Nursery Room Reveal

At last, here is Isabel's lonnnnng awaited Nursery Room reveal...

Isabel is still sleeping in our room in a portable crib, but once she starts sleeping through the night more regularly, we plan to move her to her room. I have to confess I am a weeeee bit nervous about this move. Will I hear her wake up in the morning or night before she reaches full melt down and needs a bottle pronto? We have a baby monitor of course, but still. I'm a new mom, so I can't help but worry about these things :)

Here is her room as you enter it from the door. I kept the walls the same blue they were when the room was the guest bedroom, and added punches of pink, aqua, green, yellow and orange through accessories.

Another view of the room through the mirrored closet doors. My husband was holding her the other day up to the mirrored doors and Isabel was checking herself out. It was rather cute!

Crib and rocker/ottoman was purchased from Pottery Barn, and the aqua Chevron rug (yes, I too have caught the Chevron bug!) was purchased from Urban Outfitters.

Here's a close-up of the fabric hoops I made. And here again is the tutorial. I realize that once Isabel learns to stand up in her crib I will either need to relocate the hoops or hang them much, much higher!

Across from the crib is her dresser. The dresser once belonged to my father inlaw, and then was in my husband's room growing up, so I decided to not paint it but instead dressed it up with some acrylic knobs from Target.

Above the dresser I spray painted some frames blue, pink and yellow, and created art I found on Pinterest. (with the exception of the cream frame - that was purchased at a furniture store many moons ago)

'LOVE' was created using scrapbook paper from my stash.

'Each Day I Love You More' was created using chipboard letters,which I painted white and pink.

(excuse the glare)

'Butterflies' was created with a Martha Stewart butterfly punch, dictionary pages, and Close To My Heart pearl drops.

(again, please excuse the glare)

To the right of the dresser are some shadow boxes that I purchased at Kohl's and then created fabric covered backs for (again inspired by good old Pinterest!). I used the same fabric I used on the hoops above the crib.

Below is the bookcase my husband built back in high school and which I chose to spray paint pink and repurpose as a changing table. I purchased the changing pad cover after I had painted the bookcase, and it coincidentally was the same shade of pink! With what basic sewing skills I do have, I sewed a curtain to hide the lower shelves and all that they store.




I found this floor lamp at Target and covered the plain jane lamp shade with some leftover green and white polka dot fabric and added pom pom trim that I purchased on Etsy.

Pom poms! (Did I ever tell you that I was a cheerleader back in 8th grade? Well, I was.) I purchased these 7 tissue pom poms on Etsy and hung them with fishing line to the ceiling above the rocker.



I plucked this fun gold frame from the bargain bin at my local craft store and painted the glass with chalk board paint. Voila! A tres chic chalk board for whatever quote my heart desires. Currently the quote is "You are the one and only ever you" from the book 'On The Night You Were Born". I just love this quote.




My mother gave me this print as a gift for Isabel's nursery. She remembers it hanging in her grandparents home when she was a little girl.



And here is probably my favorite part of her room. The book ledges! My ever so talented (and handsome) husband built and hung these right before Isabel was born. She has quite the book collection already!







Because the top ledge is so high, and both Isabel and I would need a ladder to retrieve a book from the top ledge (unless of course we raise a little monkey who decides to climb!), I made these fabric READ letters to remind little Miss Isabel to read. My next post will be a DIY on how I created these fun letters.



So there it is. Isabel's Nursery Room at last. I hope it was worth the wait :)

Jenny

Nursery Progress

The nursery is slowing taking shape! The glider arrived, and boy is it fancy. Not only does it glide, it also rocks and swivels. Now if only it could make me a mocha or latte, I would be even more impressed. The ottoman is still in transit,but should arrive before the baby.  I purchased a floor lamp at Target to go between the chair and crib, and covered the lampshade in some fun green polka dot fabric I had left over from my hoop project. I plan to dress up the bottom of the lampshade with some fun pom pom fringe.

Here's my hoops again. For the DIY go here.

The hubby requested a pillow for his lower back for the countless hours he will be spending in the chair with the baby.  And me being the good wife that I am, sewed him this fun pink pillow. I didn't tell him that I was planning to make a pillow anyway ;-)

The pom poms for above the chair arrived this week! I can't wait to assemble and hang them.

PartyPoms

 I also bought a cream pom pom to soften all the pink.

PartyPoms

I have been eyeing this fun rug for the nursery.

Urban Outfitters

I'm also eyeing something like this for curtains. If I can't find ruffle curtains in the right length I'm thinking I could get this shower curtain (or two) and make them into curtains.

Urban Outfitters

Next on the list of projects:

Create some frame art to go above the dresser.

Paint the changing table, that is after we dig it out of the closet!

Clean out the closet, which happens to currently house all my Christmas decorations.

Get the hubby to build me those book ledges for behind the door.

Make a ruffle lamp shade for lamp on dresser.

Finish it all before the baby arrives!

Nest! Nest! Nest!!

Jenny

Embroidery Hoops DIY

Who knew embroidery hoops, with some fun fabric, could be turned into wall art? I don't care if everyone else with a nursery has them hanging on their walls. I just love them so!

Most of you could probably figure out how to makes these if  you wanted to, but I'll give you my DIY anyway....

Supplies:

1. An assortment of wooden Embroidery Hoops from your local fabric, craft or thrift store. I used to be big on cross-stitching and had quite a few hoops collecting dust in the closet.

2. An assortment of colorful fabric.

3. Scissors.

4. Hot Glue Gun.

First off, let me just tell you to please ignore the string tied around the hoop. I was planning to use the string to hang the hoop to the wall, but the string needed to be higher, and I found a much easier way to hang the hoops. I never claimed to be perfect ;-)

Step 1. Take your hoop apart and place your fabric over the "inside" hoop. Next place the "outside" hoop on top  of the fabric over the "inside" hoop. Tighten the "outside" hoop.

Step 2. Trim the fabric approx.  a half an inch from the edge of the hoop, leaving enough length to glue the fabric to the inside of your hoop.

Step 3. Place a small amount of hot glue to the inside of your hoop and fold the fabric over, gluing the fabric to the inside of the hoop.

Step 4. Finish gluing your fabric all the way around.

Step 5. Voila! You now have a pretty fabric covered embroidery hoop. Continue steps for the remainder of your hoops.

I decided to used some scraps of fabric to create a monogram "I" for Isabel. I sewed each piece on with some embroidery thread. And then hand embroidered "I is for Isabel" in blue embroidery thread, although it's kinda hard to see in the photo.

And the finished project once again.  I'm really pleased with how they turned out.

Stay tuned for my next post later this week, where I will give you a sneak peak of the nursery progess and how the hoops look hanging above the crib.

Jenny

Nursery Progress - sort of

Here's the "progress" we've made on the Nursery so far. Basically, we emptied the room of the guest furniture and assembled the crib. Here's the view as you enter the room. I've decided to not repaint the pale blue walls (much to my husbands' excitement I might add!), since it's a feminine blue, and will add accents of pink and cream and white instead.

Here's the view looking out towards the door. The dresser, which we plan to use as the baby's dresser, belonged to my father in-law as a boy and then used by my husband growing up. I had wanted to painted the dresser white, but it feels wrong to paint a family heirloom. Plus my husband said no. I might add some fun knobs instead.

And here's a close-up  of the crib we got from Pottery Barn. I originally had my heart set on this iron crib, but changed my mind once I discovered the mattress did not raise or lower, and that our backs would probably kill us after a week of lifting the baby in and out of the crib.

So what's the hold-up on decorating the nursery, you ask? Because, as most of you know, I have been known to paint an entire room and redecorate in a weekend. Once I get an idea in my head, it's all I can do to contain myself. Well, this is the hold-up.....

We splurged and ordered this glider/rocker and ottoman from Pottery Barn, and it takes 8-12 weeks for delivery. 12 weeks would put us into December, so I'm really hoping it's more along the lines of 8-10 weeks. Anyways, the glider is going to go in the corner, next to the crib, and I kind of need it in place before I can assemble all of the other pieces of the room. Which is killing me. Because I want to decorate the nursery so badly!

Here are some of the ideas swimming in my head...

Once the glider is in place next to the crib, I am thinking of putting a floor lamp in the corner. And make one of my ruffled lamp shades.

I am also thinking of hanging these pom-poms above the glider. Maybe trade out the darker pom-pom for a cream or white one.

I had originally planned to make these fabric pom-poms, going off this tutorial. But then I gave it some serious thought, and realized that after cutting out 100 circles or so, I would be hating myself after the first pom-pom. They do look fabulous though.

And then there is of course these to die for fabric hoops! I have already picked out the fabric for mine, just need to assemble them and take pictures so I can share the tutorial with you.  I plan to hang the hoops above the crib. 

We already have some nice faux wood blinds covering the windows, but I also want to add some curtains. I haven't decided if I will make curtains or purchase some. These pink ones are kind of nice.

And then of course I am still thinking of doing one of these floor to ceiling book ledges. I wish I had a larger wall for these, but the only wall that works in the room is the one behind the door. Oh, and I love the pillow on the chair. I just might have to make one of these.

And lastly, if there is room once the glider and ottoman is in place, I would like to paint the deep bookcase that my husband built in high school, and place it beneath the window as a changing table.

Can the glider and ottoman hurry up and get here please? Because I'm dying to decorate the rest of the room!

Pregnancy update: I am just over 29 weeks along now, or a little over 7 months. We went in for a level 2 ultrasound two weeks ago, which is a 4D ultrasound, and got the most amazing pictures of our little girl Isabel! We could see her cute button nose, her tiny little mouth, her precious eyelids and her tiny hand which was resting along the side of her face. She is already so beautiful! I am feeling her move inside me more. Her little feet kicking the right side of my belly, her head is on my left side.It is such a trip to have a little being moving inside me  :)

Jenny

Pregnancy Update

I'm just a little over 6 months along now, and 25 lbs heavier.
I will take 25 lbs over 60 or 80.
I am still not used to my new fuller face.
I am enjoying the rounder belly, but not the rounder face.
I suppose that makes me vain.
I have come to the harsh realization that not a lot of stores carry maternity wear.
But I am doing my best to look cute and fashionable while pregnant.

I love watching my belly grow, bigger and bigger. It's a beautiful thing!

I feel our little girl move around constantly. She's an active one.
We have a named picked out. Isabel Dorothy.
After my husband's grandma (Isabel) and my grandma (Dorothy), who both passed away several years ago.
I know that they would have loved meeting their great-granddaughter.

I have tried to go off Prednisone 3 times now (3 months, 4 months and 6 months)
but every time my Hyperemesis kicks in full gear and I get horribly sick.
Like puke my guts out 7 times in 12 hours sick.

So I am resigned to staying on Prednisone for the rest of my pregnancy.
Which is no harm to the baby.
It would just be nice to know that I was rid of my Hyperemesis
at 6 months...or 7 months...without the aid of steroids.

But again, I am SO THANKFUL that there is something I can take to keep my Hyperemesis at bay.

The crib arrived the other day and the hubster and I plan on assembling it this weekend.
I can't wait to dress the crib up with the bedding I got from Target.

I have also started the hoop art project for above the crib. I will post pictures once it's all up.

We also ordered the glider and ottoman,which take 8-12 weeks to make.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed they arrive before the baby does!

So the nursery is slowly taking shape. And I am getting bigger by the day.
I promise to share pictures as the nursery comes together.

Jenny

Nursery Picks

I've been scouring the internet and blogosphere for ideas for the nursery. The internet is a lovely thing! There are endless, beautiful nurseries out there. So many inspiring spaces. Here is a peek at what ideas and pieces I have chosen for the nursery...

1. This IS the crib I am ordering. The Bratt Decor Venetian Iron Crib from Pottery Barn. I love the classic, antique look of this crib. It's going to look perfect in the nursery!

2. After looking at all kinds of rockers and gliders, I think I have settled on one that looks more like a chair and that I can eventually move into another part of the house. Jim and I plan to try some out in the stores, and if I can't find one I like, then we'll purchase this one from Pottery Barn, even though it is a little more than we want to spend.

3. I just ordered this 3-pc Simply Shabby Shic Cherry Blossom Crib set from Target. It includes a bumper, sheet, and skirt.

Here's a better picture of the pattern on the bumper. I also ordered this quilt.

4. Fabric embroidery hoops for above the crib. I am making these for sure! I just need to find the right pieces of fabric.

5.  Pom-poms. I found a tutorial on how to make the ones picture below. I will be making these in shades of pink and maybe cream or yellow. They will hang above either the crib, glider or dresser.

6. We have a small, deep bookcase that Jim built when he was in high school that I plan to paint pink and convert to a changing table like the pink cabinet below.

7. And I WILL find a wall for shelves like these. Floor to ceiling. Love them!

I am also on the hunt for a chandilier for the nursery and I plan to make some curtains, even though me and my sewing machine have a hate/love relationship. 

I will try and post photos of the nursery as it comes together. As well as any projects I make.

Jenny