DIY Nursery Mobile-Cloudy with a Chance of Rain

The baby belly is growing, the pants are shrinking, and the DIY in me has come out with full force. I wanted a colorful and whimsical mobile for above the crib for Baby G. However, I didn’t want to pay the price from some fancy store that also sells $54 burp rags.

So, after gathering my trusty hot glue gun, a roll of paper towels, fishing string and colorful felt…I got to work. I spent about $4 to make this mobile. Granted, I had a few of these things on hand. If you have to start from scratch-I estimate about $10-15 to complete this project. Not bad for a pregnant woman. Not bad at all.

Here’s all that you’ll need to make your very own Cloudy with a Chance of Rain Mobile:
Newspaper
Masking Tape
Roll of Paper Towels
Flour
Thick Fishing Line and quilting needle (or a very tough needle)
Pillow Stuffing
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Colorful felt and thread
Ric Rac, Ribbon, or something similar
White swag hooks (from Lowe’s or Home Depot, etc)

First, make “clouds” from balled up newspaper. Make them the appropriate size for the space. I chose to make a large, medium and small cloud. Use masking tape to secure the newspaper together.

Next, use a one part flour to 5 parts water mixture. Heat the water up on the stove and slowly whisk in the flour until it’s the consistency of a thick soup. Let cool.

Dip paper towels that have been cut in half into the soupy mixture and apply to the newspaper clouds, one at a time. Cover the entire cloud with a thin layer of paper towels.

While the newspaper and paper towels are still wet, use the quilting needle to pass a long piece (about 4′ total) of fishing line through the top of your cloud, about 3-4″ down from the top. Allow an equal amount of fishing line on either side (about 2′). If the cloud is larger, I recommend having two places that you pass fishing line through. This will be what the mobile hangs from.

Tie the (2) 2′ pieces of fishing line together and use a coat hanger to suspend the clouds. Let dry overnight.

Once the cloud is dry, cover the entirety of it with the pillow stuffing by using a hot glue gun. Be careful not to burn your fingers as I did, over and over and over….

Next, cut out of the felt: raindrops, umbrellas, lightening bolts, cats and dogs or whatever else your little creative mind comes up with to hang from the bottom of the cloud. I cut out two pieces per item to give it a little more strength and dimension.

Sew the two pieces together around the outside of the object.

After you have sewn all the pieces, arrange them in the order you’d like to see them “drop” from the cloud.

Attach the pieces to one another using a hot glue gun. I chose ric rac, but you can use ribbon or anything else that you fancy.

Part the stuffing at the bottom of the cloud so that you can attach the ric rac with a hot glue gun. I used a wooden skewer to push the ric rac into the bead of hot glue to avoid burning my fingers-again.

Hang each cloud from the ceiling on a swag hook, using the fishing line you sewed through the top to secure it to the hook.

Stand back and enjoy your handiwork. I know that Baby G. is going to love it!

**See what else I’ve made for the nursery: DIY Plaster Animal Heads

Linking up to these Parties:

My Repurposed Life

The Shabby Nest

Just Wingin’ It 

French Country Cottage

My Romantic Home

Bacon Time

What do you Fall for?

Good morning! First things first, I must talk about the pink elephant in the white room. I have not been posting as frequently-as I’m sure you’ve noticed. Without going into too much detail, I’ve needed a little reprieve.
But, that reprieve has been had and now it’s time to get back to business. The crisp fall air is upon us and I feel invigorated to sew, cook, create, build and ramble on about the things of God that I’m learning.

Can you handle all the weirdness that is Rebekah? Please scroll down before you answer that.

Probably not. But that’s why we have the buffer of the internet between my weirdness and your purity, dear reader.

Anywho, it’s fall time. A time of harvest, hot coffee and fun wintery-type projects. What are your favorite fall things to do?

At the top of my fall list is leaf watching. I could stare at, walk through, collect and photograph the changing leaves from now until eternity. And since I’ve already cleared it with God that there will be seasons in heaven, this love affair will not end.

Another one of my favorite things to prepare for the cold, fall weather is to make mittens out of old sweaters. I can never seem to find the cuteness factor when shopping for store-made mittens. Plus, store-bought are either too small, too scratchy or don’t match my winter coat. I came up with my own solution and made a pair of mittens and a matching scarf from two old sweaters.

Problem solved, mate.

Like a child, I cannot get enough of a good Maize Maze. The swishing stalks against a pale blue sky takes me back home to Kansas, to wheat fields, to harvest festivals. Plus, a good Maize Maze is always accompanied by horsey rides, apple cider and other fall accoutrements.

What more could you ask for?

Maybe a pumpkin patch? Yes, please. Pumpkin patches are to fall as snow is to Christmas. The grocery store cardboard bins full of pumpkins should be shunned other than for last minute pumpkiny needs, such as decorating your porch when unannounced guests come to visit.

Otherwise, I implore you to drive at least 45 minutes to a pumpkin patch, labor over which has the perfect stem-to-body ratio and finally choose your pumpkin-already knowing which side you will be carving a face into.

Please, for all pumpkins everywhere, do the right thing.

Finally, nothing says fall like all things cinnamony, nutgmegy and spicey. I love to kick off fall by cooking a huge batch of Ginger Snap Cookies, sharing it with the neighbors and nibbling on a few of my own. This pictured version above is a skinny version I created, called “Ginger Puff Cookies“, for those of you watching the waistline.

I also think fall should be accompanied by homemade No Fuss, No Sugar Applesauce, Beautiful Banana Bread andEasy Chili.

What are your favorite fall things to create, bake, sew or enjoy? I’d love to know, dear readers-for you are my inspiration to keep writing and creating things!

Ten (Plus) Easy Ways to save Money

I am frugal by nature-just ask my parents. I used to hide girl scout cookies under my bed, only allowing myself one delicious thin mint a night. That is-until the ants also found my stash and my parents put an end to my cookie hoarding ways.

That said, I love to save money. Here are ten (plus) easy ways that you can, too!

1) Biceps uses lip balm like nobody’s business. And to be fair-so do I. But, is it a crime to want supple, luscious lips void of cracks and flakiness. I contest that it is not!
However, the $3 a tube for Burt’s Bees was a crime. And I needed to solve it. With a few ingredients and within a few minutes time, I had made 40 tubes of Lip Balm that cost less than $.25 each.

2) I make all of the cleansers that I need to keep my home sparkling. They are cheap, easy to make and non-toxic. Everything from: all purpose & anti-bacterial cleaners, to furniture polish, toilet bowel cleaner, brass and stainless steel polisher, and cooking spray.

3) I also make most of my beauty products saving me hundreds of dollars a year. Check out this easy to make facial moisturizer, eye make-up remover, toothpaste and mouthwash.

4) Simply make your own face wash using ground oatmeal. I know what you might be thinking-how does oatmeal on my face actually work? The ground oats add moisture back into the skin (thus the reason you are supposed to bathe in it when you have a rash, poison ivy, etc) while the gentle oats exfoliate the skin and cleanse. Cheap. Simple. Love it and the smell of breakfast as you’re washing my face.

5) I make my own laundry soap once a month which lasts me for 48 stinky, big-boy loads. I save big-boy money doing this. The clothes smell great and it’s fun to grind up soap in my blender. Everybody wins.

I also make my own laundry softener and stain stick. Super easy, does the job and smells fantastic!

6) Make your own art with whatever you have on hand. Get creative and dare to cut your knuckles making this Mirror Art. I’ve used scrap plywood, drywall, oops paint, repainted canvases, and many other odd things to decorate my walls. And-the best part is-if you screw up, you can just throw it away!

7) Learn how to do some basic sewing and start getting thrifty. I made this silky scarf shirt with a couple of scarves and two pieces of ribbon. The cost-$1. I’ve also made shirts and dresses from pillow cases, and cape shirts from lace tablecloths.

8) Create your own cheap thank you notes by recycling old photos, postcards, pictures from magazines. Sew them onto card stock and offer your friends a one-of-a-kind letter in the mail.

9) The produce cleanser I was buying from the store cost about $3 a bottle. Forget that! I now make my very own produce cleanser at home for about $.10 a bottle. Those are savings you can keep!

10) Keep your garden humming all year long with an inexpensive DIY spinning composter, rain barrels, critter deterrent and pest spray.

These are just a few ways that I’ve found to save money and replace store-bought items. What are some of your favorite ways to be frugal and keep your cold-hard cash where it belongs (in your wallet)?

Springy, Silk Scarf Shirt-Live on GDGC

This morning, I will again be LIVE on Fox23’s “Great Day, Green Country” showing how to make this Springy, Silk Scarf Shirt. I like to create many of the items I wear-this not only helps pinch pennies but prevents the awkward ‘you’re wearing the same thing I’m wearing’ at a party. This scarf shirt is inexpensive and very simple to make.
Not only will it flatter any body type as it tapers in at the smallest point of the waist, but it will also keep you cool throughout a hot summer.
Skill Level: If I can do it, you can do it. (A.K.A. Easy.)

 

The robots have determined my live video can be viewed now. Enjoy. Nanu-nanu.

What you’ll need:
2 Scarves (approx. 2’ x 2’)
Sewing Machine
Thread and Bobbin to Match
Straight Pins
Lighter
Scissors
(2) 3″ squares and (4) 2″ squares Hem or Bias Tape, fold cut sides and iron flat
(2) 12″ sections of Craft Ribbon or Section of Snaps (like on a onesy)
(3) 2″ sections of velcro if not using snaps
(2) 18″ Sections of Craft Ribbon

Determine which scarf will be your ‘front’ and which will be the ‘back’ of your shirt.
Lay your scarves end to end and measure the center. Pin the two pieces of 3” hem tape, 6 inches on either side of center. The area in the middle will be your neck opening.
And if you have a really big head or constantly sport a big hairdo, then widen the opening for heaven’s sake.

On what will be the sides of your scarf, measure 14 1/2” down. This measurement should be just above your belly button.
This will enhance the tiny part of your waist and make you look va-va-voom.
Using the 2” hem tape, pin both sections of the 18″ ribbon on the side of your ‘front scarf’ at the 14 1/2” mark.

Follow the same instructions if you are using snaps, pinning them onto the ‘back scarf.’ If using the 12″ ribbon and velcro, sew the (3) 2″ sections of velcro along the ribbon. Use the 2″ bias tape to secure the ribbon to the back scarf.

Sew everything you have pinned on with a straight stitch, making a box with the thread around the hem tape.
This ‘box’ protects the delicate nature of silk from tearing. And when you’ve eaten too much, you’ll be thankful for it.

Sew the ends of the ribbon to prevent them from fraying–unless you like that worn look. Or, you can use a lighter to burn the ends which will also prevent fraying.

After slipping your shirt over your head, fasten the snaps or the velcro in the front around your stomach area, and tie it closed with the ribbon in the back.

It looks great paired with skinny jeans, a flowy skirt or shorts. I tend to wear bold, chunky jewelry with my scarf shirt, but I give you permission to accessorize at will.

Happy Sewing!

♥ ♥ ♥

Here are the links to my other LIVE TV appearances on Fox23’s Great Day Green Country:

•  Garden Pest Deterrent Sprays
• Cheap Thrills with GDGC-Shopping Vintage
• Skinny Orange Julius
• Homemade Cleaning Products
• Homemade Beauty Products 
• Homemade Laundry Items
• Homemade Dental Care
• Homemade Crockpot Applesauce

Here are links to my Homemade Household Cleansers and Beauty Products:

• Homemade Hygiene Products
• Non-Toxic Beauty Products
• Non-Toxic Cooking Spray
• Anti-Bacterial Spray
• Easy Laundry Soap
• DIY Brass Cleaner
• Organic Vegetable/Produce Cleaner
• Homemade Household Cleaners

And here are a few Homemade Food Items to easily replace store-bought items:

• Simple, Tasty Granola
• Easy Crockpot Yogurt
• Simple, Homemade Butter
• Cooking and Freezing Beans, avoiding BPA
• Homemade Hummus
• Garden Fresh Salsa

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending time with such a weirdo. Make sure you become a Facebook Fan or a Linky Follower to keep up to date with what this weirdo comes up with next. Have a great day!