I have a problem.
I can’t let go of sentimental things. Items that have a story. It may be like hoarding to hold onto them, but I like to think of it as a repurpose-ing gift. Can you relate?
My boys received these little wood chairs from their uncle, after he did a trip to Africa. I love that he found them for my boys and brought them clear across the sea on a plane just for them. So thoughtful.
My boys don’t really fit in them now, but I could not stand to take them to Goodwill. As I sat staring at them, I was inspired to try to make shelves!
They are made from strong wood and the carvings on them are simply gorgeous. What a perfect solution, if I could only pull it off. In hopes to not ruin the chairs completely, I roped in my handy husband. I stood by for mental laughs, smiles, and to document the experience.
He started by cutting the seat with my Ryobi miter saw, so just about two inches still stuck out on the back side.
He used some small scrap pieces of wood to help stabilize the seat from not moving. He used wood glue and screws to keep it all intact.
This next part was just genius. He used a 1/2″ drill bit to carve out three little slots in the top of a little piece of wood that he screwed to the wall. He then screwed three little screws into the back of another piece of wood that he attached to my new shelf. These three screws sunk into the drilled out holes on the wall. This technique created a sturdy, strong attachment of my shelves to the wall. It does not shake at all. Perfect!
It was a quick project, and I love how it came together. Every once in a while one of my crazy ideas works out.
I love the new shelves. They were the perfect addition to that little narrow wall in between the corner and the window.
This is going to be our foster care bedroom. I can’t wait to show you more of it soon!
Do you have any little chairs that would make cute shelves? Or better yet, do you have any sentimental things that you too are trying to repurpose or save before they hit the donate pile!?
Just use your imagination! I’m sure there is a way to repurpose that item!
When I started dreaming of how I wanted to create my Reagan’s new bedroom, I knew I wanted lots of color, texture, patterns, and fun. I pictured fun color with pops of natural elements and black and white contrasts thrown in. What I did not take in account was my daughter having an opinion, and she had one.
It was really bright. I had to try to envision the end result. I kept thinking this seems like a nursery for a pink ballet themed room. I just kept playing in my head “I love my daughter, I really love my daughter” as I painted every stroke. I fought that picture in my head with what I knew the end result could be.
I was so excited when I saw that Royal Design Studio Stencils had so many fun, girly stencils. I fell in love with the 
This stencil was so simple in the fact that I did not worry about it looking slanted when I stood back. Based on the pattern there was no fear of my stencil going crooked. What was a little more tricky was lining up the stencils, and that was only because the connecting pieces (petals) were smaller.
I decided to use gold as the accent color for this stencil because it’s fun and also subtle. I wanted the wall to ultimately look purple but also fun and a true accent wall. The stencil created that look!
The process wasn’t fast enough for this sweet, exited girl.
I love how this room can grow with her. It’s so fun now, but it can also last for years. I joke with her now about trading rooms. What I love most though, is she loves it as much as me. She calls her wall her golden flowers.
As I painted this room, I realized I really didn’t want to spend the paint or time to paint her closet. It was a clean light gray. It looked fine and was in good shape. There was really no need to paint it except that it would have this harsh line that might look like I took the lazy way out in not painting it, whenever the closet doors were open.
By doing this technique the wall looks intentional (not like a lazy mom), and it’s also a fun element all on its own! I really love it, and now I want to go back and do the same thing in my boys’ bedroom.
What do you think of all the color and splashes of fun? Does it make your heart go pitter patter as well?
Spring is finally showing its beautiful self in Indiana. We’ve had trouble getting all our school work done because WE. JUST. WANT. TO. BE. OUTSIDE.
I then did a quick stitch with my sewing machine, but I left an opening at the base of my bunny. If you don’t have a sewing machine, you could do a simple blanket stitch by hand like I did on this 
Next, I stuffed the bunnies with some 
I decided to not try to stick the stuffed bunny back into my sewing machine, but I instead used some embroidery floss and hand stitched the bunnies close.
The final step was to hot glue a little felt ball onto the bottom to act as a tail. I toyed with sewing buttons on or embroidering a face on the front of the bunny. In the end, I decided I liked the simple look. You could also paint faces on your bunny or even give them away plain, and let your kids decorate them!
Has spring sprung where you are? I have heard we might get another snow storm and aren’t in the clear of cold temps yet, but for now, we are loving the sunshine! I hope you too are being able to get outside, create, and imagine the possibilities!
I love the moment though where I can head off the tears and need for super glue and convince them to “battle” with their minds thinking creatively through a strategic game.
The game is simple. Each player gets a set of cards (characters) and takes turns placing one at a time on the board. Each card has certain strengths and by how you place the card on the board determines if your character is stronger than the one you are battling. If you win the battle (you know by little arrows on the cards), you get to flip your opponents card over and that character has joined your team! The player with the most cards on the board once it is full, wins!
The instructions were so quick to read and grasp. My boys are 6 and 8 and after two rounds of assisting, they were off and playing all by themselves. It looked so fun though, I joined in for a few rounds. No joke, my kids have played lots since and even started battling their dad.
How fun that it comes with cereal!? Participating ![Poly-fil](<script%20type="text/javascript" src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=spoonofimagi-20&linkId=MAT53QBH6ZAM6DEB"> </script> <noscript> <img src="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/img/noscript.gif?tag=spoonofimagi-20&linkId=MAT53QBH6ZAM6DEB" alt="" /> </noscript>){kind=link}