New Outdoor Space!

I have always wanted something different for Jayden to use outside to farm, drive, dig, load, sort, etc.  He has been playing in a small portion of our front landscaping since he was old enough to run a truck.  I have never really found a solution until I came across this idea.  My wheels began turning and it was a MUST DO! 

I found this idea on Pinterest, of course.  But found out through a friend, that it’s actually in a magazine called “Lowe’s Creative Ideas”.  Never knew there was such a thing until last week. (It’s a free subscription and free Ap, too)

  Because we are having some unseasonably warm temperatures we decided to get working on it today. 

We needed an excuse to actually dig up the old mulch and put some new  and fresh mulch down.  So Jayden and Kevin dug up the old mulch and then we headed off to Menards. 

This was our goal in mind!  http://lowescreativeideas.com/idea-library/projects/Backyard_Play_Area_Collection.aspx

Now, mine doesn’t look as cool as this one.  They had more area to work with.  But I think we can have fun with the space we have.

Here is the before picture!  Don’t mind the stuff under the deck.  We hope to take care of that this summer too!

First, we laid out the “road” so we knew for sure how it would lay and where we wanted it to be.

Once we had the road laid down and where we wanted it, we filled in with the mulch.

We left a “construction area” with dirt for Jayden to dig in.  We also bought a pvc pipe to use as a tunnel.  We aren’t quite done with that.  Need to cover the top so you can’t see it.

We couldn’t leave out Josie.  She needed an area for herself.  I found these cute little colored tin houses at Michael’s.  They were on super clearance and work perfect in her little village.  This is “Squinkieville”.  There are two stepping stones we that we have had for a long time with no use for them.  We bought a little tan base of a flower pot to use as a “pool”. She gets to use her imagination and do what she wants with her little village.

We got three other types of pavers that I painted and made them into buildings.  They can use them for whatever they want.  And the wind can’t take them anywhere!  I also painted on the yellow lines for the road.  Jayden couldn’t wait for it to dry!

Josie has all her Squinkies out and they all seem to be enjoying the “pool”.  Jayden got to work in the dirt!

His favorite thing is probably the tunnel.

I am pretty proud of our new outdoor play space.  Our mulch area actually looks a ton better!  Hoping this will be some great spring/summer entertainment!  I’m going to be adding to it as well.  When I find cute garden stuff that we can incorporate into it.

Master Bedroom Makeover

I’m slowly getting to the point where my projects are going to get more difficult.  This was the last project I am going to be able to do pretty much on my own.  All the easy cosmetic changes are going to be done.

I don’t have a picture of what our room looked like before but it was a mix of brown and red.  I wanted something new and different so this is what I came up with.  I’m not quite done with it yet.  Still need to find a few more things for the walls.

First of all, I wanted a headboard.  We have never had a headboard.  We had looked around some stores at some, but we decided just to make one.  We got the idea from this site:  http://blissfulbegonia.wordpress.com/2007/11/04/how-to-make-a-fabric-covered-headboard/  It was a pretty easy plan.  My hubby put the wood pieces together and I helped attach the batting and fabric.  Here is our finished product.  And  we are very PROUD of it.  As long as it stays in one piece!

I am absolutely thrilled with how it turned out.  Thanks to my hubby for making it happen!

Here are some more shots of the room:

I made the two side pieces with left over fabric from the head board.

This cute little thing is going to go on a shelf once I find one.  It says, “Laugh”.

The frames above the bed are ones I have stored for awhile.  So, I put different coordinating scrapbook paper in them and arranged them above the bed.

Cute little vase.  A friend and I went out today and looked around.  We found these flowery things and needed something for it. So we went to Michaels.  I found the vase and went to pay for it.  I of course had a coupon and was ready to use it.  The cashier was like, “you don’t need a coupon.  It’s one cent.”  Really?  Yes, really!!!  Apparently it was on clearance and needed to be gone.  And she was dead serious.  So, I got a $24.99 vase for a PENNY!  She said I should go buy a lottery ticket!

Jewelry holder.  Because I have so much jewelry.  Haha!

And curtains.  I’m still thinking of finding some fabric to drape across the top that would go with the bed.  But we’ll see.  Kind of like it as it is.

The room is so much lighter.  I love it!  Just need a few more decorations!

One a side note:

Here is a craft I finished for Josie’s room:

Cute little shelves that look like swings!

 

Now, for the next project.  Think it’s time to tackle the bathrooms!