With my growing discomfort, I only wish I could do the same.
Dear to the heart of the pretty.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Wednesday Winston: a cattish talent.
Winston can sleep anywhere, at anytime.
With my growing discomfort, I only wish I could do the same.
With my growing discomfort, I only wish I could do the same.
Monday, July 16, 2012
How to make a toadstool.
I've been contemplating a nursery.
Because we are having a boy, I am trying to accommodate my taste with the understanding that I cannot design anything too girly.
My solution? Whimsical. I am going to design a forest nursery.
I have a few ideas I have not yet put into action, but this toadstool was the first to take a concrete shape. I haven't purchased a rocking chair yet, but this little beauty will rest my feet while I'm rockin' my baby.
I started with a plain wooden footstool from Michael's. It would be easy to make one of these on your own, but at $12, it wouldn't be much cheaper. I got a yard of plain red calico fabric, some white fabric spray paint, and a small bag of batting.
1. My stool was 10" in diameter so I cut out a 24" circle for my mushroom pouf.
2. Using a stencil (I used the inside of a roll of masking tape as my guide) paint the circles on your pouf. My circles splattered a little, so be careful!
3. Allow circles to dry. I also made a mistake here, only giving it about two hours. It probably needs 6-8 to dry completely. But if you're an impatient un-perfectionist like me, you can make do.
4. I don't have a staple gun, so I just used nails to attach my pouf to the chair. I started nailing, giving extra room for the stuffing. Put in a few nails and start packing that batting in there!
5. Nail down the opposite side of the fabric that you have already closed. Stuff the sides of the pouf and gradually continue nailing and stuffing until your pouf is rounded.
And that is it! Now you have a lovely little toadstool to rest your feet or for your toddler to perch!
Because we are having a boy, I am trying to accommodate my taste with the understanding that I cannot design anything too girly.
My solution? Whimsical. I am going to design a forest nursery.
I have a few ideas I have not yet put into action, but this toadstool was the first to take a concrete shape. I haven't purchased a rocking chair yet, but this little beauty will rest my feet while I'm rockin' my baby.
I started with a plain wooden footstool from Michael's. It would be easy to make one of these on your own, but at $12, it wouldn't be much cheaper. I got a yard of plain red calico fabric, some white fabric spray paint, and a small bag of batting.
1. My stool was 10" in diameter so I cut out a 24" circle for my mushroom pouf.
2. Using a stencil (I used the inside of a roll of masking tape as my guide) paint the circles on your pouf. My circles splattered a little, so be careful!
3. Allow circles to dry. I also made a mistake here, only giving it about two hours. It probably needs 6-8 to dry completely. But if you're an impatient un-perfectionist like me, you can make do.
4. I don't have a staple gun, so I just used nails to attach my pouf to the chair. I started nailing, giving extra room for the stuffing. Put in a few nails and start packing that batting in there!
5. Nail down the opposite side of the fabric that you have already closed. Stuff the sides of the pouf and gradually continue nailing and stuffing until your pouf is rounded.
And that is it! Now you have a lovely little toadstool to rest your feet or for your toddler to perch!
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Nesting.
This is what I have been doing, friends.
I made some lace lamps. And I wanted a crystal chandelier, so I made up how to make one.
(disclaimer: it turned out not to be much cheaper than buying one.)
I bought two wreath rings from hobby lobby and painted them silver. (You can find these in the flower arranging aisle. Roughly $3 each.) I also purchased 30 feet of fishing wire (maximum hold 30 pounds) from Walmart. The most difficult part of this project was finding crystals for a decent price. eBay and etsy are both bad choices for this. After several days of searching, the best-priced chandelier crystals came from this website.
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/
This website was the first I purchased from before I realized I would need more crystals. A lot more. I purchased 15 feet of the clear crystal garland but that was not nearly enough.
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/cr31.html
However, I found a slightly more expensive and prettier option here.
http://www.shabbyelegantdesigns.com/servlet/the-Chandelier-Crystals/Categories
This website was a relief to find. The crystals are fairly priced, and, even better, incredibly sparkly. The site also offers special discounts for crystals that are slightly flawed. I bought large teardrop crystals (25) and another 15 feet of bow-tied crystal rope. It was enough to cover my wreath hangers, but barely. Thus the expense of making your own.
Next, I hung the crystals on the wreath hangers. There are 4 wire slots on each hanger, so I alternated the crystals, being sure to mix up the two different kinds I had. The crystals are linked with bow clasps and wire, so I was able to divide them to achieve the lengths I desired. I hung the short chains on the little wreath and the long chains on the bigger wreath. I then attached the smaller wreath to the bigger one from the inside using fishing wire. This part was tricky as the crystals would slide out of position every time the wreath went off balance, so I recommend asking someone to hold it steady for you as you secure the fishing wire to 4 sides of your wreath so it can hang easily.
Voila! Hang a detachable light inside (ikea) and you've got yourself a super sparkly chandelier for about $55.
The lace lamp tutorial is here.
http://dosfamily.com/2011/01/lace-lamp/
I used an old curtain that I already had. If you want to use a bigger piece of material, be sure to cut it into the shape of small doilies to avoid bunching. My only other dilemma was being unable to find a large round balloon, as Logan does not have a party supply store. So my lamps turned out distinctly more egg-shaped. I would also recommend allowing your lamp to dry for two days before popping the balloon. These lamps were actually quite fun (and cheap!) to make, and could be a lovely party decoration replacement for paper lanterns.
I made some lace lamps. And I wanted a crystal chandelier, so I made up how to make one.
(disclaimer: it turned out not to be much cheaper than buying one.)
I bought two wreath rings from hobby lobby and painted them silver. (You can find these in the flower arranging aisle. Roughly $3 each.) I also purchased 30 feet of fishing wire (maximum hold 30 pounds) from Walmart. The most difficult part of this project was finding crystals for a decent price. eBay and etsy are both bad choices for this. After several days of searching, the best-priced chandelier crystals came from this website.
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/
This website was the first I purchased from before I realized I would need more crystals. A lot more. I purchased 15 feet of the clear crystal garland but that was not nearly enough.
http://www.save-on-crafts.com/cr31.html
However, I found a slightly more expensive and prettier option here.
http://www.shabbyelegantdesigns.com/servlet/the-Chandelier-Crystals/Categories
This website was a relief to find. The crystals are fairly priced, and, even better, incredibly sparkly. The site also offers special discounts for crystals that are slightly flawed. I bought large teardrop crystals (25) and another 15 feet of bow-tied crystal rope. It was enough to cover my wreath hangers, but barely. Thus the expense of making your own.
Next, I hung the crystals on the wreath hangers. There are 4 wire slots on each hanger, so I alternated the crystals, being sure to mix up the two different kinds I had. The crystals are linked with bow clasps and wire, so I was able to divide them to achieve the lengths I desired. I hung the short chains on the little wreath and the long chains on the bigger wreath. I then attached the smaller wreath to the bigger one from the inside using fishing wire. This part was tricky as the crystals would slide out of position every time the wreath went off balance, so I recommend asking someone to hold it steady for you as you secure the fishing wire to 4 sides of your wreath so it can hang easily.
Voila! Hang a detachable light inside (ikea) and you've got yourself a super sparkly chandelier for about $55.
The lace lamp tutorial is here.
http://dosfamily.com/2011/01/lace-lamp/
I used an old curtain that I already had. If you want to use a bigger piece of material, be sure to cut it into the shape of small doilies to avoid bunching. My only other dilemma was being unable to find a large round balloon, as Logan does not have a party supply store. So my lamps turned out distinctly more egg-shaped. I would also recommend allowing your lamp to dry for two days before popping the balloon. These lamps were actually quite fun (and cheap!) to make, and could be a lovely party decoration replacement for paper lanterns.
Thursday, July 12, 2012
25 weeks and counting.
At first it was imperceptible to me, but now I see the change.
My pants don't fit. My skirts don't fit. I ate six raspberry filled doughnuts in two days.
But I am bursting with happiness. With hope.
I already love this little boy. He is close to me, not just physically, but spiritually, emotionally. He kicks when my heart races. He relaxes when I lie down. He is a part of me.
It's a beautiful and terrifying thing.
I have discovered my little friend to be a very polite and convenient house guest. Considering the fact that I thought I had no room to harbor a child, he has wedged himself unpretentiously into my routine. I have been profoundly blessed to experience such an easy pregnancy.
I am getting very excited to meet him.
9 weeks
16 weeks
20 weeks
25 weeks
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