5 things

Before I fortunately opened my very own child care center, I worked at a job that I didn't particularly like.  There were some parts of it that were okay but I do remember crying in the car when I would hit the exit ramp to begin my day at my job.  To brighten my spirits I came up with "5 Things".  I would take a post it note or a small piece of paper each Monday morning and write down 5 things that I was thankful for.  I posted the list in plain view so that I could refer back to it all week long.  Amazingly enough it did make me feel better several times during the week or whenever I would look at it. 

After the week was over I would take down my list and tape it into my journal.  I have enjoyed looking back at the 5 things I was thankful for each week.  The lists remind me of times that I may have stored somewhere in the back of my mind. 

Just in the last few weeks at the day care I have begun this routine again.  I am not currently unhappy with my job.  I simply remembered glancing at the lists throughout each week and thought I'd bring it back into my life.  And now I am sharing it with you.  Try it.  You may find that you have a ton to be thankful for and smile at your life more.

My messy Monday morning.  I taped the list right on my cabinet door at eye level.

literally on the library hold shelf

I haven't done one of these in a while.  Doesn't mean I stopped going to the library!  I haven't been much in to reading novels lately but yesterday I came across a list of books and picked a couple that the library had.  They aren't far, one in Madison and one in Inglewood, so maybe they will get here by Saturday when I go to yoga.  I haven't watched many movies since my Wes Anderson click... I'm still not over the Moonrise Kingdom movie and I've rented it three times.  I wanted to rent Raising Hope which is a TV on DVD thing but they don't have it.  I settled for My Name is Earl and also found a Carol Burnett dvd there.  Our new station on TV that airs older shows actually shows Carol Burnett reruns but it comes on pretty late.  The other book Pretty Happy by Kate Hudson I am hoping will be a "feel good" book.  I just love her... probably because of who her parents are but she is precious!  I have been on the wait list for this one for a good while but I'm now #1 next in line for it!  Have a good weekend!!!



Boho Barbie Shop

Help!  It seems my blog is turning into everything Barbie!  Which realistically probably appeals to no one but myself.  But hey...  I'm having fun.  Yesterday I had the chance to really work on the next Barbie retail space.  I wanted to do a clothing store because it would force me to learn how to make clothing for Barbies which scares me.  I can sew but this seems way different.  I actually tried to use elastic last night and wound up making a dress, skirt and top.  I got so frustrated.  I need to find a good youtube tutorial.  Anyway, I put my box together last Friday, painted it Tuesday, rummaged through my fabrics Tuesday night and really worked on it Wednesday.  I am loving it!.  One of these days I am going to make a space that I don't want anyone to touch.  I may be there now.

 

I got real bummed after I painted the walls.  They looked more like a dance studio to me.  I didn't get inspired until I found the fabric in my stash for the dressing room curtains.  I've had the fabric for more than twelve years.  It's floppy, hard to sew and doesn't fray.  I glued it to make the curtain pockets.  Perfecto!

I used the wood grain contact paper for the floor and cut squares alternating the grain.



The dressing room before the curtain.  I made the mirror out of some packing from Shaun's new Bluetooth ear phones.

 

WaaLaa!

I made these other mirrors from a tissue box.  I accidentally bought the Puffs kind with Vicks in it and when they were gone on Tuesday I saw that the inside of the box was lined with reflective cardboard.  Score!  I used the tissue oval opening as my template.

The artwork thus far is from the back of an old calendar where they show you what's inside the calendar before you buy it.

I made these sloppy crates from pre-colored popsicle sticks and the baskets from empty applesauce cups and hot glued yarn on one and twine on the other.

I am very happy with the counter.  I used clear plastic from packaging and the mirror top from the tissue box.  There's the other basket.

The paper towel tube is a display for necklaces and bracelets that I have yet to make.  I like the dressing room sitting right there.  It is portable.

 

Top View.  I made the rugs too.  Some of them are just cut fabric.  Bohos like their rugs.

I glued another piece of mirror on top of this shelf to hide the plants.  It also has a hanging bar underneath the shelf for clothing.

Hopefully soon there will be some dresses hanging on the stobs there.

 

I made pillows last night too to put up for sale in the shop.  Soon it will be full of merchandise and ready for the grand opening!

 

 

Barbie pet shop

As of Tuesday, 2/23/2016, the pet shop in our Barbie house/retail area is now open for business! 

In reality... it's just finished and ready to be played in. 

I am pretty happy with the results though and have had a lot of fun making everything for it.

We did get the little animals in the mail Monday afternoon.

 

Cat toys and dog chew toys.

I found this picture in a Mary Jane's Farm magazine.  It looks like Katie Bug (but much cleaner).

 I adore the fish tank I made.  Even though there's no fish.

Cat Toy.

Little leashes.

I printed these boxes and folded them from Myfroggystuff.blogspot.com.

I made the little pet bowls out of clay and painted them.

Some of our animals have already been adopted out!

These two girls have too much fun with Barbies!

 

 

I am already thinking of what the next business will be.  Probably a clothing store.

That could be fun... with handmade purses and clothes and jewelry. 

We'll see how that one plays out. 

What's your opinion? 

What kind of Barbie retail outlet would you like to see us make?