DIY Baby Blanket

A Quick & Easy Project

This was a blanket I made while I was counting the days for my little one to arrive. The blanket stitching at the end was the perfect way to pass the time until my girl decided to make her debut! It's a great project to customize yourself for a baby shower or your own little nugget. 

What You'll Need:

1. Three prints of flannel (I used these great one sided receiving blankets here) 
2. Pen & Paper
3. Scissors
4. Pins
5. Needle & thread

Here's What to Do:

• Trace any letters and designs onto your first desired print and cut out. If you're not the best doodler you can print out images or bold letters and use those as easy stencils!  

                                 

• Place your cutouts as desired on the fabric you want for the front of your blanket and pin into place. 

                                                                              

• In a contrasting or coordinating thread (I went with hot pink) stitch around each cutout to securely fasten it to the front of the blanket.                    

 

• Once the front of your blanket is as desired, line up the front fabric with the remaining third fabric (wrong side to wrong side) and sew all the way around.
• With the same bold thread as before use the blanket stitch to go around the outside of the blankets, you can make the stitches as close or as spaced out as you like.

You're All Done!

Finally, gift it or wrap your little bundle of joy in it!

Happy Sewing!

Must Buys Before Baby

The bare minimum list of must haves

Babies are expensive and it's easy to become overwhelmed with the endless lists of pacifiers, baby monitors, sleepers, toys, baby tubs and various other baby gadgets that are now thrown in new mommy-to-be's faces. How are we ever to make it through the day without that must have self-contained bottle sanitization steamer thingy?! How did anyone survive without these things before? Well guess what? They did and so can you. Babies really don't need that much from the get go, it's once they start growing into real little people that they become much more costly. 

Here's a list of the bare-minimum, no frills, must have buys before baby...

1. CAR SEAT: Considering you can't even leave the hospital without one this is number one! What's great is there are now ones that double both as a car seat and click into wheels to become a stroller. Less is best!
2. BABY CRIB: As much as you'll want to hold your little one, they eventually need to be put down. With so many options I suggest one of the 4-in-1 cribs, it's a crib that can later be converted into a toddler bed with a safety rail for rolling, a day bed for when they are a little older then finally a head board when they're ready to graduate to a full size bed! TIP: Invest in two or three sleep sacks or swaddle blankets to keep baby cozy in their crib (both are easy DIY projects!).
   
   Like this Fisher Price one
   
   
3. BABY BOTTLES: whether you've decided to breast feed or use formula you'll need some supplies. You'll need baby bottles and possibly a breast pump. Baby bottles increase with the size of your baby so you only need about 3 of each size to last you.  TIP: Check with your insurance first, depending on your coverage some companies offer you items for free with rebate or at a deep discount!
4. DIAPER STATION: Setting up your "diaper station" is essential, you'll be spending a lot of your time here soon. How do you feel most comfortable changing your baby? On a water proof mat on the floor, a changing pad on top of a dresser? With fabric diapers or disposable ones? Whatever you decide make sure you have plenty of diapers and wipes easily accessible, try nesting baskets, an open tray or in the top drawer.  TIP: buy wipes in bulk because you'll use these for years to come and don't over buy diapers in case baby grows out of them quickly you don't want to be left with loads of extras. Want to get really fancy? Invest in a diaper genie so you don't stink up your trash! Check out Baby Cheapskate for constant deals and sales!
5. ALTERNATE SEATING: Lastly I would invest in one more place you can put your baby down comfortably during the day (You should only use their crib for sleep) like a swing chair that might play music, a baby gym perfect for tummy time too or even a baby lounging pillow (an easy DIY!).
   
   Check out this baby lounger from Amazon. Would be easy to make your own too!

**Another money saving tip for new parents: buy everything in neutral colours so they can be used again if you're planning (or there might be a chance of) a second or third baby!

Having a baby shower? It's a great way to scoop up the last of those things you need for baby and of course some of those not-so-necessary, but oh-so-cute items too! Start your baby registry on Amazon where you can add items from anywhere rather than being limited to just one store or brand!

You also get 10% off items on your list 30 days before baby is due so you can get a great deal on any of those things that weren't already snatched up by guests. (Sign up for Amazon Moms and bump that up to 15% off, Free to sign up if you have Amazon Prime!) And Amazon baby registry is also great because it offers FREE-90 day returns for those things you changed your mind on- and with pregnancy brain and mood swings let's face it, it's likely to happen!