Penny's Nursery: The Big Reveal!!

Finally the big reveal!! I am in love with Penny's room and I hope one day when she can see past 18" she will too!  It is just so bright and colourful with so much to look at but not overcrowded or too busy...in my opinion anyways. ;)

We took these shots at 5am when the sun was coming up which explains the brightness and since I am not the best photographer these are the pictures we are left with.

The cost breakdown:

Crib - $120 (Bought on Kijiji: The price included the change table which I didn't use and sold for $40)
Closet Doors - $35
Crib Skirt, Pillows, Curtains, Quilt and Ottoman Fabric - $75 (with fabric to spare)
Light Fixture - $30
Art - $50
Rag Rug from Etsy- $80
Chair from Kijiji- $50
Paint and Supplies - $40
Change Pad, Sheets, Change Pad Covers (2) - $70
Baskets, Pom Poms, Trash Can, Laundry Bin - $50
Mobile - $50
IKEA Ribba Shelves (Picture Ledge) - $17 x 3 =  $51
Hooks from Kijiji - $45

Total = $746
Subtract $40 for Change Table = $706
Add $50 for odds and ends (buttons, spray paint, ottoman legs etc.) = $756 (Approximately)
Mattress and Monitor = Approx. $230 (bought with Costco gift card)

 

The room consisted of a lot of DIY projects which were really fun to me and kept me busy during my early pregnancy months.  First was refinishing the dressers that I had when I was a kid which then led to lining the dresser drawers with polka dot wrapping paper.  Next was the sewing projects with Penny's great grandmother, she helped me make the nursery safe shades (the fabric was the first thing I bought for the room and served as the colour inspitration for the whole nursery) and the pillows. 

I then searched Kijiji for weeks for the perfect crib and nursing chair with some character and found both 500km away in Edmonton, luckily my wonderful family were able to pick them up for me.

 

Now for the closet doors which were the other biggest project of the room besides the dressers.  I couldn't imagine the room without them though, they just provide that extra design and personal touch.  As you can see in the picture above the light reflects the circles back on the walls for the coolest effect!

Smaller projects included:

• Garden baskets which I spray painted gold to hold stuffed animals above the crib.
• Homemade pom-poms hanging above the change table for a $5 project for so much impact! 
• I Heart You picture I made using an old IKEA picture and frame I had laying around, filled the squares using burlap from our wedding table runners, spray painted wooden letters found at Wal-Mart and put it all together. 
• The book shelves are actually picture ledges from IKEA, they are awesome to showcase all the books my cousin and I had when we were kids. Also super accessible for reading in the chair. 
• P for Penny, again using a letter found at Wal-Mart and wrapping it in twine.
• The ottoman which my Dad and I whipped up quickly. 
• DIY crib skirt made using heat bond tape and velcro.

The hooks, chevron basket, rag rug and change pad covers were etsy finds.  After some use, I am so happy I went with topping the dresser with the change pad rather than using the change table, such a space saver and everything looks clean rather than having the open shelving that a change table has.  After she is out of diapers we don't have to worry about selling the change table and finding a dresser to fit the space.  The basket set-up next to the change pad really works for us too.  It contains diaper creams, a box of wipes and like ten diapers which we refill when necessary from the big diaper box hidden in the closet.

Other finishing touches include the mobile bought at a baby store in Edmonton, the owl clock and trash can found at Superstore, quilt made by Penny's great-grandma, laundry basket from Canadian Tire, the owl light given as a gift, the fox pelt given to me from a local trapper and the light fixture and picture above the changing dresser both found at IKEA.

This DIY project has been brought to you by the letter...P!

When we first got pregnant, we decided that no matter what name we decide on we will keep it a secret until she is born to avoid judgement from friends and family. I didn't want their opinions to sway us on a name we really loved. After Penny topped our list for sometime and my blog name just came to me without much thought, there wasn't much point hiding our love for the name.  Since the blog has been up and running, people have been asking if Penny is really the name we are going with, at first I beat around the bush a bit saying it was just for the blog but in the end I would usually fess up. Most people like it but we do get the occasional "ohhhh, that's nice" comment with the totally obvious lying face.  It is actually pretty hilarious, people are not good at hiding their true feelings.

So....with this post there should be no questions about it..........Penny is her name..........maybe! ;p

I started with a P from Wal-Mart, a hot glue gun and twine (left over from our wedding party decor).

Wrap the P with twine securing with hot glue as you go. Some areas will need two layers so that all the white it covered up. There really isn't a method except keep the amount of cuts you make to a minimum to have long consistent lines. 

 

Next up is a ribbon flower.  I searched etsy.com for inspiration and found this type of flower the easiest to make. 

• Cut four pieces of ribbon the same length, glue the end of each piece together to close the loop.
• Layer loops in alternating directons and glue in between to secure loops together.
• Push down and glue in between each layer (inside the loops).
• Glue a matching button to the middle of the flower.
• Glue on finished flower to the letter.

 

 Currently the P is hanging on Penny's bedroom door, I'm not sure if it will stay there or end up being hung in her room.  But for right now I love walking by knowing soon enough, it really will be HER room!

 

Nursery Safe Shades

A few weekends ago, Grams and I wiped up some shades for Penny's room.  I was going to just use white curtains for her room, but I decided to take the wise advice given by my friends with little ones and go with something that blocks out the sunlight for those daytime naps.  Anything to keep baby sleeping! The idea of the shades came after researching "safe window treatments for nursery" since it looks like the room arrangement may end up having the crib underneath the window so dangling strings and loose fabric within baby's reach could be dangerous.  This website came up in the search http://kiddosafeshades.com/howourshwo.html and I thought they "Hey! those look pretty easy to make!", with Grandma's help of course....I am still just a beginner sewer and probably will be for quite some time!

I bought the fabric months ago from IKEA with the intentions of making book slings (still to come), and the colours have served as my "jumping off point" for the whole scheme of the nursery. The heavy weight of the fabric ended up being perfect for the shade and since I bought 6 meters (for $6/m), I have more than enough for both projects.  For the extra layer of lining, we cut up an old white IKEA curtain, I had kicking around (teaser: the other panel will be used for the ottoman I am working on).

Step 1: Measure inside of window frame by height and width.  Cut outer fabric to dimensions with an extra 2 inches on each side for hem - this is for three of the sides.  For the top of the curtain, leave enough to make a pocket for your rod depending on its circumference (we left an extra 6 inches). 

Step 2: Cut inner "blackout" fabric to exact window dimensions and lay inside outer fabric.

Step 3: Fold outer fabric edge over once and then over once again, it should now cover and lock in the inner later. Pin folds down for sewing.  Repeat for three sides, except for the top.  For the top, make fold to accommodate for the rod pocket and sew as you would the other three sides.  (As you can tell from my instructions, I am not an expert sewer at all, Google or your Grandma may be your best resource for information here).

Step 4: Use a kit to cover the buttons with the corresponding fabric where you want the buttons to lie. The shade has 2 folds to bring it up to about the half the window (you can decide if you want the shade to hang lower or higher when "up").  Attach the button with needle and thread to shade (not the fold).

Step 5: Make loop with scrap fabric.  We use a 5cm long piece approximately an inch wide and folded the edges into itself and sewed down the one side.  Line up with button and sew onto the fold of the shade.

Step 6: Use tension rod for the pocket and hang shade inside the window frame.

Up!

Down!



DIY Crib Skirt

When I first found out we were having a girl, I spent hours searching for the most perfect bedding set on Etsy but they all hovered around the $300 mark! This seemed a little pricey to me for the bumper, crib skirt and only one crib sheet, like what good is one sheet?! And I am not sure on the whole bumper issue yet either.  For now, I have decided on no bumper, cheap sheets from Wal-Mart and a DIY crib skirt!

This total project cost approximately $25 (inc. gst)! The 2 yards of fabric was ordered from Etsy for $22 (inc. shipping) and the Velcro strips were $2 from the dollar store.  I had a package of heat bond tape at home already but I am sure that only costs a few bucks too.

Note: If you are doing all 4 sides of the crib, you may need an extra yard. 

I followed the crib skirt tutorial video by Young House Love. 

STEP 1: Measure the widths and heights (width inside the legs and height from the mattress board to floor). Cut your fabric to the correct measurements allowing an extra inch or so for the hem on three of the sides.  No hem is needed at the top, where it will be velcroed to the crib.

STEP 2: Iron down a straight hem on the three sides (ignore my sad excuse for an ironing board - tupperware lid and towel).

STEP 3: Place heat bond tape along the inside of ironed hem. (Please ignore the shitty pics taken with my blackberry - I was too lazy to waddle downstairs to get the camera!)

STEP 3: Fold the hem back over and seal the heat bond tape with the iron (the package instructions said to have a damp cloth between the fabric and iron and for the iron to be set on "wool").

STEP 4: Stick one side of the velcro along the top of the mattress board and the other side of velcro along the fabric's underside so that it matches up. Repeat for all 3 sides. As baby grows and the mattress lowers, we can add another row of velcro on the skirt to adjust to the new height!



AND VOILA! How simple is that??

Notice the kick ass vintagey looking crib I got from Kijiji for only $120!? This price also included the mattress and matching change table.

DIY Tissue Paper Pom Poms

After many searches for baby mobiles, I couldn't decide on anything I liked.  They all seemed to be plastic, pastel and some kind of farm animal arrangement.....not my idea of fascinating. I wanted Penny to experience colour and texture!! So that began the search for a DIY project and tissue pom poms was the answer. There are many tutorials out there in the blogosphere, but here is my own version for my dedicated readers ;)

STEP 1: Stack 8 tissue paper sheets and cut a bit of the long end, so you end up with a sphere rather than a football (unless you want that shape).

STEP 2: Fold accordion style, with approximately 1 1/2 inch folds. Crease with each fold.

STEP 3: Twist a piece of floral wire (I used a garbage bag twist tie) around the center. Feed a piece of wire/ribbon/fishing line under the center tie; this will be used to hang your pom pom so make sure it is long enough. Trim the ends of the tissue into rounded or pointy shapes.  You can also choose your size of pom pom here by cutting more or less off the ends.

STEP 4: Fan out each side and separate layers, pulling away from center one at a time.

STEP 4: Hang in an arrangement and admire!

P.S. Don't let bad kitties near pom poms!

Frosting Mirrored Closet Doors: 2nd Attempt = SUCCESS!!!!

What I have learned from this experience is to never give up and that saving money takes time.  The total cost of this project was approximately $35 ($6.99 for the frosted glass spray paint, ~$6 for the adhesive shelf liner and $20 for the circle cutter which can be used for many other projects) but the hours we put in was the kicker!!  Not counting the first attempt, Mr. Loonie and I spent close to 10 hours, thank god for his help or I would still be on the floor cutting circles.  In the end, the doors turned out so adorable and exactly what I was envisioning.  Mr. Loonie and I had some bonding time too during the endless circle cutting when we did get out a word; we are both the silent type when working so conversation always lacks during projects.  Trust me though, I make up for it during his favorite show/video game or while he is trying to have a peaceful shower/bathroom break, etc., etc. ;)

So the method...........after many pinterest searches I found this amazing tutorial on the blog "My 3 Monsters".  I pretty much did exactly what she said, we were just using a different stencil technique.

Warning: Longest post ever!

STEP 1: Remove closet doors.  This is not as easy as it looks, after some web researching the recommended way is to remove the tracks from the floor.  Yah right....there was a screw right smack in the middle of the track between the two doors which couldn't be accessed.  Mr.Loonie decided it was time to get aggressive and bend the top track for the wheels to slide out and voila, they were out.  He just bent the track back when it was time for the doors to be replaced.

STEP 2:  Apply adhesive shelf liner to the closet mirrors and smooth down the best you can.  Don't worry about the air bubbles, once the stencil is cut, the air bubbles can be pushed out to a circle hole which is much easier than trying to push them out to the door edges.  (I wish I would have thought of this earlier). 

STEP 3: This would be the time to spray the closet frame if needed as the mirrors are covered but my frames were white so this was not necessary.

STEP 4: Cut out your desired stencil.  In my case, it was a random circle pattern.  I found the most amazing tool from Martha Stewart at Wal-Mart. This circle cutter is what ol' Martha would call " A good thing", best $20 I eva spent!  The cutter allowed me to choose circle sizes between 1" and 5 7/8" at 1/16" increments, therefore 94 choices! The only snag was that we couldn't get close enough to the mirror's edges as I would have liked due to the frame and the width of the circle tool.  We used random objects from around the house and traced with an x-acto knife to fill in the edges.

  

STEP 5: Take the stenciled doors outside to spray with the frosted glass paint. The can instructed to spray in >10°C and man, did we get lucky with a warm sunny winter day with temperatures hovering around 10°C in the sun. Make sure to cover up the surrounding area (we didn't want our garage doors frosted!) and spray according to can directions.  This stuff is toxic! To avoid any baby trauma, Mr. Loonie did the spraying which consisted of three quick coats.

BEFORE SPRAYING: (notice the reflection)

AFTER SPRAYING: (notice there is no reflection!)

  

STEP 6: After 10-15 minutes of drying (it dries very quickly) bring the doors back inside and peel away the remaining contact paper....very exciting!!  This took some time as we had to remove small slivers of the adhesive paper from where I did two passes per circle with the cutter. Bits of glue that stayed on the mirror after peeling also had to be cleaned with some windex. Thank you Auntie Jingle for the help!

STEP 7: Put the closet back together and admire your work!! It was worth it, phew!

Head over to Penny's Nursery Reveal post to view how the closet doors look in the finished room!

Painting Penny's Room

Like I said before, picking a flippin' paint colour is difficult! For weeks we had at least 10 paint chips taped up on the wall in the white, pink and orangey-coral family; there was even a couple of aqua chips, just for something different but Mr. Loonie did not want it feeling like a hospital :/. We checked out how the colours looked in all possible lighting conditions....sunny, cloudy, morning, afternoon, evening, lamp on, lamp off, etc. I knew I wanted the room bright and fresh but I didn't like any of the whites or light coloured samples we had so you know what I did? I went down to Rona, grabbed a book of whites and picked the colour which looked the most white to me. So yah, after all that I just went and picked a colour from a book.....craaaaazy! Luckily, it all worked out...

Mr. Loonie patched, sanded and primed the walls before the new colour went up. The before colour was a mauvy purple (it looks really light in the below photo to the left - have a look at this post which shows a better representation of the purple).

BEFORE SHOTS:

AFTER SHOTS:

I chose Refreshing White from Rona's Expressions line, it ended up having a pink tinge to it allowing the dressers and trim to have some contrast against the wall. To clean up the baseboards and trim I did a quick coat using just basic white straight from the can. 

The closet also had a makeover since the doors were already out for the frosting project. The shelf was a wood veneer/ particle board combo and the plastic brackets had aged an ancient yellow.  Mr. Loonie tried taking out the shelf but it was not moving out of its 30 year home; the years of paint had sealed it in tight.  We ended up protecting the walls with newspaper flyers and spray painting it all a clean white.

Now to get the last bit of trim up around the door and the frosted closet doors in (the 2nd method worked - post coming soon!) 
Ooooh.....the crib and rocking chair (both Kijiji finds) were delivered this weekend by Loonie family members after a Edmonton weekend trip. They are amazing!