A Halloween Retrospective

Yes, we all know it's that time of year...even though the stores are shoving Christmas down our throats already, in a little less than two weeks we will don our best costume and strut up and down the street, jack-o-lantern bag in tow, ringing door bells and saying "Trick or Treat". Well, you might be doing that. I'll be having a BABY!

I got to reminiscing about the Halloweens we've celebrated with our son. When he was born we lived in Iowa and they celebrate "Beggar's Night." Same as Halloween, only a day earlier and the kids are supposed to tell you a joke before receiving candy. (And boy, did we hear some doosies!) Our block was known for really awesome Halloween candy...and EVERYONE dressed up, adults included. They even bussed kids in to the neighborhood. I loved this! I really miss this celebration. We had good weather the 2 years we celebrated Halloween on Ashby Avenue. Unfortunately that hasn't been the case in recent years. (Sorry Des Moines friends!)

This year we're unsure how Trick or Treating will go down. Isaac will be with my parents while we're in the hospital. I hope he makes an appearance there in costume...perhaps the OB nurses will appreciate a Trick or Treator in their ward.

Officials have set Halloween for Saturday the 30th in our small community. We were out of town last year to see if we had many door-ringers. And Isaac didn't particularly enjoy going door to door; he was more interested in handing out the candy. But now that candy is like gold around here, he just might get the hang of it, and FAST!


This is the little nugget just about 2 months old. We handed out bananas in honor of our little monkey that year. Surprisingly, some kids actually preferred the bananas over the candy!

Our second Halloween, I made this postal uniform and delivery truck. He had a yucky stomach virus that year and didn't do much Trick or Treating..but he got plenty of goodies from Mother's Day Out and our close neighbors. (Wouldn't you want THAT smile to bring your mail?!)

Last year, he was a Smore's. I must have a thing with cardboard...or recycling...because I used it again! I think right before I took this pic he did his first EYE ROLL directed at MOM!


This year I found a Thomas the Tank Engine costume, new in the package, for $3.00. I couldn't pass it up. My craftier side was struggling, but I'm happy I didn't take on the task of making a costume this year. I don't have pictures yet, but I will soon.

What are your kids dressing up as? Are you dressing up this year? What's your favorite Halloween activity?

Isaac's New Room

Have you noticed I like orange??? And have I mentioned my son likes trains? Put the two together and you get this:


I made a uphostered head board out of cheap muslin and left over MDF board. Enlisted the help of two really HOT and talented ladies to help me paint the train silhouette, and paid my husband and dad to hang it on the wall for me! We would like to add two old lights hanging from the cieling on either side of the bed and some vintage train posters on the wall with the window. But for now, the little man is happy with his NEW ROOM.

Nursery Pics!

Let's see if I can remember how to do this. Ya know...blog. (Sorry readers...)

We are pretty much done with the baby's nursery. It has been a process and one which would have never happened if it weren't for the help (blood sweat and tears) of some very important people. Grandma and Grandpa (my mom and dad), and my sweet friend Kelsey, painter and idea gal extraordinaire! And of course, Dan and Isaac. The little man gave up his comfy down-stairs room for a smaller, more "grown up" room upstairs. (I will dedicate a new post to this room later, promise!) I would also like to thank Home Depot, Lowes, Fabrics.com, and EBay, and I cannot forget my very durable and reliable $50 sewing matching, purchased on Craigslist still in the box.

Do you remember my Color Inspiration? Well, I stuck with it despite my frustration at not finding the PERFECT fabric or bedding or, well, anything that really matched 100%. But that's okay. Matchy matchy is out, right? Hodge Podge is in?

There are still a few things to do, and probably will be an ongoing project of sorts...accentuating and accessorizing. So, without further ado, here is the future room of one Miss Aubrey Lynn McGuire:

The crib was Isaac's.

The bedding was made by my mom (sheet saved from Isaac's stash which is a pale blue/grey, we will be adding more homemade sheets to the stash later.

I added a "ribbon bumper" to get more color and I'm sure it won't stay on long....for safety reasons as well as changing the sheets will probably move them all around.

Crib dust ruffle copied from HERE, which I'm in love with and SEW easy, right mom?)

The cornices above the bed and window (see below) was made by my dad.

The rocker cushions were originally blue, but again, by my mom's magic were recovered in that lovely pumpkin orange damask fabric. What a process! But so worth it!

The bird cage was my mom's at one time and has undergone many spray paint treatments. I added chandelier crystals and rigged it up as a lamp

The chandelier was purchased in 2002 on eBay when I lived in a tiny apartment and thought I could use it in the future! (Don't worry...no candles!)

The grey fabric behind the crib was a $6.00 king sheet I found at Ross marked "irregular"!

I'm going to add ribbon to the holey (not holy) mirror on the wall, which was also made by my dad a few years back. Same goes for the white tray on the table next to the rocker

Do you recognize THIS POST ABOUT THE UGLY ARMOIRE? I salvaged it after it didnt' sell in our garage sale and instantly knew it had to be grey. I think I'll put some razzle dazzle on it at some point...vinyl decorations or something that matches the scrapbook paper inspiration. I'm happy no one (no suckers) bought it! The yellow cieling tin was a junk market find I've had in my stash for several years. I am going to hang it on the wall so more accessories can fit on the armoire.


This soft yellow damask fabric is very much like the pumpkin used on the rocker. I didn't have good lighting so you can't see it very well. It's a simple panel swagged to one side. We plan on getting REAL blinds soon to replace the year old paper ones from our move-in day...over a year ago!

And my ALL TIME FAVORITE space saver of the century: A changing table in the closet!! My dad simply cut a 1x12 in half (right?) and the two parts fit perfectly above the clothes rod as a shelf. They are screwed into place ontop of the wood that holds the clothes rod. It's a little high, but later on it can just be removed! I am going to get a few baskets to hold diapers and supplies next to the changing cushion. And we can STILL hang clothes below because there's a space above the rod! LOVE THIS!

The baby's initials were put in 12x12 scrapbook frames using the inspiration paper and an orange paper I had in my stash. The white letters were a steal at Hobby Lobby.

So, whatdoyathink? Besides a baby (only 3 weeks left!) there are a few things missing that we can't put our finger on. Nothing big, just more customizing or more "baby-ish" type items. I am thinking vinyl words or a fun flourish somewhere....but we're happy as clams it's complete and ready for a new life!

Looking for a Tutorial

Help! There needs to be a one-stop search engine for creative tutorials! I am looking for a tutorial on how to dress up a plain t-shirt. Someone I met had one on this weekend that was grey, with black ribbon flowers going up the side. Paired with a pair of black capris, it was ADORABLE!!! She said her son bought it for her from {insert name of fun teeny-bopper store here} but now I can't remember even where she said it was from! My instinct said, "Hey, you can DO THAT YOURSELF."

Do you have any suggestions? Even if it's just how to make those cute ribbon flowers, I'd be grateful!