Kitchen Renovation

While Michael was out of town earlier this month, my mom had come out to visit and help me with Aislynn.  I had been poking around bloggersville and seen some caaa-uuuute play kitchen ideas! (here, here & here) Aislynn has been so into her play food, and loves to follow me around the kitchen.  I got such a bug to do my own "kitchen renovation", and knew my mom would be the perfect partner in crime.

We made an impulse shopping trip to a few Thrift stores, and didn't find anything quite worthy of re-purposing.  Just as we were about to leave the last Goodwill, my mom spotted these two gems!

 These were actual play kitchen pieces - straight from the 80s (but made really well).  One was marked as a washing machine, and the other was just a cabinet w/out a top.  They were $8 & $10/each, and the perfect size for the boox. (aka Aislynn)

My mom whipped up some sketches of what the pieces would like after, and we started making our plans & supply list.  Next trip: Home Depot.  We bought a small sheet of plywood and 1/4" thick mdf board.

We took measurements for what would be a back piece to the sink, as well as a new top insert.  I had HD make the cuts for me - and OOPSIE - their saw was "off" and the measurements were a little uneven.  As a result - they discounted the wood :) (I'm all about a bargain).

I found our drill, sander, and this cool multi-purpose oscillating tool that the hubs got several months ago - we had what we needed to do some damage!  We sanded & secured the back piece, and somehow hacked/sanded away at the top insert enough to make it fit.

(weapons of choice)

The next day, we sanded & finished priming everything. I had some leftover teal paint from Aislynn's room - and some very light green oops paint that we've had for about 8 months (never used)... mixed the two together for the cabinet paint color.

I built a shelf inside the oven and spray painted it silver. I also cut a square hole in the door (it was round before) and cut a round hole for the kitchen sink using my dad's rusty jig saw. (Very happy that all my digits are still in-tact)

We bought round knobs, popsicle sticks and 2 round wooden soccer ball decals to use for the oven knobs and burners.  My mom worked on those details while I painted the cabinets & added a little shelf to the backpiece.  Also painted the inside of the oven gray (also w/ oops paint)

(knobs/burners in progress)

(mom spray painting the popsicle sticks & me distressing the sink)

Almost there! (excuse the messy background - there was no 'picking up' until our kitchen was complete!)

I decided to distress the cabinets after we painted them and I loved the way it looked.  Gave it a vintage-country charm.  The last thing we had to do was add all the knobs, burners, doors and then  accessorize!

Aislynn couldn't WAIT to get her hands on her newly renovated kitchen. - but it needed some finishing touches!

The last thing we needed was a faucet.   My mom had my step-dad ship me an old sink faucet they had laying around which I added a few days later (who doesn't love free stuff?)  When my mom went back to CO, she took some extra fabric I had and made these little curtains.

Instead of making a wooden shelf, I bought this one from Hobby Lobby in a pack of 3 shelves for $11.00

(Play drinkware from Ikea) The decorative wood trim was only $3.00 for a yard - so cute at the top

I did have a little glass canister of sprinkles ("prinkles") but Aislynn kept opening them & dumping them out.  I wanted to get little salt & pepper shakers w/ white sprinkles & dark sprinkles in them for 'pretend' (just need to glue on the lids so my sprinkle-snatcher can't get them.

 

We used an old goldfish bowl to hold her cooking utensils, and bought a cheap picture frame from the Dollar Store (painted), added a pic of grandma's backyard, and stuck it up to look like a window.  The sink was just a dog bowl from PetSmart. 

 

We added scrapbook flowers to the middle of the knobs, with scrapbook letters & gemstones for some 'bling'.  We got the kitchen timer from the Dollar Store (I was going to mount it to the back of the oven)

 

I thought some old CD's make the perfect size burner and offer some shiny light effects :) (glued on top of the painted wooden soccer ball decals)  I decided to only have 2 burners b/c I knew she wouldn't need more than 2 and wanted her to have some prep space :)

 

Grandma made a matching dishtowel & pot holder (or "my hand" as boox says)

 Aislynn's goodies baking

 Push LED light inside the oven for a lighted effect

 

Her favorite thing to make is "soup"

 Cutting a 'mater

 Washing her hands like a good little chef

 Aislynn loves her play kitchen & loves to make us "tea and snacks".  I couldn't be happier with the way it came out, and everything came to under $50!  I probably should've saved this for a Christmas gift - but it was the perfect weekend project to do with my mom and a nice little surprise for Aislynn.  I already want to do another one! 

Time stands still...

I've been avoiding this post....
On July 27th 2011, very early in the morning, Sharon Elizabeth Adamski (my sweet mom-in-law) went home to be with Jesus in heaven.   She left peacefully, and in the company of her family.  Her suffering is over - she's perfect and living with our Creator.

The family is devastated at losing this precious life.  We want to see her, talk to her, touch her, spend time with her.  Now all we have is our memories and pictures.  I want to thank my family and friends who have been praying for the Adamski fam so faithfuly and full-heartedly.  The Adamski family has never experienced a loss like this - and it's quite the loss.

It seems like time should stand still.  Even though we know this has been a battle for Sharon and are grateful it's over, we still don't want to get used to life without her.  So right now we are taking things one day at a time.  Michael has been in Canada for the past 2 weeks - sadly Aislynn and I couldn't make the trip up there.  I've been thinking about my blog, and what I would say - what I would write about Sharon.  It's hard to think about - so I've been putting it off.

I will post some sentiments soon that other family and friends have composed so beautifully.  Please continue to pray for John (my dad-in-law) and for their kids.  It is hitting them especially hard (as can be imagined).

Goodbye Sharon - I love you and am so thankful for you.  You'll always be with us in our hearts!