Nursery Chair

 

We have had 2 nursery chairs in the last 4 years. We got both of them from KSL, like this one. They were in excellent condition when purchased and I liked them because they were comfortable, they reclined, swiveled and rocked perfectly. The only issue for us was the vinyl would wear out just within months. This time, I wanted something that would last 'forever'. So, I went online and diligently searched and read every customer review. Here are some nursery chairs that we fell in love with:

Wingback Rocker

Dove Grey Glider, similar here

Charcoal Glider

Natural rocker, featured in this nursery here and here

Swivel Chair - featured in this nursery

Wood glider

After much research, we ended up getting the Glider in Dove Grey. I have never bought furniture online because sometimes, what you see is not what you get. We did however get our old loveseat online. We checked it out in store prior to purchasing it online, so that made me feel comfortable with the idea. Anyways, even though I loved this glider and the price, I didn't like the color portrayed on the website. One of the reviews said it was a lighter grey and since that's what I wanted, I went for it. It arrived within a few days and I am in LOVE. The fabric is micro fiber and the shade of grey is exactly what I was hoping for. The actual color is closer to the image I have included in this post (found on target.com), its a lighter shade of grey (like the zinc here) and the piping is pearl grey.

If you can't find your 'perfect' chair, you can add rocking chair runners to the chair of your choice like this brilliant Ikea hack here

I will post pictures of my actual chair soon. I love my glider because it's comfortable, and big enough to hold me and both my kids. I love the color and the fabric seems easy to clean. I only wish it reclined:(
What do you look for in a nursery chair?

Frozen themed shared kid's Bedroom

It's not a secret that we are obsessed with the show 'Frozen' around here. Like most people I know, we have seen the movie and listened to the songs a million times. So, I thought the kids would enjoy having a Frozen themed room. When I presented the idea, they were both thrilled, more especially Diana because she knew what I was talking about. Mr Eli just went with the flow:)

Pictures in photo: Disney// West Elm Reindeer head// West Elm Rug// Target Glider// Target Crib// Houzz Dresser// Pottery Barn Kids Bed// Pottery Barn Snowflake mobile// Plush Olaf // West Elm Sheet set// Nordstrom Duvet cover

I made this story board for my inspiration. I LOVE everything about it. At first, I was worried about having too much white, but I have become very fond of it and I really hope it works in 'real life.' Since my son and daughter will be sharing this room, I had to use neutral colors. I will be adding a pom pom garland, a picture wall gallery and maybe a floral wreath.

It will probably take me ages to achieve this look. I will be making the crib bedding and doing a lot of painting to cut on cost. I absolutely enjoyed my daughter's finished room here, it took forever but was worth it.

Stay tuned, I will be posting the pictures as we go.  Wish me luck

Kid's Pretend Store

Have you ever shopped for wood at the Home Depot scrap bins? You will find 'imperfect' wood cuts upto 70% off retail value. I get tons of my wood there. This time, I got all the wood I used for this store for less than $5. A few boards were free, hurray! They were really badly cut and had a few holes in them so I cut off the bad parts and used the good parts; I am happy they worked out great. I mean, you can see the imperfections in the store but they are minor. I am sure my kids don't mind.

This picture was taken on my phone but I just had to share

 

 

This grocery store/lemonade stand was my inspiration, Source

... and this DIY play stand found on Ana White

Here is my cut list:
Wood:
1 x 7 @ 26″ (2) – side boards
1 x 11.5 @ 30.5″  – Counter top
1 x 7.5 @ 28.5″ (2) – shelves
1 x 4 @ 28.5″  (1) – rung below counter
1 x 2 @ 28.5"  (1) – rung above bottom shelf
1 x 2 @ 26″ (2) – side posts

Plexiglass 28.5" x 18"
Cardboard box - 33" x 12"
Fabric - 34" x 24"

Tools:
Hammer
Finish nails
Glue gun
Jig Saw

Join the two side boards (1 x 7 @ 26″) together with one 1 x 4 @ 28.5″ rung, using wood glue and nails.

Attach the second support board 1 x 2 @ 28.5" on top where the counter will rest

I am sure there is an easier way to make this store but I had to make use of the wood I had on hand, remember most of it came from the scrap bin thus the markings and uneven cuts

Attach the shelf (1 x 7.5 @ 28.5″) right above the 1 x 4 @ 28.5″ rung. Then attach the counter top.

Here is how it should look after the bottom shelf is attached. Once I had my basic box completed, I painted it using a regular paint brush with the colors red for the counter top and white for the rest

Now, cut the tops of the side posts about 3" off at a 90 degree angle (as indicated in the picture). This will make the roof slope once added.

Attach the posts onto the 2 side boards using glue and nails.

I added plexiglass using my hot glue gun. I only attached it at the top and bottom (on the 28.5 x 1.5 strips).

I added the plexiglass just for fun (its totally optional)

This is the roof. I used a piece of cardboard box 33" x 12"

Wrap the fabric as shown and once again I used hot glue to attach the fabric to the box. I use hot glue for almost everything:) It has never failed me

Then using a single nail, I attached the roof to the side posts

It's a good size, my kids love it and I am glad it turned out well..

Check out my other popular DIY kids' pretend kitchen here, the doll crib here and Diana's Apron here

 

This store was featured on:



 

 

Family time - Temple Square

Yesterday, we spent a few hours downtown Salt Lake City on Temple Square. This place will always feel like my second home. I served an LDS mission here about 9 years ago and ABSOLUTELY loved it. It's always fun to go back and walk through the grounds with my little family.

Felt Dessert - Chocolate Chip Cookies

Here is another tutorial on felt chocolate chip cookies. A perfect addition to my kids' little store.

You will need:

2 sandstone felt circles// Fiber fill// Glue gun// Little pieces of brown felt

Make a sandwich by having the 2 circle pieces on the outside and the filler (just a little bit) in the middle then sew around the edges as shown in the picture

Once you are done sewing around the cookie, add some glue on the little brown pieces and stick them onto the cookie

Now, who doesn't like warm chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk?

Felt Dessert - Key Lime Pie

My kids are so excited to finally have food to sell in their 'store'. For Christmas, I made them a 'pretend dessert store'. I have been playing around with felt fabric and I am amazed at what one can do with it. We have made pie, cupcakes, donuts, macaroons, cake, cookies, sandwiches and I am in the process of making puppets; so exciting! It's fun to watch my kids role play as cashiers, store keepers, customers etc. The store only cost me less than $10 to make and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the fact that my kids are LOVING it.

 These red plates are part of the store.

Here is a tutorial on how I made the KEY LIME PIE. I will post the cupcake, donut, cookies and other desserts in the next coming days.

You will need:

Neon green felt// Brown felt (sandstone)// Fiberfill// Stiff Pellon// box. I got everything from Joanns and I had some stuff already

Attach the felt strip to the triangle (top of the pie)

I used a regular pair of scissors to cut ridges on the edge of the 'crust' felt. Then I attached the green felt to the crust as shown above

Fold your pellon strip in the middle, then stick it into the pie. I added pellon just to help maintain the shape of the pie once I added the stuffing

Then I added the box cut out inside the pie at the base; in order to stabilize the bottom of the finished pie. Add stuffing and then sew the edges together as illustrated in the picture

 Your finished piece of pie should look like this. Then attach the frosting on top, voila! you are done.
Find the FROSTING TUTORIAL here

Come back and see the other dessert tutorials and the diy store next week here on the blog