20 Projects in 20 Weeks

Yesterday marked the 20 week milestone in my pregnancy with baby number two. I started to realize just how many things I still want to get done before I get close to that 40 week mark… and so, I’ve started the 20 projects in 20 weeks board on Pinterest. Check it out here.

I think this week I’m going to focus on organizing my photos so I can finally put together a family yearbook, starting the year that Emily was born, 2010. Hopefully by the end of the week I’ll be able to check something off my list.

The list, in no particular order:

1. Make a family yearbook
2. Make roman shades for Emily’s room
3. Make a kite bow organizer
4. Make a bean bag pouf
5. Make yarn letters
6. Hang artwork in Emily’s new room
7. Deep clean the carpets
8. Make a few baby-to-go bags
9. Paint and glaze old dresser
10. Finish the quilt for Emily’s new room
11. Make a leah tunic for Emily
12. Dye easter eggs with Emily using koolaid
13. Organize recipes/menu planner
14. Make a paper lantern hot air balloon for the nursery
15. Organize Emily’s closet
16. Make laundry soap
17. Make a burlap banner
18. Make homemade sidewalk chalk
19. Make a gallery art wall
20. Make birthday invitations for Emily’s birthday

My Favorites | Children Inspire Design

Another free printable from Children Inspire Design. This one is adorable, and would fit in so well with the decor in Emmy’s big girl room (yet to be assembled).

Download it here. And check out the Children Inspire Design blog for more fun freebies.

My Favorites | Rachael Ray on Zulily

I usually don’t post about random stuff like this, but I’m too excited not to share. Rachael Ray’s culinary tools are on sale over at Zulily!

(Oh, by the way, I’m back. Hi.)

Anyway, I have a 6-piece set of cutlery from Rachael’s line, and absolutely love them! Aside from the fact that one of them broke while I was cutting frozen back (yep, that seriously happened), I’ve been incredibly happy with them.

So if you’re as crazy about these awesome cooking tools as I am, get your booty over to Zulily and check it out… right here. I’m eyeing up the Red Square Baker, and the Red Kitchen Tool Set. I’m more of a red kind of girl, over orange. Sorry Rach!

My Favorites | DIY Gift Bags

There hasn’t been a ton of crafting or baking being done around the house lately… I blame it on the holiday season – filled with parties, dishes to pass, last minute gifts and carrying on with the day-to-day things. I have a whole list of things I want to get done before Christmas, one being these awesome DIY gift bags from Hello Sandwich. I’m loving the simple look of these, and with all the leftover paper I have, I think I could crank a few out without spending a dime!

My Favorites | Free Advent Calendar Printables

I’m loving this easy DIY advent calendar iron on, spotted over at Oh Happy Day.

Are you making an advent calendar this year?

DIY | Play Table

Finally I have this set finished and in its proper home. It only took me, oh 2 months, no biggie. I found out, while refinishing these pieces, that they came from Crate & Barrel originally, even though I ended up acquiring them at the Salvation Army. My $16 find proved to be a strudy, well-made set, so I was super happy about that.

Nothing fancy for the re-finishing process, just lightly sanded with my electric sander to roughen up the original finish, then primed and painted with a standard interior latex paint. Awhile back I had one of my pottery barn frames (the light ivory) color matched at lowes, so I just used some of that paint to cover the legs of the table and the chairs. Then after it was dry I painted on one thin coat of poly in satin finish, so it at least has a chance against all the wear and tear its about to endure. The top was painted with at least 3-4 thin coats of chalkboard paint.

The table has a hole in the middle, and came with a canvas insert and lid, probably to put crayons and other art supplies in there. However, it was a little chintzy, so I’m planning on replacing it with a stainless bowl or something similar.

Now the table and chairs lives in the playroom downstairs, which has been quite a hit with Emmy. She loves to draw with chalk on the table top, and sit up at the table like a big girl.

Here’s the after:

My Favorites | Halloween Printables

Halloween is right around the corner… what happened to the month of October?! I’m planning on dressing Emmy up this weekend to deliver some homemade treats to some of our neighbors before Halloween actually arrives.

I don’t have time to design my own Halloween tags, but I did find some adorable free downloadable ones at The Handmade Home. Check them out, and while you’re over there, check out the other freebies. Lots of good ones!

My Favorites | Homemaking for the modern mama

Have you seen all the recent posts over at the Sleepy Time Gal about earth-friendly and budget-friendly homemaking ideas? No? Well what are you waiting for, go check it out!

I am loving all of Nicole’s fantastic tutorials, it’s really made my week. This weekend I’m going to try my hand at the homemade laundry detergent, and the cleaning station. Absolute genius!

Images courtesy of the Sleepy Time Gal

My Favorites | Easy Canvas Prints

Ever since we had Emily’s 1st birthday photo shoot, I’ve been dying to use the images somewhere around the house. I didn’t want to go overboard, but I did want to show off the only professional photos we had as a family. Enter: Easy Canvas Prints.

I’m always a little hesitant when I buy something as significant as a large format print, without seeing it in person first. Will it be pixelated? Will the colors be right? Will the canvas texture muddle my image? But after my experience with Easy Canvas Prints, I will definitely be returning for more of my photos to canvas projects.

My experience was wonderful; the site is easy to use, the options are endless, and the prices are right. My favorite part is that you have instant artwork, no worries about changing out a frame in a few years, and it can go virtually anywhere (in the office, on our photo gallery wall, on the ledge).

For now, our little family portrait is sitting on an antique ledge in my entryway/stairwell, right next to our DIY chalkboard that lists all our fun fall family tasks. It’s perfect.

New Items | Sage Street Market

Just an update, I’ve started to add a few extra-fun items to my etsy shop… one being these adorable little scrap banners. Take a look at Sage Street Market!