Pallet Decor

After finishing our pallet wall, I had some leftover pallets -- so I went a little |pallet crazy| and made some cool decor out of it!

 I also helped build a headboard for my sisters master bedroom and I'm loving how it turned out!

After all this building... I'm thinking it's time for a massage...

xoXox

Birch Ornaments

5 Steps
** I used wood pieces I had already cut for my DIY Birch Coasters
1. Print off pictures in black and white.

2. Trace around the wood on the picture then cut it out smaller then the traced circle.

3. Push a pushpin through the picture. (but not all the way)
4. Tie a loop with twine, put it around the pushpin and push it all the way down.
5. Then hang it on the tree!

Here are some other hand-made ornaments.

2011

2012

xoXox

Homemade Laundry Soap

Over the weekend, the boys and I made homemade laundry soap. 
My Granny just recently made some and said she really liked it so she gave me the recipe to try it. 
It's pretty similar to the kind we made a year ago but I think this one is better. Why? Because of this... Fels-Naptha Laundry Soap. This stuff is seriously the best. We found it at Walmart and I saw that Target also carries it. 

 It got out a bright pink lipstick stain that Jovi had gotten all over my favorite dress. That's what sold me!  I also had a couple friends tell me that it works amazing on baby blowouts! (Which I'm very glad I came across this stuff now...) Perfect timing wouldn't you say? 

My Granny figured out that it only costs about 50 cents per gallon to make. 
 Compare that to 20 bucks a gallon!

 Here's the recipe. It makes about 5 gallons of laundry soap.

What you need

- A 5 gallon bucket with lid

- I cup of Borax

- 1 cup of arm & hammer super washing soda

- 1 bar of fels-naptha soap 

How to make it 

In a big pan on the stove, melt grated Fels-naptha soap in 3 quarts of water.

(simmer-do not boil.)

Fill 5 gallon bucket 1/2 full of hot water and add the melted soap along with 1 cup borax and 1 cup Arm & Hammer washing soda. 

Stir it really good and then add more hot water and fill the bucket about 4 inches from the top. Let sit for 24 hours.

It will be jelly like. Stir it again then pour into desired containers. 

Shake before use.

 

Of course I had a few of the best helpers in town!;)

xoXox

How To Make a Romper

I found this super easy romper tutorial on YouTube! 

The tutorial was for a teen sized romper, but I just down sized it to a infant size and changed a few things.

I'm sure I will be making more soon!

Here is the video tutorial.

How to make a collared baby onesie

 

1. Scissors

2. Fabric

3. Onesies

4. Buttons

5. Needle & Thread

Step #1

Fold the fabric in half, trace the collar pattern, then cut them out.

Step #2

Put the pieces together face down and then sew along the bottom. 

Step #3

Turn the collar right side out, fold down the top of the collar (it helps if you press it with an iron) and then stitch along the top. (I just hand stitched it.)

Step #4

After both collars are sewn on, its time to sew on the buttons!

 

Waalaa!

All done!

Finito!

xoXox

DIY Birch Coasters

These coasters were really easy and fun to make! 

With only 3 simply steps.

1. Cut the wood at about 3/4 inches in width.

2. Lightly sand the tops of the coasters.

3. Paint the top with mod podge or a clear paint to help waterproof and stain proof the coasters.

And...... Waalaa!

Nixon wanted to help me arrange the coasters for the finished picture.

"Here Mama, I'll show you" -Nixon

He's the best helper;-)

xoXox

DIY Crib Mobile

You will need...

• Scrapbook paper
• A circle punch
• Thread & Needle
• Scissors
• A circle loop

How to...

1. Punch out all the circles.

2. Cut a long piece of thread and tie a double knot at the end of the end of the thread.

3. Slip the needle through the untied end of the thread and thread it through the middle of one circle.

4. Tie another double knot 2 inches apart from the circle and repeat step number 3.

5. Once you get the desired length of circles tie it to the loop.

6. Once you get all the circle strands on the loop (I did 6), tie two strings across the top of the loop forming an X, then tie a long piece of thread in the middle of the X and hang it from the ceiling. 

Tip: Honestly this project was not what I would call easy. It requires a lot of patience and time. But I am definitely very happy with the way it turned out!

xoXox

DIY Ornaments

1. Dipped Pine Cones

How to

1. Pour white acrylic paint onto a paper plate.

2. Roll the pine cones in the paint.

3. Let dry for about an hour.

2. Chic Foam Christmas Tree

How to

1. Cut triangles out of foam paper.
2. Use ornament hooks to connect the triangles together.

Here are some more DIY ornament ideas from last years Christmas tree. 

How to make bird feeders

Yesterday, the boys and I went hunting for pine cones in our backyard so we could make some bird feeders.

They each found a bucket full of pine cones.

Jovi thought it was fun to put them in his bucket and then dump it all out.

When they were done, Nixon gave Jovi his bucket to carry home because he didn't want to.

"It's wayyy too heffy Mama" 

Good thing Jovi is tough then;)

Then we went over to Grandmas house to make the bird feeders and play in the leaves. 

First, we helped them tie a string to the end of the pine cones.

Next we spread peanut butter all over the pine cones.

Then the kids rolled them and covered them with bird seed.

When they were done, we hung them in the tree for the birdies to eat.

Playing in the Leaves