Nothing important . . .

I'm just sure you're tired of looking at that prego picture of me in the last post! I sure am.

Everyone will be happy to know - that I've started painting again. I was going to take a couple of weeks off, but I just can't. It's driving me nuts! I've got so much that I need to accomplish around this joint and "not painting" is NOT one of them! So, let the juggling act begin - I function better with what most people would consider "too much" going on! I'm just better with my time management when my plate is "full" - okay, "full" is not the best word for right now. I would say "over-loaded" is better - hehe!!

With spring around the corner, I've started picking out paint colors for some of the rooms in the house {yeah - Lonnie is going to kill me} - but I like a fresh coat of paint on some walls this time of year and he knows it! After moving in the new house, I've been contemplating what rooms will be first. The bathrooms are really driving me crazy - they have NO PERSONALITY!! So, I think I will tackle 2 of them in the up-coming weeks.

Just pile that up on my plate!

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful . . .

HA!!!! I'm soooo kidding! It's more like YIKES!!


Who is that "big"girl?? So, this is me the morning of - it was about 5:15 in the morning - so ignore the "no make-up, barely fixed hair" look that I was going for! I did have a shower, shaved my legs, deo was on and my teeth were brushed.

Now, about 2 and a half hours later - we got this . . .

Emsley Grace Wheeler
7 lbs 3 oz
19 inches

And I am soooo glad it is all over!! Lonnie got sick that morning about the time we left for the hospital - oh, you heard right. Literally in the middle of the c-section, he had to go to the bathroom!! Needless to say, he didn't hang around long at the hospital. He saw Emsley and hit the road. I didn't want him there contaminating everybody - ESPECIALLY me or Emsley! He felt really bad - but who cares, I told him that he had the rest of his life to look at her!

Anxiety kicked in high gear the 45 minutes in between my IV and the surgery. I was in the room by myself {except for sleeping Lonnie} and I had some crazy thoughts going through my head as to how I could "bust up outta there" - I really was contemplating yanking the IV out and beat feetin' it out of the hospital! I was starting to get the shakes and I couldn't get my legs or feet to stop moving! Finally, a nurse came back in the room to talk and I had to ask her stay in the room with me - she didn't ask why, but with way I was twitchin' around, I'm sure she knew {or she thought I had tourettes!} I seriously couldn't control myself!

OR - when the surgery was over they put the stupid blood pressure cup on my arm and every so many seconds it checked my BP. They also wrapped these retarded vinyl things around my legs that inflated and de-flated constantly - to keep my circulation flowing - well, everytime one of these would inflate - I would start to burn up - literal hot flash! I felt like I was going to suffocate - Yes, for all those who personally know me - this is where Hudson gets it from!! AND everytime I got hot, I would want to puke!! NOW, let me tell you that I never throw up - I might get sick to my stomach, but I've always been able to control my stomach. WELL THIS TIME - no way Jose - the last time that blood pressure cup inflated - my blood pressure started to rise, the heat in my body rose and the few ice chips I ate rose as well!!! I felt bad they had to clean it up - but I asked them to take that crap off me - actually, I BEGGED them to - so that is what they get!

Needless to say, I'm not a good patient - never claimed to be. I think that is why they let me leave the hospital sooo early. Really, the ordeal was not bad at all. This c-section was so much easier and I was up and walking about just a few hours after the surgery! And when I say walking, I mean I was doing more than shuffling - walking, bending, reaching, etc.

But, I'm sooo glad to be home. Even though my house was slightly trashed, there wasn't very much to eat in the house and my kids have forgotten any kinda rules they knew before! But who cares, home at last!!

I'm back . . .

I was discharged this morning!!! I know, only a 2 day stay at the hospital {after a c-section} is an amazingly quick stay - this experience was MUCH better than the last one and I'm feeling great! I didn't even have to ask to go home early {my doctor must be a mind reader!} Stay tuned for some pictures!

Last post for a few days . . . .

Well, it's one in the morning - can't sleep for some reason!! And I probably won't even try. I have 4 hours before I'm to be at the hospital and another 2 and a half before they cut me open!!! Nothing like being cut open first thing on a Monday morning! I hope my doctor didn't party too hard this weekend - ha!

I'm actually very calm and ready. It has sunk in and now I just wait. Like I've said before, this is like a blind date - Only you know the end result will be a "happily ever after"!!

The best part - no more FREAKIN' heart burn!!!

For all those curious, please visit the family blog - Lonnie will post pictures and all the information. I'm pretty confident that all will go well and I'll be back to blog soon - I hope everyone has a fan-tab-u-lous week!!

the "ROOM"

Before we get started, I will point out there is not any "stuff" about - and I do love "stuff" - you know, all the "stuff" you move around when you have to dust? Well, trust me - I have plenty, I just haven't really gotten it all out and set it about! I think I will stop here until I get back home. I still have some things to do and the "stuff" really can wait. I'm sure you will get a peak at that later.

So, here we go - let me give you guys a tour of Emsley's room.

Check out the window treatments - yes I did get them complete!! It took me much longer to iron those jokers than to actually make the pinch pleat part! I really hate the fact they are not lined, but I can do that later. That really isn't a big deal at the moment. My great-grandmother's rocker will go in front of the window {maybe} when I get it back!

Or the rocker will go to the right {under the day gowns - maybe.} Another view of the dresser. The rocker and a night stand are the same "honey" color - I hate I don't have them in the picture so that you can see it all together. The stain of the wood really works well with the fabric in the curtains.

Just a small view of the chest and bed. The lamp shades on the crystal lamps aren't finished yet - they are way to "baby pink" I need to mute them down a little. But I'm waiting till I figure out what her paintings {yes, I'm doing 2} will look like!

A better view of the bed with the bedding! Check out the "furry" stuff on the bumper. It actually looks cool in person {not so much like a muppet!}

So, check out that paint job on the bed - Spray Paint - can you believe it!?!? If anyone is taking on a project like this - I advise spray paint!!!! Do you guys remember what this thing looked like before??? Really, do you? Go back to this post and you can really remember!!! Over all, I'm so happy with the way it turned out. I've got to put some plants in here - I love plants!! Live plants!!

The room is basically complete . . .

I'm talking about the nursery!! I will post pictures tomorrow. The only major thing left is the rocker . . . . Lonnie just dropped it off to be re-upholstered {TODAY!!} Oops - I'm a little behind on that!! Poor Gran Olie's rocker & ottoman have been redone 4 times {that I know of} and this is the 2nd time I've done it! Surely she won't mind.

Other than that, everything is ready for Emsley Grace! Okay, except me!! I've still got so much more to do . . .

pack my bag
pack her a bag
laundry
clean my house {somewhat}
ship off some paintings
complete a couple of paintings
spend some MAJOR quality time with my kids and husband
blah, blah, blah . . .

you get the picture! I thought I was being wise by cutting all my nails really short {I have a bad habit of picking at them during a time like this} - So now, not only did I cut them short, I've picked them till nothing is left!!! They are so far in the quick, it's ridiculous!! I've also been chewing on my lower lip {for 2 stinkin' weeks} - it now looks like meat loaf! Funny part - I don't think I feel overwhelmed - - - YET! Just wait till tomorrow!

Well, 1 day and 9 hours to go . . . .

Some better pictures of completed art . . .

Sorry guys, no crib picture yet!! We ran into a slight problem when we started putting it back together. Nothing major - we painted some metal parts white and they really need to be pink. The white was just really toooo white - if you know what I mean. It was bad enough that even Lonnie agreed knowing that it was going to make MORE work for him! We only have 3 days till lil' miss is here - so he has to finish it soon!!

But anyhoodle, I promised some pictures of completed art, so here ya' go! Now, a couple of these you already had a glimpse of - but these are just better pictures.

side view!

I'm really lovin' these flowers!! Just haven't gotten enough of them!

Pink + White + Brown = delish!!
Doesn't this one remind you of neapolitan ice cream?

So, I haven't done a painting with the stitched ribbon in for-evah!!! But I got this order and another one {it is a full namer on 12 x24 canvas} within a couple of days of each other!! I love the ribbon on a few of the dots - that was my first real "original - creative" moment when I started painting!

Just to let you all know, I have 2 more paintings to complete from the classic collection {Rachel and Shannon} and one small 8x8 essential collection {Rachel} and then I will be off having a baby. I ended up getting several more orders since these 3 {and you all know who you are!!} I've started on all of the backgrounds, but the rest will be on hold for a couple of weeks and then I'LL GET RIGHT BACK ON IT!! I promise!!

I hope everyone is having a great GOOD FRIDAY!!!

Whoohoo!!!!!

As of 11:30 pm, I finally **finished** my TAXES!!!!!!!! Time to cel-e-brate! One of many things that I can mark off my "accomplished-before-I-have-this-baby" list!!!

Stay tuned - tomorrow's post should be a picture of Emsley's crib!!! OH YEAH!! {Now, I did say "should" - it all depends on Lonnie - who has had some kind of stomach bug today!}

And I got a couple of paintings that should be complete {again, I did say "should!!"} so, I will post their pictures!

deeply committed - often flawed - mother of four . . .

That is the title of the editor's note in our local "Rutherford Parent" magazine. It's just a free magazine that is in every doctor's office across the county and I always pick one up because of all the "stuff" you find in them. When I was reading Mrs. Susan Day Swindell's "note" it really hit me.

Before kids, I was a slight perfectionist and I was really bad about expecting things to go "my way." Now, I knew that once kids came into the picture, "my picture," that would all change. And I was completely okay with that. I still didn't know if I wanted to be a "stay-at-home" kinda mom - that might explain why I couldn't tell my boss that I wasn't coming back to work {Hudson was 13 months old before I told him!} ha - God, bless his soul, but I think he knew before I did that I wasn't coming back. But as I read this article, it really explained so much of my feelings as a mother. At the end, she said-

Raising kids is sloppy. It is one, fast, bumpy ride in a messy car. It's a life filled with spills, drills, miscommunication, tummy aches and activities that never seem to end. It is time away from YOU. But it IS you.

For too long I have wrestled with how to manage everything without losing my wits and with grace and fortitude. I've tried to be a straight line when life, in fact, is a scrawl. And because I'm in it for the long run, and because I love my family, I suppose I just have to accept that love is in fact, one huge, gigantic imperfection . . . called life.

For all those who ask me "how I do it" - that's it, I accept it for what it is. That's why I'm happy {most of the time} and satisfied with all the craziness in my life, because it is my life. I was never guaranteed a perfect life, but I wasn't promised a bad one either!!

By the way - this time next week - I will be a mother of four! Six days and some hours to go before this egg hatches!! Whoohoo!!

Apparently, I needed sleep . . .

Last night was my "crash" night. And I really crashed. I did wash my face and brushed my teeth - but I don't even remember getting in the bed! I do, however, remember a 2 1/2 year old {with all 4 of his blankets} crawling in bed with me at about 3:30 am. Of course that is what I get since I keep telling him to holler for me or come get me if he ever feels sick again. A few nights ago, he got sick, puked {in the bed} and just moved to the other end of the bed to sleep. {I know - gross - but that is the life I live!}

So, here I am {with swollen ankles} - yes, I spoke way to soon in a previous post about not being swelled!!! I'm tired, miserable and would do anything for a root beer float about right now! Part of my misery would stem from this . . .


"this" would be my stool!! Where I've sat on it for so long - my ankles really have swelled up - I never dreamed sitting on my stool would cause cankles - BUT it has!!! I've sat on this thing for 4 days working on all these paintings. I've sat so long that my bizness hurts!! Not that you want to hear about all that, but it was bound to come up with all the pregnancy pressure I've got going on down there - and no telling what else!!! I sat and I sat and I sat . . . . just like Horton who hatches the egg!! That is Hudson's "now" fav-O-rite book. So, it's really on the brain {sorry for the reference!}

But speaking of Hudson - I must show you his latest creation. As I was painting this morning, Hudson came in my room {to aggravate I can assure you!} He reached over my paint tray. Now, I did not notice the "massive" glop of white paint that he was sporting on his elbow!! Apparently, Carson didn't either, because most of it ended up in his hair. . . .


The better part would be when Hudson noticed what he did {about 4.3 seconds later} and said, "Oh - it's a mastapiece!" That is not a misspelled word - that is the way he said masterpiece and that was the FIRST time I've ever heard him say that! Now, it took me about 6.7 seconds to figure out what the heck he was talking about! I was in my paint daze and never dreamed of looking at Carson's head until Hudson proudly pointed at it! I would normally post this story at the family blog - but I want you guys to know what kind of crazies I'm up against around here!!

So, with my cankles, aching bizness and 3 crazed kidlets - I've questioned "How in the freakin' heck do I get anything done around here" - and I still don't have the answer! But I'm sure you guys don't care, let's get on to some good stuff -

I did finish a couple more paintings! Feedback, I need some feedback - I've never done any like these, so I'm excited to see what you folks are going to say!!!


I know this is not the best picture - but again, let me remind you who took the picture - ME - and remember I'm from the south - aim and shoot is what we do with a gun - not a camera!! But anyhoodle it is to match this bedding. Again, I've ran into another website that would not let me post the picture, so go visit the link! It is gorgeous!! This would be the bad part about my job, it makes me question "maybe I should have chosen different bedding for Emsley's room?!" There is some Fan-tab-u-lous stuff out there! I really made this canvas "shabby chic" - most of the canvas has a white-washed look to it - I love the "beachy kinda of look"! Jenn that one is for you - just in case you have not figured it out!!

On to the next - loved this one toooooo!!


I'm not actually through with this one, I still have to clean up some edges and seal it. But I just couldn't wait to post it!! You can't see, but there is fine glitter on the "pinky" rose looking flower! After staring at this for a few minutes, I'm afraid it might look like "mary engelbreit" - NOT MY INTENTION FOLKS!! Not that I don't like her stuff - I just can't stand to copy others' work!! I'll have to investigate that one!


Yes, I added some crystals too!! I had to fancy it up a little!! Jennifer L this one is for you - if you even look at the blog! Maybe you do - I guess we'll find out!

Molly - I'll email your picture to you!! I'm such a slacker - totally forgot about that yesterday!! Sorry! I've officially got only 4 more paintings to go!! Whoohoo!! Of course that is until someone else orders one - I'm not planning on taking a "maternity leave" - once I have this spring chicken, send me back to the fields - I've got to work!! hehe - so seriously, don't feel like you can't send anymore orders my way because I am planning on getting back to the grind after about 2 weeks of rest!!

Holy Smokes - I have only 7 days and about 15 hours till I have the kid!!! My husband just came home with a . . . . root beer float!!! Got to go and eat it/drink it/inhale it!!

How much sleep does one really need??

Such a serious question, but I really don't want an answer. So no one feel oblige to leave a comment about that! The crib is finally dry and ready for polyurethane. Of course with this Tennessee weather, {it's flippin' raining} who knows when it will happen. BUT I did get the mirror completed. I even Windexed it and got it hung up!! Yeah me!! {Let me add that it was in the middle of the night!} The pukey monster visited us the night before last and we were afraid he would visit another kidlet last night - so I didn't sleep well - actually, I just didn't go to bed till this morning if the truth be known. Nights like that help get things done around here!


So, what do you think of the mirror!? That poor thing has been painted about 8 times. Actually only 2 times, but it feels like 8 and the thing has been looking for a home somewhere on a wall in this house!


Truth be known, I spray painted the mirror. I actually found spray paint that was a DEAD ON match for the paint that I already had mixed for the chest!! NOW that, was AMAZING! So, my husband spray painted the crib as well!! I wasn't about to brush on the paint to every single one of the spindles!! And Lonnie is the king of spray paint!! He really is good at it and I firmly believe that it takes talent to spray paint - none that I have! Hopefully, I will post a picture of the bed within the next few days. So far - it really is coming together.

I'm still slaving away on paintings. Several people emailed me back and did not want me to post pictures of their "gift" paintings - so that is why I don't have any pictures to show. I'm about to get back to going again on some more canvases. So, tomorrow I should have some pictures to post!

I got some things accomplished . . .

Alright - well, I got a few paintings completed. I've sent out tons of emails, because several are for gifts and I don't want to post a picture if the "receiver" looks at the blog - what a way to see your gift!! Talking about ruining it for some people!! So, hopefully I will have more pictures to post later today {once I hear from some "giving" people!}

So, check out the J - it is a 16x 20. LOVE the font!! It looks very similar to the "ginormous" paintings I did for the twins when they were tiny. I did one each for Carson and Lawson. And I really like the simplicity of them! This one is going to be framed - so there is no side view.

Here is the bedding that it is to match! You got to love Pottery Barn Kids!! Their stuff is soooo easy to match up. I love matching the colors - love it I tell ya'!! Normally, I feel very confident when I send out any painting that I know is to coordinate with any PBK bedding.

Today is . . .

. . . dedicated to painting {and answering a few emails!} So, hopefully I will have quite a few paintings to show you tomorrow. I've had several more orders come through - so I now must "really" work on these.

So, if you have ordered paintings - feel assured that I'm giving all my free time to them today {and probably tomorrow!}

Em's room will just have to wait for a few more days! The crib is almost complete, the mirror is waiting on one small touch and the curtain panel is still waiting to be pressed and it's match {since I've yet to work on the other one.} AND I finally found lampshades for my great-aunt's vintage, crystal lamps!! So, they too need a little attention {not much 'cause I don't have a lot to give!} But I've still got 10 more days till this egg hatches - so I feel like I've still got plenty of time.

I hope everyone has a great day!!

Easy little project . . .

I wanted to show you guys the mobile that made for. . . errr, well actually I made it for all my kids - I just changed it out with each kids' decor. Okay that was a big, fat lie - all my boys have had the exact same decor - so, I guess I should say I changed it out for new, baby girl!


This was one of the two that was in the twin,s room. I ordered the "mobile" part from here. It wasn't very expensive - under 20 bucks. Then I took good ol' scrapbook paper and cut it into 2.5 x 2.5 squares. I stuck 2 pieces together {or you could use double sided paper.} I had a large square punch that I used for the smaller red squares and then I used my favorite chipboard letters. There is a tiny hook in the ceiling with a short amount of clear string hanging from it. From that, the mobile hangs.

That's it - how easy can it get?!


I actually added some tiny flowers and pink ribbon for Emsley's - and I think I might add more - who knows?!

Ta Dahhh . . .

Here she is . . .

. . . I'm really proud of this piece!! To see it in person!! If any of you are in this neck of the woods, please feel free to stop by!! The window treatments still need to be pressed out - so ignore those free flowing looking things. The actual pink on the chest is in the fabric, but you can't see it from this distance. I'm looking for some plain jane lamp shades to go on my vintage, crystal lamps - any suggestions as to where I can find some? I plan on sprucing them up, but I just can't seem to find plain, white, bell type shades?! The search continues!!

On to the how-to part!

First off, let me say that I got the furniture at an unfinished furniture place {that was going out of business} for half off. I'm pretty sure we only paid $134 {plus tax} for it. The crystal knobs were found at Home Depot for $3.99 each. The paint -Behr 1 quart flat paint - around $10. Everything else - I already had! So, this little project cost me around 210 bucks!! The question really is how much would you be willing to pay for a chest with this type of paint treatment - a color of your choice??

So here is how I did it -

I did not prime the piece at all and I only put one coat of paint on it. The big secret is picking out the right color of paint - remember, once you put the stain/glaze mix on it, it's not going to be the same color! I picked a very light and subtle shade of pink.



I normally use the same stain color, so I have a pretty good idea what the final color will be. Uhmmm . . . that is WHY I use the same color of stain everytime- if you get my drift! I let the paint cure for 24 hours {everytime I do something like this, it's the longest 24 hours of my life .}

The next day, I took a sanding block and rubbed all the edges. Now, I also lightly sanded the entire piece, but not enough to knock off any major paint. Since it did come from an unfinished store, it did have a few rough spots. It is easier to lightly sand it after it is painted {than before it's painted} because you can really see where you need to bump the rougher spots harder.

I then vacuumed and wiped {with a wet rag} the entire piece. I took a mixture of 1 part glaze {Behr is my choice of paints} and 1 part stain {my all time fav - special walnut} and brushed it on with a sponge brush. I then took a dry rag and wiped it off - PERFECT-O! You can see the finished looked immediately.

It takes about 24 hours for that to dry. Once the tackiness is gone, I put 1 coat of semi-gloss polyurethane. After about 4 hours it was dry enough to put the knobs on and put the drawers in place. I still waited another 24 hours to move it in it's spot on the wall.

And that's how you do it!! I did everything by myself - my husband did paint the top of the chest and 2 drawer fronts with the light pink color. But the rest was done by my prego-self!! So, what I'm saying is that you can do this toooooo!! On a scale of 1 to 10 {1 being extremely easy and 10 being leave to the professionals} This is definitely a 2!!!

If you have any questions, just comment - I'll get back to you!

Now, it is on to tackle this crib!! It is covered in paint - so the rest is my part!! I will be doing it the exact same way EXCEPT I will be using my trusty palm sander!! There are WAY TO many spindles to do that by a lil' o sanding block!!!! I'd rather shoot myself!

The suspense is killing me . . .

My plan was not to reveal Emsley's chest until 100% complete! Well, I still need to put poly on it and the new drawer pulls - BUT I can't stand it any longer!!! I have to show you guys a smidge of it at least!! So, check it out . . .



. . . . what do you think?? I put the one drawer pull on it so you could at least see somewhat the full effect!! I'm in love!! At naptime today, I plan to put one coat of polyurethane on it. That is it - only 1 coat, let it dry, add drawer pulls and it's done!! Whoohoo!!

As far as the bed - Lonnie took it completely apart and did get paint on it. I'll have to do the rest. For those who have ordered paintings, don't worry - I'm doing those, too. I MUST have 18 different things going on at once or I would just go cRaZy - Oh - too late, already cRaZy. Well, I'm sure you all know what I mean!

Seriously - I have sooo much to do. I hope tomorrow to have a picture of the finish piece!!

I'm soooo tired . . .

So, yes we worked our wide Bee-hinds all night!! We got the chest of drawers painted pink and I've sanded off all the edges - looks perfecto!!! I'm waiting for Lonnie to get back from The Home Depot with my glaze {thought I had some, didn't!!} Hopefully, I will have time to glaze the piece before my zoo wakes up from their naps!!! I will definitely post a finish picture with the "exactly what I done" directions. The bed will be started on before I go to bed tonight - I'm really dreading painting a crib!! UGHH!! I shouldn't really say that - 'cause I've got a new idea in mind - I'll share it ONLY if it turns out the way I want it to!! But we still have to take the whole "dang-thang" apart!! Now that I will say "UGHH!"

Natalie asked a few questions about the frames. Here you go . . .



. . . . a picture. So that you can see the back of them. They turned out really great. The problem - I have NO IDEA where to hang them in the boys' room. I'm still working on that. Once I figure it out - I'll post the picture {of course!} Obviously I have a problem with starting projects knowing that they will look supreme-O in a certain room, but then it takes me days {and I do mean DAYS} to figure out where in the room they should go!! And sometimes they don't even end up in the intended room!

cRaZy - I know!

I think I'm just cRaZy. . . .

I mean seriously, I've got 15 days till this new baby comes and I'm NOWHERE near ready!!! Let me just explain . . . .

I have an unfinished chest that was recently purchased for Emsley's room. Unfinished people = has to be finished!!! I really want to paint it pink with just a little of distressing, not much, just a little.

I have a mirror that needs to be repainted to go over the dresser - it too in a lovely shade of pink.

I have a curtain panel that needs some attention!! The first one took me no time, so I have no idea WHY I haven't started the other one!!

Not to mention the fact of all the "stuff" that needs to be shuffled around in the room!!

Okay - the butt kicker - I have 2 cribs. Currently the twins are in them. Lonnie is making 2 twin beds to match the one he made Hudson {since they are all in the same room.} Have we even started on them - NO!!! Do I even think that the boys are ready for them - NO!!! So, what's a girl to do?? I mean, the cribs in great shape. Maybe I should use a pack-n-play for a month or so. That will give us time to get the other beds built and get the twins use to them.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! Yes, that was the original idea - but I'm Kim Tate - NOWAY am I making my last child sleep in a portable bed!!! Ain't happenin' people!! So, what do I do?? I'll tell ya' what I've done . . . I went out and bought another crib . . . that's what I've done!! Now, if it was a new crib in perfect condition - hey we would be okay. But folks - the budget isn't allowing a new crib!!! Yes, my friends I found a "gently" used one at a consignment sale. Sad part - I was looking at it for Lonnie's cousin who is expecting. Lonnie is the silly fool that suggested we buy it for us!!! Okay, so maybe he is a little cookoo as well!! Did he think I would leave it as is? Like I said "gently" used - yeah it needs alot of work!!!

Can we say "pink" work!!!! I never thought I would want pink furniture. But after 3 boys, Oh pink is looking Fan-ta-bu-lous!!! So, what are we doing this weekend - bustin' our bee-hinds to get this room together!!! And I do mean bustin'!! We might just see what the Wheelers are really made of.



Oh and did I mention that we never finished our taxes the other night!!! I soooo have to get that done - like yesterday!!!

Nope, not lining the back of the red shelf!!!

Alright - this has been a longggg week, I mean really longgggg! Again, I must bring up all the shipments that should have went out 11,100 weeks ago!!! My mother-in-law came over to help today {finally over her funk}, I had all my packages ready to go {except for shipping labels} and my printer ran out of ink!!! Can we say BLACK CLOUD over here!! And it really ran out of ink!! I shook it, beat it - you name it, I did it - there is NO MORE ink in that cartridge!!! ARRGGGHHH!! Lonnie said he will be bringing me one home. Of course, they are predicting 3-5 inches of snow around that time, but I will get these out TODAY - I swear!!! Okay, so Lonnie will get these out today, I don't drive in that crap!! But I promise I will make him do it!!

So, about yesterday's post . . . .

Picture frames!!!

All of my boys are now in the same room. And it is every color that you can imagine!! Once we get them all in twin beds {since currently 2 are in cribs,} they will all have denim duvets and each have a different quilt folded at the end of the bed. Hudson has the ABC quilt that Pottery Barn Kids had a while back. The first one, not the second one. It has all my "happy" colors in it. I have 2 different quilts picked out for Carson & Lawson - eventually the room will come together, until then - it is driving me NUTZ!!

But anyhoodle, I'm still not completely through with the frames. I don't really have any pictures that I want to put in them, so I am going to print out some stuff to stick in them. You know, stuff like "H is for Hudson" , "L is for "blah, blah,. . . . just cutie stuff like that! But since I don't have any flippin' INK, that is also on hold!!! I will post a picture once it is all complete!

I guess you all want to know how to make them??

here's what you need

frames - these were actually frames that I got around Christmas time {at Hobby Lobby of course!} They were just basic MDF {fake wood} with an easel back. I ganked the easel off of the back {literally.} I'm sure you could use a regular frame, but these MDF frames are definitely the BEST to use!

scrapbook paper
modge podge {crafter's best friend!} and paint brush
a bone {or just something with a flat edge}
fine grit sand paper
ribbon
drill w/wide drill bit

Make sure the frame surface is clean. Smear/brush Modge Podge {a thin layer will do} over entire "face" of frame. Now, lay your desired paper on the glue. Make sure you lay it straight, you can't really take off the paper and reposition it without making a "big, hot mess"!!! Immediately take your bone and start rubbing all the air bubbles out from between the paper and the frame. Now just let it dry!!! Once dry, take your sand paper and begin rubbing across the edges. The paper will just fall off with a smooth edge. Wipe all the dust off with a dry towel/rag. Measure out for 2 evenly spaced holes and then drill them out. Thread your ribbon through, tie knots and BOOM - your done!!! EASY BREEZEY!!

If you run into any problems, comment - I'll get back to you!!

You can leave the easel backs on and I swear they look good, too - I actually did those several years back and gave them as gifts. Another really great idea for this technique is modge podging paper to letters. Surely you all know what I'm talking about. For some groovy letters, check out this site as well as their etsy site - I've ordered from Say It With Letters - they are quick to get your order to you, super swell to work with and have soooo much to choose from!! You can also find unfinished letters at Hobby Lobby, Michael's, etc - all craft stores have them!

Have fun and let me know what you guys modge podge!!!

What is it you ask??

Oh, you'll see . . . . new project!!

"Deliver me, O Lord, . . . " --- Psalm 140:1

Yes, I have a maternity t-shirt that actually says the above title - HYS-TER-ICAL!!! So, Krista was not able to come by on Sunday, BUT she will be here this weekend {or Monday!!} I had to take pictures of everyone in the house because Hudson is the "student of the week" next week and I have to make a poster all about him. Well, all about him includes all of us!

So, there you have it. Nat & Jenn, I can hear you laughing all the way across the Florida, Georgia and Tennessee state lines - "shut-up!!" I do have another haircut scheduled for Friday so that I can tweak my "do" - so basically ignore my hair please! And I would like for everyone to ignore the somewhat double chin - GROSS - Bad angle!!

I've got some paintings going out tomorrow - I hope!! I would have liked to have gotten them shipped today, but my mother-in-law was sick and couldn't help out today - so sad for me!! But surely she will be here tomorrow, so if you are expecting a painting by Fedex {not hand delivered} it should be coming your way by 10am central time tomorrow!!

Can I just say that me and one crazy friend went to the movies last night at 9:40 pm!!! She too, has 3 extremely young kids - so we obviously make our escape in the middle of the night. We saw . . . .

The Other Boleyn Girl

It was SOOOO good. But I soooo love movies in this time period!! Now, can I just say that if the "real" Henry VIII looked that good {especially the brief moment you see him without his shirt,} I would have been all over him too!! But the real guy was kinda fat and nasty!! And he probably had a jacked up grill - all kings seemed to have bad teeth back in "tha day!!" And it's not like you could go to the local orthodontist to get that stuff fixed! But the movie was really good and I would recommend it. Just know, that the story line was a little beefed to get the "soap opera" effect - but nonetheless a great movie!

Alright . . .

****updated with pictures {I found the camera!} ****

I know, I'm making all you guys wait to see this picture of me. Krista is coming to visit today {I think} to take some {very few actually} PRO-Fessional shots of {some} art - I've really got to get this website going!! While she is here, I'm going to casually mention the camera be turned to me - haha. I have no doubt that she will crack up laughing - hysterically - because she knows that Kim does not like prego pictures of herself - at all! BUT, I figured with this being the LAST pregnancy {did I mention Lonnie has an appointment on May 2nd to end our pregnancy issues??} I thought I just might have at least a picture - just 1 though. I refuse to over do it - AND I will be fully dressed - literally like a snap shot - nothing fancy!! Trust me guys - I have plenty of memories - I really don't need the pictures!!!

But I did receive a picture from a friend - thanks Rachel - when I was about this far along with Hudson. "HOLY SCHMOLLY!!!!" Can we say, "hysterical!!" Did I actually pose for that one??? You can't see my cankles, but you can see my wrist - wait, there were no wrist - my hands looked like they were attached to my arms with no WRIST!!! It looks like I had an allergic reaction to something!! Don't expect to see that one - it will not be posted!!

Anyways, I've been slaving over here - that is why I've not been blogging. I really did over do it - I don't want to hear any lip from you guys - BUT I have MORE orders coming in AND I really needed to get my "studio" {or whatever you want to call it} in working order!! I mean you all saw the pictures of the desk and paint table!! Give a girl a break and let her clean something around here!! Needless to say, it looks much better in this room and as soon as I find the camera {now that my batteries are charged} I will have to take some pictures!!!

This would be the red shelf from a previous post {that I didn't show in a full picture}

Let me tell you guys that I don't scrapbook - BUT WHEN I DO - I've got SO MANY SUPPLIES!! And they are now ORGANIZED!! Thank you very much!!

I do have an obsession with ribbons - you can see some of the smaller rolls displayed in the clear hurricanes. I always love all the colors mixed together!! Sad part - I still have SO MUCH MORE CRAP to organize AND display . . . I do love the clutter look - and I'll have it as soon as I get it all sorted through! Ha!

As soon as I get a painting or 2 done around here, I will post those too!! I've been working on some cutie ones lately - I can't wait to get some feedback on them. Have I told you all that I've yet to do one for new baby!? That really is sad. I have a plan that involves 2 canvases. Do you think the hospital staff will look at me weird IF I take my paints and stuff to the hospital and work on them after I give birth??

I'm sure it wouldn't surprise those who know me it they walk in and saw me painting in the hospital bed!!