Easiest Baby Quilt Ever

I really need to stop visiting the fabric section when I go to Walmart.  I told myself I wouldn't buy any more material until I had used up a majority of what I have on hand at home.  I have piles of fabric here that is just waiting to be used for something fabulous.  But I couldn't pass up this material on clearance.

To make it even sweeter, the quilt itself was already stitched - I only had to add binding.  I used this binding tutorial from Make It and Love It to finish the edges.  Woo-hoo!

Baby Shower Gift

I made my first diaper cake!

Here's how I did it:
Bottom layer - 20 diapers (newborn size)
Middle layer - 12 diapers (newborn size)
Top layer - 8 diapers (newborn size)

I rolled the diapers around a can of food, and then put one elastic band around all diapers in that layer.  I removed the can of food, and stuffed a blanket in the center of the cake.  Then, I hot glued a ribbon over the elastic of each layer.  Bamboo skewers helped hold the layers together, and a cardboard circle provided the "cake plate."  On the top of the cake, I put a cute little stuffed animal, with arms stitch together, to hug the blanket.

I wrapped the cake in cellophane and added a few more gifts for the new baby (headbands, pink booties, and a bottle).  The mom-to-be loved it, so it's definitely a keeper!

Primary Class Christmas Gifts

For our primary class, I made these cute blocks:

We took photos of the children months ago in our class, so I could quickly put these together, and modge-podge the photo and scrapbook paper onto a block of wood.  Super simple.  And hopefully the kids will enjoy them.

Burp Cloths

Can you believe I didn't get any burp cloths at my baby shower?  I know I could just use a blanket, but I wanted a burp cloth.  I didn't get these made before the baby came, but my mom whipped these out while she was staying with me to help out.  So this craft is courtesy of my amazing mom.

Aren't moms amazing?  My mom was here for a few days with me and she did SOOO much.  My mom is honestly SuperMom.  She deep-cleaned my oven, swept and mopped my kitchen, cleaned out all the old food in my fridge, along with a million other small projects - and all while taking care of me and a new baby.  I wish that some day I am half as amazing as my mom.  Thanks again Mom!

Cinnamon Christmas Ornaments

A cute and cheap Christmas ornament idea.

These smell amazing.  They're basically just salt clay dough with cinnamon added.  Here's the recipe:

**I know I found this recipe online a few years ago, but I cannot remember where I found it to give proper credit**

• 1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 c. salt
• 1/2 c. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon oil (increase amount for more fragrant cookies) [I found this at Walmart on the aisle with the candles and incense, and it was $1 or less]
• 1 c. water
• Mix dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl.  Add water gradually and stir continuously until completely absorbed.  Knead for a few minutes. Chill, covered, for 1 to 2 hours in the refrigerator before proceeding.
• Roll dough flat on parchment paper until 1/4 inch thick.  Cut designs with a cookie cutter or freehand with a small knife.  Pierce a hole in the top with the end of a chopstick.
• Place cookies on parchment paper.  Bake at 250 degrees for 1 to 3 hours.  Remove when very firm and set aside to cool.  Thread with string or ribbon and hang on tree.

And one more photo of them hanging on our Christmas tree, because it looks so cute and Christmasy:

Diaper Organizer

We don't have a changing table.  We have a changing pad on the top of a dresser.  More economical and it works for us.  The only problem was the lack of storage.  Problem solved! Hanging on the wall above our changing pad you'll find this lovely diaper organizer I sewed:

Where we can keep our diapers and wet wipes within a hand's reach while the baby is being changed.  Already it's been a life saver for us.

I'm Back

The reason there have been no posts the last little while:

But now I'm back, and there's plenty for me to catch up on.  Check back soon for all the finishing touches of the nursery and some Christmas crafts I completed before this one arrived.