Working my way through a to-do list

Back in April,  I read on Kelly's blog as she worked her way through the Money Saving Mom's 4 week plan for a clean and organized home.  The tasks were things like clean out your fridge and medicine cabinet and air vents and throw away/donate clutter as you find it.

I did many of the things on the list including cleaning all the windows, blinds, ceiling fans and light fixtures.  

But I never did get around to cleaning the tops of the kitchen cabinets.  

Here is Kelly's post when she cleaned the top of her cabinets.  

While Jeff was home and with lots of help from Gavin,  they took care of the cabinet tops for me. 

I had a lot of stuff up there and man, was it greasy and dusty.  

It is has all been washed but I don't think anything is going back up there for now.  

Jeff is standing on a platform but my almost 6 foot husband is having to stand on his tiptoes to clean the tops of those cabinets.

The upper cabinets have crown molding around them and the shelf part is several inches below that.

So displaying things is tricky as they sit lower than the crown molding and there only about 10 inches between the crown molding and ceiling. 

For now,  the cabinet tops are clean and empty. 

 I've looked around on Pinterest for ideas to decorate them but nothing strikes my fancy just yet.  

Any suggestions?  

Possibly the cutest brother shirts ever

My daughter Nina designed and printed these shirts for her nephews.

She has a Silhouette machine that makes the designs and transfers.

She just got a fancy heat press machine that attaches the designs to the fabric in a professional way.  

I think they are wonderful and the new parents were very excited to get them.

Bubby is what Gavin has called himself since he could talk.
When asked what his new brother's name should be, Gavin said "Baby Bubby"
so that is why the shirts say Bubby.  

the backs of the shirts


Nina is working on an Etsy shop.
I'll post a link when she opens it.  

Backyard improvements

Jeff took some vacation days from his job and spent much of it doing improvements to our back yard.  

Like all of our neighbors, our yard has a 6 foot privacy fence around the back part.
He spent several days converting one of the front sections into a double gate.

Now that we have a gate,  he can drive his pick-up into the back yard .
That is especially handy when he has a load to drop off......

Like this wood he used to put a roof on this pergola that has been in our backyard since we bought the house.

It had slats in the roof part but they gave no shade or protection from rain.
This picture is in the middle of the roof construction.

It is finished now but I am not going to climb up on that ladder to take a picture of it.
just take my word, OK?

He also took apart and cleaned out the Rubbermaid storage building in the back yard.
Then he made a new higher foundation for it and put it all back together.  

The next plan is to do some kind of paved surface under and around that pergola- either poured concrete or maybe pavers.

I only assisted a little - and mostly just kept his Iced Tea mug full.
But I sure am glad to have all these jobs done!

Our newest Grandson

Meet baby Braeden
He was born 7/10/2012 and  is Gavin's little brother.

Welcome to the world, baby boy!

Cookie can + oilcloth = booster chair for a big toddler

Have you been wondering about this project?  

Well,  I finished them and have a grandchild to model for the picture, so here it is!

I am very happy with how they turned out.  

Gavin on one of the new booster seats.  

I started with 2 large cookie cans, 1 yard of oilcloth and it was just about the right  amount  to cover 2.
I also used masking tape, batting and E6000 glue.

In case you are wondering if a cookie can is sturdy enough for a child to sit on,  yes they are!
My fully grown daughter tried sitting on one and it held her just fine,  
Yes,  I should of taken a picture of Nina on the cookie can!

First, I covered the cans with batting scraps and some old baby things that Nina was getting rid of.  (you all know I do things thrifty whenever possible.)

 I am sure there are much better tutorials to upholster at many other blogs, this is just the simple way I did them.  You might want to look into more detailed instructions than mine........

cut 2 circles about an inch bigger than the cans.
Also cut a long piece about an inch bigger on all edges to go around the base.
I used pins but just in the very edge so the pin-holes would not show 

I machine-sewed the first circle to the long piece,  and also used the machine to attach  the 2 ends of the  long piece.
Then I turned it right side out and put it on the cookie can.
I used more masking tape to pull the oilcloth tight around the can.
Then I attached the bottom oilcloth piece with E6000 glue to seal everything in.

a bear tries the chair

just the booster.
My photos are not good but I think you can get the idea.

These are not approved by the child safety commission but I think they are fine for older toddlers .

I got the oilcloth at Joanns Fabric store in my town.