Recap for 2010....my life in "projects" :)

I cannot believe how fast this year has flown by!

My "baby" isn't a  baby anymore....he's a full blown 14 month old, running, climbing, dancing, singing toddler.

And my "big boy" is feeling very grown up to me these days....riding a big boy bike without training wheels and informing me about "blasting caps" and how roads are built. (Seriously have you EVER heard of a blasting cap?)

I mean, he *is* 3, you know ;) 

I'm one of those moms who clings to the present, and doesn't want my boys to grow up too fast....but the days all blur into weeks and months and before you know it, a year has gone by!

But it was a good year :)

Full of fun and giggles.

And...well...a few little projects that keep me feeling like there's a little bit of "me" left in there ;)

The first change I made to our home this year was adding the white slipcovers...

still love this fresh, airy look :)

This little memo board is still hanging on our kitchen door, covered in so many memories...I love it!

 The white chair slipcovers completely changed the look of our dining room...they *almost* hide the hideous IKEA table ;)  (Don't get me wrong...I love ikea...just not this table)

 After I started making changes in the dining room, I spotted this little beauty at the thrift shop and gave it a quick coat of paint. Still loving it!

 This gilt mirror just suits our home so much better now that it's white..

 And once I start craving a feeling of spring in our home, this pink camellia will find its home on the living room mantel once again.

The "T-shirt" covered cabana striped bench sits in our front entry.  It's perfect for holding my way too big purse :)

 

I'm still somewhat in love with stripes. This little half-moon table is where our laptop sits at the end of our couch.

This little bedside cabinet is completely stuffed full of books now....Finny's favourite place to sit down and make a big mess :)

 I gave the front entry a little makeover and didn't want to spend money on a light fixture, so I somehow managed to string this one together with a few odds and ends. (Not sure if I'd ever be able to reproduce it, tho) ;)

 More stripes....this little table spent the summer out on our back patio....a perfect spot for setting my Limonata, I might add.

 I'm so glad I finally decided to paint our bedroom. I still love how uplifting it is to wake up in a bright and breezy bedroom.

 I honestly don't know what I did before this dresser came to live with us. It is crammed full of craft supplies, story books (yes, we have a lot of books in our home), my sewing machine, etc etc. Definitely my most useful project to date, I'd say. And I love the mirror....it sometimes spends a little time on our mantel, where it's the perfect backdrop for holiday decor :)

Then we got started on holiday decorating...a little Halloween decor...

With a crazy kiddies Halloween party thrown in :)

A yarn ball wreath that sort of inspired a Scandinavian themed Christmas

 The Advent garland was a huge hit with the boys. After a few days, even little Finny knew the drill and would run to the rug and sit down waiting for the surprise :)

Our Christmas mantel...

And we can't forget the birthday parties :)

Toby's Rocket party...

and


Finny's Circus party...

And a little pink baby shower somewhere in there...

haha...and I wonder why the year went by so fast? :)


Thanks to all of you wonderful ladies out there for your kind comments and encouraging, inspiring, "make me feel good" words. I appreciate each and every one of them.

I hope you have a very happy and wonderful 2011 !

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

Merry Christmas to you all!

Hope you're having a wonderful holiday season!!

with love,

Tracey

xoxo

Mini Vintage Winter Wonderland

On one of our little thrift shop outings a few weeks ago, Toby spotted a little bag full of miniature "vintagey" trees and people.

Of course, he just HAD to have it.....and really....call me a pushover, but sometimes it's just not worth the battle.

Especially when said baggie full of miniature treasures is a mere $0.25!

So......with a little help from my trusty glue gun, I set up a little winter wonderland....

And both of my boys love it!

Even more surprising is the fact that's it's still intact after a whole week or so!



ps....I went a little crazy with picnik :) Just couldn't resist a little "snow".

I don't know about you, but I love little miniature villages and winter "scenes".

Something kind of magical and nostalgic about them.

Despite their tacky vibe.



Anyways.....just a little peek at Toby's "little people", as he calls them :)

My mom just got back from 6 weeks in Ireland, and the boys (and me) are so excited to have her back!

She was so kind today as to look after them this morning while I did some Christmas shopping...SOLO!

I honestly don't know how to shop alone anymore. I'm constantly looking around for the stroller and taking the route that doesn't pass the play area (because once they spot it, that's game over for any shopping). Ridiculous.:)

Christmas Dining Hutch Vignette

I decided that the dining hutch could use a little Christmas cheer :)

So, keeping with the same Scandinavian"ish" style, I decked the hutch with pine cones and red pots...and a variety of red/white/grey stockings.

 

I hung some grosgrain ribbon around my rustic light fixture....just for a little extra red.

As if I needed any more ;)

 

 

I'm keeping the table simple for now, since the hutch is fairly "busy"

Pinecones in a red felt reindeer bowl.

 

I'm linking up to Southern Hospitality's Christmas Vignettes event.

Lots of great inspiration there, if you haven't started your holiday decor yet :)