Happy.

Every summer, I create THE LIST.  It's quite lengthy.  Highly detailed.  And goes mostly untouched.  I should probably stop creating such a idealistic masterpiece of plans ... since at the mid-point of summer ... a mere five of the ninety-five items has been tackled ... but a girl has to dream big, right?

The first project ... I can take no credit for.  One morning, Ben asked me if I'd like him to start painting the downstairs.  Um.  YES!  Rid our home of peach colored walls forever??  A girl would never turn that down.  So ... the next MANY days, Ben filled his spare time with painting ceilings (yes, those were peach too) and walls.  Lots and lots of walls.  

Naturally, with him painting, I started rearranging furniture.  And in turn, actually added a project to my list.  I needed a huge canvas to cover a wall going into the boy's bedroom.  I had just seen this done by my sweet friend.  I called her up, got the details, and got to work.  Only problem, I did most everything she did .... differently.  Different canvas.  Different paint.  And the result ... disaster.  (Perhaps I should have listened a bit better instead of blazing my own trail??!!!)  HOURS spent and it looked like something a kindergarten student might have created.  It was not pretty.  (Ben told me it wasn't a complete train wreck ... but trust me, he was being nice!)

So ... I darted off to IKEA the next morning because once I've created a disaster, my brain can think of nothing else but to discover a remedy.  And after picking up a few pieces of fabric .... printing out some letters ... and spending a bit of time with my most favorite sewing machine ... 

I am most "happy" with the results.  Some day, I'll post pictures of the finished hallway.  Complete with a chalkboard and bench that I might have attempted to decoupage on our kitchen table while watching a crazy show about Irish traveler weddings ... but we're waiting for some chair rail and a bit more paint.  (Translation ... it may be awhile!)

Next up ... I saw an ABC pillow about a year ago with a price tag of $100.  In true Carrie form, I pronounced that I could do that for WAY less.  And while I did create it for way less ... after sewing every single TINY little letter onto that piece of linen ... I think the gal selling these should request $200 minimum.  LOVE the result ... but it took FOREVER!

(See the peach in this picture ... lovely, huh?!!  There are still three little walls awaiting their transformation). 

And since Thing Three ... is no longer doing this .... 

But is walking and talking NON-STOP, ALL DAY LONG!

 My "list time" has been severely depleted.  Perhaps next year, I'll start with only a few items on my list?  Or ... I'll just teach Thing Three how to help???!!!