puppet show

Kimba's DIY Day @ A Soft Place to Land

Thrifty Chick's Before and After Party


Metamorphosis Monday

I was so excited to give the kids the puppet show for Christmas. I saw the idea back in September over at Infarrantly Creative. I couldn't wait to make it happen, but had to survive photo season first, and then find the headboard or bookshelf that would be perfect at the perfect price. 2 weeks before Christmas, (that's right folks, I'm insane) I found the perfect headboard at Goodwill for 1/2 off and committed myself to this project despite the golfer's unease. "Where are we going to put that?" he asked me over and over. I dodged the question. With his question ringing in my ears I reluctantly layed down the big bucks. . . Yeah right, I practically danced to the checkout and nearly hugged the cashier when she told me it would be $4.50! Who cares where we'll put it! I'll put in at the foot of my bed if it sparks any sort of NON-video-game creativity in my kids. The kids were actually with me when I bought it. They thought they were getting a bookshelf. My 6-year-old's reaction was priceless on Christmas morning!

PAIGE: WHAT! WOW! This is so cool!

That's all I wanted folks. . . and a few great puppet shows here and there. . done!

Here is the before:

And the afters:

I added this little hand painted wooden plaque (.99) over the carving of the tree.

We found the curtain rod under our bed during pre-Christmas decluttering. The fabric for the curtain was at Goodwill on 1/2 off day too. $1.25

I already had the sheet metal for the chalkboard/magnet board leftover from my son's board in his room. The chalkboard paint (spraypaint) was $3.25

I already had the white paint and the clear protective coating. The moulding around the chalkboard cost 2.00 at a local salvage yard.

I made little red riding hood and the big bad wolf. The other puppets were from Michaels, from yard sales, white elephant gift at a Christmas party and gifts from a friend. I spent about 15.00 on the puppets that I bought and made. I mod podged the scrapbook paper on the backer board.

The basket was at Goodwill for .75 on 1/2 off day and the liner was made from scrap fabric that I had in my stash.

The grand total came to about $27.75. My budget was $25.00.
They love it. I LOVE it! The golfer LOVES IT, and has commented on the fact several times since Christmas. Mission accomplished.

Vintage Dreamz

My great friend, Keira, and her 2 sweet sisters have started a great blog showcasing some gorgeous photos and some equally gorgeous hair accessories. They call their blog Vintage Dreamz. Check it out. . . they could definitely come up with the perfect hair accessories for your holiday pictures!

Click on the picture below!

missing

I'm really not missing, just running around like a chicken with my head cut off. . . I know, it creates such a vivid visual doesn't it! It happens every year at this time for me. Families want their Christmas photos, and how can I turn them down. . . they're all so cute! My family, of course, is still here and ready for pumpkin carving, costumes, grocery shopping, Thanksgiving feasts, school programs, photos of every waking moment :), dinner, dentist appointments, birthday parties, scouts, music class, and to add the cherry on top of this ginormous sunday, it's time to dig in to the Christmas shopping. Maybe this year we'll just forego the kids' bathtime. That would free up a substantial amount of time. Here are a few snippets of what we've been up to:

We've been posing:

We've been baking:

We've been thrifting:

We've been halloweening:

I've been photographing families like crazy for Christmas:

This is just ONE of the 9 families since the end of September! I really love it!

Next up is photos of 5 more families, a birthday party (Webkins themed), my first wedding shoot :), Thanksgiving, photos of 2 more families, Christmas shopping, Christmas break, a trip to the snow, Christmas, another birthday, New Year. . . . . WHEW! The crafting will carry on through the madness. I have a few fun projects planned for Christmas. Tis the Season. . . (hopefully not the season for a mental breakdown!)

Featured

Well, hello there! Pardon me, I'm extra giddy seeing that it's Friday and all and the weather 'round these parts is PEEERRRfect!

I've been featured on Better After. You've got to go check out all of the crazy before's and after's that Lindsey has featured. I don't know about you, but there's nothing like a great before and after photo to really make me day. . . I'm not kidding. Makeovers make me smile.

Attention all Kindergarten Teachers

OH my goodness. My 5-year-old came off of the bus toting this cute little nest the other day. Attention all Kindergarten teachers: you need to make these in your classroom. They learned about recycling and then headed to the playground to find "lining" for their little bird nest. The nest is made of an old brown bag all wadded up. The little bird is made of a cottonball. Probaby the only thing in the nest that isn't recycled. She played with it all afternoon. I played with it a little too. Hey, sometimes you need a new photo model. . . one that doesn't talk back to you.

M.I.A

I know. . .I've been gone for so long. It's the busy time of year for this photographer taking family photos. We've also had a few vistors the last couple of weeks.

I picked up a couple of really large pillows at Savers a few months back. I'm not gonna lie, they were ugly . . really ugly. Check out the dangling bead tassles. I found all but one in my baby's mouth. I finally wised up and pulled the last one off. The golfer uses them when he sits on the floor to watch golf or football. He even said to me, "when are you going to do something about these ugly cushions." Okay okay I'll make them pretty. Twist my arm why don't ya. Enter: lovely houndstooth fabric. I made them removeable. Now I don't have to hide them in the closet when someone stops by.

Paper beads

It's raining. How often does this happen in the desert. . . . . next to never. It's a perfect day for soup and creativity. Here is where these beads come in handy. I saw them at the Idea Room.

Pure entertainment for at least 1 hour. Even boys can do it, although they may request that it not be mentioned on the blog. . .oops. At least I didn't post a picture. All you do is cut out a thin triangle, slap some glue on it and roll it up. Anyone can do it!

It may not be perfect to wear OUT on the rainy day, but definitely perfect for a morning of Tom and Jerry and blanket tents.

I love rainy days!