Tiny Oranges – Fresh, fun blog for OC moms

I have been in TURBO nesting mode lately! This past weekend, my husband and I worked on the nursery most all day.  I feel so much better!

I posted a few weeks back about my little project to do my own nursery letters to spell her little name on the wall.  It was really pretty easy (with hubby’s help!) and less expensive than buying custom ones in the store.   Here is how we did it:

Supplies:

* 1/8 ” thick plywood cut into the size you want to display the letters (I did 10″ x 10″ squares)

* Wooden letters purchased at any kid’s store or website.  I bought KidKraft 8″ white letters for $4.95 at Bergstrom’s. 

* Enough fabric to cover the front of the wood square. I bought mine through Pixie Dust Decor. Enter coupon code PN20 for 20% off your entire order from now until 10/1!  Or, enter PDHOSTESS for 25% your entire order from now until 7/8!  

* Ribbon to hang squares. I got 10 yards of ribbon, and did the ribbon pretty long (2′ each side.)

* Staple gun or regular stapler

* Small wood screws & a drill bit (husband had to help me with this part!)

Steps:

1. Cut plywood into the size squares you would like to mount the letters on.

2. Cut fabric into pieces to cover the front side of the wood.

3. “Wrap” the fabric around the backside of the square, almost like wrapping a present. Staple fabric to wood with a staple gun or regular stapler. We got by with using a regular stapler, but a staple gun would likely work much better.
P.S. Those are hubby’s hairy arms, not mine!

4. Cut ribbon into the sizes you want to hang. Staple ribbon to the top of the square in the back and tie a pretty bow at the top so you can hang them.

5.  Attaching the letters to the front of the fabric square (this part written by my hubby who did them for me!)

A. Use small wood screws that are long enough to go through your wood squares and adequately screw into the wood letters.
B. Center the letter on the wood square. Lift the letter and mark 2 spots on the wood square where you would like the screw to hold the letter. It is best to screw the letter in 2 spots, preferable in opposite corners.
C. Make a small (1/8″) cut in the fabric where you made the 2 marks in step B. This prevents the fabric from gathering around the drill bit. Drill small holes through the wood square.
D. Turn the wood square over and screw in your wood screws. Do not screw in all the way, but allow the screw to protrude slightly through the fabric side of the square.
E. Again center the letter on the wood square. When it is in position push the letter down on the protruding screw tips.
F. While holding the letter on the wood square, flip the square so the letter is face down on a solid surface. Screw in the wood screws into the letter.
G. Make sure the letter is flush with the wood square and secure.
    

Step 7 – TA DA!  You are done!   I did mine in alternating fabric backgrounds.  It looks SO cute on the nursery wall!  I don’t want to post a picture just yet of the finished product in her room as I don’t want to reveal her name just yet!  Will do so after she arrives!   And no, it doesn’t start with “R!” Hee hee…  

Happy Crafting!

 
So I am starting a fun little DIY project in baby’s nursery.  I found these letters to spell baby’s name to hang on the wall at a baby store recently.  They were custom, the letters backed on a square of fabric and hung with a ribbon.  Very, very cute.  Problem was, they were like $31 each, plus tax and shipping.  We have chosen a 6-letter name.  Eek!  The husband thought that was a bit excessive, so I had to get creative.

I thought, hmmmm, how about I buy the plain white letters that are $5 / each (and they were 20% this past weekend – even better!) and make something myself? The plan is to mount the fabric on square pieces of wood and they have have hubby find a way to attach the letters and hang with a cute ribbon. So, I got the letters and then I went on the search for fabric.      

It is surprising how hard it is to find REALLY cute fabric out there!  I went to several major fabric stores and couldn’t find anything I loved.  

I was very excited when I found the most darling fabrics on Pixie Dust Decor!  They match my bedding perfectly.   If I didn’t have the bedding already, I would have totally looked at their crib bedding sets.   So adorable!  So, those are my swatches I got above.  I will do another post when I (hopefully) finish the project!

BONUS!  Pixie Dust Decor is offering Tiny Oranges readers a special coupon code for 20% off any purchase!  Enter Pixie Dust Coupon Code PN20 through 10/1/09 to redeem.     Happy sewing!  

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone! I am not Irish, but I do appreciate celebrating the festivities of this day!  In the old days, my celebration  would have entailed several green beers or midori sour cocktails, these days it involves rainbow mobile crafts!   Oh, how times have changed.  

I found this EASY little craft to do with my daughter on this website. I love to find things that I can make with supplies currently on hand, as I rarely plan my crafts ahead! Here are the directions…

Supplies Needed:

Step 1: Fold, then cut a white paper plate in 1/2.

Step 2: Draw a rainbow on the paper plate using markers, crayons or paint.  Then punch 3 holds, one at the top and two at each of the ends of the rainbow.

Step 3: Click here to download the Shamrock Template and print on green paper.  Or, print on white paper and color green with markers, crayons or paint. Or, just draw your own! If you are feeling extra crafty, top with green glitter!   Cut out and punch a hole at the top.

Step 4: Click here to download the Pot of Gold Template.  Print, color and cut out.  Or, just draw your own!  Cut out gold coin circles out of yellow paper, or make yellow ones on white paper.  If you are feeling extra crafty, sprinkle with gold glitter! 

Step 5: Glue the coins to the top of the pot, and punch a hole at the top.

Step 6: Cut pieces of green yard or ribbon, and attach pot of gold and shamrock to either side of of hte end of the rainbow, and one piece on top for hanging.