Some crafty days

I saw this framed fern idea on another blog and being the copycat that I am I snagged it. This summer I collected some ferns on M.V and pressed them in a big book. Then, I used some modge podge to really glue it all down and now I love how it looks. I made two, but its so easy I think I'll be making more- good gift ideas?

Our gallery wall looks better now that I made our button L for Laverty. However, I think I'll continually be adding to this wall.

the china cabinet

I found this beauty at a local antique store that was on a major sale! Yippee! I had been looking for a china cabinet like this one on Craigslist hoping for this look with the broken arch up top. We have been in need of more storage as of late since I keep finding paper clutter everywhere. The cabinet needed a little TLC so of course I painted it (Steve helped too). We used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. It's not chalkboard paint, but a special paint that distresses easy and you don't need to sand or prime. I really liked using this paint because there is no major prep work, and it only needed one coat.

Our house has been looking like this lately with all the projects we're doing. But we had to take all the pieces apart to get by all the glass.

Here's the before

and here she is now! We are very happy to have a place to hide some craft clutter and display books.

Back to School

This week the girls were back in school. Alison is now a 3rd grader and Lauren in 1st.

They were both excited to go and see their friends and meet their new teachers.

Of course Bailey and Lilly wanted to get in on all the action too. So they posed for their first day of not having their older sisters at home with them in awhile. At this stage its easier having twins because they play so well together. It's also a little hard to break up fights and help them share my lap for story time, but overall they are quite the cute pair.

the Summer wrap-up

Arrrr mateys! We've had a great summer visiting with lots of family and friends. After we left MV we had a nice stay at Grandma and Papa's house where we visited:

The Jones family! We will miss you guys. Good luck in your move to Washington.

Visits with sisters. Our girls are lucky to have some amazing Aunties.

We visited with my friend Mara and her adorable girls.

My BFF from grade school and high school- Mara Gleason (now Powers). Its always a blessing to catch up with a dear friend.

Steve's brother, Joe and his family came to visit us. We took them into D.C to visit the Zoo, the American History museum and the Natural History museum. Ahh, I just love museums!

visiting the Ape House

Downey and Laverty girls

Summer Art Camp

My friend Elinn and I did another Summer Art Camp for our children and their friends. We had a great time doing art projects like painting rocks, perspective drawing, working with watercolors, and collage art. We also did artistic snacks like decorating cupcakes and working with fruit. Everyone was so creative- can't wait for next summer!

a sampling of collage art

Lauren with her painted rocks

owl and cookie monster

On another note, for my birthday this year the girls worked on a "big card" which I think looks more like a patchwork quilt. They were so cute to write little messages to me and draw some pictures. They kept it a big secret working on it for awhile. I love it.

Also this summer we found a great pool nearby and were happy to spend

some of August at the pool with friends.

Family Furniture Part II

Here are the side tables I painted for our master bedroom. Originally I wanted to go with a French blue, but when I painted one and put it in my room I knew I already had enough of the blue and white and needed a punch of color. My sister Aubrey suggested a coral color and I think this looks great with my light blues and beige. This room is still a work in process, however, I love how these tables turned out.

Here's the sad before shot of the two side tables.

And look at them now- they're positively radiant!

Alison's Baptism

Sweet Alison got baptized on Martha's Vineyard this summer. Many family members were there and so was the branch on the island. What a special day. She got baptized in the Great West Tisbury pond on a beautiful sunny day. You can see the pond in the picture below. We are so happy for Alison and her decision to be baptized. She is a very happy girl with many talents and is such a great sister and daughter.

Laverty family

grandparents with Alison

Alison wore a jumper dress that my mom made years ago and it went through all of my sisters and now it is passed on to the next generation. How cool is that?

Family Furniture

This past Easter when we went to visit Steve's mom she said we could take some old furniture that they had just sitting in an old barn. Hello goldmine! I was thrilled. We took a few pieces back with us since we couldn't fit too much more in the car with kids and luggage. This picture is the rocker that I spray painted a creamy white. Then Steve and I reupholstered the seat. The girls love it since its their size. What I also love about these pieces are that they have a history connected to Steve's side of the family and now it has new life and a new home.

Here's the before: I sanded these babies down and discovered good solid wood for the side tables. Steve helped me strengthen them and cut the legs down a little since we want them to be side tables by our bed. I painted them a coral color. The after shot for the tables will be coming soon.

8 is Great!

Alison's Birthday party this year was special since most of her family was with her to celebrate. We had a cookout and had all the cousins play. There was a photo booth, a boat ride and sparklers to entertain everyone. What a fun evening.

This table is one of the projects I worked on. Its a beautiful old writer's desk that needed some update. I painted it an off white and it got a new glass knob. We used this to hand out bubbles at the end of the party for everyone to take home.