Baby on the Brain...

Nope I am not pregnant! Just loving lots of little baby things lately. Maybe it's because it's SPRING! I love this little framed fabric hand print display, don't you? Trace those little hands so that you can keep them forever. This would be great to give grandparents too! Especially if they are too far away to enjoy those little hands before they grow up.

Use scraps of fabric and a thrift store frame to make this project easy on the budget.

I am sorry, but this is too irresistible!

Spring means baby showers galore! Go here to get the scoop on the cutest baby blanket I have ever seen! I love those words! What a simple way to bring a smile to any new mom! These letter were cut out by hand - so even if you aren't the proud owner of a cricut you can do this project.

Caterpillar Onesie (no sew!)

Look at this cute gift idea! If you want to make your own you don't even need to be on good terms with your sewing machine to make this little number! Go on over here to check out how.

Love These Baby Burp Cloths

I fell in love with these baby burp cloths because they look so classy, but even better than that I could make these! If you can sew straight lines then this is a great homemade gift idea for you to try. Check out the the link for a great tutorial and more pictures.

Nursing Bracelet

I got a nursing bracelet from my sister. It's a bracelet that you wear when you are nursing so that you can keep track of the last time you fed your baby. You just clip the charm in between the numbers that correspond with the time. If you last fed your baby at 1:30 then you would clip the charm next to the middle bead in between the 1 and 2 (as pictured in the second picture above). She made it with memory wire, beads, and a clasp with a charm attached. I kind of like the bracelet in itself, nursing or not. I think the numbered beads are a fun look.

Baby Boy Ties

My friend, Liz, helped me make these cute little baby boy ties for my sister's little one on the way. I don't really sew unless you count Home Ec. so this was quite an accomplishment for me. If I can do it so can you!

This was a pattern for 6 month to 1 year size ties and they use less than a 1/4 of a yard of fabric. Very affordable, creative, and fun to make and give!

Update 01/23/10: I found the tie pattern online. It can be purchased here.

Oilcloth Bibs (for the non-sewer!)

If you don't sew than this great gift idea is for you! These cute bibs are made out of oilcloth. Just trace the shape of a bib that you like on the back of the oilcloth and cut it out. Then holes were punched out on both pieces that go around the neck and a piece of ribbon tied to each hole. There are some really cute prints that I have seen. Oilcloth is waterproof so it would be great for a tablecloth too.

Bow Bouquet

Hair bows are a great gift for any girl. If you want a unique way to package it try a bow bouquet. Get a basket or other container and put a Styrofoam block or a green floral foam block then cover with Spanish moss. Then cover wood skewers (or some other kind of stick) with floral tape and clip the bows to the skewer. Then stick your skewers into the block at varying heights. This idea was found here along with tutorials on how to make bows here and here.

And if you are looking for a GREAT price on alligator clips, bows, flowers, and other accessories then go to haloheaven (as long as you don't mind buying in bulk - I went in on an order with some friends and it ended up being 50 cents per flower/clip including shipping).

Necklace/Bracelet Holder

All you need for this project is a frame (this one came from the dollar store), some knobs (these came from an old dresser), some scrapbook paper, and E-6000 glue. I found this idea here.

This would also be a great idea for stretchy or crochet headbands. This would also be a great addition to a gift of homemade jewelry.

Painted Letters

Wood and cardboard letters can be painted or mod podged for a simple gift.

Here are some wood letters that were painted. Wood letters can be found in various sizes and styles.

Here is a cardboard letter that was painted on the sides and back and mod podged with patterned paper on the front.

These wood letters were mod podged.

Try doing just an initial (or all of their initials) instead of a full name to slim down the price. Letters are so versatile. They can be used for anything.

Nursery Canvas Pictures

Martina made these nursery pictures out of canvas and paper. She painted the canvases and then layered patterned paper to make the animal shapes. The layers of paper are glued together with a glue stick and then the entire paper animal were glued on the canvas with a hot glue gun. Hot glue a ribbon to the top back edge of the canvas for hanging.

Dishtowel Bib

I really like these bibs. One day when I get brave enough to sew I am going to do one of these (or many). These are by far the best kind of bibs and once you try them you'll never go back to anything with less coverage. It seems like my kids always get food on the shoulder of their shirt if they don't wear a bib like this.

Mini I-Spy Quilts

Take on a mini project and try this out. Here are some fun mini i-spy quilts I found here. If you have your own scraps from other projects this could be very easy on the wallet.

Sweet Diaper Cakes

This diaper cake by Martina is gorgeous with it's 3 tiers and elegant ribbon.

She started with a 90 count package of Size 1 diapers.

She rolled the diapers and secured them each with rubber bands

The top layer has one rolled diaper with six rolled diapers around it. The second layer has one more go around of diapers. Then the third layer has one more than the second.

Then a flat layer of diapers around the edge of each tier is secured with a large rubber band around each tier.

Ribbon is tied around each tier (covering up the rubber band) and a bow in the front

Topped with booties.

Beautiful!

Chunky $1 Wood Frames

Martina made these great frames with paper, mod podge, and ribbon. For $1 you can get the cute chunky wood frame from Michael's. It would be fun to print out a letter for a family initial or spell a child/baby's name with one letter per frame. Or give a teacher a picture of her with your student.

Towel Hoody

A towel hoody is a great idea for babies and kids. You can find this one here. With or without the embellishing it is a useful gift. Look for towels on clearance for your next baby shower (and put it in a crate!) or give them to the grandkids for Christmas. You could even add a fun bath toy for older kids.

At the Store By Myself

The other day I needed to run some errands. My husband was home for the morning and said he would stay with the kids and I could run out by myself. The entire time I was shopping I was so happy to be on my own and getting everything I needed to done without interruption for 2 hours. I was thinking, "this is all I want for Christmas!"

Do you know anyone you could watch kids for? Need a gift for a baby shower? You could even create little cards with increments of times or blocks of time on certain days that you are available to be cashed in whenever needed (with a little bit of notice). Maybe something like this:

Get "Something" Done

Need a morning shower?

To run some errands?

Do your Visiting Teaching?

Make phone calls and pay bills?

This coupon is good for 2 hours on a

weekday morning to get "something" done.

Date Night Out

Want to go out?

This coupon is good for an evening with free babysitting.

Available Wednesday through Friday 7-10pm

Crates!

This is a crate from the dollar store with little outfits rolled up with coordinating headbands inside for a baby shower gift. The outfits were on clearance too so the gift is very budget friendly, but still looks great. I found the idea here.

I have also seen ribbon laced in and out of those holes in the crate (going across in rows). Anything you can do to make the packaging unique always makes the gift stand out.

Car Seat Tent

A car seat tent is on my list of things I need for my next baby. I found it here along with a great tutorial. She made it look so easy too! It is a great way to keep the baby away from germs and weather.