Build it! Display Stands for Miniature Garland and Buntings Tutorial

I think miniature garlands are just the cutest things ever. And they're so simple to make. Pretty much everyone can sew a few paper circles together (or glue tiny burlap flags) to create instant decor for pretty much any occasion. It's cheap and easy. My two favorite adjectives.

However, I sometimes struggled to find places in my home for displaying those tiny little buntings.

I've seen plenty of images online of perfectly styled mantels with miniature garland draped along old window panes, shutters, and even giant chalkboards. And it all looks beautiful. But without those vintage decor elements, finding a spot to display miniature garlands in my home was difficult. Thus, although I love them, I rarely decorated with them.

Until the day I saw THIS brilliant idea at Find It, Make It, Love It. I absolutely loved it. And I had to have it. But I don't live in Utah, and the supply store mentioned doesn't ship.

So........ I crafted my own version, DIY style. Here's what I came up with.

Project Estimates
Total cost: Under $10
Total time: Less than an hour

Supply List  (all items found at a hardware store)
(1)  1- 1/4 x 48" Poplar Dowel
(1) Wood Closet Rod Socket set
(2) Wooden Finials in the same diameter as your dowel (marketed as furniture legs)
***Verify that all items are the same diameter, and will fit together

You will also need to use a saw, drill, screws, and paint.

Step 1: Determine how tall you would like your display stands. Keep in mind that the taller you make it, the less sturdy it will be.

Step 2: Cut two pieces of equal length from your dowel rod.

Step 3: Drill guide hole for screwing on the finial top. Attach finial.

Step 4: Attach the closet rod socket to the base with a drill and screw. You may need to use a countersink drill bit first to ensure the head of your screw will lie flush  - we don't want our display stand to wobble!

Step 5: Paint or stain

Step 6: Enjoy!

 Linking up HERE

35 Weeks Belly Bump Photo



Getting bigger..... Here's a new belly bump pic for you Grandma :)

Thirty Years of Christmas Letters: A Shutterfly Scrapbook

Hello Friends! Today I want to share something that I've been meaning to make for a long time... a photo scrapbook with over thirty years of my family's annual Christmas letters.

Every year since their marriage, my parents have been including a Christmas letter and family photo with their annual holiday cards. In the days before email, Facebook, and Instagram, these Christmas letters helped connect our family and update long distant friends and relatives of our happenings throughout the year.

Fortunately for me, my parents thought to save a copy of each year's letter and photo as a keepsake for themselves. Looking back at old Christmas letters written by my parents about me and my siblings is a trip down nostalgia lane - almost like reading an old diary about yourself.

I thought it would be neat compile all of the annual Christmas letters - over thirty years - into one book. I also knew that my siblings would want a copy, so I turned to Shutterfly to create a photo scrapbook that could be printed in multiples. One for each of my family members.

Making a photo scrapbook with Shutterfly is super easy. I've ordered numerous photo books through them in the past. Great price, great quality and their website is really user friendly, making photobook creation a breeze.

Here is a peek inside my completed photobook. (Check out the frilly hat hanging in the background of these photos. Gotta love the 90's!)

This post contains affiliate links, meaning I make a very small commission on any orders placed after clicking on the links contained in this post.

 

Shutterfly Special Offers. Save up to 50% on selected items such as photo books, calendars, wall art, photo gifts, and more. Offers change frequently.

 

 

 

Maternity Bow Belts

A few months ago I whipped up some DIY Maternity Bow Belts. I wore this style belt quite a bit during my second trimester to provide definition and give the illusion of a waistline when regular tops no longer fit, but my maternity shirts were still a bit roomy.

These belts were super easy to make. If you can make a headband, you can make this belt.

The white bow belt was made using two different ribbon types stacked together and the bow was assembled using THIS TUTORIAL. The bow was then stitched onto piece of elastic trim.

The green bow was made from an old knit tank top. The elastic band was salvaged from the shelf bra liner band on the same tank.

The coral colored bow belt is on a satin ribbon with an elastic closure. Here is a closer look.

 Linking up HERE

How and What We Save: Children's Keepsake Files

As most parents will attest, children generate sentimental paperwork at an alarmingly fast rate. Memorable cards, photos, and pediatrician papers begin piling up in the first few weeks of life. The rate of keepsake production accelerates more and more as your child begins to scribble, color, and draw. By the time your kid goes to preschool, it's easy to find yourself swimming in a sea of brightly colored construction paper art.

 

Creating and maintaining a keepsake folder is how our family addresses the sentimental clutter. Let me show you how and what we save.

 

 

Where Do We Save?

A few years ago I began using this accordion file folder to save and organize our daughter's keepsakes. Having used it for a few years now, I am really happy that I spent the few extra bucks for the extra features, like the larger size, the canvas exterior, and the clasp closure on front. (Purchased at Walmart and still very affordable, even with the extras.) 

 

Here are some things to consider when purchasing an accordion file for children's keepsakes.

• Size - Does a piece of construction paper artwork fit inside without folding?
• Capacity - How much will it hold? How many dividers?
• Construction - a canvas exterior is sturdier and will last longer than a plain plastic one.
• Method of closure - elastic closure or plastic clasp?
• Do you want a handle?

 

What Do We Save?

• A few cards and letters - Only the most meaningful ones get saved.
• A select representation of the child's artwork. More on that process in a minute.
• Pediatrician handouts with child's height, weight, and percentiles from check-up visits.
• A few wallet size photos from photography sessions. (Majority of professional photos are stored elsewhere.)
• Yearly highlight DVD. I like to edit our home videos into manageable, 30-45 minute films compiling the best video clips from the year. When creating the DVD, I burn an extra copy for her keepsake file.
• A CD with digital copies of the year's photos.
• Our annual Christmas Card

 

How to Decide Which Art to Save? (And What to Toss)

Chances are, you won't be able to save every piece of art your child brings home from school. (Unless you're willing to devote massive amounts of your home to storage.) Personally, I am of the less is more mentality. When my child eventually grows up, moves out, and receives her keepsake files, I want it to be a manageable collection of meaningful childhood keepsakes - not overwhelming or burdensome.

 

So how do you determine which art to save? Here's the process that works for us.

• All artwork (regardless of quality) is proudly displayed on the refrigerator upon initial completion. Then, after being displayed for an appropriate amount of time, the majority of her artwork is thrown away. (Easier to do if the child is not watching.)
• Obviously, milestone artwork is saved, like the first time drew a stick figure person. I also try to save a few representative pieces of the child's ability or interests at particular stage, i.e. pink crayon scribbles all over a Disney Princess coloring page.
• The best of the best school artwork is saved. This is a tough one because almost everything coming home from preschool is adorable.
• 3D art like glued cottonballs or noodles is difficult to save. (In my opinion) The most impressive pieces will be photographed for a digital memory, but eventually be thrown away.
• Glittery artwork is not saved. Glitter "shedding" is a pet peeve of mine. I don't mind it displayed on the fridge for a few days or even weeks, but I really don't want everything else in the keepsake files to get covered in loose glitter.
• Photograph any pieces which you'd like to remember, but just aren't practical to save.

 

 

Every family is different and there certainly is no right or wrong way to save keepsakes. I hope this post has inspired you. Good luck finding a method that works for you!