DIY BURP CLOTHS

Now that I'm in a major time crunch to get ready for baby, I'll be working on projects I've been putting off all the way up until he gets here, so I thought it would be fun to share today's project with you guys! If you've ever been thrown a baby shower (which I'm assuming you have or will at some point in the near future if you're reading this post) then you probably have a million of those cute but totally pointless flannel swaddling blankets sitting around. Whoever invented those clearly had a baby who was the size of a cantaloupe because they are TINY!!! Like I said, pointless. Anyway, I had 6 of them stashed away in my linen closet, unused, from when Quinn was a baby. I've been on the hunt for some cute, good burp cloths for this baby since the ones I had were in bad shape, but they are SO expensive! It's like $10 for 3 burp cloths that don't even work that well. So I figured why not kill two birds with one stone and use the flannel swaddling blankets for fabric to sew my own burp cloths! Free and the flannel ones are my favorite anyway because they seem to soak up everything so much better. So I pulled out those blankets and got to work!

1. Lay out 2 swaddling blankets, right sides together on a flat surface. Try to get them to line up as best possible.
2. If you have a burp cloth that you like the size and shape of already, lay it on top of the blankets to use as a pattern. If not you can just free hand your own.
3. Cut out as many burp cloths as you can fit on the blanket, leaving a 1/2" around the edge for seam allowance.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 with remaining swaddling blankets.
   
5. With right sides still together, take each set of burp cloths you cut out, and sew around the outside edge using a 1/2" seam allowance, but leaving a 2" inch section open so you can turn it right side out.
6. Turn all the burp cloths right side out.
7. Iron all the burp cloths so the edges are even and flat.
8. Fold the edges of the 2" section you left open, in to match the rest of the edge, and pin if needed.
9. Topstitch around the entire outside of the burp cloth using a 1/4" seam allowance, and making sure not to miss the edges of the hole you folded in.

You're done!

Hope you all have a great 4th of July weekend!

Mariasha

DIY Bronzer Tutorial and JustFab review

You guys are so lucky! You get a two in one post today! I was just going to do a post on some homemade bronzer I tried out, but I got a package early today!!! And what package might that be? Just Fab SHOES!!!! Now there is a long story behind why I bought these shoes, but just to keep it short and sweet, basically if you sign up for JustFab and order something, make sure you go online and select to skip the month if you don't want to buy more! Otherwise you will get a charge for $39 on the 6th of the month! But what's done is done, so I might as well be happy I got two new pairs of shoes:)

The shoes arrived in these pretty black and pink shoe boxes and were packaged nice and safe so there was no damage to the shoes.

The first pair of shoes I selected was Teresa.

The shoe was in perfect condition when I got it, and I was actually very surprised to find that they were made really well! Definitely not cheap. Now I'm not new to high heels (obviously) but let me tell you these babies are HIGH! The double stacked platform puts these shoes at a 6 1/2" heel! Making me 6'1 1/2"!!! Luckily because of the platform, they are not any more uncomfortable than any other shoes I own. Not super hard to walk in, but definitely not for a beginner! Good quality, cute, and they are pretty true to size... maybe 1/2 size small.

The second shoe I ordered was La Brea.

These shoes were also in perfect condition and made really well. I love the bright color of the yellow with the rope wedge... perfect for summer! These ones are only a 5" heel so definitely more manageable if you're not used to heels. These shoes are SOOO comfy! A lot of people commented in the reviews that it was too tight around the toes but I have narrow feet so it actually fit me really well. These shoes are definitely true to size. I think between the two I would definitely say these are my favorite!

Now as for JustFab, would I buy from them again? Yes. The shoes are great quality and not a bad price. I'll just have to remember to skip the month if I don't want shoes so I don't get charged! Also just an FYI, they have free shipping, and it only took me 4 days to get my shoes! AWESOME!

Moving on! I found an awesome pin on pinterest for DIY bronzer. I've already tried out a homemade mineral veil pin that I loved, so I figured I would try this one out too. To make it you will need...

Homemade Bronzer

• corn starch
• cocoa powder
• cinnamon
• nutmeg
• small jar

There isn't exact measurements for the ingredients, but I did the most of the corn starch, and then added the other ingredients till it was the color I wanted. I recommend not adding very much nutmeg because it smells STRONG!

Next mix everything together really well until the color is even throughout, and then pour into a small jar or container.

And you're done! I tried it out to see how I liked it...

I love the way it turned out! I didn't want it to be very dark because I just wanted a sun kissed look, but you can add more cocoa and cinnamon to make yours darker if you want. And the best part is when you get a good tan over the summer, you can just make it darker to match your skin! No more buying new makeup all the time! Plus it doesn't contain any gross chemicals or additives! Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Here's the finished look... 

If you would like to purchase some shoes from JustFab, use this link so I can get some rewards points for referring you! ;)

Mariasha

Crafts Ahoy!

I tend to be a bit indecisive when it comes to home decor. I go through so many phases and my likes change so much that I never end up finishing a room. When Quinn was born I was in this "I hate blue for boys, it's so cliche" phase so I decided to decorate his room in green and brown.

 What I didn't realize at the time, was that green and brown were about to become the most popular colors for boys rooms! So then when we moved into this house, I decided I was so over the green and brown. I decided a new home called for a new theme. At that point grey white and blue were starting to become really popular so I painted his room grey and all his furniture white and baby blue.

I figured it was such a classic look it wouldn't look to baby boy-ish. Boy was I wrong. After that I decided I probably shouldn't change anything until I was set on a theme. Well after about 6 months of dreaming about a nautical/ship themed room for Quinn I think it's safe to say I won't change my mind any time soon... hopefully. So yesterday I went to Michaels and DI to find some projects to work on for the room! First, I bought some new paper to recover Quinn's block letters I had made a few years earlier. I found some awesome red and white striped paper and a great navy blue. Then I saw this FANTASTIC burlap print paper and fell in love! I just had to get it!

 I also found some wood circles that I think are for wreaths and inspiration struck! I knew they would be perfect painted gold and hung on the walls as portholes!

They turned out exactly how I imagined them! I think I might put some pictures of the ocean behind them to make them look more like a window. Then while I was at DI grabbing some old vintage books for decoration,

I found this perfect dresser!

I had been looking for a dresser for him for a while because I hate hanging his clothes and I can't believe I scored this one for $30! It kind of reminds me of a treasure chest which is what I love about it! And the best part? I don't have to refinish it! I don't know how we did it, but we were able to squeeze the dresser in the back seat of my little Nissan Altima! Thank goodness because I really didn't want to have to borrow a truck to pick it up! I'm so excited about how the room is turning out already and I can't wait to keep adding more projects!

Here is a tutorial for making the cute block letters!

You will need:

• Block letters- I got mine from The Wood Connection in Murray
• Scrapbook paper- I used 5-6 pages for Quinton's name
• Sandpaper
• Modge podge- you can buy it at any craft store or make your own by mixing elmers glue and water 2:1 ratio
• Paint
• Foam brush
• Ribbon(optional)

1. Paint your block letters whatever color you want the back and sides to be. I chose white.
2. Lay your block letters face down on whatever paper you plan on using, and cut around the outlining of the letters. I doesn't need to be exact. 
   
   
   
3. Use the foam brush to paint on a thin layer of modge podge on the front side of each letter.
4. Press each letter face down on the paper you cut out previously to glue it to the wood.
   
   
   
5. Use the sandpaper to sand around the edges of the letter. As you sand, the paper will just fall off around the edges so it's fit perfectly to the letters.
   
6. You can add another layer of modge podge over the top of the paper to seal the letters if you want but it's not necessary. This will make the letters slightly glossy on the front. I wanted my letters to be matte so I didn't do this step.
7. Tie pieces of ribbon on random letters as the finishing touch.
   
   
   
   
8. Your done! Find somewhere to put your letters!

Thanks for reading and stay tuned for more projects I do for Quinn's room!