DIY Duct Tape Ikea side table

Joe and I bought these Ikea side tables (Lack) about 3 years ago when we finally moved from our tiny 1 bedroom condo style apartment.  The idea at the time was that they were cheap and simple.  I mean, you can't really be upset when you your kid ruin a $7 table.  They have kind of traveled all over the house because they are so beat up, and I kind of hate them now as a result.

I was ready to get rid of them, but decided I could re purpose them with a pretty simple DIY project.  2 rolls of decorative The Duck Brand duct tape (about $5 each)  and about 20 minutes and they are almost like new! Only prettier, of course.  And who doesn't love an easy DIY project, right?

I laid the first strip of duct tape so it would overlap the side about 1/2 an inch.  I put strip after strip of duct tape up against one another, just smoothing with my hands, until I reached the other side.  After the top was finished, I was almost out of tape.  There was just enough to do the sides of the top, but not the legs.  Leaving the legs uncovered was fine, as they aren't really in that bad of condition.  I'm sure you could get more creative with this, maybe do some kind of pattern, but I really just wanted the scraped up tops covered! I have a little tape leftover from each roll for touch ups and accidents.. Or Dawson peeling the tape off, because I can see that happening. 

The Star Wars table will go in Dawson's room for him to play on, and the flowered table is going to the nursery to have next to the chair I will probably spend way too much time in :) I really tried to find something else for Dawson's space themed room but the Star Wars Duck Brand tape was really as close as it got.

Overall I'm very happy with the outcome of the side tables!  Have you done any Ikea makeovers? Or just furniture makeovers in general? 

Toddlers, dinner, and breast pads

Dawson is such a little sponge.  I forget this so easily.  The kid can't remember where he put his toy 2 minutes ago (which starts the whining that someone STOLE it), but he hangs on to little moments that (to me) are fleeting and meaningless chatter.

Something happened yesterday at dinner that had Grandma K, Joe, and myself in tears we were laughing so hard.  For Dawson it was just an innocent moment where he had remembered something I showed him.


Several weeks ago (at least 6 to 8) I was cleaning out Dawson's old baby clothing, getting ready to donate it.  There was a lot of crap in there that didn't belong, but most of it was baby related.  At one point I found a stray breast pad, like in the picture.  He wanted to know what it was for, so I told him it was to put in Mommy's shirt so milk didn't get everywhere.  I demonstrated.  This was probably a mistake.  He let it go at that, or so I thought.

Fast forward to dinner last night, we all ordered dessert and the waitress brought Dawson a fresh spoon.  On a cute little round doily.  Do you see where this is going?

"I know just what to do!!" And before Grandma K could stop him, the doily went into his shirt.  All we could do was laugh.  It still amazes me that he remembers something that was such a small thing, and so long ago.

To top it all off, Joe says under his breath "only our kid would think that's a nipple pad.." Now, normally Dawson wouldn't have even HEARD him let alone responded, but of course, at the dinner table he blurts out "Why you say nipple pad, Daddy?"  More laughter!

I guess he really IS listening, even when we think he's not! :)