Camera Strap Cover

of sickness. Everyone is finally recovered, after a full two rounds of it cycling through the fam. UGH.
Anywho, down to business!

Here's a latest project I've completed! I've been meaning to do this, what with the summer coming and that camera strap always getting really sticky around my neck...
I got the tutorial from Make It and Love It.  The only thing I did differently was finish the ends before sewing it together so I wouldn't need to permanently sew it to my camera strap. Because I am a change-a-holic, and will probably make another one soon!

PS. When you turn and iron (if you're using minky) reduce your heat setting so the minky doesn't get all flattened. Ok! Happy Sewing!

Board and Batten Tutorial

Ok, I have to say, few years ago this would not have been my choice for style in my home. However, it's warming up to me, or I'm warming up to it, whoever warms up to whom...I'm confused.
Anyway, when we moved in, there was no "coat closet" per se so I enlisted the help of my father (aren't they great?!) and ripped out the teeny tiny closet to expand it to an "entry way mud room". The first go around, I did it on the cheap, since I thought I couldn't afford anything fancy like Board and Batten. Here's what it looked like:

In the middle was a small coat rack.

These are all build it yourself cubbys.

I took everything out, started spackling and that's when my DH came home and started whining (as he does everytime I try and change something in the house), "Wh...wh...whaaaaat? Whhhhhhhyyyyyyyy? Noooooooooo!" I said, "you're traveling this week right?" Miraculously, he stopped caring, when he knew he wouldn't have to live with the mid-construction period.

So off to Lowes to get the supplies.

- 1 1/2 primed MDF

- 3 1/4 primed MDF

- SemiGloss White Paint (I was running out, usually I have this)

-12 inch simple shelf

Already had-

-Shoe cubbys I was repurposing

-Level

-Painters tape 

-measuring tape

-finishing nails (for trim)

- (2) 2X4s for the base of cubbys

Ok, let's get started.

The top row is the 3 inch MDF, I stuck it up there, leveled it, and nailed it on. For the Battens measure, cut, measure again, level, measure again, and level again, then tape the crap out of your boards to get them to stay on the wall.

Now start driving those nails in! And if you have an air nailer, first of all I'm jealous, and secondly, you could totally do this during nap time. The pounding was NOT happening during the only bit of sanity I get throughout the day.

(P.S.-I've seen a lot of people use liquid nails for this, I didn't have any, but wasn't sure I wanted something too permanent since we aren't staying in this house forever and for some reason I'm already thinking about the next people who live here ripping this out and making fun of me behind my back...I need help.)

                                          

Next step is painting. I love painting, but I totally HATE the cleanup!

Doesn't it look all pottery barn-ish already!?

Ok the next step looks time consuming but it's really not. I had these cubbys in there before and didn't want to have to make or buy new ones. I had three all together and only needed two. So I took apart one and borrowed some boards to make these full "boxed" cubbys.

I had some extra base board left in my garage from another project, so I glued and nailed it onto one of the 2X4s. Then I took the (2) 2X4s and cut them to size, laid them on end on the floor and put wood glue on the top of them. I simply set my cubbys on top, positioned them and laid some other (sort of heavy) boards on top. This (I hope) will prevent them from "rocking" when my kids climb all over it. Cause that will happen. Trust me.

The hole in the center there, I'm not really sure what to do. I thought of an umbrella holder, and case it in at the front, but now I'm thinking of just boxing it in with extra wood. Hmm, the possibilities are endless... :)

So here is my almost finished project. All I have left is to add the hooks for coats and start loading it up with all my shoes! (I guess the families shoes can go there too...if there's room)

Now, sit back, enjoy your work and sip some vino!

At his point, you're probably wondering, "Cleo, how on earth do you have time to do all this stuff AND raise three beautiful, well rounded, uber-intellengent children!?" (you were thinking that right?

Well, I have to admit my oldest had a little "run in" with one of the cubbys while I was busy working. So it might be a sign that I absolutely don't need to accomplish a project in 24 hours.

Email me if you have questions! thehumanengineer(at)gmail(dot)com

Happy Building!

{Manic Mondays}

Do I love my kids?
yes.
Would I jump in front of a bus for them?
totally. 
would I donate my entire body and organs (even though it's old and gelatinous) to them?
no question.

Then, why, may I ask, do I want to smack the crap out of them every time I'm eating something and they ask for a bite!?
All I want is one whole meal. To myself. That's it. Is it too much to ask to pop up that bagel from the toaster and eat it in all of it's buttery glory down to the very last nibble!? I think not! Get your grubby little hands away from my food! This is mine. It has way more carbs than you are supposed to eat in a lifetime! Eat your effin healthy well balanced meal that I slaved over (before I made my own breakfast, mind you)!!
And another thing! Can I just drink my coffee in peace?! It's taken me 4 days to get through this 10 page Bed Bath and Beyond weekly circular because you keep interrupting me!!! 10 minutes! I know you can do it! All I want is 10 effing minutes.

Crap, I just spent it writing this. Well, guess it looks like another "soggy waffle scraps with some backwashed yogurt" morning for me. MMmmm. iHOP should really copy my menu.

"I Cannot Live Without My Books" -Thomas Jefferson

The other day I hopped over to Frugal Home Designs and saw THIS, I knew this would solve my book issue too! Thank you so much Fawn!!

It was so easy to pick a book last night and we put it right away when we were finished! I even caught my daughter lying in bed this morning reading by herself! She's 2! I love these! So much better than a case where you can only see the bindings.

For my next project, I think I'll try THIS

Happy Building!

Oscars Oscars Oscars

Hmmm, so who won? Literally, Because I couldn't make it until the end of the show. I'll admit, I am interested a little in celebrities. A little. It's a chance for me to live a dramatic life without all the drama. But seriously? The academy awards hit a sore spot for me. It's a bunch of self important people gathering for HOURS to applaud their self important-ness. Sure, I like movies. And yeah, I buy the occasional "soundtrack" when it's catchy, but come on. These people aren't doing anything MEANINGFUL! They get picked to do a movie because they are famous, they get to eat free shit all day while they're making the movie because they are uber-important and in order to get them to stick around, they get paid extremely well, AND still get free shit. AND! They get clothes and jewelry given to them so they can look good while their pictures are being taken and they're receiving awards for the movies they do so they can remain famous.

Meanwhile, in my cluttered home, with my dirty kids, I struggle to think up something for dinner while trying to maintain sanity. And for what? The hope of winning some sort of a mom award?

YES?

Well, in that case, I've prepared my acceptance speech.

Ahem.

"Wow, I had no idea! Wow! Thank you all so much for this opportunity! I have worked 24 hours a day 7 days a week for this dream, and it's finally happening. The sleepless nights, the many loads of laundry, the constant smell of children's vomit and poo in my home has made it all worth while.

I, first, have to thank the academy. The Academy of Mothers who voted. Even though I'm sure you all voted for yourselves, as that is what I did. I want to thank my mother and father, for raising me and giving me the knowledge of what not to do with my own children. The mail carrier who brings me that ounce of peace every day when I get a mini-vaca to the mailbox. I want to thank all the people that haven't given me scowls when I drag my children screaming through public places. Thank you to the pediatricians for keeping my babies alive, the garbage men for taking the dirty diapers away, and the 911 operator for understanding that my children play with the phone a little too much. I especially want to thank the pharmacist for continuing to refill my medication, without you, this would not have been possible!

And lastly, *if I'm not played off by this point*, I'd like to thank my husband for having sex with me those three times that were for pure mission accomplishment and not enjoyment purposes. Thank you so much!"

I think that would do. Now where's the after party?

Weekend Weather

Well, we finally had some nice weather. Beautiful, sunny weather. We had to get out for the day. So, you know what we did, we went and walked around a store. Why? I don't really know. It seemed like an ok thing to do with 3 children just before nap time. I mean doesn't that scream fun to you?

Kids and stores don't really mix for me. I'm torn. I really would love to be the mother that can take all three kids grocery shopping only to have them follow me like little ducklings and quietly observe others through each aisle. And I'm not fantasizing, either. These people exist. I see them all the time and can't help but think they might just spend the 30 minutes leading up to the trip beating their children into submission and threatening to kill puppies if they are out of line, because that is what it would take for my kids to behave. Oh, who am I kidding, they would still act up. But on the other hand, I also appreciate the fact that my children are annoying. To everyone. (Besides when they are with a sitter, then they "were perfect angels", but this is of course before they get paid so maybe...)

I almost think I'm doing a disservice to them by setting this unattainable goal of being good in the store only to yell at them and threaten every step of the way. It's like setting them up for failure. SO where is the line? Is it a certain age? A certain store? A certain time of day? Do the planets have to be aligned?

Maybe your feedback will help. Maybe I'm missing the big picture. Or maybe I'm crazy for thinking my rugrats will ever be appropriate enough for public places.

Crafts and Kids

If you're looking for someway to do crafts without feeling guilty about plopping your kids in front of the tv in order to complete them, try this!!!

I had DS#1 (4yrs) draw a picture of his favorite robot. He made a very good drawing! I was actually proud! (Ok, I'm always proud!)

Then I cut all the fabric out from flannel pieces (scraps). I picked some colors since I didn't have ALL PURPLE. (He's still learning that you can use different crayons to make one picture.)

I used fusible webbing for the different colored applique pieces and then stitched around them.

I pinned the thing together, sewed, and top stitched and attached some eyes (he picked out the buttons he wanted) and a mouth and we have a one of a kind personalized robot stuffed animal! I'd take a picture of it now, but he's playing with it in his room quietly, and I am NOT disturbing that!

ENJOY!

-Cleo