Today's Project ~ My New Shoes

Like my shoes?

These are my #2 favorite shoes, they'd probably be #1 if they didn't hurt quite so bad.

But either way, both my #1 & #2 favorite shoes aren't really appropriate for my new life of running after an almost-toddler.  So, I needed to find a replacement.

I started with these almost-cute shoes.

I got them at Desert Industries, the thrift store you've never really noticed next to the ice rink.  It's actually my favorite shop for stuff for myself.  And only $4 for the shoes!

I also got these ones for $4:

These ones are cute all on their own.  Even if they make my feet look a little short & stumpy (quite a feat considering how long & skinny my feet actually are).

But back to the purple shoes...

I picked up a couple basics at JoAnne's

But first, I had to cut off some of the zipper trims.  This was the least-messy part of the project, but it probably was also the hardest (but that could be because I haven't yet tried to clean-up my craft room).

All ready for their glitter-ification.

I bought some purple glitter paint, mostly because it was on sale for $.50.  So, I started with a coat of the paint...

Followed by a coating of glitter.

Then I let it dry & did it all again.  I ended up using Mod Podge for the other coats, I wanted to be sure the glitter was on good.  I mixed the glitter with the mod podge, and then sprinkled glitter over the glue.

Dry overnight, spray with some varnish, and you're done!

They're holding up okay so far.  I don't know how much good the varnish did, I have been leaving a trail of purple glitter pretty much everywhere I go.  But, I will say it's no better or worse than the pink ones I paid $60 for.  I do, however, have several scratches on my feet & ankles where I've been impaled by sharp points of metal, I'm sure they'll wear down a little with time.  But I had no less than half-a-dozen little girls tell me they liked my shoes, so it's all worth it.

First words?

I'm not really sure how parents decide what their child's first words are.  Parker has been saying "Mama", "Dada", and "Yeah" for a long time, but they're only contextually appropriate about 80% of the time.

I know that he knows that I'm called "Mama" and Keith is "Dada", but I'm not convinced that he realizes that the rest of the world is not also called Mama or Daddada.

But, recently, whenever I put hand lotion on, Parker raises his hands to me, then rubs his hands together and says "rub, rub, rub".  He also says it when we're washing his hands, and when he takes the towel down to dry his hands.

Not really sure how it happened, but is it possible that "rub, rub, rub" is Parker's first word?

That is one funny kid.

First Steps!

I don't have any actual photos (these are from a week ago), but Parker has officially taken his first (unassisted) steps.

So far, he hasn't taken more than three at a time, and they occasionally more closely resemble a circle than a straight line, but he's started.

He's been working on standing for the past few weeks, so it was just a matter of time.

Soon enough he'll be running around.

Introducing...

Announcing my latest project:

My new ETSY Shop!

It's certainly not going to make me rich, but it is a fun new outlet for me to try new things.  Of course, with our new budget, my Etsy budget is about $0, so we'll have to see if any of my current offerings sell before I try making anything else.

But I'm sure that I do have the cutest little model ever.

I've really enjoyed coming up with the ideas and playing around with designs.  The manufacturing side of it, however, is not my favorite, so we'll see how long this whole endeavor lasts.

So, check it out: www.etsy.com/shop/pooksshop

MOHAI

We were expecting a rainy Saturday, so we took Parker to the Museum of History & Industry.

They had a sleigh in the lobby, so we took a few Christmas photos.

One of the special exhibits right now is "Seattle Now & Then" photos of Seattle's history and then more current photos of the same location.  It was really interesting, although Parker wasn't too excited about it.

Helping Daddy with the Denny Regrade.

...I think Daddy might have enjoyed this more than Parker.  Next time.

Ten-on-Ten ~ Almost made it

A picture an hour for 10 hours (or 8 in my case)