Lauren's Headboard from a cast off door

Lauren has been wanting to make a headboard for her new bed since they moved out to the farm.

She stayed the week with us so she could attend camp and in the evening she got her grandfather "n board" to work on the headboard in the evenings.

Lauren had laid claim to the old door in my garage several months ago.  Her mother tried to "steal" it for the Chicken Coop, but NOPE!  Lauren already said she needed it for her special project.

Lauren and Peter took the first trip to Lowe's to pick up the trim items they would need.

Lauren specifically wanted the rope trim and had a detailed "vision" of how she wanted the bed to look.

She explained that she needed a shelf across the top to store some items.

And she wanted her shelf to be trimmed out with the rope detail.

Lauren also wanted lights to be attached to the headboard. (She likes to read in bed!)  That requred multiple trips to "various" Big Box stores to find "just the right lights"! 

Here is a shot of the finished edge with the light. 

Next step was to take the headboard to her house to paint. 

Ashley, Lauren and I made a quick trip to Bonham to pick out her paint color.  I think that was a harder decision than all the building decisions.  Too many shades of Turquoise to choose from!  (She also has a very specific vision for how she wants her room to look!)

Once she decided on  her color and got the headboard painted, she also wanted to add some detail work.  With some left over metal stars from another project, she nailed them to the headboard to create a half moon affect. (She didn't want them too random!)

Here is her final "vision" brought to life.

I think for a 10 year old she has a lot of style!

Great job!

Till tomorrow,

debi

Thanksgiving Crafts

Time flies...that's all I can say.

We flew to Florida earlier this month and attended a beautiful wedding for my friend's nephew.  It was a beautiful wedding and the ceremony was absolutely incredible.

Two young people who love the Lord with their whole heart...so touching!!!

What young bride is not absolutely beautiful and her young "knight" not handsome?

We had a perfect time and the best was spending time with by oldest (not in an age sense) BFF from college.  We've been friends almost 40 years, and I can only look forward to 40 more years of getting to know her heart and understanding who she is.  She is such a joy to spend time with and I always go away so thankful of such a rich friendship!

As for this week, I have the time off.  I have planned out my week for all the projects, sewing, painting, etc. that I want to get done (plus haul out the Christmas decorations.)  I was well on my way to completing the laundry today when I got the "Grema" call...could I watch the grandkidsl while mom and dad did some shopping?

End of my list and enter a  more of a "free form" time zone!

I actually had been thinking of a Thanksgiving project that the two of them could do together (hard to plan an activity for a 9 and 3 year old).  I searched the internet and found the perfect project. A Thanksgiving Turkey!

The turkey begins with paper towel/toilet paper rolls.  (Luckily I had been saving them for another project!)

We began by painting the rolls in fall colors.  Lauren chose orange, brown, yellow and red.

Next...they painted the rolls in the different colors.

I think Austin needed a nap, but he was actually more interested in when we were going to have a 'snack'.

I think the hardest part was waiting for the rolls to dry.

Once all the rolls were dry we cut 1/2 inch rings from each of the colors. Each turkey needs 9 rings for their feathers. 

Lauren wanted to paint the inside of each of the rings...so another drying period.  (By now we've lost Austin...he's moved on to play with the legos!)  While waiting for the feathers to dry we created our turkey body and the feet.  (Lauren also painted these.)

Once all the parts were dry we began building our turkey.

I used hot glue to glue the pieces together, so Lauren placed the colors in the order she wished hers to be so it would look perfect! Next came the turkey body and the feet.

Austin LOVED his turkey.

Lauren affixed the waddle, eyes and beak and hers was also complete.

This was not part of my "TO DO" list today, but spending time with the kids and talking with them while crafting is a priceless time, and I enjoyed the respite from my list!

Now to be completely open...this is not my idea!  I got the tutorial from a blog, ChildMade. Some really cute craft ideas for kids.

I've included a link to complete instructions on how to make this turkey, but she also has some other really cute ideas with paper towel rolls.  Lauren said she will next make a puppy from the rolls!  Looks like I'll be planning another craft day soon!

Till tomorrow...

debi

Day Two!

Breakfast in the hotel - The spreadsheet went to heck - we drove until 1:30 AM...so we didn't get as early a start...but I think Lauren was still tired.
Crossing over "to the other side". Entering Canada!

Tailgating at the gas station - we need a snack.
Lauren and Ashley get a drink!

Day One!

We left at 5:30 am - McKinney time - so for those who are following the spreadsheet - we are on target! Our first big rest stop was at Cracker Barrel so Austin could rock a little. Too early to eat lunch (we just finished breakfast in Oklahoma) - but we are now in Missouri! We were able to "shop" the snack box. The chocolate cookies were a tad messy, but still edible. Once we leave the "heat" I don't think it will be too bad under the truck cover.
Late lunch made Austin and Lauren King and Queen of our table!

We were able to sit outside and enjoy a cool respite from our 103 degree heat of the last week. Lauren was able to play on the playground and expend some energy before, once again, getting back in the car!

We were able to see the St. Louis arch as we flew through St. Louis. It was raining....but the air was cooling.

Lauren is learning to read a map and is helping Bapo navigate his way through all the city traffic.We saw this out in the middle of a field in Illinois...it says to go to www.crossusa.com. We haven't had a chance to check it out yet...but is on our list of things we'll do when we arrive.It was very late when we stopped for dinner and Bapo had to take Austin outside so we could finish eating. He was getting very vocal!

For those of you who are looking at the spreadsheet - we are WAY off! We traveled to Ft. Wayne, IN last night (way past our first night's stop) and it is now 8:27 AM (Eastern time, which he did not account for losing an hour)...but we are once again on the road. You'll have to adjust your own column H and I to readjust for the time! HA! LOL~!

Packing to start Vacation!

I gave Lauren the camera to document the progress that was happening outside...was it all going to fit? I think Mike has his doubts.
But...after much jamming, cramming and stuffing - I think all our bags, baby items, art and scrapping stuff for the car was loaded. B.J. and Mike are quite proud of their accomplishments!
Wonder where we'll put what we bring home?

Ashley thinks she can jam one more thing in the back!!!!!