Do it Yourself Mommy

Some things I want to make

Niki — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 04:20:47 +0000

ooo…I wished I had more time to sew. And if I did…I’d fill up my Google reader with wonderful blogs all about sewing and make my own warddrobe out of the trashy stuff from the free pile at Goodwill. But alas, I don’t. Soooo..until then, I find links upon links of things I like for that one day when i do…

I want to do this awesome tank top from a long sleeve shirt because these are way too expensive in stores

And this for Addi. And may be one for me too! We’d be that cute matching mother/daughter pair.

And I want to be her friend so she can teach me exactly how to make this little number of which I paid way too much for at the Nordstrom’s sale last month. Plus mine was/is too short. If we were friends, she’d tell me how to refashion it….

And this skirt is too cute. Plus the little girl gives me reason to never cut my daughter’s hair

And this skirt/legging fashion is absolutely smashing. I may have to do this sooner than later…

And these quilt blocks (and here and here)remind me of something my mom would be proud of me for making. Really, she’d be proud of anything I made (and then take it into her sewing room and fix it). but whatever….these are down home cute.

What’s best about this whole list is not a single one of these lovely ladies ended up in my Google reader. Why? because it has become so cluttered with “oh I love that….” that I can’t keep up anymore. New idea….posts. Then one day I’ll have too many of those!

My Favorite Black Door

Niki — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:02:42 +0000

We use our garage as the main entrance to our house. Our neighbors even have gotten in the habit of coming in through the garage too. In fact, I’ve wandered out into the garage in a towel to grab something and there was a neighbor waiting for me to ask a question. Imagine my fright! The reason for the garage is that our house was built in the 50′s and the front door is a ways away from the driveway. Plus-it’s just convenient. up until last week, our garage door (the one into the house) was drab and boring. I got the idea to redo this part of the garage from Just A Girl back in May. You bet I ordered my vinyl letters right that minute. Wonderfully Wordy was awesome to work. I think the gal’s name was Shelley and she was as sweet and as nice as she looks. As a matter of fact, I wish we could be friends. Not likely as she lives states away (she’s actually moving and not taking any more orders right now). For now, I’ll settle with vinyl letters cut at her very own house-that kind of makes us friends right? Anyhow, back to my door. I was dying to get to this project forever but couldn’t find the right time. Black paint over a white door=time and lots of coats. Sooo…. last week I found the time. Here’s the before picture:

I can not describe how cute the box was that my vinyl letters came in. Cute orange tissue paper, the letters were wrapped in pretty blue paper with a hand made (yes, I said hand made!) thank you card. It was so cute, I took a picture:

oh, and I also hung up the thank you card on my bulletin board. We are for sure friends!

I painted the door black. It took 4 coats. I used a Behr brand designed for outdoor purposes. We painted out real front door a few years back and I just reused that paint. I would recommend buying new paint for the project. It took less than a quart to complete the project. I don’t believe in taping things -ever so I very carefully painted around the door knob and hinges. I also painted the door step. It was white too and got dirty real fast.

Here’s the final project:

Let me just say that the area still needs a little work. I’m getting new carpet for the entrance tomorrow and we are in need of a screen door. But…doesn’t that door look great. I love it! My husband thinks I’m silly and when I showed him the finished product he laughed out loud like it was a joke until he realized that I was serious at which point he tried to quit laughing-but couldn’t. Every time he walks through the door he makes so joke about “oh yep! made it to the right door!” My five year old on the other hand loves it! He thinks it says No 1480-like “No!” whatever. Not everyone can appreciate cute projects!

Martha’s Monogrammed Corkboard

Niki — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 19:48:17 +0000

She’s done it again. Or at least she has some pretty cool people working for her. I love this idea! My current project is to liven up my garage entrance into our house. It’s drab and dreary right now and I saw this cool little project online a few months back. I ordered the letters up (and they were delivered in the cutest little box/wrapping I have ever seen). I painted the door last night (pictures to come soon) and I’m thinking a giant Monogrammed letter – maybe with magnetic chalkboard paint, is in order…

This too..

Niki — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:19:34 +0000

Lists and no paper!!! best night EVER!!

I want this!!!

Niki — Fri, 29 May 2009 19:14:40 +0000

NeatDesk Desktop scanner/digital filing system. This would make my life completely clutter free!

Shirt Dress…my weekend project

Niki — Thu, 21 May 2009 18:48:19 +0000

These are cute. One of these + my cutie patootie daughter will equal summer delight! this weekend I break out the sewing machine!

Board and Batten Living Room Project

Niki — Fri, 15 May 2009 19:46:13 +0000

First…I had no idea what Board and batten was. sounded like fabric. But when I saw the pictures of this room and the wall treatments I fell in love. PLUS…looks easy enough for a DIY Mommy to do on a long summer vacation. I’m adding it to my to do lost for summer.

Creating a craft space

Niki — Wed, 13 May 2009 04:27:06 +0000

I love to craft. I’m too good at it, but i love to do it. It’s a great way to pass the time, let out some creative energy and too reflect, get some new energy. My kids also love to craft. A few months ago I came across a winter garage sale. Oh the joys in a winter garage sale. Hidden treasures marked down to nothing because its so damned cold no one else will get out of their car. one of the treasures from this little find was a metal cart that now sits fondly in our dining room loving called the craft cart. Tonight we jumped into the craft cart and made a big mess on the table and had a grand ole time. I love that time when Will and I can just sit down and cut and glue and glitter away. My recommendations for a great craft cart:

paper. I often pull paper out of our recycling box at work. We also have construction paper
Glue sticks-because they aren’t as messy as the white Elmer’s stuff
Glitter-this could be glitter which is very messy or the glue glitter
scissors – safe ones of course
Marker’s – preferably ones that work because tonight frustrations ran a bit high when the marker’s aren’t quite as vibrant as they are supposed to be
something to trace, stencil, or draw around. This is a great skill for young ones to practice, tracing an object and using a stencil.
stickers. I buy those giant sticker books on clearance at the bookstores over the summer and then cut out the individual stickers to our sticker jar. Kind of sounds like a pain in the butt, but it’s fun to go through a pile of stickers to embellish work with.

Keep in mind that my kids are 5 and 2 so our craft cart reflects this age group. Any ideas for older kids?

Earth Day

Niki — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 17:35:09 +0000

I *heart* the earth. Almost as much as I *heart* blogs and my google reader. My son loves the earth even more and reminds me to recycle and longs for a compost bin. In celebration of earth day, go download this 12 page guide to making your family more green. Also, if you long for a compost bin like my son, check out Simple Mom’s post about creating your own easy compost bin. So easy, even I can do it (and plan to actually. As soon as I get my earth friendly plastic bin). In fact, Simple Mom has a lot of cool ideas on her blog. Check it out.

Social Marketing

Niki — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:28:24 +0000

When my husband began his business 18 months ago, we set up a website. That was it. It was all I ever thought you could need. Fast forward today and social media is now taking the industry by storm. Good lord the options are endless and internet never turns off. Quite frankly it can be overwhelming. At first, back in january, we decided we’d reach out to professionals to get help. Come to find out, no one knows the exact science behind social networking. it changes everyday! What’s a DIY mommy to do? Figure it out on her own. I have literally combed the internet for the past 3 months reading, listening, trying, and immersing myself in social media. Some of it worked and some of it didn’t (my twitter account ballooned to 1000 followers in three days and i have NO idea how). I have barely scratched the surface! I’m no expert at all. here’s what I know though…

From a small businss perspective, you can benefit from:

A website
A blog
A facebook fan page
A twitter account

Now there’s TONS of other pieces to the social media puzzle too (popurls, Digg, StumbleUpon, Google Alerts) but for right now those 4 listed above are becoming a MUST have. They all four work together to deliver content to your customers that add value to their day. Stay tuned for more information on how to set up your own social marketing network.