We wrapped up week 1 of 3 (haha...sure) of online We wrapped up week 1 of 3 (haha...sure) of online learning and we’re all losing it a little. Things that are helping: pretending that we’re in the Mystery Machine, headed for a campground with a mystery to solve! Jude says the camp counsellor is pretending to be a ghost while Luca was busy getting “Honey” into her sleeping bag for the night. And then a pirate showed up, so this story is really getting good 😂

@playmobil is honestly a life changer because the kids get to build AND use their imagination. It’s a win-win, and let’s face it, we could all use a little win these days.

How are you all coping with kids at home?
Why yes, this is exactly what my dining room table Why yes, this is exactly what my dining room table looks like right now. No, there aren’t markers, papers, toys, food, crumbs and tears on it. Nope. Nope. Nope. None of the above. Everything’s cool and calm over here, folks.

(If it’s not abundantly clear, I am joking.)
What does your Monday morning look like today? We’re over here prepping for online learning (note computer on dining room table) and I’m using our @playosmo to get our kids engaged in some math and language activities before we really get going. Every time I post about our Osmo, I’m asked: “do you really like it?” And my answer is always “YES!” I mean, just look at these kiddos. Jude is obsessed with the tangram and Luca loves sounding our words - he was trying to figure out whether to use ‘k’ or ‘c’ for ‘cat’ here. To them, they’re “playing”...but we all know what’s REALLY going on! #unboxingosmo #osmosocialclub
Well it would seem that I just CANNOT figure out r Well it would seem that I just CANNOT figure out reels, but I’m not letting that stop me. I made one showing you the materials and steps to make this super easy ornament storage so would you go watch it, pretty please?

I’ve been using this method of ornament storage for 7 years and it all started with a cardboard box, some red cups and a single layer. A few years later I upgraded the system to multiple layers, used foam board and white cups and voila! Scroll over to see what I mean.

Would you try this? It’s super easy and you can probably still go ahead and just use old cardboard and whatever cups you have on hand. It’s the best thing I ever did for my holiday decor!! Just make sure you use double sided tape or hot glue to attach the cups - loose cups are no bueno!

If you do this, show me, ok? I wanna see everyone put away their ornaments with no breakage! 🙌
Ready for lots of THIS over the next couple of wee Ready for lots of THIS over the next couple of weeks...but with a puppy in the middle of it all. We’re picking up Taco on Friday so prepare yourself for puppy pictures ALL over the place.

Also: I’ve been feeling uninspired lately and have taken a little break from both posting and consuming when it comes to social media. I’m trying to soak up the holiday magic, read things other than captions (as I write this that seems weird), and even writing more things down.

This time of year always makes me reflective - less because it’s the end of a calendar year and more because it’s my birthday in 9 days. Yes. It’s on the 25th. Yep. Christmas Day. No, seriously. Yeah, Christmas baby! I don’t mind it now, but I didn’t like it as a kid. Oh you know someone who also has a birthday on (or very close to) Christmas! Cool! <— that was just me reacting to like every single conversation ever about having a birthday on December 25th. 😂
I’m still thinking about these adorable little @ I’m still thinking about these adorable little @tubicenlighting lamps that you just touch to turn on and off. And this cutie little door all decked out with a smart doorbell and lock. And the beautiful blue kitchen by @remodelcanada.ca. And all of the vanities from @canaromatoronto. And this gorgeous hardwood flooring from @coswickcanada.ca.

Can you believe this was all under one roof? @improvecanada has 350 showrooms and it was so much fun seeing how many we could get to yesterday.

I’ll be sharing lots more about @improvecanada in the coming months, but if you’re curious and want to go see it for yourself, they’re open! You can call and book an appointment or even have a customer service rep help you make an appointment at showrooms suited to what you’re looking for. Pretty great, right?
#improvecanada # ad #makeitright
So I made a thing and I’m totally in love!! Now So I made a thing and I’m totally in love!! Now I just need to gather all of the boys for an adorable family photo. Christmas miracle, maybe?

I made these sweaters for all of us last weekend using my @officialcricut Joy and now I may need to start personalizing a LOT more shirts around here! It was my first time using infusible ink and I love how the sweaters stays super soft! I may just be wearing this for the rest of the year!

O.S. If it wasn’t clear, our last name is Murray 😆

Have you made matching Christmas sweaters? What would be on yours if you did? # ad #cricutmade
Are you crafty? Do you know someone who is? Or may Are you crafty? Do you know someone who is? Or maybe you’re like me and you like to think you’re crafty but lack the patience to take out a whole bunch of things to make one tiny craft? Well then I have the thing for you. Meet the @officialcricut Joy! It’s tiny but mighty, and you can just have it casually sitting on a shelf waiting to be used when inspiration strikes because it takes up basically no room at all! I made these labels using mine, and you can swipe to see another easy project you can make with a Cricut Joy. It’s the perfect little gift! I even wrote a blog post about why I think so. I’ll share another Cricut project with you later this week!! # ad #cricutmade
Can you believe this room was completed two years Can you believe this room was completed two years ago? And I still love it as much today as I did then. And I still believe that my kids can have a fun, comforting space even if they don’t get to decorate it themselves with superhero bedding and Lego everywhere! But ALSO, I would never judge you if you’re that parent who does let your kids decorate with all the primary colours because you do you, boo and if it makes you and your kids happy, I say do the dang thing!!!

Ok that is all. Have a wonderful judgement-free day!
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Decor, DIY · May 17, 2013

Mission “Gallery Wall”: Complete!

Follow me on Instagram?  Then you may already know that I completed this Gallery Wall recently, and how insanely excited I am about it.  I know… I’m capitalizing the words Gallery Wall as if it’s The Great Wall of China!  It’s not… but it’s the Great Gallery Wall of the Murray Household, ok? If your answer to the first question was “yes”, you have also already seen this:

Gallery Wall Instagram

Want to see how it turned out? Check it:

Living Room Gallery Wall - The Learner Observer

Let me just apologize for having to use iPhone photos for this.  I keep forgetting my camera at my parents’ house and I simply couldn’t wait to post about it.  This wall has been in the works for a long time, and it turned out so much better than I even imagined.  Here is how it all started:

Gallery wall start to finish

I had several frames already and purchased more slowly over the last 8 months.  Yep… that long!  As you can see in the first picture in the collage above, I started out with very few frames.  I traced their shapes onto newspaper and taped them to the wall.  I then moved some of them around and added a few more, which you can see are the plain shapes (and I do realize this all would have looked much nicer had I not used colourful, printed newspaper the first time around… you win some, you lose some!). My husband was kind enough to hang up ALL of the things on this wall.  Isn’t he amazing?

Gallery Wall Items

I thought I should try to provide a list of frames and artwork I used for the Gallery Wall, adding costs wherever I can remember them still!  Above are the things I started planning with.

Gallery Wall Supplies:

  • 3  HAVERDAL frames  – $7.99 each at IKEA (used for the cameos)
  • 2 sets of NYTTJA frames (one white, one black) – $3.99 each at IKEA
  • 1 pack of KORT art cards – $3.99 at IKEA (framed with NYTTJA)
  • 1 white RIBBA frame – $14.99 at IKEA
  • 1 BILD poster – $5 at IKEA (framed with RIBBA)
  • Letter “M” – $3.99 at Walmart
  • Brass letter “t” – $5 at Urban Outfitters – on sale, purchased in July of 2012, no longer available on their site. Side note: yes, I did purchase the AWESOME brass stencil months before we even had any actual thoughts on what this wall would look like.  I just knew I would love it wherever it ended up!  Also, I attempted to purchase the “m” brass letter, but it was sold out!
  • Chalkboard (and here) – Antique shop find/DIY project.  Approximate total cost: $15 (not including cost of paint used for other projects).
  • Teapot framed artwork – Bridal shower gift from a lovely friend
  • White square Threshold frame – $7.99 at Target
  • Estimated total of seven other frames – $60 (all on sale between $5-12 each, purchased over the last 2 years)
  • Cameo artwork & photo prints – $3

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST: $150.00

You wonderful Instagram followers will also remember seeing this:

Portrait by AlishaThis little lovely was a portrait of me done by Alisha when we were in Teacher’s College.  Isn’t she brilliant?  I used washi tape on the mat to liven it up.  I ended up adding washi tape on several of the frames, actually, and the two shadow box frames have small photos taped to inside.

Here’s a close-up of each side of the wall:

Right Side Gallery Wall - The Learner Observer

Gallery Wall Left Side - The Learner ObserverPardon the glare – we have sliding doors to the deck directly across from this wall, so it’s inevitable!  Also, pardon the empty frame – no 5×7 photos to be found in this house!

So there you have it… my somewhat planned Gallery Wall.  I say somewhat because although I went as far as cutting out newspaper frame shapes, there is nothing meticulously measured or planned, there are nail holes hiding behind some of these frames already because they had to be moved, it’s all very much interchangeable – let’s face it, we all know how likely I am to move some of these around or at the very least, change the photos in the frames!

A look at the whole living room now that one more step has been completed?  Sure!

Living Room Gallery Wall by The Learner Observer

There you have it.  One of the many projects currently on the go is complete… for now!

signature 1

Linking up here and at The Re-purposed Life.

Written by Thalita - Visit Website

In: Decor, DIY · Tagged: artwork, decor, gallery wall, living room, photos

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Comments

  1. twopurplecouches says

    May 17, 2013 at 1:13 pm

    YEAAAA!!!!!! You did it!! I LOVE how it covers so much of the wall. And I spy a Keri Herer for IKEA bunny in there :)

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 17, 2013 at 2:16 pm

      I FINALLY did it!!! Thanks so much!!! And yes, the bunny was meant to be! Love it! Thanks for posting about it!!

      Reply
  2. Alisha says

    May 17, 2013 at 1:29 pm

    This looks SO incredibly beautiful!!!!!!! I’m so happy my drawing still made the cut!!! Seriously, it’s just stunning and so, so special!!! And I see the tea pot! Really wonderful work T!!! Xoxoxo

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 17, 2013 at 5:56 pm

      Thanks love!! It wouldn’t be the same without those two pieces of art :)

      Reply
  3. Deli Silva says

    May 17, 2013 at 9:14 pm

    It is sooo you. Looks amazing. By the way your living room looks very beautiful.

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 18, 2013 at 8:47 am

      Thanks mama!! :)

      Reply
  4. Maria Matter says

    May 18, 2013 at 9:42 am

    you have a beautiful living room Thalita!
    your gallery wall looks wonderful, it’s fun to see all the different pictures!

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 18, 2013 at 9:47 am

      Thanks you so much Maria! I kind of can’t stop starring at it lately!

      Reply
  5. graceandjoygirl says

    May 18, 2013 at 12:52 pm

    My favorite piece is the chippy paint frame around the chalkboard. It looks great! I filled a little bare spot in my house recently, too!
    http://graceandjoygirl.com/2013/05/14/finished-foyer-answering-the-pinterest-challenge/
    Doesn’t it feel so good to look over at your gallery and know that each piece is special. Great work!

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 20, 2013 at 8:34 pm

      Oh thank you!!! I am also quite a fan of that old frame. I went to check out your post – AMAZING!
      It feels awesome to have one less empty wall in the house!!

      Reply
  6. T2Women (@T2Women) says

    May 18, 2013 at 10:02 pm

    Love this!! There’s a new LINK-UP Party going on at thet2women.com and we would love to feature your post!! Here’s the link: http://thet2women.com/welcome-to-one-sharendipity-place-link-up-2/

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 20, 2013 at 8:36 pm

      That is so wonderful of you!!! Thank you SO much!

      Reply
  7. titicrafty says

    May 19, 2013 at 10:49 am

    I love it!!! and I also love your living room!

    Hugs
    Cami @ TitiCrafty by Camila

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 21, 2013 at 9:55 pm

      Thank you so much Cami!! The living room has been a major work in progress, but I am happier with it than ever!! Thanks so much for stopping by!

      Reply
  8. Krista @thehappyhousie says

    May 19, 2013 at 11:48 pm

    So many unique little touches! I love a good gallery wall… I think my favourite part might be those adorable silhouettes… or maybe the chalkboard!! Great job:)
    Krista

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 21, 2013 at 9:57 pm

      Oh thank you Krista!!! Both of those are also favourites of mine, being that they were both also super fun to create!! Thanks so much for the kids words!!
      xoxo

      Reply
  9. Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says

    May 21, 2013 at 11:28 pm

    Wow, Thalita. This gallery wall is breathtaking. I can tell a lot of TLC went into putting it together, and I appreciated seeing the whole process in photos. My favorite might be that portrait that was sketched by your friend; before you shared who did it, I thought it might be a Picasso print or something. Seriously! So inspiring. Do you just walk by, stop, stare, and smile at this wall now? If not, you should! Sending my smile your way.

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 24, 2013 at 9:08 pm

      Pardon the very late response… Thank you so much!!! Isn’t the little Picasso-esque portrait great? It was part of an art lesson in Teacher’s College – we had to draw someone without looking at your paper, only looking at the person and you were not allowed to lift your pen off of the page. Cool right? I had done this before, but it was pretty amazing to have one of my closest friends do it this time! Oh and I find myself walking by, just staring at the wall VERY often! I do love how it has come together!

      Reply
      • Lauren @ The Thinking Closet says

        June 5, 2013 at 12:43 am

        Just had to add that you totally need to link up this post as well as the million other gold-related posts you have at the Ditto DIY Link Party (the theme is…well…gold!). Thought of you and all of your amazing gold creations.

        http://www.viewalongtheway.com/2013/06/ditto-diy-link-party-my-big-fat-gilded-failure/

        Reply
        • Thalita says

          June 5, 2013 at 5:54 pm

          Oh my goodness you are too sweet! I will definitely do that… as I struggle to catch up on blog reading and writing! Thank you so much, Lauren!!

          Reply
  10. Diana Rambles says

    May 23, 2013 at 8:40 pm

    Very nice! I have a big blank wall that is in need of something like this! Thanks for sharing this at my Pin Me Linky Party.

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 24, 2013 at 6:41 pm

      Ohhh that sounds like a project waiting to happen! :)

      Reply
  11. Lorraine says

    May 24, 2013 at 9:22 pm

    Hello Thalita! So nice stopping by to visit with you and see this beautiful gallery! Looks great!

    Kindly, Lorraine

    Reply
    • Thalita says

      May 25, 2013 at 8:55 am

      Hi Lorraine! Thanks so much for stopping by to leave such kind words!

      Reply
  12. emily says

    May 26, 2013 at 8:49 am

    really really pretty! I love gallery walls and that quote in the middle is perfect! Thanks for linking up to Tasteful Tuesdays and for the link back :o) Can’t wait to see what you bring next week. Emily @ Nap-Time Creations
    oh, and I just posted an amazing round-up from last weeks party… stop on over and check it out!

    Reply
  13. Ashley says

    May 27, 2013 at 6:26 pm

    Hi I found you on Adorned From Above Wednesday Blog Hop. I am a creative graphics and web designer, as well as an avid blogger looking to connect with more people. Would love it if you stopped by our website/blog at http://www.ashleychapmandesigns.com/

    Thanks so much,
    Ashley

    Reply
  14. Hani Shabbir says

    May 29, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    How lovely! The saying is beautiful. :)

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Blow out the candle: The Learner Observer is 1! says:
    August 17, 2013 at 1:49 pm

    […] I dyed a pillowcase and got blue on EH-VUH-REE-THING!!!  There was also the completion of my gallery wall, a chalkboard wall, and I even tried to “bake” – ok so there was literally no […]

    Reply
  2. Newly Updated Gallery Wall Around The TV - The Learner Observer says:
    April 14, 2014 at 7:01 am

    […] You might be thinking… “ANOTHER gallery wall?” […]

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Hey, I'm Thalita! Daydreamer, serial decorator, mama of twin boys, lover of thrift stores, fuelled by coffee! This is the space where I share my DIY triumphs and failures, as well as interior design inspiration and regular life stuff.

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We wrapped up week 1 of 3 (haha...sure) of online We wrapped up week 1 of 3 (haha...sure) of online learning and we’re all losing it a little. Things that are helping: pretending that we’re in the Mystery Machine, headed for a campground with a mystery to solve! Jude says the camp counsellor is pretending to be a ghost while Luca was busy getting “Honey” into her sleeping bag for the night. And then a pirate showed up, so this story is really getting good 😂

@playmobil is honestly a life changer because the kids get to build AND use their imagination. It’s a win-win, and let’s face it, we could all use a little win these days.

How are you all coping with kids at home?
Why yes, this is exactly what my dining room table Why yes, this is exactly what my dining room table looks like right now. No, there aren’t markers, papers, toys, food, crumbs and tears on it. Nope. Nope. Nope. None of the above. Everything’s cool and calm over here, folks.

(If it’s not abundantly clear, I am joking.)
What does your Monday morning look like today? We’re over here prepping for online learning (note computer on dining room table) and I’m using our @playosmo to get our kids engaged in some math and language activities before we really get going. Every time I post about our Osmo, I’m asked: “do you really like it?” And my answer is always “YES!” I mean, just look at these kiddos. Jude is obsessed with the tangram and Luca loves sounding our words - he was trying to figure out whether to use ‘k’ or ‘c’ for ‘cat’ here. To them, they’re “playing”...but we all know what’s REALLY going on! #unboxingosmo #osmosocialclub
Well it would seem that I just CANNOT figure out r Well it would seem that I just CANNOT figure out reels, but I’m not letting that stop me. I made one showing you the materials and steps to make this super easy ornament storage so would you go watch it, pretty please?

I’ve been using this method of ornament storage for 7 years and it all started with a cardboard box, some red cups and a single layer. A few years later I upgraded the system to multiple layers, used foam board and white cups and voila! Scroll over to see what I mean.

Would you try this? It’s super easy and you can probably still go ahead and just use old cardboard and whatever cups you have on hand. It’s the best thing I ever did for my holiday decor!! Just make sure you use double sided tape or hot glue to attach the cups - loose cups are no bueno!

If you do this, show me, ok? I wanna see everyone put away their ornaments with no breakage! 🙌
Ready for lots of THIS over the next couple of wee Ready for lots of THIS over the next couple of weeks...but with a puppy in the middle of it all. We’re picking up Taco on Friday so prepare yourself for puppy pictures ALL over the place.

Also: I’ve been feeling uninspired lately and have taken a little break from both posting and consuming when it comes to social media. I’m trying to soak up the holiday magic, read things other than captions (as I write this that seems weird), and even writing more things down.

This time of year always makes me reflective - less because it’s the end of a calendar year and more because it’s my birthday in 9 days. Yes. It’s on the 25th. Yep. Christmas Day. No, seriously. Yeah, Christmas baby! I don’t mind it now, but I didn’t like it as a kid. Oh you know someone who also has a birthday on (or very close to) Christmas! Cool! <— that was just me reacting to like every single conversation ever about having a birthday on December 25th. 😂
I’m still thinking about these adorable little @ I’m still thinking about these adorable little @tubicenlighting lamps that you just touch to turn on and off. And this cutie little door all decked out with a smart doorbell and lock. And the beautiful blue kitchen by @remodelcanada.ca. And all of the vanities from @canaromatoronto. And this gorgeous hardwood flooring from @coswickcanada.ca.

Can you believe this was all under one roof? @improvecanada has 350 showrooms and it was so much fun seeing how many we could get to yesterday.

I’ll be sharing lots more about @improvecanada in the coming months, but if you’re curious and want to go see it for yourself, they’re open! You can call and book an appointment or even have a customer service rep help you make an appointment at showrooms suited to what you’re looking for. Pretty great, right?
#improvecanada # ad #makeitright
So I made a thing and I’m totally in love!! Now So I made a thing and I’m totally in love!! Now I just need to gather all of the boys for an adorable family photo. Christmas miracle, maybe?

I made these sweaters for all of us last weekend using my @officialcricut Joy and now I may need to start personalizing a LOT more shirts around here! It was my first time using infusible ink and I love how the sweaters stays super soft! I may just be wearing this for the rest of the year!

O.S. If it wasn’t clear, our last name is Murray 😆

Have you made matching Christmas sweaters? What would be on yours if you did? # ad #cricutmade
Are you crafty? Do you know someone who is? Or may Are you crafty? Do you know someone who is? Or maybe you’re like me and you like to think you’re crafty but lack the patience to take out a whole bunch of things to make one tiny craft? Well then I have the thing for you. Meet the @officialcricut Joy! It’s tiny but mighty, and you can just have it casually sitting on a shelf waiting to be used when inspiration strikes because it takes up basically no room at all! I made these labels using mine, and you can swipe to see another easy project you can make with a Cricut Joy. It’s the perfect little gift! I even wrote a blog post about why I think so. I’ll share another Cricut project with you later this week!! # ad #cricutmade
Can you believe this room was completed two years Can you believe this room was completed two years ago? And I still love it as much today as I did then. And I still believe that my kids can have a fun, comforting space even if they don’t get to decorate it themselves with superhero bedding and Lego everywhere! But ALSO, I would never judge you if you’re that parent who does let your kids decorate with all the primary colours because you do you, boo and if it makes you and your kids happy, I say do the dang thing!!!

Ok that is all. Have a wonderful judgement-free day!
Put the finishing touches on our front porch this Put the finishing touches on our front porch this past weekend and I gotta say, this might be my favourite one yet.

Truth: I actually really dislike the exterior of our house. With exception of the front door, it’s pretty darn ugly. The 1970’s red brick mixed with buttercream yellow and burgundy siding are like the WORST combo ever. Add in little bits of the foundation which is painted blue and the concrete isn’t pretty either.

BUT those things don’t stop me from prettying up this little space anyway. Because for like 99% of us, making a home takes time. Renovating takes time. Even if TV shows and social media lead us to believe otherwise.

Now if you want to see some front porches full of personality and holiday cheer, all by Canadian ladies who get that nothing happens overnight, do I have a great lineup for you! Go check them out! #acanadianchristmasporch
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