DIY Play Kitchen

I have no idea why it has taken me so long to share this! When I started researching what we might get Elise for her "big" Christmas gift, I kept coming back to a kitchen. I knew that she would enjoy it and that it would be something that would grow with her. I knew right off the bat that I did not want plastic, so I started looking around at sturdier, wooden kitchens...and nearly fell over at the sticker shock.

So, I turned to Pinterest for inspiration, found a piece of furniture that we could modify and got the Rev on board to make her a kitchen. We used an old nightstand ($9) and cabinet door ($3) that we found at The Habitat Restore, some scrap wood, and hardware to make up the rest. Here is a before similar to what we used (I forgot to take a pic before we started hacking it up!) and some in progress pictures.

The Rev had to cut the drawer front away and add hinges so that it would function as an oven space, attach the cabinet door to the back and use scrap wood to add the little shelf, cut a hole for the sink ($1 cake pan), cut an oven door that we used plexiglass to make appear as an oven window, add the knobs ($1) (he used washers so that Elise can turn them), add a cabinet pull ($2.50) to use as a towel holder, and a coat hook ($3) to serve as a faucet. I painted it and added some small bottles for spices (IKEA), a fabric curtain, painted on burners, a cookie sheet message board, and some Etsy artwork to finish it out. I'd say for supplies, paint, and accessories, we came in at about $60.

And here is the after, complete with soft food from IKEA and colorful dishes that I found on Amazon. Those all store neatly in the skirted area of the kitchen, when Elise isn't playing with them.

We were really pleased with the results and just tickled when she walked right up to it on Christmas morning, put her little hands under the faucet and started washing! She has to stretch a little to reach the spices, but in another 3 months, she will be right up there with it, as she grows. Up next, felt desserts to add into the mix for her Valentine's gift!

Discovery Bottles

Elise has plenty of toys - soft blocks, chewing toys, noisy toys, tea sets, picnic sets - and yet she still loves everyday objects. She can play with an empty water bottle, a box, a straw or a spoon for a long while. I decided to use some empty bottles and everyday items of different textures and colors to create some discovery bottles for her to explore.

I used small Aqua Pod bottles and a few things that I found at the dollar store - beads, curling ribbon, gel beads, glitter, pasta and rice, and rubber balls. I filled the bottles up, added water to some to magnify the contents, and sealed them with hot glue.

The verdict? She loves them! And as a bonus, they are really helping her with her crawling (she started last weekend!), as the bottles roll and she crawls right after them.

P.S. These aren't just for babies, you could also use this tutorial to create an I Spy bottle, perfect for travelling and entertaining kiddos of all ages!

What Elise Wore: Team Spirit

A young lady in our congregation (who is an amazing athlete!) and her high school team made it to the State Softball Championships last week. We loaded Elise up and went on our first real road trip (you know somewhere that isn't a Grandma's house!) to our state's capital. But not before I snagged a t-shirt from our friend to turn into a team-support-showing romper for Elise! I based it off of this tutorial. I used the scrap fabric that I trimmed away to make a coordinating knotted headband and she was all set.

She wore another black and orange outfit with a different headband on Friday night and they lost Game 1, so we crossed our fingers that this outfit and headband would be the good luck ticket! It worked. They won both games on Saturday to become champs! And our buddy, who gives me a hard time for putting headbands on Elise, said it was the headband that did it and he would never tease me again!

Hands down, the cutest supporter to watch the West Wilkes Blackhawks win their first ever State Championship!

Linking up to What Kids Wore Wednesday with ONE little MOMMA!



5 Minutes: Reusable Swiffer Dry Floorcloths

Do you have any 5 minute projects? Little things that you could accomplish in that spare 5 minutes? Since adding the little one and going back to work, every minute counts, and I have to be much wiser with my time. I've got a list of little make life easier, get organized, save time and money things, 5 minute projects, that I'll be working through and sharing.

Up first, a money saver. I love Swiffer products, but all of those refill pads can get expensive. I've got some reusable pads and dusters pinned to sew, but this was a super quick and inexpensive solution for now. To replace a Swiffer sweeper (dry) dusting pad, simply purchase a pack of reusable wipes, or some microfiber washcloths--I found a pack of 2 at Dollar General for $1.50--lay under your sweeper, and tuck in as you would a regular pad. No sew and you can use each side of the cloth to dust the floors, wash, and reuse. They are working wonderfully!

What Elise Wore - Super Girl

When we found out that we were having a baby girl, the Rev's only lament was that there is no cool Super Hero stuff for girls. I think he was counting on a boy to have an excuse to grow his doll action figure collection...

Anyway, when I saw this pink Avengers T-shirt in the little girl's section, I knew it would make a cute T-shirt dress for Elise. I've been reading all kinds of articles on thinking outside of the box and using items in ways they weren't necessarily intended when it comes to dressing babies. Paired with a onesie and tights for warmth, it looks super cute! Since I was able to buy the smallest size and the shirt was already designed with an A-line type shape that fit perfectly as a dress, no alterations were needed!

{T-shirt "dress": WalMart, Tights: Circo (Target), Polka Dot Onesie: Just One You (Target), Headband: WalMart}

Linking up with ONE little MOMMA for What Kids Wore Wednesday!

Nursery DIY: Baby Hoop-la!

The baby’s nursery is full of DIY projects. Many of them are still in progress, so I’ll be sharing them with you bit by bit.

We decided not to paint the walls, which are a neutral khaki (is anybody that knows me really surprised that the walls are khaki? I still say the world would be easier if we all just wore khaki and black uniforms…)…partly because they are textured and kind of a pain in the backside to paint and partly because I knew that my fabrics were really colorful and would be showcased better with a neutral canvas. There is plenty of blank wall space to be filled, so using embroidery hoops (which are big on Pinterest and in blogland right now) filled with my fabrics was a great way to get a lot of impact for little dollar. I purchased a grouping of hoops in all different shapes and sizes from someone on eBay who had used them as wedding décor. I filled them with my 3 fabrics and some doilies that belonged to MeeMaw for some girliness. They fill up the corner wall behind the rocking chair quite nicely. If you look closely, you’ll see that one is a clock—that was another simple DIY that just needed a few buttons and some clockworks.

Total cost for this wall of art was just under $20.

Do You Reuse?

I am the first to admit that I do not recycle, but I love to re-purpose and reuse--to take something destined for the trash and make something useful of it. One of my favorite DIY/Crafting blogs is Make It and Love It--Ashley is constantly showing us how to re-purpose--I am convinced that she could make a dress out of thin air! She is an awesome resource, with tons of tutorials. 

Take this holder for charging your cell phone--she showed us how to make it from a lotion bottle (I used a body wash bottle), a little fabric and some Mod Podge. Need one for yourself? You can get the full instructions here.

What great idea have you stumbled upon recently? Janette really wants to know, so don't leave her hanging! Head on over (just click that pretty little button below) and see what is inspiring her and others! And don't forget to link up your own great find--the more people at the party, the more fun!

Recycled Tee Circle Scarf

Another great Pinterest find! You know that I am a sucker for scarves--this one took just 45 minutes to make from start to finish, required no special skills or materials, and cost me zero dollars! It is basically just cutting up rings of fabric from an old shirt and tying them together-no sewing. The tutorial was easy to follow and had pictures of each step in the process. Plus, I recycled a shirt that was taking up closet space--consider this my contribution to Earth Month! (Note: the tutorial gave you the option of making a regular scarf or an infinity scarf--I didn't want to commit to just one version, so I left it as a regular scarf and decided that I could connect the ends with a flower pin for an infinity version (pictured), that way I can have both!)

What great idea have you stumbled upon recently? Janette really wants to know, so don't leave her hanging! Head on over (just click that pretty little button below) and see what is inspiring her and others! And don't forget to link up your own great find--the more people at the party, the more fun!

Fuzzy Yarn Earrings

Remember when I told you that I was going to make something spectacular with just yarn and paperclips?

Well, Ta-Da!! Here are my new Fuzzy Yarn Earrings, inspired by this tutorial. They are like little sweaters that you can decorate your ears with. A fabulous, fun, fall accessory!

Quick Teacher Appreciation Gift

This week is the week set aside to celebrate all of the teachers and important school staff who make learning fun for your children. I'm planning small tokens each day this week for the gals that I work with in the school offices at my 2 schools. I'll follow that with some baked goods for all of the teachers at the end of the week to show my love to them as well.

If you're still looking for a quick, affordable gift, look no further. I got this cute note holder in the mail from the gals over at the RHOK a while back when I won a little Super Bowl linky contest. Isn't she cute?

To make your own, grab a 5x7 acrylic frame (.95 at WalMart), some scrapbook paper, wide ribbon, and post it notes.

Simply cut the paper to size, slide it into the frame, add your ribbon to the top (for our purposes, the bottom of the frame is the top, so that the holder sits at an angle perfect for writing), and stick your notes on. Add a cute message to your teacher and you are good to go! These will go to the office today and I think that they will love them!

Recipe Card Holder

It seems like I never get to see Lil' Miss Wilkes since we stopped being cubicle neighbors. We did get to spend a little time together this past weekend at her Bridal Shower. It was so good to catch up and hear all about plans for the big day at the end of April. I'm so happy that she found "the ONE."
She had some great stuff picked out on her registry and because I know how much she loves to be in the kitchen, I opted to get her a red mixing bowl and some stainless measuring tools and these super cute red and white checked washcloths. They are going to look great in her new house.
But, of course, I had to include a little of me, in the form of something handmade. I looked over the registry and I know her well enough to know that her kitchen was going to be in red and white and would have a vintage flair to it. So, I created a recipe card holder using a simple black picture frame, scrapbook paper, an old fork, and some hot glue. Just cut the paper to size, pop it in the frame, use pliers to bend the tines of your fork up, and hot glue to the glass. Add some cute recipe cards and you are finished! Now, Lil' Miss Wilkes has a convenient prop-up for all of those yummy recipes she'll be making as a new bride!
And of course I had to include this favorite recipe for a happy marriage. It reads: To keep your marriage brimming, with love in the wedding cup,
whenever you're wrong, admit it, whenever you're right, hush up!

Simple Scarf Storage

I'm a bit of a Smurfette--remember how her whole closet was full of the same dress? I have a pretty basic wardrobe --khaki, black, and I are BFF's. While somewhat practical, it is not necessarily the most exciting choice for attire. Somewhere right now, Lil' Miss Wilkes is reading this and remembering shopping trips in which she would force me to try on color...

But when you go basic, you can jazz it up with accessories, which I love to do! Outside of a great piece of jewelry, my other favorite accessory is a scarf. Chunky winter ones, sheer spring ones, silky ones, fringed ones...you get my drift. This has led to a need for some scarf storage, since the current stuff-them-in-a-basket-in-top-of-the-closet method isn't quite cutting it. I looked online and just couldn't find what I wanted--I didn't want over the door storage or the little hanger thingy with the tee-tiny plastic holes in it either. So, of course, I just made my own...and for next to nothing!

Here's how:

1. Buy a clothes hanger.

2. Add shower curtain rings (Dollar Tree has these, for obviously $1)--make sure you get the kind that you can open and close--to the base of the hanger.

3. Slip scarves through shower curtain rings.

4. Hang in closet.

5. Admire!

Head on over to The CSI Project to see other great $5 Challenge projects!

More Wall Art

The last thing that seems to get done everywhere I live is artwork and window treatments. I've been on a quest to fix that, little by little, room by room.

A while back I found 2 bargains and knew that they would help me with one of those issues. The metal piece with the gross color scheme was on clearance for $3 at Marshalls and the plaque with the quote was $5 at Hobby Lobby.

The quote was too small to hang alone in the space that I needed to fill, so I painted the metal piece, attached them, and there you have it, another piece of wall art for the master bedroom, and for only $8! Up next for this room--cornice boards and new pillows!

Framed!

Isn't this the most beautiful grouping of frames that you have ever seen?

OK, not so much...I mean the purple one alone is enough to give you nightmares...and someone painted it that way...on purpose. Anyway, I have fallen in love with these walls of empty frames that are all over the internet and I became determined to create one in our master bedroom. The wall I wanted to fill is not that large, so I needed just a few large frames and mostly smaller frames. I found all of my frames over a couple of months at dollar stores and Goodwill. My total spent was only $20--not bad for a whole wall of art. I spray painted them all an ivory color that looks really nice against our walls and coordinates with the rest of the room. You have to be patient and wait for just the right frames, but it was worth it. What do you think?