Pinterest Party!

As craft coordinator of our local Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS) group, I get to help coordinate and come up with fun crafts for our group to complete.  The steering committee in charge spent a lot of time this summer coming up with innovative new ideas for the upcoming MOPS year.  One of the ideas was to have a Pinterest Party as part of our Mom's Night Out series.  The moms would pay a fee and come to an evening party without their children to snack and craft.  Since I seem to be the "craft lady" I gladly offered to host and arrange all the crafts.

The first challenge was finding crafts that wouldn't take too long because I was trying to squeeze three crafts, socializing,  and eating into a few hours.  I also needed crafts that wouldn't make a big mess.  Lastly, I wanted crafts that would use some materials our group already has on hand.  Sounds easy, right? 

Researching crafts is just part of the Pinterest Party.  I decided that I needed to get red tablecloths (I had a few on hand) and make red polka-dotted cups from old soup cans to hold some of the supplies like pens, pencils, rulers, and scissors.  I also used red bowls to hold the smaller supplies. At each place setting I had the glass plate for craft #3, a composition notebook for craft #2, and the red bowl filled with the jewelry supplies for craft #1.  We would need additional supplies for each craft but I would bring those out as needed.  A Pinterest sign helped me to put the finishing touches on the décor.

The first craft I had been dying to do was make jewelry! Who doesn't like jewelry?  Besides, if you didn't like the jewelry then you could gift to someone else.  I had been eyeballing these bird's nest necklaces on Pinterest and asked our group via Facebook if this was something they might like to create. The response was a big fat YES!  I purchased the wire, beads, jump rings, and chains all at Hobby Lobby during a 50% sale.  Score!  Then, I used this tutorial and found it was easier than I thought to create these beauties. 

      http://mopsbeautifulmess.blogspot.com/2013/09/bird-nest-necklace-mops-craft-tutorial.html

Bird's Nest Necklaces from our Pinterest Party!

Since the holiday season is upon us, I knew I wanted to do some sort of holiday organizing book.  We made a similar book with the whole group to use as journals for our meetings this year.  With a few modifications, this would be an easy and hopefully worthwhile craft.  I purchased a 12x12 pad of Christmas themed paper from Michael's for 40% off.  We already had glue and brushes from our regular MOPS craft stash so I just needed to pick up envelopes, composition notebooks, and gluesticks from the nearest Dollar Tree.  I also needed to make circles from cardstock I had on hand that could be used as tabs.

First we took the composition notebook and cut the paper to fit the front cover.  We glued it on using homemade modge podge.  I printed a half-sheet December 2013 calendar that the girls could glue into the front cover and add events and important dates.  The book could be completely customized by added tabs (the circles I cut with my Creative Memories circle cutter) for anything that you might need to keep track of during the holiday season.  I have five tabs in my book: To Do, Christmas Lists, Gifts, Receipts, Food, and Christmas Cards.  I also glued in envelopes that will be used to hold the Christmas lists or receipts.  The beauty of the book is that the calendar can be ripped out or glued over  and there are plenty of pages so that the book can be used for more than one Christmas!

Standard Composition Notebook turned Holiday Organizer!

The last craft of the night, glass etched plates, was a bit trickier.  I didn't get a chance to do the craft before we did it as a group.  I would NEVER recommend that but I was honest and told the group that we were going to experiment together. Thankfully, it all worked out for us!  I gave all the warnings about etching cream and basically scared everyone into being careful (Did I mention I was a middle school teacher for ten years? Ha!).  I passed out gloves for everyone to wear and popsicle sticks to move the cream around on the plate.  I had pre-printed the plate designs for everyone on vinyl.  I found the plates at Garden Ridge for $2.00 a piece.  I had taken the stickers off and pre-washed all the plates but I still had the girls clean the plate with rubbing alcohol just to be sure that the etching cream would stick.  We adhered the vinyl to the underside of the plate that way you wouldn't have to worry about food or anything in the etched portion.  Once the vinyl was down, I walked around and put a glob of etching cream in the middle of each plate.  The popsicle sticks worked great and were a cheap alternative to brushes!  After five minutes, we made a line and rinsed the plates in HOT water in the stainless steel kitchen sink.  Peeled the vinyl and voila!  Everyone was thrilled with the results!  This tutorial was an absolute lifesaver and very thorough:

www.theyummylife.com/etched_glass_tutorial

The Pinterest Party was so much fun and I think the ladies all enjoyed themselves.  I had asked the girls to each bring a Pinterest inspired dish with them to the party and I provided the paper goods and drinks.  The food was amazing and it was the perfect way to start off and end our evening.  The party was 3 1/2 hours long and we ate, drank, laughed, and completed three crafts.  I've already had requests for more parties! 

Obsessing Over Initials

I have been completely sucked into the monogram and/or initial craze that seems to be splattered over every catalog.  Our names plastered in various colors and styles in every single room shown in top notch style magazines.  I totally bought into it. 

We have this weird wall just above our hall closet in our entry way.  For years I have had a picture of Paris leaning up against the wall (remember that craze?) and a large Eiffel Tower sitting on the ledge.  My niece recently redid her bedroom and I decided it was a win-win to gift her the Paris items and redo our entry ledge and wall with said initials. 

The before :(.  Notice my husband perched up on the high ledge trying to be patient while I snap a before picture!

So I started by moving a large vase and greenery that I once had in our living room and placed it off center on the ledge.  This area needed something grand to help anchor the space and draw your eye up. By putting it off center it won't interfere with the beauty of all those glorious initials! Next, I added some lights from IKEA on a timer that will act as uplights.  These are actually under cabinet lighting but what not use them this way?

Now to gather the letters!  I found several at Hobby Lobby and using my handy 40% coupon began the collection.  Letters weren't going to be enough.  The wall needed something else to help it take shape---hmmm, shape---it needed squares!  I found the gold frame at an online garage sale website for $4 (crazy amazing, right?) and then I purchased the red frame from Hobby Lobby.  We have that same deep red in our kitchen and living room so this frame would help tie the spaces all together.  I had enough 3D R's so I decided to put black posterboard in the frame and add an R in gray vinyl to the glass.  I think the key to gathering like items is in making sure they are different enough to make it interesting.  Different textures, colors, or fonts helped to make this grouping worthwhile.

Before we were ready to hang them though, I laid the letters onto the floor and decided the arrangement.  I didn't want it to be too perfect and I was willing to get more R's if needed or ditch any if it didn't work out.  Be bold and give it a try!

Big thanks to my husband for teetering on the ledge to adhere all the letters.  I really love the way it turned out!

Our finished entry initial wall.

On a rare occasion, my mother and craft partner in crime, comes to ME with an idea for a project.  This time she wanted my help with transforming my nephew's room into a cool sports room for his birthday as a surprise gift.  Who can resist a little HGTV transformation inspiration? 

I immediately began searching Pinterest for ideas that might turn his room into a cool place for a middle school boy that would continue to grow with him.  I came upon an amazing picture of a basketball wall. Mom and I used that as our jumping off point.  We planned to buy new bedding, hang & frame sports pictures/posters that my nephew had stashed in his closet, hang shelves above his bed, move his door basketball goal to a place on the wall, and paint this giant basketball mural (my big part in the plan). Sounds easy, right?

We painted three walls with a taupe shade and the feature wall in orange. (See specific colors listed below.)

We painted a test board to practice our dotting technique.  I highly recommend you practice!

We used car wax applicator pads because they were already round and easy to use!

You need to saturate the applicator pad with the paint and then press down and pull off.  It is totally okay if you don't have a perfect circle.  Once they are all up you won't even notice the imperfect ones!

Once the test board had the look we wanted, I set to work replicating that on the wall.  I started in the corner and tried NOT to dot in a particular pattern.  At first I thought it looked terrible but once you add the black basketball lines, the dots blend into the background. TIP:  It helped to have one person loading paint onto an applicator pad while the other created the dots.  We always had two pads going and then when the pads were soaked, we just pulled out two new ones.

I used Frog Tape to tape off the lines. I really just eyeballed it! It took a long time to get the curves right and my brother (who was supervising his son's room transformation) helped me. He stood back and offered assistance because when you are up close to the design it can be hard to lay it out correctly.  We did have a basketball on hand to help!

To keep the black paint from bleeding through the lines, we watered down the background orange paint and "sealed" all the interior paint pieces.  This helped tremendously!!!!

I was able to roll the glossy black paint on with a small foam roller and only had to use a brush in a few spots.

It already looked so much better and the tape wasn't even off yet!  It took two coats to cover really well.  I could barely contain myself waiting for the paint to dry before we removed the tape.

Here it is!  The basketball wall complete with cool plaid bedding for a growing boy.

The metal brackets and shelves helped to give it a locker room feel.  We added sports memorabilia and trophies that my nephew already had in his room (or closet).  He was very surprised and LOVED it!

Paint Colors:  Tempered All Spice (Taupe) from Lowe's - 1 gallon
                       Buf Top Tour (Base coat Orange) from Lowe's- 1 gallon
                       Orchestra (Orange Dots) from Lowe's- 1quart
                       Gloss Black from Lowe's- 1 quart

Bedding:  Michael Jordan Collection from Bed, Bath & Beyond

Shelving: Silver Brackets and Pre-cut Shelving in Country Oak from Menard's

Metal Letters:  Hobby Lobby

Monogrammed Pumpkins

 

I LOVE Halloween. Seriously.  I don't know what it is about the holiday but I adore the pumpkins, cauldrons, witches, spiders and everything ghoulish about it!  We usually throw a huge Halloween party every year and I spend weeks decorating our home.  This year, with a new baby, I decided to use a sprinkling of decorations around the house and try a simply chic approach.  I searched Pinterest during one of baby's feedings and found a terrific inspiration.  http://radiobutlers.blogspot.com/2011/10/monogram-pumpkin-tutorial.html



 

This tutorial was fantastic but time consuming.  I wanted to make this craft simple and chic.  I visited my local Michael's Arts and Crafts store with my handy 40% coupon and found cream foam pumpkins.  This would eliminate the need for spray painting since I wanted a cream pumpkin with black lettering. 

 

My sister and her husband recently purchased a new home. So I decided to try out my plan for a monogrammed pumpkin as a housewarming gift for them.  If it failed miserably then they would never have to know! 

 

Materials: craft pumpkin, black craft paint, pencil, scissors, small paintbrush, tape, a computer with word program, and a printer.

 

1.  Wipe the pumpkin off and find a spot that is fairly flat and blemish free.

 

2.  On the computer, print out the letter of choice in a font and size that will fit your pumpkin.  This may take a bit of trial and error. 

 

3.  Next, cut out the giant letter and tape it directly to your pumpkin.  Try to use just a few pieces of tape because we will be tracing around the letter.

 

4.  Trace around the letter with a pencil.  Remove the letter and tape pieces. 

 

5.  Use a paintbrush and craft paint (in the the color of your choice) to fill in the letter.  You may need two coats.

 

6.  I loved the simplicity of this look but decided to add some pizazz!  I free handed a spider based on

another Pinterest design.  http://www.oopseydaisyblog.com/2011/09/black-and-white-pumpkins-2 -tutorials.html.  To do this, I just used the rounded end of my paintbrush and created the spider using a series of dots.

 

 

The original pumpkin created as a gift for my sister.

I loved the way the first one turned out, that I made one for my mom too! 



Gender Neutral Nursery

I discovered the magic of Pinterest near the end of my pregnancy.  I am a crafter at heart but I was SO inspired by the outpouring of creativity in one spot!  I scoured Pinterest for ideas on creating the perfect gender-neutral nursery.  I just love the way it turned out so I want to share it with all of you and hope to inspire others.

In my search for nursery inspiration, I ran across an amazing blog that included specific directions on how to create the look.  Happily, Jason was on board with the design and we set to work.  Big thanks to Taryn from Design, Dining and Diapers for the phenomenal blog and inspiration! 
          
The centerpiece for the room was the crib and vinyl tree wall backdrop.  The vinyl decals were easy to order (thanks to Taryn's blog) but challenging to put up.  My mom came to the rescue and together we spent the day putting each tree, branch, and bird up one at a time. 

With the decals up, it was time to add the furniture.  We purchased the furniture from decor4kids in Noblesville.  It was heavy furniture and not too expensive.  The crib, dresser/changing table, and swivel rocker all came from there.

The room was coming together quickly!  I spent more time than I'll admit accessorizing the space and making it perfect for our little one.  The little touches and projects make this room feel like home to me. 

The vinyl decal on the taupe wall really pops.  We happened to find a swivel rocker recliner at a child's furniture store nearby that matches perfectly!  We added floating shelves and a few knick knacks.  I found a birdhouse (which I painted white to match) and small ceramice birds in turquoise and orange at Michael's Arts and Crafts.  I printed silhouette pictures of birds on the computer and then traced them onto orange patterned scrapbook paper and framed them!  Another Pinterest project: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanacompany/2693793966/.  I wanted a clean look to the bedding and purchased white jersey sheets and a white crib skirt.  My mom added two rows of orange ribbon to the crib skirt for a splash of color.  My mom made a beautiful centerpiece for my baby shower using bird shapes cut from scrapbook paper.  After the shower, I took the birds and strung them with fishing line to a wreath form to create a mobile for above the crib.

White grommeted curtains, white gutter shelves loaded with books (see instructions below on how to make these bad boys), white changing table with orange changing pad, bird mobile purchased from Etsy, and an ABC inpsiration painting added just the right amount of modern to the space.

I purchased a ClosetMaid Cubeical and added orange drawers for additional storage and a punch of color.

Our baby's gender and name was a surprise to all of us so this letter was added later.  Again, I was inspired by Pinterest and a post by The Potter's Place.  I purchased the paper mache' letter from JoAnn Fabrics and pulled out various scrapbook papers I had on hand in orange or turquoise along with a few embellishments.  With the help of my mom and sister during a drunk arts and crafts weekend, we traced and cut the paper and then mod podged it all together on the E. 

Creating Gutter Bookshelves

Vinyl guttering comes in ten foot lengths. Our shelves were roughly two feet on one side of the corner and three feet on the other.  Make sure to purchase end caps and corner pieces along with the gutters.  We started by placing our top gutter shelf where we wanted it to go.  It was difficult to find studs so we decided to put anchors in for each screw to ensure it was plenty sturdy.  This proved to be difficult because the drill didn'tt fit easily into the gutter so that it could be attached to the wall.  After many issues and plenty of frustration, we (I but he excuted) came up with a plan. 

TIP: Make sure you have the left and right connected to the corner connector before installation.
1.  Predrill the holes into the gutter where you plan on putting screws.
2.  Place a painter's tape line where you want the top of the shelf to be.  Easier to level the tape than level the flimsy gutter!
3.  Hold the shelf up and mark the holes that you predrilled onto the wall with a pencil. 
4.  Take the shelf down and put the anchors into the wall where you marked the holes.
5.  Hold the shelf up and drill the screw through the gutter and into the anchor.
6.  Now carefully add the caps to both ends.
7.  Add books and marvel at the coolness of this project!

I found the project on Pinterest but had difficulty finding a set of instructions.  We had to wing it! 

My daughter is a miracle and we enjoy her every single second.  I am thrilled that with the help of my family and Pinterest, I was able to give her this magical space.  I love it and I hope she does too!


Paint Color: Wall Paint: Java from Eddie Bauer at Lowes

Vinyl Decals: DesignedDESIGNER Etsy Shop

Bird Mobile (above changing table):  WelcomeWithLove Etsy Shop

Curtains: Bed Bath and Beyond Union Square Window Panels

Changing Pad Cover:  Babies R Us

Furniture: Decor 4 Kids

Closetmaid Cubeicals:  Target

Fabric Drawers:  Walmart

Giant Letter: JoAnn Fabric and Craft Store

Gutter Shelves: Lowe's

It Took a Village

With the success of my first blog (many thanks for the love), my husband suggested my second entry share our story of infertility.  While we held our troubles close to home in the beginning, we found that sharing our story gleaned us tremendous support and eventually helped others in their struggle. So, away we go...

In 2004, my husband and I bought our first house after nine months of marriage and decided to begin expanding our family.  After more than a year we sought help from my Ob-Gyn. We learned quickly things were going to be a challenge and after lots of monitoring and little help from the doctor, we sought a specialist in 2005. 

Our adventure began at the office of a respected reproductive endocrinologist who administered a series of tests.  Our new doctor believed that we could get pregnant through IUI (intrauterine insemination). In the months that followed, we completed four IUI's to no avail.  Our hopes of having a child were now pushed into another year and our doctor announced his retirement. Seemed like the perfect time to take a break and reevaluate the process.

We  found an up and coming new doctor and continued our efforts.  After another series of tests and lengthy medical conversations, he diagnosed me with PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome) and advised us that IVF (in vitro fertilization) would be our next step.  The price, literally, for having a child had just gone up.  Not only is IVF very expensive but there is an emotional and physical price as well since embryos are created in a lab and surgery with anesthesia is required. 

After much discussion and soul searching, we moved forward with our first IVF cycle.  While I responded well to medicines and we achieved several growing embryos, I did not get pregnant. 

Months later and after much budgeting, we moved forward with another IVF attempt.  Imagine our excitement when we discovered I was pregnant.  My blood tests indicated a healthy sustainable pregnancy and an ultrasound at six weeks would confirm our dream to become a family.  While the days ticked by my husband and I talked names and searched the Internet for nursery furniture. I was a bundle of nerves the day of our ultrasound as we awaited to see our baby (or babies since IVF often results in multiples).  Our doctor immediately found our little peanut and pointed out all the important features.  Then there was a long pause and the nurse left the room quickly while the doctor informed us that our baby did not have a heartbeat and I would likely miscarry in the coming weeks.  We were devastated to be so close and have the world crash down around us.  We asked lots of questions of our doctor, our faith, and of each other.  At nine weeks we lost a miracle and I found myself in a spiral of sadness.

The recovery process was a long one and eventually we decided to try again.  Our third IVF attempt was unsuccessful and had us looking more closely at other options. We looked into adoption both domestically and abroad but just didn't feel like it was right for us.  In the meantime, our doctor announced he was moving to Texas and setting up a new practice there.  We were at a crossroads in the process and took a much needed break from it all.

My husband and I were committed to becoming parents and felt that this was the right path for us.  So, we met with yet another doctor and completed a frozen embryo transfer using an embryo we created from an earlier cycle.  A positive pregnancy test followed but was met with much more skepticism.  Unfortunately, I miscarried our second child before we even made it to the ultrasound at six weeks.

The process was draining and we opted to take time off and reconnect with each other.  My husband and I took several trips together, I lost forty pounds and vowed to get healthier while our doctor pursued research into our ill-fated fertility history. 

We were eventually encouraged to run a few more obscure tests and discovered that I have an auto-immune issue that might be playing a role in our infertility. Our doctor suggested a new treatment using intralipid IV therapy once a month for two hours each session.  My husband and I attempted our fourth IVF and were skeptically happy to learn that I was pregnant for a third time. The weeks before the ultrasound were grueling as we waited to learn our fate. With my husband by my side holding my hand, our doctor completed the ultrasound and turned up the speaker in the exam room to fill it with the sound of our baby's heartbeat.  It was the single most amazing sound I had ever heard.  We continued with ultrasounds every week until we were eventually released to a regular Ob that continued to monitor our progress.

After fourteen procedures, two miscarriages, and eight long years, I am happy to report that on May 22, 2012 our daughter was born.  She is healthy and happy and her birth made the years of struggling seem so insignificant.  I never thought I would be able to say that!

My husband and I have been very open about the process and consider her our miracle of miracles.  We are reminded however of the heartaches that lead us here as we reach out to others still trying to achieve a family. There is a light at the end of the tunnel and it is worth waiting for regardless of how you get there.  Reach out to your friends and family because their support and understanding will get you through it. Trust me when I say that our support system celebrated our daughter's birth with as much vigor as we did!

Got Milk? Maybe Not...

Breastfeeding is a word that packs quite a punch.  While pregnant, I was adamant that I would breastfeed even asking advice of friends and taking a class at the hospital where I would deliver.  I desperately wanted that maternal connection with my baby in the most natural way I could imagine. 

The scene six weeks after my daughter's birth was very different than I expected.  Right from the start I struggled with producing enough breast milk for my daughter.  The lactation specialist at the hospital had numerous suggestions and I tried them all. The reality came crashing down around me that no matter how hard I was working, my body wasn't responding to the basic needs of my newborn.  I worked at length with a lactation specialist who finally said, "It is okay to quit.  You are doing everything you can.  Sometimes women with your condition (PCOS) don't make enough milk."  I was devastated. I cried and cried and insisted on trying everyday even though I knew my production wasn't increasing. I was spending more time stressing about breastfeeding than I was enjoying the early days of my precious daughter. 

With all that said and all the support I received, I was surprised by the stigma that was attached to breastfeeding. Strangers ask if you are breastfeeding like it is the most normal question to ask of someone.  The looks I received when buying formula spoke volumes and suddenly I felt like a pariah.  I knew I had done everything I could for my baby and yet I was being judged so quickly by those around me.  When I was asked the question I dreaded most, "Are you breastfeeding?", I felt the need to explain the situation and rationalize out my choice.  A choice.  A choice that every mom can make and should not feel guilty about regardless of the reason for it. 

In my search to squelch my guilt, my husband found an amazing article online.  I felt a kinship with the author as though she understood my position.  Then I made the mistake of reading the comments following her article.  People posted horrific things that judged all moms that choose not to breastfeed whether medically driven or not. 

So, I take to my new blog to put my feelings on paper.  I desperately want NOT to feel like less of a mother because I can't breastfeed.  I want to be okay with the choice I feel forced to make.  Bottles have made life at home easier and I can enjoy my daughter's first moments because I'm not stressing over the next feeding.  Do I wish things had been different? Certainly.  Can I change the way my body works?  No.  I'm coming to terms with decision to stop stressing over breastfeeding and start living again.  I just hope that I can reach out to those that insist on judging others and enlighten them on my journey.  I feel enough guilt over what I "should" be able to do for my child that I don't need your crass comments, disapproving looks, or whispers.  In the end, my daughter and I will be just fine.