Sensory Play... For Free!

As a former teacher who used to encourage her students to get dirty, I personally believe in the value of sensory play. I just never knew little babies could benefit from it until I found Pinterest and started reading up on it. Well, I mentioned back here that I'm on a spending freeze (more on how that's going later...) because Pinterest is making me broke. So, I scoured my closets and drawers this week and found some inspiration from various pins I've seen. No money spent... 20 minutes of my time... and two new toys for Baby C.

Sensory Water Bottle

I emptied out an expired jug of juice, ripped of the label and poured water in it about 3/4 full. I added some food coloring, pom poms, glitter and beads (all of which I had stashed in my crafty closet). Taped up the top with duct tape and VIOLA! Cam can eat it, shake it, stare at it and squeal all he wants.... heck if Maizey eats it, I don't care. It was free!

Egg Carton Touch and Feel 

I took an egg carton and some hot glue along with a few objects I found in my junk drawer and crafty closet. Glued the pom poms, beads, a penny and a furniture scuff protector onto the bottom of each egg compartment. Cam can open and close the lid, touch and feel the various textures and try to eat as much as he wants... it's glued down tight, so I'm not worried. Oh and did I mention this was free!?

While it looks like he's terrified of it, he has actually enjoyed playing with it for a few seconds every now and again. Then he chews on the carton...

And, just to be sure I'm "keeping it real," I should probably warn you that my recent productive few days will most likely result in a phone call like this to my husband this afternoon:

Photo Wall

I've been VERY bad at changing the photos on our photo wall downstairs. Some of the pictures in there are classics (i.e. from 1987) but others are just a bit dusty. In fact, I didn't even have a picture of Cam down there.

So when I saw this on Pinterest, I was inspired.

I started my search for a frame and found one at JoAnn fabrics for $29! Tip: framing stores will put out custom made frames that people ordered but never picked up or ones that they no longer need at ridiculous discounted prices. The frame I bought is a custom wood frame measuring about 40" x 25".

I then searched for contact paper instead of wall paper so it could be easily removed, and I bought six white 5x7 frames from Target. After printing out the pictures, hanging all the pieces (it took about 30 minutes total!) our new photo wall was complete:

BEFORE

AFTER

Close up of contact paper and frames...

I am very pleased with how it turned out. It's clean, simple and makes me smile every time I walk by it. I think I may take a short break from Pinterest projects. In fact, I hear the laundry, and dishes, and floors, and countertops... calling!

Feeling Inspired

Now that Campbell is a sleeping super star, I've found myself with time to accomplish things around the house. I spent last week cleaning and organizing closets, pantries, drawers, the fridge, freezer and so much more! By the end of the week, I gave myself permission to sit down while Cam napped one afternoon and I joined Pinterest. If you haven't joined yet or don't know what it's about, it is essentially a website where you can collect ideas and inspiration for your home, style, kids, and really anything you can think of. I have been browsing and "pinning" for a couple of days now and got bit by the crafty bug. My brain started swarming with ideas to re-do every inch of our house. I feel inspired to organize and create, and it feels good! I got a little out of control with showing Rick all my ideas this weekend, and  he has quickly decided he does not like Pinterest.

Well today, Cam and I went to the craft store and picked up a few things for my first project. I've been wanting to re-do our bedroom for a long time. I've never LOVED how it looked. We still don't have a bed frame, our drapes are really cheap (and cheap looking), and we've had either a dog crate or Pack n Play in one corner for the last two years! So, this was the first room I wanted to start to spruce up.

Last week, Rick made a comment that he thought we needed a new duvet cover because Maizey had really roughed ours up. He didn't realize his comment would lead me to run to West Elm where I've been eyeing a duvet cover for a while now: 

 Since we still don't have a bed frame, (anniversary present perhaps?!), I wanted to put something on the all above the bed to simulate a headboard of sorts. So I picked up some fabric, three 12x12 pieces of plywood and a staple gun and came up with this:

I'm thinking I may even add another row of three. I have to sleep on it :)

I used some extra fabric to cover an old pillow that Maizey destroyed... I need to actually hem it together, but I just wanted to see how it would look, and I think it goes nicely with the bedding!

 
I'm fairly pleased with how the bedroom is coming together. It's such a nice retreat now that Cam is sleeping in his own room!