DIY vs. BUY

Has anyone else noticed that sometimes DIY is not the cheapest option out there? Have you ever found yourself buying all the materials for one project and then later realizing that you actually just spent more money (not to mention time) trying to DIY rather than just buying!?

So in regards to baby things, here is a list (and their accompanying how-to site if there is one) on what was better for me personally to DIY and what was better for me to BUY.

*Note - All the items under BUY can still be DIY! Depending on your talent and materials available in the area it may work out better to DIY, let me know!*

DIY

DIY Wubbanub - This can really help your baby have an easier time finding his/her own binky! Choose your own binky and stuffed animal, put a glob of hot glue on the back of a binky and stick it onto the face of any stuffy!

DIY Double Swaddle aka Secret Swaddle - The outside blanket can be any swaddle blanket or wrap (we use our muslin ones). The inner blanket is any double/triple folded receiving blanket. Weave the folded receiving blanket around arms and behind the back, then swaddle baby. More info http://styleberryblog.com/the-secret-swaddle-my-sleep-solution

DIY Baby head wraps - Use your old stretchy shirts or thrifted shirts or even 1/6 yard of jersey material. When you're making something this small you don't have to pay a fortune on yardage. Pinterest "baby head wraps" because I have too many links to list!

DIY Felt - There is so much you can do with felt, it's a personal favorite of mine and a go to for customized baby shower gifts! You're really only spending pennies to purchase felt.  Hot glue it on headbands and beanies or stitch it to a onesie!

DIY Free White Noise App "Relax Melodies" - I love this app so much! There is an actual oscillating fan, vacuum, humming, white noise, wind, birds, and music box sounds (and so much more!) The best thing about this app is that you can turn off your screen and it will keep playing (uses only about 30% battery life in 12 hours of playing!) Take it anywhere with you!

DIY Refurbished Chair - find a cheap chair and dress it up!
http://britjessop.blogspot.com/2015/02/diy-chair-cover.html

DIY Baby Closet (especially for those tight on space) - We ended up screwing a wooden dowel so it would hold more weight, but feel free to use a tension rod. http://britjessop.blogspot.com/2014/09/small-space-baby-closet-bookshelf-to.html

DIY Dollar Store Storage bins (put them in closet or under changing table) - Have you been down the dollar store bin aisle lately? Bins like these you could easily cover with contact paper or fabric or even spray paint to match your nursery.
http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2013/04/reader-space-pretty-place-to-play.html

DIY Baby Announcement (Walmart photo print) - I took a screen shot of a fancy card I made on an online announcement site and had it print out as a regular 4x6 print at Walmart (I love their matte finish photos). http://photos.walmart.com/walmart/welcome 

DIY Freezer Burritos - It's one thing to feed your baby but another thing to feed yourself and your husband (and other kiddos). I like to add brown rice to mine, feel free to add meat as well! Perfect for a grab and go lunch for your husband and a quick lunch for yourself!

http://moneysavingmom.com/2012/09/lunchbox-freezer-cooking-bean-cheese-burritos-day-1.html#_a5y_p=990227

BUY

BUY Muslin Swaddle blankets - Might as well buy it, since muslin fabric is hard to find. It's super versitile, drape over car seat, burp rag if needs be or a nursing cover (nice because the fabric is breathable). They wash up beautifully.

BUY Moby Wrap - Jersey fabric can be super expensive to DIY. The last DIY wrap I searched called for 5 yards and the cheapest Jersey material I could find was $17.00 a yard! 

BUY Disposable Diapers and wipes - I admire those who do washable! Did you know buying in store (not online) Walmart brand diapers (ParentsChoice)  are generally 50% cheaper than brand diapers? *Some parents have to try multiple brands if their baby's skin is sensitive... What works for me may not always work for others and that's ok!*

BUY Tissues - We use these way more than burp clothes because we strategically place multiple boxes around the house. 

BUY Desitin - This works wonders for our  baby (again, your baby's skin could be different, some may need to DIY an organic paste) but we've  never had a full out Diaper rash and I think it's due to the fact that we use this as a preventative measure if we notice a little redness coming.

BUY Disposable Nursing Pads - Eventually you might get to the point were you find time to wash your DIY pads or DIY diapers etc... But for me the first few weeks was all about disposables.

BUY paper plates/ plastic cups/utesils - There was no way I was going to DIY those dishes the first week! This may have been one of the best gifts I received prior to having my baby!

DIY Kitchen Makeover (for $1.00!)

I thought I would change it up a bit this week and post a project which I have come to love more and more every time I look at it! Maybe it was because I only spent $1.00 on it... what's not to love about that? This makeover option is especially great if you live in a rental because it is not a permanent change.

All I did was cut rectangles (bricks) from contact paper! Dollar store contact paper (DollarTree, Con-Tact-Quick-Cover). There is a grid on the back of the paper so it makes any shape possible to cut and duplicate easily. Mind you, it did take 1 1/2 rolls of contact paper for me to do my upper cabinets and that's all I really intended to cover, so I spent $2.00 total. It just depends on how much you are wanting to cover.

 If you haven't used contact paper before, it's actually meant to line cabinet/cuboard shelves and it peels off easily. No stickiness is left behind. Side note, I actually use this paper to cover the top of the fridge as well and then peel it off when we move, isn't it strange how it gets that sticky/dusty film up there?

Play around with it! I'm partial to brick, so I cut and peeled brick after brick.

There are several patterns of contact paper at DollarTree, but the one I used was Tan-Marble, as pictured below.

http://www.dollartree.com/household/storage-organization/Con-Tact-Quick-Cover-Tan-Marble-Self-Adhesive-Shelf-Liners-18x54-/500c541c541p312313/index.pro?method=search

DIY Chair Cover

I really didn't think I'd "need" a rocker/glider for my nursery but then I came across a free one and thought "Free? I can afford free!" Let me tell you, it has been so nice to have one, especially for midnight feedings. 

I found the tutorial for this on Pinterest and since bloggers gotta help each other out, I will put the link to this fabulous gal's site below. Her instructions are perfect, so there's no need for me to repeat them! But I will throw my 2 cents in and mention that these chair pads were dusty! After debating how to clean them and calling carpet cleaner after carpet cleaner (which charged an arm and a leg to clean them) I took them down to a local car detail shop and they shampooed them for $10! 

So if you do come across a used chair I'd recommend cleaning the pads even if you are going to cover it because you know, we want a sterile baby room! Or maybe I'm just crazy that way? 

Here's the link and have a great time sewing!

http://www.alexharalson.com/2014/02/diy-reupholstered-glider.html#_a5y_p=1329764

Below are the pictures of my before and after, I used flannel because it was on sale! 

DIY Baby Quilt - Scrap Pieces

One way to downsize your crafty clutter is to just use your leftovers! Really, take a look at all your scrap pieces and seriously contemplate if you will ever use them again. That's what I did and instead of fabric sitting on my shelf for years, it has now been compiled into a cute little baby quilt for my nephew (isn't he the cutest?!). When I say little quilt I mean little. Don't stress about the size of the quilt being exactly what Pinterest ordered or having to follow the rules about quilting "perfectly" because then your project might get put off for a long time! I'd recommend to tie the quilt with embroidery thread (easiest option) and watch this tutorial, it helped me so much on how to do the edges.

The Ultimate Binding Tutorial - Missouri Quilt Co.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vCWpxBRs20

 Happy scrap quilting!

DIY Baby Closet

Living in a two bedroom apartment can get crowded when trying to fit three people in it. Especially when the baby's room doesn't even have a closet! But there is always a way around these things and with clothes this small and cute, one can't help but want to display them in an organized manner.

I had originally came across this idea on Pinterest but put my own flair on it. My brain could not handle any commitment to actually painting the bookshelf (plus I was worried about paint fumes!) so I just used some extra wrapping paper I had lying around.

Measure, cut, double stick tape the corners, that's it! When I get tired of this color I'll just grab a different paper, even patterned paper, the possibilities are endless! You could even use scrapbook paper, cut out some squares, circles, etc. Looking forward to our little bundle of joy!

Tiffany Blue Wedding Punch

I put this picture from my wedding up on Pinterest and wouldn't you know it? A month later I had over 1000 pins! So I figured I'd let everyone in on this delightful concoction, it is Country Time Lemonade and Blue Koolaid. That's it!

-The base will be the Country Time Lemonade prepared with their directions.

-Next you will make the blue Koolaid as their packet directs and add it in increments to the lemonade to get the desired blue.

-For a lighter color, poor less Koolaid into the lemonade and for a darker color add more! It is completely personal preference and customizable.

*Note- this is for a large crowd, if you desire this drink for a smaller crowd just add pinches of the Blue Koolaid powder to the prepared Country Time Lemonade*

Enjoy!

Might I add to use clear cups so the color of the drink can get admired more!

Shoe Shelf DIY

Who says you can't paint particle board? All you need is a good coat of primer I promise! The top coats are just your regular wall paint, furniture paint or heck whatever is on sale! The best part of this is lining each shelf with cabinet liners. I chose a thick textured plastic. That way if you ever want to use the shelf for books then you can take off the lining and not have to worry about the scuff marks or dirt! Display your shoes like a work of art!