DIY Nursery Mobile

After searching high and low for just the right mobile to hang above the changing table, I decided to make my own.  I found several really cute hand-made mobiles on Etsy, but none were quite what I was looking for and they cost a pretty penny.  I headed to my local JoAnn Fabrics, with a few ideas from the mobiles I liked, to search for supplies and more inspiration.  After a little digging, I found the perfect chocolate brown ribbon with white edging.  I had a much harder time finding just the right items to embellish the ribbon...  I debated between fabric cut outs, wooden sports shapes, and various other bells and whistles, but just wasn't sold...  That was until I came across a bag of wooden stars in various sizes.  The Star Mobile was born!  All it took was a little elbow grease and about $30 in supplies.

STAR MOBILE

Supplies:

• inner ring of a 9" embroidery hoop: ($1.79)
• ribbon: I used 3 spools of Offray Sidesaddle Brown and White Ribbon (5/8" X 9').  ($3.49/spool)
• paint: I used Apple Barrel acrylic paint in White, English Navy, and Regency Blue.  ($2.49/bottle)  I also used the left-over Stem Green paint from the decorative name letters)
• paint brush
• assorted wooden stars:  I bought 2 bags of the Craftwood Assorted Wood Stars, which came with 5 different sized stars (varying from 1 1/8" to 3 3/8" wide).  ($3.99)
• hot glue gun
• threaded eyelet and anchor: ($.50)
  
• key ring

Directions:

1. paint embroidery hoop and stars (Make sure to allow plenty of time for this step because you can only paint one side at a time and I found that two coats were necessary to obtain the color I wanted.  When leaving them to dry, find a surface that the stars won't stick to...  I learned the hard way that newspaper is not a good choice!)

2. measure and cut ribbon (I used three 64" pieces)
3. quickly run lighter along the cut edges of the ribbon to seal and protect them from unraveling
4. measure 6 equal spaces around the embroidery hoop to place the ribbon (TIP:  if you use a 9" hoop, like I did, your hash marks will be every 4 3/4")
5. thread one piece of ribbon through the key ring
6. line up the ribbon so that 20" hangs below each side the hoop
7. adhere the ribbon to opposite sides of the hoop with hot glue (make sure the ribbon is not twisted); repeat this step with each piece of ribbon

8. apply a thin line of hot glue down the center of a star and adhere to the ribbon in desired pattern (I alternated 5 smaller stars with 3 larger stars)
 

9. hang (I threaded a piece of yarn through the eyelet and the key ring so that the mobile would hang lower)

Knit Baby Blanket

I started this blanket for a very good friend of mine who was pregnant- little did I know how long it would take me to finish!  I would definitely consider myself a novice when it comes to knitting.  I took a class with my mom a few years ago to learn the basics.  Since then, my knitting resume has included only very basic scarves, dish cloths, and one baby hat (that I had some assistance with).

I had visions of knitting a blanket for quite some time, but was overwhelmed by the thought of such a large project (given my short attention span and lack of knitting expertise).  I searched high and low for a pattern that I thought would be manageable.  I finally found one for a Rib Check Baby Blanket.  It seemed pretty easy and was the only one I could find that didn't involve "knitting in the round."  I bought 4 balls of Patons Beehive Baby Chunky Yarn in quicker clover and used US size 9 needles.  My project was underway!

Despite the simplicity of this pattern, I soon realized that I was not going to be anywhere close to finishing the blanket before my friend's due date.  In the mean time, however, I had found out that I was pregnant (and due 6 months later than said friend)...  I decided to keep it for myself (well, for my future baby).  Sorry Bridget!

As my due date approached, I began to fear that this blanket wouldn't even be completed in time for Jackson's arrival (and I knew no progress would be made once he was born).  I needed to get serious!  I dedicated a little time each night (while watching my favorite mindless TV shows, such as The Real Housewives and The Bachelor) to knitting away...and wouldn't you know it, after almost a year, I finished it!!  It measures 22 inches by 29 inches.  I can't wait to wrap my little baby boy in it!

 

Here is a close up of the pattern...

Decorative Name Letters

One of the first projects I tackled for Jackson's room was the decoupage/painted letters of his name.  I was inspired by this project on Spearmint Baby...  It was quick, easy, and fun! 

Supplies:

• paper mache letters
• paint
• Mod Podge
• decorative paper
• embellishments

Steps:

1. paint the letters and let dry
2. trace the letter outlines onto the back of the decorative paper
3. cut out the tracing
4. use mod podge to adhere the paper to the front of the letters
5. trim any extra paper on the edges of the letters using an x-acto knife or sand paper
6. apply a few more coats of mod podge to smooth the edges
7. add embellishments

Here is the finished product!  We are planning on hanging the letters above the crib eventually...