Lovely Card Creations from a Fellow Crafty Blogger

Today I experienced one of the most touching moments since I've started this blog. A routine trip to the mailbox turned up a package from one of my Twitter friends, Rachel from TwitterRWCrafts. Since I recently shared my pregnancy news, she sent this adorable, handmade baby card.

Also in the package were these cute Thank You cards, which will surely come in handy over the next few months, since we've already started receiving baby gifts!

 

Rachel also used her crafty skills to create this cute photo album - I can't wait to put some pictures of this little one in there. 

It's funny, we went from talking about getting pregnant to actually getting the house ready for a baby! While some of my friends are excited to get their baby stuff out of the house and pass it along to us, I love seeing the house slowly transform. Even though it means I have to start moving all the breakables to higher shelves ;)

A heartfelt thank you again to Rachel - be sure to visit her blog often, for some amazing projects and gorgeous photos. 

Crafty Links - Babycakes Approved

• Here is a fabulous tutorial from C.W. Frosting on how to make Anthropologie inspired candle holders from old candles and inexpensive tea cups. I would love to try making these!

• While peanut butter and jelly is already a classic favorite, this twist makes a regular sandwich even more fun. Even if your child doesn't really know what sushi is yet... (Bon Appetit)

• Another inexpensive home decor item that can be made with one of my favorite craft supplies - Modge Podge! Cranberry Glass Project by Carolyn's Homework

• This creation from Buns in My Oven called Brookies, combines brownies and chocolate chip cookies. I'm trying to keep up my healthy eating habits during this pregnancy so I'm just going to look at the pictures...for now!

Wedding Weekend

I hope you all understand that I took the weekend off from blogging to attend the wedding of two of our good friends, Ron and Becky. My tailor was able to work her magic and take a little bit out of the top of my bridesmaid dress to make sure it fit. I haven't gained much pregnancy weight but my mid-section is definitely changing shape to make room for this baby!

Here's me and Bunch - it was our first time in a wedding together and despite the steamy temperatures, we had a blast! The bride was beautiful as always, the food was delicious and a good time was had by all. 

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend too - crafty posts will be coming soon...

Deal of the Day

I don't think it's any secret that I love a good deal but even more so when it's of the crafting variety. Michaels recently had a clearance bin with cross stitch projects and I discovered this project for only $1.97!

At the time, I wasn't pregnant yet but how could I pass it up? I figured I would find the perfect recipient for this adorable cross stitch baby quilt, with cute little jungle animals on it. Little did I know, I would be able to do this project for our little one. 

I'm hoping to get started in the next week or so. We have a big wedding this weekend and will be extra busy. I'll be sure to post updates as I go. It will also be my motivation to finish my other in-progress cross stitch project, which I've been slowly plugging away on.

Hypnobirthing - Am I Crazy?

I had planned to do my weekly Crafty Links blog post but the night kind of got away from me. So instead I figured I would give a quick update on what I've been up to pregnancy-wise. Today, I received the book I ordered from Amazon.com about hypnobirthing. I've heard that this is a great pain management tool for natural delivery, which is my plan - despite the fact that everyone around me thinks I'm nuts! I even tweeted Ricki Lake about it yesterday, as I consider her quite the natural-birth guru.

I've been feeling pretty good lately, even though temperatures in New England, and actually around the country, have been extremely warm this week. 

I also found a great craft project for this little peanut that I will post tomorrow. Not only will it keep me busy and be a cute gift for the baby when he or she finally arrives but it was a fabulous deal - my favorite!

So as I approach 15 weeks and find myself looking more round in the belly, I'm getting increasingly more excited. Of course, with this new growth in my middle section, I realized last weekend that my bridesmaids dress for our friends' wedding on the 23rd doesn't want to zip easily so it is currently at the tailors. Fingers crossed that she is able to take it out about an inch in the back... Bunch is so lucky, he just has to rent a tuxedo. I'm pretty sure he was measured and paid within 20 minutes of walking into Men's Wearhouse. 

I hope you all don't mind my non-crafty posts but I'm glad to share some other parts of my life on this blog as well. Here's wishing you all a great rest of the week and a crafty entry will be posted tomorrow, I promise!

Wooden Frame - Project Makeover

One of my favorite things to do when I want to spruce up the house is to change around the decor, including the many framed pictures we have on display. I'm not too concerned about making sure all the frames match because I like the different styles and colors all mixed in. Plus, it makes it easier to recreate boring old frames that can easily be picked up at tag sales.

For my niece's birthday, I decided to take a plain, brown wooden frame, give it a makeover and include a family picture in there that she's sure to appreciate as she gets older.

Here is what it looked like before:

With some trusty spray paint, in a light purple (don't worry, I was sure to wear a protective mask!), glitter paint and a decorative iron-on, attached with hot glue, here are the final results -

I was thrilled with the results and as it turns out, it matches her room perfectly! Use your imagination to re-purpose any frames you might already have or that you pick up in your travels. 

What projects are you working on this weekend?

Decoupage Foot Stool

As you may have noticed, I'm of the mind set that pretty much anything can be decoupaged. A few years ago, I helped my mom make some holiday gifts for her co-workers; decoupaged wooden stools that can be used as either plant stands or foot stools. Here is one that I made for myself - it has come in particularly handy under my work desk, to relieve some of my pregnancy back pain:

I used Modge Podge and cotton fabric for the top with some ribbon on the sides. It was easy to smooth the fabric down and fold it underneath, similar to the sides of a gift wrapped package. I painted the legs of the stool black first and once dry, I covered it with a clear coat of silver glitter. Here is a side view - you can see the folded corners and ribbon from this angle too.

These stools are an easy afternoon project and the base can be found fairly inexpensively at any unfinished wood store. Total cost was less than $5.00. You could give as a gift with a potted plant or use kid-friendly fabric design to create a stool they can use when they brush their teeth. Use your imagination with different fabrics and stains/paints to make fun gifts for just about anyone.

From the Archives - Decoupage Bracelets

Now here's a post from my archives - I tried a project like this awhile back by wrapping decorative ribbon around the bracelets and securing it with tacky glue but it just didn't have the effect I was looking for. With one of my friends helping me out, I was finally able to give this project my best efforts.

Here is my supply list, as you will see I didn't use everything in the picture.

• Plastic or wooden bangle bracelets - I found these particular ones on clearance at Old Navy - you can check Michaels also

• Magazine articles

• Tissue paper

• Scissors

• Modge Podge - goes on white but dries clear 

For the first bracelet, we started with a plastic bangle from Old Navy that had a green strip on the outside and a wide navy strip down the middle. We measured and cut tissue paper strips to be the same width as the wide part only and about 2 inches long. Using Modge Podge and a small paint brush, we glued strips of tissue paper over the navy strip, leaving the green part exposed for a fun contrast. 

Once that was dry, I glued stringed black sequins along the outside edges with Tacky Glue. I let it set for a little while. I've worn it twice already - very happy with the results. 

For the magazine bracelet, we used a thinner plastic bangle and cut-outs from a DIY magazine article about solar living.

Once the paper was fully dry, yes it takes a lot of Modge Podge for paper this thick, I glued on just a few yellow and purple gems. We also lined the inside, to hide any rough edges with a magenta ribbon, set with Modge Podge.

Announcement from Babycakes Crafts

Hello everyone! I mentioned a few weeks ago that I would let you all know why I've been posting a little less lately and taking my time with the projects I've been working on. So...I am thrilled to let you know that Bunch and I are expecting a baby! 

The last couple of months have been filled with afternoon naps and some mild morning sickness, hence my lack of new projects. But now I'm officially in my second trimester which means my energy is picking up and I'm hoping to get back to my crafting room soon. Hopefully I can start working on some baby projects for this little bean too. 

I'm currently working on a birthday gift for my niece and I'd also like to make a tooth fairy pillow, inspired by a project I saw from the Martha Stewart website. I will post updates of these projects soon and I'll be sure to update you on my pregnancy along the way.

Thank you all for your support since I started this blog earlier this year and I hope you'll continue on with me as I begin this new journey!

Before & After - Doorstop Project

Project: a doorstep that I received from my Nana's house, looking a little worse for the wear, complete with rust spots. I knew I could give it a makeover and find a home for it here. 

Needed for makeover: a can of Rustoleum in dark bronze, small purple gems and gold glitter paint

Approximate time: 1 hour (not included time for drying in between spray paint coats)

BEFORE

AFTER

Summer Favorite - Mom's Zucchini Bread Recipe

One of my favorite things about summer is fresh vegetables but every once in awhile it's a fun indulgence to use those veggies to make something yummy!

It's taken me quite some time but I finally have my mother's zucchini bread recipe - it might not be the healthiest recipe but I promise it'll be moist and delicious.

• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 cups shredded zucchini
• 1.5 cups oil
• 3 cups flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 3/4 cups pecans or walnuts (optional)

Put zucchini in strainer and press or squeeze with hands to get some of the excess liquid out.

In a mixing bowl beat eggs, sugar, and oil together.
 
Stir in the flour, baking powder, soda, cinnamon, salt, vanilla, and walnuts, mixing just until all ingredients are combined. Add drained zucchini. Mix well.
 
Pour into 2 greased and floured 8 1/2 x 4 1/2-inch loaf pans. Bake for 50 to 55 minutes at 375°, or until a wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center comes out with very little or no crumbs clinging to it.
 

I wish I had taken pictures of the breads I made last week but I was so excited to cut into them that I forgot! But if you are lucky, your loaves will look something like this: 

Happy baking!

Crafty Links - Babycakes Approved

After a nice, relaxing break for the holidays, I'm ready to jump back into the week with some crafty links!

• I love projects that re-purpose old t-shirts - check out this tutorial on how to make 5-strand woven headbands, similar to those sold in stores (Make It and Love It)

• These are just about the fanciest cupcakes I've ever seen! Black Cherry White Chocolate Cupcakes in a Jar (Whipper Berry)

• This looks like a fun weekend project to sew or even liven up a pillow you might already own - Hexagon Pillow tutorial (Lark Crafts)

• Another great project from RWKrafts - reuse your old wine corks and make some fun stamps! (Prescription: Craft Often)

Happy Independence Day!

Babycakes is taking a little break from blogging to enjoy this long holiday weekend and a family wedding. Hope you all have a safe, healthy and happy weekend!