What I've Been Up To

I have managed to break out of my procrastination shell and, MAN, I am ON FIRE! So far, I have made 7 burpie pads for a shower that I am giving and started my compost pile outside. I bought myself a new tool box AND a padlock to keep my husband out of it. I have cleaned out my storage room, the one in the garage with all my vases, serving dishes, etc. and cleaned out 1 very disgusting freezer that someone left open for all the Popscicles to melt. I have also been working on my DIY "vases" for the shower. I can't remember where I saw this idea but it is so easy and budget friendly!

I started with an empty veggie can that has been washed out and the label taken off. I bought different patterned scrapbook paper in the colors and patterns that I will be using for the shower. She has registered for a Safari type bedding for her baby boy with browns, greens, oranges, you get the picture. Then I went to Michael's because they have the best $1 rolls of ribbon and funky pipecleaners that I think are just perfect for this project. Hot glue that scrapbook paper around the can and decorate away! I plan on getting a palmetto frond for each can and also having orange, yellow and white Gerbera daisies to add the color. I will cut the tips of the palmetto frond down so it is not ginormous in the can. I will post the finished product when the time comes. Just wanted to share the beginning stages with you.

(Please forgive my photography! I am not even trying! I just wanted to get these up here so you could see them. They are not even pressed yet and these pics do not do them justice. They really are pretty cute and will be even cuter when they are monogrammed! The pink one was the first one I made a while back with no baby in mind. It has pink chenille on the back. Love it!)

The burpies pads are a tiny bit more complicated but not much. As you know, I got a new sewing machine for Christmas this year and it has seen alot of action recently. I am by NO MEANS a seamstress but it has been fun making up projects. I find myself going into stores, whether it is a baby store or a department store, and finding things I am sure that I can make for a lot cheaper than they are selling them. Like my burpie pads. The fabric was the most expensive thing about this and that is because I did not buy it on sale and I bought WAY too much of it. I priced the terry cloth at Hobby Lobby and figured out that I could buy Dollar General hand towels for $2 a piece as opposed to $7 a yard at the fabric store. No brainer!

I still have alot to learn about this sewing thing. My thread keeps breaking and so do my needles. So I bought thicker thread and upholstery needles and then the thread gets jammed and I end up making up cuss words and throwing my seam ripper at the cat! It is not for the faint at heart but it is very satisfying when what I had visioned comes out looking just the way I hoped it would.