D.I.Y. "Keep Calm.." Nursery Art

 When I first started scouring the internet looking for inspirational nursery decor ideas, of course I hit up Pinterest {like a boss} the most, Pottery Barn Kids, and a fantastic website called Project Nursery. I pretty much searched for ideas I loved that I could copycat.  Pinterest is where I began seeing these "KEEP CALM" diddies, and honestly at first, I didn't 'get' them.  

But then my eye caught a few clever ones, like "KEEP CALM & EAT CUPCAKES" or "KEEP CALM & LOVE BUNNIES"  

Okay, whatever, I'll admit it- I STILL don't totally get it, but they are becoming more whimsical and funny to me, so I started thinking of an idea that could be funny/whimsical/ironic/humerous to put in our baby's nursery.  {Believe me when I say that I think we will all appreciate the tidbit of humor when we're up with our infant son for the third time in the wee hours of the morning!}  This is my own lil' concoction I came up with ~

I'll totally be making these as gifts, as you can presonalize them any way you'd like {IMO- the funnier, the better!} and frame them up.

My lil' pumpkin{s}

Halloween:  I've been pregnant twice through Halloween, this being the third time.  With that said, I have never sported my baby belly before, and it's something I've always wanted to do!  So, this round, I done did it!  I painted a pumpkin on my lil' pumpkin!  It was interesting to do because I free-handed it by looking into a mirror to see what I was doing.  It was almost like painting backwards, but it turned out really cute.  I sported it when we took the kids out trick or treating.  I had one group of women take a photo of my belly & ask me if it was real, to which my husband replied "Yeah, and I helped!" ;) It really was the cutest thing since sliced bread... or pumpkin pie!



My sweet, little family :)



Gift Basket Obesessed. Oh well!

My boys were invited to a friend's birthday party & I found this adorable idea on {you guessed it!} PINTERESTTTTTT!!!! {<--- Imagine me using Oprah's yelling voice as I say that!}

I've attached the link at the bottom for those who would like to try their hand at it.

For this little guy, I used a polka dot container I found in Target's $1 section that I had been holding on to. {And yes, I know my husband thinks I'm a hoarder because I buy those things and keep used containers and glasses, but I can't let go because of projects like THIS one! What if I NEED a container to put together a cute gift?!} Michael Jackson had it right when he sang  ♪♫"Don't stop til' ya get enough!" ♪♫

I grabbed craft sticks, some floral styrofoam, mini airheads, my glue gun, and a giftcard.
Check out the link provided if you'd like to make one of these adorable things!

Click here to view original basket idea & instruction :)

DIY Coasters & Gift Basket

Hello, my name is Kara and I am a pinner. 

Pinner, yes, as in Pinterest.  I truly do have some kind of addiction to Pinterest, which I will admit at times is really not a good thing, however I find SO many crafts and ideas on there that are so freaking awesome!  Like the coasters I'm about to show you for example... These were my own little concoction, but the idea of making coasters using mod podge and scrapbook paper originally developed from what I'd seen on Pinterest. The ones on P were made using tile that you buy at your local hardware store, and the ones I made, well, a tad different. 

I wanted to put together another thank you basket for a friend who threw me a very cute "diaper & wipes" themed party.  Instead of coffee creamer & mugs, this time I took the coaster route and put together what I think was a pretty cute little basket.  I will now share details with you incase you want to make some for someone that you also think is awesome... or for yourself.  Whichever rings your bell.

WHAT YOU NEED:

- 4-6  4" brown cork mats, found in the gardening section at Walmart near the pots. 

- Mod podge

- Paint brush or sponge brush

- Scrapbook paper to your liking

- Waterproof, acrylic spray paint sealer

- Scissors {Oh, how demanding this project is! *eye roll*}

- Small sheet of sandpaper




Start with these... {they are a whopping .87 each... it may cost a little bit more than the tile you can buy, however I like that these are round & already have the cork on the bottoms!}




Turn them upside down so that the cork is on the bottom. Peel off any price tags, and using your sandpaper, give the smooth side a few rubs over just to allow the mod podge to adhere better.



Using your scissors, you can either trace out the actual shape of the cork mat and cut your circle out, or you can use a glass that is slightly smaller.  I'd recommend using something round that is slightly smaller so you don't risk the edges overlapping.

Ex: here is the size I chose & cut out for the look I was going for...

Using your mod podge, go ahead and paint the surface, being sure to cover the entire surface to ensure that your scrapbook circle will adhere.

Arrange your circle, and be sure to smooth out any air bubbles with your fingers, starting from the center and working your way outward.

After any air pockets have been removed & you're happy with the layout, go ahead and apply more mod podge to the top.  Be sure to coat the entire thing (paper & edges)

Allow the mod podge to dry 15-20 minutes before applying another coat. I personally applied 4-5 coats of mod podge to my coasters because I wanted to ensure they'd be waterproof.   I allowed mine to dry & set for a day before I sprayed them down with my waterproof acrylic clear coat spraypaint, which is the last step.  Make sure you spray them well, as the waterproof sealer helps ensure these babies WILL be waterproof & ready to serve as coasters for any drink, hot or cold.

I found this adorable, brown felt basket at Michaels craft store during their fall sale; it was on clearance for $1.99! Totally cute! I snatched it up, and added some crinkle paper, a package of pecan cranberry pancake mix, hot cocoa mix, organic maple syrups, and my coasters, which I mixed & matched.   Then I wrapped the whole thing up in gift basket wrap and tied it with a little bow. 

I really love homemade gifts like this, especially baskets; they make me feel warm & cozy, even while I'm putting them together! I feel like you can add such a personal flair to any gift basket by selecting colors, flavors, designs, etc which makes it great!