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.

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

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

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 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.

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??

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

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.

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!

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!

table runner

i loved this table runner idea. here's the tutorial!