DIY Craft: Framed Chalkboard

I doubt the internet needs another chalkboard how-to blog post, but I had been wanting a chalkboard for our kitchen for a while. We had our big de-cluttering the house weekend recently. And aside from finding lots of nostalgia (reminding us why we don't de-clutter very often - too much fun stuff to find) like the dog hoodie we bought for our dog a few years back, I also found some fun crafting supplies.

This is why we can't get things done. Why take things to the Goodwill when you can have fun playing with all of the stuff you find?!

In our mess I found some really ugly gold frames that had held paintings I made back in high school. I spray painted both frames with a Rustoleum American Accents antique white. I figured I could use one for the chalkboard and the other for a baby nursery project. I went to Home Depot to purchase plywood (about $5 - they cut it to size for me for free), chalkboard paint (about $9), Gorilla Woodglue (about $5) and picture hangers ($3), since the frame had no hangers on it.

I primed my piece of plywood (cut 16" x 20" to fit in my frame) with Kilz white latex primer. Then I painted it with three coats of Rustoleum chalkboard paint using a foam roller. That stuff dries fast, so watch it! I used wood glue to glue the piece of plywood directly into the frame (this part is messy), but I had to let it dry overnight. I then hammered on the picture hangers, threaded some ribbon through the hangers, and wa-la! Finally I have my own chalkboard for the kitchen.

I think that's the first time the bathroom has ever graced this blog.

DIY Craft: Fall Leaf Initial

I actually completed a project I saw on Pinterest! Look at me getting things done!  I first saw this leaf initial on Pinterest from The Thrifty Abode's website and thought, "Hey, that's cute and I could definitely do that." Aaron from The Thrifty Abode used plastic oak leaves and Elmer's spray adhesive to create her look.  I used leaves with a little bit more contrast since our front door is such a dark red, I wanted the yellows to really pop and gave it a bright golden ribbon. I used a glue gun instead of spray adhesive, because I can be kind of dangerous with sprayed chemicals. Plus, I'm pregnant and had to work inside, so I didn't want something too strong to smell.

Here's Aaron's Version:

Source: thethriftyabode.blogspot.com via Amanda on Pinterest

And here's my version on a white door so I could get a picture, and our red front door:

Doesn't fall get you in the mood to start crafting?!

16 Weeks

Still kind of a puny bump...but definitely more than it was!

Nursery Bedding

So, I've really gotten into browsing the internet recently for baby stuff. I've started my registry, although it's hard to pick out some things because we're not sure of the gender yet. But, in any case, I found the most awesome baby bedding website, Carousel Designs, that lets you custom create your bedding from all different kinds of fabrics. You can even change the color of the wall and flooring to match what you already have in your house as well as change up the crib color to see what your bedding would look like on different crib finishes.  It's pretty addicting!  Here are a few designs I've been playing around with:

The best part is you can save your designs, so that when we do find out the sex of the baby in another month or so, we can see our saved designs! The only drawback? The sets are a *little* pricey. By little, I mean a lot pricey. Definitely more than I would spend on my own bedding. But it's certainly a good starting point to help you start to put a nursery together.

*I have no affiliation with Carousel Designs, and they are not compensating me in any way for this post. Although I would gladly take free bedding from them if offered. I just enjoy playing with their interactive designer.

Baby Updates

Hey! I feel so much better! I just can't believe....oh no...wait a minute...nevermind. I was just kidding. I still feel like crap. I figured by now at almost 14 weeks that I would start to get my energy back and not spend my mornings leaning over the porcelain god. But alas, I had a couple weeks in there from about 10-12 where I was feeling so much better, but today I especially feel like I've taken two giant leaps back. Ugh! I'm trying to be grateful knowing it means a healthy pregnancy, but it's hard.

In other news, in order to avoid bombing my friends' facebook feeds, I will be doing all the baby updates on this blog. So if you're curious, check here if you really want to know. I'm trying to avoid ending up on this site.

In other news, I can no longer button my cute size 4 express skinny jeans. Does that mean I'm not wearing them? Heck no! They are now being held up by a lovely hair band around the button, ninja-style! I'm not really showing that much, but I did get to hear this little gem from my husband the other night..

"I can see the bottom of your bellybutton. I feel like I don't even know you."

Guess it will soon lose it's normal cave-like structure completely pretty soon.

6 weeks

12 weeks - I'm not annoyed, I just have the inability to look natural.

Hormones Are Crazy

Shows I've Cried At While Watching Recently:

• How Do I Look - you know, that show on the Style Network. . .
• Modern Family - because that show is just so touching
• Chopped - a show on the Food Network where they send a chef home after each round. I guess I just felt really bad for the chef they let go
• Wilfred - a show about a pot smoking dude in a dog costume. What is WRONG with me? I guess Elijah Wood's face is just so earnest it brought me to tears.

Seriously, pregnancy has done some crazy things to my body that I would have never expected. I thought there's no way I would be the one getting sick every morning, crying over reality television...but alas, I have no control! I hope my sob stories can entertain you at least until I have the time to publish something good.

Our Biggest DIY Project

So, I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that I had a DIY project I'd been wanting to share with you. Well.....

There's the project we're working on now! Coming to theaters near you around Leap Year, 2012...

I know I've been so bad about blogging lately, but it's because I literally have not had the energy to do anything. I've been SO sick for the past five weeks that it's a miracle if I can do any chores around the house, let alone the mountain of DIY projects I'd like to tackle. Hopefully in a couple of weeks the nausea will taper off...like everyone keeps saying it will.  If not I will hunt those people down and puke in their trash cans...

We found out about our little gummy bear (look at the photo, doesn't it look like a gummy bear?) the DAY we got back from our trip from Paris. I suspected something might be going on when we were there. I couldn't decide if it was baby or if my lunch at the Palace of Versailles was just making me feel queasy for no other reason. I was too afraid to buy a French pregnancy test and misinterpret the results, so I waited the painstaking time until I could get home and take a test in English.  And sure enough...

Why yes, that is the same kitchen island I prepare all my food on...so?

We got to see the little one's heartbeat on the ultrasound on July 14th, and I got to hear the heartbeat on the doppler at my doctor's appointment last thursday. My doctor says that's the earliest she's EVER heard a heartbeat on a doppler before, so we feel pretty special.

Keep your fingers crossed that everything continues to go well and that I start feeling better soon. I promise to try and not turn this into a "mommy blog." There will hopefully be a lot of new craft and recipe opportunities to explore soon! Until then, 10 weeks down...30 to go.