Easy Artwork for a Little Ladies Room

I told myself that this year I would kick butt on writing posts.  At least three a week, if not more.  I am officially breaking my resolution on January 10th.  I am that person.  Life happens, I won't make excuses, although we have valid ones.  Mainly, I haven't really done much lately.  A mermaid birthday and Christmas in the same month have wore me out.  I put my sewing machine away for the party and haven't taken it out yet.  

Today I have a simple art project that I whipped up in, oh, five minutes for Little Misses room.  

All you need is a small canvas (got mine at Michael's as a two pack and with a 50% off coupon it was only 3.50), a cute-shaped hole punch (also at Michael's in the dollar bins), a ruler, and those wonderful paint color cards that when you swipe them you feel as if you are stealing and look around to make sure the workers are not watching you as you stuff them in your bag.  Or make your kid swipe them as I did.  And a pencil and some glue.

The most time consuming thing about this project is punching out the shapes you want.  I only had the little tiny butterfly punch on hand so that is what I used.  I decided instead of lots of colorful shapes to do an ombre effect.  I used a color swatch card that has the three different colors on it for mine.  I only needed four cards total so in hindsight, the 50 plus cards I swiped made Little Miss swipe, were not needed, but I'm sure I can find a good use for them sooner or later.

Using your ruler, mark out where you want each shape.  Or if you are a boss, you can just eyeball it.  I'm not that good....yet.  I will be a boss one day. Then just glue your shapes down.  Ta-da! Told you it took about five minutes.  I honestly thought my punch was ten times bigger than this, but Little Miss thinks it's cool and thats all that matters.  

I'm working up my nerve to post pictures of what my house actually looks like (even though most readers are my family and they know already) because I'm trying really hard this year to not compare myself to others, and to covet what they have.  So I want to be realistic for you guys, because the majority of America is not rich, does not have a perfect house, and most likely the way the economy is, never will.  So I vow this year to be realistic and show how "normal" awesome people like me live and try to make their house a home (you know, what I set out to do in the first place here).  So this weekend I will be psyching myself up to post those horrendous photos.  Watch out!!  

Y'all have a great weekend!

xo Stacie

 

This is four

                          

It's startling really how much my daughter reminds me of myself. I have to stop myself sometimes to remember that she is one giant sponge, soaking up my every movement and expelling it right back at me. I remind myself daily that she is little.  

                                 

Today. Today that little girl turns four. She doesn't notice the years flying by, the milestones she's passing with flying colors, the gray hairs she's giving her father and me. No, that little sponge is just soaking up her world. Content to play quietly with her barbies, or terrorize her little brother (who at almost two still doesn't talk and thus can't tell her that he's annoyed). She has a fierce yearning to soak EVERYTHING in, wanting to know why, how, when. 

                

Four has snuck up on me. When that little girl was placed in my arms the very first time, four seemed like twenty.  I felt as though we would never make it to four. 

Moms would tell you four was the golden age. The terrible twos a thing of nightmares, the sassy-ness of three? You drank that attitude under the table. Four was the goal you dreamed about as you pulled your hair out.  But we made it. Four. Finally. 

 It's hard to look back at the past without a smile on my face. Sure, those days that she drove me to drink (not really but damn close) are there. Boy are they there.  But for every tantrum, sassy remark, or complete disregard for anything that came out of my mouth, that beautiful curly haired girl had a smile, a hug, or a remark so far off the wall I almost peed my pants laughing. She makes every bad day disappear with just one silly gesture or kiss. 

I know the attitude is far from gone, she's my daughter after all. I will struggle tooth and nail with this strong headed girl. But I'm grateful for the opportunity. I want her to be strong willed, determined, and passionate.  I want her to make herself heard, just not in that screeching tone she likes to use right now.  I can already see the woman she will one day grow into. She has a distinct personality. Sitting in her room surrounded by books one minute, the next? She's acting out The Little Mermaid, every one of the characters, all her. And her imagination? Puts mine to shame, and I'm pretty proud of that aspect of myself. 

The past four years have flown by in a blur to me. I won't get all sappy on you and say, cherish it while you can, but seriously. Do that. She's four. Four!! 

We had ourselves a little photo shoot to capture the moment, in the cold.  She was bribed with not one, but two pieces of candy.  She was a champ, and I am sadly still an amateur.

Four is a new adventure here. An adventure I for one can't wait to embark on. First things first though, a cupcake for breakfast. You only turn four once right?