Nursery Door Sign

One of the last projects for Avery's nursery was a sign for the door.  I knew I wanted to do something in pink & grey.  I also knew I wanted an A or her name on it and I have loved the saying above for a while now.  Lots of people have this sort of sign on their front door.  But, I'm not too comfortable with announcing that I have a baby in my house so on the nursery door it goes!

Materials: 

plywood (I bought mine at JoAnn's for $1, I think it's 12x12)

acrylic paint

paint brush

Mod Podge

scrapbook paper

cricut or letter stickers

ribbon

Directions: 

Start with the plain piece of plywood

This is how thin the plywood is. 

I painted the back of the board grey.  I applied 2 coats and finished it off with a layer of Mod Podge. 

After that, I gathered my scrapbook paper.  I put a larger piece of the grey polka dot on the top of the wood and a smaller piece of the pink polka dots on the bottom.  I measured the paper, trimmed it and adhered it with Mod Podge to the unpainted side of the sign.  Make sure when using Mod Podge, that there aren't any bubbles under the paper.  

Next, I used my Cricut to cut the letters for the "You Wake Her, You Take Her" portion of the sign.  I adhered the letters with Mod Podge.  Make sure to center them first before you glue them on.  After that, I used a piece of chip board for the A, which was already cut.  I covered it with grey paper and glued it on top of the pink center.   Once the bottom layers of Mod Podge are dry, apply a layer or two to the top to seal it.  

To finish it off, I added a piece of white ribbon to separate the pink & grey.  I hot glued the ribbon to the back of the sign to keep it straight.  I also added ribbon to the top in order to hang it from a hook.

Wipes Case Band

I've had this tutorial pinned for about a year now.  I knew as soon as we had a little one on the way, it was something I wanted to make.  I don't have a wipes warmer for the nursery.  I plan on using a regular wipes case and refilling it when it runs out.  Of course, I want the case to match the nursery. So, I decided on a grey case with pink fabric flowers attached.  I was very pleased with how easy this was to make.  It looks fabulous in the nursery and is soo much better then the normal case.  

So, head on over to Less Cake More Frosting for the tutorial. And if you're looking for fabric flower tutorials, I found a similar one here.  

PS.  I just hot glued the flowers onto the case, no sewing involved! 

DIY Bow Board

Here is another project from Avery's nursery.  I already made a bow holder, but that didn't fit all of the flowers and bows she has.  So, I decided to make a bow board to hang on the back of her bedroom door.  

Materials:

1 canvas (mine was 16x20)

Fabric to cover canvas

staple gun

ribbon

spray adhesive

Fabric Pen

Directions: 

I started with my canvas and fabric. 

I ironed my fabric to get all of the creases out. 

Next, I laid my fabric on the ground and put the canvas on top.  

I left about 1 1/2 to 2 inches around all of the sides of the canvas and cut the extra fabric. 

Then, get your spray adhesive and spray the entire canvas front with it.  

Place your fabric on top of the canvas.  Smooth out any bumps or lines. 

Next, use your staple gun to staple the fabric on the back of the canvas.  I made sure to pull tight enough to keep the fabric smooth.  Continue doing that around all four sides of the canvas. 

Now, your board is done.  All you need to do now is create a place to hang the bows.  

I measured the length of my canvas (after deciding which way I wanted it to hang on the door).  

I marked the distance I wanted to put each piece of ribbon.  I think I did mine about 3 inches apart.  The mark below is the width of the ribbon, so I knew exactly where to put it. 

Cut the amount of ribbon you'll need.  I measured mine about 18 inches and cut 5 pieces.

After that, staple the ribbon to the back of the canvas on both ends.  

Trim off any excess ribbon or fabric.  

Ta da- you have your bow board.  You can hang it with ribbon or place it on hooks, like I did.  

Fill it with bows and you're good to go! 

DIY Fabric Pom Poms

After spending lots of time working on Avery's nursery, things were finally coming together.  The room was painted, the crib was set up, the decorations were coming in. One of my last DIY projects were these fabric pom poms.  Of course, these were Pinspired.  But most of the tutorials used lanterns and hot glue.  I couldn't imagine hot gluing every one of the fabric circles into these balls, so I tried it a different way.  I used styrofoam balls as my base and pinned in the fabric.  It was a simple but LONG process.  Now that it's said and done, I would spend countless hours making these again.  They really bring the nursery together, they are without a doubt my favorite project in her room.  

Materials: 

Styrofoam Balls (I used 6 inch for the light pink and 8 inch for the dark pink

Fabric (about 4 yards for the 2 light pink and 3 yards for the dark pink)

Lots and lots of sewing pins (I used over 500)

Ribbon

Scissors

Fabric Pen

Directions: 

1. Iron fabric to get all of the creases out. This is optional, but it makes the tracing and cutting much easier.  

2.  Trace your circles.  I used a spool of ribbon as my tracer and a disappearing fabric marker to make the circles.  

3.  Cut out the circles.  I had to take breaks while doing this.  I did a yard at a time.  

4.  To make the puffy circles for the poms, first fold the circle in half.  

5.  Then fold the fabric in half one more time.  

6.  Now, take a sewing pin and put it through the corner of the fabric.  

7.  Pin it into the styrofoam ball.  Once it's in, fluff it out a bit.  I pinned them in groups of 4 to make sure the area was covered and all pieces were fluffed out.  

8.  Continue until the entire ball is covered.  It took me about 3 nights to finish all of the balls.  I probably spent 2-3 hours each night working on them.  

To hang them up, I just used grossgrain ribbon, sewing pins and a tack. I cut the ribbon the length I wanted to hang them from the ceiling.  Then I pinned one end of the ribbon into the styrofoam, I used about 10 pins to keep it in.  Then, I took a clear tack and stuck it into the ceiling.  I used 2 tacks for the bigger ball.  I will probably switch to nails eventually, but I did this on my own and didn't want to be 8 months pregnant, standing on a chair trying to hammer something into the ceiling.  I already caught enough flack for putting them up myself with tacks.  

Do you like this project?  Share it with your friends! 

Baby Name Blocks

                                                                                                                                                                      I've seen these cute blocks all over Pinterest and Etsy recently and decided to make them for AG's nursery.  I didn't take pictures as I was making them and totally regret it.  So sorry!  But, they were really easy and hopefully the directions will be simple to follow.  If you have ANY questions about how to make them, let me know.  I am happy with how they turned out and am hoping to also use them in our maternity pictures tonight! 

Materials:
wooden blocks (hobby lobby about 2 inches)
coordinating scrapbook paper
Mod Podge
letters (I used my cricut to cut them, you can do stickers or store bought paper letters)
paint brush
paint

Directions:
1.  Paint the wooden blocks.  I decided to paint them all pink and grey.  Although, about half way through I had wished I did light pink for all sides.  Make sure all sides are painted, you may need a few coats for good coverage.
2.  Using your scrapbook paper, cut out squares to go on the wood. Trace the squares on paper and cut the scrapbook paper a little smaller then the wood (I actually used my cricut for the cutting).  Make sure you know how many pieces of each paper to use.  I used 5 coordinating pieces.
3.  Once the paint is dry, it's time to put the scrapbook paper on.  Paint a little Mod Podge on the painted wood square.  Then adhere the scrapbook paper on top.  Smooth it out so that there aren't any bumps.  Do this with all sides of all the squares.  This will be a process because you will have to wait for a few sides to dry before moving on.
3.  Time for the letters.  Whether you're using stickers or paper letters, make sure they are cut and ready to go.  Brush another coat of Mod Podge on top of the newly adhered scrap paper.  Place the letter on top of the Mod Podge.  Make sure you press it down all the way and smooth them out.  Do this for all of the letters for the child's name.  **Pay attention to where you are putting the letters.  I didn't plan mine out well enough and ended up with two polka dot papers for the last two letters, which I had to go back and fix.
4.  The last step is another coat of Mod Podge.  Make sure the coat under the letters is completely dry.  This final coat is to seal everything.  Let the blocks dry and then enjoy!  These would make a great baby shower gift!

A few notes:

*Before you want anything to stick on, apply Mod Podge.  

*Always let the Mod Podge dry before you apply another coat or you will get a film. 

*Make sure you know exactly where you are going to glue the letters, make sure paper alternates, etc. 

*The wood doesn't have to be painted, but her furniture is white so I didn't want to leave the wood.  

*You can cut the scrap paper to be the exact size of the blocks so you don't have to paint the wood and there would be no wood showing.  

Lamp Shade Revamp

Before

After

I was thrilled when I found this bright pink lamp for Avery’s nursery at Target.  It matched perfectly with the colors but to me needed a little something extra.  So, I decided to put a bow around the lamp shade to make it more “girly” and also to tie in the different pinks around her room.  I’ve been making bows for a year and a half now, so this was a quick and easy project for me.  If you haven’t made a bow before, here is a link to a great tutorial site.  You’ll be amazed at how easy they are!

Step 1: Measure around your lamp shade, cut your ribbon an inch longer then the measurement. Put that piece to the side.

Step 2:  Using the same ribbon you’re putting around the lamp, make your bow (cut another piece).  The size is up to you.  I wanted something big enough to stand out but didn’t want the entire lamp covered.  Make the bow, but wait to put the center knot on.

Step 3:  Sew (or hot glue) the bow to the middle of the first piece of ribbon (which will go around the lamp).  I folded my ribbon in half first and put a dot of glue in the middle.  Then, I placed the  unfinished bow on the glue. Next, take a piece of string and wrap it around the center of the bow and the ribbon.  This will scrunch the ribbon and bow together, which is what you want.

Step 4: Add your center piece of ribbon, I made a knot.  I hot glued the knot to the front of the bow and wrapped it around the back of your scrunched piece.

Step 5: Hot glue the ends of the ribbon together.  This will make your ribbon into a circle, which will go around the lamp shade.

Step 6:  Carefully slide the bow and ribbon onto the lamp shade and position to your liking.

Enjoy!


**Pictures will help so much, I am working on another one and will post pictures ASAP!

DIY Bow Holder

I started making bow holders about a year and a half ago when I found out one of my best friends was having a baby girl.  They soon became the perfect gift to give expectant mothers along with some handmade bows.  Now that I’m having a little girl of my own, I’ve been on a mission to create different things to match her nursery.  One of the first projects on my list was a bow holder.  I didn’t want to do the typical monogram because the space I planned on hanging it was pretty big.  So, I decided to do a framed monogram look. I love how it turned out and even more now that it’s filled with bows.  The only thing I need is a little princess to put them on!

Materials:
1 square wood frame (mine was from Hobby Lobby, but can be found at most craft stores).
1 monogram letter to go on the top.  Make sure it’s not too much smaller than the frame and definitely not bigger.  (Michaels is where I found mine).
Acrylic Paint to match the nursery or color scheme you’re going for
Matching Ribbon (Grossgrain is preferred, bows slip off the rest)
Hot Glue
Mod Podge


Directions:

Paint the wood frame the color of your choice.  Here is where you can be as creative as you wish.  Think of fun patterns or keep it simple.  It’s up to you.  
After the wood frame is painted, brush over it with a layer or two of Mod Podge.  Make sure to get the sides as well, they will be visible.  
After the Mod Podge is dry, hot glue the monogram to the frame.  My “A” already came white, or else I would have painted and sealed it first.  
To finish it off, hot glue a ribbon loop to the top of the frame.  I used about 8 inches for the loop and glued a bow I made to the tippy top for an added touch.  
Lastly, using more matching ribbon, glue about 20 inches to the bottom of the holder.  I usually glue it in a loop and cut it at the bottom to create two straight lines of ribbon, which leaves two places to hang bows.  A final touch is to seal the ends with heat from a lighter. 


If you have any questions, let me know.  If you make a holder of your own, please share!