Ivy's DIY Easter Basket

I made little Ivy an Easter basket this year.  I couldn't find the perfect basket so I crafted up a cute one!

I stopped at the thrift store first and picked out a basket.  I looked for a clean one that was the right size-- not too big, not too small.  Then I took it home and cleaned it with bleach spray.  You could probably use vinegar or some natural spray-- but I felt better about knowing it was clean and baby safe.   I left it out in the sun for a few hours to dry.  Next I used spray paint primer and gave it a good coat.  After the primer dried I painted 2 coats of Martha Stewart craft paint in Hydrangea Purple.  It would have been easier to spray paint, but with a little patience I painted the basket with a paint brush and achieved the perfect color.  

Ivy is holding a "Dirty Dog".  They have muddy spots that wash off in the bath.  The white one looks just like Mister G.  You can also see some egg shakers in her basket.  

Seriously, she is so adorable!

My DIY senses are totally tingling now!  I feel like a world of possibilities has just opened up for me.  All of the baskets I run across are usually either ugly or expensive-- so naturally, I haven't given baskets a fair chance!  I'm on the lookout now for a picnic basket and also a big basket to be used for a hamper.  Let me tell you, custom color, a thrifty price tag, and an afternoon of DIY really get me going!  

Ivy and the Peanut

Hello my loves!  How was your weekend? I have a super funny story to share today!

My family was visiting last week, as you might recall... One evening, my sister Megan was nursing Ivy in her room.  I came in, chatted a little bit about how far Meg had read in Hunger Games, and noticed a peanut on her nightstand.  Without any thought at all, I said "ooooh, a peanut!" and popped it in my mouth.  Right away, I was like, "stale..." and then Meg started to laugh uncontrollably.

Meg said, "I don't know how or why-- and I'm a little embarrassed... I changed Ivy's diaper yesterday and found the peanut in her diaper."  I stopped chewing and almost threw up!  "Why would you keep it?  Why would you put it on your nightstand and not throw it away with the diaper?" Meg said she was so confused as to why the peanut was in the diaper and it seemed logical at the time to put the peanut on her nightstand. No one really knows how the peanut got in Ivy's diaper-- but what we do know is that the diaper was a really wet one and I chewed that peanut up real good and spit it out.

John and Ivy

Hello there!  Hope you had a great weekend!  I sure did-- my family is visiting this week and it has been so great to see everyone.  Especially my niece Ivy!  Ok, seriously... how cute is John with Ivy?  I took so many pictures of them!  Yesterday we all went out for brunch and it was so delicious! Except for the oyster. My sister and I both tried one for the first time. Meg swallowed hers but I couldn't! I had to spit it out. Do you like oysters?  xo, Ashley

Stretchy Baby Headbands

Ivy. Ivy. Ivy.  I'm always crafting things for Baby Ivy!  I made this headband this morning for seriously pennies!

My sister Megan found this amazing tutorial for making baby headbands from girls tights on the blog Little Birdie Secrets.  Click here for the tutorial!

Above are two headbands Megan made a few months before Ivy was born.  

 And one for Christmas!  Seriously so precious!  

The possibilities are endless for baby headbands!  You can use silk flowers from the craft store, embellishments from adult accessories, felt, buttons, etc!  

Hope you have as much fun making baby headbands as I did!!!  

xoxo,

Ashley

P.S. Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a chance to win a $15 Starbucks gift card, a $15 Etsy shop credit, and ad space!  Giveaway winner will be announced Feburary 3, 2012.

Baby Ivy and her New Knit Sweater

Oh my gosh! Isn't she just the most precious baby you've ever seen?    

For Christmas this year I knit my niece, baby Ivy, a tiny cardigan.  I used pink cotton yarn and pretty flower buttons.  Perfect for Valentine's Day! 

The picture above is a screenshot from a recent FaceTime session!  I just love FaceTiming with Ivy.  And her mom too :)  

Here is the pattern I used: free pattern from Lion Brand.  

Hope everyone is having a good day today.  The weekend is almost here!  What are you doing this weekend?  My bestie Jessica is coming into town tomorrow and is staying for a few days!  I am so excited!   I'm sure I'll have lots to share after a 3-day weekend of crafting, thrifting, and good food!  

{You might also like my post on Newborn Photography Tips }

Newborn Knit Legwarmers for Baby Ivy

Baby Ivy's One Month birthday was on Saturday!-- so I knit her up a fancy pair of leg warmers.

My sister Meg and little Ivy live in Wisconsin and it gets pretty cold there!  Brrrr.... I knew Ivy's precious little legs would love to keep cozy in some super soft baby alpaca leg warmers!  

I followed this pattern from Hippie Stitch.  I used baby alpaca yarn in cream and merlot.  

Mister G loves when I knit!  He likes to snuggle up on the couch with me and watch 30 Rock.  Here are my finished newborn leg warmers.

When I learn to crochet, I hope to make myself a pair similar to these amazing leg warmers from Free People.  I'm thinking a cream color or maybe even mustard!

Newborn Photography Tips

• Make a list of pictures you love!  Find pictures that speak to you.  Pinterest is a great resource!
• If you are taking pictures for someone else, talk to them about their preferences and expectations.  Since I was taking pictures for my sister I asked her for her input-- what styles she likes, what shots she wanted.  Good communication in advance is especially important if you are taking pictures during delivery.  There is no time to clarify what mama wants as the baby is taking her first breath!  
• Be patient and flexible.  Know that you probably won't be able to get a great picture of every single shot you want.  For example, I wanted to get a cute black and white shot of Ivy on her belly with her legs tucked under... but Ivy wasn't having it!  I also wanted some cute naked booty shots... but Ivy has a skinny little butt and the pictures just didn't look right. 
• Babies are extra photogenic between 5-10 days old.  Sometimes their skin is irritated or splotchy after birth and it takes a few days for it to smooth out and their heads to settle into a lovely shape.  
• Newborns eat and sleep a lot-- so if you want a picture that doesn't involve sleeping or eating you need to work around the baby's schedule.  Right after feedings is a great time to take pictures because the baby is usually pretty content and their little hands and feet are relaxed. 
• Be prepared for accidents!  Have a change of clothes, lots of wipes, some washcloths, towels, blankets, and cute props ready for your session. 
• If you plan to take naked shots turn up the heat!  You should feel slightly sweaty for a naked baby to be comfortable and happy.  If baby gets too cold she will pee!  
• Know what your lighting situation is.  Where are the windows and what light will be available to you? 
• If you are going to get a shot of the baby taking her first breath make sure to meter your light and get your camera ready in advance.  Also, it's can be difficult to get a good shot of post-delivery activities because the doctors and nurses are busy doing their jobs!  Be respectful and creative to get the perfect picture!
• Make sure you have the right equipment!  A fantastic, low-cost lens ($100-150) that takes amazing pictures in low light settings is the 50mm/1.8.  Consider buying or renting a speedflash for your camera as well.  Also, research what kind of lens you will need to get the shots you want.  I wanted to get some close-ups of Ivy's tiny fingers and toes so I rented a macro lens (105mm f/2.8 micro) and am so pleased with my images!  

Here are some of my favorite photos of Ivy:

Baby Ivy and some of her handmade swag!

Baby Ivy Eleanor is here!  

Here is Megan and Ivy the day after she was born.  It was such a beautiful experience to witness another person coming into the world.  I was honored to be Meg's breathing coach during the delivery and be there to share the special day with her and Ivy.  I am so proud of her!!!

I knit this blanket for Ivy with the most luscious organic cotton.  It was an absolute treat to make!  The color is just perfect too!! Megan isn't into super pink things-- I was so thankful to find this dusty rose colored yarn that I knew she would LOVE.  

I embellished this onesie with handmade flowers using the DIY Flower Garland tutorial featured on craftgawker.  

I thought white flowers on a white onesie would be adorable!  I asked hubs for a clean t-shirt, put on some HGTV House Hunters, and got busy!  

3 Tips for this project:

1.  For small flowers, use a small spice bottle to trace your circles onto the t-shirt.

2.  Use a needle grip!  My fingers hurt something fierce by the time I was done.

3.  You can use a washable fabric pen if you have one.  If not, don't worry about cutting the circles perfectly to avoid the lines.  Use a pretty color marker to add a hint of contrasting color to your flowers.

As you may recall, I embroidered some French knot sheep on a onesie  for Ivy.  This was too cute to keep a surprise-- but still the in-person response was over the top.  My mom and sister are both pushing me to make and sell some more embroidered onesises.  The sheep take a while, but it could turn into a nice source of supplementary crafting income :)

Do you have any favorite baby crafts to share?  I would love to see them!!!

xoxo,

Auntie Ashley and Mister G 

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