It's Tiki Time!!!

I had all I could take of the terrible paint job in the hall bath so I repainted it myself.  I found some fun towels and washcloths at Target one day.  That lead me to the purchase of my first store-bought shower curtain, That purchase lead me to a surfer theme for our bathroom.  The only natural progression from there was a Tiki Hut over the sink :0)

 It was love at first thought when the Tiki Hut crossed my mind.  However, I was concerned with letting enough light around the room...and my husband mumbled something about fire hazard, blah blah blah :0)  

That is when I came up with the shelf idea.  I could let the light shine and not have the grassy stuff so close to the hot bathroom lights.  

I made a very basic frame out of 1x2" boards.  It was 16" tall, then as long as the opening in the room.  I screwed the boards together and started on the palm roofing.

Originally, I was going to use raffia as the roof.  I was trying to figure out how many packages I would need to buy to make it all the way across the frame and exactly how much that would cost when the next idea struck.  Why not use REAL palm leaves!!!  Ahoy!  I bet that was what people really used to make tiki huts!!!

I managed to acquire 8 palm leaves and took them home for the project.    

I cut the long branches off with my scroll saw.  I wrapped tape around the bottom 18-20 " of each palm branch (the grassy looking part) and cut the portion off, setting aside for later.  Then I cut 16" portions from the top of each branch, right where the leaves start to form.  I used this part of the palm as the first layer of my tiki roof.  I spread them out across the frame and nailed them in place.  The palm branches are very fibrous and thick.  They have a very grassy smell to them too.  It was kind of fun to play around with the stuff.  I imagined myself stranded on a desert isle with nothing better to do than build a hut to rest under when I was tired of working on my tan :0)  I managed to hold on to that daydream fairly well in spite of the cries from my 2yr old wanting snacks, drinks, and "more Wonderpets!"

The bottom palm portions were tied individually with jute.  Next I spread them out across the first layer to fill in any gaps.  I used more jute to weave in and out between the bunches, securing them to the frame as I went.  

This was were I let my mind drift to coconut oil smelling sun screen and virgin pina coladas.  

The problem with taking pictures of the bathroom is that no matter where you stand, you really can't avoid getting yourself in the shot :0)  

Here is what it looks like from underneath.  You can see the roof is plenty far away from the lights for the fire-hazard thing and to let light up to the ceiling.  

I found some paper lantern patio lights at Hobby Lobby (on sale this week-Yay!)  They really were the finishing touch I was looking for.  I secured them to the frame with thumb tacks.

The funny thing about this picture was that I was so happy not to be in the picture in any of the mirrors, I didn't even notice the grass right in front of my camera.  Anyway, we love, Love, LOVE the new look in the bathroom!  The kids are just crazy about how fun and exciting it is in there.  

Here is what it looked like before...

And here is the new and improved...

The funny thing about this shelf is that it started out white.  I went cowboy with the bathroom many years ago and painted the shelf black, then red and distressed it so the black would show through.  Now that we are going surfer/beach, I think the white on the red in a white-washed look is awesome and fits right in!

Now, way in the back of my murky brain lies a filing cabinet labeled Hall Bath.  These are just a few ideas I pulled out of there.  Over the next couple weeks I will hopefully find time to make a few more, and in the end, come up with a finished room.  

That would be crazy, don't you think?  I don't believe I have ever really had a "finished room" but I am sure willing to try!!!

This project was linked up HERE:

http://tatertotsandjello.blogspot.com/

Our Week With Minnesota Grandma

I just dropped Grandma off at the airport today and thought I would show you a little of what we managed to do during our visit.  This ruffled table runner was probably the craftiest thing made betwixt cooking, clean-ups and Diet Coke runs.  I was told that Minnesota Grandma's table was naked due to lack of a Spring table runner, so it was my crafty duty to rectify the situation.  I plan to make one for myself and will show you more up-close photos when that is ready.  

Auntie Kallie (my little sister) and her son Johnathon decided last minute to come along with Grandma.   Kallie is expecting in July so the only natural thing to do was to make a baby blanket, right?  Kallie found this darling, already-pieced fabric at Hobby Lobby and asked if I would help her put it together.  She sewed the blanket together, I got the fun part of putting the trim on.

Kallie pretended to be camera shy.  I feel it my very sisterly duty to get you a picture of the beautiful prego darling :0)

Hate to tell you Kallie, you can run, but you can't hide!

I have my ways-Wah-ha-ha-ha Ha!!!! (sinister, evil laugh)

Here is half a face :0)  We are half-way there already!!!

You should also know that I am rotten down to my very core when it comes to sibling torture.  I pride myself on the fabulous level I have achieved recently.  First piece of evidence, the underwear I had my mom steal from my sister's suitcase so I could ruffle it :0)

Yep, that is right!  I pulled out my ruffler foot and never laughed so hard :0)  Three fabulous rows of fluffy red ruffles on Kallies very favorite pair of undies!  You wish you thought of it, don't ya!?!

What else did we do while they were here?  Well, Emmalee and Chase took Little John out on the town, showing him the sights and sounds they call their own...really..there was a LOT of calling out MINE! over the past few days...but the kids really had a lot of fun together.

How cute is this little piggy!?!  I think she was actually posing for us.  She lives over at the house with all the petting zoo animals.  Since finding that yard of animals we have taken just about every toddler we know to visit.  Now Johnathon can add that to his Arizona Passport.

Grandma saved this very vital piece of
Federal property from the canal after Little John may or may not have allegedly, and ever so softly, tossed it into the canal.  FBI, give me a call and I will get you his address :0)

Our fabulous Aunt and Uncle came up from Yuma for a visit too.  We took the whole crew to someone else's neighborhood for a fabulous resort-like feel.  This community is not far from us with a huge man-made lake and tons of ducks to feed.

We dug through the cupboards for bread for the ducks.  It must have been good bread because it started disappearing before the ducks made it to our side of the lake.  

I took a picture of Johnathon throwing rocks a few days ago.  The rocks were frozen in the air, mid-throw.  Eli loved the photo so much he made me take 50 pictures of him throwing rocks into the lake until I managed a shot of his rocks frozen in time.  I do actually love the shot.  

One other place we took our visitors was our favorite Arizona Science Center.  Above is Emmalee, my little puzzle junkie, trying to put this poor guy back together.  Sadly, this 3D human puzzle was a bit more than she bargained for.

Here is Emmalee showing Johnathon how to use the pulley chairs.  You sit on them and use a pulley/rope system to pull your chair up a pole.  Emmalee loved this exhibit and wanted Johnathon to give it a try.

Johnathon hopped on and was like, "This is a lame ride!"  He didn't quite get the idea that you pull the rope and not just wait for it to pull you :0)  Good thing Uncle Scott was there to play human motor.

OH!  There is a picture of Kallie!  She was convinced to lay her pregnant self on the bed of nails for a little R&R.  Not sure it worked, but I am sure she loves this picture :0)  

Madison loves this exhibit.  The kids stand behind a screen and SOMEHOW it looks like the little beads are falling on them, filling up whatever ledge they fall on.  Tons of fun!!! 

We could not let a visit with family go by without a photo session at our favorite place.  We brought bubbles this time.  We didn't quite achieve the effect I was going for.  I wanted soft little bubbles all over the air, children smiling, all four grandkids in the shot.  Johnathon took one step into the field of wheat and ran the other way.  My kids were so distracted by the shiny, fancy bubbles that I couldn't get a clear shot of anyone's face.  Oh well!  They all had fun anyway :0) 

Johnathon took special interest in the pile of tires.  He lifted, tugged, rolled and pulled them all over the place. I had fun trying to get a picture of his face.  Apparently he is famous for showing you his backside every time you try to take a photo.  I like this shot.  He looks so deep in thought, like all 3yr olds are :0)

Oh, there is Kallie again!  That tire was actually a run-away tire trying to steam roll her flat.  Luckily she was "spared"

...get it...tires...SPARED! 

I am so funny!

We almost did it, got a picture of all the grandkids.

I still love the picture.  These are all of Minnesota Grandma's grandkids...and Kallie :0)  She really is just a big kid at heart so I guess she can be in the picture too.  That and the fact Johnathon looked like a floating head when he stood on the ground in the wheat, to quote Grandma :0)

This was a shot of the full moon that evening.  It was totally HUGE and simply amazing to see.  

Anyway, I had a great time torturing my sister and her little boy, visiting with my mom, and laughing myself soggy :0)  Next time we will go to Minnesota for the visit, but don't worry Kallie!  I won't forget my ruffler foot.  It doesn't take up much space at all in my carry-on bag :0)

Up next, I have been working very hard on the kid's bathroom.  I have repainted it and currently have a secret project under way.  I will have pictures to show you shortly...

Can you even wait!?!  I can't!!! 

Easter Cake Balls

Madison and I set out to make cake balls for Eli's class Thursday night and ended up with these.  I was going to just dip them in yellow almond bark and drizzle colored chocolate on top.  Once I the idea to make chicks popped into my head, we ran with it.  

Let me show you what I did.  It really was so fun and easy!

We made oreo cookie balls per Eli's request, rolled them tight, then dipped them into yellow almond bark.   

They were placed on wax paper lined cookie sheet while the almond bark set.

I used Wilton decorating tip no. 352, (for leaves) to make the beak and then again to make the feet. 

I made the eyes with chocolate frosting and round tip no. 3.  I used a little fuchsia luster dust to rosy the cheeks.  I would have preferred a lighter colored dust, but the fuchsia was all I had on hand.

We packed all 30 into a box and sent them off to school :0)  Love Them!!!

Halfway through dipping the chicks I thought of these bunnies and had to try them too.

We dipped the same oreo cookie balls in plain white almond bark, then used the same chocolate frosting to dot the two eyes and draw a line for the mouth.  I made a larger blop at the top of the mouth to act like glue for the nose.  The nose, by the way, is a jellybean cut in half.  I couldn't decide which way to cut them, so some bunnies have oval noses and some have noses that are more circular.

After they all had faces, I brushed the cheeks with luster dust and set them aside.  

For the ears, I used spoons and almond bark.  I thought about this for a while and tried a couple things... 

My final conclusion was that you can use either plastic or metal spoons-no plastic wrap!  Drizzle the chocolate onto the spoon to make a long, thin-ish ear shape.  Then, let sit on the counter for 15 min. or so.  The chocolate will harden enough to add the ear centers. 

The ear on the left I used almond bark tinted pink to make the center.  The ear on the right was brushed with fuchsia luster dust to color it.  You can decide which one you want to do.  I did end up brushing the pink bark with the luster dust.  I am a rather obsessed with shading things :0)

Once the centers were ready, I tossed the whole plate of spoons in the freezer to harden all the way. 

When the almond bark is hardened, it comes right off the spoons.  I dabbed a little wet almond bark on the back of the ears and attached them to the bunny heads. The bunnies hung around the edge of the cookie sheet until the ears were dry.  

How cute is my flock of bunnies!!!  We had a hard time eating them they were that cute :0)

Easter cake balls, or cookie balls I should say.  

Yumm!

It's In The House!!!

Ohhhh!  I want to cry!  It is in the house!!!

This beast of a cabinet has been in my garage for 4 months waiting to be finished.  I don't know if you remember, but the cabinet started out like this... 

I found it at Goodwill and it simply cried out, "Take Me Home and FILL me with CRAFT SUPPLIES!!!!"

I borrowed a truck, and by some miracle, got it home in one piece.   

I painted it the lovely Shrek Green during one brief spurt of energy whilst sick with the flu.  After days and weeks running away from me like wild deer, I finally set myself down in front of my dear forgotten project with a paintbrush and a dream :0)  It only took two more weeks to get up the nerve to call guys to come over and help get it in the house.  I will be making one huge batch of cookies for the 4 wonderful men that came over at 8:00 tonight to help us move it into the house.  It was an event, but those guys made it look easy.

I will show you more when the doors are on and the shelves are in (after I make the shelves, ugggh).

I am starting to really worry if all of this...

Will really fit inside!!!  Tell me it will!  My mom always said I was a miracle with a pile of luggage and a mid-sized trunk, so I think it can happen.  If not, I will have to go back to Good Will :0)

I will be back in the next while (notice the lack of time frame commitment) with finished pictures!!!

Tomorrow Bunco at my house, Wednesday, My Minnesota Mom Is COMING!!!

Wahoo!  Can't wait!