where to start!
sorry i have been MIA, just too lazy to upload my pics..HA!
anyway after a trip to michaels...the kids eventually painted their art table.
they had so much fun and so did i actually just watching them.
and shh, but...payton is my little artist. look at that concocting a 2-toned handprint! she's brilliant! (since they can't read yet i am kinda at liberty to say this, but just to you...)
our table project is complete and already in full function. i polyeurothaned it yesterday and last night while they were sleeping i placed it in their room (and when i say their room i mean the girls room which is our bonus room so it usually doubles as the playroom). they were up at 7am coloring away! oh and i would have included an action photo of the kids at play, but apparently payton likes to create her art in the nude...which by the way is a trait she doesn't get from me. LOL!! 
i also finally hung those 99cent magnetic strips i bought at IKEA forever ago...just thought them fitting now to complete their space. i hung them on the cubbie door because it is ugly and the molding kinda makes a frame. again these are details that only matter to me, my hubby just looks and says, "okay?"
in other news, my washing machine broke...dead!
is there an epidemic going on? first cathy's then my neighbor heathers, then mine?
well i must admit the $200 no frills machine did last 7 years, so i can't complain...Or can i? I AM GOING TO NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA IN 6 DAYS!!!! ok deep breath. yesterday we went to lowes and bought a new one...a fancy one. she is a front loader and way too expensive, but she sure is perty! she is coming on tuesday, so rest assured my kiwi and aussie friends, i will have clean panties!
on a totally different topic (not that clean panties isn't a perfectly fine one) i think when i grow up i want to be teesha moore. i have been just devouring everything i can read and see about art journals lately and after MY TRIP TO NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA i am going to dive into it!
you totally need to check out her journals, they are pure inspirational eye candy and then check out her "how i journal" section because it has fabulous info. i printed it!
ok now i am off to the pool with the fam!
have a happy monday!
and PS...tina, my friend from wall, email me i have something for you!!
This is soooo awesome! Love the idea that the kids get to make their own art table...how special! And it looks great in their room...I'm sure they will remember the experience FOREVER!!! Have fun "down under"...remember to get up during the flight and get blood flowing in the legs! DVT is not a pretty thing! Wishing you a FABULOUS trip!! :)
Posted by: Diane McVey | July 31, 2006 at 10:44 AM
Great job the kids did on the table...I am off today thrift shopping ( can I say, I love doing this???) with my kids to find the perfect one for thier TV room.....they are so geeked to get to do this....so thanks for the inspiration!
Teesha...rawks...she has one funky imagination...love it!
dv
Posted by: Debbie V. | July 31, 2006 at 10:56 AM
Teesha art journals are fab aren't they? I have been fascinated by them for years. Love the kids art room.
Posted by: Jeanne | July 31, 2006 at 11:01 AM
Dawna: I love that you let your kids have the freedom to create! When my kids were younger, I did try to let them, w/in some rules (like no painting on the living room floor willy-nilly) and I think they have good memories of things like that. I hope they do.
Posted by: CraftTeaLady | July 31, 2006 at 11:09 AM
LOL! You are too funny! The new and improved art table turned out wonderful and it looks great in that room. I love it! http://jolenegeorge.blogspot.com/
Posted by: Jolene George | July 31, 2006 at 11:09 AM
The art table is so dang cute! I have some of those IKEA magnetic strips, too ... love the idea of hanging them in the kids' playarea! :)
Posted by: tracy | July 31, 2006 at 11:16 AM
it turned out so cool! They must be very proud. fun memories. off to the pool myself!
Posted by: suetreiber | July 31, 2006 at 11:32 AM
wish we were closer my hubby is an appliance repairman. Glad you got something you like. Don't forget some pics of you doing some laundry in your new machine. Anything that makes our jobs easier and more enjoyable is so worth it!
Lovin all the pics of your kids. They are so darn cute.
Posted by: paper rocks | July 31, 2006 at 11:35 AM
Donna! I met you at Stamper's Alley a few weeks ago and will be in one of your classes at CKC Charlotte! I dont know if you remember me (I looked frightening, I have a bad habit of rolling out of bed and going to do errands). Anyway when you go to New Zealand you must try a pavlova! Fabulous desert made of merangue my mother used to rave about them when she would go! Anyway love your blog!
Posted by: Melissa Magee | July 31, 2006 at 11:45 AM
Teesha is AWESOME!! And I love the artist crayons that she recommended! Bought those babies right away.... and the paper too. I'm hoping to go to ArtFest or ArtFiberFest next year. Please come with!?
Posted by: Lisa Cohen | July 31, 2006 at 12:11 PM
okay totally forgot to comment on the delish table that the kids painted after I saw Teesha's name... Oh and go run and get Art & Life... great little zine (not color though like PLAY) with good articles and inspiration for art journaling.
That art table is so fantastic and I bet the kids love to sit at it and create because they have OWNERSHIP of that table. They made it what it is! GREAT IDEA of yours. And your kids are so lucky to have a crafty mamma like you. :-P
Posted by: Lisa Cohen | July 31, 2006 at 12:13 PM
Love the table!
Love that play kitchen! That's awesome! Where'd you get it?
Posted by: Karen | July 31, 2006 at 12:26 PM
Great job on engaging your kids in some creativity. Just fabulous. And, did I spy a Pampered Chef tool turnabout!?! You certainly have your children well-organized!!
Posted by: Jeanette | July 31, 2006 at 12:40 PM
Can't wait to meet you in NZ Donna - looking forward to experiencing a bit of that humour in your classes!
Posted by: Ali Dub | July 31, 2006 at 02:56 PM
I have noticed you seem to be getting into bookbinding and art journals more lately...good for you, you are going to LOVE it! I started an art journal to go with reading the "Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron and this new book I am reading called "Art and Fear". I have made several handbound books lately and love the ones that you have done. Too bad you don't live in the Columbus area...I am going to start an "Creative Intent Support Group" which I think you would love. Anyway, can't wait to see more of your journals. Have fun down under! (Dawn aka Historykeeper74)
Posted by: Dawn | July 31, 2006 at 03:00 PM
Apparently there is a washing machine epidemic going on because my mom's died too over the weekend. I thought of you when I was in Ikea over the weekend. It probably helped that I was wearing my "Donna Downey thinks I rock" shirt at the time. Love the table and that your sweet children have a place of their own to create.
Posted by: Kelley | July 31, 2006 at 03:49 PM
LMAO... creating in the nude...LOL. now that must be a sight in itself... i have to say those cherubs sure did a fab job.. awesome room.. very cheerful..
Posted by: scrapfreak1 | July 31, 2006 at 04:22 PM
omg how funny is that, a budding artist in the nude! thanks for sharing your pictures, what a great piece they created for themselves!!!
Posted by: erin yamabe | July 31, 2006 at 04:31 PM
I WISH my washing machine would break in such a way as to get it replaced. Engineer hubby "thinks" he can fix anything...he jury-rigs it for a while, but it breaks again in a month or so...AAARRGH!
--Taking your August class over at BPS! Can't wait!! Hope to meet you at the Zone in Michigan when you are there in October.
Posted by: Denise | July 31, 2006 at 04:33 PM
any chance you bought the GE frontloader? if so... check out the use and care DVD, cute kid on the front of it... who belongs to me :)
Posted by: Shannon | July 31, 2006 at 04:52 PM
awesome project with the kids! I love the fact that the table didn't need to look "perfect", but was their own creation. It makes it that much more special. Some of my ALL-TIME FAVORITE memories of being little were the crafts I used to do with my parents. (And I think that's why I kept going...and eventually got into scrapbooking...) : )
michellesimmons.typepad.com
Posted by: Michelle | July 31, 2006 at 05:21 PM
ok honey! you gotta come with me to ARTFEST 2007 !!!!!! :D
Posted by: céline navarro | July 31, 2006 at 05:26 PM
Love, Love the table - enjoy the flight down D - Cheers, Debs
Posted by: DebbieP - NZ | July 31, 2006 at 07:19 PM
Looking forward to your class here in NZ Donna - LOVE that table!
Posted by: Sharon | July 31, 2006 at 08:05 PM
Love the art journal link! Thanks for linking to Teesha Moore's *stuff*.
Looking forward to your classes at CC2006 in NZ. Can't believe it's almost a week away already!!
Posted by: karen | August 01, 2006 at 07:17 AM
Great table!!!!! Your kids definitely have their mama's creative genes!
Thanks for the link to Teesha Moore's site! Love it! I'm a big fan of altered art myself. :)
stampinmama.typepad.com
Posted by: Erika Martin | August 01, 2006 at 07:43 AM
OK...can we say "stinkin' cute table?!" LOL! Love it! Have a safe, safe journey overseas!!! Take TONS of pics!!!! MargieH in Chicago
Posted by: MargieH | August 01, 2006 at 12:08 PM
You continue to crack me up. :O) I hope your washer arrives quickly so that you can have your clean panties.
Love the table and room! So adorable. We have the same litte kitchen! The kids LOVE it!
Have a great time on your trip! Sounds wonderful- I wish I could escape to a wonderful place too! :O)
Posted by: Angelique | August 01, 2006 at 02:35 PM
I love Teesha Moore too! I have a bunch of her stamps and plan on using them for the art project for your class. Way too cool!
Table is so cute, great idea and how fun for them!
Posted by: Carrie (luv2scrap) | August 02, 2006 at 12:36 AM
LOL... my washing machine died too! Took 3 days of figuring out that although I really wanted one of the energy efficient/cook front load washers/dryers... I didn't want to spend $3,000 on my laundry machines! So...for $450. I have lots more "play" money! Happy trip too!
Posted by: CarenCrops | August 02, 2006 at 06:51 AM
sooo funny! Love the clean panties comment. It struck me so funny 'cause I'm potty training my little ones and having clean panties is crucial:)
Posted by: Thaleia | August 03, 2006 at 09:55 AM
pick me!
Posted by: Catharin | November 06, 2007 at 04:00 PM