Off to a Good Start + A Bathroom Update

My first 101 Things in 2013 update!  (Link to finished projects board.)

I did a little math and discovered I need to average about 2-3 things a week, with an average of 8.4 every month.  Considering that I'll be working full-time this summer, and then after that I'll be working more on Christmas things, I've decided to try to crank out as much as I can early in the year.

As I look over my list and settle into the new house a little, I've realized that some things just aren't going to happen because of our budget.  For example, I would love to have roman shades in the bedroom, but it's going to cost an estimated $80!  Since we do have vinyl blinds in there right now, we can't justify it.  However, I'm rather determined that budget shall be the only thing to stand in my way.  There is certainly plenty of time in the year to accomplish everything on my list.  I know I said I'd be okay if I didn't get everything done this year, but it is a challenge and I am competitive and intrinsically motivated.

Anyway, I'm sure you'd rather hear about what I've accomplished so far.  I have completed 9, and have started several others.

Here's what I've done so far:

8. Ring Hanger for the kitchen.  My mom loved it so much, she wants me to make one for her.  (I'll share pictures later, probably next week.)

30. Slippers for myself.  I actually finished these, took pictures, and was all ready to post the pattern.  I was quite sure they were perfect unembellished.  Then my sister made a pair for herself and added an adorable strap.  So mine aren't finished now, and I'll have to take some pictures when I add a strap!

Adorable unembellished slippers!

31. Mason Jar To-Go Cup.  Cutest project ever.  Tutorial on Friday!

44. Homemade Apple Chips with cinnamon and sugar.  Total apple massacre.  I don't have a mandoline, so I just sliced the apples as thinly as I could, which apparently wasn't thin enough.  After two and a half hours they weren't even close to dry and crispy, so I turned on the broiler, for apparently too long.  On the plus side, my house smelled absolutely fantastic for two and a half hours before it smelled like burning things.

49.  Lava Cookies.  Very delicious, but the insides weren't really molten.  And honestly looking at the pictures on the original site, I'd say hers weren't really molten either, so I don't feel so awful about it.

88. Read Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding.  Fantastic book, but definitely for mature readers.  I'm so excited to watch the movie with my mom!

93. Read Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.  This was the final book of Jane Austen's Six that I've read.  It took me a bit longer to get into than her other books, but once I did, I loved it.

99. No-Sew T-Shirt Bag.  Caleb has a pile of t-shirts he was getting rid of (I know, right?), and I picked out a cool Mario one.  I think I cut the top part a little wide, because it's not as cute as it should be.  When you hold it with the handles together (as you normally would), you can't see the design.  It now holds our rags, which is a fantastic purpose for it.

101. Read Black Beauty by Anna Sewell.  Quick read, good story.  Can't believe I've never read it before now!

If you started a 101 Things in 2013 project on Pinterest, too, please share the link in the comments so I can follow you!

I'm also going to start sharing the "after" pictures of our house.  I'll probably only be sharing them one room at a time, because we're still working our way through piles of boxes and clutter.  Today, here are some bathroom pictures. :)

Classy pillowcase as a "cafe curtain".

Dutch bathroom calendar from Mom!  The pictures are from Friesland! (Still working on  b-days.)

You may remember seeing some scum on the shower head in the before pictures.  I tried the Pinterest trick of wrapping a baggy of vinegar around it for a few hours, and it worked like a charm!  It's so clean now!

Love and Orange,
Leah Joy