We're all going to the art show

The playroom doors are done, y'all!  We're one step closer to a big reveal and this one only took a couple of hours!

But first, a video.

If you didn't watch the whole thing, I don't blame you.  If you did, thank you for joining me in my torture.  Sofia is obsessed with Yo Gabba Gabba and I find myself singing the songs and doing the voices even when she's not around.  There is no escape from Gabba.

Now, I didn't ask you to watch the video for no reason - it's the backstory to the latest update on the playroom.  One of the things on the to-do list was to make a display space for Sofia's arts and crafts.  I mean yeah, they're not really her crafts but once the playroom is fully stocked, there will be plenty of Originals by Sofia.

These double doors are the perfect spot.

At first, I thought about getting a bunch of clipboards and 

attaching them to the doors, but that would limit how many 

pieces you could display at one time.

Plus, I'm on a budget and didn't want to spend the money to buy them.

image source - also a great post on ideas to display kid art.

A wire and clips appealed to me because you're not as limited in number

but again, I'd have to buy the wire and hooks from Ikea.

image source

But you know what I did have?  A hammer and nails.  And raffia.  Seriously, why do I have this huge roll of raffia?  I don't remember buying it, I don't remember ever saying I needed raffia, yet I have it.  

At any rate, raffia will do just fine as a hanging wire for artwork.  I marched on down to Michael's and picked up a $2 bag of clothespins - and I used a 40% off coupon too.  PS, do not EVER go to Michael's or JoAnn's without coupons.  They have them every single week and you can download the Michael's app on your phone while you're in line and get your discount.  It's dumb to pay full price when you don't have to.

I roughly measured, hammered my nails and strung my raffia across the doors.  It took no time and Sofia was occupied at her chalkboard door while I was hammering away.

I prepped the door by rubbing chalk all over it before she started drawing.

This keeps your writing from being permanent; I learned this the hard way.

Once it was all erased, she got down to the serious business of writing on 

her new chalkboard.

I finished hammering and put her down for her nap.

While she slept, I strung the rest of the raffia and pinned her art to the door.

I may upgrade to the Ikea hooks and wires, but for now, we like free things and did

I mention I had a giant roll of raffia?

Besides, once the doors get filled with art you won't even notice the raffia.

And now I can't stop saying raffia.  Raffia.  Raaaaaaffia.

Since Sofia can't reach the top of the door, 

I figured she wouldn't mind if I put a little something of my own up there.

When Sofia woke up from her nap, I took her back downstairs to see what I'd done.  As soon as she caught sight of the doors, she was like "Art show!!"  Then, she saw the chalkboard door and was like "Mommy make a heart!"

You guys, I about melted into a puddle of mush on the floor.  She acknowledged what I was doing.  My not quite 2-year-old daughter validated my work.  There are grown people who don't do that, even when you tell them that's what you need.  I scooped her up, twirled her around and said "Yes baby!  Art show!  And I did make a heart, just for you!"

And then she went right back to her chalkboard and picked up where she left off.

I also put a little mat down because she sat down to draw 

and that concrete floor can be chilly.

Drew hung the mirror on the other door, but it looks so sad and lonely so I have to come up with something to jazz it up.  Plus the hollow door didn't play nicely with the screws that came with the mirror so it's not perfectly straight.  I'm going to have to get some screws specifically for hollow doors and I'm thinking about putting some sort of saying above the mirror.  It'll be something cool and profound so every time she looks in the mirror she'll stand taller and be empowered and confident and beautiful and strong.  What's a saying that embodies all of that? And yes I know she's barely two, but it's never too early to teach my daughter to be awesome.

Hanging the mirror and making the art display:  That's two things crossed off the to-do list!  This past weekend was packed with stuff we had to do but this weekend is free and clear.  Her birthday party is coming up and I'm really hoping to have everything done by then.  Cross your fingers for me!

I've embraced it and it's happening.

We're having a Gabba birthday party and it's so worth it,

because Sofia literally couldn't stop jumping up and down when I showed her

her birthday invitation.

Just tonight she was like "I love Gabba!"

And I love her, so Gabba it is.