Halloween kicks off the maker/crafter/seamstress time of the year, and I don't mind admitting it is my favorite holiday of the year.  Here are the projects I have planned:

1. Take Zoe to a pumpkin patch  (Pre-step:  Find out if they have a pumpkin patch in Central Texas)
2. Decorate the house, including some inspiring pumpkin ideas found on Pinterest
3. Not one, but TWO Halloween costumes for the 4 year old who has several party invitations piling up already.   Can you guess what Zoe wants?  Of course!  An Elsa dress and a pink princess dress.
4. Help plan the school party and make fun treats
5. Make cool flashlights for the neighborhood kids 

I'll be sure to link the projects as I get them finished -- help me stay accountable, will you?

xxx Anna

I'm so excited to be setting up a new home office and studio upstairs.  I've been collecting ideas on my Pinterest boards for quite some time, and here are the critical elements I have been considering: color, whimsy, order, inspiration, comfort, and multifunctional.  Please feel free to send me your ideas and suggestions!

Thought I might share my favorite household products made from scratch. These all link to my Pinterest board, "Frugality." Note: These are the only pins I have personally tested AND recommend.

Steam cleaner solution and all-around great cleaner

Laundry stain remover

Liquid fabric softener

Teeth whitener

   

Repurpose an old flowerpot
 
DONE!  Link to project

Make home made birdseed

DONE!  Link to project

Repurpose an old bulletin board

DONE!  Link to project

Make a chalkboard to write frequent love notes

DONE!  Link to project

Make a "Zoe Is" book for my daughter

DONE!  Link to project

Redo a breakfast tray for guests

DONE!

I'm not the first person ever to do this, so while my post is a tutorial, I'm sure you can find lots of other tutorials on the web!

Now all I have to do is get two strong guys to help me hang it!

Supplies:
Old bulletin board
Acrylic craft paint and brush
Fabric
Iron or steamer (optional)
Stapler and staples
Exacto
Ribbon (I used burlap ribbon found here)
Thumbtackes

How I Slogged Through It:
First, I painted the trim.  The acrylic paint allows the wood grain to show through, which made it look like a bright cherry stain.  Use another kind of paint if you don't want the wood grain to show through.  I used only one coat and it looked exactly as I wanted it.  Don't worry if the paint gets on the cork; you want to make sure the inside of the trim is painted also, and the fabric will cover the paint on the cork.

Next, I stapled the fabric to the cork, getting as close to the edge as possible.  Again, don't worry about being perfect -- you will be covering it with ribbon.  Once stapled taut, I cut the excess fabric with an exacto knife.

Finally, I tacked down my ribbon with the thumbtacks. 

Was able to make my own birdseed today using the languishing ingredients from my pantry:  raisins, stale cheerios, pecans, flax seed, rolled oats, bulghur wheat, wheat germ, and leftover crackers.

If unintentional plant-slaughter was a crime, I'd be locked away for a long time.  I've tried over the years to master houseplants, herbs, flowers -- you name it.  But all have died a swift death at my hands.

Consequently, I have a collection of old planters and flowerpots that I avoid looking at in the garage lest I feel a pang of guilt.  I decided to repurpose them with fake plants.  Yes, fake plants have come a long way, and these that I bought at Joanne's look very lifelike.  Guilt gone, more room in the garage.

Supplies:
Old flowerpot
Paintbrush
Paint
Floral foam
Fake moss
Fake plants

How I Slogged Through It:
This was really simple.  I painted the outside of the pot and let dry.  I put floral foam in the bottom, plugged in the fake plants, and covered the foam with fake moss. 

Excited to read Neil Gaiman's new book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. 

I love all of his work, and especially recommend Anansi Boys, The Graveyard Book, and American Gods. 

My neighbor Robert is going to build a treehouse for Zoe this fall.  I'm collecting ideas on my Pinterest board and would love your ideas also.  I want it to be something that will grow with her, a getaway she can still use in high school if she wants.

Speaking of her treehouse, wouldn't this be a great lighting
idea?  And a great way to use up all those fabric scraps.  I
look forward to making these mini fabric  lamps. 
 

Check out the beautiful jewelry at Austin's own Polished. 

How quickly the kitchen pantry gets crazy looking!  I had duplicates, and in some cases, triplicates of items.  Time for a pantry do-over.
    

I've been slowly working my way through renewing furniture in my house -- see related post here about candidates for renewal. 

BEFORE:  This is a great little dresser, but the color was a
little too primary for my taste, and there were missing and mismatched hardware.

AFTER: I painted it a butter yellow and added new hardware.

Close-up on the knobs that I found at World Market.

And a close-up on the new brushed nickel pulls I found on Amazon.  This was the hardest part -- the size was an irregular 2 1/2 instead of standard 3 inches. 

I am admiring these placemats and napkins from Home and Garden Art and these coffee mugs from Target.    

I stumbled across this post about 24 Free Splash Pads in Austin from the fabulous Free Fun in Austin website.  (http://www.freefuninaustin.com)   I think we'll take Zoe to the one at the Triangle and enjoy the farmer's market as well. 
  

After staying the night in a hotel last week (what a luxury for a new mom) I'm thinking that blackout curtains will help Zoe get to bed at a reasonable hour this summer.  

This puppet theater made from a china hutch is brilliant.

I'm wondering if Austin artist Lisa Marie Concannon from luluxo will accept a commission to upcycle our tshirts and baby clothes into one of her amazing creations?

I've started our diving/family packing list which you're welcome to download and personalize.