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Throw those curtains wide

 

my favorite song for the past three months. 
my kids love to listen to it on the way to school…LOUD.

driving into the bright rising sun… 
ready for a new day… 
i look back and sean is playing "air violin" 
annie says "this is my favorite part mom"…the violin solo. 
my favorite line is "kiss me like a final meal…"

"it's looking like a beautiful day"

(even if you did have to make two of your kids walk to school for being disrespectful to their mother)


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I’m trying to tune my violin and I don’t know what pitch, I’m supposed to set my chromatic tuner on….. 440, 435, 460. Please advise.

Jen - I’m SO HAPPY to have refound your blog!! I got a new computer and couldn’t remember the web address. Anyhoo, LOVE THAT SONG (and thanks for helping me “refind” that too. Goin on my IPod tomorrow!). I love how everyone looks in the video–normal, talented people, having fun with what they’re doing. Nice.

Jodi - Thanks for introducing me to a new group! Love em. ooxx`jodi

Susan - What a beautiful song!! I’ve never heard of the band but I’m spreading the word now. I love your blog! Thanks for sharing!!

Julia - downloaded it…can now not get it out of my head!!!

patti - ok, i’ve listened to it 3 times in a row and i’m loving it! thank you so much for sharing a new song and introducing me to a new band. gotta go check them out!

pve - Lost track of how many days of rain here, so that song will be played in order to bring on the sun….and make some of the best meals.
love your punishment.

Chad Gifford - Hey, I wanna play a violin solo!
Meg, its Chad and Kay!
How are you?
Your pictures are amazing. We love you guys and really miss you..

Lori Quicke - Love this band! My husband interviewed Guy Garvey, the lead singer, a few years ago for his British music show. If you like this kind of music you should listen to his show – Britsound.com!

sara - what a beautiful song. thanks for sharing it!

Ruth - Hooray for Elbow! Such nice blokes too.

Kelly - This has absolutely nothing to do with this post but after months of visitng your great blog I just noticed your “Our House” album on your sidebar. Oh my word! You have the best house in the world! I am absolutely in love with every single nook & cranny of it. It’s fantastic! I am especially jealous – in the most Christian sense of the word of course 🙂 – of your awesome kitchen. Wow! I’ve always liked the idea of the couch and chair thing in the kitchen. It looks like a great place to grow a family! Thanks for sharing!

Wendy - Meg! I love this! I’ve never heard it before. Thank you. xox

gina entz - never heard it. now i love it.
i like the walk to school idea. if only it wasn’t just a walk through our backyard to get to school. my kids would probably think it was a punishment if i drove them to school. hmmm…now you got me thinking…nope, never mind, there’s no way i’m driving them. that’s too much work!

Susan - I’m so glad I took the time to listen!
Loved it.

MGF - I agree the rain would be perfect. Cloudy here so close.

Ryanne Toland - HI Meg, Found your blog from the Mcclenahans, and I love it. Your photos and posts always make me so happy. Thank you.

Julia - Great song – thanks for the tip. I needed to remind myself about the beautiful day this morning – I was getting grumpy carrying two tote bags, a beach umbrella and a 3 year old across the biggest sand dune ever to get to the beach. I should have been telling myself “it’s a beautiful day. you’re at the beach” but I wasn’t.

Michelle - Too funny that your kids had to walk to school. Good for you.
Great song. Thanks for sharing the video.

Chasity - great song….may have to throw that one onto my playlist.
have a super day.
oops, i mean a beautiful day.
🙂

Laura - yes. a beautiful day indeed.
(COME ON OVER…I HAVE MY FIRST GIVE AWAY!!!!!!!!!!!!)

a thorn among roses - i like it…i like it a lot!!! and you know, sometimes having a beautiful day starts with just a simple reminder. 🙂

Joni - BEAUTIFUL! Thanks for posting. I made my kids walk home once for disobeying and quarreling in the car. It’s a memory they still laugh and talk about today, now that they’re all grown up, that is!
XOXO
Joni

Lori Danelle - I didn’t know anyone else listened to Elbow!!!
This is getting scary! I’ve been listening to them since their Asleep In the Back album that came out in 2002.
Love this song!!
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com

Jill Adkins - LOVE that song!!!! Thanks for sharing!!! Off to buy it for the car ride home with the kiddos….
Love the “walk to school”…
Blessings!

mom - Love this. Thanks for the new song.

Mindy Harris - This song is precious; perfect way to start the day.
The first thing I do in the morning (besides brush my teeth) is draw open all the curtains in the main areas (all, as in 2–my house is small!)

Jess - Great song….wishing that it wasn’t raining here.
Walking to school…just had to make the oldest do that the other day, for being late all week! Miss your ride. You must walk. Lucky for her we are a hop, skip and a jump from school! They should be walking anyway!

traci - LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!! AND im shocked you made them walk for being disrespecful….I didnt think you did that kind of thing. Thats more my thing and Im alot meaner than you are BY FAR 🙂
Thanks for sharing that song…Im gonna post it on my facebook right now

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it’s clean.

i have been on a cleaning binge.

while the little girls were gone i did a complete overhaul in their room.
4 bags to goodwill and 2 bags of trash.
that's gross.

and last week i cleaned the craft room.
it is so much happier now.
happy to sit. 
happy to dream up new projects.
happy to let the sun shine in.

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this pile of fabric…will soon become a tent for the pink bedroom…i promised it would be next.
i'll show you what i mean at the end of this post.

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i found the black tool holder at a garage sale a few weeks back…i plan to fill-it-up!
they had bunches of good stuff there.
it was hard to hold back.

and it turned out she was a blog reader…and she recognized me…HA!
hi jennie.  :)
it was crazy.
my friend and i laughed about it all day!

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that chicken lamp?  my friend Chicago Jen trashpicked it for me.
it's special because 
1. she thought of me while trash picking and 
2. she was brave enough to give me something picked from someone's trash.
so i have always loved it.
and the tall cabinet with chippy green paint is my favorite flea market find.
do you remember that julie k.?
do you still have your yellow cabinet you bought that day?
the other white cabinet was in my IL neighbor's basement…he was going to throw it away…GASP!
and my sign to inspire me…thank you julie.
those scrapbooks look sad and lonely…neglected…ignored…poor babies.

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a handmade gift that i love.
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special stuff…

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squares cut for more quilted pillows.  

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so the tent….
i want to make a tent like in The Holiday.
you'll understand why i want to make it.
but i just don't know how….
(i love this whole movie so you should rent it anyway if you haven't seen it)

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Emily - I am trying to make that tent for my two girls too! I can’t wait to see how yours turns out. I have been trying to decide whether to use PVC-type pipe to do the rectangular frame at the top, or to just do all cloth…what are your plans? Your craft room is absolutely joyful. So glad I found this blog today 🙂

michelle allen - LOVE your craft room! So bright and cheery just like you!
You make me want to collect buttons, fabric, ribbon…. i actually just bought a new sewing machine so I have been doing a little button/ribbon collecting. nothing near as fab as your collections tho. 🙂
Your blog makes me HAPPY Meg!

kat - I haven’t seen The Holiday. I just watched that clip and bawled. How sweet. I think I’ll rent it to watch tonight!

jerusalem G - good luck with the tent! that is such a great scene and tent and movie. lovin’ the craft room pics. very happy!

emily - i want that tent in my dorm room!

Julie K. - Oh how I love a studio tour … always so inspiring!!!
I do still have that cabinet! It’s in my bathroom … but I painted it green, could you kill me?

Christine - making the tent in the holiday is a magical idea 🙂

Lori - I absolutely LOVE your craftroom!! (And your blog, for that matter.) I also love The Holiday. It is currently my favorite movie. That tent is amazing! I hope you can re-create one 🙂

Kristin - Oh your craft room is so much fun. I think for your tent, you could make a frame for the top any shape and size out of 1×2’s and then upholster that from the bottom. Then make a small tent peak from the frame to the top where it will hang (maybe leave an opening for a light to hang through. Then you can attach fabric from the hoop down that can fan out to make the room. Basically making it like one of those net tent you can buy, but making your own frame so it’s larger at the top. Hope this helps, I am not always the best at putting the pictures in my head into words. : )

Wendy - Okay, I linked to this post in my post today about craft room envy. Because I’ve totally got it. Want to come make over my craft room? Pretty please with sugar on top? http://weightwhat.blogspot.com/2009/05/tell-me-again-why-coveting-is-wrong.html

Jen - Unbelievably amazing!!!!
♥ Jen

Trina McNeilly - I love your craft room… If I was there for real I would probably just stand and stare for awhile…. at all the colors and ribbons, fabric and scraps… and little knick knacks…..so inspiring…

traci - oh my goodness meg. love all the photos. i looked long and hard at them. love all your little treasures.

Donna - Hi Meg …… I was wondering if I could borrow some of your creativity? My daughter (the oldest of 6) is graduating from high school and I wanted to put together a photo album or something for her. Problem is I have like thousands of pictures in hundreds of bins – I just don’t have time to go through all of them – what would creative Meg do???? Please email me – only if you have a minute and don’t mind.
Thanks Donna bourgoinfam8@aol.com

princesslasertron - I love love love all of your fabric!!

Marisol - If you figure out the tent, PLEASE share!!! You are so crafty I know you can do it!! 🙂

Christina - Here are some more pictures of the tent in the movie:
http://hookedonhouses.net/2009/01/04/jude-laws-mill-house-in-the-holiday/

Christina - Yes! Jude Law was so adorable in this movie…
your craft room is so (sew?) beautiful. It seems so bright, colorful, inspiring, cheery-what a fabulous place.

Kelly O. - Hi Meg,
Apparently you are not the only one wanting to recreate this lovely tent…
http://theartofindecisionblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/holiday-part-2.html
After thinking on it for a moment I think I’ve got it figured out–I’m just not sure how safe it is 🙂
But do you remember those old terribly ugly hanging lamps that used to have a cane or crochet covered shade that kind of looked like the hood of a dryer at a salon? well, if you were to hang your tent over one and then use plumbing elbows and tubing to make the squared shape, sew that in and sew gauzy fabric as the “ceiling” where the stars hang down from then you would get your soft ambient lighting. then it’s a matter of draping fabric from that upper “square to form your tent down to the floor. Magic!
Good luck, however you do it!

Lisa - HEY I JUST GOT AN IDEA WHEN I WAS CHECKING OUT THIS BLOG… http://musingsofanightowl.blogspot.com/ LOOK AT HER HEADER PICTURE. IT IS A LARGE OUTDOOR UMBRELLA. WHY NOT START “THE HOLIDAY TENT” WITH THAT AS THE TOP. WATCHING THE CLIP, IT ALMOST LOOKS LIKE IT IS FRAMED OUT LIKE AN UMBRELLA. FIND ONE FROM A LAWN SALE, GOODWILL, ETC… HEY YOU MIGHT ALREADY HAVE ONE YOUR NOT USING. WHAT DO YOU THINK.
HUGS FROM MAINE

Joni - DITTO on that movie, and I love your Craft/creating space…it’s so bright and cheerful and your crafting items are even fun to look at! I so love the items you create! I know you’ll do a great job on the tent and I betcha you’ll even show us your project, right?

Whitni - Can I come and live in your craft room? I want to stay in there with all the colorful happy fabrics and letters and buttons and make things until I fall asleep in piles of pillows. K, thanks.

Tess S. - the tent!!! i loooooooove the tent. i’ve watched that movie zillions of times just for the tent scene!

Suzanne - Can I come over and make something? Please.

Lazy Mom Leslie - Your room just screams! A HAPPY AND CREATIVE WONDERFUL WOMAN LIVES HERE! I want to be your friend just looking at the pictures. Thank you for always providing inspiration!

chas at the wild raspberry - love your vintage baskets and suitcases….and cabinets.
just how much does a bird love french fries? i’m in the dark on that one.
i love that scene from the holiday….very sweet.
and i adore jack black in that movie. when he starts singing in the video store—ah it is priceless.
congrats on your organizing. hope the tent works well.
chasity

Julia - thanks for the happy tour…

Ashley - Okay hands down my favorite movie EVER! YOU will be able to do the tent perfectly. You are so incredibly talented! I can’t wait to see it! I have read your blog for a very long time and love every word and picture!

Lisa - THE TENT IS SO MAGICAL. I REMEMBER IT NOW THAT I’VE SEEN THE CLIP. I DO MISS MY PEEPS BEING LITTLE. THAT TENT WOULD HAVE GONE OVER SOOOO WELL… CAN’T WAIT TO SEE IT. WISH I LIVED CLOSER, I’D COME OVER TO HELP FIGURE IT OUT.
HUGS FROM MAINE

Debbie - Oh my, I have button envy:)
Fantastic room…………

lauren - i absolutely love that movie! i could watch it on repeat. and that tent they have is incredibly fantastic and magical. your girls are so lucky to have you as a mom! ha i want one of those tents in my room!!
also love your workspace. the colors and patterns are so fun and inspiring. makes me want to have one just like it that i can escape to and make fun fun things.

Jenny - Hi Meg…good to meet you at the garage sale…thanks for the “hi”…your toolbox looks awesome!!! My friend and I laughed about you showing up at my garage sale too…I had turned her onto your blog! What fun! Maybe I’ll see you around again someday! Jenny

Jen - I HEART your craft room, all the colors and supplies make me SMILE…

Lisa-Marie - I would like to live in your craft room! Please? My husband and I live in a 2 bedroom flat, so my craft ‘area’ is a small corner of our living room. A craft room like yours is my dream. 🙂
oh, but my dream craft room would be in a turret, with bookcases filled with books lining round the walls and a cosy sofa for reading sitting under the window. I may as well dream big!

Dana D @BoysMyJoys - <3 the tent!!!
<3 the movie!!!
Can't wait to see the finished product!

Lori - I love your craft room. The pictures make me happy, and feel like I am crafty (which I am not, sad to say) and that I can sew (which I don’t). My mom made a lot of my clothes when I was young, and ALL of my Barbie clothes. Yet, I can barely sew on a button! Anyway, I look forward to seeing your tent – I have no doubt that you can fashion a super cool one. And I haven’t seen The Holiday but after that adorable clip, am putting it on our netflix list. I will have to squeeze it in somewhere among our current obsession, 24.

Ruth - what a delicious bunch of stuff!! love the pink flowers… and i have that french fry print! such a treasure.

sandy toe - Your pictures are so pretty…I am not sure why…it’s fabric and chalk but I love it!!! It’s so girly…you almost feel like “twirling”!
sandy toe

Sarah - Cleaning is the best!

heather{dot}com - I’m so inspired by your craft room. And in love with the French Fry poster.
I think for the tent you could start with something like this bed canopy from Target as a base:
http://www.target.com/Pastel-Tie-Dye-Bed-Canopy/dp/B0012LUDJ4/sr=1-1/qid=1241459896/ref=sr_1_1/188-5852103-9701152?ie=UTF8&frombrowse=0&rh=k%3Abed%20canopy&page=1
remove the original fabric and drape your own fabric from it in layers.

Jennifer - We are linked up!! Love your blog Meg!!

Sarah B - I think you could make it quite easily. Just build a frame, circular or square etc., and that will hang from the ceiling. Then create your “tent” out of fabric. I love that you use lots of quilt squares, that will be amazing. I’m planning on using easy old sheets for the drape part. The top part will either be squares or triangles of fabric. Lots of ribbon to decorate of course! You’re very talented so you probably have it all planned anyway.
Ikea has LARGE white mesh tents right now for $19.99 if you want a quickie!

Jenn Thomas - that will be perfect for the girls! When they are done with it can London have it 🙂 I will just send her over to play in it with them this summer. very special.

Kelly - oh YES! The tent!! How could one forget that tent?! You can do it, girl! Kelly

Stephanie - I LOVE that movie! I LOVE that tent! That would be SO COOL!!!!! Make sure you take lots of pictures to blog… if you get around to making it!!! :o)

Donna - I wish I could have your craft room to myself for let’s say……..ummm an hour or so!! I would totally snoop through all your stuff and I would leave very happy!!!
I am in the process of creating my own craft room………and you are my inspiration. I decided at 11:00 last night that I wanted to chalkboard paint a wall – so I did, stayed up till 1 am and I LOVE IT. Thanks for inspiring me Meg!

Heather Mattos - Do you want to switch craft rooms?

Shanna - I love that Jenn and Russ’s family is on your “special stuff” board. They all are pretty special. And from what they say of you….so are you. Enjoy the sunshine in your craft room.

Becky - i am fairly certain i have said it before. but it bears repeating after this post. i want to waller in the floor of your craft room. i have never been so completely covetous in my entire life. and i LOVE the holiday and that tent. i would totally live in iris’ cottage.

Vera - Your craft room always makes me want to run home and sew something RIGHT NOW!! I love it!

Laura - why is that a jar of buttons and a spool of ribbon makes me so darn happy?

Jill - I’m loving your craft room, how can you not just feel inspired in there?
That scene from The Holiday happens to be my favorite movie scene of all time, I sob like a baby every time I watch it!

karen - Your craft room & your photography continually inspire me. Thank you!
http://www.karengberger.blogspot.com

Mrs. Jones - Hmmmm, makes me want to go clean my craft room.
That happened to me last week! My son’s new long-term substitute stopped me in the hall and told me she was a secret admirer. I had no idea what she was talking about. Then she told me she had put 2 and 2 together a couple days after she started subbing and realized she had been readin my blog for quite a while. That totally blew me away!
~Heather

Cate O'Malley - Loved the movie – thanks for the reminder to get it back from my mom! Would love to make a tent like that, for each of my kids. I spent the first hour of my morning, taking down my son’s fort that he built in their playroom/my office. He would just about die if I could make him an uber-cool, more permanent one.

Kelly - I’m joining the ranks of Craft Room Coveters. Totally awesome!
The Holiday…that movie has a silly special meaning to me. I rented it while I was pregnant with my third son and was trying to decide whether to name him Graham or Miles. As much as my husband loves Jack Black, we went with Graham. Not that my son is named after Jude Law but that definitely didn’t hurt. We actually picked Graham to name him after my Gram who I love dearly. Anyway, it’s been awhile since I’ve seen that movie. Thanks for sharing that clip. Can’t wait to see your seriously cool tent!

Brooke - love the movie…love the tent idea…and definitely love your craft room…

Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - Love your craft area. It’s too cute to touch. Thanks for sharing:)

Angela - Oh, that is the best part of the movie! Second only to the part where Kate Winslet finds the button that closes the blinds and the room becomes pitch black. That’s my dream. 🙂

Marie - I LOVE your blog!!!….I love your Photography, do you use photoshop or any actions?… and what lens’are your favorite!
BTW, LOVE the bird with a french fry poster!
Marie

Keri - The comment from Wendy is exactly what I was going to say! I know it’s wrong to covet, but maybe God would make an exception for the craft room? I’ll bet he would. Love it!
And, Cameron Diaz was right – that tent IS seriously cool! (I wonder ow many yards of fabric will it take to make that bad boy?)

adrienneK - love all the craft room goodness! and i have never seen this movie! what an awesome tent!!! cant wait to see yours!!!

Lindsay - i love that movie! and if i had a tent like that as a little girl, i would have been happy forever!

maribeth - i so seriously love your house! oh, and the craft room! so much crafty goodness just waiting to be made into something special . . .

amy - i just saw that movie for the first time a few weeks ago (maybe on tbs or something) and loved that tent! i remember thinking, i could make that, or wouldn’t that be sweet in anna’s room. i even think i said something to my husband and he mumbled, “oh brother”.
i can’t wait to see how you do it. and your craft room looks so bright and pretty too! happy monday!

Jess - Great pics of the craft room…love the colors! I have not seen the movie, I MUST it looks like a wonderful movie. Loved the tent, now I want one too! My screened in porch is crying out for something cool.

Lori Danelle - Two things (at least, I may add more!!):
I have dreamed about the tent in The Holiday!!!! I am serious! I have mentioned to my husband over and over my plans to recreate that tent. I didn’t need to watch your movie clip, cuz I know EXACTLY what you’re talking about.
Anther tent that gives me a good vibe is the one in the playroom in the movie Hook—old, I know. Doesn’t have the magic of the tent in The Holiday, but it’s the first tent that I sort of latched on to.
Second: The receipt from Charlotte’s makes me SOOOO happy. I grew up shopping at Charlotte’s! I miss Charlotte’s so much! I loved walking in there and feeling like you were meeting up with friends—which I was, I think my Mom went to high school with Charlotte and half the staff, but you just don’t get that in a city.
Meg, thanks for making my hometown (the one I always dreamed of escaping) seem so cool! Now I actually dream of moving back, just a little. Oh, and was your house Candy Cane Corner Daycare about, um. . .20 years ago?
And! I don’t make it home often and for long when I do, but I’m coming over next time I do make it there!!!! Hahaha!!
Inksomnia

Wendy - Is it wrong for me to covet your craft room? Because I totally do. And your photography is brilliant, as always.
Love The Holiday! I hope you can make that tent! Can’t wait to see pictures of what you come up with!

Mary Elizabeth - I love that movie and forgot how sweet it was!!
I put up a tent (plain mesh) over my daughter’s bed right after we moved her to a new room recently …. have cut out triangles to attach around the top and going to add ribbon and fringe … SHE LOVES IT!!!! She loves to stay up under it and read and play more than anything we have done in awhile. Will have to post a pre picture on the blog and a finished one later.
http://www.marymarthaandco.blogspot.com

Mindy Harris - Your craft room is heaven! Oh, that tent will be so neat for your girls–I watched the clip and I just want to eat up those little girls with their accents. Precious. Thank you for the beautiful photos.

Mandi - Not The Holiday tent, but another amazing tent.
http://www.oliverk.co.za/images/girls/popups/girls_tent.jpg

Angela - I would like to live in your craft room, please.

Jeana - i want your craft room! i love the holiday, and i adore the tent. i really wish i had some girls around here, so i could make somethig that pretty. BUT God gave me 3 boys, so i guess He knows something i don’t lol.

Mandi - here is a picture of the tent…it is small, but i thought it could come in handy!
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_OUdpYYE5b4Q/ScXeNV502XI/AAAAAAAAAFo/UFupTLQF2NE/s320/IMG_3597.JPG

Staci - WOW!!!!! YOU!!! YOU are somethin’!!!!! I wish I was crafty like you!! Glad you got a little time to yourself! Even if it was to clean. That always makes me feel better! I’ve never seen The Holiday…guess I’ll be renting that today!!!

Lyndsey - It always feels SO nice to have a clean fresh space to start to mess up again, nice job! Can’t wait to see what you’ll make next.

meg - I just love your blog! The colors, your kind words, your creativity…it’s all very inspiring, really. Thanks for brightening my day.

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sigh….

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annie said:

"mom…this is me.
and my head is HUGE.
i am wearing a green shirt and i am smiling.
and i just drank a whole bunch of water.

sigh…
i just wanted to squeeze her little face.
sometimes you feel something stronger than you can put into words…swelling from deep down.

love 
love 
love.

my husband is coming home from his man weekend.
my girls are coming back from their grandmother's.
the house will be full again.
it was nice to have the quiet and it will be just as nice to have them back again.

happy sunday.



Chasity Heck - that is a great piece of artwork right there!
kids are a blessing beyond words….
have a great week with your family.
chas

pve - Gosh darn, if I was next door, I would have come over to lend a hand, making some noise and some mess for you in all that quiet.
tee hee.
I love your photos and your space.
pve

traci - so sweet. your little annie makes me want to have another little one around here. just for a minute though. i’ll just come down and borrow her for the day.

Alyssa - awww!! i love the water on the bottom half of her face 🙂 so cute

lisa (momy4him) - i love those days- this post put a smile on my face!
happy sunday!

Jen - I always enjoy your blog. Makes me smile every time!

Kat - Priceless. I love that picture and her explanation of it. Truly adorable and precious!

Angela - I love it! I have read your blog for awhile, and just wanted to tell you that I truly enjoy it. It makes me feel at peace. 🙂

Trish - my Lainie Pie says to me today…
“Mom, you know who I love?”
“Who?”
“You, mom”
makes my heart just melt!

Jennifer - love this so much!!

Linda - Your life and your family and your house and your dog–everything just seems so cool! I know having all those kids and a dog can be chaos, but you guys just seem so relaxed, laid back. Its really nice.

Candice - That says it all, I love Annie’s art so fun and full of COLOR, the best part is that she just drank a bunch of water, thats so cute.

Wendy - Oh, please say that you are going to frame that picture and put the caption underneath! It’s just perfect!

Sophie - She is so precious!
Sophie x

callie grayson - Aren’t kids the cutest! I love her drawing and best of all the description.

brooke - so sweet….

CherryTreeLane - I LOVELOVELOVE this too! Perfection in tiny little words. You’re daughter is an Einstein. So colorful.

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7:45 pm….friday

what better time for art?

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annie was waiting the last hour before we left to go see nana.
and it seemed like it was taking forever (for us both).
we'd already played candyland and memory.
she asked "can i paint?"
i answered "sure…why not."
she seemed shocked.

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but thrilled.
she said "these are blocks"

and as she put each new color on…the excitement built.
adding the white paint to the colors added a whole new level to her art.
eventually she was shouting.
"LOOK LOOK LOOK!!!  PINK!!!"
then a big squeal of delight and a little jumpy dance.

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i know how she feels.

pve - Alright, that is so me, every day when I work, I laugh, dance and have the most fun while I work and get paid to do it too. Please never ever let them grow up.
pve

Christina - That expression is priceless-how wonderful that you, too, know that delight!

callie grayson - Annie is just so cute! and I love that her life is all about colours and mixing them all, building and creating beautiful pieces of art!
callie

jeanetta - You’re so good about letting kids do those kind of things. I’m horrible and thats worse because apparently i’m supposed to be an artist and former art teacher. LOL 🙁
Hopefully with the nice weather I’ll be more apt to let them play around with it outside. I fit would just quit raining.
And that pic of the toad on your header would have fit right in with my town this weekend. Its Toad Suck Daze!

maribeth - oh, fresh paints! that’s the best!

Sandy - I can’t tell you how much I love that your home is beautiful AND Annie is allowed to paint at the coffee table right in front of the couch. Homes that kids aren’t allowed to be kids in really bother me. Congratulations on being a great mom!!

Starnes Fam - Fun! I love her hair, btw. I love moms who will cut their girls’ hair short b/c it contradicts what most expect out of girls, it seems. I have 2 boys and then a 19 month old baby girl….lots to learn…..but I do know now that I love little girls with short hair. I’m sure I will do the same.

meaghan easterhaus - LOVE what that one mom commented…carpe diem for real!

Shannan - Beautiful! Calvin always just mixes all of the colors together until he gets brown. 🙁

Lee Ann - Love that you share something so special with her.

Christine - i’m not sure why, but i’m always hesitant when my little girl asks to paint….
sounds so silly to admit that!!!
SO I’m trying to be more relaxed about things, and realize she is my last child-gotta seize the day!!! Plus it’s great to see the creativity.
carpe diem to all of us moms!!!

chas at the wild raspberry - don’t you love when you can surprise them with a ‘yes’!?
good stuff….
have a great weekend.
chasity

Lisa - YOUR A GOOD MOM
HUGS FROM MAINE

sara's art house - Yes I know know how she feels too!!!

traci - OK…she has A LOT of paint on that papaer and her clothes look CLEEEEEAN!!!! HOW??? Love that you let her do that right before leaving I just cant figure how she stayed clean for grandma? lolol

adrienneK - LOOOOOVE it!! thats a big water color pallet! where did you get it? we only have the single row one s

traci - she definately has her mama’s creativity gene. so cute.

Sophie - Awww, Annie is SO adorable and a rather talented artist, might I say (:
Sophie x

Ruth - Love that look on her face!
Happy weekend 🙂

Sheryl @ My Joyful Home - Oh, she has the expression of my preschoolers when they mix a new color! I love it!

Meg - Looks like a fun day. Join my challenge if you want 🙂

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the 3rd floor

we have a 3rd floor on our house.

i love going up there because my creativity gets swirling.
i dream up all kinds of things we could do with it.
would you like to see it?

i thought so.

to get there we have to through lauren's bedroom…no easy task most days.

on this day talby was in search of her summer clothes.

(click on any pictures if the words are too small)

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when you get up the stairs it opens into a small room
and on the left there's a doorway to a big room.

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there is a roughed in…something.

could be a closet or a bathroom someday.

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this is the view looking into the big room.

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four years ago when we came through this house i WAS IMMEDIATELY IN LOVE!!!
i kept my composure all the way though…until the third floor.
our realtor wasn't with in the room us and i looked at craig and said "I LOVE THIS HOUSE!"
the third floor sealed the deal.

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i was too scared to open that box.
when craig did…i ran to other side of the room.
i've seen The Money Pit where the raccoon jumps out…i was not going there.

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i walked across the room and took this picture looking back towards the stairs.

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this room has been so many things in my day dreams.
so my question to YOU is….

what would you do with this space?

i am sure i could find a BIG prize for someone that can 
find a way to get a design show or magazine to come here 
and renovate this for us!!
come one ladies…who do you know?

Crystal - Looks like 3 options here…..first you could make this your photography studio/craft room. You could get all sorts of cool backdrops, props & lighting! second option would be to make it a playroom/hangout room for the kids. Lots of storage for toys and bean bags, big comfy chairs, tv with video games….just think of the quiet you would have in the kitchen if all the kids were on the 3rd floor! third option would be to make this Lauren’s room if she doesn’t want traffic coming thru her bedroom to get here. Then you could turn her room into either the craft room or playroom, and turn your current craft room into a guest room. Oh, I wish I had as much space as you!

Liz - Excuse me while I HYPERVENTILATE. Oh my gosh. Can you just make that into an apartment and I’ll come live up there and babysit for free? Thanks.
Seriously, in my dream world I’d make it over into a big study/library. Lot’s of bookshelves. Squishy chairs, big desks with great lamps. But that’s just me.

Aubrey - I don’t know what to do with it but sit up there and look out the window and dream. Make it the retreat space.
Now I want to see pictures of your Silence of the Lambs basement. For real. 🙂

carrie - Oh My! I LOVE this space… so many possibilities. My husband–builder extraordinare– would go nuts. I’m thinking: private-womanly-spa-room. 🙂 But spa or not definitely a painted black floor. 🙂 Love your blog.
Peace- Carrie

kasey - well, once you find someone from a design team, then send them my way when you’re done.
i love that room……
how perfect to start from scratch..

Amber - Can I move in? I love love love your house! I have always dreamed of a home with a third floor… that’s magical!

Alyssa - WOWZA!! i didn’t think your house could get any better!!

Sarah @ Thriftydecorchick - OH MY goodness…I have dreams about finding a room just like this hidden in our house and I find it and I SQUEAL. I’m not kidding. Those are some of my best dreams. Oh, I would looooove to have this space. Looks like it has great light too. I would make it a total kid hang.

Starnes Fam - Oh, dear. I don’t have any connections and your design elements far surpass what I would suggest. I do love the previously mentioned idea of a library.
And, those windows are to die for. My husband and I are renting a 30 year old house in KC (moving tomorrow from Denver) as a trial to see how we acclimate to smaller closets and smaller bathrooms b/c we want to buy a much older home when we finish this lease. LOVE your house and it’s very much like what we want. We’ve always built or bought new…..so I’m anxious to see how this next year goes.

Kristin - Your home is completely lovely. You have a wonderful style so fun, yet comfy and relaxing too. You extra room is so much fun. I think that the imagining of what a space can be is almost as fun as the finished project. I would think some sort of family hangout theater are would be wonderful with cozy nooks by the windows, and comfy chairs. I can’t wait to see what you end up doing with the space in the future. Thanks so much for sharing.

Lynette - I just came across this blog this evening and immediately thought of you and your attic dilemma. Maybe it will give you a couple of ideas…
http://patternoflife.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/attic-remodel-almost-complete/

evan - I know noone… but that space would be so cool turned into a treehouse-type hideout. that’s my idea. 😀

Sara - I would either make it an awesome guest suite and turn the smaller room into a bathroom or make it a media/theater room. I think those floors would look cool painted black. 🙂

renee' - i love this room, boy would that be fun. how old is your house. it could make a great guest room.

Mod Girl - Check out this gorgeous attic remodel! I thought of your space when I saw it…
http://patternoflife.wordpress.com/2009/04/22/attic-remodel-almost-complete/

Trish - umm… let me just say, “WOW”
What a fun house you have!
I would think a guest suite, or a entertainment area complete with a HUGE screen for all of your movie enjoyment and games… I’m sure since there is two rooms you could do a guest room and an entertainment area!
Wowzers, I wish I was in your dilemma right now!

Brooke - Your house rocks!!! There is nothing better than an old house…with all its quirks and charm. Love it, show us more!!!
It would be a great kid space…no one would see the mess! A charming master retreat…but I would hate to be a flight above my children. An incredible guest area. What ever you do it will be fabulous I am sure. Keep us posted!

Teresa - hmm I’m not sure what you could do. But one thing is for sure, you’ll have to give Lauren a new room. I doubt she’d be too happy about people going through her room and up into the third floor :X

angela - Craft room. OH. I Love It So!

JerriR - I would love, love (oh I already said that) to have Candice Olsen from Divine Design to do my basement but since she’s in Canada, well…but maybe if she has two jobs here in the States, yours and mine, she would come!! Oh the possibilities for the 3rd floor!! A girl can dream.

Ashley Ann - I was envious of your house before, but now it is beyond coveting. So jealous…so much you could do. I love it. Could you fit a family of 6 up there? We’ll move in.

Allikayes Mama - Ah! Am I a big nerd for feeling excited jitters for when you will share what you do?! Yeah…I have loved your house from the time I found ya in blog world…and now the 3rd floor…I will continue to live through you…while living in my townhouse! hehe! Hurry and finish it all pretty like you do!!

Rach - I agree. The 3rd floor would have sealed the deal for me too!
If it were mine, I would turn it into an art studio complete with a darkroom and a huge table in the middle so I can actually spread out my projects and work standing up and not bent over on the floor breaking my back.
You are so fortunate… and so busy so I imagine you won’t be able to get to it until at least half of the kids are out of the house and in college. Please tell me you are never moving from that house!! It is heaven.

Christine - i would make it into another living space, one that didn’t have to be kid friendly.
like a nice media or games room or a library.
I would put window seats along those gorgeous windows…especially if it was a library.
You could put up framed pictures of your children’s art work to keep forever, as i’m sure you run out of space (even the area you have now) to showcase them.
I like the idea of a grand master suite but i think i would be tempted to make it a “quiet space” for everybody.
A retreat space. a place for bible study, reflection, a place to keep your treasures….
a place to dream.

Carrie - OK, here goes.
I say you put Lauren in your current bedroom and make that your and Craigs area. What a great little “retreat”. The big room could be the bedroom, the little room and reading/craft/relaz/whatever you want it to be room.
OR
You could let me move in up there. I love to cook, and I find comfort in doing laundry. please! 🙂
Good luck!

Sara - I LOVE looking at this site. I visit it almost every day. I went to preschool in this house. I remember the inside quite vividly. Although it looks so much better now than back in the day. The basement was too scary back then and I was convinced the 3rd floor was haunted. I still have dreams about it. It looks much more pleasant in the pictures, excpet for the mouse pee. HA

MGF - Got no ideas but defiantly want to see the finished project.

Colleen - Perfect place for a new craft room or office. White Bead board and a super cottage-y feel would be so neat. Love the windows but without the woodgrain look. I would paint it all white and accessorize with color and add in built-ins. Is there room for a bathroom?
Fun to have options isn’t it? 🙂

adrienneK - wow! talk about room to grow!!!

Staci - Ooooh! The possibilities! I canNOT wait to see what you do with it!!!! LOVE IT!

Aby - OMG!!! What an AMAZING space!! I’m so jealous!!!! I’ve always loved, loved, loved your house… now I can’t even put into words how much I LOVE it!!!! What I wouldn’t do to have one like it!!! Too many ideas swirling through my head for what to do up there… I wouldn’t even know where to begin!!! You could always turn it into a place for me!!!! I’m ready to move in!!!

Lori Danelle - I just read the comment on a photography studio. . .I think I would give my left arm (if I didn’t need it for my graphic design work, which I’m not willing to give up!) for a studio space. . .. But looks like the difficulty is Lauren’s room below. . .any other options for where she is located? and is she willing?
I desperately wish I had an empty room that I didn’t know what to do with!!! (small house in the middle of the city. . .sigh.)
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com

Lori Danelle - Love the third floor!!! Oh the possibilities!
I feel like I should know where your house is. You’ve shown pictures of it from the outside and I keep taking a tour of the town in my mind trying to place it. Unfortunately, it’s been a few years and my memory isn’t so clear on the fine details of my hometown’s architecture. . .
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com

Karina - I just LOVE LOVE LOVE your house. It makes me want to paint mine in bolder colours…or, heck, just to sell up and find an old mansion somewhere…I checked out my local listings and even the ramsackle ones are too expensive. Bummer.
I think of two designers I love: Candice Olsen and Sarah Richardson. They both have tv design shows, but I’ve only ever seen them do one room at a time – I bet when they get through with a room, the owner is depressed about the rest of their house!!
I immediately think of myself when I see your third floor – STUDIO!!! Reading room!!! Escape space with comfy chair and cat!!! Spare bed for guests…or just naps for me. Thank you for letting us dream…

Joanna Peck (Jodi) - Okay, We lived in a victorian with a 3rd floor for about 4 years and then we sold it. KICKING MYSELF! :0( Anyways, I have 4 kids and we had so much extra junk up there……where is all of your JUNK?? Or am I the only one who won’t part with my junk? Anyways, We always wanted to put our 2 girls up there with there own bathroom, to get them away from their little brothers! I never could think of being up there (master suite) without knowing what is going on with the kids downstairs!!

Sarah - I would DIE for a 3rd floor. I would do almost NOTHING with it…clear out the junk, paint the floor with a white enamel, or carpet them?, paint the walls anything, and just let it be fun, free space..maybe a comfy chair. Then you could use it for anything…a playroom, guest room, craft room, kids home from college with their friends room…I AM JEALOUS!

Laura - IT IS OBVIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!! MY FAMILY CAN LIVE UP THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Serioulsy…it is bigger than my entire home!!!!! Please, oh please, let us move in!!!!!!!!!!!
think about the CAKES I would bake for you….

j.o. - This is one of my favorite posts ever. What great spaces you have.

Nessa Dee - I’m green with envy right now. This would be the ultimate play space for kids. I can see a craft corner with a huge table, cork and chalk board walls, and tons of storage. And, oh the plays that will be acted out in the theater section, with a trunk full of costumes to spark imagination. A reading nook with built-in shelves full of books and a big comfy chair to curl up in on rainy days. I can even cut out a little section for my easel and paint supplies. Hmmm, that sounds nice….maybe the space would be my ultimate art studio, and I could stick the kids’ playroom downstairs. Sigh.

Lisa - Hi Meg,
I read all of the ideas above and think they are wonderful. I was wondering how many bathrooms you have in the house? If you have one main that the kids use plus your master bath, one more might be needed. Eventually you will have 5 teens in one house and I don’t think 2 bathrooms will be enough. That said I think switching rooms with Lauren and turning the 3rd floor into a mommy and daddy retreat would be fantastic. You said the windows are what made you fall in love with the place so why not wake up every morning to them? The space is big enough. You could make Lauren’s room into a lounge / reading space. I don’t know that making Lauren’s room a pass through would go over very well. The other option is to use the “Reading” bedroom you recently did as Lauren’s new room and turn the 3rd floor into a great hang out space for your kids. Play area, movie area, the possiblities are endless!
Take Care,
Lisa

Liz - What a gorgeous house you have!!!
I think that space screams Master suite!!!! You could put Lauren in the master now and make her room into an office/sitting room.

Sophie - If that was my house, it would be MY place. I’d have my stuff eveyrwhere and I’d be able to decorate and furnish it however I wanted.

Courtney - I know you already have a craft room, but this CRIES creative space! You could always turn it in to a guest room that’s super dreamy too– or swap the two rooms.
I want your house, or at the very least to live near you and actually know you personally so I could help 🙂

mary dyer - it’s the third eye of creativity space
how awesome!
whatever it will be , i know it will be amazingly fun!

Kim - I am so jealous. Sooooo jealous. Your house is amazing. And I think your 3rd floor might be bigger than my little house. The windows leave me speechless!
Have a great weekend!

traci - man that’s a lot of space up there. oh the possibilities. you have my mind spinning now. i would probably claim a good chunk of it for myself – i’m kind of selfish that way. big comfy reading chair with a vintage floor lamp and lots of books. or your studio – creative or photography. so many options.

wendy - Oh I definitely think it needs to be a teen room. Love that idea. Then later you can turn it into something more useful for you. Kids need that space to have friends over. Your house will be the place to be.
If you don’t hear from anyone, I would contact all those shows myself. Just jot off a quick email with a link to this post. Easy peasy.

Lyndsey - Wow, I continue to be amazed with how beautiful your house is! It almost makes me want to move away from the land of million dollar dual properties in San Diego to beautiful homeland Kansas!

deb meyers - Share!
a retired professor and his wife at my college in Chicago had a similar space, they filled it with twin beds (not much STYLE, but hey, YOU could fix that) and girls the age of their youngest daughter, who stayed over the summer to work in the city, bunked there. Or if you were a guest you could flop for the night (me : ).
Sleeping there felt like the orphan scene in “Annie” but it was good and lovely, not cruel and cold! They always had hot waffles going for breakfast, a professor to talk to, and the dear wife who was supportive and fun …
deb meyers

Heather - After seeing what you’ve done with the rest of the house, and especially your master bath I don’t think you need any help. You have done an amazing job with that house. I want you to come help me with mine!

Elisa - I would have to be selfish and say a studio.
I am so stinkin’ jealous of your house!!!!!!

Anna - I like the ideas of a master suite and a large craft room/studio…however, as a parent I would be kind of nervous being upstairs at night when all of my children are below me. Also, you already have a pretty awesome craft room.
A family here in my town purchased a very large home…much too large for themselves. But their reason for doing so was a selfless and wonderful idea. On weekends part of their home was a small “haven” for pastors and their wives to come and relax and be surround by tranquility and a calm atmosphere. It gave them the opportunity to slow down, spend time with each other and with our Lord. Pastors from all over the US come to their home.
You could add a bathroom up there possibly even a small kitchen area and make it like a relaxing spa/hotel room getaway. I think a bed and breakfast type thing would be too much work for you. But when it isn’t being used by guests you and Craig could have your own little escape place 😉
Just think of what you could do as far as decorating. You could use scripture in frames or perhaps written right on the wall. You could fill a bookshelf with inspirational books. I am thinking whites and other soft colors as well as towels and fluff…oh and candles.
Like I said though, a master bedroom and craft room are also great ideas. I don’t know any one here in Missouri considered “famous” on this scale…sorry 🙁
Can’t wait to see what you go with. I can’t believe there is a whole other floor. So neat!

Becky - I don’t have any new ideas, the ones posted here all sound good! Just wanted to say thanks for posting the pics. I love your house, and have always wanted to see the inside, so thanks for showing it off! Have fun deciding! I’m sure whatever you choose will turn out fabulous!

Andrea from Orlando - I wish I was your friend so I could come and raid your old stuff! I am working on a baby room…love the white dresser!
I am with your though. Its a blank canvas for sure. I am sure you will figure out what to do with it:)

sandy toe - so fun..a craft room…or guest quarters…or MY room!
sandy toe

pve - I would make it into a fab “parents” love lounge with a huge built in window seat, with book shelves, and make it a place that the Momma’s and the Poppas would want to go to “Hang out” – read, and listen to music. No tv, no computer, just a room with comfy love seats and framed love letters, your photos full of love-
Of course, being a little selfish, I would swipe one of those hotel signs that reads, “do not disturb” Oh, I just woke up from my dream.
Nah, I think it would be my art studio.

Sandy - You’ve been holding out on us! Your house was amazing before the third floor and now….it’s…super amazing! I see why you fell in love with it!

Heidi Jo the Artist - You already have a craft room, so next in line for me would be a library with lots of bookshelves and comfy chairs. And lots of plants too, there is a lot of great natural light up there! It will be fun to see what you decide to do with the third floor, your house is beautiful! I love old houses. We live in one too. 😉
Heidi Jo the Artist
http://swirlsofcreativity.etsy.com
Swirls of Creativity’s Purple Thursday ~ Every Thursday!
http://swirlsofcreativity.blogspot.com
http://greenresolution.blogspot.com

kristin joy - clearly if you made this into your master suite, you’d have to give lauren your current suite. then you could make her bedroom your sitting room of sorts…a place where mom & dad meet the kiddos. that makes your bedroom a real sanctuary…kid free. of course you could go selfless and make it a hang out room, but really–a teen hang out room needs to be a leeeeeetle bit more open. can you say makeout room? i am sure that’s not what you’d be going for. 🙂 perhaps a family library. i am a reading teacher, and i’m in favor of family libraries. 🙂

flutter - your house rules. that whole space should be your studio.

Donna - you have the MOST amazing house……….i just adore it. The master suite sounds like the perfect thing, however what about a space created for the kids. I have 6 kids and we had our basement finished so that they can hang out down there with friends. Your kids are still kind of young – except Lauren, but when they start reaching the teen years, you will want them to have their own space………….Have so much fun with that.

Mindy - First off, I would go read “The Saturdays” by Elizabeth Enright about a family of 4 children who have a delicious 3 story level. They actually don’t do much with their 3rd level in the book, but yours reminded me instantly of the book.
Next, I would ask Lauren what she thinks since anything done would be traipsing through her room to do it.
Next, get rid of the mice. Eeuw!
Add a bathroom.
Then, since one house I lived in growing up had some unused space, I would fill it with a pool table, games, books, dress up clothes galore, an old make up mirror that plugs in and lights up and has a switch that goes from day light to night light. And lots of boxes and nooks to be curious in.
Finally I would get a great, comfortable chair and sit next to those windows and daydream- during the morning when the light is mellow, in the rush of mid-day when you need a good daydream to revive, at night when the house is silent and you must visit during every rainstorm.
Um, can I come over?

Keri - Oh how I wish I knew someone. If I did I would have locked them in my house ages ago.
So…your third floor: the master suite idea sounds nice, except sounds like you’d be close to Lauren’s room. (Maybe not a bad thing with a teenager though!) Craft studio sounds awesome, too, but I know you have a craft room. Cool media room? Play room? Oh, the possibilities!!
Thanks for the tour. I just love old houses, and yours is fantastic! No wonder you fell in love with it.

Leah - Hmmm…I dont know what you should do with that room. Do you have a guest room? I’ll see what I can do regarding the decorating show thing…as if I have any connections. Ha! I think your in the same boat as me tho…we dont live in CA where most of the decorating shows are. Maybe Candice could come down from Canada? One last thing…ok…is Lauren not at all freaked out by the stairwell leading out of her room and into the scary third floor? I would pee my pants at night!

Mindy Harris - Lots of plants/art on the ceiling/twinkle lights.
Or a photographer’s haven/heaven.
Lovely, just lovely…
And the only person I know who would love to get her paws on the space is my sister, who has a niche for decorating (she would have a coronary if she saw your house), but, alas, she’s not affiliated with a magazine or show.
TLC, where are ya?

lisa (momy4him) - i have noticed that you are into photography- how about a studio? looking at those big windows you must get great light!

Jenny - Master suite?
Super cool craft area plus play room?

Amanda - Hmmmm? I’m thinking AMAZING Master Suite (but off Lauren’s room?? not sure that would work….play room/hang out room like the Pottery Barn magazines, with fun decor or big huge canvas poster-sized pictures…..OR your studio for a photography business!! I like my last idea the best!!

Emily@remodelingthislife - I love it! In our old house, a beautiful old victorian, the 3rd floor had been renovated into a master bedroom and bathroom and I LOVED it! *sigh*
But today if I still lived there, I am certain I’d have moved my bedroom to one on the 2nd floor and used that 3rd floor space as one big girly getaway for crafting.
Have fun with it, it really is beautiful!

meaghan easterhaus - someone said master suite…all the way! i’m so selfish! what a GORGEOUS space though!!! family room came to mind first, but you’d proabably hear a lot of noise downstairs, hmmm….another problem if it’s a master… ;-0

Jess - Oh, lucky lucky you! I ‘ve been wondering what was up there!
If it were my house, I too would love to have just a chill out room. Bookshelves full of books and games. BIG comfy chairs. Quite. Peace & Quite. That’s my dream anyway.

Amanda - Thanks for the tour! I love love love old houses and have always been curious what your third floor looks like. It’s much bigger than I imagined! So much potential.

elizabeth holder - it would be my scrap/ craft room – all to myself-
with a nice comfy couch, you can add a bathroom up there,
just think of what you could do with those windows? i am so jealous {in a good way}
we are actually thinking of buying an old house with an attic similar to yours just because I love old attics like that –
I can’t believe you aren’t up there painting, and fixing it up for your secret get away
I love it!!!!

emily :] - i love the attic :]
okay, buuuut i have a random question. not so random, but question.
my friend natalia fell in love with your photography skills & would love to have you do her pictures. she never actually got senior pictures taken when she was a senior. but i can e-mail details & of course she said she will pay you if you are willing.
have fun decided what to do with that fab space :]

Meredith - Oh, the luxury of space! I’d just turn it into a chill-out space with lots of bean bags and squashy chairs, books, boardgames etc. Whether it be for you or the kids, it’s such a luxury to have an ‘escape hatch’ in a large family. How much fun you will have deciding what to do!

Kate - OH! I so wish I knew someone! Okay, what about a picnic room. Each momth, a different kiddo gets rule of the room? They get to post their art, play their music and on Friday nights you and the hubby spend 1 hour with JUST them after the other kids have gone to bed – or maybe Sat mornings – whatever works…. Ha! Whatever 🙂 didn’t even plan thta pun. LOL.

melissa @ the inspired room - Holy cow. I adore that room! My third floor in my old house became my master suite, but I never got around to doing much with it since we moved. But now that you have your dreamy bathroom on the second floor, you maybe don’t need that. I would think either a teen hangout room (you are going to need that with all those kids) OR a room for YOU to escape to.
Love love love that you showed us around in great detail. I always think of doing that but I am too lazy. 🙂 And, my new house is not as cool as yours so no need. Eh hem.
🙂

Sara - OMW, I have always dreamed of a third floor, seriously. I live near Oak Park in IL and just love walking the neighborhoods looking at all the third floors and wondering what’s up there.
I think a 3rd floor master suite would be amazing. I also think a library or den would be cool…just a place to read or do your devotions with a good cup of coffee. Since I have 4 and 1 year-old boys, I also dream of big open spaces for playing (like the huge play rooms in the PBK magazines :-)).
Keep us posted – can’t wait to see what you do with it!

Mod Girl - Studio, studio, studio! That space is begging for creativity. {LOVE the floors!}

Kristen - Your house is unbelievably awesome. Loved the tour! 🙂

Cassie - OMG- You hit the Jack Pot with this house. I am an interior designer/architect and I could do a million things with this space it is insane! You are truly lucky you have an amazing old home with some awesome history I am sure. You have done a great job re-doing each room!

Patricia - it would so be my craft escape room.
and no one would be allowed up there except me.
but i would let someone come up if they were bringing me a nonfat, chai latte, extra hot.
i absolutely LOVE your home!!
blessings,
p.

Chasity - twirl.

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mason

oh boy was he busy.

and very UNinterested in me.
but i had fun squatting down and chasing him around.

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those eyelashes!  
he will melt some hearts with those in about 15 years.

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do you love those little teeth that one year olds have as much as i do?

his sister jumped in for a few pictures…with the bribe of ice cream after.
i would jump in a picture for ice cream too.
cappuccino chocolate chip in a waffle cone preferably.

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Mason
"ok…ok…we're all done mason.
but wait.
go climb those stairs..maybe we can get a few more while he plays."

amanda…it was worth the last few minutes.
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and this one.
oh my….he is too sweet…he should model for GAP…
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he did a great job.
thanks for asking again amanda & dave.
i hope you got ice cream for yourselves…you earned it.
it's hard work getting pictures of a one year old!

Cate O'Malley - Love his little flip-flops!

j.o. - Where in town are those awesome turquoise bricks?!
P.S. The very few times I’ve seen you out and about, I find myself resisting the urge to blurt out, “ireadyourblog!”

Erin - Love the pics!! I just wish you could take some of my little guy! Are you coming to Florida anytime soon?? Those flip flops are great – may idea where they are from?

Mrs. - Thought of you today when I went to Sonic to get myself some Cherry Limeade to BOOST my afternoon cleaning power. And now I have spent all kinds of time here instead of cleaning! BTW, Any idea how to get thee white slipcover on my couch clean? I am washing the “dog’s” cushion cover for the SECOND time now…

Staci - Oh my goodness what a cutie!! I LOVE the ones on the stairs 🙂 Great job as usual Meg!!!

Lori Danelle - I love it when the “oh wait, let’s do these really quick before we call it good” photos are the best ones! Unexpected surprise.
Also, I’m hoping that your ice cream reference was a Braum’s reference. . .I miss Braum’s!!! Although chocolate almond is my ABSOLUTE favorite.
http://loridanelle.blogspot.com

Jennifer - Pure cuteness!
Jen

traci - meg, you did a fantastic job. he is adorable. i agree with you the last one is awesome. i envision a big canvas of that one!!!

Jess - great pics meg! you’re awesome!

ESP - I want to hire you to take pictures of my beautiful something to be. . . I have a gorgeous husband that has just agreed that maybe, just maybe we should have one or two of our own…..mostly just concerned that at least one could be photoged by your majesty! YOUR ARE AWESOWE! whether or not I can properly spell with two Great Danes sniffing my keyboard. You are so inspiring! Thank you so much!!! esp

Ashley - Those are fantastic shots and I totally agree with the Gap model idea. I can’t wait to see my one year old walking in flip flops…oh wait, I can’t wait to see my one year old walking in general.

Sandy - Love the pictures! I also love that he’s wearing flip flops! Who knew a 1 year old could walk in flip flops?! 🙂

Amanda - Hi Meg! Your a popular lady!! You have some loyal fans who have nominated you (again)for an Awesome Blog 2009 Award! Come over to see what category they thought you should win.
http://awesomestblogs2009.blogspot.com/
God bless-
Amanda

jennymama - i wish you could do a shoot w/ my boys…i just love your pics.

Becky - man…why don’t i live in kansas? you’ve always wanted to fly to alabama for a photo shoot, right?

MGF - The flip lops just kill me. I love it. I can not believe he leaves them on.

sandy toe - Little boys are so sweet and his little toes!
sandy toe

kat - Absolutely precious! He is seriously one adorable little dude!

Brooke - sweet sweet sweet….what a doll…can you call a little guy doll? maybe if you add handsome…anyway…what a cutie!

Sharla - The last one is IT!!! Great job – now go get some ice-cream.

Starnes Fam - I love his curious little smile. What a sweetheart.

Carisa - Very cute! My sister is having a baby in September and we loved your pics of Jackson. Can you email me with details of what you charge?

Julia - water works wonders with little boys

Kim - Those eyelashes…that smile…those little flipflop toes!

Candice - That last one is just precious, I love your skills, you make the babies look even cuter in your pics!

Kristi - love that last one! I wish I had pictures like that of my boys when they were little.

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lists

so many things in my head and on my list today.

i found this picture in my car today…
Photboothlynette

we hopped in a photobooth while the kids were playing when we were in utah.
what a great memory to start my day.
sigh….

i am having a great day….for reals.
how about you?

i have sewage backed up in my basement.
my house smells lovely….if you like the smell of sewers.
but it will soon be fixed by a professional…so it's all good.

i got to go to a brunch this morning with my tuesday morning bible study.
we had a really nice time…lots of laughing…coffee…fellowship.

i got a call from the bank today.
she sweetly told me my account was $2 in the negative and was worried i didn't know.
and she said "don't worry, i won't charge you any fees, i just wanted to let you know."
i LOVE small towns.
(i just had money in the wrong place..my fault…duh)
but how cool to get a nice reminder instead of a big fine?

i have (FINALLY) finished my etsy orders!
i shipped my last box today.
you ladies are more than patient…THANK YOU.
and now this room needs a serious cleaning…i lost my tv remote a week ago in this mess!
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ok…check this out.
raising money for the cora playground…my etsy shop made 
64 pillows and 75 t-shirts…
139 items handmade in my little ol' craftroom….in 69 days.

what an honor it was making each and every one of those crafts.
the playground is in the works…paperwork for now…but they will start the real building work soon.

but now…who did i forget?
i feel pretty sure that i overlooked an order somewhere along the way.
please leave a comment to tell me if i forgot to make you something you ordered!!

i saw this shirt at julie's and i had to have it.
can you read backwards?

i promise i was not going to kiss waffle.
but it sure looks like it.
he wanted to say hello too.

well…i am going to turn on Arthur for the kids 
and go clean the craft room.
and my bathroom if they let me.

Jessica - hi – i love following your blog – your crafts and everything are always so fun to see. i notice you have a lot of scraps and i’m looking to make a colorwheel quilt- i was wondering if you’d be interested in parting with some scraps for a donation to cora’s playground? contact me if that would be possible (the scrap size i’m looking for is roughly 4″ x 12″. thanks for sharing with us!

Art Cant Hurt - i’m SOOOOOO jealous of all the sunlight you get in your craft room! who cares about the tv remote when you have SUN!
today a friend told me he and his wife would be attending a craft fair in KC and I was like MEG’S IN KANSAS!
just kinda made me laugh – what has blogging done to me?! 🙂
i guess i just think in bloggeography now!

sassafrasanne - kudo’s to YOU for rockin’ the etsy shop for a good cause!
love the shirt!
🙂 go on.. kiss waffle.. he looks like a honey of a dog!

Jeanne - Love the tshirt! I recently read something saying to never pass a photo booth without going in…I think that is good advice. Love the pics.

Jeana - i love your blog. i ‘m here ALL the time it seems lol. you inspire me. keep rockin lady! God bless.

sandy toe - I want to order the red pillow with white fuzzy background….how do I do it??
sandy toe
where is your etsy shop??

Amy - Will you open your Etsy shop again? I would love to get some pillows and shirts for my daughter. Have you ever thought of doing this as a job? You would do AWESOME!!
Amy Mumaw

Keri - Hooray for you! Congrats on being done. Was your machine smoking by the end of it all? LOVE that shirt!

dawn - Excellent job on all the projects! We loooove our little rainbow shirt. I love your blog. It’s become a daily ritual to see if you’ve updated. I also love my bank — that isn’t in a small town BUT — only charges me $5 for my “oops” and hands out coffee daily and freshly baked cookies on Fridays. Its the little things — isn’t it?!?

Kate - I got my pillow today! It is so beautiful. It goes in my whatever inspired game room! Thank you for all you do. You are amazing and a huge inspiration to me!

kat - You are seriously amazing. I can’t believe you made all those amazing things in such a short time! Truly incredible. My pillow totally rocks! Please let us know when you open up your Etsy shop again!!!

Pleasant Drive - Thank you for visiting my blog and your kind and encouraging words about my cancer battle. I must say, yours is probably my favorite blog. I just love the way that you take pictures. I’ve never left a comment, but I follow you daily. Thanks, again, for your kindness.

jamie - Can’t tell you what a Joy your Blog is to read! Thanx, Jamie

Becky - i totally love that shirt. and i’m not sure why you didn’t kiss waffle. i probably would. that is a stinkin cute pup. and i would waller in your craft room. the fabrics are delicious.

wendy - I just wish I knew where my sewing machine was!
And FYI, we tried to do a Waffle cut on our Molly OURSELVES (even though you emailed me with the tip that Waffle’s cut was done by a professional) and it did not turn out quite as adorable as Waffle’s. It needed a little fine-tuning.

Laura - Love you stuff, love your blog– So glad you take the time to post!

Amanda - Hi Meg… Great stuff as always!!
I am here because you have been nominated for an Awesome Blog 2009 Award! Stop by and see what category someone thought you rocked!!
http://awesomestblogs2009.blogspot.com/
God bless-
Amanda

Amanda - Meg, I got my hoodie and I LOVE it! It is even more adorable than I imagined! Thank you so much! You are so very talented. I love it!
Amanda Rick

Marie - cute! is that shirt for sale over there or just a gift for you? i only clean the bathroom when my son misses. hope that makes you feel better…

Heather - Sigh. Every day you inspire me. Now I just need you to move here and put firecrackers under my butt. 😀

Heather Mattos - I know, that shirt is one of my faves. Did you know Julie mentioned you here today?:
http://thirtyhandmadedays.blogspot.com/2009/04/id-like-you-to-meet.html
🙂

Stacie - Love your Blog!!! Whats your etsy shops name? How can I find you?

April Meek - Did I mention that I love my pillow and it reminds me of that sweet little Cora everytime I see it!
Thanks for all your hard work!! Once you take a break you really should list some goodies on Etsy!

CherryTreeLane - Love the shirt. and love the stool.

Sandy - I love your shirt and WISH I was a sewing machine!

Elisa - no- don’t clean the bathroom. Because then I feel like I should go clean the bathroom. And I really don’t want to.

traci - wow, that’s a lot of pillows and tshirts. so great of you. i love my pillow!!! brunch with the girls – that would make even sewage in the basement good. gotta love girlfriends!!

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