Rain gutters in the play room!

Not long ago, I created a little canopy to set aside a portion of the play room as a book nook.  It was a fun project, and the kids have so enjoyed it, but I still needed to find a way to store their books nearby.  I found a totally genius idea here and here for rain gutter bookshelves, and finally hubby and I got these done today!  We are so happy with them, and the kiddos LOVE it!

Pun'kin and Peanut ready to read!  Notice the splotches on the wall?  That was a paint color possibility which we did not choose.  We have yet to paint the walls in the winning color.  Someday.

Project "Read More"

I am employing several sneaky little tactics in an effort to promote healthy reading habits in our home, one of them being to create a couple of fun little reading nooks for the kiddos!  Today I FINALLY got around to working on (and, SHOCK, actually finishing) this first one...it's in our playroom, and the kids L-O-V-E it!  I still need to add a light, and this weekend we're installing rain gutter bookshelves like these and these.  I can hardly wait!  This is the PERFECT solution to adding bookshelves (ideally allowing books to be forward-facing) without taking up any of the shrinking floor space in our family/play room!  Okay....here's the new Book Nook!  Enjoy!

So, there is a 36 inch space on either side of our entertainment center between it and the wall.  

This little corner used to be a cluttered heap of toys, 

but I had a vision that it would someday be a fun, inviting, whimsical little nook 

just begging for a little pre-schooler to curl up in with a good book.

I have a 4-y-o boy and a 3-y-o girl, so I needed something gender neutral, 

so I was super excited when I found this smokey blue fabric with 

multi-colored circles...some pink--her favorite, and some orange--his favorite!

My little bookworms!

Pennant details...love this scallop stitch on my sewing machine, and I love the extra little pops of color achieved by adding the ribbons in between each pennant.

I'd love to hear how you promote good reading habits in your homes!