Big Sibling Kit

Before Baby J. was born, I took a week to assemble these kits for the big siblings.  They received them at the hospital when they first came to look at the baby.

The bags were purchased at Hobby Lobby.  After a little freezer paper stenciling action, they were labeled.  There are so many tutorials on how to do this.  Then I searched my trim bin and added some trim to the top.

Each sibling got a new shirt.  I purchased these iron on decals off of etsy and just ironed on them quick.  These shirts were awesome.  When they were wearing their shirts at the hospital, they got so many comments.  They went into the "snack room" with no questions.  It made them feel very important.

I also added some activities that could keep them busy.

Items included: smelly markers, legos, bead jewelry, paper notebooks, etc.

It was so fun to give them!

I'd love to get to know you better.  Could you please follow me on the left?  On Facebook?  On Pinterest?  Awesome - can't wait!

Link parties I participate in: A bowl full of lemons, Be Different Act Normal,  Blue Cricket Design, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime,  Lolly Jane Boutique, Ninth Street Notions, Serenity Now, Sew Chatty, Skip to my Lou, Someday Crafts, Tatertots and Jello, Thrifty Decor Chick, Today's Creative Blog

Imperfect's Guest Post

Hello all! I'm thrilled to be here guest posting on Laurel's blog - Laurel and I have been blog friends for a few years and we live in the same great state of Colorado - quite a distance apart, but I'm always on the look out for her in stores anyway :).  I blog over at imperfect about decorating, budgeting and family life - and I thought I'd share a recent low-cost project I took on.

We recently made over our guest room as our son's room in order to make room for a new baby in our nursery.  With a baby on the way and two rooms to make-over (because I just can't leave well enough alone!), I was looking for ways to get the look I wanted for my son's room within a reasonable budget. 

After scouring stores and catalogs for industrial-esque lighting, I came up with options that were 1) far too expensive for a toddler's room - especially a toddler with an affinity for indoor golf - or 2) not exactly the look I was going for.

As I was moving our guest room's belongings to the garage sale pile to make room for our boy's room, I realized the old IKEA lamps I had actually had great bones - but the shades were a little too white and pleated for the vintage brown, red and blue room I was aiming for, and the brushed nickel finish wasn't quite what I had in mind.

A quick trip to our local Target and I had two textured drum shades for to update the style of the lamps.  I pulled out a can of Oil Rubbed Bronze Spray Paint I already had on hand, taped off the electrical components of the lamp, and went to town transforming the lamps from shiny and silver to exactly what I had in mind.

So for $26 for a pair of lampshades, I updated two basic IKEA lamps to get exactly the look I wanted on a very tight budget.  

Rainbow Ruffle Headband

Oh March - what a tease you are with the weather!  Just when we are enjoying some sunshine, the rain and snow come around.  This headband has me dreaming of bright sunny days!

There are a lot of steps that I forgot to photograph - so sorry.  Hope you can get the general idea.  I cut out strips of rainbow color tulle - about 10" long and varying in width.  I started at 2 1/2" wide and ended at 1 3/4" side.  By the time I had gathered it, however, they could have all been the same width and it would not have mattered.  I stacked the strips on top and ran two long stitches down the middle.

To gather, pull only the top threads until it is all ruffled.  Knot the ends so the ruffles don't fall out and glue onto a headband.  Then I took my scissors and snipped it so it got all fluffy.

My girls love it!  I love it!  It was easy - and it will be perfect for St. Patrick's Day!

Here it is on a blondie who refuses to look at me:

And on my brunette - the headband hides more.

Rainbows, ruffles, bright colors, hair accessories, inexpensive, easy - what is not to love?

ink parties I participate in: A bowl full of lemons, Be Different Act Normal,  Blue Cricket Design, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime,  Lolly Jane Boutique, Ninth Street Notions, Serenity Now, Sew Chatty, Skip to my Lou, Someday Crafts, Tatertots and Jello, The NY Melrose Family, Thrifty Decor Chick, Today's Creative Blog

Ikea Chair Into a Swivel Rocker

What to do when you really want a comfy rocker for the nursery, but you don't want to pay high prices?  DIY  a rocker yourself!  After reading this post from Freckles Chick, I forwarded it to my friends who had just talked to me about this!  They went to work.

They bought an old rocker chair off Craigslist and took off all of the mechanisms.  Rather than explain something I really don't know - I just took pictures.  They attached it to the bottom of a slip covered Ikea chair.  You can kind of understand how the attached it by looking at the pictures!  I can get step by step instructions if you would like, but my husband looked at the pictures and said it seemed pretty self explanatory.

They saved hundreds of dollars and got the same look - it looks fantastic!  It is just the look they were going for.  I love it!

What have you been DIY-ing lately?

Link parties I participate in: A bowl full of lemons, Be Different Act Normal,  Blue Cricket Design, Craft-O-Maniac, I Heart Naptime,  Lolly Jane Boutique, Ninth Street Notions, Serenity Now, Sew Chatty, Skip to my Lou, Someday Crafts, Tatertots and Jello, Thrifty Decor Chick, Today's Creative Blog

Garage Organization Part 1

I shouldn't have titled this part 1 -  I think I just jinxed this project!  Anyways, our garage is a mess.  So messy, in fact, that once my dad drove right by our house while the garage was open knowing that Tom or I would ever keep a garage that looked like that.  To my credit - it is my husband's domain and I don't really touch it. 

During Christmas break, Tom started to do something about it.  He drew up plans and thought about the needs of the garage - now and 10 years from now.  

We already had these shelves against one wall - they are getting a complete overhaul.  Look how effective they are!

He started by building a work bench along one wall.  His saw is sunk a bit so the wood can lay flat.  

Tom and I organize very differently and as much as I'd like to get my hands on this - it's his and this is how he likes it.  He doesn't want it pretty or tidied up - he has made it clear to me this is how he likes it.  And since I'm a good wife, I let it be.

Next up are these shelves - we want them more of a custom size.  There is too much space between each shelf.

I'm assuming we'll be working on this for the next year.  Tom works a lot and on a lot of  Saturdays - which means project time is limited, but this is something he wants and I would LOVE!

Stay tuned . . . .

Berry Basket Daily Calender

This year, one of my goals is to keep a daily journal.  I used to do it, but I haven't been so good lately.  I was inspired by this picture from pinterest:

Source: designspongeonline.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Isn't it cute?  It is from Design*Sponge.  I love how simple it is.  I didn't have any vintage postcards, though.  But I did have this polka dot embosser (is that what these are even called?) from years ago.  I embossed 11 3 1/2" x 3" cards.  They aren't bright and colorful, but it still gives the dividers a little something.

For the cards, I just cut 3x5 cards in half and wrote the date at the top.  I even remembered to put in February 29th.

I spy my little helper!

My goal is to write something - probably just a simple phrase, every day.  With the changes we are expecting this year, I'm pretty excited to do this.

I even think it will be more fun as the years go on!

I made one of these for my closest friends for Christmas this year.  The berry baskets were from Anthropologie and I added a little more color for my friends.  I, however, didn't know where I wanted to put this so I kept mine pretty neutral!  Shocking! 

You know it is a fun gift when you have to make one for yourself!

This is one goal that I'm hoping is a little easier with something so cute to help keep me motivated!  Do you journal?

Link parties I participate in: A bowl full of lemons, Be Different Act Normal,  Blue Cricket Design, Craft-O-Maniac, Etcetorize, I Heart Naptime,Just a Girl,  Lolly Jane Boutique, Serenity Now, Shabby Nest, Skip to my Lou, Someday Crafts, Tatertots and Jello, Thrifty Decor Chick, Today's Creative Blog

Favorites of 2011

As we are nearing the end of this year, it's kind of fun to see how the year went.  I am amazed at the growth of this little hobby of mine.  Thank you so much for spending a little bit of my life with me!  I looked through the archives and pulled out some favorites from the past year.  These aren't necessarily the ones with the  most hits or the most comments.  Just ones I like, a lot.


Dishtowel into Pillow  - I bought a dishtowel of Colorado, but didn't want it to get dirty.  I sewed it into a pillow and it sits on a bench in our foyer. 

 Bench Makeover - I bought a bench for cheap and gave it a makeover.  I painted the legs, added more padding, covered the buttons and tufted this.  It sits at the end of our bed and we love it.

Green Smoothie - we drink these several times a week.  In fact, after all the Christmas goodies that have been coming into our home, this smoothie is the perfect way to bounce back!

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Arts and Crafts Thursday with kiddos series - every Thursday, when my kiddos are out of school, we try to do some art project.  I loved looking back at all the things we've made together.  It's become one of our favorite things to do together.

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Ruffle Bag Tutorial - such a pretty bag.

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Allowance with our kids - this is the way our family does allowance.  It isn't complicated, it works, and I really think it is teaching them some basics of money.  All kids spent their own money on Christmas presents for each other this year!

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Our office - this year, we got moulding up around the room, put in an executive desk, started filling up the bookshelves, and sewed some drapes.  We still have to get a light fixture, something on the walls, replace the office chair and cozy this room up.

Source: themacdougallfamily.blogspot.com via Laurel on Pinterest

Our Baby - yep, we've got #4 on the way.  I'm not sure if projects are going to slow down as I get bigger or speed up as I anticipate no spare time once this little duckling arrives. 

Again, thank you!  You have made our year such an awesome year!  We are very excited for the year 2012 and anticipate another fantastic year!

Also linking to:  Serenity Now, Someday Crafts