A Mother's Day Gift Idea

I thought this was a darling, inexpensive gift idea to give to the Grandm-a's in your life. Nothing melts your heart more than tiny little hand prints. For someone like me, who only has one child at the time, I thought a hand print and foot print would be just as darling. It would also be a cute piece to hang in your child's room. This is definitely an idea I want to try.

More Kids Wall Art

I am expecting a little boy in a few months and I have an animal themed nursery. I don't have anything hanging over the crib yet, and I thought creating three pieces of art, such as this, and printing them on to canvas would be darling. One thing I love about printing onto canvas is that it is safe. I think it looks so good to have art hanging over a bed, but always worry about doing so in case there were an earthquake or something... shattered glass... it makes me shudder. But the lightweight, and fabric of canvas art give me piece of mind without sacrificing style.

nursing cover

I love the new nursing covers that women are using now-a-days. The ease and privacy of nursing your baby without worrying about your blanket falling, or your baby pulling it free is peace of mind to any new mother! I couldn't believe when I saw one in a local boutique for nearly $50! Most women would say it is worth the investment, but I say, why not make an alternative version for cheaper? This is how you can make a nursing cover with items you already have around the home. I plan on making the blanket and the apron straps myself. Wouldn't this be a darling gift idea for an expecting mother?
Step 1

The top part of a nursing cover looks like an apron, so it comes in handy when you are trying to make a nursing cover. Use your scissors to cut off the apron strap.

Step 2

Find a baby blanket that you are not planning on using. It should be wide enough to cover the baby and your chest. A baby blanket made out of 100% cotton will be the right type of blanket to use because it will keep your baby cool in warmer weather.

Step 3

Place the blanket on a flat surface and sew the two buttons in to the middle of the blanket about eight inches apart from each other. Cut a small slit on each end of the apron strap that is large enough for the buttons.

Step 4

Attach the strap to blanket and out it on just like you would an apron. Enjoy nursing your baby in public without having to hold up a blanket!

kids framed art

when i was pregnant with my little boy, my mom and i began the exciting chore of creating a nursery. we picked out the perfect furniture, adorable bedding, and all the nick-knacks needed for my wee one. we felt that we needed some type of art on the wall. while we were at our local TARGET i began looking at the art. simple kids art was $29.99, and i was looking for 4-5 pieces. me, being the cheap-o i am thought that was way too much. so mom and i came up with a cheaper solution that turned out darling.

this is what we bought:
1. 8x8 white frames at IKEA ($7/frame)
2. 1 package of receiving blankets that matched the crib bedding ($9.99 for 4 blankets)
3. wooden emblems from michaels/roberts craft store ($0.50/pc)
TOTAL COST: Less than $10 per piece

this is what we did:
1. we cut the fabric of the receiving blankets to match the size of the frame, and hot glued it to the backing of the frame to create a background.
2. then we hot glued our emblem to the center of the fabric
3. we reassembled the frames, and hung them on the wall

why this is so cool:
if i had bought the more expensive TARGET art it would no longer be usable if the next baby was a different gender or when my child grew out of his nursery. with the art we created, i can simply remove the fabric and re-design new art work for the next baby's nursery. or as my child grows, his art pieces can grow with him.

affordable kids dining & play area

i recently started on a play room in the basement of my home. i had the toys but was lacking in the seating and storage department. i headed to IKEA to see what i could find. while i was in the children's section, i came across some adorable plastic chairs and a matching plastic table. the table was 39.99 and the chairs were 14.99. i started adding up the cost, and realized that 3 chairs and a table was going to run me $85 before tax! i wasn't planning on spending that much. i then came across some stools that were the same plastic material- but were 1/2 the price... $7.99. then i found some side tables that were intended to be an end table, but they were the perfect height for a children's table. they came in blue, yellow, pink, red, white, etc... and best of all... they were only $7.99!! so instead of $85, i spent about $30 without sacrificing any adorability (which isn't a word, but should be!). if you are looking for some cute seating for your wee ones, head to IKEA for this great find. i am finding that it pays off to think outside the box.

for your childs room

**this idea was inspired by some spring blocks that i did with my neighbor** there is a trend right now in nursery rooms/ kids room where you get the wooden letters and put your child's name on the wall. sometimes people attach ribbon and hang them. you know what i am talking about. well, here is a cute way to dress up the wooden letters so that it looks like you bought it from a boutique instead of an obvious "do-it-yourself" project. it would also be an adorable baby gift. here is how you do it:

supplies:
1. wooden letters
2. wood stain
3. nail file
4. paint brush
5. mod-podge
6. assortment of coordinating scrapbooking paper
7. scissors
8. embellishments, optional

instructions:
1. purchase wooden letters (found in roberts/michaels) and stain them with a wood stain
2. with a nail file, file the edges for a more rustic look, revealing some of the true wood.
3. place your letter face down on a piece of scrapbook paper, and trace out the letter. cut the paper out.
4. using mod-podge and a paint brush, apply a thin layer of mod-podge to your letter, and carefully stick the cut out scrapbooking paper to the letter. allow to dry.
5. using nail file, file away any excess paper.
6. apply another thin layer of mod-podge on top of the paper, and the entire wooden letter. dry.
7. embellish with buttons, ribbon, or leave plain.