Project time

You see, these niches have been taunting me since the day we moved in. Daring me to find something original, clever and stylish to do with them. I pass them every day, threatening to put an end to their incessant mocking. But those were empty threats. And my niches knew it. They knew I planned poorly and usually had a preschooler next to me all day long. Those contemptuous niches also were very aware that I have zero skill in decorating.

I decided to shut them up. Seal them to be exact. I figured if I painted them, it would buy me time to figure out how to properly dress them up. It would get them off my back.

I know better. Really I do.

It should have been a quick job. Two hours tops. It should have gone smoothly. But, despite lessons I supposedly learned, I decided to conquer my wall niches with my 3 year old companion by my side.

And my niches heckled me. The whole time.

All taped up and ready to go, I began to smudge my caulking along the tape line and naturally, B had to help. (now for those of you who don’t know the caulking trick for painting smudge- free lines, email me, I’ll fill you in) B actually was quite helpful, smudging the lower parts while I did the top parts. I was pretty impressed we made it through the caulking without a major mishap and began to clean up the caulking mess.

My niches scoffed at my arrogance while I stepped to the sink to wash my hands. Just as I turned to scoop up B to wash her up, she says, “Mommy, I got it in my hair.” (that would be CAULKING -- EVERYWHERE in her hair)

I could practically hear the sarcastic laughter of my niches as I hauled B off to her first shower of the day.

Cleaned up and ready to paint, B was eager to make sure I let her paint the “down low parts”.

Which I did. For a while.

After a couple smudges outside the safety of the blue tape, it was time for her to stop “helping” and go paint her own things. I set her up at the table… covered her in an old shirt and left the happy toddler to her imagination, while I painted only a few feet away.

I should have known something was up when it was quiet. I found this.

I dodged the sharp jeers from my niches as I marched B to the bathroom for her second shower.

Thankfully, all the excitement wore her out, leaving her content to cuddle up with her “bear” and watch Sleeping Beauty. I was able to finish my painting my niches and temporarily quiet their taunts – nevermind the project had taken the whole day.

Here's the (semi) finished project

Close up of the line -- just super proud of it. NO SMUDGES! Take that you infernal niche!

 

Now, if only I can figure out what to put into them!! Any ideas?