charming. Thank you Satch for your love and guidance of our family. -Andrea

I am thankful for God's grace and forgiveness. -Andrea

I am thankful for my family. - Kenton

I am thankful for the morning time with my grandsons while everyone else is still asleep. Health, family, and friends. -Big Poppa

I am thankful for my brother John and the creativeness, talent and flavor that he brings to our family. -Andrea

I am thankful for the health and happiness of my family. Without their love and support, I would not be the person who I am today. -Kenton

I am thankful for a good husband who takes care of me, our children, and grandchildren. -MiMi

I am thankful for my 2 precious little boys. Thank you God for their good health. - Andrea

I am thankful for our adventurous son, John, that God watches over and takes care of while he travels the world. -MiMi

I am thankful for asdlkaslekjasldkfjl;kdfjasd;lfja;slk. -Griffin

I am thankful that God blessed me with a daughter who is also my best friend. -MiMi

I am thankful for my striking good looks and charm. -Andrea :)

I am thankful for a forgiving heart and the peace that only God can provide. -MiMi

I am thankful for a wonderful son-in-law who is a great husband and father. -MiMi

I am thankful for the freedom of choice in this wonderful country. -Andrea

I am thankful for the unconditional love and support of my parents. -Andrea

I am thankful for a beautiful and healthy family and a wonderful church family. -MiMi

Not quite Ace of Cakes

Course II final cake



Isn't it always about the cake? I start thinking of party theme ideas months in advance and usually center it around a cool cake. I am already in the full swing of things of planning Griffin's 2nd birthday party in my head. For Griffin's first birthday I spent a lot of money on his cake. I am one of those "I can do that myself" kind of people. A few months ago I learned that Michael's crafts offered Wilton cake decorating classes. I enrolled in course I and really enjoyed it. Course I taught how to make butter cream icing, roses, and a few boarders. Today I just finished course II. Course II taught a few more advanced flowers, royal icing, and a basket weave technique. I am now debating between course III which is advanced boarders, tiered cakes, gum paste and fondant, or the true fondant course. I am somewhat of a cake purist. I am not crazy about fondant cakes. They are beautiful, but do not taste nearly as good as they look. However I would like to learn a little about fondant to embellish butter cream cakes? Decision, decisions~ what's a girl to do?