Sharp Dressed Man

A rainy day requires a project- and the last one for me was dedicated to some cute onesies that I already had on hand. I have often seen a version of the tie onesie around so I thought as long as I was gonna make my little boy look like a man, I might as well make him look like a smart man, too! (Which I am sure he will be!) I really like the way the tie turned out- but those glasses?? How fun will that be?!

Balloon Mobile

Working on our nursery for our soon to be baby boy has been fun, exhausting, and expensive! But when it came to a mobile- I knew that I could create something that would fit right in with our style and our budget. (This cost me under $15!) My inspiration: The Flensted Balloon Mobile

Mine is a little different though... I love the simplicity of the Flensted mobile and I really love working with cut paper but I wanted to soften mine up with some white felt clouds and a bright sun floating above everything. Here's how I did it...

A roll of thick wire and a few different sizes of pliers was all I needed to start. This was a difficult process and even harder to photograph! I started with the first few wires that would be the main part of the mobile and, as soon as I could, I hung it from my dining room chandelier so I could see how the mobile was balancing. After I finished the wire I felt like I had a little more confidence in myself and the process became easier and more fun as I continued.

The ballons were actually very simple! 1.) Using double sided card stock, (actually note cards that I already had) I cut out the shape of my balloons. Each balloon needed 4 pieces of paper. 2.)I folded them each in half and then 3.) stacked four pieces together and sewed a straight line up the center. 4.) Lastly, I carefully "opened" up the ballon to show all the colors and, using clear fishing line, attached a cork and a bead underneath for the basket.

I think the mobile would have been adorable if I had stopped here... but I just can't pass up an opportunity to use a blacket stich on some fuzzy wool felt! So I cut out some clouds and a sun- stiched and stuffed them and hung them from the wire. Finally I hung the ballons below the clouds and the mobile was complete! I love the finished product!

friday redesign: bachelor pad

My brother recently bought a house and has been gradually renovating it room by room. His newest venture is the entry way which is an addition built by the previous owner like 40 years ago on what was originally the font porch. It is a big space that opens to the kitchen and the living room and happens to be the first thing you see when you open the front door.

My advice: bring in some color and some humor! Right now it is a dark and dull space with no personality. I like the horizontal real wood paneling. It is a great base for a contemporary, masculine style.

Start with the floor- a large, graphic, black and white cow hide will add warmth and a visual pop as opposed to the small neutral one there now. I would rearrange your chairs to sit in the corner and place a comfy, rattan pouf in front that would be both functional and stylish. (I should probably avoid using the word "pouf" when trying to convince my older brother of anything- lets just call it an ottoman instead. ) I also love this modern, arc floor lamp and the twig coat rack that plays up the "woodsy" feel of the space. Finally, find, or, better yet make, an over sized art piece, like this pixilated Abe, to hang on the blank wall and get some colorful throw pillows for the chairs.

All in all, this project would be at least $600 and I didn't even address the windows. But, if you change out the rug and pillows for some from Target or find a cool coat rack from a thrift store and spray paint it an unexpected color, you could easily shave off a couple hundred and still make an awesome first impression, especially for any bachelorettes that may stop by!

save the date!

Wedding season is fast approaching! I love weddings! What's better than a big party filled with tons of people you love celebrating the fact that you're in love? (Also, the awesome finger foods and champagne- they're nice too!) My cousin is getting married this summer and I started gathering ideas for the big day about 24 hours after she said yes. (Maybe more like an hour and a half but who's counting...) Lets be real, the "big day" is a culmination of a lot of smaller days spent planning, taking pictures, sending invites, tasting cakes, ordering flowers, trying on dresses, laughing, crying and most definitely, stressing. Some stress is unavoidable- but most of it relates to money one way or another. Working on a budget is my specialty! I helped her create on awesome background for their unique Save the Date Postcards and I think they turned out awesome. Cost? 1 piece of plywood, wood trim for a frame, chalkboard paint, white chalk and creativity... about $40. Love at first sight.