A Colorful Backyard That Even My Kids Would Want to Play in!

A Colorful Backyard That Even My Kids Would Want to Play in!

My backyard looks a little dry and boring at the moment.
We have:
Small swingset with one swing missing, and a double swing.
Grass.
Gravel.
Red crab sandbox.
Dog Poop. *(At least she <the dog> keeps it to one side. She's like a llama that way)
Oh and a little plastic picnic table.


What I would love to put back there:
A slide
Steering wheel
Telescope
Bench
Playhouse (before the outgrow that phase)
Basket full of new sandbox tools, enough shovels for every kid that plays in there. I'll try to find a big basket with lots of holes for easy drainage.
And PLANTS! FLOWERS! STUFF THAT WON'T DIE!

Since I'm not shelling out $1000 for a new play structure and this is a rental property. I'm going to be doing this DIY and using what I have and doing this hopefully the easy way.

Here's what I'm thinking..

This is a sweet little bird bath! We usually don't have standing water in our backyard to keep mosquitos at bay. But we can certainly add some bird seed. Terra cotta planters turned upside down. Some spray paint and there we go!

 What little boy wouldnt love this? Again no play-structure, but I can get the husband to install this on the fence! $15.97 at Home Depot

 This is a pretty sweet set-up. I think it's tall enough for the almost 5 year old to enjoy for a few years.  Fort Slide Away at Toys R Us.

What do you think of this colorful backyard? I love the stumps for kids to practice balancing. Also I never thought of hanging up hula hoops on the fence. This is from oh dee doh. I wonder If I can make a bunting that could stand up the wind and rain?

Now you're really wondering if i've lost my mind! Ok so this a Timber-Bilt Plastic Rocks Climbing Kit. No Climbing wall? No problem. I'm going to go ahead and ask the husband nicely to pre-drill holes into the fence and Voila! (That's Fancy for there you have it!) We'll keep some of it low and can move it up for a challenge later. Again Home Depot $26.97

PlayStar Discovery Telescope. Home Dept $25.99 Install on the Deck's railing.

Here's a sweet looking bench. And what only $99? Niiiiice. Chateau Bench from Home Depot.  (I'm beginning to see a pattern here.)

So that's what I'm brain-storming right now. Hoping the rest of the snow will melt. Less wind, more sunshine. Here's a cool looking periscope. PlayStar Speak and Spy MegaScope where? you guessed it. Home Depot $47.29

Looks like I have some saving and a honey-do list to make.
While I'm at it I will pick up another swing and some bird houses to paint with the kids and hang on the fence.

Do you have a backyard? Do you have a play structure? Or want one like me?
Any fun finds? Leave a comment we can wish together!!
Happy Wednesday!~ Les

The Ugly Duckling Bathroom

Once Upon a Time....
We lived in a little 2 bedroom trailer.
It had one bathroom, and this room also included a washer and dryer.
One day we decided it was time to come down.

And come down it did.

 I can only bear to show before photo. Imagine a yellow tub and toliet.

 Through the magic of internet TA DA! We picked a gorgeous new color. New drywall, hotel style curved shower curtain rod. Debbie Travis shower curtain from Zellers. New towels. Hotel inspired towel rack to replace the johnny pole.

 A new medicine cabinet from Home Depot

 A new vanity with all in one piece sink and counter. (This made it so easy to keep clean) The vanity was like 4 inches away from the wall. So my Darling Husband built and painted a shelf to go beside it.

This is overlapping linoleum tiled floor. It comes in 3ft pieces. Also from Home Depot. Pricy as it was about $100 for this small room but so worth it.

Hard to believe this is 4 years ago. I miss this tiny bathroom as it was our best Reno yet. I love the aqua color and pink combo. With the dark black to frame it out. And hallelujah to a deep white  tub with white tub surround (Scratch and Dent treasure from Home Depot) and a white toliet. * It's the little things, I tell ya.

All of the credit should go to my husband for he saw through my design and made it happen. With one bathroom in the house, and only so much time to finish it. And still remain married to me. * Gush*

Glitter!

I think this should be made into a shirt. For every girl! LOVE!!

The Annual Birthday Interview

Every year, my daughter and I sit down and discuss what we would like to do for her birthday. This year it is the big number 5.
I like when my kids agree to simple home parties, they select a favorite color. Ask for the norm, balloons, cake, friends, and of course presents.
Don't get me wrong Liscenced-Theme parties are fun and great for kids. I just rather the softer muted patterns and colors instead of the obnoxious bright faces and expensive decor.
But that doesn't mean it gets a little out of hand, and I have to pull an all-nighter making crap look like acorns, or strawberries into gnomes.

* * * * * * * * * *
The interview went a little like this:
Me: So your birthday is coming up
Almost 5 year old: Yes I want you to get me a food table for my baby.
Me: A food table? Like a high chair?
Almost 5 year old: Yes a high chair for my baby. I never had one before.
Me: Ok, we can do that.
Almost 5 year old: And I want clothes for my baby. Clothes like shirts and pants. NOT long dresses ok? I would like lots of pants and a shirt.
Me: Um okay... we'll see what we can do.. (writing it down and wondering where I will find this)
Husband: For your Fancy Nancy doll? Yeah?
Almost 5 year old: No! For my baby, she needs clothes.
Me: talking above almost 5 year old's head: She's had this baby for 4 years I think It's safe to say it's her favorite. Plus we'd probably have to order through the states for F. N.
Almost 5 year old: And blue! Blue is my favorite color. (This changes daily BTW)
Me: So a bright blue or a light blue?
Almost 5 year old: Light blue? Yes Light blue is my favorite.
Me: What will you wear?
Almost 5 year old: OH! I have blue pants and a blue shirt.!!! (*atta girl, thinking frugally!!)
Me: Super. What about your cake, tall, short, round, heart? * At this point I realize I should have no uttered tall... ooops!
Almost 5 year old: YES! TALL! I want a big cake!!
Me: (writing down -look for cake for dummies book)
OOOOOOOOoooh! How about a French Birthday Party?? Like Fancy Nancy speaks French??
( I might have said this a little too excitedly)
Almost 5 year old: French? oh---kay?
Me: (taking the reins) OH! and we can have Effiel Towers!
Almost 5 year old: hmmm
Me: We could do an effiel tower on your cake!! Wait I think I have this pinned somewhere!!!
Almost 5 year old: Im going to go play now... *sneaks away*
Me: Oh! Oh! Can Mummy have french wine at your party???



So these images are swirling in my head for this summer's upcoming celebration

 The Paris themed Tall Cake I had Imagined. www.centralcake.com (This must be a wedding cake no?)

 Cake Pop Maker. Because the hard way is too adventurous for this lady. dumpyourfrump.com

 A lovely yarn wreath to greet friends at the door and set the theme. From www.36thavenue.com Another excuse to buy more yarn! yay!

 These would make lovely and simple favor bags. No idea yet, what goes in them. From kitesnsights.wordpress.com

 Lollipop Bouquet meetthedubiens.blogspot.com

 Strawberry Scones cannellevanille.com

 At buffets, I definetly hover over these. Ambitious, but I will try it!

Why Thank You, I think I will.

* * * * * * * * *

Past Projects

One way to start off this blog would be to post some past projects I've made. A starting point If you will. :)

 A Christmas card with our Snowman Family (2011)

 We don't just do star and heart sandwiches around here. These were made with Ikea Cookie Cutters. All North Wilderness animals. Now tell me, Is that a whale or a snail? (2011)

 Initial Shirts. Walmart $4 boys long sleeve shirt. Scraps of fabric from my Mum's sewing room. DIY Iron Transfer. (2012)

 I painted this in 2010. Love it. It hangs in my best friend's house. Acrylic Paint

 Pinterest Find. Hot Dog Squid or Octopus with spaghetti noodles. A little disturbing but much enjoyed by the under 5 group.(2012)

 A lovely orange yarn wreath made for my son's orange themed 3rd birthday. I pulled the owl from a box of Costco cards. (2012)

 A great summer activity to keep the kids busy outdoors. Paint washes off anyways so It doesnt matter how much gets on the actual paper. :)(2011)

I'm pictured here decorating a styrofoam tower with chocolate ribbon. After this step I hot-glued Ferrero Rocher Chocolates. It turned out very pretty. Chocolate and Cream were our theme colors for a wedding in 2006. My husband has a great love of chocolate. And I love him. So It worked out perfectly. This is the same ribbon I dropped off to the bakers to add to our tall 3 tiered cake.

I hope you enjoyed looking at pretty pictures with me!

Enjoy your day and make it crafty!

~Les

The Beginning

Here goes nothing.... I created this blog to write down ideas, share crafts and just well, post fun stuff! I hope to post tutorials on making crafts. Funny things kids say. I hope this Blog helps me and others tap into their creative side. I hope its a fun place to be sit with a cuppa, scroll, laugh and imagine the impossibles. I titled it Miss Adventures because not everything turns out the way you'd like it to. But that's what makes us human. Just average people. And Glitter? Well it's fun! And it gets everywhere. I hope you enjoy reading this blog Random-blog-reader, or maybe you're my Mom, (hi mom!) Have an Awesome Day and Love Fearlessly. Leslie