Owl {always love you} Pillow Friend

My 2nd Pinterest project -- COMPLETE!  Also, my first official "nursery" project done.  Check, check!  Baby Girl's nursery theme:  pink & gray walls, a cherry blossom tree, and two little owl friends sitting in a tree {k-i-s-s-i-n-g?  Not just yet!).  When I first found out I was going to have a daughter I began contemplating what one thing I could give her at birth that she could keep for always.  Natural instinct -- a doll.  I thought I could sew her a raggedy Anne type dolly, after all, I've hand sewn one before, when I was 10 years old.  A doll seemed a little cliche.  So what else?  Then I saw it.  A DIY Owl.  How perfect!  I found the perfect pattern too.  I am IN LOVE with my creation...and even better...I sewed it all by hand!  I do not currently own a sewing machine (although I'm thinking a future investment in one would be good).  My only other option:  to hand sew this little friend.  Can I just say...I am *smitten* by how cute this little owl turned out to be.  I will always tell my daughter "Owl always love you" while wiggling this adorable owl friend in front of her baby face.

The credit for this project and tutorial goes to Toad's Treasures. {{Thank you, Toad's Treasures.  This is definitely a "treasure" find}}

DIY Wall Art

My first Pinterest project complete!  And I could be more pleased.  My house has been sitting stale with little to no decoration and bare gray walls.  Between nesting and my desire to make our home both cheerful and homey, I decided to take up some DIY projects rather than spend a fortune on artwork that means nothing to me.  Ryan like the idea of Wall Art -- quite literally, pieces of wood covered in coordinating scrapbook papers.  I love how this turned out and it adds so much color and life to our living room!  Now all I need is to find the right sconces to go on either side and the wall above our couch will be complete!

For instructions visit this blog:  DIY Wall Art (I manipulated her step by step a little...all part of the DIY process!  But her tutorial is great!)

Only the beginning...

A blog dedicated specifically to my DIYing and crafts is long overdue.  I've been an avid crafter since I can remember, always trying to see things as more than what they are and altering them into a work of art or something useful.  Whether it's scrapbooking, creating invites, sewing a small pillow, creating a scarf, or learning to crochet, I can take pride in the work my hands have created.  Stay tuned!  There are plenty of projects in my future, especially with a little girl on her way.  There are so many pretty things to make for her!