Amazing Crib

To all my Wanna Be Momma's....your day is coming so please don't be discouraged!  I know that there is nothing that can be said or done during this time to make it easier but I love you lots and pray that you will all one day experience love, in the form of a baby.

In the meantime, while you are trying (that's the fun part right?), you have time to check out all the different ideas others have tried when decorating their own nursery.  While I LOVE the Boss' nursery, the DIYer in me thinks I could have done something just as cool and possibly more unique on a way smaller budget.  Check out this AMAZING crib transformation by Brooke at All Things Thrifty.  With a unique take on the on the tufted headboard, she made this average crib stylish and cozy for her baby on the way.  The best part...she did it for about $40.  That means, any of you Momma's looking for a crib now or in the future, could buy one second hand on Kijiji or Craigslist for less than half the price in retail stores and make it this beautiful for your new bundle.  Check this project out in full detail here.

Homemade Millionaire

I am loving this new show Hosted by Kelly Ripa on TLC.  It airs Friday nights and I am blown away by the inventions that some of these women come up with.  They have a huge opportunity to present their inventions not to mention the winner gets to sell their product on HSN.  

Isn't this the dream???  

To earn millions from your home? 

To provide for your family without any worries?

To do what you love, and love what you do?  

We are currently struggling with this.  I am 7 months into my one year maternity leave and the hubby and I are trying to decide what the next steps are.  Do I go back to work full time and put the Boss in daycare or do I stay at home with her and try working from home?  Both scenarios have their pros and cons, and while there is no clear answer we are talking about all our options.

What do you do from home to supplement your income?  Do you have an idea to make yourself a homemade millionaire?

Painted Frame

I have had my eye on the Atoll Mirror, from Ballard Designs.  I love the shape of it but it is not really in the budget right now.

So you can imagine my excitement when I found this frame at my favourite thrift store.

I am by no means saying this frame replaces the beautiful Atoll Mirror, but the shape is whimsical, similar to the Atoll Mirror.  The best part of this frame is that it was only $4.  Here's the transformation.

It's painted and hanging on the wall in our bedroom.  I am not done with this project, still considering adding another frame/frames OR possibly our initial in the middle.  Yet another project for our not yet completed bedroom make-over.  Don't worry we haven't been living in a DIY for the last 7 months, I just haven't completed the finishing touches yet, but one day soon I will reveal the entire bedroom.  Until then, here is DIY frame for the books.

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Tag Blankie

I completed my first project from my Simply Sewing book I got for Christmas.  If there is one thing babies love it's the silky tags on blankets and stuffed animals.  I often find the Boss with her stuffed babies upside down and the washing instructions in her mouth.  This is what inspired the tag blankie to be my first project.  This small blankie is easy to take with you and if your OCD like me you can make sure it's always clean by throwing it in the wash machine.  All you need is a small amount of fabric and some different colours of ribbon.  I was pretty happy with how it turned out.  As I was working on it I thought about all the different combinations you could do or stencil your babies initial to make it more personal.  I already have my second one cut out, pinned and ready to be sewn for another special baby girl I know.

Relaxation

Between a very sick Boss and travelling I didn't have a lot of time to do any DIY or decorating over the Christmas holidays.  I did however, get a few minutes to release my creative juices while in Florida with my in-laws.  My Father-in-law, Sister-in-law and I went out and painted pottery one afternoon.  I had no idea how relaxing painting pottery could be, not to mention you walk away with a beautiful piece to remind you of your efforts.  I decided to make the Boss a bowl as we are starting food and it seems that everything I do is for her.  The bowl isn't perfect, but I am pretty happy with how it turned out given it was my first time doing something like this.  What do you think?

Best DIY Christmas Gifts

I'm back!!!!

I took a short break from blogging over the Christmas holidays due to a very sick baby and travelling to Florida and back.  We got in late last night and I am currently in the process of rescuing my living room from Christmas craziness.  We came home long enough to drop off all our presents from one Christmas and pack our bags for a week in Florida to visit the in-laws and celebrate Christmas there.  Mix that with a sick baby who wasn't sleeping much at night and you get....one of the BEST Christmas' we've ever had!!!!  Even though the Boss was sick she was a trooper and we had so much fun!

There is so much to blog about and I have a thousand new projects to work on but I wanted to share a few of my gifts that will kick 2011 off on a great foot.

I got this book "Simple Sewing for Baby" by Lotta Jansdotter.  I am so excited about it.  There are a number of projects in this book that I have had my eye on for the Boss.  One of which is the alphabet.  I am going to try and make her the entire Alphabet.  I am also excited about a second diaper bag, a dress, and some cute baby accessories.  Stay tuned! 

This book inspired my first trip to Hobby Lobby in Florida where I purchased some AMAZING fabric at a great price.  Hobby Lobby has officially been added to my must visit stores when in the USA.  I'd show off the fabric but it's currently being washed so it's ready for my first project!

One of my other favourite gifts was this tool set my parents bought me!  

My very own tool set!  The best part is that it's all pink!  I cannot wait to put this to work.  This affirms my DIY desires.  Those I love have confidence in me that I can create wonderful things.  Now it's time to get to work and not disappoint!

I hope everyone had a safe and wonderful holiday season!  May 2011 bring you much excitement, happiness and new projects!

Work Christmas Party

One of the most difficult jobs I have even had is being a mother.  While I absolutely love every single second of being on maternity leave with the Boss, this job is definitely not 9-5, nor does it ever let up for a coffee break.  As the Christmas season approached I was feeling sad that I would not have a work Christmas party to attend.  While the government is kind enough to issue a bi-weekly maternity leave cheque, they don't find it necessary to throw a fancy Christmas party.  I thought about all my Mommy friends who would be feeling the same way so I decided I would through a "work" Christmas party.  Last week I invited a bunch of my Mommy friends and their little ones to come over.  It was super fun to get in the Christmas spirit and let all the little ones play together.  I tried to keep it as kid friendly as possible but had to show off my fun sugar cookies to match the fun frosty table cloth I found.