Doll Bed Redo

Written by Shannon Leigh



So back a few months ago I bought a doll bunk bed for $1.

It was a thrift store find and even though it was old and super ugly I couldn't pass it up for $1.

I decided I'd spruce her up and give her a new life.

My sister and I were SUPER into American girl dolls as kids.  I had Kirsten, the Swedish immigrant and Morgan had Samantha, a little rich girl who had it all.

We had EVERY accessory available.  We had their bedroom sets, their kitchen sets,  their holiday sets, etc. not to mention every outfit.
Every dime we had we'd spend on Kirsten and Samantha.

This bed actually reminded me a lot of Samantha's bed, except Samantha's bed wasn't a bunk bed.

Anyway, the point is that Ruby is much too young to play with my Kirsten doll and accessories (although the day will be here soon) so I thought this was a good doll bed for the time being.

This is what she looked like before:

I bought a can of spray paint (Ruby picked green with a little guidance from me).
I waited until foam was 50% off at Joann and I sewed up some little mattresses with vintage pillowcases I already had.
Ruby obviously picked the only purple one I had.  There is no other color in this world according to her.
Unfortunately one pillowcase wasn't enough to cover the top, bottom and 4 sides so I decided to make the mattress reversible.

Even though it took me MONTHS to finish, I actually LOVE the way it turned it out and it is certainly cheaper than anything American Girl.  I think I spent about $15 on the entire project.

It makes me happy to see her little dollies tucked into this bed at all times of the day.



Who knows… maybe for Christmas I will make her a couple of doll quilts and pillows to complete the bed?
Only time will tell.

Time is a B

Written by Shannon Leigh

Seriously.
I debated on what to title this. I realize it's not appropriate.  I digress.  I am but a sinner.

BUT HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

It makes me want to throw my computer across the room and cry.
How is she this big?

Yes, it's the obligatory orchard picture and it ticked me off to see how much she's changed over the last 3 years.  She's turned into a little woman before my eyes.

STOP growing Ruby… you're killing your Mama.

                                             

And because he is a-mazing and it was his first trip to the orchard.

P-s- I am wearing the same flats in both Ruby's first orchard picture and Max's.  They now have holes in them.  I think I need new shoes.

Just Checking my Calendar Mommy

Written by Shannon Leigh

A few days ago we made the mistake of telling Ruby that were going to go to GiGi and Pop's house this weekend.
Ruby is 3 1/2 and has ZERO concept of time.
She thinks in "yester-nights" and "last-days" and tomorrows.
3 or 4 days away does not exist in her sweet, innocent, un-tainted brain.

We really should know better than to tell her such exciting news so far in advance but I believe it was being held out as a carrot to get her to eat her green beans.
It worked as an adequate bribe; she ate all of her green beans.
But we've been paying dearly for sharing the news ever since.

This morning Ruby came down from her room in a fancy dress and her purple glasses placed squarely on her face (sunglasses that lost the lenses long ago).  She was swinging her purple computer in her hand and her curls were extra bouncy with sleepy sweat.

She excitedly said "ok Mommy, I'm ready to go to GiGi and Pop's now!"
I explained that we were not going to GiGi's today and that we would be going on Friday.

She guffawed frustratedly and thought about it for a moment and then quickly placed her purple computer on top of a kitchen stool.
She flipped it open hastily and began typing quickly with her head tilted to the side.

I asked her what she was doing.

With a heavy sigh she said: "I'm just checking my calendar…to see when Friday is so then I can go to GiGi and Pop's house!"

This girl.  She cracks me up.

And somehow she's all mine.