lovely

how adorable is this little swimsuit?

you can find it here.

but - since it costs a lovely $66, maybe i'll try making one in the future. i just love the design!

more play kitchens

i am back on a play kitchen kick today, after taking max to the doctor and him loving the play kitchen in the office. i really don't like the look of the commercial play kitchens, they're kind of an eye-sore in a house, so i am really wanting to make our own. plus, a DIY kitchen has the potential to be much cheaper (the plastic kitchens and specialty kitchens are upwards of $150!). here are a few i have found that i am loving and will use as inspiration for the project.

most of these kitchens are from ohdeedoh.com and use ikea components as the base of the project. some are pricier DIY's than others but i think overall, i could probably make a play kitchen for easily under $100, but hopefully under $50 or $60 (perhaps using thrifted units instead of new ones from ikea).

enjoy!

details here

details here

details here

details here

details here

details here

details here

aren't they all so cute? there are a few i just love.

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.

baby doll

are these not the cutest dolls ever? when i have a baby girl some day, i am going to make one of these!! found here but not sure where she got the pattern, or if she made it up. i'll have to ask!

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

cute projects

here are some cute projects, all from make it and love it...

i am always in need of a cute bib and loved this pieced together look...

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/04/scrap-pieced-baby-bib.html


a great table cover that doubles as a fort - i think it'd be perfect for play time!

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/02/fort-table-cover.html

cute embellishment

image from here

someday when i have a girl (or actually even for myself) i'd like to embellish a plain tee just like this. tutorial 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.

easter basket toolbox

i didn't do anything this year for easter as far as gifts go mostly because we're tight on money but also because i was just too lazy. i figure since my almost 1 year old didn't have a clue it was easter, i could let it slide.

i just found this wonderful idea that i am most definitely going to do next year! i love it! and, it's perfect for a boy. (you have to admit, there are ALL these ideas for girls floating around but not too many for boys...so when i find great ideas, i've got to save them!!)

images from the charming armelle blog

making the switch to cloth

bumGenius 3.0 all in one cloth diaper (one size)

i have been doing research over the past few days (almost 24/7!) and have decided to switch my baby to cloth diapers. it's more economical (in the long run), healthier for my baby, better for the environment, and let's face it...super cute!

here is a list of very valuable websites that have helped me (and will continue to help me) in this process of switching from disposables to cloth. i am amazed at the resources that are out there! thank you to ALL of the websites, seriously.

if you are somewhat interested or curious about cloth diapers, i highly recommend checking out the websites i am listing. i am listing them for me personally, so i can remember where to find all of this information, but if it helps someone who's curious, that's an added bonus.

information on cloth diapers
http://www.realdiaperassociation.org/diaperfacts.php *this solidified my desire to use cloth
http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/newtocloth
http://clothdiapers.blogspot.com/
http://www.cottontails-diapers.com/pages/verses.php
http://www.mumsthewurd.com/2008/11/are-you-a-bumgenius/

sewing cloth diapers
http://www.diaperjungle.com/sewing-cloth-diapers.html
http://www.diapersewing.com/measurements.htm
http://www.diapersewing.com/prices.htm
http://www.diapersewing.com/fitted_with_velcro.htm
http://www.diapersewing.com/quick_dry_aio.htm
http://www.diapersewing.com/prefold_to_fitted.htm
http://diapersewing.wordpress.com/
http://fernandfaerie.com/sewing_fitteds.html *this is the diaper i am going to sew
http://diaperfabric.com/very-baby-diaper-tutorials/
http://fernandfaerie.com/frugaldiapering.html

sewing wet bags
http://www.polliwogged.com/detail/five-ways-to-make-your-own-wet-bag/
http://doityourselfec.blogspot.com/2008/01/making-wet-bag.html
http://etsylabs.blogspot.com/2007/05/long-overdue-fusing-plastic-bag.html
http://www.amitymama.com/vb/sew-along/226517-sewalong-zippered-wet-bag.html

fabric shops
http://www.sewzannesfabrics.com/
http://www.celticclothswholesale.com/
http://www.verybaby.com/
http://www.diapercuts.com/

cloth diaper products i am thinking of using
http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/products/clothdiapers/gentlyused/gentlyusedbumgeniusonesizeclothdiaper
http://www.purelynurtured.com/item_277/Wonder-Wraps-One-size-Diaper-Covers.php
http://www.babyearth.com/bumgenius-diaper-sprayer.html

taking care of cloth diapers
http://www.bumgenius.com/help.php
http://www.jilliansdrawers.com/newtocloth/washingcloth

diaper deals and announcements
http://www.diaperpin.com/forum09/announcements.asp

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!