Art for the wall

Disney prints (Thrift store find-btw) laid out on the floor to see placement.  Several need new frames.  After seeing the shots I am leaning towards using the top larger piece on a different wall.

 I think I like the lower 5 prints spaced out just a bit rather then butted together.  They will go nicely above the bookshelf on the dresser.  All the color in this room just brings a smile to my face!

Plants- let's see how long these last

A few of these are many years old.  Most are newbies.  My girls had wonderful plant collections.  Me?  Not so many.  Walmart had a 1/2 price on some that had to come home with me.  Lowe's had a good markdown that caught my eye and filled a few more thrift shop finds.

 The cat was an auction find that was hidden in the hutch finally the right plant to bring it out of hidding.

 A work in progress, maybe I will get back to it this winter.

 Did you guess a Black Eye Susan?  Mosaic piece from broken doll head and thrift shop plates.

wow I really need to straighten out the mini blinds--lol!

Sneak preview of new kid's room

Floors are done and permission to start moving in has been granted.  The room took a bit longer then expected but well worth the time.  We did all the work ourselves (when I say we, I really mean hubby did most of it)  This is oldest daughter former bedroom converted to Grandkids (and Grandma's) Room.

 The smaller toys were made into a vertical blind for the window.  I may or may not end up making curtains for a bit of privacy during over night visits.  An old bar stool was converted into a night light.  Several wooden toys were dismantled and attached to the legs of the stool.  The top is much loved toy with some modifications.  I added beads and blocks.  I used a stacking set of blocks glued together in a tree formation and wrapped Christmas lights around it top to bottom.  When plugged in a nice glow of soft light shows through.

 Another piece made just for this room is our art station.  An old book case was painted black.  The kids and I then decorated it with pieces of wooden toys, blocks and shapes.  This is a perfect place for all the "How to Draw...." books I have collected over the years.  The dresser this sits on has drawers for color book and stamp/pads, stencils etc....

 I am not sure if I am going to shorten the lego lamp or move it to another part of the room.  I like it up on the dresser but the scale is a bit off.  The children's guitar hiding in the back ground will get mosaic-ed and then find a special place to hang.

 35 years of being a mom/grandma and my toy collection is still bigger then theirs--lol  Most of these toys will get passed around between homes over the next few years.  Ninja turtles, toy cars and misc small action figures, we have had a lot of fun and hours of play with all of these over the years.  Tinker Toys/Lincoln logs along with Little People sets, Potato Heads , totes of action figures and toy box full of legos are all being passed around by the grand kids.  When one mom yells clean this all up, it goes on to the next family that wants it.  (I seriously think some of the mom's have been adding to the pile b/c by the time it gets back to me it looks larger--lol)

 Kelly and Sarah had first dibs on the book,  I kept back a few favorites and let the rest go on with No bring backs.  I kept a small bookshelf that I need to organize, bet I can find a few more books to part with.  Some of these are from the 1950 and '60's.

 I hid a few of the I Spy and Science To Do books for educational purposes.  Yeah, that's my story!

The new cat, Max, has made himself at home.  He has set claim to the kid's room and can be found on the futon bed quite a bit.  Breely and Andrew are the first two to have spent the night in the new room.  Max kept a close eye on each one.  Don't know how he survived not getting roll over on but he did.

Thrift store find- crochet dress

Disclaimer this dress was on a doll for only $3.00 total!   I wanted it for an 18in Pocahontas doll I have who can't seem to keep her clothes on.  Of course she will now sit up out of reach of little hands.  I used an old coffee cup stand to hold her up.

I am still working on the 'kid's' room (Ok we all know it is Grandma's toy room)  This keepsake will have a place of honor.  Grands are getting old enough to look and not touch so some of the family favorites will get arranged on shelves.

Hubby is going to have a TO DO list when he gets home.  Want to take bets on how excited he is going to be?  Actually all he gets to do is hang a couple of shelves and a few prints.  Kids and I are doing the rest.

something Harry Potter for friend's baby

Youngest daughter Sarah, work up a cut baby quilt for a friend.  Paper Pieced and raw edge applique, machine sewn and quilted and a few old fashioned string ties to add texture-- way to go Sarah.  Only help from mom was an open door to raid the stash.

mosaic planter for Kelly

Glass is from Connie's stash.  She gave me a piece of kiln melted scrap glass that had broken.  Karlee and I thought it looked like sea glass and decided to make a beach inspired piece for Kelly.  We used a sand color grout and added sea shells to the vase.

 Breely and Karlee each made a smaller plate to use as coasters.  We added a beach theme figurine to finish out the present..   It is always fun to get creative with the kids.  No expectations, just imagination.

I would say this one is a success!