Footprint Shadow Box

Newborn stages are so busy (especially if you have other kids) that by the time things settle down and I want foot or hand prints for keepsakes, they're already too big!

Here's a cute little shadow box keepsake I saw on Pinterest a long time ago. I loved the idea of stitching for the heart but I didn't have much time. 

SUPPLIES:

Shadow box 

Paper (I used thick card stock) 

Ink

Pen

Something hard to use behind paper (I used my stamp block)

Baby wipes for cleaning

Something to cut the paper

Stickers (or you can write the name)

DIRECTIONS:

I measured the size of the shadow box. It was 4.5x4.5 inches. I bought these ages ago from the Dollar Tree. We actually used Velcro to attached little toys and hung them up. 

Cut the paper. Mine needed to be 4.5x4.5 inches. 

Using the ink, dab ink on baby's foot. Put the block behind the paper and press foot firmly on paper. Do the same for other side. Don't forget to angle the feet in a heart shape (if that's what you want). I think plain footprints would be just as cute! Clean the foot with baby wipes. Comes right off!

Using a pencil lightly draw a heart shape around the feet. I don't trust myself to go straight to the pen! And good thing too. I messed up the heart! Trace the heart with the pen. You can write the name below too but I decided to use stickers. 

Viola! So cute. I'm so glad I didn't forget to do this. 

DIY Canvas (Engineer Prints & Foam Boards)

My first attempt at the DIY Canvas was using an actual canvas. See the tutorial here. I saw a few different methods using foam boards. Since the foam boards come in a 4x8 size, there's more freedom to cut it to the size you want for your photos.

SUPPLIES:

Engineer Prints
1" Insulating Foam Board
Adhesive Spray

Clear Coating Spray 3M Picture Hanger (Something to hang it)

Large Engineer Prints - I print my photos from Staples. They come in paper thin black & white only. The largest size at 36 x 48 is only $7.29. You can upload your photos online and pick it up at the nearest Staples.

I printed several photos in different sizes. For this tutorial, I'm going to use the largest photo which is 3x4 feet.

Insulating Foam Board - Home Depot has different thickness foam boards. These are the insulating foam boards that you can find in the isle with all the insulation products. The 1" is about $11 and it comes in a 4' x 8' size.

My husband had to cut it down in order to transport it so I asked him to cut two 3x4 pieces because one photo is a 3x4 & 2 of them are 2x3s.

I searched all over the blog world to see if anyone mentioned peeling the foil off. No one I found mentions it. I decided to peel it off because I've seen these fall off in the store and I'd hate for my photo to start peeling off!

We had to cut it down to size because I wanted to fold the photo over the edges instead of painting it black as other bloggers do (As I did before with the other DIY Canvas). I took about 3 1/2 inches of the short edges and 6 3/4 inches off the long edges.

We tried the bread knife... It wasn't as clean as I'd like it. :(

So hubby got out his tools. It was much better :)

Adhesive Spray - Using the adhesive spray, I laid the photo on top of the foam and started with sections as hubby held onto the other side. This is much easier to use than modge podge which I've tried before and made a mess.

Then I sprayed the edges and folded the photo around to the back starting with the short edges. 

Clear Coating Spray - I don't think this is necessary because most people don't use it but I had a can and figured it wouldn't hurt! You just spray it right over the photo. I used 2 coats. 

3M Picture Hanger - I guess there are many ways to hang this up but I decided to give the 3M Picture Hanging products a try.

Attach it to all 4 corners per instructions.

Not too bad! Now I just need to hang it up!

It looks small in this photo but it's so big in person! I love it!

DIY Mini Teepee Tent

Here's a quick tutorial on making a simple teepee. 

SUPPLIES:

4 Wooden Dowels (3 feet)

Twine/Ribbon 

Fabric

Safety Pin

INSTRUCTIONS:

It really is pretty self explanatory. I bought the cheapest wooden dowels at the store (Walmart) which were marked by the color orange. I couldn't tell you what size that is other than it was 3 feet long.

I tied the top about 4 inches from the top. 

Wrap your fabric around and secure with a safety pin. I purchased this lace fabric at Goodwill for $2! 

Cover the safety pin with the fabric. 

That's it. Simple, right? ^_^

If you're interested in the tutorial for the larger play tent in the photo below, click here!

DIY Car Seat Cover

This can be simple or complex depending on your level of sewing & how you want the cover to look. 

My baby arrived 6 weeks early and I had my first cesarean operation (after 2 normal births). I didn't get a chance to make one. So I quickly put together this one because he's having his first doctor's appointment tomorrow. 

All you need is a piece of fabric (about a yard). Surge the edges (or sew a zig zag stitch) to keep if from fraying. Using a ribbon, I sewed Velcro on it so that it can attach to the handle. That's it. If I had more time, I would have use the same fabric instead of ribbons but I don't have the time. I'm pretty much drugged up and either sleeping or nursing. :)

Aren't the clouds and rain drops just the cutest things?

DIY Fabric Headboard

I've always wanted a soft comfy headboard. I really like the look of it and it really looks nice in photos! I've been hesitant to make one because of the intimidation of having to cut wood and staple things... etc. Then a friend sent me the link to this tutorial & it uses insulating foam boards (very lightweight) so no wood cutting is required! I got pretty excited and went out to buy most of the supplies... I love that I could do this project being 32 weeks pregnant because there is no heavy lifting! I don't like to rely on others. When I want something done, I want it done yesterday.

BUT then... my husband with all his opinions. We were at the hardware store looking at the foam boards (about $10 for 1 in thick 4x8 piece). He started to think that the foam won't hold the staples. He said it might work at first but would eventually fall off especially with the wear and tear from the kids on my bed... that got me thinking. Maybe it's not sturdy enough for me. :(

He suggested MDF or plywood... something of that nature. I was sad because as much as I love my husband, he's not as excited about my projects as he is about his own... but with something that heavy, I will need his help and it's summer. We've been in the 100 degree heat lately. And did I mention I'm impatient and don't like to wait for him to do things for me?

I gave in because he promised to help. I think it had a little (or a lot) to do with all the new tools he found on clearance at the hardware store just a week before ;) He was pretty excited about that! 

So wood it is! 

So instead, I decided to go with this tutorial I had pinned on Pinterest a few weeks before. I love everything about what she did with hers. Let's say my headboard looks almost just like hers but with different supplies (I had already bought things for the other tutorial).

The wood we bought was just about the same price as the foam insulating board (but a lot heavier).

The whole project cost about $70-$80

SUPPLIES:

• 4x6 OSB (Oriented Strand Board) Wood $11 - It came in a 4x8 piece, cut down to 6 foot - 4x6
• Full size Foam Mattress Pad $12 - 50x72 inches
• Carpet Padding $25 - You could leave this out and save $25. Mine came in a 6x8 roll
• High Loft Batting $8 - Full size 81x96 inches. I didn't decided to use this until later. I'll tell you why soon.
• Fabric of your choice $11 - 2.5 Yards
• Spray Adhesive $7 - I had a can at home
• Button Covers 1 1/8 inches $1.50 - I bought 3 because I needed 7 and they were 3 in a pack
• Twine or String $1 - To attach the buttons
• Staple gun - My husband's new toy
• Cutting tool - If you plan to shape the headboard
• Painter's Plastic Drop Cloth $1 - Optional but my garage isn't exactly clean & it's only $1 at the Dollar Tree

DIRECTIONS:

Cut Board into desired shape.

I like the way she did hers in the tutorial with the Belgrave so that's what I attempted. I used a plate to trace the corners but my husband didn't like that idea so he used a pencil tied to a string and did a 7" radius from the corner. 

Spray the board with adhesive spray per instructions (in a sweeping motion). 

Attach the foam. I clamped mine but we ended up laying the next piece down on drop cloth (carpet padding) & laying it over on the carpet padding. This way the weight of the board is on top of the foam.

Cut down any foam sticking out. 

Cut carpet padding around board leaving 4-5 inches around so you can wrap it over the board and staple.  

Standing the board up, I draped the fabric over the board & noticed it was a little bumpy. I think the fabric was too thin and the carpet padding was too textured. 

I decided to go buy some batting hoping it would help. It helped a little. On the tutorial, she mentioned using a Muslim fabric before using the final fabric. That probably would have been a good idea except I was ready to finish it and it didn't look bad to me anyway. 

Before attaching the fabric, I measured the holes to drill for the buttons to tuft the headboard. For the life of me I couldn't figure out the measurements. After some back and forth with hubby, we figured it out. 

The 3 holes on top are 18" from edge evenly spaced 18" across. They were 11" from the top of the board.

The 4 holes below it are 9" from the side edges but 18" between each hole. They are 22" from the top. So the holes are inbetween the above holes (if that makes sense). 

After ironing the fabric, I laid the fabric on the drop cloth & placed the board on top. I trimmed around the edges (don't forget to save some for the buttons to tuft the headboard).

I felt so stupid because I couldn't figure out how to do the buttons. The instructions on the package was generic. I had to YouTube it! Haha after watching it, I was like "DUH!"

Now let's start the last step!

Using a large needle, thread the twine and insert it through the back to the front.  Then thread it through the button and back through the same hole. Attached it with the stapler. 

All done! My little helper!

I haven't made legs and I don't know that I will. For now, it's sitting on my box springs haha. I removed the frames off my bed because my baby sleeps with me and it's easier for him to get on and off. Since i'm due in Sept with another baby, I'm going to hold off on putting on the frames. If I do not make legs for the headboard, It will be hung on the wall... We'll see!

My son jumping in my bed.

I doubted my husband. If it weren't for him, I'd never get this done. 
Thanks Babe!