From Oil Drip Pan to Magnetic Chalk Board

My latest project for 1.0 was to make a magnetic chalk board from an oil drip pan that I purchased from Amazon.  The drip pan cost $20, I already had the chalk board paint.  So I simply painted the chalk board paint onto the drip pan using an edging tool for painting to avoid the streak marks a brush would leave.  I did have to use a foam brush for the edges, however.  I'd love to say the idea was my own brilliant creation, but alas it was not.  I got the idea from Pinterest.  The one on Pinterest did not entail the chalkboard part, only the magnet board.  I figured it was worth meshing the two together...1.0 loves chalk.

I had ordered 1.0's name in a laser cut wood & painted that to personalize it.  I'm now totally in love with this company that I had the laser wood cut from, I originally used them to do the "M" in 2.0's room that now resides above her crib.  I loved it so much, that I ordered several more & am doing small little chalk board/magnet boards for birthday gifts.  You really can't see the detail in this photo of the laser cut wood letters, but they are just so precise & cute!

Mini Chalkboard/Magnetic Boards

Anyway, the one "thing" about this project is that the drip pan says, well "DRIP PAN" right on it (and do not use for cooking).  As if I have an oven big enough to stick this sucker in...

The pan measures 18" x 25"

 I thought about putting 1.0's name over where it says "DRIP PAN", but decided it was a strange place to put her name, so I opted for the top of the pan.  That way the magnetic letters I have can cover up the "DRIP PAN" & hey, even if they don't....I doubt my 2 year old is going to throw a fit.  Okay, maybe she will...but probably not over the words "DRIP PAN" on her chalk board.

Isn't the "DRIP PAN" nice?

So here is the finished project...though I'm trying to figure out if I should formally mount it in the play room (using 3M velcro) or just let it lean agains the wall as it is here:

Finished Project: Oil Pan turned magnetic chalk board

Funny Bunny

This year is Shannon's first year really understanding that you can go on an Easter Egg hunt...and score candy for Mom (shhhh...nobody tell).  I had to help her out with the first one & after that she was all about finding eggs & putting them in her basket.

Don't ask...I have no idea what this expression is...

Why does Mommy want me to pick this thing up?

Collecting my eggs...

No, we didn't have to hunt too hard for eggs...

Another treat for Mom!

Between the legs grab...nice style.  I give it a 10.

All the eggs have been had!

I'm cute & I know it!

First Hair Cut(e)!

Shannon had her very first hair cut today...after much debate about if we should do it or not. She looked cute, but the back of her hair was so whispy & thin (gee, who'd she inherit that gene from?). So I got online & found a woman that had great reviews for children's cuts & the kicker was she comes to your house to do them! SOLD.

Her name is Melissa & she did a fabulous job. Shannon was a bit skeptical of the process, but I think the fact that we had Shannon in her own home, in familiar surroundings, some stranger combing & wetting her hair wasn't too much of a bother.

The results were great - she didn't lose too much length & the back looks so much neater! I think it makes Shannon look so much less "baby" too. I think at almost 2 it was time to get the hair cut, and for mom to realize her little baby isn't much of a baby anymore.

The pictures:

Entertained with a book!

snip, snip!

In true model form, a turn of the head so you can see...

Hmmm...what just happened to me?

inspecting the bag of her newly cut hair

something to hold the keepsake in

Bath Photo

How cute is that soapy face?

The nursery furniture is here!

The nursery furniture finally showed up yesterday!  It is beautiful...but the room needs a bit of rearranging to make it look right.  Here's a sneak peek:

The crib...mattress to come!

Dresser with Changing table top

Bookcase & side table

Shannon's new room

So I just finished off painting the polka dots using the same template from her last room.  I'm not even sure why I kept the template...but thank goodness, it made the job much easier.  First, I had to tape up the polka dots which makes it easy to move them if they don't end up where you like them.  Then I had to trace around each polka dot.

paper templates on the left, painted dots on the right

Then I simply painted each polka dot.  Last round...my dear friends Stephanie & Mai Loan did all the painting in the room...this time I did it.  And even though I'm pregnant...the paint was minimal, so I wasn't too worried.  I really enjoy decorating the nurseries, so it was kind of a treat for me to get a babysitter & get to do this.  I really like the way it turned out...and love the color scheme even better than the pink polka dots on the brown from her last room. 

the finished polka dots

My Dad was even kind enough to spend several trips to the house (and Lowe's, and Ace Hardware) to get the right stuff to put Shannon's chandelier from the old house back up.  The room just needs the furniture moved in...which will happen on Tuesday!

The chandelier installed!  Thanks Dad!

Christmas 2011 Photo

It's the WHOLE family...you just have to hunt for Titan a bit...but you can at least see his eyes!