Baby Banner

Here is a great idea for a baby's first birthday banner (or a baby shower banner)! All I did was take some twine string and loop it through the arm holes of my baby's onesies and outfits from when she was a preemie/newborn. It was easy as pie!

Then I just added some small hand mittons using colored paper clips. It took me all of 10 minutes to get it put together and hung.

 

You could easily add anything onto this banner and make it longer or shorter. Other items you could use on the banner are:

Baby beanie hats

Baby socks

Ribbon

Pacifiers

Pictures of baby throughout their first year

Baby shoes/slippers

Footprints/handprints on paper

The possibilities are really endless. And if I'd had more time, you could also hook these items on using clothes pins (you could paint them any color to coordinate with other items), or diaper pins (like the ones for old cloth diapers).

Re-finished Entry Way Table

I refinished and painted an old entry way table that belonged to my husband's Grandpa. It was in great condition, but I wanted to change the color and update the hardware for a fresh look.

 And waaala! I love how it turned out. The color is called "heirloom white" and I love the cottage-esque look of it.

There comes great satisfaction with fixing up something yourself. The whole project cost about $20 (the table was free but I had to buy primer, spray paint, and new handles; we already had the sander and related tools).

For this project, I used spray paint. But I have re-finished old wood furniture before using regular paint like in this post.

It was much less time-consuming using spray paint. However, I had to apply a few more coats with spray paint vs. regular paint to get an even tone throughout the table. I also had to start with a primer, then use spray paint, and finished with a spray-on clear protective coat of polyurethane to protect against nicks and scratches.

The supplies you will need are:

Sandpaper

Drop cloth

Spray paint

Primer

Polyurethane spray

The steps are almost the same as painting furniture with paint like in this post, however instead of applying paint, you will use spray paint. Be sure to follow the spray paint can instructions for how long to wait in between applying new coats. Also make sure you shake the can vigorously before spraying and hold the can at least 8-10 inches away from the furniture so the paint is spread evenly.

Old Things Made New

This dresser/changing table is 25+ years old, but I was able to make it look brand new with some easy steps!

Now a days, changing table/dresser combos cost $200-$400+ which is an expense I personally couldn't afford.

The changing table actually wasn't in bad condition to begin with, but I wanted to spruce it up a little with some new paint and new hardware, so I went to work.

Here's the old dresser (still in great condition however!):

And here's what I did to it:

The supplies you will need are:

Sandpaper 

Paint

Paintbrush or foam brush (I prefer a foam brush)

Drop cloth

Mask (optional but recommended)

Tools for removing/replacing hardware

Steps:

1. Choose your paint color- make sure it can be used on wood (or whatever medium you are using). I recommend buying a sample size paint can and trying it out before committing to buying a huge can.
2. Remove any hardware from the furniture.
3. Use sandpaper to buff down the wood and and smooth out any rough spots. It's easier if you have an electronic hand-held sander, but doing by hand will also work.
4. Clean the furniture with a damp cloth. Let dry completely.
5. Apply coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry completely in between new coats. Once finished, allow furniture to completely dry for 24 hours before moving it.

This kind of DIY project is very easy, quick, and affordable and makes any piece of old furniture look brand new!