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   Saying goodbye to a mural Posted by Chica 
October 21, 2009 
Chica
 

I’ve mentioned my 5-year-old niece to you guys plenty of times before. She’s the baby of the family, but we’re all learning fast just how quickly she’s growing up. It’s been especially clear to me over the last year or so, as she has been gradually becoming more insistent that she has outgrown the “baby stuff” in her bedroom and is ready for a new “big girl” decorating scheme.

Not a big deal, right? Well, it is to me. See, in the months before she was born, when her mother (my sister) and father were picking out bedding and lamps and blankets all in a Baby Snoopy theme, I was busy painting a mural on her nursery wall.

Peanuts mural

I know, right? How could you not love that? I drew every character and hand painted them in this fun scene. It took me many hours with tiny brushes, but it was worth it. For the first four years of her life, my niece loved looking at all the bright colors and fun characters on the wall.

Peanuts muralPeanuts mural

But now she’s a big girl. Ready for “big girl” decorations like hearts and flowers and pink and purple. My sister tried to fight it, but we both knew it was a losing battle. I relented. The mural is going away. I’m okay with it.

I thought you guys would like to see it, though. I’ve got every character I could think of on there. Even Pig Pen. He’s not in the park with everyone else, though… his proper place is over by diaper changing station, where all stinky things belong!

Peanuts mural

14 comments so far:

  1. Gretchen said: (October 21st, 2009 at 8:07 am)

    Wow! This is fantastic! I wish you could transplant it into my house. Hildi on Trading Spaces used to drape walls in fabric – any chance your niece would go for that so you can keep the mural intact?

  2. Chica said: (October 21st, 2009 at 8:14 am)

    Thanks Gretchen. I did suggest hanging fabric, but neither my sister or niece liked that idea. I have decided that if I ever do something like this again, I will paint the designs on wood or foamcore, so that they can be taken down and used again :)

  3. Casey said: (October 21st, 2009 at 9:12 am)

    That is positively gorgeous! It’s sad to have to cover up such beautiful (and time-consuming) work, but just take lots of pictures while you can. You could always frame a few of them, or make a killer scrapbook page.

  4. Chica said: (October 21st, 2009 at 9:27 am)

    Thank you Casey. I took lots of detailed pictures last week. I love your frame and scrapbook ideas!

  5. Rockie said: (October 21st, 2009 at 10:25 am)

    This is absolutely AMAZING!! My family loves Peanuts theme. The detail is great. I;m sure it will be hard to see it painted over. Maybe just switch her to another room huh?!

  6. Diane said: (October 21st, 2009 at 10:43 am)

    That is positively gorgeous!
    You are crazy talented!

  7. Chica said: (October 21st, 2009 at 11:02 am)

    Thanks Rockie and Diane!

  8. Lysana said: (October 21st, 2009 at 1:00 pm)

    This is fabulous. Can we just move it to my daughter’s room? She would LOVE it.

    How sad to see it painted over…but those kids do grow up. Much too quickly.

  9. Heather - Dollar Store Crafts said: (October 21st, 2009 at 2:41 pm)

    Wow, it looks perfect. Like Charles Schultz drew it right up there on the wall.

  10. Fe said: (October 21st, 2009 at 7:59 pm)

    Wow… that mural is incredible. Sad to hear it’s going to be painted over. Still, awesome job on the mural.

  11. Bailey said: (October 21st, 2009 at 9:40 pm)

    As the mother of the 5 year old, it is very sad that it is coming down but she has been ready to change it for awhile :( It was great while it lasted though!

  12. lisa said: (October 22nd, 2009 at 5:04 am)

    this is absolutely amazing! thanks for sharing! you are soo talented!

  13. Neala said: (October 28th, 2009 at 7:55 pm)

    Oh… I so love it. I wish I could fly you to Aussie to commission one for my new little boy! Thanks for posting it.

  14. Chica said: (October 29th, 2009 at 8:33 am)

    Hah! Neala, you fly me to Australia and I’d be happy to paint for you :)

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