The Casual Organizer: Rylie's Kitchen

I have been working on this little project for a while now. This sturdy, simple play kitchen was gifted to Rylie on her first birthday from Mama and Papa (although, we did not actually order it until November. She didn't seem to mind.) I have been collecting little bits here and there and she is officially well-equipped. She is most fond of her rolling pin and dinner bell.


I've been making some things for her too, like this apron. The pattern is written for a 3-5 year old so I sized it down, maybe a little too much because it fits Rylie perfectly right now but I think she will grow out of it soon. It was a quick project though, so I can easily make her a new one when the time comes. The fabric is called Out Of Doors and it is a part of my Domestic Bliss line. We have a new routine; I go over to where all of my aprons hang and put one on and tell Rylie to get her apron on it is tme to cook. She beams from ear to ear and runs to her apron, I slip it over her head and we get busy. I also stenciled her the litte green canvas grocery bag that she can take with us when we go to the market.

The kitchen was love at first sight for Rylie. This morning she was putting every single dish in the sink and once it was all full, she started throwing them on the floor. I saw her using her creamer to pour cream into the teapot the other day too, so cute. She also loves to climb all over it and her favorite thing really is to open the oven and to use it as a step to reach the top shelf.

While I was setting up her spot, I decided to organize our collection of favorite photos on the side panel of the refrigerator. There are pictures of all of Rylie's cousins, pictures of mama and papa, one of my favorites of my sister and I as little ones. I used clear contact paper to stick a square of the same fabric as the apron behind them. And what is a kitchen without some fanciful art? I grabbed the framed black and white silhouetted postcards at an estate sale years ago and the red and pink one is from last year's letterpress calendar.

This little spot was such a joy to put together for Rylie. I loved dreaming up how I could make it special for her. It is such a quality, durable item, we can hand it down to siblings and to future generations as well. I was thinking that Ryan and I should write a little message to her on the back - must remember to do that. It makes me smile when I think of all of the memories and hours of play that will happen in this little corner - right now, and for many years to come.