First up today-  Check out this super cute project my class completed last week to go along with our "monster" theme.

Frankenstein faces from paint samples!  I wish I could take credit for this idea but you know it came from Pinterest.  For all the details + more spooky paint sample crafts you can click here.  The compliments we've gotten just keep coming as these green ghouls are proudly displayed outside the classroom for all to see!

Speaking of Halloween, we surprised Abbey yesterday with another Pumpkin squeaker toy.  She loved it so much last year we couldn't resist.  Here's hoping it lasts a bit longer this time around...

              Last year's pumpkin                           New pumpkin

Up next, our sewing table finally got a facelift with a quick and painless paint update this afternoon.  We snagged this dainty vintage Singer sewing table from none other than The Queen of Hearts about 2 years ago (a steal of a deal of course:).  We did a little research after we noted the model number and discovered its roots date back to the 1960's.  It was evident we had the original finish on our hands- yellowed and dingy with lovely golden trim.

Now that this baby is residing in our master bedroom, the yellowed color was not just dated, it practically blended right in with our Havana Cream wall color.  I'd decided a while back that when we finally got around to this project, using the accent wall color would be the perfect way to tie everything together.  So today, after removing the sewing machine and hardware...

and sanding it down, it was ready to take on a new role with a Marina Isle makeover-

I'm loving the updated style!

Especially back in one piece in the bedroom-  looking good.

    

The latest Country Living came in the mail over the weekend and we couldn't hardly wait to recreate an idea that we found within the first few pages!

Here's a quick snapshot of the inspiration page- I also wanted to link you to an on-line close up but the website doesn't have current crafts listed yet...

Recast a Cutting Board as a Tablet Holder it reads.  Cute, simple, + free (we have all the materials we need on hand).  I'm in!  Luckily we had a piece of leftover molding from the barn wood project so we cut that down to size first.  Next, we pulled out an old cutting board then gave both the board and the molding a fresh coat of white paint.  Resourceful Dan thought to use a miniature table leg (that broke off of a side table in the move) as the back stand.  We chose not to paint the leg, hoping it would add interest to the piece.  Drill it all together and you're set to go.

It's terrific!  Fits right in next to the stove (and elsewhere on the counters) to aid in following recipes with an elegant profile.  You know how I feel about style + functionality- this is it to a T!

Notable goings on-

• New wall display made from a special piece of barn wood:)  As you can see, it really is as simple as mounting a piece of molding to what we chose as the bottom of this impressive piece of wood.

To give you an idea of how we intend to use it, you see here a matted photo propped upon the molding.  When we decide on just the right photos + artwork, we plan to display three varying sized pieces.  It has quickly become my new favorite piece in the house!

• More kale!  At 99 cents a pound (for something that is practically weightless) it only makes sense to add it to the grocery list.  This time, Kale and White Bean Soup (yes, Martha is at it again)!  If you check out the link you will see a picture that looks much more delicious than our version (we were plum out of thick+crusty country bread) but with biscuits on the side it turned out pretty tasty in our book.

• Foliage-  2 cucumbers spotted in the garden!! And some gorgeous mums popping up in the front flower beds.

There's lots to catch up on today!  I started back to work (full time) at my new school this week.  What an exciting new adventure it will be as a team member at the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities.  When you check out the link, you will see numerous programs and services offered.  I am specifically involved in Day Services, teaching a classroom of six (soon to be seven) elementary aged students who are both medically fragile and diagnosed with varying profound intellectual disabilities.  They can rival any of my former students as the cutest and sweetest kids I've had the opportunity to know and love.  If you "like" their Facebook page, you can also keep up to date on exciting happenings around the Center as there is always something fun going on- like the Fall Carnival that took place last week (I just missed it), with pumpkin decorating, face painting, and more.  

So it goes without saying I've been beyond exhausted as I re-adjust to my new schedule.  Gone are the days of throwing toys to Abbey for hours on end in my pajamas and inventing daily crafts to keep me busy.  Now such things will be relegated to after work and on the weekends.  Luckily though, we knocked another couple things off the list right before I had to get back to reality-

I'd recently let on that we were preparing to transform the "Blue Room" with a few coats of paint.

We primed...

painted, and moved furniture around.  What a difference both the new paint and furniture placement make in the space-

Bedding, decorations, and accessories are still a work in progress but now that I know what direction we are going it's only a matter of time:)

So here you have it- Electric Blue to Gobi Desert.  A welcomed (and much needed) change!!

We also wrapped up another phase of the Backyard Renovation.  The stone-lined pebble pathway is complete!

Lined with stones

Filled with pebbles

Gorgeous!  An invitation to enjoy the coming season.

And while Abbey seems to be most excited about football season being underway, Mickey is embracing the changing season by taking up residence in the leaf piles accumulating all over the yard.