Storytelling: Kids + Clothing

Good clothes are like good books.

They are durable, useful, classic, and worn... but valued.  

They are passed down to siblings, shared with friends, family, and others in need, and they patiently wait for future genterations whether they are in a closet, on a shelf, or in a bin.

But, most of all they are loved. 

We cherish the stories behind them and the memories they hold. 

  

Recently, I was able to share some of these memories with my 4 year old daughter as my mom had saved some of our clothes. I thought it would be special to dress her up in them, but also add some of her clothing and accesories for a fun, fresh look.

Much time and love were put into these photos. I hope you enjoy them. <3

(Click on the pictures to enlarge if you'd like.)

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1. My K5 graduation dress + Ry's tutu, tiger, and headband

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2.  My skirt + Ry's top, boots, and headband

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3. My dress + Ry's leggings and bow

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4.  My school picture day dress + Ry's socks and bow

(Custom board book courtesy of Happily Ever After Me, LLC)

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5. My sister's overalls and bandana + Ry's shirt and boots

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6. Another one of my school picture day dresses + Ry's butterfly wings

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7. My skirt and jewelry + Ry's top, headband, socks, and shoes.  

(Accessories courtesy of Old Money and Once Again Sam.)

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As horrifying as this next part is, I thought it would be fun to add pics of me wearing the original clothing.  I couldn't find pictures of everything, but here are the few that I did find (including one of my sister in the overalls, and yes that is me to her right... ha). 

You're welcome. 

Whatever. I couldn't keep the boys away.

                                   

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                                                    -Stacey

DIY - Easy Lamp & Shade Makeover for Fall

Digging through  secret treasures... 

pushing helpless old people out of the way when I see something I want, and sending my ninja children to do my dirty work....   these are the thrills of thrift shopping.  

More specifically in my case, I {love} shopping at Goodwill. 

On this last trip I found something magical - a lamp that not only came with a shade, but it also WORKED.   Beat that.

We had no need of a new lamp, but there was something about it that caught my eye and I couldn't resist. (Brad was thrilled.)  I knew I had to do something with it. I just wasn't sure what.  And then I remembered I just recently bought some green spray paint. I have never ever used green paint before so this was especially exciting.  

And so my trusty old towel and I began the painting process. 

Excuse me... trying to do something here...

I used the black paint for the lamp harp to match the black on the shade.

I love how this green turned out!

Wahlah!  Yay. Happy Joy.  

But, not really.

It still felt too plain.

I wondered if I could try something new on the shade and so I began to google lamp shade decorating ideas.  I came across this lovely little French Chic Lamp post on Young Wifey's Blog, which then led me to The Graphics Fairy where I found and printed this leaf.

I taped it to the inside of the shade, turned the lamp on, and began to trace with my Sharpie pen. (The regular Sharpie markers will bleed.)

This process was very time consuming for me as I did 5 leaves total around the shade. 

And here it is completed...

I'm still trying to decide where to put it. 

And here is the "Before and After" just for giggles, shares, and pins-

This project as inspired me to try more colors and ideas with lamps!

Have you ever done a lamp like this before?  If you could makeover one of your lamps and/or shades right now what colors would you paint or what picture would you draw?

Thanks for visiting. :)

-Stacey 

*I don't really use my children to get what I want, and I am very nice to old people.