DEFINITE must-do project

i just saw this project on design mom and fell in love! i have been trying to figure out what to do for max when he is ready to move to a big boy bed and have been going between the toddler bed or twin bed scenario.

i wanted to do a twin bed cuz i didn't want to purchase another crib mattress (since a baby will be sleeping on it - we'll need two). but then, a toddler bed is a much better size and i am sure someday we'll need both a twin and a toddler bed.

this project would cost $75 for two toddler beds, so even cheaper for just one! that definitely beats out even the cheapest beds i have had my eye on. that price doesn't include a mattress but ikea has some mattresses (here, here, and here) that are definitely priced in my budget. PLUS, i can customize the bed however i want as far as color scheme goes.

i am really excited about this! i think i will either do it later this fall, before the baby comes, or have my dad make it for me when my parents come down to see the new baby. since big brother won't be two until after the baby is born, i think i definitely have time before he is ready to move to a bigger bed (that is unless he magically starts climbing out of his crib suddenly!).

see the entire project & tutorial here.

updating

there is something that is very appealing to me about living in an older house and then updating it. i like the "new house" feel...and the comforts that go along with it, but a big part of me has always loved the "old."

often, old houses need a lot of TLC and design wise, are pretty ugly. i thought i would post some pictures i've seen recently of things that have inspired me and showed me what you can do with something that may appear to be sort of "blah." i've learned you can really make things look great with just a little paint and some creativity!


how ugly is this? well...i think it is. it's just very plain and typical.

how lovely is this?? a COMPLETELY different feel to the house!from design*sponge

those wood doors seem to be so common in older houses and i am really not a huge fan of wood...i really like lots of white in a house...

look what some paint can do! it instantly updates it and gets rid of that '80s look.from design*sponge

another way to update a very out-dated room...again, the wood doesn't appeal to me at all...
doesn't it look completely fresh & different after the new paint and molding?
what is the best about this makeover is that it cost $82. INCREDIBLE!
from the lettered cottage

now here are pictures from my friend's sister's house...
it looks incredible...tiffany is of course an interior designer...but still, i think with some help, anyone could do this. her house looks great! (some of the rooms are still in progress in the photos but they still look completely amazing!)

how beautiful is this room now? i love the molding around the window. instant update.
how many kitchens have you seen like this and think how expensive it would be to update it? some paint on the cabinets and new hardware is a great way to save money yet still have an updated look...
the countertops are supposed to be a concrete look...i really like it. very modern.
this is the living room after they refinished the floor. i really love how it looks.
all images from modernbarn

DIY play kitchen

i would really love to make max a play kitchen for christmas. so, i'll be gathering up ideas on making one which i'll post here.

found here

vintage suitcase

i have a vintage suitcase that my grandmother used on her honeymoon and i can't think of how to use it...it doesn't quite go with the decor in my house, so i have been a bit stumped because it is something i love and would love to put to use.

i think i have an idea brewing after seeing these...

oops can't remember where i got the above image...

image from here, as seen on design*sponge

tissue box

i always am in need of a tissue but i hate how ugly the boxes are. here is a great tutorial on how to make a tissue box cover!!

i need this!

i love this idea. i think it would work great for those things i am constantly trying to pass to my son in the back seat (like snacks, toys, sippy cups, etc.). maybe i'll have one for trash and one for "things" haha!

see the tutorial from "make it & love it" here.

cute bunny

here's an adorable bunny i want to make my son for next easter! my favorite part is the diaper!

tutorial here.

DIY pen holder

i made this little pen holder the other day in about 10 minutes - maybe less. it was so easy and now we have something stylish to hold our pens in since our computer desk is in the family room. i'm sure there are many different ways to use this idea - besides a pen holder...but that's where YOUR creativity comes in ;)

...materials...

empty formula can, hot chocolate can, or something small like that
cute cardstock, wrapping paper, wallpaper, etc.
any embellishment you want (ribbon, etc.)
double sided tape
scissors

...what to do...

simply cut the paper to be the size needed to fit around the can, then use double sided tape to adhere it. embellish it with whatever you love - i chose a simple thick ribbon around the top of the can - again, adhered with double sided tape. you're done! see how easy??

pacifier clip tutorial

i have really needed one of these for my son but they have always been pretty girly in the stores so i've never bought one. it would have come in VERY handy on the streets of new york city as he was chucking his binky out the stroller.

i definitely want to use this tutorial to make a pacifier clip for my next baby, since mine's now a little old to be clipping his binky on (he'd probably just tear the clip off anyway!)...

baby's first book

i found this baby's first book idea awhile ago and can't get it out of my head so i needed to make sure i post it so i can remember the idea.

i have been tossing around ways to make an ABC book for my baby. my sisters have made ABC books that use most of the names of family members plus familiar objects and i have really loved how they turned out. what i love about this particular book is the format...i think i'll kind of combine the two ideas and hopefully end up with something cute and functional.

see more here.

things to make with felt

i just came across some super cute ways to use felt...

first, a paper bag lunch set! we all know how much kids like to play with pretend food (at least, i know i did when i was a child). i think this would be fun to make for my little boy when he gets older. see the tutorial here.

now look at this cute little animal cracker play set. how cute! check it out here.

play tent

i saw this idea on design mom - you can buy these tents from Mignon on etsy here, but i think i'd like to file this idea away and attempt to make one of my own when my little boy is a bit older {they are a BIT out of my price range, haha}. it's such a great idea though...i am loving it!

tote bag

use this tote to pick apples, oranges, or just go grocery shopping. can't wait to make one!!

tutorial over at {the purl bee}

fabric tufted ottoman

i love ottomans but they are just so darn expensive...here is a great tutorial on how to make one yourself for under $100! i am definitely keeping this in mind for the future...

$100

$60

you decide...
here's the tutorial!

the baby crib - finally!

i finally got a picture of the crib i painted. it was given to me by my sister and had been used by 3 children previously and was 9 years old (at least...). it was in okay condition but starting to look very worn. plus, i really wanted a white crib for my baby. it was a TON of work to paint the crib, mostly because it was in pieces and so it was a slow process. but i am so happy with how it turned out!

the before crib...nice, but not in love with the wood...

the after crib...the white is called "whispering wind" and is more of a dirty white...i wanted it to be older looking...antique, if you will...

i still need to paint this dresser and glider, plus a changing table...so much work but it will be worth it! i'll post those pictures as i finish them (it helps me stay motivated to think..."i've got to post those pictures!")

magnets

i love love love magnets and especially pretty magnets. they just make my day brighter when i look at the fridge. here is a tutorial on how to make fabric covered magnets...

fabric mail sorter

again, another cute idea! click here for the tutorial.

fabric storage cubes

click for tutorial.

aren't these cute?? they look pretty easy to make. storage bins always seem so over-priced, in my opinion, so i think these would be great to make with leftover fabric.

silhouette how-to

i searched and searched on how to make a silhouette and after spending hours trying to do it digitally, i finally decided to do it by hand. for me, this way was so much easier and not to mention much more efficient!

step 1: take a profile picture of the image you want to use for your silhouette. the subject should be the primary focus in the frame.



step 2: print the photo out. i printed these in a 5x7 size on regular cardstock. there is no need to use photo paper or to even have a great quality printout (as you can see, the ink was running out which was no problem at all!). next, cut the photo out very carefully so that you have only the profile left.



step 3: paint over the photo with black acrylic paint. usually only one coat is needed. it dries very quickly.


step 4: arrange your silhouette however you would like to display it and voila! you're done! it was that easy!


here is another example of a silhouette i did of my son at 9 months old:

this was the best profile shot i could get of him and it ended up turning out just fine. i had to do some extra trimming of his neck and chest but it worked.

...and, the final product:

(this silhouette was printed as a 5x7 as well. generally it seems that you would print the silhouette out according to the size of frame you'd like to put it in).

have YOU ever made a silhouette? if so, how did you do it and did you love the end result?

halloween decor

{link to tutorial}

i don't have very much holiday decor so i am always looking for some DIY ideas. i found this idea from tanya's blog and thought it was very cute and looked pretty easy!