Baby Whimsys Nursery Debut

I have finally put forth the effort to both take pictures of the nursery and upload them to my computer!  Quite the accomplishment based on all my pictureless posts lately.

A brief overview of the nursery - all the furniture in this room was redone by me and Mr. Whimsy.  It was a lot of work but really fun to work on together.  I hit up garage sales, other rooms in the house, and friends to put the nursery together (the matchy-matchy store stuff isn't really my style) so it matched the vision I was going for.  We (Mr. Whimsy) primed and painted everything with heirloom white spray paint, then (I) applied a glaze and poly-acrylic to it.  This was a very slow and long process (as you could probably see from my never ending to-do list) but I am really happy, and proud, of how it all came together.  Mr. Whimsy actually spent many evenings while I was sleeping hanging up things, shifting things around and re-hanging up things until they looked just perfect.  Several mornings I had the pleasure to wake up to a more complete nursery (seriously, it was fantastic).  He has a really good eye for room design and item placement.

In the beginning, I knew I wanted to use a light aqua and incorporate some things I have had for a while and haven't found the right home for in my home - namely a vintage aqua lamp that was missing a lampshade, a ton of doilies and a toy box/trunk I got from my Grandma a while back.  I also really wanted to use baby pink and have the room really sweet and feminine.  Apparently I have a thing for blue birds as they seemed to turn up in a couple places in the nursery.  

I took tons of pictures of the individual projects, and at some point will probably do post highlighting some of my favorites, some of my flops, and some of my most challenging one.  Let me know what you think!

Home Stretch

We are on the home stretch...  

Pretty much everything (yes everything) is scratched off!  I am so thankful for Mr. Whimsy because he really put in the long and hard hours while I would be sleeping to set up and get things done.  We still have some items on the list but I think we can safely take home baby (car seat is installed), have a place for her to sleep (bassinet is put together), and her room is cute.  Plus her (married) parents will have the same last name on her birth certificate (got my drivers license redone this week).  WooHoo!

Pictures are still to come but here is the latest list!

- Get/redo crib (Mr. Whimsy and Lindsey) - Still have to  schedule a time for pick up from Rowdy Ramsdens... 

- Get pantry organized to make room for all new baby stuff (Lindsey) - still zilch

- Mail belated graduation/baby/wedding gifts (Lindsey) - sorry folks, your gifts will be in the mail soon... 

- Fix up onsies (Lindsey) - I wish but I did sort out the onsies that needed some cute added to them

- Sleep (Lindsey) - Not sure I will catch up on this one for a few years...

We are getting closer by the day!  

Home Stretch :: To Do List Addition

We are on the home stretch...  I deleted items that were scratched off the list last week 

Overall Nursery

- Schedule deep cleaning for carpet - (Lindsey) 

Furniture, Decoration and Organization in Nursery and House (baby specific items)

- Redo furniture - dresser, glider - paint portion (Mr. Whimsy) - done

- Redo furniture - dresser, glider - paint portion (Lindsey) - done

- Finish staining rocking chair (will go in nursery) - we are still waiting on this to hard dry then will need to put a poly coat on top to protect it

- Get/redo crib (Mr. Whimsy and Lindsey) - Still have to  schedule a time for pick up from Rowdy Ramsdens... 

- Set up nursery (Mr. Whimsy for muscles, Lindsey for "oversight")

- Hang up/organize baby clothes, blankets, figure out storage for baby stuff (Lindsey) - I think this will just be an ongoing thing

- Get pantry organized to make room for all new baby stuff (Lindsey) - still zilch

Random Must Do's- 

- Get name changed on drivers license.  Apparently an updated social security card and insurance card is not enough for the hospital.  Looking forward to waiting at DPS for this one! 

- Mail belated graduation/baby/wedding gifts (Lindsey) - sorry folks, your gifts will be in the mail soon... 

 Not Mandatory but Hope To Do:

- Fix up onsies (Lindsey) - I wish but I did sort out the onsies that needed some cute added to them

- Doily lamp shade (Lindsey) -Done!

- Art with bird and Bible verse (Lindsey) - not yet

- Sleep (Lindsey) - Not sure I will catch up on this one for a few years...

And added on 2 weeks ago:

- Make 3 doily lanterns to hang in corner of room (instead of bird houses and light shade (Lindsey) - this should be a quasi easy and fun project but it will be messy so I will probably save it for the weekend.. . not so much easy.  Tried it out and I am still waiting for the glue to hard dry before I will see if it was a success or not.  And I only made 1 of the 3 I wanted...

Last weeks to-do's:

- Pack hospital bag - uggh!  what to pack, what to pack!  there are lists but they do not really detail out the number and types of clothes to bring for Baby Whimsy... in progress

- Install car seat

- Order crib mattress, baby monitor and play yard

- Do some couponing to rebuild my tiny "stockpile" so we have less shopping to do when Baby Whimsy comes - work in progress

- Order needed products for LindseysWhimsys rentals. 

This weeks additions:

- Set up bassinet in (my) bedroom

We are getting closer by the day!  

Sunday Funday

Mr. Whimsy and I had a "prep for Baby Whimsy" Sunday Funday this weekend.  The day was filled with a tour of the hospital family center, shopping, a lunch date, more shopping and a hunt for the perfect teddy bear.  It was pretty much a great day for me and Mr. Whimsy.

We intended for the day to be centered around prepping the nursery once our tour was over but, I've got to be honest, this was much nicer!  After our tour, I needed to pick up something from the mall and we decided to do a little extra shopping while we were out and about.  Mr. Whimsy has really been an ideal husband throughout my pregnancy, taking on the house and animal chores, not complaining when I don't cook (and I haven't for several months) and generally being supportive.  Yesterday he really showed his loving Dad side, which was so nice after the crazy accomplish/work/scratch items off the list mode that we have both be in for a while now.

He suggested doing some clothes (dress) shopping for Baby Whimsy and even picked out a couple outfits he thought would be cute on her.  Later it was his idea for us to go to Build A Bear to, um, build a bear, which I thought was so sweet (even though we decided not to get one because we couldn't find the perfect softness and design for our sweet girl).  

While we did not finish the nursery yesterday and we only got a couple items scratched off the list, yesterday really put me at peace knowing that everything will come together okay and if it doesn't we can figure it out together.  I know I got short with him and was less than patient several times but he took everything in stride and didn't complain or bat an eye at my crazy mood swings.  

I am very fortunate to have such a loving and sweet husband and I know Baby Whimsy will feel the same way about her Daddy Whimsy.  

Meanwhile, the hunt for the perfect teddy bear continues...

Doilie M Wall Hanging

A couple months back I scored a great deal at a garage sale - a paper grocery sack over half full with doilies of different sizes for only $5.  A lot of them were really small and I had a vision in of putting them on canvas in the shape of an M for Baby Whimsy's room.  Then about a month ago, I found a framed piece of canvas artwork that was the perfect size to re-purpose for my needs (don't worry, I googled the art before painted over it to make sure it was not a masterpiece.  It wasn't - in fact it was just printed on the canvas, not even really painted.). Even better, it cost the whopping total of $1.

My goal was to have the background to be pink but not to look perfectly painted.  I wanted different shades of pink and white to kind of streak through the piece (if that makes any sense).  I am not an artist and I do not paint so this was a foreign venture for me but I went into it with the mindset that there was not a right or wrong way to create art (plus it cost only $1 and I knew if I messed up I could have my sweet sister paint something for me).  

Supplies needed: 

old canvas

white craft paint

pink craft paint (different shades)

paint brush

The first step in the project was the paint over the existing art.  I first did a plain white coat because the piece was originally pretty dark and I did not want the dark colors to show through in the end.  

Once that dried I literally just randomly squirted out paint in shades of pink and white along the canvas.  I wanted the end product to be less bright pink and more baby pink so I adjusted my colors accordingly.  Then I just used a foam brush and painted in the same direction from top to bottom, until the piece was covered in paint.  At the top (my starting point), there were a few areas that were lacking paint so I went back and re-coated them.  I also added more white (and painted it in using the same direction)  where I thought it looked too pink and vice versa until I was satisfied.  It was really a super easy project and I am sure you guys did not need the above description on! 

(Side note, Mr. Whimsy was very impressed with the end result of just the painted canvas and has encouraged me to look for and buy (shocker) more framed canvases if I see them at garage sales to decorate other areas of the house on the cheap.  I love request to buy more when they come from the hubster!)

Then I just needed to add my doilies but again, I didn't so the project sat and waited another REALLY long time, until I made my nursery to do list.  For the doilie portion, I placed the doilies in a way I thought made the M look the prettiest, then starched them and glued them on the canvas.  The hardest part of the project was getting the M laid out so I was happy with it and the most time consuming was ironing the doilies.  

Overall I am really happy with the result, it was an easy breezy project (once I finally got started) and I think it will look nice in the nursery. 

To Do List Update 2

Its been 2 weeks since I originally posted my nursery to-do list in an effort to ridicule myself into getting on the ball.  So far the public pressure has helped and things are moving along nicely (kind of).  

Updates since last week

Overall Nursery

- Paint nursery (Mr. Whimsy) Mr. Whimsy has some touch ups to do... still

- Add woodwork to nursery (Mr. Whimsy) - I think this is totally done.  Whoop!

- Schedule deep cleaning for carpet - (Lindsey) - waiting on painting and wood work to be complete.  

Furniture, Decoration and Organization in Nursery and House (baby specific items)

- Redo furniture - dresser x 2, rocking chair, glider - paint portion (Mr. Whimsy) - Quasi done.  Dresser #1 is done, glider is primed, rocking chair is inn the middle of being stained.  Dresser #2 is removed from the list for a while

- Redo furniture - dresser x 2, rocking chair, glider - glaze portion (Lindsey) - Glazing is done on the dresser and I just need to get a coat of poly-acrylic on it.  Other furniture is waiting for the painting portion to be complete.

- Get/redo crib (Mr. Whimsy and Lindsey) - Still have to  schedule a time for pick up from Rowdy Ramsdens... 

- Set up nursery (Mr. Whimsy for muscles, Lindsey for "oversight")

- Hang up/organize baby clothes, blankets, figure out storage for baby stuff (Lindsey) - kind of done.  I have used every baby coat hanger I have but need the dresser to be completed and brought to the nursery before I can complete this task.

- Ask Denise (Rowdy Ramsdens) about organza rosette fabric for lamp shades/curtains (Lindsey) - Done.  

- Clean out cabinet in craft room to make room for things in Baby Whimsy's closet (Lindsey) - basically done.  Still need Mr. Whimsy to put a shelf up so I have a place for baskets but that barely counts...

- Get pantry organized to make room for all new baby stuff (Lindsey) -zilch.  But I did add more goodies to the overflowing pantry

Random Must Do's- 

- Mow the lawn (Mr. Whimsy) - Yea!  Lawn mower came back from the repair man yesterday and Mr. Whimsy spent his birthday afternoon mowing.  Still need to get to the fenced area but at least we are no longer "those neighbors"

- Get last name officially changed, fill new name with insurance (Lindsey) - Going to re-register at the hospital this week

- Mail belated graduation/baby/wedding gifts (Lindsey) - sorry folks, your gifts will be in the mail soon... 

 Not Mandatory but Hope To Do:

- Fix up onsies y (Lindsey) - I wish but I did sort out the onsies that needed some cute added to them

- Add doilie "M" to painted canvas (Lindsey) - Done!

- Doily light shade (Lindsey, Mr. Whimsy for any electrical know how) -Project is back on the to do list.  I started it last night and just need to spend more time with my needle and thread 

- Deal with excess garden produce - steam, puree and freeze zucchini for baby food (Lindsey) - We are mostly just getting peppers and cherry tomatoes now - I guess its too hot for zucchini?  The tomatoes get eaten right way but picking them is an ongoing  (and hot) process

- Art with bird and Bible verse (Lindsey) - not yet

- Sleep (Lindsey) - Not sure I will catch up on this one for a few years...

And added on last week:

- Paint tree in corner of room (Mr. Whimsy) - Mr. Whimsy said we needed to do something big and fun to the wall so I found a whimsical (of course) looking tree and we are going to use a projector (borrowed from the library) to sketch it on the wall with some kind of shimmery paint.  Unfotunately, Mr. Whimsy and I did not discuss the scale of this project before he sweetly sketched it on the wall.  The big tree I was envisioning turned out to be only about 5-6 feet tall.  We decided instead of making this one bigger we would buy a vinyl tree that requires less work.  Now I just need to order one...

- Attempt to make button lampshade (Lindsey)- I have a very cool old lamp that I was going to make a doily lampshade for but then I saw a button one that is (of course) more work but oh so fun looking.  Hopefully I have enough white an pearl buttons to complete this one.  Project turned out to be a dud and now I am back to the doily lamp shade project.

- Make 3 doily lanterns to hang in corner of room (instead of bird houses and light shade (Lindsey) - this should be a quasi easy and fun project but it will be messy so I will probably save it for the weekend

- Do something with the furniture and stuff that is in the nursery (Lindsey and Mr. Whimsy - right now the center of the room is piled with the old furniture and baby gift we have gotten... this mess has to be cleaned out soon!

And onto this weeks to-do's:

I have a pretty heavy workload at my regular job this week and already have some social events on the calendar for the evening so I am not sure how productive this week will be.  This list is going to grow but so far I've only got a few items to add to the long list above:

- Pack hospital bag

- Install car seat

- Order crib mattress, baby monitor and play yard

- Do some couponing to rebuild my tiny "stockpile" so we have less shopping to do when Baby Whimsy comes

- Order needed products for LindseysWhimsys rentals.  Must do soon.

Thats a wrap!  Hope you all have a happy and productive week!

To Do List Update

Well its been a week since I posted my to do list so that I would shame myself into getting to work.  A few of the items have been scratched off but I think we added a lot more to the list than scratched off.  I will not panic though and I will get this stuff done (Team Dashboard, you may just get taken up on your offer soon!).

I have taken a few liberties with my scratch outs, italicizing, etc.  I'm a glass half full type of gal!

Overall Nursery

- Paint nursery (Mr. Whimsy) This is almost done so it gets the scratch out

- Add woodwork to nursery (Mr. Whimsy) - beadboard has been painted and nails have been purchased so in honor of this, I am going to mark this item with italics... as in its about 25% complete

- Schedule deep cleaning for carpet - (Lindsey) - waiting on painting and wood work to be complete.  And nursery to be cleaned out (refer to "added this week" list)

Furniture, Decoration and Organization in Nursery and House (baby specific items)

- Redo furniture - dresser x 2, rocking chair, glider - paint portion (Mr. Whimsy) - nada... I take that back, we purchased primer and paint but still, pretty much not much has been done in this area

- Redo furniture - dresser x 2, rocking chair, glider - glaze portion (Lindsey) - nada

- Get/redo crib (Mr. Whimsy and Lindsey) - I talked with the Rowdy Ramdsdens and just have to schedule a time for pick up... but other than that, no change in status

- Set up nursery (Mr. Whimsy for muscles, Lindsey for "oversight")

- Hang up/organize baby clothes, blankets, figure out storage for baby stuff (Lindsey) - kind of done.  I have used every baby coat hanger I have but a lot of the folded items will go into the dresser... which has a nada status currently

- Ask Denise (Rowdy Ramsdens) about organza rosette fabric for lamp shades/curtains (Lindsey) - Done.  I am not going to get the fabric (but this resulted in a new item added to the list). Items that get taken off the list are by far the easiest to accomplish!

- Clean out cabinet in craft room to make room for things in Baby Whimsy's closet (Lindsey) - about 50% complete

- Get pantry organized to make room for all new baby stuff (Lindsey) - zilch 

Random Must Do's- 

- Mow the lawn (Mr. Whimsy) - grass/weeds are growing higher every day!

- Get last name officially changed, fill new name with insurance (Lindsey) - WOOHOO! I still nneed to re-register at the hospital but the big part is done!

- Mail belated graduation/baby/wedding gifts (Lindsey) - sorry folks, your gifts will be in the mail soon... 

 Not Mandatory but Hope To Do:

- Fix up onsies y (Lindsey) - I wish!

- Add doilie "M" to painted canvas (Lindsey) - not yet

- Doily light shade (Lindsey, Mr. Whimsy for any electrical know how) - project changed to doily lanterns (see added on this week list)

- Deal with excess garden produce - steam, puree and freeze zucchini for baby food (Lindsey) - Instead of making baby food I made dinner :) and passed some out to family/friends

- Art with bird and Bible verse (Lindsey) - not yet

- Sleep (Lindsey) - I am not sure 2 hour cat naps at night are worthy of a scratch off 

And added on this week:

- Paint tree in corner of room (Mr. Whimsy) - Mr. Whimsy said we needed to do something big and fun to the wall so I found a whimsical (of course) looking tree and we are going to use a projector (borrowed from the library) to sketch it on the wall with some kind of shimmery paint.  Pretty excited about this one!

- Attempt to make button lampshade (Lindsey)- I have a very cool old lamp that I was going to make a doily lampshade for but then I saw a button one that is (of course) more work but oh so fun looking.  Hopefully I have enough white an pearl buttons to complete this one

- Make 3 doily lanterns to hang in corner of room (instead of bird houses and light shade (Lindsey) - this should be a quasi easy and fun project but it will be messy so I will probably save it for the weekend

- Do something with the furniture and stuff that is in the nursery (Lindsey and Mr. Whimsy( - right now the center of the room is piled with the old furniture and baby gift we have gotten... this mess has to be cleaned out soon!

Painting/Beadboard Installation in Progress

Mr. Whimsy is making things happen!  (Please excuse the gigantic mess in the center of the room)

The color of the room is officially Fountain Mist but it pretty much looks like Tiffany's blue (this was unintentional).   It looks pretty dark here but in real life its much brighter and lighter.  I really love it.

Slowly things are getting crossed off the list (meanwhile, the list keeps growing... more on that next time.)