current projects

In a flurry of inspiration from my sister-in-law as she decorates her impending arrival's nursery, I have launched several projects for Addison's room. Since we didn't know if Addison was going to be a girl or a boy, I didn't decorate her room or hang things on the walls. We painted the walls butter yellow and the trim white and hung up all the bedding accessories, but beyond that, her room is devoid of decoration. It's about time to remedy that with the following projects.

--ribbon bulletin board--multicolored dots sprinkled on a blue background with purple ribbon--I bought purple ribbon at Michaels without the fabric in hand and thought the purples would match and they totally don't.
--embellished letters--I am covering A-D-D-I-E with scrapbook papers, sanding the edges for a rough finish. I've seen a multitude of ideas online which go one step further and add 3-D details on the letters, but since I chose five different papers for the letters, I can't decide if I need a unifying element besides the paper colors. People have been using scrapbooking flowers, beads, sequins, buttons and ribbon. Making Memories added their enamel letters to embellish just one initial which looked really good. I could definitely add some ribbon, but it would come down to finding the right color. Michaels does have a good selection, but I couldn't find exactly what I needed. Maybe Joann's?
--square box shelves--At Hobby Lobby, they have decorated the typical cube shelves by painting the edge facing out and adding a design on the sides of the cubes. I want to make something that isn't so girly but that coordinates with the bedding. Definitely green on the edge and maybe something simple like dots or circles on the sides.
--I also bought three picture frames to hang on her walls. One is a wall hanging with a picture frame in the middle, another is a predecorated shadowbox. At Target, I found Making Memories preembellished mats that you use in any picture frame. The colors are a little muted, so I don't know if I will end up using it in her room, but I'm sure I can find another place for it.

Other exciting crafting news:
--I finally found a copy of Ribbonrie! I've been looking for this book everywhere. Usually I try to ILL a copy before I buy it but no libraries had it and I couldn't even buy it through Baker and Taylor. I found it on sale at Archivers and I love it!!
--At Walmart and Joann's, I found fabric that was smocked at the top that you just throw a seam and a hem into and you have yourself a top or dress! I bought some of this in a great pink and green paisley design with the intention of making Addison and I matching clothes for tonight's Mother/Daughter banquet at church--Addie would get a dress and I would wear a top. But they won't be complete in time since I haven't even taken the machine out of the box, which leads me to the next item...
--I got a sewing machine for my birthday/Mother's Day! A researched and picked it out all by himself! The only free time I seem to have lately is at night after Addison has gone to sleep, and I can't really start practicing then since the machine is so loud, I'm afraid it will wake her up. But very soon, I will be cracking that thing open! I'm so excited to have this tool in my repertoire now! I went through my fabric box and found all sorts of goodies (several of them paisley, surprise, surprise) that I cannot wait to sew into some fabulous skirts. I've been waiting and waiting for this day and I'm so excited!

K