Well, we ain't got a barrel of money, but that sure isn't stopping me from enjoying the planning-for-baby part of my pregnancy! Planning is one of my greatest joys in life, so I thought it would be fun to share the baby-prep that will be going on around these parts for the next six months. Everything I do has to be on the cheap, so it'll be extra challenging- and extra fun, if you ask me! I think I'm the sort of person who is most inspired by limitations. Gives me something to overcome.
Well alright, kiddos! Here's what's been brewing at the Johnson house.
- I still haven't hung art around our new home, but yesterday I began looking through my collections and deciding what might be nice hanging on the walls of the nursery. So far (since we don't know the gender) I've put aside a couple of paint-by-numbers that would be equally awesome in a little boy or girl's room.
- Since I'm beginning to outgrow my favorite skirts and shirts (the boobies are ga-rowing!), I thought I might take some time out to stitch together some maternity dresses. We'll see if I ever find my sewing pedal (ah, the perils of moving house), but if I do- I can't wait to get started on some of the vintage patterns I found! (Oh, and by the way- I've never sewn from a pattern before. So there's that too...)
- I'll be getting an inexpensive, traditional crib for our baby, so I thought why not spruce it up a bit with some extra fun crib sheets? I've been stashing away vintage sheets I've found from thrift stores and will be cutting them down for crib sheets, following a tutorial I found somewhere online. I'll share more when I actually have a crib and mattress for pretty pictures of the final product!
Oh I am so excited to see your plans. I am waiting for a vintage pattern to arrive from the US (I am in Scotland), and I am going to have a go at making my first pattern item too. I LOVE painting by numbers and I actually have a new one to do myself lol.
V
xxx
Posted by: Valerie | March 18, 2012 at 01:40 PM
fun fun fun!!!
Anna
Posted by: olive green anna | March 18, 2012 at 02:18 PM
Such a lucky baby, to have such a creative Mum!
I miss North American patterns. When my kids were small, I sewed using the patterns in Dutch magazines, meaning seeking some kind of order in the chaoes of dots and the dashes: all models and sizes on just one sheet.
This is the closest example i could find:
http://www.oweiss.com/blog/2009/11/sewing-patterns.html
It was a challenge!
Posted by: Lynn | March 18, 2012 at 02:32 PM
This is fun. I'm looking forward to more posts like these!
-Lindsey
http://ettu-tutu.blogspot.com
Posted by: Lindsey | March 18, 2012 at 03:45 PM
Aaw, fun! Can't wait to see the cute dresses you'll make! I always look for vintage fabric to make into skirts and stuff, so I have a pile waiting to be sewn, too...he he. And it's pretty easy to get the hang of a simple pattern, especially for a tent dress...good luck! :)
Posted by: Michelle Clement | March 18, 2012 at 05:51 PM
well I am excited too! I know its all going to turn out awesome! I cant wait!
Posted by: Laura Chavous | March 18, 2012 at 05:54 PM
If you like strategically planning stuff, I bet you'll also love trying to figure out sewing patterns! I'm sure it's the same logical, orderly part of your brain you use...
Posted by: Sarah Rooftops | March 18, 2012 at 05:56 PM
I love these "budget friendly" baby ideas! :) I think it's great, since really and truly babies don't need a ton of fancy stuff, and it's more fun being creative this way! Can't wait to see some of the maternity stuff you whip up!
Posted by: Casey | March 18, 2012 at 06:45 PM
Love it all! And congrats. So very happy for you and your soon-to-be family!
Posted by: kelsterjean | March 18, 2012 at 07:18 PM
so exciting!
Posted by: Joy | March 19, 2012 at 12:45 AM
These are such exciting times for you and yours... looking forward to seeing the vintage baby sheets.
Posted by: Danielle | March 19, 2012 at 07:53 AM
planning is so much fun! I love make lists and all that jazz. I think both those paintings would look lovely in a nursery.
Posted by: Amber | March 19, 2012 at 01:38 PM
Good idea to make your orwn maternity dresses! My best piece of advice for sewing from a pattern is to make sure you get your measurements right, and be prepared for the fact that you will probably be working on two or three sizes within the same pattern! I have a long torso, so I had to cut the vertical length of the bodice in one size, while the width of the bodice was a different size, and the hips were yet another size! Just take your time preparing it and cutting it out and I'm sure you'll be fine!
Posted by: Eleni Drinks Tea | March 22, 2012 at 08:26 AM
I want that red dress on the pattern!
www.katiescreative.blogspot.com
Posted by: Katie | March 22, 2012 at 04:36 PM
I'm so excited to see what you come up with!!
Posted by: mandiesegura | April 02, 2012 at 01:16 AM