YAY!

So one of my 'stresses' has been that I wasn't able to give C.G. a room preplanned and executed. It is still a work in progress but so much closer since this weekend! I will send my visuals to you. This week I dug my heals in and after much consideration on what to do about the blah wall color I just painted a few weeks ago. I choose an accent color, Brown. I was really trying to stay away from the predictable by choosing brown since the blah color is Malted Milk (pale pink) but I really had no choice and needed to choose what would look best as a back drop to the bumper I'm having a friend make from scratch with a really cute and unique fabric I chose at Hobby Lobby. Anyway, after choosing the paint (at Wal Mart and I DO NOT recommend their home Colorplace i think - paint. It is watery and peels easily=no worth the few dollars you save) for the accent wall behind C.G's bed (which will house a vinyl saying: "Love, is spoken here") I knew something kinda big needed to go opposite on the wall now that we've moved her shelving next to her bed. (thanks for trying to help me brainstorm Godby's! lol). I choose to paint a tree 'mural' if you will. I searched online and decided I could do a sort of Cherry Blossom tree. "Cherry blossom is an omen of good fortune and is also an emblem of love, affection and represents spring." Somewhere I read how it is common to sit benieth these trees in particular to eat and visit. I thought nothing could be better since the rocker I want from IKEA is to go right benieth it (let me know if anyone's going to atlanta and wants to bring it back for me :) he he). So... here you go...

The fabric scene is a childrens 'carnival. I liked it cause it feels classic like toile but it's whimsicle for a child. Plus I've never seen it before. I really love it and can't wait for my friend to finish making it. The pink fabric on the bottom right is kind of a satin and has a puckering. That will be the bed skirt to hide all the junk I have no where to put. Ha ha ha. Eek! I can't wait!

I love this rocker! It's low profile so WHEN my children crawl all over it, they don't have far to fall. he he he. I told my mom in law today that I didn't think it had a back cushion. My bad! Bonus! I'm so excited, now if I could click my heels to IKEA and get it! :( Anyway, it's going under the mural with comfy blankets draped over it.

First I freehand penciled the mural design on the wall...

Next I started with the base color with the left over accent wall color and layered it with a deep brown toll paint and a black toll paint. At last night at the last minute I decided to tackle the blossoms and got a second wind. I was so impressed with myself and even Michael said how impressed he was, even asking why we don't have a tree in our bedroom? LOL (thanks honey). :)

In the process of painting, Mike took Evan outside in our back yard to blow off some 21 month old energy (plus Evan's been a little under the weather so he's been in isolation). I had just finished all the wood parts when I heard the boys come in early and subsequent hand washing ensued. Turns out, Evan found and touched a baby bird that had fallen from it's nest about a 10+ foot drop. It was still alive so I went outside to see if it could be put back in the nest. It seemed fine, even opening it's mouth for me to feed it! so cute! I picked it up with a plastic bag to limit my scent, just in case, while MDS got a ladder. Not only was I able to put the birdie back with it's sibling that probably kicked it out, the nest was totally tilted and the 2nd birdie would have fallen soon too so I did my best to support the nest better with a bunch of twigs and stuff. WHY do I share this touching birdie story among my mural/baby room story?? because I was inspired and went right in the house and painted not just one but TWO nests in the tree! I love them so much. I don't feel talented enough to draw or paint birds but I would if I could! :)

Close up of the blossoms.

Michael's idea when I was done, "ooo, you should have 'carved' her name in the trunk." So you know I di-id! It says: "MDS + LAS, CORA, grace, S., '10". Then I added the little worm to make myself happy. :) he he he.

And the accent wall that will say "Love is spoken here" but the vinyl lettering I bought didn't have the word "Love" in it! rrrrrrr! I also still have drape panels from IKEA to put up that I think will do really nicely with the rest of the decor. I can't wait to see it all come together finally! :)

I am so relieved that so much is finished and that I finally got to personalize her room (as if I had actually had time to consider she was coming! lol). It gives me a lot of peace honestly and I feel more ready to settle in better.

Here is a video of what the room looked like 'before'. When it's entirely finished, I'll take a new video. For now, enjoy our messy catch all room. :)