Baby Countdown Craft for the waiting siblings... a paper chain

We are anxiously awaiting baby number four... nearing the due date deadline... it was time to countdown with a paper chain.  I have seen the idea for Disney vacation countdowns... reminds me of an advent calendar counting down the days until Christmas, especially with the holidays coming to a close... it will be exciting to see the chain get smaller.  I did find a cute pin on pinterest, so the idea is not completely original, but fun just the same.  Are you counting down to something special? a vacation? moving homes? starting a new endeavor?

We cut 8 big fat paper links to represent weekly markers... and 6 little links to represent the days in between.

Everyone helped put the chain together.

Here is the countdown to their new baby brother!

Our boys have it hanging in their room.  They can take turns until the little man is here!

Baby Brooke's Princess Room, Perfect for a little Girls' Nursery

Brooke's nursery was so much fun to do. Once I chose the rug from Pottery Barn Teen, it was easy to choose fabrics from Bari J. Ackerman and Tanya Whelan! All the rest came from diy projects and repainting pieces from GW, Craigslist and garage sales.  Never doubt the potential a piece might have.  If you like the shape and style... it can be transformed into anything.  In the hopes of helping out another family, I entered our dream come true nursery into Posh Tots Design Dynamo Contest and became one of 10 fabulous finalists! What an honor! It was a close call to the end, and we came in 2nd place .

I am blessed to have an Aunt Jan that is extremely talented in the quilting department.  She sewed the pillows and quilt, and I sewed the bumper, crib skirt and curtains!

The ceiling medallion is from Lowe's. I hand-painted it with acrylics.

Aunt Jan even did a baby doll quilt!

Little Details: Brooke's Sweet Baby Nursery

In a previous post, titled Sweet Surprises, I shared with you some of the details hanging from the ceiling in our darling daughter's nursery.  Here's a peak at some more of my thrifty finds that made her nursery special.

Artwork found in clearance section of HomeGoods.  I ended up painting the frame pink because it looked better with our minty walls, but this was the perfect piece to go between the two closet doors.

I painted all of the doors a pale pink which really compliments the walls.  Originally I was going to paint all of the furniture a pink, but I decided to keep them an antique white and have pink details elsewhere.

I love the Windborg Sisters Design, so colorful and sweet.  For this spot, I created my own.  The frame and glass is from GW, I used the cardboard inside as the canvas.  First I sprayed a piece of cardboard with adhesive, then wrapped it in blue fabric canvas.  Second, I painted the background with the hues that I wanted in swift strokes.  Third, paint the branches, and last I cut out the birdies and flowers with scrap fabric and scrapbook paper.  I am very pleased with how this turned out.

Found this Cinderella coach in the gardening section at Hobby Lobby and I had to have it for an accent piece.  A can of spray paint and look at what we have... a doll bed.

This dresser was a fantastic find at GW.  $40! I couldn't believe it AND the best thing was that furniture was 25% off, so it cost me a total of $30.  I primed, painted it and the beautiful pink glass knobs are from Marshalls!  Each knob was approximately $2.00 each!  The second row of drawers has a knob on it almost exactly like Anthropologie for $8.00 each!  Don't forget that Hobby Lobby has an awesome section of knobs and handles and they are 1/2 off All the Time!  I plan on painting in that oval at the bottom of the dresser, but I'll save that for another post.

Sweet Surprises, a peak into Brooke's Nursery

This post is for a dear friend that was enamored with Brooke's nursery and is expecting a sweet bundle soon.  Little blessings just warm my heart! After two boys, it was dreamy designing and hunting for finds that would fit a room made for a sweet surprise.  My favorite place for inspiration is PBK. My favorite places to shop... HomeGoods, Hobby Lobby and Michaels, and of course a garage sale or two, Goodwill and Craigslist!  (Always use that 40% off any one item coupon from HL; it is so easy to pull up on a smart phone and competitors honor it.)

First, I saw in a popular children's furniture catalog a nursery that had a crib in the center of the room with a tree branch hanging over it, and I just loved it and thought... if I ever have a girl, I am sooo doing that.  Well this is my finished product.  I purchased the branch from Pottery Barn during Christmas time, and I spray painted it white.  At Michaels, I purchased dogwood branches and used 2 different colored flowers.  The little birdcages are from Michaels too, and I found the two birdies on top at a garage sale NIP (new in package) for $0.25!

When I found this at Hobby Lobby in the gardening section, I knew it would be perfect for a canopy holder.  First, I spray-painted it and then hand painted the little birdie on top.  Look for shapes.  Color can always be altered with a can of spray paint.

I found this at HomeGoods for $4.99 and it was just something I couldn't leave the store without. A good rule for HG is... if you like it, buy it, because if you go back for it, it might not be there. 

 
Some of the finds here were in a Michael's grab bag for $2.00. YES!  During a seasonal change, Michaels had grab bags for $2.00 each and I bought them ALL.  When I tallied all the Original Retail prices it was over $600 of merchandise, and I paid $16!  I can't even tell you how often I use the items I purchased in these grab bags for seasonal decor in rooms, birthday dessert tables, and even Brooke's Christmas tree.  If you ever see the $2.00 grab bags, pick one up, you will be glad you did.  The planter is from Hobby Lobby and I was so happy that I found it!  It is made by a company called 222 Fifth St. and HomeGoods carries a lot of their china.  I don't think they make much that I don't like, but originally we had a salad plate on top of the dresser in the same exact pattern, but it broke.  What a great find and at 40% off, I think it was $8.00.

Brooke's crib bedding, made by my Aunt Jan.

Michaels was the place for the vase, and HomeGoods was where I found this lamp... perfect for this spot, less than $30 and tea light holder that holds some dainty jewelry for B.

Birdcages from Hobby Lobby at 50% off, florals from Michaels, birdies were from a garage sale, and the butterflies are from PBK.  They hang from the ceiling and add a little whimsy to a room fit for our sweet surprise.  When I started to make purchases, the room just came together.  If you find things online that you like, you can put them together and have fun with them at Olioboard.com, be careful it is addicting.  I can't wait to share the rest of Brooke's nursery with you.  We used a lot of paint... Happy Shopping!