Smile And Wave

Baby's Coming Soon Ad Sale: 40% OFF

Okay, so here's the deal. I will soon be cuddling a tiny little one all day long and possibly stopping in once or twice a week to share adorable photos and talk about how much I'm addicted to that new baby smell, etc.  I had great intentions of scheduling some posts ahead of time thinking I still had at least 2.5 weeks or more until this baby showed up but it's looking like things could happen sooner than that. 

So, this next round of ad sales is officially discounted to 40% off all ads to celebrate that this baby is almost here and to adjust for the slight drop in posting that is sure to follow. I'll be suspending the feature giveaway and group giveaways that are usually offered with certain price points until ad prices go back to their original price. 

Check rates on my advertising page and remember the discount is taken at checkout with the code 'babytime'. 

I'll be sure to update the state of my uterus this week and explain some of the changes to how we thought this would all go down soon. Can't wait for this baby!

-Rachel

 

Cultivating Gratitude with Gramr

Getting a handwritten note - whether it's from a family member on your birthday or an Etsy seller you've never met - can turn a morning around. The thoughtfulness behind a beautiful card with a personal message never goes unappreciated at our house. Brett's always been better at sitting down and getting that thank you note in the mail than I have but it's always something I'm aiming to be more consistent about. 

When Gramr Gratitude CO. contacted me about their Kickstarter I was intrigued but life has been busy getting ready for baby and I don't always get back to people in a timely manner. Brett happened to see this e-mail in my inbox and wrote back right away that he was interested in doing a review. The next thing I know there was a pack of beautiful stationary, complete with postage and a reminder list for who I needed to thank, in our mailbox. The best part was that one of the guys at Gramr, also a Brett, had written his own note to us thanking us for sharing their product and how Brett spelled with two t's is the only way to do it, etc. A personal touch. I'm a fan.

I sat down and wrote my first Thank You note right away. I have a long list of people to thank for sending over gifts for this baby on the way, items for the kids to enjoy, UMM...A SERGER, and two holidays worth of gifts and cards from family members who are so good at getting things in the mail on time. Then there's always the thoughtfulness that comes from writing a letter to a friend for no reason telling them how much you appreciate who they are and their role in your life, etc.

There's ALWAYS a reason to write a note. I want to get into this habit and pass it along to my kids so that they understand the value behind it, too. 

Gramr's slogan is Your Habit for Happiness. The video below shares how cultivating a heart of gratitude doesn't just make someone else feel good that you were thinking of them but that it can have a profound impact on your own outlook on life. They're providing a user-friendly way to spread a little more happiness around. 

This kickstarter has already become so popular that it's goal has been met twice over and there's still two weeks left! 

You can get your own four pack of Gramrs and envelopes with a basic pledge of $16 to see what you think about their product (includes domestic shipping). The best part about this service is that they offer subscriptions. Each month you can receive new images from hand-selected photographers that are collaborating with Gramr so you're never running out of cards when the urge to send a Thank You hits.

Check out a few ways you can support this Kickstarter and enjoy their services starting in March.

It's not hard to share about great products that make life more beautiful. Many thanks to Brett and Matt from Gramr Gratitude Co. for reaching out!

-Rachel

Alpha Sticker Art: A Handmade Baby Space

In an effort to fill up a small and temporary space in our room that we're designating as the baby's space, I've been working on little handmade pieces that I can finish in one sitting and that don't require a lot of running around town for supplies. I kept with our gender neutral color scheme of black and white and reused a frame from IKEA and a small clipboard from Staples that I already had on hand to display my two projects. 

1. Supplies: For this first project I used a small clipboard, cardstock that I cut down to fit the clipboard, flat alpha stickers (similar stickers are usually found in the scrapbooking section of most hobby stores but you could also use vinyl stickers from a hardware store), a smooth rolling pen, a straight cut of cardboard to help me line up my text (you can use a ruler). I do want to mention it's good to test this out before you commit. If your stickers are too sticky they may rip your paper when you pull them off. If your pen isn't smooth enough it can ruin your lines. 2. Once you've cut your paper to fit your clipboard or frame, carefully place your alpha stickers so that you've got things centered. I like to start with the outter two letters of each word and then space things evenly in between with each line. It's helpful when you have words that are similar in length. I used my ruler to make sure I was evenly lining up my text as I placed each letter.

3. Once I was happy with my layout I pressed my stickers down to be sure they weren't going to lift up as I started drawing lines. Then I started from the center of the page and carefully drew lines over the letters and out to the edges. It can get a bit tricky drawing one continuous line with the bumps from the stickers so just do your best to line things up as you go. This is also something you may want to practice doing before committing. 4. After finishing all the diagonal lines on one side I started in on the diagonal lines in the other direction. They don't need to be perfectly straight but you could probably use a ruler. I like this security envelope pattern it creates as lines slightly bend and curve. 5. Finally, carefully remove your alpha stickers to reveal your negative white space. Trim the edges of your cardstock if you need to to make sure your text is centered. Attach to a clipboard or frame. 

When choosing alpha stickers, keep in mind the size and font that will work best for these projects. I have some black alpha stickers that I love but there isn't a lot of defined room for lines to be drawn in the middle of e's and a's, etc. Other fonts might not fill a page to the right proportions. If you're a scrapbooker you probably already have a stash of alpha you're not excited about anymore. This may be the perfect project to use them up!

The second project was just a late night experiment. I got out some chipboard and some raised alpha stickers (Thickers from American Craft, available at most hobby stores) and just centered them and cut the chipboard to fit my frame. It probably took 15 minutes.

I like the graphic nature of the two of them and how they coordinate with each other and the other projects I've been working on for this baby's space. You can find the God's Eye here and the Mini Banner here. The cross afghan is still a work in progress but you can get the full tutorial for making your own Abstract Crib Quilt here.

These two are great ways to fill up that last space or two in your gallery wall or just add a little fun to your space. I think I may have just one more project up my sleeve if I can get it finished before this baby shows up and then I'll be ready to share how it's all coming together.

-Rachel

Ladies Who Lounge

When PJ Salvage asked if I'd be interested in reviewing a few pieces from one of their recent lounge wear collections I thought about how most of their items wouldn't fit my third trimester belly or waistline. Then I remembered I'd probably be spending a lot of time in the near future (mid-March and beyond) at home with a wardrobe that still didn't fit and having little motivation to get dolled up on three hours sleep a night.

In the past I've turned to my trusty yoga pants and husband's sweatshirts like many moms with newborns and while there's no shame in being as comfortable as you can during one of life's major transitions, there's no reason why we can't get a little more excited about what we're wearing while we're up to our elbows in diapers, right?

I picked out a few things that felt like they'd help distract from the undereye circles and still feel cute mixed with various boyfriend tees and the occasional yoga pant since laundry will probably get a little backed up from time to time. The Love sweater they sent over is so soft and cozy and will work well over a nursing cami or tank as it will soon fit like an oversized sweater instead. The pants are light and soft and will surely be forgiving as I regain some territory over what I like to call 'The Expansion'. 

Here are a few items from their spring collections that have just released that I'm a fan of as well: Shine On Sweater, Shine On Sweatshirt in Citron, Shine On Cropped Sweat Pant, and this Everyday Robe.

What did you do to fight off the temptations to go all frumpy all the time right after welcoming a new baby (or two or three) and working through the transition from having a darling pregnant belly to a much less darling ring around your rosie? 

-Rachel

Happy Valentine's Day, Friends

We've been lucky enough that Sebastian and Brett both got the day off from work/school for a long holiday weekend so we're enjoying a lazy day of lounging, a special family lunch, red velvet cake, and an incredibly cheesy movie tonight. We're doing it up 36 weeks pregnant style which means not a lot of getting out of the house and thoughtful instead of elaborate decor at home. I love making fun holidays extra special for our family but I'm also thankful a little sometimes goes a long way when you aim those same efforts at quality time together.

Part of that quality time together involved Ruby and I keeping our hands busy earlier this week while the boys were at school/work. We played with all the sparkly, glittery, things and crafted the afternoons away in our dining room while I listened to her story line about her animals having a Valentine's Day party in their classroom and the eagle nest she was preparing for the baby eagles to come on top of the classroom. Pom Poms and crayons and preschool-sized scissors were underfoot all week but I'll take that kind of happy mess any day.

I made some special Valentine's for each of my loves (including the one on the way) and think I'll write a special love note to tape to the back of them to keep in their memory boxes forever. 

As much as some people complain that this holiday is trite or forced or made up, I'm so thankful to have had something special to look forward to during this stretch of the winter when it's so gloomy and cold outside. I'm so thankful for the love I get to share with my husband and sweet family and for all the friends in my life that make things more full. Thank you for sharing in our little part of the internet with your presence and comments. I hope your Friday is extra sweet.

-Rachel

Mini Banner DIY: A Handmade Baby Space

The nesting continues! Here's an easy and satisfying project for adding some graphic detail to any space in your house. I made my first felt banner two Christmases ago based loosely on a vintage banner I'd thrifted. It was long and narrow with some Christmas carol lyrics on it and took ages to hand cut. This is thirty minute version of that project. Ha!

1. Supplies: Two pieces of soft felt (thicker is better), a small dowel rod, yarn, sharp scissors, elmer's glue or a hot glue gun, hand saw, saucer or lid. 2. Using a lid I traced the shape of a semi-circle right up against one edge of my felt piece so that I'd have a straight line on the side. Then I folded it in half to mirror a straight line on the opposite edge and cut out my banner. I measured the size I wanted and then added about 2.5" to the top for folding over my dowel rod. 3. I cut two shapes the same height that felt like they were about the right width for each of my two letters. I obviously needed to keep it short and sweet using such a small size. 4. I hand cut my letters in a lower case font. I folded my felt over the dowel rod and glued it in place. Then I carefully centered my 'hi' on the front and glued those down.

5. It's tricky to see but the felt is folded over the back of the dowel rod and glued down. I also added some twine but changed my mind about the black and white and switched back to cream. 6. Next I made two small tassels with the same cream yarn by making about four loops around three fingers, leaving the ends at the bottom. Then I tied a longer piece of yarn through the middle and knotted it. 7. Next I took another 4" piece of yarn and tied it about 1/2" below where I tied the knot at the top. After smoothing all of my yarn down I trimmed the bottoms to make a tassel. 8. I carefully attached them to the sides of my banner by tying knots over the dowel rod that I cut to fit. 

I'll add this to the same corner I'm going to hang the God's Eye and a few other fun things I've received from friends. At times it's been frustrating to not have a nursery to decorate for this sweet baby but then I remember how much I'd want this baby close to me in our own space those early months anyways. When it's time for it to move into the kids' shared room it'll be a tight squeeze but I've seen creative moms do it before and I'm hopeful we can enjoy the benefits that can come from having to share.

Someday they'll all get their own space and I'll be wishing I didn't have so many rooms to clean, right?

-Rachel 

P.S. if you love the idea of a graphic banner but don't get excited about making your own, my friend Ruthie has some larger felt banners in her Etsy shop and may even do custom orders! She made one for us to welcome Brett home and her attention to detail is really lovely. 

 

Letting Go of the Excess

The last two or three weekends have been spent clearing out excess over here. I am pretty sure we can chalk it up to the nesting hormones because I'm usually not one to deep clean the whole place all at once. Brett and I are thankfully on the same wave length at the same time and are helping each other declutter hot spots, sort through our closets and get realistic about what we wear and how often, donate things I've been holding on to for years thinking I might get around to selling them again, and generally making our house feel more peaceful and much less cluttered as we prepare for a new family member to join us.

We've been in this home for two years this month and will be here for one more before Brett's time at Ft. Carson is up. Something about having the Christmas decorations up and feeling the long lasting effects of being too tired to keep up with the kind of housework that's necessary to not feel overtaken with toys and dirty laundry had me so unhappy with our space. I was talking myself down from the ledge of looking at other rental properties in town on a daily basis knowing the last thing we needed was to try and move on our own dime right before this baby was born. It was that bad, though, folks.

Finally, things just clicked and the overwhelmed feelings shifted to accepting I needed to start bagging stuff up and passing it along. It's been freeing and our home is feeling better and better each weekend. There is still more work to be done and possibly a visit from the Got Junk guys to haul off the two vintage couches that are too worn out for me to even feel good about setting out on the curb but we're making progress and I can feel myself enjoying our space again. Phew!

-Rachel

P.S. If anyone in Co Springs needs a vintage sheet fix, I dropped off three large trash bags at the ARC on Uintah on Friday. I bet they start hitting the floors soon.

God's Eye DIY: A Handmade Baby Space

I remember making God's Eyes when I was in a Brownie troop as a little girl. They may carry more meaning for some but I just have fond memories of making them in bright colors and feeling pretty accomplished with my new skill set. I decided I wanted to add one to the tiny little corner of our bedroom that this baby will be claiming until it's old enough to move into the kids' shared room. I used some of the same citron yarn that I've been making my cross blanket from as well as some more textured cream yarn and leftover binding from the abstract crib quilt. They have all been sitting in a pile together so it was an easy choice to combine them again.

1. I bought a dowel rod from a craft store and cut it down so that I had two equal lengths of about 8". As mentioned I used two different cream yarns, a citron yarn, and some leftover binding from a quilt. I've tried this technique out with torn strips of fabric sheets and it's a good way to add some variety as long as you fold your fabric in half so the frayed edges get overlapped with each new layer. 2. I tied a snug knot around the center of my two rods so that they could twist and be perpendicular without sliding out. 3. Then I wrapped my binding around one rod and then the next in a counter-clockwise fashion so that I made about four complete rounds. 4. Since the binding was so bulky I stitched it down to itself on the back.

5. Next, I added my first layer of yarn by tying a knot around one of the rods so that it was on the back and then wrapping the yarn gently around each rod in a counter-clockwise fashion again. You can adjust your pattern to make each layer as thin or thick as you like. Once I was done I tied off another knot on the back side of the same rod I started on and trimmed the ends. 6. Next I added my citron and did the same. 7. I continued with different thicknesses until I was happy with the size of things and trimmed my ends again. Once I'm done I'll add another knot around one of the rods with a loop long enough to hang it on the wall.

I'm waiting on a few things before I put any holes in the wall but things finally feel like they're transforming from a dumping ground of miscellaneous baby things into something special.  

Did you make God's Eyes growing up or are they a part of your cultural heritage? I've seen them with tassels and beads attached as well as some pretty large conceptual ones used in store displays. I think my fourth grade self would be proud to know she hasn't lost her touch.

-Rachel

Nursing Covers That Do Double Duty

I had the privilege of having Rachel of Busy Spinning Thread as a sponsor recently and after looking through her Etsy shop I was sold on the idea of using a nursing cover that looks more like a roomy scarf when not in use. She offered to send me some to welcome this new baby and I quickly sent her my favorite patterns. 

They came in the mail this week on one of the coldest days we've had this winter so I wrapped myself up in the striped cover, tied the two corners together to turn it into an infinity scarf and kept myself cozy for the rest of the day!

In the past I've used swaddle blankets or the kind of nursing cover that ties around your neck and looks like a huge bib but got tired of always keeping up with them on outings. The bibs would get pulled aside by curious hands and the blankets would usually get shoved into the top of the diaper bag and eventually fall out. What I love about this nursing cover above is how soft and light it is so that baby will be able to breathe easily and that when it's untied it is like a large poncho so that it can't be raised up by busy little hands and feet without a lot of work. Plus, I know have another really fantastic scarf to add to my wardrobe both now and post-baby when I may want to distract from my shrinking mid-section!

Rachel and Molly's brand offers a variety of lovely things for mamas and kids alike such as swaddling blankets, infinity and fringe scarves, nursing necklaces, teething rings, pocket tanks, etc. using on trend prints and soft jersey fabrics. I

After doing this baby thing twice already it's become more apparent to me what's going to be useful and what's going to sit on a shelf.  I can't wait for this baby to get here so I can put these pieces to work!

-Rachel

In the Works: Crocheted Cross Baby Blanket

I started crocheting squares using up some citron and cream yarn a few months ago and then set it aside after losing motivation. I picked it up again to work on while we drove to Missouri for Christmas but was too distracted to really make any progress. Last week I picked things up again as a way to decompress after spending three weeks straight working on my art journaling e-course. I needed something to do with my hands that was not only totally different but that I could do while resting. 

I made Ruby a granny square afghan in those last few months and remembered it taking forever to join all of those little squares but I think these kinds of projects are great distractions from the discomfort and nerves that can show up while you realize how close you are and how far you still have to go before a baby arrives. 

I crocheted a ton of squares in these two colors and then started setting them down to figure out exactly how my pattern would look. Above is my first attempt but it felt like it was too crowded to appreciate the pattern. 

Then I took it apart and tried something else and was much happier with the extra white space. It meant I had plenty of citron squares but needed more cream so I spent a few hours on Tuesday in bed with Netflix and a cold crocheting away with Ruby coloring and playing games on PBSkids next to me. Then I ran out of cream yarn.

I made enough progress to have crocheted 77 squares so far and once the temperatures get out of the single digits we may venture out to pick up some more yarn and possibly some muslin and jersey cotton for receiving blankets. 

Speaking of receiving blankets, I have a story to share. Sometime last week I shared some muslin blankets I purchased on Etsy with a gift card and touched on them being another reason I needed a serger in my life. It's a machine that's been on my wish list for years but there's always been something else we needed a little bit more so on the wish list it's remained.

Imagine my shock and surprise when the VERY NEXT DAY the FedEx guy stopped by with a large, heavy box that had me stumped. We order toilet paper and paper towels in bulk from Amazon so I figured it could be our monthly order but it was much too heavy. I stood on the freezing cold porch because I couldn't really carry it inside without giving myself a contraction and opened the flaps. I pulled out the packaging and literally teared up instantly when I saw that it was a brand new Brother serger. I looked for a note or a gift receipt telling me who it was from and found something at the bottom with a name I didn't recognize. 

I let a wave of emotion roll over me and had a moment before getting online to google the name and then remembered the only place I'd shared about wanting one was on Instagram. I ended up figuring out who it was and have since let them know how much their thoughtfulness and generosity lifted my spirits and am happy to honor their wish to remain anonymous.

I wanted to share this with you all because it's acts like this one that can make such a strong impact on a person's heart. It's one of those gestures that will always stay with me and help me appreciate how important it is for our family to be generous where we can be as well. Whether it's with our time, our attention, our abilities, etc, there are always ways we can serve and bless someone in our lives whether we know them well or not. 

I'm really eager to spend some time getting to know it this weekend in hopes of cranking out a few fun things before this baby shows up! My heart is thankful. So, so thankful.

Have you ever had someone surprise you in such a fantastic way? Have you ever done that to someone else? I want to hear.

-Rachel

p.s. For anyone who may be curious, the crochet squares are just a basic chain stitch for 10 and then single stitch for 16 rows. I'm hoping to share how I get them put together but I imagine it's going to be one of those things you could probably figure out by searching YouTube. Basic, basic. To be continued.