Gallery Wall

Gallery Wall for the Living Room / Office!

The gallery wall in the living room / office is up! It took a while, but I definitely think it was worth it :) I started with a push pin board that I made out of an old frame, you can read more here

While David and I were in Home Depot picking up wood to build the sofa table ... I found this image on Pinterest and thought that it would be a perfect solution for the gallery wall - so we grabbed materials for that and got to work!

Pinterest links here but I couldn't find the original image ...

We needed something that would be light to avoid the curtain wire sagging, so this was perfect!

Then David cut the frames with our fancy new saw - he has used it for the desk and chairs, the sofa table, and the tv stand (photos soon!) and so far he loves it!

1. Screen Mold (1/4" x 3/4" x 8') was selected to make the frames out of - We decided on a composite because it was about half the price of wood

2. After determining the size of the frames needed,  screen mold was cut on a 45 degree angle with the chop saw

3. frames were glued with super glue

4. After the glue dried, I primed and applied a top coat of spray paint (I waited about 30-45 minutes between coats)

5. To hang the art - I used a grommet kit to attach the wire between the paper and frame (thanks for the ideaFlea Market Finds with Matthew Mead!)

I followed the directions on the package, except I used a hole punch instead of the tool provided because it was much easier, I would recommend!)

6. I used a rubber mallet to fasten the grommets in place

7. We hung Ikea's Dignitet curtain wire system and used Ikea's Riktig curtain clips at the top and we fastened two eye screws at the top of each frame to hang the wire from - making sure that it was tight!

8. We hung the frames and art with thin gauge wire, and attached them to the curtain clips (wire was simply twisted at the end to secure)

Finally, we used a level to help get everything straight!

The push pin board isn't hung on the curtain wire because it is too heavy ... 

I brushed on watercolor and then cut circles out with a 1" hole punch (thanks for the circle punch art ideaMer Mag!)

I made a print of special dates to us ... 

Annabelle on the top and my two sweet kitties that couldn't make the trip to CA (they are currently being spoiled by my parents and even turned my Dad into a cat lover :)

Some of my favorite pics of Annabelle playing fetch at the baseball field :)

Finally, I found a map of the US circa 1960's at a thrift store and put circle stickers on all the places that David and I have visited together - clever idea via Young House Love

and there you have it!

Cost Breakdown:

14 Frames - $20.60
Spray Paint - $7
Wire - $2.50
Eye Hooks - $4
Grommet Kit - $9
Curtain Rod and Clips - $15

Total Cost = $58.10

This idea worked perfectly for us since we are renting (less holes to patch when we leave!) and I love the shadows that are created by the floating frames! 

Mud Room

Billy/Benno Cubby Unit

Materials: 6 Billy Bookcases, 2 Benno TV Benches, 18 coat hooks

Description: Build the Benno TV benches, leaving out the drawers.

Build the Billies, flipping all shelves and the top/bottom upside down as you go.

I chose to omit the back panel too. Do not use the shelves in what is now the bottom half of the unit.

Place 3 upside-down Billies on each Benno, anchoring them to the wall. Screw coat hooks into the sides and back wall of each cubby.

~ Melanie Ward, Muskoka, Ontario

Build the bookcases and tv benches using the instructions they come with. The only changes you make at this point is to flip the top, middle and bottom shelves on the Billys upside down (so the holes for the hardware are the oposite direction to the instructions). This is because you will be using the unit upside down (kick plate at the top).
I didn't bother building the drawers for the tv benches since I wanted shoe room. But you can always use them for mittens etc.
Once the units are assembled, place the benches where you want them. Lift the bookcases on top and anchor to the wall using included hardware. I did this on the underside of the middle shelf. Then screw coathooks into the sides of the cubby spaces and into the wall using appropriate hardware. Only put shelves in the top half of the units for storage.

Remade: Lego Activity Table

Lego Activity Table

Materials: Vika Amon table top, Trofast storage boxes, EKBY JÄRPEN EKBY TÖRE desk top shelf

Description: After we moved our office from the largest bedroom in the house to a small office space we no longer had room for our two desks, so we choose to build an activity table for our son using one of them.

We decided to use Ikea Trofast storage boxes under the table for storage thinking it would be easy to buy runners for them. Although plastic runners were available a few years ago Ikea no longer sells them. Because of this I ended up having to build my own runners out of timber to get the boxes installed and sliding under the table top.

I started the construction of the activity table by attaching new coffee table legs from Home Depot. They set the table at a good height for my son to kneel and play at the table. Once they were attached I found the middle of the table and proceeded to attach the DIY Trofast runners I had previously built out of timber, starting in the middle and working my way out. I had to be very precise with my measurements here to make sure the boxes wouldn't bind while sliding them in and out. I finished the runners for the boxes by putting a small piece of timber at the back of the runners to stop the boxes from sliding all the way through.

After the main table was finished I then followed the normal Ikea directions to install the desk top shelf and brackets for the Lego display shelf.

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DIY Lego Activity Table with Storage – Ikea Hack

November 16th, 2012 Bill Hutchison · No Comments

Although there are a few commercially available lego tables and activity tables most of them, unless ridiculously expensive, are quite small. Since my eldest son inherited all my Lego collection, plus had some of his own, we wanted a pretty big table, with a substantial amount of storage.

When we had to move out of our large office into a smaller one while we shuffled the kids rooms around before our third was born we no longer had room for both my wife and myself to have desks in the office. That left us with a 150cm x 75cm Ikea Vika Amon table top with no where to use it.

Thus was born my son’s Lego table!

The components used in building this Lego Activity Table were:

• 1 x 150cm x 75cm Ikea Vika Amon table top
• 4 x Ikea Trofast medium size storage boxes
• 4 x Pre-cut coffee table legs and bases from Home Depot
• 2.5m 1″ x 2″ fir timber
• 3m 1″ x 1″ fir timber
• Wood glue
• 1 1/2″ standard nails
• 2 3/4″ wood screws

We also decided to put a display shelf on his activity table, so to do this we got the 119cm wide EKBY JÄRPEN EKBY TÖRE table top shelf. It included the shelf as well as the two desktop mounting brackets to attach them to the activity table top.

Once we chose all the components that we needed for the table the construction was fairly straight forward, with only a few noticeable errors on my part …

To fit four Trofast storage boxes under the Lego activity table the table legs will need to be installed as close to the four corners as possible. This was my first mistake as I initially installed the table legs in the same location that the previous Ikea Vika legs were installed. Woops.

After my initial mistake with the table legs I attached the metal base 2cm inside the outer edge of the table. This gave me enough clearance to fit all four Trofast storage boxes between the legs…

My next step was to build the timber runners for the storage boxes. I choose fir because it was a much harder wood than pine, and hopefully would take a bit more of a beating as well…

I cut five 40cm lengths of the 1×2 and 1×1 timber and then glued and nailed them together to for the runners.

While the glue was trying on the timber runners I found the exact middle on the table top and marked off the location for the centre runner. Once the runners were ready I then glued and screwed the first runner into place.

After attaching the first runner I then proceeded to install the other runners, carefully measuring the distance and making sure that the runners are perfectly square to one another. Unfortunately one of the runners I attached wasn’t exactly right and the storage box wouldn’t slide without getting stuck. Thankfully I found that out before the glue had dried and was able to remove it and try again, but it could have been a real mess had the glue dried.

After all the glue had dried and everything was lined up the four Trofast storage boxes slid in nicely, and then proceeded to fall right out the back of the storage table.

Woops again…

Thankfully I had some of the 1×1 timber left over so I cut four 10cm pieces and glued and screwed them at the back of the runners so that the boxes would stop sliding out the back.

At this point you could paint or stain the table legs to match the table top or other furniture in the room. We choose to leave it raw, mainly because we couldn’t agree on what colour or stain to use on it …

Once that was finished and dried it was as simple as following the direction to install the EKBY JÄRPEN / EKBY TÖRE desk top shelf to finish it off and we were done. One DIY Lego Activity table with storage…

Right Now: Eli

* you're grabbing for everything
* you discovered your feet!!!
* poor guy you have a big fat cold
* you are seriously the cutest baby I have ever seen (besides Ian)
* your big eyes suck me in
* whenever Ian comes near you, your eyes are fixed on him & instantly you smile & coo & laugh
* you're pretty much out of 3-6 month clothes and need 6-9 mo clothes
* it is rare for you to be irritable - you are usually very observant and so laid back
* I hope that you know who absolutely precious you are to us
* Ian loves you soooooo much!

the thoughts you think but don't say....

there's something inherently beautiful and raw about thoughts when in the presence of God: sometimes they don't make a lot of sense at the time until.....time passes and you grow and then suddenly those thoughts make so much more sense....

as a child I knew that God wove my body into being although I hated my body and wanted it to be different and like someone else's --> He's taught me that my body is for His use, unique and fits only me and my personality, it is His temple & what I put into it and do to it completely reflects on my relationship & respect for Him since He created it

as a teen I knew that God did not restrict me....He was not restraining me from partying, drinking, drugs, foul language, sex but rather that He did encourage me to abstain from things for my own good - and I did abstain even though I could have gone my own way --> now He shows me daily that obedience is a blessing & not a restriction nor a curse...(& totally not boring!)

as a college-ager I knew that prayer would be a powerful thing and that "divine" encounters would happen --> now as He's taught me to pray more and more genuinely & intentionally I know that He moves & that those "divine" encounters begin sequences in my life that move me

as a graduate student I knew that being genuine & listening to an opposing worldview or argument was the right thing to do --> now He's taught me that grace abounds when I speak to those whom I do not agree with and love them still while remaining steadfast in what I believe

as a new wife I knew that I would have to be there for my husband and help him as best as I can --> now God's showing me that you fight & battle for your husband & marriage relationship daily b/c of the pressures/expectations that warring against us from our culture & evil in general and that it's humbling & sometimes it's not very fun

as a new mother I knew that loving my child would also include disciplining with love and showing him how to establish healthy boundaries --> now God's showing me that each child works with different methods and that their hearts are uniquely built to crave love

as a daughter of Christ I know that my identity is not my own --> now He's teaching me daily to surrender, abandon my ambitions for just myself, give up my pride (man do I have a lot of pride!!), give up the control, allow myself to be "with" Him, serve others, focus my energy on Him and utilize that energy to also bless my family

as a runner I know that only He gives me the ability to move and to coach others --> He continually teaches me that the achievements and accomplishments with races really doesn't mean much, it's the training that makes the real change in my life & my heart

as a questioner I know that asking the tough questions leads to growth, perspective & maturity --> He continually teaches me that exposing my doubts and allowing myself to live into the hard questions brings me closer to others & to Him  (these are some of those questions: where do I feel pain...what do I fear?...who do I trust?...when will I be vulnerable...? what's in my heart? where do I hurt right now?...am I being real?...what don't I want others to know?...why do I strive to be liked?...what if somehow I won't matter?...what if who I am isn't significant?...what is in my heart?...where am I not surrendering?

Check out this website: http://thoughtquestions.com/

What I Learned working in Maternity for 8 weeks

I learned that:
* I never tired of seeing the miracle of life in newborn babies (God shows up no matter what)
* my therapeutic techniques and brief counseling showed up without me being intentional about it - it came naturally
* my love ethic towards the mothers was present in most all scenarios
* you really could write a book regarding the situations that are occurring within families or one woman's life
* I learned how to make accurate, brief, (albeit sometimes humorous) referrals to Children's Services
* my discernment skills became sharper
* I learned a better understanding of children's services and what really needs to be known or suspected in order to make a valid report
* being firm and kind is the best appropriate
* not everyone will like you - in fact they may detest the site of your face & what you represent to them in their life (i.e. not taking a baby home with them - or being involved in the system again due to their life choices)
* documenting was quite fun with moms and the conversations I had
* by checking how to correctly pronounce a mom's name or baby's name built rapport and showed respect
* assuming that the guy next to the mom is the father is a bad assumption or that the woman beside the mom is her mother.....it might be her sister and the guy might be her brother.....a.k.a. DON'T ASSUME
* a genuine smile and slowing my questions down, calms a room much quicker than me speeding through my assessment
* talking in a British accent to particular nurses on the floor when appropriate is way fun
* once you are on a unit for a while you begin to know the other staff's stories and their names and work isn't really "work" anymore...it's part of you and part of your passion
* I would love to say thank you to: (Cheryl, Patty, Gloria, Karen P., Karen F., Claire, Erin, Suzanne...the Case managers)
* I could really have blast and enjoy the difficult scenarios when working with a staff that is so fun and so supportive.
* Lastly, I learned that there's a reason that I'm a social worker and not a nurse, and that I get why the nurses say to me, "there's a reason that you're the social worker and I am not." We get each other and our gifts.
* Lastly, lastly, I'm gonna miss the conversations with my coworker Caroline. It's a beautiful thing when you allow yourself to be vulnerable with a trusted person and experience life together as you do when dealing with moms involved with heroin/meth/cocaine abuse, prescription drug abuse, potential abuse or neglect, homelessness, postpartum depression and anxiety and domestic violence amongst other things. I could see God's Spirit in our friendship and I'm gonna miss that time. Thank you Caroline.

Right Now: Eli 5 months

* you have slept two straight nights right through!
* you were bitten by a 1 year old in childcare this week
* you totally turn yourself over without a problem
* you and cereal really aren't friends yet....your tongue gets in the way!
* you're eating over 6 oz each feeding - still feeding every 3.5 hours

Ian is Spiderman

Right Now: Elijah 21 weeks

* your giggle is music to my ears
* I get excited to see you in the mornings (especially if you would sleep well!)
* you're so big and growing out of being swaddled anymore
* you really think Ian is silly

when your hand becomes an instrument of slobber, good times

Right Now: Elijah 20 weeks

* you are enduring mommy's crazy schedule and are simply one of the most laid back babies I know (except when you are tired)
*

Right Now: Elijah 19 weeks (4.5 months)

Besides Ian, you are the biggest star in my eye. I look forward each day to seeing your smile and hearing your belly laugh. You had your 4 month old appointment today and weigh 14 lbs. and 26 1/4 inches.

 You remain a cuddle bug.

You hold onto objects.

 You focus on monkeys!

 You sit up unassisted in the bumbo.

 You just ate your first cereal.

 You love playing with daddy & Ian.

* you roll from your stomach to your back

* you grab rattles

* you have one of the biggest belly laughs Dr. Weber has heard

* you recognize us well

* you have a hard time soothing yourself

* you're still eating every 3 1/2 hours or so and wake up at least once during the night

* we will now be starting you on cereal & Dr. Weber gave us new formula to move to - to help you not spit up so much

Right Now: Elijah 18 weeks

* you are quite the giggler and very ticklish!
* it doesn't matter how I take a picture - you usually stare right at the camera
* your routine isn't the best but it's working (every 3 1/2 hrs)
* you are simply one of the happiest babies I have met
* you are such a snuggler
* your grip is getting so strong - I can barely pry your fingers off at times
* you are about ready for rice cereal & are intently watching us eat at times

Usual routine (on a good day)
Wake/Eat 7-7:30am
Awake/Play - 8-9:00/9:30
Nap - 10:00 - 11:00
Eat - 11:00-11:30
Awake Play - 12:00-2:00
Nap 2:00-3:00/3:30
Eat - 3:00/3:30 - 4:00
Awake Play - 4:00- pick up time
Come home - 5:30/6:00 - Nap
Nap - 6:00-7:00
Eat - 7:00 - 7:30
Awake Play - 7:30-9:00
Down for Bed - 9:00pm
Dream Feed - 10:30pm
Early Morning Eat: 3-4am  (seriously, I think this part should be done by now but oh well)

A Card

5x7 Folded Card

View the entire collection of cards.

silly Messmores

Right Now: Elijah 17 weeks

* you are discovering your hands

* you are now really beginning to use your hands more and have grabbed certain things

* you hold onto any burp cloth like nobody's business!

* your smile is contagious

* you still aren't quite sleeping through the night - you get up once usually...and sometimes whipper for a little while

* you eat every 3 1/2 hours

* you would stay awake all day if we'd let you!

* we moved this week and it has been crazy! 

* your room is a restful green and it is quite soothing to sit in

* you're cute in absolutely anything I put you in!

* your gummy smiley is something that I never, ever want to forget

Right Now: Elijah 16 weeks

* you are such a sunshine
* you talk as loud as Ian sometimes
* your blowouts aren't horrible but they are colorful
* daddy is official sick with a mighty cold and you seem to have it just as well although you smile and coo after each coughing fit
* you can turn yourself in circles when laying on your back
* you stretch your neck out to see the TV if you are able to
* you look around constantly for Ian
* you are such a cuddle bug!!
* you will sleep through the night if you don't start coughing
* we are about to officially move and I'm nervous about how you'll adjust
* Grandma Price was here this week to help
* mommy is working at adjusting to baby world at work as well
* those little fists are almost always in your mouth & drool is just a fashion statement now for you

Life: Now-Tomorrow

You think of the life you live and really how beautiful it is...all the scars, the bumps, the bruises, the awkward interactions...God's enabled us to experience with free will. We enslave ourselves or choose to free ourselves. We allow ourselves or restrict, or both/and.

We dream of things for our selfish selves and then our perspective is broadened to include others. We realize this life really isn't about us and that it is for others, it is for Him. God, Jesus Christ to be glorified and His Holy Spirit to be our counselor and guidance.

We are guided to a larger view, a larger vision and purpose. He enables us to battle with battles we never thought possible to beat or to endure. He carries us through obstacles, challenges and dangers. He walks with us through tragedies and heart breaks. He is everything. He clears a path that we can't immediately see and then shows us slowly one step at a time with His light and still, small voice. He chooses the most innocent of us all to sacrifice and for him to come in the form of a baby, helpless and without fault.

He brings us life and in doing so, shows His love, His ultimate, beautiful, unconditional love and all He asks in return for Him, is to use us. What if we are to be used by God to help others? What if we are to adopt others into our families - figuratively as well as literally? What if we took the focus off of me? What if?.....

I think Mark and I might be beginning to live in some of the answers of the what if.......and where this will go..........well I guess we'll just have to find out, one obedient step at a time.

Right Now: Elijah 15 weeks

* you are so fun with so many expressions!

* you wiggle like a wild man on the changing table

* you make the sweetest noises

* you always try to find Ian wherever he is at and listen for his voice

* you're not adjusting the best to the new house and often cannot fall asleep there yet - too much activity or just too different for you

* I can't wait to get home to you each work day

* Ian loves you up so much!

* unfortunately I can't seem to get the pictures of you up!

* your drinking much more - 5.5 - 7.5 oz 

* you have done better with sleep in the night the last four nights...

* I think you could do a 3.5 hour schedule now but when at childcare you seem to get hungry around 3 hours consistently (say Miss Sandy & Miss Bonnie)

Right Now: Elijah 14 weeks

* you are one very happy little baby! your smile is infectious and you are so excited to share it
* you are cooing up a storm and seemed to have found your voice now
* I've taken some videos of you and hope that someday it will remind me of how precious you are at this age
* your routine has been royally botched since we began going to the new house so you're waking up more than once a night
* your giggle is more pronounced now especially when I take my fingers around your neck or in your arm pits - LOL
* you're totally in 3-6 month clothes and in size 2 diapers!
* we tried a tiny bit of rice cereal in your evening feeds but you've only seemed to reflux even more with us doing this
* you're now occasionally following your hands to see what they do
* you can slowly bat at things but you don't seem to realize that you're doing it until after the fact
* you really enjoy that swing and the bouncy seat
* you can wiggle your way off of the changing ottoman now so I have to watch you much closer
* you want to see everything and stay away for at least 1:30 now if not 2 hours
* you can eat every 3.5 hours if we keep you on target
* childcare is going ok...it's not completely what I want but mommy's letting go of that part right now with the new house and working
* your gummy smile totally makes my day!

{pictures to come soon}