July 16, 2010

{ Time for a Vacay }

We had an awesome summer thunderstorm yesterday.
I poked my head out of the door & took a quick picture.
The raindrops were huge!
I love, love, love thunderstorms.
Especially in the summer.

Anywho, I finally got around to my chore charts yesterday.
Where does all the time go that I think I have?
Makes me wonder about my Summer Projects list.
Maybe I should have cut it in half.
Here's a sneak peek.
They're coming along, but I have to put them on hold for a bit.
We are taking a break & driving to Utah to see my family.
I'm so excited!
I'll see you in a week, when we get back.
And then...let the chores begin!
{insert evil laughter}

July 14, 2010

{ Summer Lists }


Projects:
paint grandpa's stools
get 1 quilt made
get chore charts done
catch up on scrapbooks
organize scouting pictures
organize hair accessories
make more pillows for family room
cover cushion on kitchen stool

Furniture Needed:
coffee table for living room
hutch for dining room
desk for me

{ Don't you love that picture up top? }
I figure if I tell you about my projects, it will motivate me to get them done.
Do you think it will work?

July 13, 2010

{ Itty Bitty Art Project }

Sheri came out with her kids a couple of weeks ago for a few days.
She has a daughter Ms. Sassy's age.
They had fun together, but one day they were bored.
I remembered that I had some itty bitty canvases that I bought at Michaels or Joanns.

I'm sure you've seen them.
They are kind of like these 2x2 ones below...
They even come with an itty bitty easel.

The girls loved it!
The project took a few hours by the time they decided what they wanted on them,
drew it out & painted them.

Here are the finished products...
This one is Sheri's daughter's.

And this one is Sassy's.

I think they both turned out so cute!
You can kind of tell the size of them from the fruit basket behind them.

After they finished painting, Sassy's creative juices were still flowing so she &
her aunt, Traci, made this little wire hanging bird art piece.
Kind of quirky & cute.

I'm still working on my chore charts.
My goal is to have them finished this week!

July 7, 2010

{ Chore Charts }

I try & let my kids have about a week of just goof off time before I start the summer chores.
Okay, maybe a bit longer than a week.
But, I think it's almost time.
I don't have a system that I love, so I've been looking around for ideas.

I really like this one from Balancing Everything...
So cute!

And I like the card idea so you can write a little more detail.
My kids need that. :)

Check out this one from Blue Cricket Design...
Love it!

I think my little ones would think this was fun!

This next one I downloaded from a blog called ModEco Kids.
I tried to find them for a link but it looks like they are no longer around.
It is really cute & customizable.
Sure glad I downloaded it when I did!
I thought maybe I could put it in a frame & the kids could check it off with dry erase markers.

I'm liking all of these ideas.
But, I have another one forming in my brain so we'll see what I end up doing.

For now, we are still just playing & the house is getting out of control.
It's nice not to worry about it for a while, but it will catch up to us.
All part of the summer fun, right? :)

July 6, 2010

{ Outdoor Spaces }

Well, it's raining in July, here in sunny Southern California.
The pool & fence painting will have to wait.
My son is not too sad about the delayed fence painting. :)

So, how was your 4th?.
It was a beautiful day here.
Perfect for a bbq & eating outside.
We just got some new patio furniture...
which includes a table that seats 6 {not shown}.
It replaced our old table that only sat 4, which made it difficult for our family to eat outside all at once.
It was wonderful sitting out there all together on the 4th of July!

I love outdoor spaces that feel like they could work inside as well.
You know...bringing a bit of the indoors, out...instead of the other way around.
Here are a few really fun ones!
This front porch is set up just like a living room would be.
The baseballs in the iron basket are a whimsical touch & so fun!

I love how she used a dresser with a mirror hung over it outside on her front porch.
Her porch & home are full of color!

This balcony is so inviting to me.
The curtains & rug look like they could have come from inside.
I can imagine myself sitting here on cool evenings wrapped in that blanket.

This patio is so cool.
I love how she hung paintings out here.
I don't think I would have ever thought to do that.
But, it makes it feel so homey or homie or whatever...you know what I'm saying.
And I want to use the shutter idea to camoflauge a block wall in my backyard.
Well, I hope you've been inspired today to bring a little of the indoors, out.

Before I go, I want to wish my mom a Happy Birthday!
Even though you are far away, I am thinking of you today.
Love you!

July 1, 2010

{ A Mention & More Giveaways }

First of all, I'm so excited because Home & Harmony mentioned me on her blog today!
I told you already, that I love her blog and that you should have a look at it, but have you seen her girls' room?
And I love her bedroom.
So, go check out her blog & let her know I sent you.

But, before you go...
I want to tell you about a few giveaways going on out there!

ashley ann photography is having a fun giveaway for a gift certificate to Harts Desire

August Fields is giving away an 8x10 print of your choice from the etsy shop the wheatfield.


And The Pioneer Woman is giving away 2 Kitchen Aid Mixers!

Good luck!