Where are the fun ornaments?

A valuable lesson learned...Meet Tree #2: My little one will wake up tomorrow morning to find "his tree" ready for him to decorate with "the fun ornaments." He can hang them with his brother  after school or before school, or hang them on Tree #1 if they feel like it.  It will be their project. This decorator is stepping aside for the season. I almost made a huge mistake by thinking the decorating was my show, my thing, you know...my seasonal showpiece. A week ago,  I chose to leave all the fun (read gross) ornaments in the box and BOTH KIDS  NOTICED.  AGAIN.  For the third year in a row.  Seriously. I thought they would value a beautifully decorated designer tree.  In my defense those "fun ornaments" are the Bart Simpson, Hans Solo and Yoda ornaments. (Feel my pain?) I admit my mistake in editing their "fun ornaments" and potentially affecting  their Christmas memories.  Sooooooo tomorrow, I am stepping aside and from now on am letting my kids have their say in the holiday decor. Right after I reassemble and redecorate the beautiful wreath that hubby accidentally crashed tonight. (Sigh)

DIY coordinating gift tags

1. Cut out several wrapping papet motifs and glue to CARD STOCK. (It thick and stiff paper.)
2.  When glue is dry. Trim edges tightly around the motif using scissors.
3. Add a hole punch and ribbon.
It will be cute and coordinated.

Meet my new chandelier!

Its been a long time since I had a chandelier in the dining room. (Or a table for that matter after I SOLD IT to my neighbor about 2.5 years ago.) This fixture became my early Christmas present and we hung it today. I still need a real table...but for now...for my 10 guests arriving in 14 days ...this table will "do" for now.  Welcome new chandelier!

Back porch in the fall

The back porch is my favorite place on a fall day. 

Homemade penguin costume

Made my own pattern. 
Time 2.5 hours.
Cost $11. 
2 yards black. 1 yard white. 1/2 yard yellow. 1/4 yard red.
The best part is what he said when he put it on:  "This is, by far, the best costume I've ever had." (said with warmest sincerity.) Mmmm. I'll treasure that for a long time. 

Finish it Friday: Foyer Painted

I used Ashley Grey HC-87,flat in the Benjamin Moore Historic Color deck but had gallons #2 and #3 matched at Home Depot with the Behr Ultra Premium line/Paint and Primer in One.  I will be trimming out the foyer next. (That explains the creamy white paint under the grey.) The door openings will be the first to be trimmed. I've got great plans to kick up the oohlala factor in this house where the builder omitted trim. Grrr. I'm off to tackle the next step.

Finish it Friday: Painting the two story foyer

Goodbye SW Sundew. Hello BM Ashley Grey. (Hopefully Ill get this finished in the next two hours. Its been a year since I started.) Yeah! FINISH IT FRIDAY.

Teachers Rock...Teacher Appreciation Gifts

Inpsiration hit while in the checkout lane at Target tonight.  I created 6 prototypes after watching American Idol.  If only I had more time to work on these cuties...sigh.  I think I'll pair the patties with a gift card and a thank you note with the "You Rock" logo on the cover in case they miss the subtlety. (That word needs to appear in the National Spelling bee.)  Looks like I'll be making more "'You Rock" patties tomorrow.

Teacher Appreciation Week: Clever Sayings and Sources of Inspiration

Oh my golly! Teacher Appreciation Week started today. 
I don't have any gifts made. (I like to make them.)
The kids have a jillion teachers this year.  (So they need to be affordable to make.) 
Plus my family is crazy busy this week. (I need to be able to make the gifts quickly.) 
I surfed and found this site with a bunch of clever little sayings that I can build upon.  (Whew!) 
Stay tuned to see what I come up with.  In the meantime, here are some photos that I found inspiring. 
From The Idea Room        
 From EmilyGiovanni.com            
 From Skiptomylou.blogspot.com
 

Surf the shelter blogs for HOURS!

If you love reading shelter magazines, and surfing the blogosphere for inspiring home design blogs, you may enjoy this list of nominees, finalists and winners over at apartmenttherapy.com.  (Voting is closed.)
Apartment Therapy.com's Homies 2011 Awards List 
Perhaps someone I know will be on the list next year.