Vacation at the Coast

Okay, I know it has been over 2 weeks since I have posted

or even looked at this blog!

Life has been so busy, I guess it just all caught up with me,

and I stopped anything that didn't absolutely need to be done!

After about 4 months of nonstop work and activities, we took a

much-needed family vacation to the coast at Shelter Cove.

It was the perfect place: fairly isolated, 

right across the road from Seal Rock,

and very relaxing, even with 4 little ones!

We had lots of adventures, like throwing rocks into the ocean,

exploring the local lighthouse,

touching the Pacific Ocean for the first time,

watching the seals,

playing in the waves,

 and looking at the beautiful old houses.

On the last day, I took out some jars I brought and 

 the kids filled them with things they had collected,

like black sand and pretty shells.

Add a label to mark the place and date, 

and they have a nice remembrance of the trip!

VBS Week: International Spy Academy!

Vacation Bible School Week is always so much fun!

This year we have a great team and such a fun theme:

International Spy Academy!

We had some great artists working on the set this year!

The hallways were transformed into a city street!

 Spy Command Center!

 Spies are everywhere!

Deciphering Codes!

International Flags

 Music and skits are always favorites!

Missionary with Hope Alive! in Uganda telling the kids about kids in Africa.
This is our mission project this year.

Over 100 kids running through the halls, singing and learning
 more about the One True God: what a great week!

Furniture Project: Geometric Design

I thought I would share my daughter's geometric furniture project this week!

I bought it years ago, just a cheap little brown end table for a kid's room.
Caitlin claimed it when she moved into her first apartment and
painted it cream with olive green drawers.
I thought it was cute then,

but when she moved into this apartment, she wanted a black and white theme,
so, like mother, like daughter, she painted it again!

It makes a great coffee station in the kitchen and a bonus
with extra storage!

Creating with Kids: Life Size Cutouts

I haven't shared anything in a couple of weeks because things have been so hectic! 

VBS is just around the corner and I have also been doing a lot of babysitting lately

with my most favorite little people.

This week I am in Sacramento to stay with 3 cute kids while their mom 

takes a trip to Victoria with her mom. I checked the weather and when I saw that it

would be in the 100s, I packed some craft supplies to take along.

The favorite thing we did was life size cutouts:

I had them lie down on a roll of paper and I traced around them.

Then we drew in the clothes and facial features and they painted.

(the older ones could do some of it, I drew for the 2 year old, but she did most of the painting)

 They worked so intensely on them!

Then I cut them out and we put them up in the hallway 

where they usually hang their artwork.

 It was super easy and the kids loved it!

We also got inspiration from Pinterest and did a lot of paper plate projects!

"Summerizing the House"

I don't know if "summerize" is a work, but every year, when the weather takes a turn towards summer, and you know this time it's going to stick, usually sometime around Memorial Day, I get an urge to clear out all the heavy, dark accessories that are still left after the Spring purge.

Things like quilts and dark pillows and too many chotchkies.

 In the dining room, I went all white with just a little color.

 I brought in 6 white chairs and 2 turquoise chairs for the ends.

A white cloth on the table with white candles and a 

white pitcher filled with lavender keeps it simple and fresh.

In the guest room, I replaced the pink quilt with one that feels like summer:

Grandmother's Flower Garden in reds and yellows and blues.

 The mantle felt too heavy, so I lightened it up by 

removing some of the stuff.

Much more "summery"!

Pillows and quilts were removed or changed out

in the family room as well.

Maybe it only makes a little difference,

but to me it feels lighter and less cluttered and ready for summer!

Burlap and Paper Light Fixture

Things have been so busy around here lately, I haven't had time for any projects.
However, I did manage to make this new light fixture for the living room,
since I sold the orb light I had made for this spot.

I had a light kit and an old lamp shade, so I thought,

"why not try something?"

I didn't like the look of the chain and cord, so I got out some

burlap strips and sewed up a cover. The sewing was easy,

 just tedious since you need so much if you want it to

bunch up over the cord. It is kind of a hassle getting it

over the chain, however, you just need to keep at it!

 I kind of liked the bare look, but I decided to use some 

old dictionary pages to make the shade.

 I just hooked them on with some little clips.

That way, I can make changes whenever I want.

For instance, I am considering using some old family photos,

 I'm just not quite sure how I will do it.

 I added a little burlap ribbon around the top for an accent.

It's one more small step in the refreshing of the living room

that I am planning.

The next step, as soon as I get some time,

will be to cover those 2 chairs in front of the bookcases.

 I am thinking of using burlap and either linen or matalise.

Then it's on to the ceiling paint and crown molding!