Norah’s Toddler Room Reveal

I am finally finished!!
Her grey and pink room turned out very pretty and simple and I think it is something that she can easily grow up with.
I am so incredibly happy with the way the bedding turned out. I made it into more of a duvet cover than a quilt, but I think it is beautiful and I wish it was mine! lol  I included some close ups of the rosettes I gave the tutorial on. Unfortunately I have to keep it turned down since it is too heavy for her right now, so I have a think grey blanket on there. At least that gets to show the pretty back fabric.
The bedrails kind of throw off my groove, but they are too hard to take on and off the bed, so that’s just the way it is!
The bed frame that I found started out as a grey distressed finish but there was just something “off” about it and there was just too much grey so everything was blending together. I needed it to pop like my original plan of the iron bed would have. So, I got brave and painted it black. I know some people may think I am crazy for doing that but I really like it and it makes the bedding pop and gives some contrast against the grey walls and furniture.
The walls are kind of a blue, green, grey color. very soft and pretty.
I got the white plaster pieces from Target. I love the texture and they give a little femininity without being too “girly”
Her name block was cut out by my father in law when she was born and I just happened to paint it pink and white at the time. Another one of those times when a past project happens to work out later.
I have had the pink lamp since Avery’s first nursery. Another perfect reused piece!
The shelves were in the room already, I just moved them. The long one is holding my collection of music boxes from when I was younger. The small one has a few night time books and has some piece glass knobs that I use to hang her bath time hooded towel on. (she LOVES that towel!)
Her favorite teddy bear and blankey are on the bed.
I got a small iron bird cage at Hobby Lobby (intending to match the iron bed, but I think it still goes). I found the small ceramic bird there, too for $4 and spray painted it pink to match.
She has her baptism certificate hanging up with a  cross that was given to her at her baptism that I have been meaning to hang since she got baptized as a baby.
The “boys have cooties” sign was given to me at my first baby shower and I think it is adorable and hilarious. I hope she remembers that! ;)
The jewelry box was given to her by her daddy when she was born. He got Avery one too so I guess he needs to work on filling them up now! lol
The classic Pooh and Piglet are just some stuffed animals that we have had that I thought were sweet in there.
I found the curtains at JCPenney for only $30! I love that the shape in them mimics the shape of the night stand legs but part of me thinks pink curtains would have been better. hmmm too late now, not changing them. The rod was the one I had hanging in there already and since I didn’t want to throw out a good rod I just spray painted it to a black color.
The pink oval mirror I found at a furniture resale store for only $45! It had a gold frame so all it needed was some pink spray paint and hangers on the back.
Hope you like it!

Hope to blog soon!

I have had every intention of blogging the past several nights but mommy hood has been crazy so I hope to very soon. I'm laying in bed with both girls at my grandmothers house; I had hoped to play on my blog and photoshop after they went to sleep, but new surroundings for little ones can be scary so bedtime is not so easy. Wouldn't trade it for a corporate job or the world!
I want to reveal Norah's room; I have a new art style obsession I am dying to learn how to do; talk grocery budget/shopping tips and techniques. Lots of stuff on my mind and future projects on my list.
Be back when life slows down a bit! :)

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Linen Closet: before and after

Not a lot of projects going on around here but we have been very busy. Between being out of town and having visitors, I haven't gotten any fun projects done but one thing's for sure, nesting is in full gear! I have about 7ish weeks left (I lost count at the moment) so I am READY to be done and hold my baby.
Have I mentioned I tend to get obsessed when I start a project? It drives Jeff crazy lol. I started going through Jackson's closet to start organizing it which led to going through baby blankets, which led to going through our blanket chests, which then led to our hall linen closet. Help me!
Just for fun, and because I wanted to post something tonight, here are the linen closet before and after pictures:

Before:

After:

Now, back to work on Jacksons closet lol. 

Have a good night and hump day tomorrow!

Baby Boy Photo Props

One of the perks of having a boy soon is that I get to order some new photo props. Believe it or not, I have yet to take newborn pictures of a boy!  My photography "business" (I put that in quotes because it is so part time that I can't claim it as a true business just yet) is picking up but still not very busy. Something that I hope to keep doing but I don't plan to get real busy with until all my kids are in school.
Anyways, I am super excited about these items I ordered on etsy. SLOWLY but surely I would like to beef up my props and backdrops as jobs come in.

Gotta have a crown for the king of the house!

Bow tie. I LOVE the preppy baby look :)

Cowboy hat and boots. This one can go both boy or girl.

Football beanie

Chaos!

My craft room needs some serious help!! I have been putting off organizing it but I don't think I can take it any more! Partly cuz I share this room with my husband's beer brewing hobby and toddler crafts, it is always a disaster! Somethings gotta give, though.  After all, chaos in your environment creates chaos in your mind!

How To Make A Fabric Rosette

I am steadily working on Norah’s bedding for her room but it is taking me FOREVER! I admit, I lost some motivation for a while because it is requiring me to do the same thing over and over again and I get bored fast. Nonetheless, I am now making great progress and hoping to finish within the next week or so.
If you don’t remember, or didn’t see what I am planning, I have decided to make a copycat version of Anthropologie’s pink duvet cover.

Source

I thought I would take this opportunity to give a little “how-to” on how I am making each rosette. So, Here I go.

1. Let me first say, that I could not find an jersey fabric or any other “slinky” fabric in the color I liked so I ended up with cotton. It is not going to have the same “slinky” look but I think I will be able to get the point across anyways. First, I cut 18” squares of the pink fabric and marked the center of each square. Your size can be any that you want depending on the application. I will tell you the sizes I used.

These fabric pens are awesome! You can mark your fabric and the line with either fade over time or you can simply wipe it off with a dab of water. I use it all of the time! If you are a sewer and don’t have one of these, you need to get one!

2. Once you have marked the center of the square, you will need a 6” circle. I did not have an “official sewing” one so I found a tupperware lid that was a 6” diameter. I marked the center of the lid, lined up the dots and drew around the circle.

The line is really light in this picture, partly because the pen is not going to be real dark in the first place, but I hope you can see my center dot and the circle around it.

3. Next, hand stitch around the circle. Starting your stitch on the underside so that your thread knot is on the bottom side.

Make sure to “scrutch” the fabric as you stitch around the circle.

4. Once you have gone all of the way around your circle, end your needle on the bottom side and knot your thread.

Turn over your fabric and you will have a little “ghost-like” shape with your center dot on top.

5. fluff the top “poof” (are you enjoying all of my technical terms lol), pressing your center dot down to make a flower looking shape.

6. Now press the center dot all of the way through the hole to the back side

You should be able to see the dot from the other side to make sure it is centered. You only want to pull it through enough to be even with the line of the scrunched circle you stitched.
7. Now stitch around the scrunched circle going through the piece you just pulled through making a starburst pattern. Make sure to stitch this good so that it doesn’t pull out one day.

8. Once you have stitched this down really well, knot your thread and you are done. Turn it over and fluff your rosette.

Have fun!

I just finished making 56 of these for her bedding. Now to piece them all together, add the backing and make some matching shams.