Projects for baby: part 2

We painted the room an apple green. Then I went back with a projector and projected the image of these leaves on the wall and painted them. They turned out great, it took 2 coats of paint but it was well worth the time it took.

I also sewed the curtains for the room. I hate how much curtains cost. Also baby room curtains are too kid for me. I wanted something neutral that could stay in the room for a long time as the kid grows or the room becomes something else.

The valence is made of a brown ticking stripe and the drape/sheers are made of a natural colored muslin.

I searched for a very long time for a small book shelf for the room that didn't have sharp edges or that was too big. I knew I was going to have to make something I just didn't know what it was for a long time. I finally settled on baskets. I had one and only had to buy 3 more. I just zip tied them together on the inside and back in a couple of places and it is more than sturdy enough to hold books and toys.

It's also great that it is completely reversible when it is no longer needed as a book shelf.

(after)

Projects for baby: part 1

I found this side board at Salvation Army, it just needed a good cleaning and some new knobs. The top was also badly scratched and some of the finish was missing. So I decided to paint the top black.

(before)

(before)



(after)

(after)

I already had this cute bird lamp that would go perfectly in the baby's jungle room but the shade was damaged when we moved to Florida. So I had to find a new one...

(before)


A little ribbon and hot glue transform the plain shade to a fun colorful shade.

(after)

(after)



There are still more projects for baby to come....

House tour: Baby room

Since I am official one month away from my due date we will start the house tour with the baby's room.

The baby's room is by far the smallest room in our home. It was a challenge to get everything in there that we needed and wanted. We do not know what we are having so we went with a neutral jungle feel. I think even if we knew what we were having it would have turned out just the same. I love this room.

In the next couple of days I will go over some of the projects that we did for this room and baby. There are a few in there, the lamp shade, the walls, the mobile, some of the art, and the book case. I think that's all....

Homemade laundry soap

Making your own laundry soap is really easy. You will only need 3 ingredients.

Washing soda

Borax

Fel-naptha bar soap

The ratio is 1 cup grated soap, 1/2 cup washing soda and 1/2 cup borax.

Grate the soap.

Then mix everything together.

I have found that 5 bars of soap and a box of each borax and washing soda make a batch of laundry soap. It makes almost 2 gallons of dry soap.

Use a tablespoon per load of laundry. Great for front loading washers. Its also dye and fragrance free. Which is great for me since Ben is allergic to something in most laundry detergents.

Back for a bit....

Sorry I have been gone for so long..... No excuses but, we bought a house and are having a baby! So we have been a bit busy to say the least. I will be back soon with some house pictures and baby projects. I probably will be in and out for a while since the baby is due at the end of February and that will consume all of my time.

Happy New Year!! 2011

Party like an animal.

Pesto Recipe

Ingredients:

1 2/3 cups packed fresh basil
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2/3 cup olive oil
1/4 cup walnuts
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3 cloves garlic, peeled

In a food processor or blender, combine all the ingredients; cover and process until blended. Cover and freeze for up to 3 months.

Pour a thin layer of olive oil over pesto before freezing to keep from turning brown.