Wow - two posts in two days! Aren’t you guys a lucky crowd? It’s really because I’m so excited and I feel I deserve a pat on the back, not because of what I’ve done, but that it got done and what is it exactly? THE NURSERY!!

So I won’t win the award for best procrastinator, not like I thought I would. It only took eight months of being pregnant and three of those being in a new house but I was finally ready to nest! One could assume that moving while you’re five months pregnant should catapult you into nesting-mode but it did the complete opposite for me. The downstairs was assembled and complete, but upstairs…well now that was a different story. But this past month I got a righteous anger about it, stopped hemming and hawing over paint samples and bedding preferences and went to town.

I’ll start with the kids bath and it isn’t that special, I’m just glad it’s painted and put together (had to say no to the beige!). Conner is the only one who uses it (and not even anymore since he’s been showering with daddy, which he much prefers anyways) but at least I can cross it off the list of rooms to put together. I love the yellow - I read somewhere that you should use bright colors in smaller rooms with no windows, like bathrooms and closets. So that’s what I did.

Ah, the nursery. How I loathed and sulked over you for so long. As you can see, we did not go with the mod-dots as we all had decided. It’s not because I don’t love you or care about your opinion, it’s just unless everyone could give to the “Baby Max Nursery Fund” we needed another option. I couldn’t justifying spending the money on just the bedding (not to mention the cash we were going to drop on Conner’s new bed, mattress, and bedding), so I opted for one from Target that was significantly cheaper, and I actually like it better (after I tweaked it some). Still plenty of dots to keep my heart content, but with plenty of cash left over to buy everything else I wanted, too. So I slapped some green on an accent wall, painted a tree and placed some reusable decals and voila!

I love it so much! I highly recommend doing the decals since it was easy and cheap and so cute.

Some playful prints that I sketched on the computer and framed so that the dots wouldn’t take over.

A must have for every nursery - a changing station.

Hear that whistling sound? That’s the pressure being let off in my head now that it’s done and my baby has a room! Conner’s room is about 50% done and I’m still hoping to have it done by the time Max gets here, but even if not it will be very soon after. So that’s five rooms down, only three more to go. I’m getting there and it feels goooooooooooood.

No onesie how-to, but have no fear, it’s coming. I forget how much energy doing tutorials and how-to’s can be, even as easy as that one. Actually everything these days seems to take so much effort. Just the thought of getting off the sofa seems to get me out of breath. Six weeks to go, that’s all that stands between me and a whole new brand of exhaustion. God bless!

My bloggy pal Amanda co-hosted a baby swap that had the participants send three items: a must-have, a wearable and a keepsake. I breathed a sigh of relief when I got paired with my other bloggy pal (because you never know who or what you’re going to get with swaps and I totally trust Bee’s taste) and began working on her gifts. The must-have came pretty fast to my mind and that was burp cloths. Conner wasn’t a bad spitter-upper, but I have seen my fair share of babes who can’t seem to hold their dairy and the best burp cloths are the ones that are absorbent, like this. Not to mention they’re pleasing to the eye. And the wearable was a stamped onesie for her baby girl to sport.

The keepsake one was tricky because everyone’s taste is so different. Blankets are usually a hit and since I already knew the nursery colors from a previous conversation we’d had, I made Alicia Paulson’s Tiramisu blanket but in more playful colors. You can imagine my delight (and slight jealousy) when Bee told me she was doing her baby girl’s room in teal and red - my dream. Needless to say making that blanket was total eye-candy for me and a pleasure to finish.

I scored some great stuff too: a sweet bib with a porcupine/hedgehog appliqué (I’m such a sucker for appliqué), personalized name tabs to go on Max’s sippy cups (another score - I hate writing on those things), and Butt Paste. I have heard lots of good things about the butt paste, just never used it so hopefully it will treat Max’s derriere right. Thanks so much, Bee!

The nursery bedding has been bought, now the assembly must be completed. This part I loved with Conner however this time around I just keep wondering if I can pay someone to do it for me. Any takers? We’re also doing Conner’s room as well - how smart am I? Eight months pregnant redecorating two bedrooms. And we’re about to move a toddler who has zero sleep issues from his crib that he loves so much into a twin bed - GULP! I am not looking forward to that at all but it must be done. However neither of those things will I fret about this weekend as I am off to a night of rest and relaxation with some mommy friends as we get fed, pampered and showered with attention at our church’s Mom’s Pampering Retreat. I’ve been looking forward to it since last year. Seriously. I leave you with this picture of my little Picasso enjoying his newest favorite past-time, watercolor.

This is a day that I have been waiting for for so long. Most women will tell you they get the whole house and the hubby might get a space of his own (usually the basement), but I don’t see it that way and I finally got to claim a little piece of our house all to myself. I honestly didn’t think it would ever happen, and once it became a reality I quickly became nervous that I wouldn’t do it justice. But I got over that real fast, unpacked and reorganized all my stuff, and it is my pleasure to introduce you to the newest and favoritest corner of my home (as of yet): MY CRAFT SPACE!!

ACK! Is it really mine? I still can’t believe it! See the workstation? That was a birthday/mother’s day gift from the hubby, and it’s actually a kitchen island, fitted with a breakfast bar on the other side so I can sit up high and work. My dad labored hard over that mother to sand, paint and stain it to perfection (as I knew he would - he’s so good with that kind of stuff) and it was all I could do to keep from peeing myself when we picked it up from their house, all finished and pinky-peachy!

The desk is actually the vanity that used to sit in our entryway that was a dark walnut stain. It fits perfectly in between the two china cabinets, so I knew I wouldn’t have to buy another desk, but that dark color wasn’t working at all. So three cans of spray paint later, some new hardware and there ya go - a $15 fix.

These prints my mother in law got me for Christmas and I *heart* them so much (the birds, go figure) and knew that they would be in my future craft space.

Lots of little jars filled with yummy eye-candy and loads of inspiration.

And what I love most about it? It’s on the main floor, just off the kitchen so I can still be in the same vicinity as the fam while I’m working. My favorite part about fixing this space up was rediscovering things I had made and watching Conner discover them for the first time. He loves to come sit in my lap when I’m working on the computer, and each time will point to something new and ask what it is. And I get to tell him it’s something I made, or something someone made for me and in a little way I get to share a little about this part of me that I love so much, and hope one day he will be a part of as well. Besides the fact that I think it’s just the best room ever, it is such a place of peace for my heart that I feel like I finally have a place. I feel so blessed and so lucky. I know that sounds silly, but for those who understand I don’t need to further explain because you totally get it.

I really do walk by this room and sigh with such satisfaction, not so much with what I’ve done with it, but that it’s done. Now it’s time to move onto the boy’s rooms and I hope I get them done soon. The clock is literally ticking away time that I will have to devote to things like this. Next up: a quick tutorial on stamping your own onesies.

Even though baby season is pretty unofficial, if there was a start date for the year 2008 it would begin today. One of my good friends is about ready to pop, with two more followed closely behind. Then it’s my turn, and then about a dozen other’s thrown in as well. I really do count myself so fortunate to be going through such a long and often uncomfortable process with so many that I love, but the hospital staff is going to get so used to seeing all of us as we visit each other and spend a few days recuperating ourselves.

It’s been a little difficult preparing for the gift-aspect of the baby infestation that’s about to happen, esp. since my craft space is not completely unpacked yet. But I did rummage through my supplies quickly enough to whip up a few things. A few of us threw a small shower for Kelly, who is hopefully going to welcome Bennett into the world this week *crossing and double-crossing everything* and I got to show off some new crochet skills.

When I found this pattern I fell in love with them, however like most of my bootie-making experiences, they first came out like boats as apposed to baby shoes. So once I reworked it a little, they turned out great and I can’t wait to make a pair for Max.

I also stamped a onesie since they’re always cute and easy gifts to give. I’ll probably do a quick tutorial on them in a few weeks since I have quite a few more to crank out. I love the colors of this one - boyish and fun.

Last week Tim had a bike-thing he had to go to so for five days it was just me and Conner while daddy flew out to California. I was expecting the week to be long, but I wasn’t expecting to have so much fun with Conner. He certainly got to rule the roost and call the shots - well, as far as having fun and the activities were concerned. Even tho we didn’t do anything special or new, not having Tim there helped us break out of our routine and I feel like we reconnected. And the fact that we will be welcoming another little one soon, it was nice to have a few days with my baby to soak up and enjoy before our world is shaken up a bit.

First of all, you guys rock my face off - thanks for all the comments and suggestions (even you Melany, who didn’t like either choice ;). Good news is like most good wives I was able to wear Tim down and the dots (and myself) have claimed victory *double fist pump*! I’ll definitely “man it up” with trucks or sports balls, or something hyper-masculine so people will know it’s a boys room (Tim suggested I paint a mural of animals attacking one another, blood, carnage and all…classy). I did like Amy’s suggestion to call them balls as apposed to dots - I will definitely be pocketing that suggestion for future debates. We did spend some time Sunday clearing out Max’s room of stuff that needed to make it’s way into the attic so I can begin piecing it together and hopefully have it completed by the time he’s born.

In between traveling and arguing with the hubby, I did manage to squeeze in some time to finish a project for the living room - yet another ripple. I wanted a snuggly blanket that was bright and fun so after agonizing for days, literally, over the colors, I decided to just get started and I love the way it turned out. It really is true that sometimes things turn out the best when you just wing it instead of planning for it. Should I take the same attitude about labor and delivery this time? Maybe…I’ve gotten incredibly lazy this pregnancy.

I had to get some new plants for the house since we didn’t have any and it was beginning to feel stuffy around here. I have no problem admitting that I don’t really like plants, nor do I know anything about them. Well, I do know that you can water a cactus too much (who knew!) and most plants need sunlight. Let’s hope these newcomers survive my “knowledge”.

And one more piece of randomness for your Tuesday morning: A recipe for the BEST GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH EVER! Tim found this recipe online and now it’s the only grilled cheese we make. It’s so rich and savory, but I don’t think I can capture in words just how good it is. All I know is you need to try it. Today. Ah, bread and cheese…there aren’t too many things that make my heart so happy as these. And don’t be embarrassed if after the first bite you inhale the rest of it because it’s that good.

Greek Grilled Cheese

1 1/2 teaspoons butter, softened
2 slices whole wheat bread, or your favorite bread
2 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
2 slices Cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon chopped red onion
1/4 tomato, thinly sliced

Butter your bread, heat a skillet over medium heat. Lay buttered side down in skillet, then layer the feta cheese, Cheddar cheese, red onion and tomato. Top with the other slice of bread with the butter side out. Fry the sandwich until golden brown on each side, about 2 minutes per side.

I can’t remember the last time I posted on a weekend, but this is worth it because I am about the lose my friggin’ mind!

Tim used to never care or have any opinions about any decorating I did until about a year ago. I think it was all the Trading Spaces we used to watch that made him realize decorating your space shows off your individual style, and too you can be super masculine and hot while also caring about it (thank you Ty Pennington!). Tim pretty much allows me to do what I wish, although he certainly has gotten more mouthy about decorating recently. The blue that I LOVE in the kitchen, he asked me repeatedly not to paint it that. The dining room in our old house, BEGGED me not to paint it yellow, and in both instances it came out looking great and I wasn’t the only one who thought so (and he even liked it, too!). So now that I am in my third trimester (what the what? When did that happen? Where is time going??), I’m thinking I should start taking this baby #2 issue more seriously and start planning, esp. the nursery. I’ve scowered so many bedding themes and color schemes that it makes my head spin, but there was one that stuck out to me from the very beginning. It’s got two of my favorite colors (red and aqua), while also incorporating others so it could be more flexible.

Isn’t it so cool? Ah, I love it so much. Our decor is certainly not “mod” but I just love the bedding - the colors and the dots, LOVE IT. Tim, on the other hand, keeps saying it’s too feminine. He can’t see past the room as a whole in the picture and focuses on the “sterilness” of it. The bedding, for me, is just setting the stage for the colors. I want to do some fun prints on the wall, maybe a mural, make it my own. The more we talk about it the more we each dig our heels in on our opinions and neither will budge, which makes me say fun things like, “Fine! He just won’t have a nursery! It’ll just be white walls and a crib with a sheet!” and then I throw something small and harmless at him and storm out of the room (because sometimes even my own maturity astounds me).

The other option (since I’ve painstakingly narrowed it down to two) I like the colors a lot, but it’s more “themey” - we’re not really “themey” people, but it is cute and whimsical.

Yeah…I so want the dots. Disregard the border, the lamp, the rug, the hamper, we’re just doing the bedding. It is cute, but I just don’t know if I can commit to this. I keep fast forwarding in my mind to four months from now and every time I walk into Max’s room and I see those animals I’m going to say Tim’s name very harshly under my breath as I snarl. So now I need help - can I really not see Tim’s point of view? Are the dots too feminine? Are the animals too “themey”? Will Max have a room with white walls and a crib with a sheet? And can someone help me win this argument so Tim will see my side?? I can keep adding question marks until you understand the desperation in my words.

One of the coolest surprises about moving (esp. during the winter time) is finding out what kind of foliage you are adopting. Imagine my sheer delight to find all these buds after a good rainfall last week. It’s so pretty and cheery - I love it!

Last week some of my crafty gals came over to have another polymer clay night and I am finding that the more I do with the stuff, the more I am growing to love it. Joy’s obsession with it began over a year ago and she will cover anything in it. Literally. Journals, pens, animals and children, whatever strikes her fancy. We joke around that we’re afraid to leave things at her house because she’s going to give them back covered in polymer. But in all honesty it really is a versatile craft in that you can do so much with it, and it doesn’t cost much to get started. Maybe she’ll do a Polymer-101 on her blog once she returns from jet-setting around Europe (*wink, nudge*).

So after making the beads for the bracelet that I put in the shop on Friday (and thank you to those who purchased them!!) I had some time to kill and decided to make something for myself. Joy made me a clay cross for my birthday last year that I use during my prayer time as a visual and something to hold for whenever I might need it. I love it so much and use it often, however it has gone awol since we moved. So I decided I would make another one and put my own touch to it.

I love how it turned out, especially the colors. For the center I used a wooden cross that you can purchase at craft stores in a bundle pack, that way it’s not too heavy and you just mold the clay around the shape. The beads added a nice finish to it, I thought. And since I had some clay left over and loved the way the colors marbled, I made two beads (surprisingly) and fashioned them into earrings. They’re not normally earrings I would wear, but I do love them so much I’ll probably get over it.

And that’s all for now. I’m planning a shop redesign and update for April, so I’m hoping to get a jump on that when we get back from vacation, in addition to other crafts that I am dying to complete. Here’s a pic of my little biker on his favorite toy, the strider. The no-pedals feature teaches them balance faster and it works - he’s getting pretty good at it! Have a great week everyone!!

Soooooo I shouldn’t have said anything about being totally unpacked by this weekend because that is clearly not going to happen. Why? Well, when you haven’t done any unpacking all week, that might be the problem. Keep hope alive for next week, folks!

It’s Springtime! Is anyone else excited? I don’t normally like spring - well, I should say I don’t dislike it, I just much prefer fall and winter over spring and summer (esp. when you live in an area where spring exist for a mere week, and then fluctuates between winter and summer for the next few months). But being in a new place and putting down new roots is just inspiring me so much. Last week Joy came over with her polymer clay arsenal and we spent a few hours knuckle-deep in clay. I have been wanting to make beads, just something simple as I can get overwhelmed very quickly with a new craft, so that’s what I did.

Nothing too fancy, but once I put some glaze on them and strung them I made a bracelet that I *heart* so much - and I don’t even like bracelets! And it’s so very Easter-y.

But this one I shall keep and maybe even make a few more to put in the shop. Polymer makes your hands stink, your nails stain, and your wrists ache for a few days, but it is still super fun to play with.

I told you I would post a pic of the living room - maybe someone can put my fears about the corner with the bookshelf to rest?

Is it me? Does that area not jive well? Before you suggest I do away with the bookcase let me say that I need a bookcase. Tim and I are *those people* who collect books and love having them handy, so just doing away with it is not an option since there is no other shelving solution. Anything else I could do to make that wall pop more? It’s totally driving me nut-burgers.

I leave you with this picture of my shaggy-haired boy. And speaking of hair, no pics of mine yet but with the holiday weekend I’m sure I’ll get some shots of it (and no it’s nothing dramatic, no chopping off a ton - it’ll be anticlimactic I’m sure). Have a great Easter everyone!

Is it wrong that now our house feels like home mainly because my computer is up and running again? So sad, I know. Ah well. Nothing exciting to report around here seeing as I’m still unpacking, but my goal is to be finished by the end of this week. Can it be done? I shall put my strength and stamina to the test!

So what have I been doing since clearly unpacking hasn’t been the only thing I’m using my time and energy on? What else but crafting. My space is not quite finished but that hasn’t stopped me since making things has helped me cope with all the stresses of moving. I’ve been whipping up some dishcloths to match the new kitchen, and I think they turned out swimmingly.

My love affair with red and aqua continue. Just take a gander at my kitchen. The before:

And now the after:

I just can’t help myself. I tried not to extend it into the living room too much but I feel I may lose that battle over time. The living room is coming along…I will be posting pictures soon, esp. since that one corner is still bugging me.

I haven’t been making things only for myself. Tim says that I don’t make things for him, but that wasn’t the case when I crafted him a clay-fellow to keep him company while he works.

Ugh, sometimes he can be so rude. Who dat Ninja?

Ah, there he is. He’s a feisty little guy, that Samurai. He needs some numb chucks or a sword or something. Now he shall watch over Tim as he works to ensure he’s staying on task (right, honey?). Clearly, I have too much time on my hands. I shall remedy that right now as I throw another load of laundry in the wash - I am no longer afraid of my front-loader and we’re getting along so well. Much more to share (like this awful indigestion Max is inflicting on me, my new hair ‘do complete with highlights, and more house pics) but that’s all you get for now - I love to leave you wanting more.

I started a packing list since everytime I would think, “I need to start packing!” I would sigh heavily, cover myself in a blanket and do a Sudoko puzzle because I just can not get into it yet. One of the first areas I knew I should tackle was my craft stash but that thought alone makes me so sad, esp. not knowing how long it would be before I could unpack that stuff and begin my crafty endeavors again. So for one last hoorah, I decided to put a batch of clutches in the shop to appease that part of me that needed to create something. I’ve said before how addicting these clutches are to make and I love making them, but usually when a batch is done my creative juices are content for awhile and I can just coast on doing smaller, more mediocre crafts.

I love the colors of these clutches since they remind me of an anticipation of spring. Nothing overly pink and lavender or yellow, but more muted and understated. I did the striped clutches, which at first I wasn’t sure about since they look like they belong in a Miami beach kitchen, circa 1987 (Golden Girls, anyone?), but that peach really is pretty! However once they were done I began to warm up to them a bit.

The other ones are sporting a crocheted cotton flower this time as apposed to a felt appliqué, which I actually love. I don’t know why I hadn’t tried those sooner!

I know I will go absolutely banana’s if I can’t have something to work on in the event I have a moment free from packing/unpacking, so I shall leave some hooks and skeins out so I can at least do some granny squares - something to make me feel like I’m not losing my crafting mojo! But this will (probably) be the last shop update for at least another month, and then hopefully I’ll be back in the swing of things with some sweet spring shwag. Click here to check out or purchase from the new batch!