Out of Control

Seriously, peeps, I AM OUT OF CONTROL!!!  In more ways than one! 

Let me explain...

It's been raining cats and dogs around here for pretty much the whole two weeks of my "summer staycation."  Shockingly, it did let up for the 4th, so that we could do a little of this:

And this:

                                             Sassy S doing her thing

          Mama, Baby Girl, Smoke & Sparklers

I would have liked to put up a better picture than that, but when husbands take the photos, they don't tell you not to bend down so much so that all your parts stay covered.  Hmmm...

Anyway, back to the rain...

It rained.

And rained.

And rained some more.

So suddenly, I didn't feel like doing anything.  Cause I had that rainy day depression going on.  And it's summer, so the kids are home and I can't just let my inner lazy take over and just lay on the couch flipping TV channels.  (Not that I do it when they're in school...uh...that much anyway).

Sooooo...I finally forced myself to snap out of it!  I have a list of projects I want to get done around here, and I decided to focus on one.  But I've found out that projects are like books.  You see, I keep a stack of books next to my bed that I want to read.  I don't know which one I'm going to read next though because I don't know how I'm going to feel when I'm done with this one.  If I've read several light hearted books (ie...chick lit), the next one might be heavier.  If I've just read a professional book, I might feel like reading something lighter next.  And so on...

All of the projects on my list were on the "heavier" side.  Like put wainscoting in the upstairs hallway.  Or re tile the fireplace.  Or paint the guest room (not too heavy, but the ceiling needs to be done first and I dont' feel like it yet).  Oh!  There's re staining the cedar chest that my dad brought over because it was filled with crap (and I do mean CRAP) from my childhood.  (Thanks, Dad!)  Not really feeling it at the moment. 

Can you believe this stuff is even on my list?  And by that I mean MY list???  As in Christe's personal to-do list?  Like I said, I'm spinning out of control!  I just painted a couple of little dressers and now I think I can save the universe or something!  Crazy!  :)

I know where almost everything is in Lowe's now!  Sometimes I go there to look around for tools that I know I'm going to need!  And I'm going to need some major tools VERY SOON what with all this proactiveness.  I am contemplating BUILT-INS in my youngest daughter's room.  Faux built-ins and designed by me, but still...I'm not calling anyone.  (Except for maybe my dad...he needs to get over here and help a daughter out!) 

But I veered off subject again - as you can see, none of those projects were doing it for me.  I needed something with instant gratification.  A quickie, if you must. 

You ladies out there in bloggy world know that a girl has needs.  And you always come through!  I found my project and all the materials were on-hand in this house and garage.  No expenditures required!  So thanks to The Girl Creative for hosting her linky party, which is where I found this idea from Craftaway's blog!  Perfect for S's room!

Now, Sweet 'lil S has been so very good during all this rain.  She's played school, watched movies, helped her mom do laundry and dishes.  She's worked in her "nail shop" (ahem...you should see my mani/pedi right now); she's taken pictures of hairstyles that she created for her American Girl.  She really has not complained about boredom! 

I knew that making this cutie dress canvas would be so perfect for her room and something we could do together.  (I could place a not-so-subtle foreshadowing alert here, but I won't.) 

S had a couple of old canvases in her closet that I scored at a yard sale for a couple of bucks each.  She started painting one, hated it, and hid the canvas in her closet -- a very spooky land -- things may enter, but there may be no exit!  (Insert scary music here).  Brave woman that I am, I opened the closet doors, attacked the clutter demons, grabbed the canvas, and ran for my life! 

Then I grabbed a can of black spray paint from the garage and sprayed over the old picture.  Can I help?  (No, only moms are allowed to use spray paint. It's very dangerous.)  But I thought you said we were doing this together.  (We are, after the paint dries). 

The next morning, rain continued to pour as I pulled out my blue painter's tape and taped a fake frame onto the canvas.  Can I help?  (In a minute, we need to make sure the tape is straight).  Note my use of the word "we." 

Paintbrush in hand, I pulled out the leftover pink paint from S's room makeover.  Time to paint a cute top!  I practiced, er, modeled for S on a piece of cardboard, then handed the brush over.  (Yes!  I'm sharing!)  She didn't like the way hers looked, so I encouraged her to "keep practicing for next time" as I took over continued to model and painted the top onto the canvas.

Waiting for the top to dry was like...well...waiting for paint to dry!  (There's a reason why that's a saying). 

Next up, sorting through fabric scraps to find something cute for the skirt.  Let's just say, we both had our ideas.  And not to be an evil mother or anything, but can we please just stick with the color scheme?  You know, the one we I picked out for your room??? (Oooh--even I'm not liking myself at this point). 

Is it any wonder that S decided to entertain herself in the living room with an episode of iCarly?  I continued to talk to her from the breakfast nook in a sing-songy voice...you're a wonderful consultant!  What do you think about this for the skirt?  Hmmm...have you thought about...? 

As I played around with fabrics and placed pieces onto our work of art, I called out...what do you think we should use  for the belt?  Hmmm...but wouldn't this one really make it pop?  Yes, I think we'll use this one.

(Can you believe S just had that cute, tiny hanger on hand?  And that wonderful furry trim?  And rhinestones?  Her scrap box was amazing!)

S, would you like to paint the frame?  No?  OK...if you insist.

It's dry!  Which way do you want the hanger to point?  We're I'm going to glue it on now.  Good choice!  And the necklace?  Here or here?  Here you say?  Excellent choice! 

We should do one of these for A's room!  Wouldn't a ballerina be cute on a white background?  Oh, you think a princess?  Hmmm...let me think about that...

Yep...seriously out of control!!!  When hubby came in from work, I had our my artistic endeavor on display in the living room.  Hon, look at the cute canvas S and I made for her room today!  And S quickly replied...no, mom did all the work. 

But isn't it cute?  Didn't we I do a nice job?  ;)

Although S probably won't get any warm fuzzies remembering the fun time she and her mom made it together.  Which was kind of the point of the whole thing...

Maybe she'll remember framing these fabric scraps that will hang with the canvas? 

Oh, wait...I did those too. 

Everyone, quick!  Lay your virtual hands on me through your computer and shout...Control Freak, Be Gone! 

Whew!  That's better!  I resolve (even though it's not January) to let S have complete artistic control over the next canvas. 

I think...