it IS an original but it wasn't mine.
my mother-in-law got it for lauren at an auction.
we tried to get the bag of people too but we were outbid.
and now that i realize they are choking hazards i am glad about that.
when i see it i always think of the church nursery when i was little.
and i love that doorbell still.
2. When can i visit?
you girls are funny. if i had a B&B, i'd have booked the year with just blog readers.
but seriously…imagine how UN-relaxing it is visiting here.
the kids wake up at the crack of dawn and our bathrooms have no locks….
just ask my grandma.
sean walked in on her.
and didn't leave.
3. Did you paint the blue cabinet?
It came this way from Salvation Army all chipped up the way i like it.
It also had 80's spaceman contact paper over the top.
There are still handwritten labels taped to the front "undershorts pants socks."
4. Is the pinwheel fabric a pillow?
This was a baby blanket (crib size) that i found at the antique store….$6.
the front was the pinwheel quilt print and then someone (a grandma, no doubt) stitched those nubby ball
things through the white backing which is why the back is red polka dot.
i cringed as i did it but i cut in in half and flipped one side then sewed it together again.
it took 3 bags of stuffing to fill it!
5. What color paint are the walls?
Behr Antique White.
All 7 of us were in Home Depot and craig and i were stressed.
he showed me some whites…i pointed to one and he said "are we good?"
that was the extent of that decision.
6. How do you make your duvets…a little more detail please?
On a queen bed you would use queen flat sheets or king if you wanted it really big.
i am pretty sure these were full/queen…so kinda small for me but i didn't realize till i was finished.
here's how i did it… the very unprofessional way –
pin your sheets together wrong sides out.
sew the 2 sides and bottom together but leave the top (the finished edge of the sheets) open.
then mark where you want your button holes and use the button hole setting on your machine.
sew button holes on both sides if you are using ribbon
or sew one side button holes and sew buttons to the other side.
instead of sewing on buttons i strung some ribbon through and called it done.
7. Can i hear more about the curtains?
there are five windows in this room…which means 10 curtain panels.
i bought 6 yards of good ($$) fabric and 10 flat twin sized sheets (the cheap wal-mart brand $3 each).
i took the top of the sheet and folded it under 7 inches.
then pinned on an 18 inch panel of the good fabric.
i sewed a zig zag stitch over the top of the panel which also made the sleeve for the curtain rod.
the edges are sewn down but the top and bottom of the panel are left with frayed edges.
they were just touching the floor but barely…
so i cut one fitted green sheet into ten 6 inch strips.
i folded a ruffle and pined it on and sewed on top.
very basic messy zig zag stitch.
so now they drape a bit more.
it took awhile because i don't like measuring things and having to have straight lines.
8. i like that polka dot lampshade!
ok…that's not a question but i said i would show how i did it.
it was a gold lamp with a gi-nomous shade. i bought it for $7 at our antique store…it was ugly!
but it had good bones.
and i put in my stroller and made annie walk home. i looked like a bag lady for sure!
i stripped the shade of it's nasty smoke smelled OLD fabric.
i laid the shade on the fabric and cut a few inches bigger and ironed it flat.
after pinning it around the shade i took it off and sewed the seam to make it a tube shape.
i pulled out my trusty glue gun. working very slowly in small amounts i hot glued the top all the way around.
then pulled it tight and hot glued the bottom.
i trimmed off the extra fabric with pinking shears and glued own any loose spots.
it didn't look finished to me so i tied the brown wide ribbon around it. it's just tied on.
9. Did you paint that bed?
this was in the backyard when we moved into our IL. house.
it was black and rusty.
a friend of ours welded it two sections smaller for us and we used it as our headboard.
then we moved here and it went to the basement for over 3 years.
it has a new life…in a new color…in a new state!
spray paint is the best invention. i love instant gratification.
it's bolted to the california bed frame.
10. Where do you find the time to be crafty?
i just have to make stuff. i see things in magazines, stores, blogs, books and think "i have to try that!"
and then i forget what it was.
just kidding…i keep notebooks of ideas all over the place.
so i "find" time by choosing to make things over cleaning the house or folding laundry
or getting things done that i should have or by staying up way too late.
it's so much more gratifying to sew a cute pillow than to load the dish washer!
they will still be there when i finish the pillow.
thanks for asking me. i don't claim to be an expert on any of this…just having fun making stuff!
hope you are still awake.
this was loooooong.
sandi - How in the world could anyone NOT smile at your cute little girl in the outfit!LOL… That picture is just too adorable for words.
Jamie Sampson - I love your blog.
She had a totally rocking birthday outfit. I love the super big 4 on her shirt and the kagillion pink balloons, it doesn’t get better than that.
lisa - Oh Meg,
Annie is so precious. I love the matching donuts and lunch in the park. You really do such wonderful things with your kids. The cake is so pretty. I like the idea of using her toys as the decorations. My absolute favorite thing about this post has to be the photo shoot you two went on. The walk around the street waving at cars must have been so cute. A great memory for when she is older. I think everyone should be allowed to wear loud tights and tutu’s on their birthday. Happy Birthday Annie
take care,
Lisa
princess lasertron - happy birthday annie banannie!
that girl - I would like a pink tutu and a shirt that says “40..” lucky girl!
carissa - that little pumpkin… she’s FOUR!
what GREAT pics… treasures forever!
i love her cake… what a fab idea Annie!
pet shop critters are the best!
Staci - Ahhh….Happy Birthday Sweet Annie 🙂 What a cutie pie! I LOVE it that her idea was to walk down the street with her balloons. So sweet!
Trina - What a fun birthday…
BTW …. love your blog and your home.. just did a post about it on my site
http://www.lalalovelythings.blogspot.com
Cheers!
Trina
Nani - I just came across your blog and love it! The birthday outfit it’s awesome!!!
Love the name (I’m biased since my name is Anna too :))
Liz - Meg, one this is for sure… you’re children have the most wonderful pictures of their childhoods! You are so so so talented, these pictures are fabulous!
Blanca - Happy Birthday Annie! You are so blessed to have spent the day with her. She and my Logan share a birthday. He turned 5.
Jodi Peck - OHH! WAY TOO CUTE!! Please tell me you are going to frame some of those pics and put them out for all to see! She is a living doll!
Suzanne - sounds like just about the best birthday EVER!! adorable, precious, cute, beautiful pictures!! and you KNOW how much i love the name annie:)
we’re celebrating jack turning 6 tomorrow…so many birthdays out in blogland the last few days…
happy happy birthday, miss annie!!
Pattie - Wouldn’t the world be an awesome place if everyone had Annie’s zest for living. (and a photographer who paints the day with such happiness!) She is adorable.
Amanda - These pictures are priceless and beautiful. What a little angel! Got any cake left over????
God bless-
AManda
Sandra - What adorable pictures of a darling, STYLISH little girl!
katie - picture perfect! those are the best darn pictures ever!
Ashley - The pic of her walking away with all things pink: balloons, boots, tights….that is an incredible picture. I loved them all, but that one topped my list. It just captures so much about a 4 year old girl – all girly and WALKING down a street.
Amber - What a cutie pie! Happy 4 years to Annie. I love her special birthday outfit. It reminds me of one of my classic outfits when I was little…leotard, tights, tu-tu and cowboy boots. I like her style!
sara - happy birthday annie!! you make a beautiful 4 year old. i bet my 3 year old would have a crush on you (he likes older women).
anyways, your picutres are fab as always & your blog is inpriational.
thank you for sharing your life with us!
Jen - There is nothing like a four year old. Big enough to be a big girl, little enough to have chubby cheeks. Awww, it passes so quickly, as you know.
♥ her to bits!
Jen
Melanie - Meg,
I could SO eat her up! She is adorable. I even had to show my husband when he got home from work:) I also love how much you love Craig. My husband and I have known each other since 7th grade (I got sidetracked with a quick 4 yr. marriage) and we got married 17 years ago. I am more in love with him today than the day that I married him. (we were born in the same hospital, same day, & 11 hrs. apart) It is nice to see someone else in a happy marriage and enjoying each other. You just don’t see that very much and I can appreciate that about yall.
Krista - SHE is too stinkin’ cute!
meaghan easterhaus - seriously the cutest lil gal ever! i can say that cause i have two boys. i mean really, the birthday outfit, really
brittany - Happy Birthday Annie! I LOVE her special birthday outfit! I definitely need a girl so I can dress her so cute as well!
Tausha - the pics are darling!!! I love the cake! Great idea to put littlest pet shop on the cake! My girls would have flipped! I too would love if my hubby made pancakes in his suit and tie. Not that he wears a shirt and tie, but hopefully soon! (we are waiting to hear on a new job opportunity!)
Love it all! She does look like an ANNIE! Funny, how our kids take on the personality on their name.
Fun day.
a thorn among roses - the shirt u made looks fab on the bday girl! she is soooo precious! and i love that she wanted to share smiles with rush hour! what a great kid!
Diana Cornielle - Great job capturing this wonderful day for her! I love her outfit is so adorable! It sounds like she had a fun and busy day! Did I say that I love the pictures? lol.
Amnah - Oh my goodness I love this!!! My daughter turns two in four days, can I steal your mini photo shoot ideas???
I’m so glad my sister introduced me to your blog. She LOVES your home! Me too :o)
jennifer - LOVE the boots
LOVE the tutu
LOVE the tights
I want to wear them, but they wouldn’t look as good on me, I’m sure.
It looks like it was a wonderful day that and she’ll have so much fun looking back on all those pictures!
Jess - Great pictures!!! I love the balloon shots you got…perfect light. And I love her style…only a four year old can pull that off!! I wish my Caroline could meet your Annie! -jess
Christy - Great pics! What a fun & colorful birthday!
Love, love, love that outfit! I have her match in a 5 yo boy version. His outfit this weekend, long sleeve blue top, purple basketball jersey, matching shorts, long black socks, army green fisherman’s vest & Batman crocs oh & his left over beard & mustache tattoo from Halloween (he was a Pirate), couldn’t get it off!
traci - happy birthday annie!!!!! such a big girl. i so hope that as annie grows she keeps her happy, carefree, anything goes spirit. everyone should be able to dress as they want and walk around the block with a dozen balloons on their birthday. i’ll do it without the number across my chest though.
Lanny Stanard - Are you kidding me! look at those picture’s priceless! I love them way to go! Happy Birthday Annie!
BiG hUgS! Lanny
Lizs - Love, love, LOVE that outfit!!! And the pictures with the balloons are too cool!
MGF - The boots totally rock……
The joys of the sugar high and crash.
Darby - Meg, Not sure where I’ve been but I was just introduced to your blog! Can we please be friends!? I took it upon myself to copy Annie’s birthday shirt for my Morgan {who turned 4 today!}. My twin sister {http://urbangraceinteriors.typepad.com/the_blog/} & I spent ummm… too long on your blog this weekend drooling over your house renovations and we are smitten with your house {especially that kitchen}, your mad photography skills, and your creativity! You are an inspiration and I’m thrilled to have “found” you! I absolutely can’t wait to get to know you better!!! Happy Birthday to your Annie!
chris - Oh how Annie has grown , have you notice there is a real lack of trouble posts due to Annie, she is adorable , and I love that wonderful outfit , couldn’t be cuter.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE
Chris all the way from Canada.
Nessa Dee - What a wonderful day! Love the tutu pictures…priceless!
PamperingBeki - Awwww!
Nina - Happy Birthday to Annie
and I just love the pictures!!
kristin at prairie daze - yup.
that’s me.
that’s when i went to the park.
we had to go because it was annie’s birthday.
it was the best going in jail.
we were pretending.
—eliza
Sandy - Would it be ok if I photoshop my (now 18 year old) daughter’s 4 year old head on Annie’s pictures and frame them? Those are A-dorable!! I love the outfit and the pink balloons and the cowboy boots!! (…and the pancakes and the cake…)
Your family is amazing!!
Happy Birthday Annie from Troy, OH
Ashley - What a beautiful girl! Love that shirt!!! Happy Birthday to Annie!!
jodi - happy, happy birthday, oh I miss little girls. my last 3 have been boys (after 1 boy and 3 girls) and they just don’t dress up as pretty,…… or throw those tantrums.
beautiful pics as always, meg–thanks for sharing!
jodi
Erica - She’s so cute and growing up so fast!
Happy Birthday Annie!
Tracy - LOVE LOVE LOVE the pictures of the birthday girl with her balloons and outfit! I wish I lived in your neighborhood so I could come hang out and be witness to all the fun going on around you all the time! Maybe you’ll adopt me? LOL Thanks for sharing and Happy Birthday, little Miss Annie! Hugs, Trac~:o)
lee ann - What a great day! Loved the birthday outfit and the awesome photos of it. I’m tellin’ ya, she could be sisters with my Anna – those outfits. I wonder if she’s going to be mad at me someday when she looks back at those pictures. “why did you let me wear that in public?” Because I love you and wanted you to be YOU!
jennifer - She is so super sweet! I love, love, love that last picture with the yellow garage doors! Oh and her boots… love, love, LOVE them too!
Smiles,
Jen
Lorilee - Oh my goodness…she is so darling!! I LOVE the pictures with the balloons. Love it.
sarah - I love Annie’s style.
your pictures are always so wonderful!
Sarah - The picture with all the balloons is stunning and I love her birthday outfit! (I love tutus)
Leah - I love that she walked around the block with balloons! It’s staright out of a story book! Happy Birthday Annie!
Gyspy Soul - what a special day for Annie! and she looks so very beautiful in her birthday outfit…bravo birthday girl!
Jenn Thomas - Happy Birthday to Ms. Annie! It looks like she had such a great day. She is such a sparkle in the neighborhood – she makes me smile every time she says hello to London – glad she lives just down the street. Love the party outfit. My favorite picture is the last one, she is always so curious about things.
Kameron - I love the tutu and cowboy boots, and the shirt you made her is super cute too!
Ashlie - This is so sweet! At each new picture, I was saying “awwww!” Annie’s birthday outfit is so cute and unique and fun and happy…oh, I just love it! These pictures could SOOOO be in a magazine. Just perfect! Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!
Aubrey - I know I’m repeating everyone, but I totally LOVE her outfit! It’s so perfect. She’s going to be so fun to see as a teenager. Imagine THOSE outfits.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your photos. Where did you learn to be such a good photographer? I need lessons. And a new camera.
Tami Veer - Love love love her birthday outfit!!! I love the skirt especially! I am obsessed with polka dots, Ella is wearing them most days=)
Nancy - Absolutely love her birthday outfit! Adorable. My birthday is today but it won’t be near as cute as Annie’s. Plus, I’m NOT 4. Happy Birthday Annie.
traci - Her birthday outfit is HER TO A TEE!!!! I swear your pictures are so fabulous it makes me want to save up and go splurge on your camera!!
Krista - How wonderful! She reminds me of our middle daughter who is now 8 and STILL dresses & acts like a free spirit. It’s a beautiful thing to be witness to 🙂
Krista
Sarah B - Those are fabulous pictures and she is such a doll….I so wish I could pull that outfit off!
amy d - annie, you look adorable in your “4” outfit!!! happy birthday!!! loved the cake….so annie
Allikayes Mama - How fun! I have to ask…did you make that tutu with the polka dots underneath?! I must have!!
Candice - Sounds like a perfect fourth birthday, Can I have one? The picture with her walking away with the balloons was priceless, I loved the outfit too, Annie Happy Birthday! My son will be four in Feb. it’s so crazy how fast this all happens. Thank you for sharing.