Sunday, July 8, 2012

Nursery Update #3: Starting to look like a nursery!

Hello all! It's definitely been a while since the last post but I guess adjusting to a new puppy and a new job, finding time to work on the nursery/ projects, still maintaining a life with the hubby, and pregnancy fatigue have all had an impact on the time I find to blog, but I wouldn't trade any of it for anything. :) Matthew and I are definitely blessed and we're enjoying this little journey, as crazy and hectic as it can seem at times. Anyway, I can finally say that Reynolds' room is starting to look like a nursery! :) The crib came in about 2 weeks before we expected it to (it was on backorder until the middle of June), we fixed up an old antique school desk to use, found curtains to hang for closet doors, and decided on some artwork for the walls, although we still have a little more to add.

So without further ado, welcome to picture overload!

*These were all just taken with my phone but I'll definitely use my good camera when I do the final reveal, just fyi ;)

Love the vintage look of the Jenny Lind crib 


We got this desk at a yard sale for $1! It had about 15 coats of white paint so lots of work was involved to remove all that paint!
I'm thinking about using this to put her books on... Maybe in a wire basket? 
Charcoal curtains from West Elm to conceal the closets (please excuse the awful glare)


Changing table ready for Baby Reynolds :)
Last night I was feeling crafty so I visited Hobby Lobby and just browsed for a while. Sometimes that can be so relaxing, especially when I have nowhere to be and can really just take my time. While I browsed I decided to make something with her initials to hang above the crib. Since there is so much white in this room, i.e. crib, daybed, rocker, trim, etc... I wanted something that had a little rustic, yet eclectic look.

First I grabbed the letters for her initials "MRE" for $1.99 each. Then I headed to the scrapbooking aisle to pick out some paper that would coordinate with the bedding. I had the idea that I would cover the letters with the patterned paper but decided that it would probably look best if there was a frame involved. So I headed to the frame section and found a really cool weathered wood frame to use. It was $24 but I had a 40% off coupon to use for it. Total cost of this whole project was less than $25!

I decided the easiest way to cover the letters in the scrapbook paper would be to use a cutting board and an exacto knife because I wanted the edges covered as well. So I glued the letters face down on the back side of the paper and then traced around them with the knife. I left about 1/2"-1" on all sides to have enough to glue down on the back.

Step 1: glue letter face down


*I glued all the letters down at once so there would be plenty of time for them all to dry.



Step 2: Trace around letter with an exacto knife, leaving enough paper to fold over the letter. This would depend on the depth of your letter.


Step 3: Once the paper has been cut to size start folding it over and gluing it down. I treated the corners just as I would wrapping presents.


 Step 4: Check for any spots that might need some extra paper, then start on the next letter. :)


I'd say it took me right around an hour to finish all of the letters. The R was probably the hardest because of all of the curvature. This required me slitting the paper in small sections to fold it over and then I had to add some extra paper once I was finished to a few bare places.

All in all, I was pretty pleased with how these turned out, especially since it was low cost!


Once I had the letters finished I recruited the hubby to help me hang them with the frame. We just used the 3M double-sided tape since the letters and frame were so light. I bought an open back frame so we didn't have to worry with the weight of the glass or backing to hang this.

Here it is hanging above Mary Reynolds' crib:



I like that it really adds a pop of color and also an element of rusticity. Here are a few more photos:



Oh, we decided to hang the antique printer tray that I mentioned a while back in this post above the fireplace. We plan to add a few little knick-knacks to some of the cubbies but for now, there are 2 sea shells and her name spelled out using Scrabble tiles.



I am planning to put some antique wooden clothespins in the clear apothecary jar and a piece of fabric in the embroidery hoop. This embroidery hoop belonged to my dad's mother so it's at least 50+ years old. There is also an old horseshoe and cowbell that I got from my dad's barn.

So that's the nursery for now, with plenty still left to do! We still need to get bamboo shades for the 2 doors and possibly the 2 windows, new bedding/ pillows for the day bed, a mirror to hang above the changing table, and finish the rocker. I'm sure there's more but that's all I can think of for now! It feels great to finally see some progress being made.

Aside from the nursery, here are some pics of our recent life happenings via Instagram !

Headed home with our 6 week old Apple Jax! 

Waylon is a great big brother and he loves his new play buddy! 
Jax gave it all he could for his first 1-mile walk but just couldn't quite make it back home ;)

My 4 beautiful, sweet, wonderful nieces at the twins' 3rd birthday party. Being an aunt rocks! :)
Lily :) 
Lola :) 
Apple Jax - 7 weeks old 
27 week bump...
Jax's favorite nap spot, under the bed
His favorite spot to chew on his bone... Reynolds' room :) 
Waylon and Jax would stay in here all the time if we let them...
Well that's all for now! Not sure when the next post will be but hopefully it won't take me as long next time. I'm officially in the third trimester now so I guess the countdown begins... :)

Hope everyone has a wonderful week!