Craft-tastrophy.

Oh my goodness.  Why do Do-It-Yourself projects do this to us?  Why do they suck you in, make you believe you can, and then crush your self-confidence one mistake at a time?  I am sitting here still recovering from what was flop of a DIY day. 

I want to preface my recounting of events to say that we are down, but not out.  We are crushed, but not conquered... 

For some time, I've been trying to convince Miles that covering much of the wall space in the nursery with peg board is a great idea. 



I know, his thoughts exactly.  However, it's going to be awesome.

It is not going to just add color but also texture!  It's also going to add a unique and easy way to hang and store stuff in her room! 

Obviously, I'm pretty into the idea.  

I also fell in love with some DIY pom pom decorative lanterns, which, of course, I found on Pinterest. 

The biggest hold up in all nursery decor decisions has been that I hadn't found the bedding I wanted to use, therefore, I hadn't found what colors I was going with.  Sarina hooked me up by finding one through the Land of Nod that was just what I was looking for - color and pattern.  Here's the valance, for you to see.

So, now I knew - blue peg boards on the wall, red accents everywhere.  Naturally, I wanted to do two of the pom lanterns in red and one in orange (to go with her bedding) and hang them above the changing table/dresser for her to look at.

That tutorial is perfectly detailed!  I know exactly how to do this, and I can't wait to be able to say I did them!   Oh, here is the right fabric - light and cheap!  This is going to be fun!

And, Miles has finally started to see my vision.  He's thrown in some great ideas for the room decor, too, and suddenly we are all into it. 
 
Yesterday really solidified our excitement, when we bought the peg board and discovered a spray paint that was the exact color of the existing wall.  We then moved the guest bed into the study to really start making that room into the nursery.  We are on roll that can't be stopped. 

Spray paint - that will be perfect!  We will be able to quickly and easily cover the peg board, and we don't have to have to try to find a paint that matches, now!  I love Lowe's!  That store is great!  See how well we work together, taking the bed apart, moving it bit by bit into the study.  Oh yeah, look how nicely that bed fits in that room - desk and all!  

That's what happens.  Do-It-Yourself starts off so positive, motivating, and inspiring.  And, then today went down. Cruel, cruel crafts....

Miles has cardboard spread out in the garage, peg board laid on top, and spray paint ready to go.  He joyously goes to our new favorite store, Lowe's, to buy more spray paint (we only bought one can to test color).  He puts on his special, I don't care if I get spray paint on you, clothes. 
The wind sure is strong today, almost as strong as these fumes...and are those streaks going to stay there...is that blue paint all over my garage floor?

I set out my fabric, put on HGTV, printed an exact template for a 3" circle, and started tracing circles.
And, continued to trace circles, and began cutting circles...and never finished cutting circles.

The breakdown goes like this, though.

Miles finished the first peg board, and we intelligently decided to let it dry, check it out, and give his brain a rest from the high.  I spent about 30 minutes tracing only fifty circles, about 90 minutes cutting the only fifty circles, and about 60 minutes beginning to glue the fabric to the lantern. 

So, Miles was pretty devastated, when the color and coverage was perfect on the pegboard but it was streaky.   He can't stand things like that, and even though I really am okay with it, there is no way he is hanging it in his baby girl's room.  The floor of the garage was covered in paint, and that meant we were walking through it and into our house with it.

So, I was pretty devastated, when the collective three hours I spent on the pom pom lanterns got me about one-sixteenth of the way finished with one lantern. 

I wish I could tell Miles that craft-tastrophy gets easier to deal with the more it occurs to you, the more you have to deal with it.  But, it doesn't.  It really is so defeating every time. 

However, I really do refuse to truly be defeated.  We won't give up on the peg board project.  We are going to prime the one he did today out.  We are going to find a paint that matches and get a can.  We are going to roll it on the peg board. 

It's going to work and be fantastic!  See, not conquered.

The pom pom lanterns will probably be modified.  I'm thinking one lantern.  I don't know what I'll do with it.  I'm not joking that it's going to take me about 24 total hours to complete the one.  It's looking wonderful, and I really do wish they weren't so time consuming.  I love the look. 

My one lantern won't look awkward and alone!  See, not out. 

I'll keep you updated.  Hope you can sleep in the meantime.  I will be sleeping, because craft-tastrophies are exhausting. 

Pinterest Plans

Pinterest offers a lot of inspiration and ideas.  Most of which, as Miles loves to say, never come into fruition.

That said, I must take a moment to point out that the following things have been completed or are in the process of being completed from Pinterest.  Pinterest deserves credit, after all.  And, so do I!

One day, I made broccoli and cheese soup from scratch.  I had to make a rue.  What do you think about that!? 

Here was my soup inspiration.

Here was my soup.  It was yummy...

Britney and I collaborated on a banner project for Jaclyn's baby shower.  We are so amazing that we didn't use a tutorial or anything - just winged it!

Here was a burlap banner that inspired us.

Here is our banner creation.  What do you think?

Holiday cards make me truly happy.  I love seeing everyone's picture or sweet card.  I sometimes struggle with the display.

Here was a "why didn't I think of that before" Pinterest inspiration.

Here is a bad picture of this year's holiday card display.

 

I saw these awesome, fun, and cute magnets on Pinterest.  Then, I bought them for myself and everyone in my family!

Here was the pin from modcloth.

Here is the magnet in action.

One of my very first pins was of crackle nail polish.  And, after seeing it online, I bought it in two colors.  It is cool.  I love nail polish.

Here was the pin.

You'll have to trust me that I have this nail polish and have used it.  I have no photographic support.

I saw a pin about puppy chow, repinned the recipe, made it, and ate it all before there could be any pictures or sharing.

Here is the puppy chow from Pinterest.

Salty and sweet is divine.  These chocolate covered peanut-butter pretzel balls have a horrible name, but were introduced to me on Pinterest and eaten at home.  I did share this time, though, I promise.

Here is the pin of finished product.

Here is a picture of the ball making process.  That's the only picture I have. 

We are using fruit kabobs at Jaclyn's baby shower, too.  But, I have to admit, that this is one I'd done before seeing it here.  It wasn't inspired by Pinterest, but it is a good picture of them in a rainbow shape.  And, that is fancy!

Here is the rainbow kabob pin.

Here are just a few of the other things that I WILL be doing, inspired by Pinterest pins. 

Traveling without having my jewelry tied in knots.

Putting pegborad up in baby girl's room.

Having a unique and fun baby boy shower for Sarina.

Spray painting mess free.

Making an adorable birth announcement.

Wrapping my headphones with a friendship bracelet, so they'll stop being tangled.

Learning to make bows and headbands.

I could go on and on because I DO pin a lot more than I have yet to create.  However, when I have the time or inclination, I'll know where to find my inspiration!

Saturday Stars

This afternoon we headed to Dallas for the Stars game!  We both enjoy hockey and have been to a few games during previous seasons, but it is not one of the sports Miles must watch religiously (for that list, just think of any other sport).

I was very impressed with the players' stamina and energy.  I had forgotten that the players never stop moving in hockey.

We got kicked in the head and had toys thrown at us a few times.  I don't think it was personal.

We spotted the recently hung banner for the Mavericks 2011 NBA Championship.  

And, the Stars won 4-1!

DONOT EAT DONUTS

I would like to address one resolution that I have for 2012.  It's more like a self-ordered mandate.

STOP GETTING DONUTS ON YOUR WAY TO WORK!!

I am not going to sugar-glaze it.
I am not going to sprinkle the truth with bits of sweetness.
I am not going to cover the facts in chocolate.
I am not going to leave a hole in the middle of the story.

My name is Michelle, and I am a donut-holic.

Before you ask, no this is not something that began with pregnancy cravings or is cute in any, "Oh, you have to get a donut sometimes," type of way.  This is a for real problem. 

It all began my junior year of high school...  I took a dual credit class at TCC in high school.  Between that morning class and my 2nd block I had enough time for breakfast.  My other TCC classmates and I would head to M Donuts off of Matlock, stuff our faces with donuts, and then go on with the day.  It wasn't a problem at this point in my life because I was in high-school, played tennis for four hours a day, and was in high school.

To emphasize how often I got donuts, though, let me just make a side note to tell you that I once went back to this donut shop in college, while home for a break.  After placing what had been my standard order, she looked up and said, "I didn't recognize you, because you are wearing a different perfume."  She knew my smell, people. 

So, throughout college, I just missed breakfast.  Completely.  I was never awake for breakfast.  And, that did help.  However, there was a place called Kolache Rolf's that was open all day with fresh kolaches.  They were like crack, too.  But, it was nothing compared to my donuts. 

After beginning work at my current donut school, I mean middle school (see, it's an obsession), it quickly came to my attention that there was a donut shop on the way.  Now, I have regressed right back into high school donut-eating mode and frequent Sublett Donuts.  However, now I am not in high school, with a high school heart or body.  Now, I am not playing tennis for four hours after school.  In fact, yesterday, I fell asleep on the couch after school.  Now, my metabolism hates me.  So, it's, now, a problem.  See what I'm saying!?

My husband found me out, unexpectedly, a while back...  One morning, Miles and I were on our way to his parents' house, which is close to my work and my donut shop.  I casually suggested that the place was good and that we should stop in.  As soon as we walk through the door, the woman asks, "Teacher, why you here on Saturday? This your husband? The usual?"  I flushed and placed our order.  Miles didn't say anything, but we got into the car to leave and he just looked at me, "The usual, huh?"

For a long time my donut problem has been something I sat on, like a deep, dark secret.  But, I am outing myself to the blogging public in hopes that it might help me achieve my goal, to meet my resolution. 

Because, well you see, this morning, on the third day of the new year, I was halfway to work when I saw my cleaners bag full of clothes that I really need back by this afternoon.  And, there is a same-day cleaners right next to....you guessed it - the donut shop! 

I am not going to sugar-glaze it.
I am not going to sprinkle the truth with bits of sweetness.
I am not going to cover the facts in chocolate.
I am not going to leave a hole in the middle of the story.

My name is Michelle, and I am a donut-holic.

Wrapping it Up

It is making me feel anxious and guilty that I haven't posted since the beginning of December!  Not that my readers particularly mind, but I am kind of weird about certain things.  With today being the last of the year, I feel like I'd be ending 2011 without all of my ducks in a row.  And, as people who speak to me daily know, I am trying to line things up and get organized before - all of the sudden - I'm a mom, it's 2023, I'm a grandmother, Miles is retiring, etc. etc.!  I sometimes worry about the future, is what I'm saying, y'all.

Tomorrow marks a new year, and I definitely have some goals for this year (please see aforementioned worries concerning future), but let me back up and tell you about our super-busy, fun, and festive December, for now.  I will try to keep it brief, but not really, because we did a TON OF STUFF. 

December 3rd was my niece, Scarlett Jane's, 5th birthday!  I can't believe she's five. 

December 8th was Bennie Rue's 60th birthday.  We celebrated with a special surprise party!

December 10th we went to a wedding in Dallas.  It was for Katie, Miles' childhood friend and my college buddy.

December 12th was Joanie's birthday.  I didn't get to spend it with her, since for some reason it's not a national holiday and work called.  But, my mom was there.  Read about it and see her cute pictures, here! 

December 12-16th was my last week of work before a two-week break.  I was pretty tired from the three weeks back since Thanksgiving break.  So, that worked out well!  I worked hard and didn't bring home any school-work for the break, but I brought home about forty pounds of food/gifts from my sweet students.

December 16th we went out for a fancy dinner at Mercury Chop House with a friend from college and his wife, Dev and Anna.  It was great to see them, since we don't get together nearly enough!  I need to get Anna to send the one picture we took...

December 17th marked my getting the new family car we've been needing, and we attended the Grand Prairie Lights. It was crowded but cool.

December 18th was a great day spent with two of my best friends, Britney and Emily.  Britney and I met Em in Grapevine to walk and shop on the adorably festive Main Street!  I needed this girls' day badly, and we had a wonderful time shopping and catching up.  We were supposed to take a picture in front of the big tree, but we got caught up with our good time.

December 19th I had a doctor's appointment with the sonographer.  He checked all of baby girl's organs, measurements, etc. to see that all was well.  All was well! Yea!

December 21st was Miles' work holiday party!  I got to put faces to names I hear a lot, so it was a great time.  Here's the only picture - with my awesome pink toilet in the background.  I was trying to see if I looked pregnant or just fat. 

December 23rd was spent registering for baby gear with my dear sister.  I owe her for life for making an overwhelming experience easy breezy!    Miles & I also went to see Jacob and their girls at my parents and visited his grandmother at his parents.

December 24th was Christmas Eve.  We celebrate with my side of the family on Christmas Eve.  We had a wonderful time!  Seeing the kids enjoying Christmas and each other is the best.  That evening we went to the Jenkins to be with the rest of the family.  There were more cute kids there!  Also, it was my cousin Joe's birthday.  Celebrations, galore!

December 25th was, of course, Christmas Day.  We spent the day with Miles' side of the family, and it was extra special this year with his grandmother joining the festivities.

December 28th was my smiley niece, Lucy's, 1st birthday! I have no idea how she is already one year old, or how she is only one year old, since it feels like she's been a part of my life forever.  I stole this picture from my sister's blog because it was so adorable.  Here is the link to more from her day. 

This past week, there has also been a bit more family time, some time with friends, some time working on baby stuff, a lot of time spent on house duties, and, in general, just utilizing the time I have to get these things in.  

In many ways, my December reflects this past year of my life.  It was crazy busy and full of people I love.  I wouldn't have it any other way!

I hope 2012 is as blessed and fantastic as 2011.

Meant to Be...

When I see Miles on his hands and knees searching for the perfect gray, stuffed kitten, I know our having a girl was meant to be. 

If he's willing to delve into the debauchery that is Toys R' Us for my sweet niece, he'll probably do anything for our baby girl. 

Just saying...makes me happy. :)