DIY: 10 minute Lamp Makeover

I had a sad little boring lamp in my sewing corner that needed a makeover.  I have a shoebox full of vintage seam binding and I love this yellow and cream print.  Its kind of a vintage shabby chic don't you think?  Perfect for this makeover!  I heated up my trusty hot glue gun and went to work gluing the binding to the sides and then around the top and bottom.  I did it in 10 minutes amidst some noisy kids while making lunch.  Super easy and way cuter than it was before.

Plain Jane boring lamp before its makeover

After some fab shabby chic vintage binding

So nice to repurpose things!

Regan's "Betty Bear's Birthday" inspired Party

The older kids had both had Elmo birthday parties when they turned 2.  It was refreshing that she just thinks Elmo is cool but not as cool as her bears.  To decorate the table I purchased one of those cheap plastic tablecloths.  It is always too long for our table so I cut off the excess and used it to cover the birthday chair also.  I used recycled tissue paper (no telling how many birthdays its been through) to make flowers and lily pads.  You see in the book her friends use lily pads for plates.  I hot glued them to the tablecloth and chair.  This way I wouldn't see them all over the house.  I used a piece of lace and a pitcher of flowers to complete the look.  Every little girl loves real flowers.  Total cost- less than $15 including the flowers.

I love this book.  I'm glad she loves it too!

Ellie was in charge of getting all of the bear friends out for the party which she had a hard time doing after I set out the coloring books and colored pencils.  After a lot of convincing Regan that we would open presents after the book we read our Betty Bears Birthday book and then opened presents as promised.  I made her birthday cake using my Wilton Teddy Bear Cake Pan and used chocolate and coconut pecan icing to make it super yummy and really "bear" like.  After cake we grilled up some hamburgers and hot dogs and I had homemade chili simmering in the crockpot, yum! 

I put her in this Betty Bear inspired vintage dress for the party.  I love how sweet it is!

I love this one.  She was really getting in there!  My mom used a re-usable grocery bag and attached wrapping paper to the front and back instead of a traditional gift bag.  A gift for me too and so creative!

Of course when it was cake time she had already put on some of her new birthday clothes.  She had on two skirts, lol!

We had a great time with family and friends.  Regan is such a sweet girl, lets hope she stays that way through the terrible two's!  Now its on to planning a slumber party for Ethan.  Oh and I've missed you guys.  We have had a house full of ear infections.  Let's hope that Ethan and I don't get hit with it, so far we are the only ones!  The good news is that I've completed a ton of projects, and pending no more trips to the doctor, I may actually get to share them with you!

I'm a Sucker

For planning birthday parties that is.  March is the busiest time of the year for me with two birthdays to plan, not including my own.  Regan's is first and when I was thinking about what to do for her the first thing I thought of was a bear themed party.  I could have done Goldilocks and the Three Bears, but it wasn't really something we'd read to her.  Hmm and when I write that I kind of feel like I've dropped the ball as far as Goldilocks is concerned.  What we have read to her is one of my favorite books from my childhood, Betty Bear's Birthday by Gyo Fujikawa.  She is my most favorite childrens author.  Her work is sweet and beautiful.   So here is my theme and I can't wait to execute all of the ideas I have in my head.  I will attempt to bring this book to life for my sweet little girl.  Isn't Betty Bear adorable with her little red dress and flower hat?  This year I will show you all of my kids birthday parties so that hopefully you will be totally inspired in your own birthday planning ventures.  Tomorrow is going to be really fun...I can't wait!!!!