Manda Girl

Paint Drama

January 30, 2012 By Manda

I can’t make a decision to save my life. My mom knows this. My sister’s know this and my husband knows this. I like to get peoples options.

So when I started paint my front room on Friday and was a bit hesitant on the paint color Erin and I had decided on, classic gray. I had to get every girls opinion on the planet. I had 2 neighbors come over, a friend who was dropping off her daughter for a play date and my mom all come in through out the afternoon and give me their options.

It should have been a clue that I was so unsure because later that night when I had finished painting, I hated it. It was just too white (lacked enough contrast with the trim) and gave off a blue cast. I had thought that it was a warmish gray color from the paint chip and couldn’t tell that it was going to glow blue from the samples I’d painted on the wall. I guess I should have done more research than just looking at paint chips.

So after some tears and a restless night of sleep, I decided that the worst decision would be to live with it. So back to the paint store I went the next morning. I bought 3 more paint samples.

Honestly, looking at this picture I feel a little ridiculous. I understand that it’s hard to tell much from the picture. I know the paint looks tan. Comparing apples to apple, yes? But first of all, it’s crappy light and secondly, I need someone to tell me to stop using my junky 2 megapixel cell phone camera. (Where on earth is my real camera? haven’t used it in ages.) But have you ever had a paint disaster? It’s an awful feeling. Money wasted. Body super tired. Kids grouchy from mom painting all day. And husband not wanted to help anymore. Sigh.

With the paint samples, we, meaning only me and Jeremy (despite the fact that I wanted to call all my neighbors, sister’s and mom (again)), decided on Edgecomb Gray. (The far right square on the wall.) I had seen it in real life on a friends wall and it had great reviews online. It must be a good, safe, proven choice.

After a very long day of painting, I’m very happy with this beautiful, warm grayish neutral. It was a ton of painting. Not only did I paint the front room but the wall wraps around into the great room and includes the entry way. Big vaulted ceiling. Gosh, I’m tired and sore.

I do feel a little silly painting a neutral over with another neutral. Especially after all this work of doing it twice. I’d really love for it to look noticeably different and improved to others. In real life I think it looks different. My beige/tan color had a bit of a pink hue to it that I wanted to get rid of. The new paint does look great in my house, works with my blue/gray walls and really freshens things up despite the lack of drama. It feels so good I hardly want to put pictures back on the wall.

Before:

After:

My forearms are sore, my back hurts and I’m desperately tired.

On to the next project: Board and Batten wall.

Filed Under: Decorating

Decoration Dilemma

January 24, 2012 By Manda

Sorry for my absence. Apparently I can not multitask very well so blogging gets put on the back burner. My energies have been getting used up in other areas of my life.

So what have I been doing? you might ask.

I have been completely and totally obsessed with redecorating my front room. It all started with joining Pinterest. Have any of your lives changed because of Pinterest? Sheesh, mine has. Not only does it give me another reason to be on the computer but it gives me great ideas for cooking, sewing, things to wear, things to do with the kids, and of course decorating ideas. Lots things to keep me distracted from my blog.

So, after hearing that my sister in law found a very affordable interior decorator to help her get that put together look to her own house, I couldn’t resist checking her out for some of my own decoration dilemmas.

My front room has always been place for yard sell furniture and dusty old things that I don’t care to much about. The problem with that is that it’s the first room you see when you walk into my house. I don’t mean to be vain but I want people to have a good first impression when they walk into my house. I want it to be fun, inviting and well put together. I felt like it was time to spruce things up.

My house is very earth toned. I love earth tones. I am naturally drawn to browns. But I really want to add some fun color in the mix. I’m dreadfully tired of burgundy. On the internet I see lots of fun turquoise and oranges, bright yellow and greens. I can’t help but want that. Ahh.

This whole thing actually started in July when I was wanting a bright, fun painted old piano for my front room.

I was a bit stumped, though, on how to do that in my very warm, earth tones house. If I had one room all bright and colorful how would that look or flow with the other rooms. I didn’t know. I thought I’d have to pull down everything off the walls and start all over with a clean slate.

That’s why I enlisted the help of Erin.

She came over, checked out my room, talked about what I was wanting and created a vision board for me. Now before you look to closely at it, I think the hot pink art work is very distracting. It is not going to be like that in my room. You have to try really had to imagine those green. I told her I was happy to do things myself to save money and so she found some art work I could easily make my self. We’ve also picked out a different rung that I think is cuter and the modern chairs are going to be Grandma’s wingback chairs reupholstered for a little more classy look.

Things I’ve done so far:

1. bought a cheep beat up round mirror and painted the frame silver.

2. bought a new lamp, which I’m not loving and might return (unless I decide to do this to the lampshade)

3. I have also stressed and stressed over the pillows. I like her suggestions but was not in love. I have looked and looked all over the place. You can’t imagine what a big ordeal I’ve made out of it. Maybe I’ll write up a whole post about my pillow drama, but in the end I made a pillow inspired by this one and now am ready to get on with some of the other details and coordinating pillows.

The things I’m really excited about getting going on:

1. the board and batten wall against the couch wall.

2. painting the walls a warm gray color.

3. If I ever acquire a piano, painting it a cheery yellow.

4. I might attempt making my own curtains. Maybe something like this but in white.

So that’s it for now. It’s crazy how consumed I’ve been with it all. I’d love to have it all done in a month or so. Perhaps I’m nesting. Ya, let’s blame it on that. I always enjoy seeing before and afters so I’ll keep you posted about it if you’re interested. And maybe a anthro-inspired pillow tutorial. How about that?

Ta ta for now.

Filed Under: Decorating

It’s a baby boy

January 10, 2012 By Manda

We had an ultra sound this past weekend and everything looks great with our baby.

There was no doubt as to his gender. The sonographer joked that he’ll come out a boy unless his parts shrivel up or fall off somehow.

His little face was buried in my placenta so it was hard to get a good face shot. Here is his profile.

His little legs were swimming all over the place. It’s always fun to see them kick and feel them kick at the same time.

This little guy was frank breech. I know it’s not time to worry about having a breech baby yet (plenty of time to turn) but he’s my third baby in this position. I must like to cook them head up. I’m going to have to start thinking about doing pelvic tilt exercises (again) and visiting a chiropractor so he doesn’t get stuck head up like his biggest sister.

Fun stuff. We’ve got a little pattern going on here. Girl, boy, girl, boy.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

2011 Year in Review

January 4, 2012 By Manda 73 Comments

Happy New Year! I hope you all are doing well and recovered from the holidays. We had a great time but are ready to get back into the swing of things.

I had fun looking back on this past year as I made my Year in Review scrapbooking pages. It’s crazy to think about all the things that have happened in a year.

Of course I made you all a template so you can do the same too. Download it here for a limited time.

Here are my pages. Credits at flickr.

And if you are looking for a different design for your Year in Review pages I have this one…

and this one in my shop. Images linked.

Have fun looking back over the past year.

Filed Under: Scrapbooking

Merry Christmas

December 24, 2011 By Manda

This little video touched my heart. We’ve been doing the usual hustle and bustle over here so it’s good to have a little reminder about this wonderful holiday.

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Have you ever?

December 21, 2011 By Manda

Have you ever…

seen frost quite like this?

This was my backyard on the 15th. I’d never seen anything quite like it and it lasted all morning because the sun couldn’t power through the thick, low clouds. My mom, who lives 10 minutes away, had nothing like it at her house.

fainted?

I mean a real full on faint. I had my first experience with it when I was kneeling in the temple listening to a dear, sweet old man share some of his wisdom to me and Jeremy. I was listening to him though I was really uncomfortable and wanted to sit down. I felt a hot flash coming and then a sense of queasiness. I thought about the location of the nearest garbage can and hoped that I could make it there in time. I then felt that tingly feeling of blood rushing to my head and tongue, kinda like a head rush after standing up real quick. I closed my eyes and titled my head forward in order to let the head rush past.

I then had a sense of relief and forgot about being uncomfortable.

Perhaps I had a dream or went somewhere else. Someone called my name, I think it was Jeremy and I said “What?” like he had just awakened me from a nap and I didn’t want to be bothered. When I looked around I could see a beautiful gold trimmed ceiling and sweet old man that I didn’t remember, kneeling over me. I had no idea where I was. Jeremy could tell by the look on my face that I was completely confused and trying to figure things out. How I ended up on the floor was a mystery until someone complimented Jeremy on his nice catch.

Then I remembered where I was and what I had been doing. I was pretty embarrassed but recovered quickly with a glass of water. I was only out for 3 or 4 seconds but had felt like it had been hours and had lost all memory of where I was. What a crazy experience that was!

had to clean up after a child who ran down the hall vomiting on the carpet as they went running for your help?

I just did and it wasn’t pretty. In fact I’m really hoping this isn’t how my Christmas turns out.

reupholstered a wing back chair?

I’m just getting started with this project and I’m surprised how long it is taking just to take the chair apart. I’m being super careful because I was to reuse most things and use the fabric as a pattern but, sheesh, after millions and millions of staples my hands get pretty tired.

witnessed a birth of a child other than your own?

My sweet little sister just had her first baby. She went in for a scheduled induction due to her Cholestasis at 37 weeks. She only needed Cytotec gel to put her into labor which was a miracle in and of itself because she wanted a natural child birth. It was such a wonder to watch her handle her contractions. I just loved being there and couldn’t help but be touched in my heart over it all. In just 6 hours, she pushed her tiny baby girl into the world. Miracle, I tell you!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Graham Cracker Houses

December 20, 2011 By Manda

With two whole weeks of Christmas vacation before us (with no travel plans and not much family in town) I knew the kids would be looking to me for some entertainment.

Great.

So we started off our holiday break with a candy eating fest, er, I mean a (faux) ginger bread house making session.

I started with the wonderful and original idea to buy one of those kits from the store and simply have the kids assemble. Easy peasy. Then I thought, why do that whey I can probably make home made ginger bread and not have to get out of my jammies? I looked up some recipes and thought it was totally do-able. But then something died inside of me when I realized I’d have to go to the store for molasses and cloves.

So I went with the easiest route I possibly could.

Graham Cracker Houses

Have you ever made them before? You might miss out on the wonderful smell of gingerbread wafting through the air and having cute windows and doors in your house but when you are 8, 5, and 2 you don’t care. Heck, you don’t even know. Really the fun is licking the frosting off your fingers as you make them and looking forward to eating the houses after you’ve waited 3 whole hours to show your daddy when he gets home from work.

To make your own Graham Cracker House you’ll need the following:

cut cardboard covered with aluminum foil for your base
graham crackers
sandwich bags for squirting icing
a candy assortment such as jelly beans, smarties, licorice, sprinkles
and royal icing

Here is the royal icing recipe I used. It worked like a champ.

ROYAL ICING

3 egg whites
1/2 t. cream of tartar
1 lb. confectioners sugar

I let each kid take a turn using the beaters. Maybe a minute each until the icing was fluffy and getting stiff.

I taught the kids how to squeeze the icing out of the sandwich bag (cut a tiny bit of corner off one of the bottom corners) and helped them build their houses without interfering too much (hard for me.) Then I let them go to town with the decorating. If was fun to see the things they came up with. Bird nests and exploded bombs in the front yard. Ha.

I did help Leah quite a bit with building her house but I was surprised with her house decorating abilities and soon backed off to let her at it. Good job you cute frosting face two year old!

Ta da! Day one of Christmas Vacation down.

Filed Under: Crafting

Template 82

December 9, 2011 By Manda 33 Comments

I hope you all are having a lovely holiday season. I made some time today to scrapbook today and it was just lovely to sit back and not think about the Christmas hustle and bustle. Ahh, nice.

I have a simple little template for you. Enjoy it here.

Here is one of the pages I made for a little inspiration.

Happy scrapping or Christmas shopping or whatever you’re keeping busy with.

Filed Under: Scrapbooking

Christmas Cards

December 1, 2011 By Manda

Hi, I’ve got some new 5×7 Christmas Card templates in the shop just in time for the holidays. Go check ‘em out. Click on the image to go straight to the cards.

And if you are on a shoe-string budget like me, you can grab this one from out of the package for free (through Dec 3rd.) Click here to download. (expired) Make sure to leave me a comment if you did. I love to know who liked it.

And here is my card. Very simple and easy although this was my first attempt at a subway styled something. Don’t laugh, okay. Aren’t you seeing subway prints everywhere? I like the fun modern look to them so thought I’d give it a shot. Just re-color the text to match your paper or photo.

Merry Christmas from us. Happy card making.

Filed Under: Scrapbooking

My strange baby bump

November 29, 2011 By Manda

If you were wondering why my Sept and Oct postings were so few and awful you can now say “Oh, that makes sense. She must have been busy puking her brains out!” or perhaps you’ll think, “Gosh, I had my suspicions!”

So yes, I’m expecting our forth baby. It’s so odd to make an announcement over the internet, I know, but there really is no other way. I’ve been putting it off because it seems so weird. I’m due around the end of May although I’m not expecting this baby to arrive until the first week of June according to my previous history of lateness. So that makes me 15 weeks right now and I’m feeling so much better now that I’m into my second trimester.

Since I’m on the subject, I have some crazy, wild pictures to share. Now remember, I’m only 15 weeks. Actually, I took these photos last week on Thanksgiving day so I was technically 14 wks and 4 days along. I’m not showing at all other than my expanding love handles due to so much snacking.

Let me give you some background. These pictures were taken in the morning right when I woke up. My stomach is empty and my bladder if FULL. I also slept on this particular night on my right side.

Please don’t be grossed out.

I tried to get multiple angles/shots for the full effect. I’m completely lopsided.

Now, this baby bump isn’t very big. It feels like I have a grape fruit in my abdomin. This isn’t the normal lopsided baby belly of 30+ weeks. I haven’t even felt the baby move yet. This bump has to be my uterus being pushed up from my full bladder…

because… here’s the best part, when I get up, go to the ladies room, come back and lay back down…

GONE. Nothing left but some belly fat. My baby bump has disappeared into the depths of my pelvis, guts or whatever else is inside of me, hidden again until the next morning.

Crazy, eh? Have any of you experienced anything like this so early in your pregnancy?

Filed Under: Uncategorized