baby girl tutu

, I absolutely LOVE all things girly.

And that can definitely be seen through my little girl.

When Avrie was first born, I knew I wanted to make her a tutu.  I got a lot of compliments on it and it was SUPER EASY to make!

Instead of typing up all the instructions, I will send to you to this site.

 It is definitely cheaper to make a tutu than to buy one. Mine cost me about 10-12 dollars.  For baby tutus you need to get about 1/2 yard of 1/2 inch wide elastic. You can measure it around her waist after you get it, but you wont need any more than that. You also need to get about 6 yards of tulle. If you decide you want 2 colors you need about 3 yards of each color.  For 3 colors, you will need about 2 yards of each color. Then you cut the tulle in strips 2 inches wide, and cut the length double what you want the final length to be because your going to be folding it in half. For example...I like Avrie's tutus about 7 inches in length so i cut the trips 14 inches long. Hope that helps!

Have fun!

-Nikki

baby taggie blanket

When Avrie was a baby, Derek's cousin made us this adorable taggie blanket for her.

She LOVED it!  Only problem, is this blanket was pink and my baby due in July is a boy.

I decided to teach myself how to make it, but in green this time for my boy.

For written instructions this tutorial is very helpful!

Have fun!

-Nikki-

Wooden Frames

This is a fun project that adds a lot to a blank wall.

heres how:

what you will need:

3 8x10 unfinished wooden frames (I got mine from hobby lobby when they were 30% off)

paint

distress ink

drill

ribbon

curtain rod

1. Drill two holes at the top of each frame the desired distance apart 

2. Paint your unfinished wood the desired color.

3.  After it drys and it is the amount of coats you want, use the distress ink pad to antique the edges

4. String your ribbon through to hang the length you want.  You will need six strands of ribbon the same length.  I did two different colors of ribbon.  A dark brown and a sheer pink.  If you want to do something similar, you will need 12 strands of ribbon the same length, six of each color.

5.  Hang curtain rod according to its directions

6.  Once rod is hung, tie your ribbon around the curtain rod to let pictures hang.

Have fun!

-Nikki

for my distress ink pad i use this stuff and swear by it!  It is AWESOME!

Wood Block Letters

When I was pregnant with my daughter I made these wooden block letters for her room.  I think with my boy, I am going to do them a little differently to hang on the walls but the idea is the same.  I LOVE them!  I think it adds a lot to the room, because you can add new patters, while still using the color scheme.

Here's how:

you will need:

block letters to spell name

scrap book paper for each letter

scissors

mod podge

a thick paint brush

sand paper

stain or paint

any embellishments you might want to add

1. Purchase a wooden alphabet block for each letter in child's name (letters can be purchased at craft stores, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.)

2. If the letter is not made out of stain-able wood, paint the letter using paint and a foam brush. Once dry, sand edges of letter using sand paper, if desired (for a vintage look).  I like to use stain.

3. Purchase scrapbook paper(s) of desired color and design (ideally mimic colors and theme of baby's nursery).

4. Purchase additional embellishments such as metal embellishments (brads, eyelets, spiral clips, etc.), coordinating ribbon, paper flowers, buttons, etc.

5. Place wooden letter on top of paper you'd like to cover the face of the letter with. Using a pencil, trace around the letter onto the paper. Cut the letter out of the paper just a little bit to the inside of the traced lines (so the paper doesn't hang over the wooden letter edge). Then place the paper letter on the top of the wooden letter. Make any trimming adjustments to the paper if necessary.

* Chalk the edges of the paper with a liquid chalk pad, if desired. (for a vintage look, use brown chalk).

6. Use Mod Podge or craft glue to cover the back of the paper letter with a thin layer of adhesive. Apply paper to wooden block and smooth out the paper.

7.  Optional.  Add a final coat of mod podge on top of the letters once they are dry and before any embellishments are added.  I just do it for a protective coat and to add texture.  But it is not needed.

8.  Add any desired embellishments.


Have fun!
-Nikki