I love the new home decor trend of sunburst mirrors but I dislike the high price tag of most of them. A Google image search of “sunburst mirrors” brings up oodles of gorgeous metallic, extravagant, and modern mirrors sure to make you drool. In keeping with the concept of “lovely limitations” I got this idea to recycle (up-cycle, re-purpose, re-use, whatever) some of the bead catalogs that flood my mailbox to create something crafty…a sunburst mirror seemed like the perfect idea. Now on to the tutorial! I snapped all of the progress photos with my iPhone as I watched TV… perfection was not my goal-hence the DSLR sleeping soundly in its case until the “finished product” photos at the end!

Materials:

Hot glue gun, mirror (I had a 12″ mirror from Michael’s lying around my house

Magazines or any paper you want! (I ended up using something like 150 pages)

Scissors

Writing tools

Measuring tape or ruler

Poster Board (not pictured, oops)

Step 1 and 2: I used 2 different sizes of cylindrical objects (1 hot glue stick and 1 make up brush handle). I used the cylindrical objects to help me create perfect tubes of paper in 2 different diameters so that my finished sun would have a look of variety and randomness.

Step 3: Cut a piece of poster board a little larger than your mirror and glue it to the back. This is what you will start to glue your paper tubes onto on both the front and back sides. My poster board was about 1″ larger in diameter than my mirror. Then get a cute doggie to check himself out in your mirror…he thinks he’s one tasty little morsel.

Step 4 and 5: Start at the back of the mirror and begin gluing down the tubes. Place 4 tubes at the “north, south, east, west” positions of the circle. Make sure you get these even and straight. I used a tape measure stretched all the way across my mirror to help me keep the tubes as straight as possible.

Step 6: I used the larger tube size to measure out equal distances between the remainder of the tubes to fill in the back side of the mirror. The tubes were glued about a half inch inside the edge of the mirror (as marked by the pencil line)

Step 7: This isn’t actually another step, just a close up photo of step 6 to show the even spacing of the foundation row of tubes.

Step 8: Glue the larger tubes to the front half inch lip of poster board around the mirror. I used the edge of the mirror as a guide to make sure the tubes were straight. I placed a large tube in between each small tube that I had glued from the back. I generously glued these things down! Since I was using magazine paper the more generously I glued, the more stability I gained.

Step 9: This photo is also not really a step, but a close up photo of the finished row of larger tubes.

Step 10: Next place another row of small tubes. I placed 1 small tube in between each large tube. I placed a cereal bowl in the middle of the mirror (which I completely forgot to photograph) to help me place the small tubes evenly and closer to the center of the mirror than the larger tubes. Essentially a sunburst mirror has a small mirror center and a very large proportion of rays so I needed to bring the rays into the middle more.

Step 11: I added more tubes in different lengths at this point. This was a bit of a trial and error step as I added in tubes 1 row at a time until I felt there were enough rows and the fullness was to my liking.

Step 12: I cut a strip of poster board to create a smooth inner cylinder to add stability to the center of the sunburst. I liberally glued the strip of paper to each of the paper tubes to add stability. I also cute a piece of black card stock to make a 1 inch “ring” to glue over and cover up the raw edges of tubes and white card stock center.

Last Step: Spray paint! I used Rustoleum “Oil Rubbed Bronze” because I wanted the finished look to have a metallic texture. I envisioned the final color with a warmer “bronzy” undertone, but overall I’m really satisfied with it! I could always repaint it to something else if I got bored with it. I think a matte navy or glossy mustard would look pretty amazing; hammered gold or silver would probably be pretty awesome as well.

My sunburst is definitely not perfect, but I am so happy with the process I went through. It was tedious enough to push me out of my comfort zone, easy enough to work on while watching The Sing Off, and random enough to allow me to wing-it and be entertained.

In the future I think I might try using a medium with a little less flexibility. PVC pipe, wooden dowels, chopsticks, straws, kebab skewers, or even a stronger paper like card stock, would make perfect materials with a little less “bend” and a little more strength.

We had an upper GI study done this morning. Katelynn was given some contrast to swallow through a bottle and then an x-ray was performed to watch her esophagus, stomach, and intestines function. The doctors were looking for a possible kink or twist somewhere along her digestive line but, thankfully, found none.

We have one remaining ultra sound on Friday which will check her liver for any abnormalities. There is really no indication that there is anything actually wrong with her liver (at one point in time her liver enzymes appeared elevated on her blood work, but normalized a few days later in another blood screen) but they want to just check it to make sure every possible scenario is ruled out. The doctors are confident that it will be a normal scan, but just want to verify.

At this point, due to her lack of weight gain, and the fact that we have exhausted every medicinal and dietary treatment, we now have to place a feeding tube. We will need to admit our little one for 2-3 days at Children’s Hospital to learn the process of placing a tiny feeding tube in her nose, down her throat, and into her tummy. Nathan and I have to learn how to do it so that we can place the tube back in if she pulls it out or if it needs to be replaced for any reason.

We have an appointment with our specialist to go over all of the information on Wednesday the 28th. We will find out at then when her actual date of admittance will be. We don’t know a whole lot other then the fact that this procedure is necessary. The only way to avoid it is for Katelynn to miraculously gain something like 2 lbs in the next week… and since she can’t eat a diet of pure marshmallows and chocolate (wouldn’t that be nice) it’s pretty unlikely ;-). At this point, we’re doing everything we can to help her gain weight (olive oil in her rice cereal twice a day, more frequent feedings, etc) while we wait to complete this next step.

Her tube will be in place for as long as is necessary to get her weight gain steady, and her spitting up controlled. The tube could be in for a month or 10 months…She will also continue to breastfeed throughout this whole thing thankfully. The tube is used to essentially increase her caloric intake by pushing calories into her belly in between feedings.

Nathan is relieved that this is something we can actually do, the testing and waiting period has been a little bit frustrating for him. I’m a bit more nervous about the hospital admittance. Overall we’re relieved to know it’s truly just acid reflux and we’re glad that all of her other tests have been normal…those possibilities were far more frightening then a “little ol’ feeding tube”.

So if you could keep our little one in your prayers this week, we would greatly appreciate it….

We don’t have a “front porch” by definition, but we have a front yard which, as I write this post I realize, is practically an extension of our living room. Looking back through recent pictures I realize how much time we spend out there and I love it. I am so blessed by our little house and the location it’s at. It is such a little diamond in the rough, ok maybe not quite as far as a diamond but at least an imitation gemstone of sorts in the rough. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but I love the space to romp and roam, the horsey sounds all day long, and the old world feel of the ranch and the people who live, work, and play here.

So here are a bunch of photos of things we do on our “front porch”:

Picnics – Puppy Playtime – Orange Slice Smiles

Watch Rusty Rooster and Mimi Hen

Make Tents – Watch Tractors – Feed Chicks

Have Family BBQs – Catch Baby Lizards

Silly Pictures – Play in the Grass – Take Naps

So what things do you do on your “front porch”? Sip iced tea or lemonade? Tickle your kiddos? Kiss your sweetheart? Linkup with Gussy and share your favorite things!

It’s been a pretty crazy two weeks here! Katelynn’s acid reflux was pretty intense last week, making for a couple of really fussy days and a few hundred loads of laundry…ok maybe not a few hundred, but at the very least, 10. In spite of the fussy princess and the ever present aroma of spit up in my hair, we had some fun activities.

Playgroup Thursday at our favorite park ever. There’s a water feature/fountain area for kiddos to run through, the most beautiful view of the lake, and lush green grass everywhere. It was a great break from laundry and gave me a chance to regroup with some other moms.

We have the cutest family of chickens that roam through our yard multiple times a day. One afternoon we went out front and fed them rice krispies. Lucas and I laid in the grass and took silly pictures of ourselves making funny faces. (Check out this post for some photos I got of Lucas that day).

We had some relaxing time at home while Katelynn smiled and cooed at her little bird friend on her bouncy seat. Lucas painted a birdhouse, one of his favorite craft activities, and stacked up his crayons in a bunch of different patterns just for fun.

Playing in the sunshine and hose in the backyard. This playtime also prompted a random project for the back patio. Lucas ripped out a piece of wood that separated the concrete slabs on the patio while I encouraged him to use his big strong super hero muscles. After he demonstrated his brute, hulk-like, strength I decided we’d rip them all out and fill the cracks with gravel right then and there.

400lbs of gravel and 3 hours later…. voila! I cannot even describe how much better it looks. The wood was so rotten and disgusting. The infestation of earwigs, spiders, worms that look like snakes, and water beetles was nightmare inducing. Seriously, I made Lucas wear gloves, pants, socks, and sneakers just in case. He got a total kick out of ripping the wood chunks out. He pretended he was Bob the Builder when we poured all the gravel in. His little red shovel was busy busy!

While we worked away in the backyard, this delicious meal was cooking away in the kitchen. Spicy black eyed pea soup. It was AMAZING. Hubby said, “I wasn’t even hungry until I started eating this and now I’m starving, this is delicious”. We topped the soup with fresh avocado and grated Monterrey jack cheese… YUM! (I’ll share the recipe later on)

Although today started off on a sad note with Katelynn getting 5 whole shots at her 2 month checkup; it seems to be shaping up nicely anyway. She’s a sleepy girl with no apparent side effects at the moment, so we’ll keep our fingers crossed that it stays that way. Lucas was so tender and loving to her after her shots and caressed her little back, sang her a song, and kissed her cheek while whispering, “It’s ok cutie pie”. I cannot put into words how incredible he is with her. I’m so proud of him!

So what was your favorite activity this week? Anyone else tackle house projects on a total whim that turned out awesome?

My inspiration comes from the most precious, glowing, shade of green. My son Lucas has green eyes that will melt your heart. Seriously, I should take this kid to a car lot and tell him to ask for a Corvette, the salesman won’t be able to deny him. Check out this adorable face:

I warned you, heart melting green eyes…

I see so much greatness in him. He is kind, gentle, loving, sensitive, intelligent, loyal, articulate, silly, funny, hugable, kissable, playful, imaginative, creative…did I mention that I adore him? Because I adore him, utterly and completely. I can’t imagine my life without him, nor can I really remember what it was like before him.

In my wonderful little boy I not only see the ability to be great, but I see the ability to encourage greatness in others.

So this post is for you, my sweet, sweet boy. I pray you grow, little one, like the grass between your chubby toes; fresh, cool, free, ever reaching for Heaven. May your thirst be quenched by the Spirit, your hunger fed by the Father, and your feet firmly planted in the Word.

-Mommy

Holy guacamole my kiddos bring out the strongest emotions in me. I’d blame it on pregnancy hormones but I think at 8 weeks postpartum that’s not entirely accurate anymore. What are some of your hopes and dreams for your children? For your future children?

So here’s to another week!

My entire outfit is from Target. I didn’t even notice until I started to make a redundant list.

Jewelry: Mine

Blue painter’s tape on the wall actually has a purpose…. I’m going to be putting shelves above my desk and wanted to try different configurations without banging holes in the wall. Unnecessary holes in the walls make me angry…like turn green and get ripped angry. Mostly because I despise having to patch them.

So this is us “think, think, thinking” about the shelf layout…

T-Neck: Target

Jeans: Love Culture

Ballet Flats: Target

Headband: ThreadRare

(How cute is my little guy? He was playing in the yard and wanted to join the photo session. Also, don’t judge me for still having tape and no shelves, I have a 4 year old and an 8 week old, I’m only Wonder Woman every other week)

Cardi: I have no idea

Tank: Walmart (shhhhhhhhh!!!)

Shorts: Thrifted jeans that I cut off

Sandals: Payless

Jewelry: Mine

Chihuahua: Craigslist :-P

Tank: The Body Shop

Linen slacks: Target (eons ago)

Sandals: Payless

Necklace: from my “Stranded” line

So, other than the fact that I’m clearly a walking advertisement for Target, I had fun challenging myself to be more creative with my clothes.

P.S. I organize my closet by sleeve length (tanks, short sleeve, 3/4 sleeve, etc) and color….I’m OCD like that. Please tell me someone else out there does the same thing.

What is your favorite store to shop at? Do you find yourself wearing the same colors frequently?

Our sweet baby girl, Katelynn, getting some puppy love from our chihuahua, Jack. We like to call him “Jack Jack”, “Jack-a-roni”, “Jack-a-roo”, and when he’s being obnoxious “Jack-in-the-crack”. Poor dog….All kidding aside, he’s a lionhearted little guy with the biggest personality in a small package. Don’t tell him I said he had a small package….

Lunchtime yesterday called for something warm…because it was cloudy and a frigid 65 degrees in San Diego. Oh the horror!

My little guy, Lucas, fell asleep in the first few minutes of a Thomas the Train movie. We were having a rough afternoon and I decided some snuggles on the couch were in order. It was refreshing and helped us to overcome our sour attitudes.

Daddy and Lucas playing Guitar Hero on the couch. They had a rockin jam sesh complete with hilarious dance moves from Lucas. It was very entertaining, who needs tickets to a real rock concert anyway?

My absolute favorite of the week…. Katelynn’s first smile. Her very first precious little toothless smirk was captured by my camera. She was grinning at me as I made ridiculous sounds and made a fool of myself to try to encourage a smile…it worked!

So that was our week! What were some of your favorite moments from your week?

-Erika

Check out the other Insta-Friday entries!

This week’s prompt is Kitchens. Our kitchen is currently in the “much to be desired” category. It’s sadly lacking in counter space, cabinet space, and overall aesthetics. We’re renters….but I’ve got big plans to add some form and function to this boring and sad little space. Here’s our kitchen on a bad day (by bad day I mean a day where my entire day was spent cleaning up bodily fluids from the tiny humans that live under my roof).

I can’t believe I just posted that photo to the internet… this is a great exercise for me to overcome my OCD tendencies about my house being perfect before I share it with anyone.

Here’s my inspiration image, found via Pinterest, originally from House Beautiful. I adore the crispness of this kitchen. The sleek white monochromatic pallet makes my heart pitter patter. I love the chic chairs in glossy black and the country charm they bring to the room. Now I’m just itching to get started on our kitchen!

Be sure to check out all the other inspiring posts through the Gussy community and leave some comment love on the blogs you visit :)

-Erika

So…. this little activity will push me to be more creative in my self portraits, challenge me to blog about it every Wednesday, encourage me to connect with other bloggers each week, and motivate me to wear something other than a tank top and baby spit up when I’m here at home. It’s easy to put effort into my appearance when I leave the house…but when I’m hanging out at home with the kiddos my motivation is sadly lacking and I know that has a significant effect on my mood, and not in a good way. So here’s to my first link up!

Shirt: Sister-in-law’s closet

Cardi: Forever 21

Skinny Jeans: Target

Ruffle Sandals: Target (favorite.sandals.ever)

Those of you paying attention might notice the finished desk I’m leaning on :). Here’s a mini reveal! Stay tuned for the complete project reveal when I put up shelves and complete my little “Creative Corner”.

In other news, any other mom’s out there wearing perfume to cover up the eau de spit-up on a daily basis? Please tell me I’m not the only one. 

-Erika

This sweet little baby is so perfect for my new “creative corner”. The size is perfectly proportioned to the wall space, not too large and imposing, and not too small robbing me of precious work space. I love the deep drawers, I love the fact that there are drawers at all. I’m so accustomed to crafting at our dining room table, on the couch, on our bed, or on the floor, that I’m genuinely giddy about the hidden storage within my reach.

Here are some detail shots:

I love the drawer handles. These would be given a hefty coat of gunmetal spray paint if I choose to paint the desk.

I love the curved front of the desk. It’s a petite desk and the curve gives it a feminine feel.

So the question remains…. to refinish? Or to paint? When I bought the desk I planned on painting it white. My “master plan” for our living room design, as a whole, is a monochromatic color pallet where furniture is concerned. My hope is to anchor the space, by using all white furniture of various styles to compliment our Martha Stewart “Bedford Grey” walls.

Here are a few inspiration images:

Much like the spaces above, we’ll be combining some sleek and modern white furniture with existing antique pieces; like our coffee table and antique chairs. This desk sits in the back corner of our current living room and will be accented with crisp white shelves above it for open storage.

I particularly love the staggered look of these shelves:

So, do I stick with my master plan and paint this little baby white? Painting the desk also happens to be the easiest option. Or, do I take the, what promises to be a great deal of time, to strip, sand, and re-stain the desk?