Category — DIY

I had the pleasure of attending my friend Amanda’s baby shower this weekend at the Sherman Gardens and Library in Corona Del Mar. It was so much fun! The food was delicious, the flowers were gorgeous and the mom-to-be was beaming the entire time!  We can’t wait for the little one to arrive!

I took the opportunity to bust out my patterned masking tape and a letter-pressed card I bought at Paper Source.

I didn’t get a good picture of it but I made her a minky blanket using this animal print fabric.  I was afraid that the black wouldn’t be too baby friendly, but I love the animals and those are bright!  I also made some burp cloths and little shirts with the baby’s first initial, G, on them.  They weren’t perfect, but they were cute! As much as I love sewing baby items, my next project will definitely be something for me.  I’m not sure what yet, but I have already told my mom she will have to come over to help me read the pattern… I’ll keep you updated!

Have a great beginning of the week!

For a certain family member who has chosen to keep her baby’s gender a secret… a grey polka dot minky blanket!  I used this tutorial and have made two blankets so far. They are actually pretty easy!

What did I do before I had a sewing machine?!  We have a few pregnant ladies in our lives right now so I have a few projects that I am working on…

These are definitely going in my idea file!

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I can’t wait for the warm days of summer.  April-June is such a tease… 80 degrees one day, raining the next. My succulents are ready. (Hanging box from UO, white pots from Ikea)

Sometimes I feel weird decorating for (and planning for that matter) my own birthday parties… but I love doing it, so whatever. One day my kids will have the most amazing DIY parties… one day.

I took the theme from my invites and spent a Friday night at my sewing machine. Just me and the crepe paper thanks to an away Lacrosse game that kept Bryan out most of the night.

(those chairs aren’t normally there… it was just for the party. Which reminds me, I still need to do a little home tour…)

I need to make a pin cushion… I am inspired by this one:

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Also, I Super Hula Hooped (Wii Fit) tonight to Lady Gaga…  you should try it sometime. Your abs will thank you!

When I saw this photo on Erin Ever After I was inspired!  I have a few old and empty frames, mini wooden clips and ribbon…. I think a coat of white paint will finish off the deal and they will look awesome on our bright yellow office wall!  I hope you all have a lovely weekend, see you Monday!

Since most of the recipients have found these in their mailboxes, I am excited to show them to you! A quick funny side note: You will notice that my name is no where on the invite. It wasn’t photoshopped out, I just didn’t feel the need to have it on there. Neither is a phone number to RSVP, since everyone invited knows how to contact me.  However, I also decided last minute (a day later) not to put return address labels on them…  Which led to this facebook message: Did you send Cindy and I something in the mail? It looks like it could be from you but it doesn’t have a name on it. Lucky for me not many of our friends sew their invitations!  A few minutes later I had facebooked the entire guest list to let them know that yes, the invite to a birthday party? That was from me.

Anyways, on to the invites.  I first saw this idea for sewing two-toned ruffled crepe paper on a blog… but it was a while ago and I don’t remember where. I figured I would incorporate it with the invites and voila! I wish it were that easy. I went through 2 broken needles before deciding to just sew the crepe paper and glue it on. I was super disappointed, and still need to google “How to sew on paper,” but I went with it and produced something I was proud of.

A close up of my birthday invitations…

Yes that is sewn crepe paper, I have taken my sewing machine to a whole new level.