Craft catch-up

I really have been working on some projects. I'm just really bad about keeping this blog up-to-date apparently. Anyway, here are a few of the things I've been piddling around with during nap time and when I'm not working! Who needs a clean house anyway?
I made this sign for my friend's baby after she (my friend) saw the one I was making for my MIL's classroom door. 

The best part; I had everything already so it cost me $0 and about 15 minutes of time. Those are the best (and rarest) projects!

Also, has anyone else been totally charmed by the magazine files they've been selling all around town? Problem is, they are like, $10 a piece and I need several! So I ordered some plain ole ugly ones online and covered this one with fabric I got from Ikea for........... wait for it........99 cents a yard! Whoo hoo! I paid $1.05 for each file box thingy... I can't wait to get the rest covered and bring some organization to the office supplies!

And, another check book ready to go for a birthday present. this one is for my aunt Peri. The inside is super cute paper but I couldn't get a good picture of the inside.

I have a couple more but silly me, waited for the sun to go down before I took any pictures. So they didn't come out very well. Hopefully I can get them up sooner rather than later!

I don't know why I didn't do this a year ago

But now it's done. And I couldn't be happier with the way it turned out. Our living room is set up with two alcoves on either side of the fireplace. It was great for the tv, but the other side was just a huge void in the room. I can't imagine what the previous owners did with the space. But anyway, I've made it work for us. And in the process, overcame my fear of the circular saw!

Before

After

And now my vacuum cleaner has a new home in the coat closet previously overrun with board games. Win-Win!

We had some fun in the sun today and I just can't resist posting this picture of my little water bug. He loves him some skinny dipping! That's his friend, Ayla. They had a blast!

Owen (8 months) and Ayla (17 months)