Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Revival

So after many, many months, actually almost a year, I've decided to revive my craft blog. But here's the thing, there was a few things about blogging that I didn't like. Like the amount of time I was spending on it. Like writing tutorials. Like feeling like I had to take pictures of every. little. step. (hated that!) Like "linking up" to other blogs. Like the way I was comparing myself to other blogs and feeling badly if I didn't have as many followers or my blog wasn't as "cool." I didn't have the time, or the desire to make the time, to spend adding features to my blog or do all those other things that "real bloggers" do. So I just stopped. :)

That sounds like a lot of things that I don't like huh? But there are parts I liked too. :) Like having a way to show what I make to people who appreciate it more than my hubby,--not that he doesn't appreciate it, just not in the same way. :) Like reading the sweet comments from other people. Like the way my creativity is sparked by it.

Anyway, I've decided to start back up again. I am not going to do much of the things I didn't like and just focus on what I did like. So, if anyone out there besides my mom and sister still want to read this, awesome! If only my mom and sister want to read this, awesome still.

So you probably won't find many tutorials here, I'll still take pictures, but not of every little step, and I am not going to worry about whether or not I am as "cool" as the other bloggers are. I don't want this to feel like a job. I already have a job that I love. And that job got a little bigger a few months ago when we were so blessed to be able to adopt this beautiful baby boy...


Seriously, is he not the cutest thing EVER!! Don't you just want to kiss those cheeks! He has brought so much joy to our family and most of the time I would rather sit and cuddle him than sit behind a computer. :)

Speaking of babies, I have a baby related project to share with you today. I found this high chair at a garage sale for $20.



I really hate those huge plastic high chairs, they are such a pain to clean with all their nooks and crannies. So I loved the simplicity of this old fashioned high chair (and the price!) But I didn't love the crackle paint job and the stenciling.

So some sanding and 2 cans of spray paint later, and this is what it looks like now...


Much better. And then I added the vinyl, because everything looks better with vinyl! ;)


I've actually had this since kid #2 was a baby, but never got around to painting it then. That's part of the reason why I am so thrilled with it. I've waited 4 years for this baby to get here. I am so glad he is here and I can do baby related projects now!

8 comments:

  1. Welcome back! You started your blog right when I started mine last year and I remember feeling jealous that you got featured on UCreate and got like 100 followers in a day! I've been faithfully blogging for a year now and let me tell you, those feelings of comparison and burnout don't get better. It's nice to know that I'm not alone in that. :) Sometimes I wish I could just quit and leave it all behind but its those few faithful readers that keep me going on with wonderful words of encouragement. Don't let the stress of comparison and tutorial-picture-taking be the downfall of craft blogging! I still love sharing my crafts, even if only one project out of 10 gets recognized as 'cute' by a majority. Haha. I love to craft, and blogging comes second. PS your new baby is so adorable!! And I love your high chair re-do!!! I'll link this post up to my Facebook fan page.

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  2. I came here through Heidi's blog, Honeybear Lane.

    If I want a tutorial, I do a Google search and look for the specifics that I want.

    If I'm looking for inspiration and/or motivation, I browse through blogs and read my favorites (which is getting to be such a long list). Tutorials are a nice bonus, but definitely not necessary. But then, I'm blessed to be able to figure out how to make anything I see that I like without implicit directions (or e-mail to ask questions, if I just can't puzzle it out).

    The high chair is super cute, though. Makes me want to chuck my plastic piece of junk.

    And I just want to pinch those cheeks. What a cutie!

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  3. All I know is that this girl couldn't ask for a better older sister. You're an amazing example in so many ways (and not just in your crafting skills ;)

    The high chair looks awesome! Love you lots! XOXO (give some of those hugs and kisses to my nephews for me).

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  4. Ummm, hello! Why have you never told me about this. I mean, I knew you were talented, I just didn't know it was documented! Love you "right this minute" post. I might have to steal that idea. I can't wait to see more of your projects!

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  5. Awesome High chair♥

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  6. Hey Jen,
    Love the way your chair turned out! I am also commenting so you will know that others beside your mom and sisters are reading!

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  7. Love the chair! Love those grandsons even more!

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  8. Jen-it's amazing. And so are you. Good job girl!

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