DIY Nursery Decor

Once I buckled down and finally decided on an Owl and Birds theme for my youngest son's nursery, I was appalled at the prices of simple wall decor. Pieces averaged $40 for one picture, so I sought out an affordable alternative. I managed to make four 12"x13" owl prints and one 2'x3' bird print without having to buy any supplies!!

I selected cardboard from large smooth cardboard boxes that we already had and cut them to size. I imagine that canvases could have been used in place of cardboard, but canvas is also pretty pricey.

I then used Acrylic paint to cover the backgrounds and design simple branches and a tree. To make the owls, birds, and leaves, I used scrapbook paper that I also already owned. By cutting the specific shapes and layering the different patterns of paper, I acquired the desired effect. I attached them by using Mod Podge to ensure longevity and I was finished! They turned out fabulous and didn't make a mark on my Nursery Budget, which left the extra dough for something that I couldn't construct by simply using the supplies I already owned!

This technique could be used for any theme and would make a great gift for a mommy-to-be, without costing you or her an arm and a leg!

3 Wheeler Diaper Cake

This a fun twist on the traditional "Diaper Cakes" which resemble tiered wedding cakes but are constructed from diapers and small items that would be useful to a mommy with a newborn. Diaper cakes are a wonderful gift to both give and receive! I admit they do sometimes look intimidating to pull together, but they're really very simple and a joy to make! There are many very informative instructional videos available on the internet. I researched the basics of this style of Diaper Cake and then I let my creative side do the rest. These are the items used in this particular design I made:

45 Size 1 Diapers
2 Receiving Blankets
2 Baby Bibs
1 Pair of Baby Socks
1 9 Foot Spool of 1 Inch(+) Ribbon
1 Small Baby Bottle
2 Baby Washcloths
6 Large Rubber Bands
1 Empty Paper Towel Tube
1 Empty Bathroom Tissue Tube
1 Medium Stuffed Animal
1 Set of Teething Keys
4 Artificial Flowers
9 Straight Pins with Ball Heads

DIY Budget Shoe Makeover!

With a few rhinestones and ribbon in place of actual shoelaces, these humdrum kickers, get a KICK!

I'm a mom on a budget, so when I discovered these Converse "look-a-likes" at a local Walmart store for only $15, I snatched them up with the promise of adding the feminine touch.

I then ventured into the craft department where I stumbled upon sticker sheets of various colors of rhinestones meant for cellphones, notebooks, mp3 players, etc. I purchased three packages of 192 count, silver adhesive jewels and a coordinating spool of nine foot ribbon.

To apply the adhesive jewels, I placed Mod Podge in small areas at a time on the toe of the shoe and then individually applied the jewels. This did take about a hour to accomplish the entire toe of one shoe, but well worth it. After all of the stones were glued on, I added a layer of Mod Podge on top of the toe to both protect and secure the stones (Mod Podge dries completely clear although it appears cloudy at first.) I let them dry over night and presto, one-of-a-kind, expensive looking shoes! The stones have stayed completely secure and I'm often questioned as to where I purchased them! Enjoy your new shoes fit for Cinderella!

I'm a Mom

“I'm a Stay-At-Home-Mom” is not an acceptable answer to many individuals. Society has deemed it the equivalent of being unemployed. I'm less than impressed with those that view my job as requiring little to no effort. The day you're able to hand me a resume that has enough space for the following Job Description and Duties, I'll consider your opinion.

Until your children are older, you are responsible for bathing, clothing, and feeding them. They are simply unable to do any of these things for themselves and there are no “chores” to assign to others. So between loads of laundry, scrubbing floors, cooking meals, washing dishes, watering the plants, clipping coupons, dusting furniture, feeding the dogs, making beds, vacuuming carpets, and doing everything all over again, I have to make time to be a mom. I read books, build forts, play cars, color pictures, sing the ABCs, build block towers, watch Elmo, change MANY diapers, enforce vegetables, schedule doctor appointments, wipe runny noses, “baby proof” the house, pretend to be a horse and that a spoon is an airplane, dice hotdogs, clip fingernails, prepare a dozen bottles, find shoes, remove crayon from walls, retrieve the latest toy from the toilet, refill sippy cups, entertain a toddler while feeding an infant, protect the cat from the toddler, tuck little toes under the covers, sing lullabies after nightmares, wipe perpetually sticky hands, convince a two year old that bubbles aren't edible, rock my kids to sleep, teach them to be thankful, teach them who to be thankful to, impress morals, independence, and self-worth, but above all, let them know that they are loved and to love others.

After each day is done with the kids, the tiny tots are snuggled in bed, and the house is generally picked up, my day is not yet over. As the years have shown me, a husband and wife must make a valiant effort to maintain a husband and wife relationship. The busyness surrounding the children can absorb you and your focus can shift from being a family to simply being a parent, if you're not careful. A husband is not a roommate, but a life partner and co-adventurer. It takes an incredible amount of work to ensure that you both remain on the same adventure.

As life does its thing, I also have to find ways to maintain my sanity. I've found that sanity is a key point in making it through daily ordeals. I spend most days without makeup, ruffled hair, and mismatched clothing. Now, going without these things makes daily routine easier, but every woman wants to feel pretty every now and again. So I'm extremely grateful for any reason to pull on a pair of jeans and put on mascara. One of the oddest little things that secures my sanity is having my nails done. Somehow whenever I change a diaper, wash dishes, or scrub a toilet and see a little flash of “pretty” on the hands holding the toilet brush, the chore gets a little bit lighter.

Above all, God is my rock. If I don't have a relationship with Him, everything I do is in vain. He is the reason I'm able to do all of the things that I'm able to accomplish. If I'm feeling guilty for not vacuuming behind the couch, He reminds me of what's important by having Dawson flash me a smile. When I'm doubting my abilities as a mother, He reminds me that He's working through me, that everything will work out better than fine.

In a nutshell, that's what I do. Every day when you're on your way to your ten hour a day job outside of the home, I'm here. I'm here 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, without sick days or a 401(k). Just as you choose to go to work, so do I. The difference between us is that I love my job. It's my choice.

I'm a Mom.