Category Archives: My Projects

Diaper Dee Doo {Easy Baby Shower Centerpieces}

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By almost all measures, I’m a pretty lousy blogger.

I don’t write consistently.

I don’t have a narrow niche of readers whom I write for.

I just ended a sentence with a preposition.

I usually hide for at least a week after I post something from the heart.

But, I keep reminding myself that it’s my blog, so it’s okay.  Today I’m coming out of hiding with a feelings-free, fun and easy project. I’m sharing a super easy centerpiece idea for a baby shower…

In March, I helped my mom throw a shower for my sister-in-law. Now that my cute-as-can-be nephew is four weeks old, I guess it’s time to finally share this project.

(Hey, it’s been a busy few months! And I’m a bad blogger. See intro to this post.)

I looked on Etsy first (because let’s face it – my motto is: if you can pay someone to do it better and faster than you, do it!), but I came up empty.

I knew I wanted to use baseball toppers to match the baseball theme of the shower, so I just had theBOY pick up some at Target, got a few pointers from a seasoned diaper-cake-maker, and ta-da!

IMG_6016

Seriously simple….

For each centerpiece I used:

  • 24-26 size one diapers (eight for the top tier, 16-18 for the bottom tier)
  • 28 rubber bands (24 small, 4 large)
  • One heavy-duty straw (a doll rod would work too)
  • Ribbon
  • Scrapbook paper (to match theme)

Roll each diaper up (with any designs on the inside) and secure with a rubber band. When you have all your diapers rolled, start with one diaper and surround it with the remaining seven diapers and secure with your larger rubber band (for the bottom layer, repeat this step around with the remaining diapers).

I asked theBOY to drill small holes into the baseballs, then inserted a stiff straw (from Target’s party section) and placed it inside the middle diaper. The straw was long enough to hold the two layers together, but I recommend using a doll rod if you can’t find long enough straws.

Then, decorate to your heart’s content! I’ve seen lots of cute ideas, but I wanted to keep these fairly simply.

Are you a DIY person, or would you rather pay someone to put the party together? Have any fun party planning tips to share?

Chalkboard Paint Makeover

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Today I have a fun {easy} project to share – chalkboard painted wine glasses!

I first saw this idea on Pinterest. Where else, right?

I knew it would make the perfect Christmas gift, so I went right to Michael’s and {using my 50% off coupon} bought Krylon Chalkboard Spray Paint.

This was seriously so simple! First, wash and dry your wine glasses. Then, mask off the stems with tape. I used {hard to photograph} scotch tape because it was the first I found. I didn’t worry about taping off the whole stem because I figured I could control the spray paint pretty well.

I applied two thin coats of paint to the base of the wine glasses. According to the can, a coat of Krylon Chalkboard spray paint only takes 12 minutes to dry, so this project only took 30 minutes from start to finish {while the babies napped, of course}.

Wet Chalkboard Paint

And the final product? So fun!

Chalkboard Paint Wine Glasses

These would make great place settings, or you can let your guests get creative with chalk themselves!

So tell me, did you make anything fun to give as gifts this past Christmas?

I’m linking up at Tatertots & Jello this week!

Have a Happy 2012 {Goal Planning Printable}

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So, here’s the deal. This week I planned to write all about setting goals and making plans to reach those goals. The trouble is, I’ve been too busy enjoying my family {a two-year old who is discovering rock ‘n roll and a seven-week old sweetie who needs someone to watch him smile and coo!} to write some long, meaningful post about setting and reaching goals.

I did, however, put together this chart to track my own goals. It’s always helpful to me to see my goals and to-do list in writing.

I thought you might like your own copy, so help yourself by downloading the free printable Goal Worksheet. It features my six areas of focus, but if you don’t need all six, just print it out on cardstock and cut out the ones you want to use.

Your goals should be something big to accomplish in a given time frame. The actions are the things you need to do to reach your goal. I only leave room for three actions so you can focus yourself. I tend to make a mile-long list of things to do if I’m not constrained.

Here’s a quick sample of how this works:

Goal: Run a 5k in June  

Action: Find a training program to follow 

Action: Run at least three days a week

Action: Sign up for a local 5K race

One last tip before I go snuggle my baby boy…take your actions and add them to whatever daily planner/calendar you use. It helps to schedule them into your life! If you don’t use a scheduler, post your goals some place you’ll see them regularly!

Happy 2012 to you! Make it a good one.

I’m linking up at Tatertots & Jello this week!

It’s Potty Time!

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My life has been all about the potty lately. Mostly about ”putting our pee pee in the potty.”

Oh, and getting sprayed by rogue baby pee.

Fun times.

If you find yourself in the same boat as me, here’s a treat for you. (And if you don’t, lucky you!)

A fancy, schmancy {designed-in-a-jiffy} potty chart. We like to add pretty cupcake stickers to ours every time theBABY goes potty. When she fills it up, she gets a treat of her own choosing. Think cupcakes and hot cocoa.

Feel free to download and print your own copy. Just click on one of the images below.

Enjoy!

Is that possible?

Well, just know it’ll be over eventually. At least that’s what I’m told.

Easy Christmas Craft {And a New Baby}

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It took less than a week for our new baby boy to both pee and poop on me. I’m talking firehose style.

Many people warned me about the pee, but the poop I never saw coming.

So yeah, we have a new family member. The most perfect baby boy who looks just like his dad (even if he doesn’t see it). The newBABY fits right into the family, and we’re all feeling so blessed to have him join us on our journey.

With a new baby comes some time away from my full-time day job. {Yay!} And this time around that means lots of extra time with my big girl.

I want to make the most of our time home together, so I decided to do something special leading up to Christmas Day.

Here is the super easy, 20-minute project I did during nap time today. And, yes, I was too lazy to get up off the couch to take these pictures. Enjoy!

Christmas Countdown Activity Chain

First, I cut scrapbook paper into 31 1.5″ strips.

Then I wrote a Christmas-related activity on the back of each piece of paper.
{I looked at a calendar to include things we already have planned.}

That’s when theBABY woke up from her nap.
{Maybe it’s time to stop calling her theBABY?}
She helped me tape the strips of paper into a chain.

Ta-da!

We’ll start all the countdown fun the day after Thanksgiving. That day happens to read “Pick out Christmas tree and get ice cream!”

UPDATE: Here are a few more ideas for activities in case you need some inspiration!

  • Help mommy wrap a present
  • Listen and sing-a-long to Christmas carols
  • Drive around to find Christmas lights
  • Color a Christmas card for grandma
  • Make Christmas cookies
  • Watch a Christmas movie

Also, I’m linking up to Tatertots & Jello’s Weekly Wrap Up party! Check out all the great ideas over there!

Beachy Boy Nursery

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The time has finally come to share pictures of our new favorite room! The nursery for the newBABY has been such a fun project to work on with theBOY.

The first time around, we registered for the room decor that matched the Babies ‘R Us bedding we picked out for theBABY. Easy. No thinking required, and the room looks great. 

But while we definitely love how her room turned out, there’s just something extra satisfying about doing it all on your own. 

This time, we dreamed it up together then set out to make it a reality.

I think we got pretty stinkin’ close to the nursery we imagined back in the summer.

So, here we go…

Now for the details.

Remember this guy? 

Well, he caused quite the ordeal. 

First theBOY painted him dark brown.
Then blue.
Then brown again, but this time he sanded him to show a bit of his blue layer.
Finally, orange won.

Our fun finds from our summer vacation may be my favorite details.

Okay, maybe these are my favorite.
We found an extremely talented photographer on Etsy from Australia.
Initially we ordered the two photos on the left, then we went back for two more – the one on the right and the one above on the shelf.

The letters above the crib were another trial-&-error-labor-of-love on theBOY’s part.
In the end, he alternated colors with a base color beneath and some skillful sanding.

And let’s talk about these adorable seagulls.
We knew we wanted some whimsical birds to complete the beach theme.
We could NOT find what we were looking for, so theBOY took matters into his own hands.

See the white butterflies down there?
I mentioned them once before. They’re from theBABY’s room.
Well, she had a few leftover so theBOY clipped their wings and spray painted them.
I won’t lie. I had my doubts.
I was wrong. They’re perfect.

   One last detail before I go back to dreaming about my water breaking…

See the valance? Another Etsy find. They’re made from burlap, and they’re wonderful. 
And below them are must-have room darkening shades in dark brown from Lowes.
I repeat. A MUST HAVE. Truly.

Fall is Welcome Here

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I’m all about summer…and sunshine…and warm temperatures.

For the second time in my life, however, I’m all about fall….changing leaves….cooler temps. And yes, it has everything to do with the newBABY due this fall.

In fact, I’m ready for full-blown fall.

My Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Wallflower is plugged in, and today I had a pumpkin bagel with pumpkin cream cheese.

I also made this:

The wreath was featured in Woman’s Day magazine, but we stumbled upon it on Pinterest. (Thanks, Lis!)

Do you use Pinterest? It’s the perfect place to store all of your great Someday Ideas. The trick is actually getting to them someday….like I did today!

You can follow me and my Someday Ideas on Pinterest here.

 

By the way….I’m sharing this at:  The Inspired Room’s Fall Nesting Party

What I Did On My Summer Vacation

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Beach Baby

We just got back from a week at the beach, and it couldn’t have been better.

Longer, yes. Better, no.

Hurricane Irene almost ruined our plans to visit the East Coast, but after hours of watching The Weather Channel and praying for the chance to take this much-needed retreat, we got the all-clear and drove all night until we ended up and the shore.

Spending so much time together as a family was just what I needed at the end of a busy summer…an end that’s going to lead to an even busier fall with the new baby and all.

Speaking of the new baby, we found a few more items on our trip for the Vintage Beach Nursery.

Isn’t it great?
The plan is to put it on one of the yet-to-be-purchased shelves.

Not quite sure where this will go, but it’s so cute!

And these guys were free.
theBABY did a superb job collecting shells, and I plan to do something special with them.
Have any ideas for me?

After the perfect beach vacation, we came home in time for the Labor Day parade. theBABY *almost* has her beauty queen wave down.  See?

So, yes. It’s been a good week. I hope you spent it doing something fun to celebrate the end of summer.

What plans do you have to welcome fall??

Turning 30 Isn’t So Bad

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I turned 30 earlier this year, and it was the first time in my life I didn’t feel like celebrating. Truth is, I wasn’t all that excited about leaving my twenties. It kind of felt like turning 30 really meant my young adulthood was gone. Which is silly because, let’s face it, my youth was over well before my 30th birthday.

Three of the best friends a girl could ask for also turn 30 this year. We had big plans to celebrate (think girls weekend in NYC), but they fell through as life got in the way.

I’ve been friends with these girls for 20+ years. In fact, most of the childhood memories I have involve each of them. I wanted to do something extra special for them, but couldn’t think of the perfect gift. 

I finally pulled something together – a little reminder of the good ol’ days…

{Emergency Essentials for the Young at Heart}

 

{Play Dress Up}
Jewelry

 

{Give yourself a makeover.}
Lip gloss, nail polish & eye shadow

{Have a slumber party.}
Pajamas

 

{When all else fails, have a glass of wine.}
A bottle of our favorite wine

 

My only regret is not making one for myself! 

Oh, and being 30? It’s not so bad. It sure beats 20.