Super Cooper

I LOVE decorating for parties. I know kids' ideas of decorated is so much different from adults. If Eva had her dream party it would be a pinata and a Barbie birthday cake. So, since the decorating is really more for me (if I am honest), I always try to do it on a budget.

For Cooper's third birthday we had a Super Cooper birthday party. I was so happy to find tons of ideas on line! Including lots of FREE stuff!!

I found a free mask pattern and cape pattern on line. I made it out of felt that I found at Hobby Lobby. It was SUPER cheap. So this took a little time. But it was worth it. Even if you don't sew, you can make this too!! Since felt doesn't ravel, you don't have to sew edges...just cut it out. Then use some of that handy dandy iron on tape to attach the letter to the back. You can use velcro for the front closure.
I used a cardboard tri-fold board for the city scape. I found mine at JoAnn's and it was $4 (without a coupon). This was another idea I borrowed from someone else. I wish I would have made note of all the websites I found ideas from....but I didn't:(
There is also a few few sites with free super hero printables. I used them for cupcake toppers.
I found these super hero shirts at Old Navy. They have them in all sizes, for the whole family:)
These super hero plates and napkins were on clearance at Target. Gotta love that! I borrowed some serving dishes from a friend. Gotta love that too!:)
More free printables and, I found spider man fruit snacks at Walmart.
Coop's party was SUPER fun:)

My Boys

TOTALLY RANDOM: So I came across some pictures of my boys at around the same age... and they just happen to have the same shirt on and the same messy face.

Levi "Sutton"

Joseph "Cooper"

Sutton

Cooper

I love these little men. I look forward to the many adventures they will have together.

My Kitchen Redo....kinda

The previous home owners had painted all the cabinets a almond color...not white to match the appliances, or cream to match the trim. Instead, almond...that matches nothing.

They also put in all the new tile on the floor and back splash - neither I would have picked. Ah...the joys of buying an existing home. We knew when we moved in that one day we would hopefully "gut" the kitchen and start over. That day seems further and further away as we choose to do other home projects. It seems we always come back to "the kitchen isn't that bad".I mean, not that bad if you love the box florescent light:) But seriously, I needed something to change. This kitchen was just really bothering me. My problem was that I had cream trim, almond cabinets, busy tile and mismatched appliances that don't match anything. There was too much going on. Not to mention my green table and toile curtains. Busy, Busy.

So, with Mr. Budget stepping in to ruin my dreams of a white and airy custom kitchen with dark wood floors, I had to see what some paint could do.

Ta da....I removed the doors from the hutch and painted it black. I used all existing baskets and decor. The baskets work great for extra storage.

And...did anyone notice? I painted the tile! Yep, I painted the tile. And, I have to say I am SO much happier with it. Granted, it is no subway tile, but not bad for $10 worth of paint.

I also traded the toile curtains for some plain cream ones. The previous home owners had this cubby in the cabinets that they used for their trash can. We built this simple shelf and I now store my mixer beneath. I use the basket for bread and left over baked goods. It really helps reduce the junk on my cabinet.

And, finally I painted my table black. I loved the green, and hated to paint over it, but I was trying to unify the table and hutch. I also removed most of the decor from my walls. Simplify. Simplify. My new motto:)

I am no organizational expert. But, I can tell you, these simple changes make my kitchen look so much cleaner. I really feel like paint helped simplify my kitchen.

Be Encouraged...

This is such a different post than anything I have ever done. I am so hesitant to write it for a couple reasons... 1) it is very personal 2) I am paranoid of all those proof readers out there:) None the less...I continue to type. The Lord so encouraged me today. And, I hope to encourage you. Last night, while on a date night with another couple, Jeremy and I got to experience God's encouragement in the flesh. The couple we were on a date with complimented our chef numerous times, including telling him that God gets Glory when he prepares meals. I had to agree, this guy's food was CRAZY good. You should have seen this young man's face when our friends spoke LIFE to him. I wish you could have felt the spirit of the conversation. I guarantee when that guy has a hard day, the Lord will bring back our friend's words. It was simply....encouraging. When we see a quality in someone that God has given them, why don't we tell them? Why don't we lavish in God's goodness when we see someone walking in their giftings? Sometimes I think we need to step it up a notch or two and look for God working in the lives of others, and then tell them about it. Other times, I think we need to recognize when the Lord uses people to encourage us. This morning, the Lord showed me a situation in my own life. A few weeks ago a friend called me a writer. I have thought of it often. That simple statement "Lea is a writer." Oh, how that blessed me. Not because I think I am a good writer. Not because I want to publish a book , or write things for other people to read. Actually, I prefer no one sees what I write. But, I do like to write. It blessed me because I haven't thought of myself as a writer in years. Some how, as life got busy, that part of me got lost. The Lord has often drawn me to a pen and paper when things in life are hard, funny or encouraging. Just to write down my feelings is such a relief. It is like my own letter to My Father. And, it feels like once I write it down it is now released to be read and then cared for. Sometimes I see Him putting my letter on the fridge and laughing with me, or holding it close to His heart. Sometimes I see Him tearing it up into pieces as if saying "That situation, that hurt has been expressed and cried over and now it is..gone.healed.forgiven." I KNOW God loves it when I write. And, today I am thankful for that friend who called me a writer. Simple statements that touch so deep because it is one aspect of who God created me to be. Be encouraged friends when someone calls you a good cook, organizer, mother, or decorator. When they say you are creative, the best joke teller, resourceful. When someone compliments how talented you are at taking pictures, putting outfits together, or negotiating. Or...when someone calls you a writer. I just love it when God uses us, His children, to speak life into others' lives. Let us all, like my friends, look for ways to encourage others. God created things deep within us - let them rise to the surface to Glorify our God! ***Romans 12:1-8***

Blogging...

I know I said I wanted to Blog more this year. I did...I mean I still do. My main problem is that for the past few weeks I have forgotten the pass word to sign in to my blog. Today, it finally came to mind. I think I will write it down somewhere so that I won't forget. However, once I write it down I will probably put the paper in a "special" place. That "special" place will also be forgotten and I will once again be kept out of my own blog:) So, hang with me...you DO NOT want to miss all the misspelled words, run on sentences, and random-ness I have to offer you thru this blog:) lol

My Painted House - The Master Bedroom

Many of you know that my mom and I paint furniture as a little side business. We don't paint as many pieces as we would like because we are usually working on projects around my house:) I thought it would be fun to see how many pieces of painted furniture I have in my house. So, welcome to MY PAINTED HOUSE.

My master bedroom: 5 pieces (maybe 6 if I can talk Jeremy into letting me paint our bed)

#1- Jeremy's nightstand

#2 - My nightstand.

#3 - Our chest of drawers.

#4 - Our desk chair.

#5 - The blue china hutch.

Do you have some pieces of furniture that don't match? Just try to paint them! *** To be safe, paint them all the same color. And, I would probably paint them a "safe" color like cream, black or white. ***Any neutral color that you will be happy with for a longer time period will work. It doesn't have to be limited to those three. ***If you are like me, and prefer color in a room, I would suggest painting only one piece a fun color. This way, if you ever want to change out the colors in your room you only have to change one piece instead of re-doing the entire room:) I know it sounds simple, but it is always nice to plan ahead and see the big picture.

I LOVE My Family

Ok, so here is the deal - I love to decorate for the holidays. But, I am one of those people who need to simplify my life as much as possible. Many of you can probably relate:)

I can't get a new wreath for every holiday. Although I wish I could.

I can't have 10 different totes in my attic for each holiday. Although I wish I could.

But, I CAN still have fun decorating ,and I CAN do it for cheap,cheap, cheap.

I CAN also do it fast, fast, fast.

And the decor CAN be easy,easy, easy to clean up.

All the while...I WILL still be loving to decorate for the holidays.

Here is my LOVE tree. I plan on using it for holidays, birthdays, baby showers - or any special day:) These branches are so cute with those tissue paper pom-poms on them.

Eva made and cut out all the hearts. I just stuck a scrap book sticker on them for each family member. It took literally 5 minutes of my time to decorate, and it will take even less time to take the hearts off. Storage will be a breeze...I'll probably throw them in the trash!haha

I love my sweet hearts. Take time this Valentines Day to tell your family how much you LOVE them. God is so good!

Hello Again

Hello 2011!! As always, in the new year I try to set goals. One of my goals is to be a better blogger:) I really, really want to inspire people to love their homes.

My new blog motto is going to be "JUST TRY IT". Thinking of rearranging,painting a room or painting a piece of furniture? Just try it!!

Recently, I wanted some cool wall-paper in my entry. However, I had no cash-ol-a for wall paper. This is what my entry looked like...BORING!!!

So, my mom had a great idea. After many hours of math, measuring, and painting (and $0 because I already had black paint) here is my new entry way.

I

I think it is a lot more fun. I still need to change out my family pictures and figure out what I want on my red dresser, but otherwise I am happy with it.

I wish I could hear you so we could say it in unison..."Just try it!"

What is the worse thing that will happen if you don't like it? New nail hole in the wall? Re-paint a room? Re-paint a piece of furniture? A little extra work to move the piece of furniture back to the spot it was to begin with? Big deal. Cause if you love it the 1st, 2nd or 10th try, then you've accomplished what you set you to do - YOU LOVE IT. Or at least like it way better than you did before.