Babies Galore!

I've been very busy making babies the past few weeks.

Now, kindly please get your mind out of the gutter of Babies 'R Us, and into the doll making scene. I've featured these cutie pie little dolls before, and I've been at it again. I got the pattern from Bit of Whimsy (I cannot take credit for that, unfortunately, but check this girl out, because she has some really cool patterns) and I have to rave about how easy it is. So easy.

I had my first custom doll order from a girl named Roxi. You see, she was turning six years old and requested a doll with purple hair, blue eyes, and a pink and purple dress. I was up to the challenge. Here is a picture of Jon, Roxi, Roxi's brother Gib, and I after the adoption.



And of course, you remember Jo. That sweet little girl just had her first birthday, and I decided it was high time she owned a doll (instead of the million trucks, tractors, cars, and airplanes she borrows from her brother). Here we are on my last day of work.



And if you want a close up (of Jo's baby, I was sure I took a picture of Roxi's baby too, but I can't find it. Oh well.):



So there you have it! I really like these dolls, and they are so easy to make. Except for stuffing the arms. That is not fun. What do you think?

My Stay-cation!

Well, it is official. I am a lady of leisure. I have begun my "stay-cation," or a vacation, where I stay home. And I've got to admit, its pretty sweet. You may be thinking "How could a vacation at home be all that great?" Well it is. Possibly because I live in the greatest place ever. Possibly because I get to spend all my time with the greatest husband ever. Possibly because I get to do whatever I want.

I give you permission to be jealous.

I've only been on my "stay-cation" two days, but I've already taken full advantage of those two days of doing whatever I want.

I've gone to the drive in to see Toy Story 3 with my wonderful husband.



I've gone shopping/thrifting. (But I'm not going to show you a picture from that, because you'll see what I got in a later post.)

I've gone for a hike to go fishing. (Oh, and in this picture, Duke is in time out because he couldn't stay out of the water.)



I've gone for multiple walks with two of my favorite boys.



I've napped without feeling guilty. (You don't need to see that.)

I've started training for the Detroit Marathon. (And stretched while my favorite puppy was just dying to cuddle.)



I've gone on my first long ride with my new bike (and forgot my camera).

I've spent lots of time with this guy right here:



And I've completely organized the house, so it will be so much easier to pack when its time for that. (I am not going to include pictures of that, because I am a little depressed about the lack of decor our house has going on right now. Ah, the joys of moving with the military.)

All in all, I would say it has been a successful first two days of my "stay-cation," what do you think? I have lots of projects and mini-trips planned to fully enjoy my last month in Colorado. Any advice? Anything we should make a point to do before we leave and start the chaotic military lifestyle? I'd love to hear what you want to see pictures of!

Summer Lovin.

Shhh! Don't tell J, but I'm having a little summer romance with numbered home decor. I can't get enough of it. I find myself making excuses just to google "numbered pillows." I spend all day staring at numbered dressers. I love, love, love simple font numbers. Check it out for yourself, I'm not greedy. I'll share. Whats my love, is your love.

Pottery Barn

A Little Bit of Sanity and a Lot of Chaos

Design*Sponge

Family Living

Domino via DomistiKatedLife

Apartment Therapy

Domino

See? How much are you loving numbers now? Letters and I have had our little trysts as well, but right now I'm spending a whole lot more time with Letter's cousin, Numbers. Who else has this slight obsession going on? Any creative ways to incorporate my newest love into my house? Bring on the inspiration! Get ready for some major DIY numbering to hit the Recor house (and blog) very soon!

Ohhh...

Well, my friend Shawna's doing it. She is taking the plunge. Hooking up the old ball and chain. Tying the knot. Biting the big one (or is the "big one" death? I can't remember...).

Anyway, she is getting married July 2nd in Balls Falls, Canada (yes) to a great guy, Peter. I won't pretend that I know how to spell his last name, but it starts with an "O."

We were invited to their shower this Sunday (and of course, we were sent home with more food than we had in our refrigerator. And we're foodies). J spent most of his showering time watching Germany pound on Australia in the World Cup, while I mingled with the numerous amount of famous pro-triathletes from all over the world. (Seriously, I met the girl on the cover of Triathlon Magazine, along with a slew of other people who would make our cousin Scott lime green with envy.) All in all, I would call it a successful shower (even if J did forget his body wash).

The reason I'm sharing all this oh-so-interesting information with you is all because of the present we gave the happy couple. We stole borrowed the idea from Young House Love (check it out) so thanks John & Sherry!



It was a super easy (cool, meaningful, budget friendly) DIY project, and here is how we did it:

1. Find an "O" at the beginning of a chapter in our favorite George R. R. Martin book.
2. Take said "O" to FedEx Office and have them blow it up about 600%.
3. Frame it.

See? Easy-peasy. And I loved it so much, I am making an "R" picture for us next. What do you think? Easy enough? What other easy art have you made? I'm always looking for the next project.

Hell's Recors

Well after much consideration, we have decided to start a biker gang. So far, its just the two of us, but I foresee many a bar fight fought, jail time served, and hog riding ahead with our (soon to be) recruits.

Okay maybe not. But we did get bikes. Not motorcycles though, road bikes. And just to set the record straight, we will not be bar fighting, jail attending, or hog riding any time soon. (J wanted to make sure I clarified this doesn't mean he isn't allowed to bar fight, and if he feels the urge to do so, he may partake in bar fights.)

We got some pretty great wheels from my mom and Jon's parents (smootch! Thanks SO much you three!) as graduation gifts. We have plans to go on many Sunday (and Monday... and Friday... and Thursday...) rides together. Plus, this means we can be a one car family for a while longer (hooray!!). Double plus, we get a little work out getting from place to place! Sure, we don't get the oh-so-lovely radio (read that with a little sarcasm) of our car, but nothing beats the wind in my hair.

J and his Trek 1.1

Me and my Trek 1.1 WSD

Hopefully I don't get swallowed up by a tornado in Oklahoma.

(Oh, and due to the ridiculous amount of rain that was dumped on us this weekend, you will have to wait a few more days for the conclusion to our table post. Don't blame me, blame Colorado.)

A Place to Dine.

When we moved to Colorado, we brought a lot of hand-me-downs (read: junk) with us. We were poor college kids, so it didn't feel all that wrong to have mismatched couches, silverware from 20 different kitchens, a cinder block under the bed (yes.), or this former garage dwelling table.



Now that we are young professionals (being a nanny IS professional), it feels a little sad to hold on to these college digs. Our wedding took care of the mismatched couches (we now have a wonderful L-shaped sectional in our living room), the silverware (one set!), and the cinder block is gone (we won't even go there). But, we still have THAT table.

Now, don't get me wrong, the table served its purpose. And to be honest, it really wasn't bad. But I'm a grown up now, and I want a grown up table. Is that too much to ask?? (Oh, and thank you MIL for the kitchen table! We totally loved it, and used it every night for dinner. We'll be so sad to see it go!)

Remember this?



It's our old refurbished NEW table! Well, almost. We found it at a garage sale when we were looking for kitchen chairs, oh, two years ago. The lady gave a great deal on the chairs ($20 for five chairs!) but only if we took the table too. DEAL.



When we walked away from that garage sale (well drove... we weren't about to carry five chairs and a table home walking) we had visions of a beautifully refinished table. We were going to do it all ourselves. This was going to be our first furniture project together. And we were going to do it now.

(Could someone please go kill those crickets???)

Well, like I said, that was two years ago, before I found my passion for all things DIY, and right in the middle of life, school, wedding planning, and working. So it sat in the garage for a year. Then we moved it into our new garage, where it sat for another year.

But finally... we are done (almost). We are going to have a beautiful kitchen table that we worked on together. Are you ready to see it??

You'll have to tune in next week. (Cue: maniacal laughter)

Blog Love.

I'm in a loving mood today, so I thought I would give some good, clean blogger love to Ana, from Knock-Off Wood (I'm flattering myself thinking this could possibly matter; it doesn't to Ana, but I figure I can turn ya'll on to her blog).

Ana is a stay at home mom from Alaska who is also am amazing furniture maker. But better than that, she shares her furniture plans with us simple folk! A friend of mine sent me Ana's way a few weeks ago, and I can't stop stalking her to find out what piece of furniture she wants me to make next. Because I know she wants me to make all her pieces. She does.

Anyway, I have one little project to finish (more on that tomorrow) before I can justify moving on to some of these pieces (try the Planked Headboard, the Simple Daybed, or the Parson Desk, and that's just naming the top three pieces on my wish list. I'm greedy.) Jon is also telling me I should wait until we move to Oklahoma, when we can unpack the table saw. But the way I see it, I've got 4 weeks to do whatever I want, and the fine people at those lovely box stores can cut it for me.

We will see who wins out in this battle of patience. I do have some other, simpler, projects I could do before we make the big move. I don't know if I can wait that long for a headboard though... what do you think?

A preview of tomorrows post...