Crafts | Baby Coupons and Stuff

What to do with an Old Crib… 15 Great Ideas for Repurposing Baby Cribs!

March 25, 2012 By: Michelle26 Comments

Now that drop-side cribs have been outlawed and you can’t sell them anymore, what do you do with that old crib? Or maybe you don’t have a drop-side but you just want to keep your crib for sentimental reasons after your baby grows out of it. Whatever the case may be, I’ve come across quite a few creative ideas for repurposing an old crib. It sparked me to research further to see what people were turning old baby cribs into and I found a round up of 15 + ideas to share with you.

So, how about a bench? See how it was created HERE at Cassandra Design!

I love how this chair turned out! See how it was done HERE on Junkblossoms.com.

Front porch daybed anybody? Check it out HERE.

How about this very popular on Pinterest blackboard desk? What a great idea if you ask me. Find out how they made it HERE.

Or the very creative chalkboard easel. So much fun for the kiddos! Get the full tutorial HERE at The Red Kitchen.

In keeping with the chalkboards, HERE you will see where they made a hanging set. Love it!

Not into chalk? The Frosted Gardener shows you how to turn a crib into a magnet board HERE.

Here is one of my favorites. From curbside crib, to subway art, to jewelry organizer. Check out how she did it HERE at Infarrantly Creative.

Originally seen on Country Home, Curbly shows you what you need to turn an old crib spring into an officer organizer. Not sure if I like it, but definitely creative.

Blue Cricket Design shows you how she turned a crib side into a magazine rack HERE. Better yet, it only cost her $2.

Similarly, you can use the crib sides as craft fair displays. One Shabby Chick shows you HERE.

(photo credit: betterislittle.com)

Or use one as a stuffed animal display as shown above.

How about painting a side red and hanging your Christmas cards from it? That’s what Cassandra Design did HERE.

Check out My Repurposed Life HERE for a few more ideas including this plate rack. Some people are so creative!

Last but not least, HERE is a post that shows you 11 ways to recycle and reuse baby cribs. It all goes back to being creative.

Just for fun, I had to include this changing table turned drink cart. You can check it out HERE on BHG.com.

So what would you do with an old crib or nursery furniture? Would you repurpose it into something fun and creative like above or just get rid of it? Let me know in the comments below.

Free Easter Crafts eBook + Tons of Free Kids Treats/Crafts!

March 15, 2012 By: Michellecomment

Head to AllFreeHolidayCrafts.com for a Free Easter eBook: 7 Cute Easter Craft Projects featuring ideas for how to make Easter crafts including baskets, eggs, wreaths and more. Get it HERE!

Looking for more kid friendly Easter crafts and treats ideas, check HERE!

10 Adorable DIY Baby Gift Ideas!

March 8, 2012 By: Michelle7 Comments

Here are some great DIY baby gift ideas that I have come across on Pinterest and wanted to share with you. If you are in need of a baby gift and are feeling crafty or inspired, be sure to click the links to the original sources (below the images). Some give complete step by step tutorials for making them yourself or some might lead you right to an Etsy shop where you can just purchase these adorable little creations. Either way, have fun and enjoy and if you want to see more, be sure to follow my Crafty and DIY Baby Gift Ideas Board over at Pinterest.

Motorcycle Diaper Cake Tutorial

I’ll start with my absolute favorite! So stinkin’ cute and creative! Click the link on this one as she’ll give you a complete tutorial with images so you can make this adorable little motorcycle cake yourself.

Paper Free Gift Wrapped Baby Gift w/ Board Book Card

I love this! The creator of this sweet little gift talks about how she hated to waste money on gift paper that could be used toward the baby instead. How true that is. Gift wrap is so expensive these days and it just gets torn off and thrown away. Using a baby blanket as she did is so much more resourceful and still looks adorable. I love how she used the board book instead of a card (another huge waste of money) also.

Ice Cream Onesie Baby Shower Gift

The link to this one will take you right to Etsy where you can search for this cute gift. It looks like it would be super easy to make yourself also. Either way, cute idea!

Darling Doodles Splish Splash

Here you will find a list of everything you need to put this Splish Splash baby gift together. She even includes the printables to go with it. So simple and cute!

Framed Birth Announcement

This is such a nice idea from the Crafting Chicks! All you need is a computer with color printer, wood frame and some acrylic paint to make one of these. Go check them out for complete instructions. Such a thoughtful gift!

The Bapron (Baby Apron) Tutorial

If you can sew (which I can’t unfortunately), you’ll love this Bapron tutorial complete with pattern, images and even the exact fabrics she used. I didn’t see a place to buy them, but if you can make it, lucky you. Super cute and of course functional! I definitely could have used a few of these when mine were still in bibs.

**Please note: This tutorial and pattern are no longer being offered for free. If you would like to make this bapron you must now purchase the pattern.**

Wipes Container Baby Toy

Here is a great idea for a re-purposed wipes container. You have to check out the post with instructions on how to make it because the picture I used doesn’t do it justice. I love this idea because my daughter, for one, is addicted to holding baby wipes or washcloths. This gives them something to play with without wasting all those wipes.

Onesie Baby Shakes

How cute are these? It makes me think of Frappucinos which every new mom surely needs. You can purchase these at Etsy for $25 along with some other baby gifts. Or of course make it yourself if you feel inspired. Here is what you will find in these… Contains 4 Onesies, 4 Diapers, 8 White Wash Cloths, 4 red “cherry” socks in clear cups with dome lid. Pretty clever if you ask me!

Baby Shower Diaper Cakes

What baby gift list would be complete without diaper cakes? The link above will take you to a Diaper Cake Squidoo page complete with video tutorial on how to make them. You’ll also find theme ideas and some other baby shower inspiration while you’re there.

Bassinet Diaper Cakes

If you want something a little less traditional than a diaper cake but equally adorable, check out these bassinet cakes. The link will take you to a eCrater store where you can purchase these for $12.50. I don’t think you could even buy the diapers for that little. But if you think you want to give making one a try, I googled instructions and a few videos and tutorials came up as well as some nice sites. So you should be able to easily find a tutorial that suits you.

I hope this list inspires you to come up with some simple yet “Oh so cute!” baby gift ideas for the next little bundle of joy that arrives in your life. I know I’ll be referring to it the next time I need a baby gift.

Enjoy!

How to Make Valentine Slime!

February 12, 2012 By: Michellecomment

It’s a cold, cold day so we decided to work on some Valentine’s activities indoors! I’ve been getting so many great ideas over at Pinterest lately we had to put some into action. So here is my tutorial for how to make Valentine Slime…

What you’ll need:

Borax (we had this as I always keep it on hand for lots of uses)

Red food coloring

Glue – we used one 4 oz. bottle from the Dollar Store (2/$1.00)

red and silver glitter

Heart shaped cookie cutters (Set of 4 for $2.88 from Walmart)

Pour whole container of glue into bowl and then fill the empty container with water and add it. Add a few drops of red food coloring and sprinkle some red and silver glitter in there. Stir it all up.

Next you add a mixture of 1 tsp. of water with 1 tsp. of Borax. Fully dissolve the Borax into the water (crush any clumps) and then add it to your glue/water mixture. It will start clumping up. I actually added another couple of teaspoons of the Borax mixture and it still left a lot of liquid. So I took the first glob out and then added another teaspoon of the Borax mixture to the remaining liquid to make another glob. You just knead it in your hands until it is the consistency you want.

There you have it! It’s that simple to make Gooey Slimy Fun!!!

It kept them entertained for about an hour. It does come off of clothes, doesn’t stick to hard surfaces or little hands and even comes out of hair. Yes, we found out the hard way because big sister got mean and stuck a big glob in the little one’s hair. It had to be rinsed out with water but no damage.

They had fun!

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

10+ Rainy Day Activities for Kids!

February 10, 2012 By: Michelle5 Comments

It’s a cold and dreary day today and all I keep thinking is ‘What can I do with the kids?’ Of course, what better place to turn to for Rainy Day Activities for Kids than Pinterest! So here are some of the best ideas I found to share with you from my ‘Keeping the Kids Busy’ Board.

Here are 3 great Rainy Day Activities from Tidy Tangle that include homemade finger paints, slime and lava lamps all from common household materials and ingredients.

This next one looks so fun and creative! Learn how to Tie Dye T-Shirts with Sharpie Markers from The Art Girl Jackie – Tutorials!

How about adding some new life to old crayons by making rainbow glitter crayons. Find the simple tutorial over at E is for Explore.

Check out this simple idea for homemade puffy paint from Sandy Toes & Popsicles! All you need to make it is flour, salt, water and food coloring.

Here is another simple but fun activity from Sandy Toes & Popsicles for Milk Art!

Here is a great idea for making a Rainbow Stained Glass Window from The Artful Parent. Love it!

Next we have Raised Salt Paintings from Housing a Forest. This again looks so simple and fun!

Here is another very cool and simple idea for making Sandpaper Print T-shirts from Alphamom.

Guess how these colorful plates were made. Ever heard of Salad Spinner Art? See how it’s done over at Play at Home Mom.

I found a ton of other great ideas over at Play at Home Mom also. Check them out below…

Window Art

Glow sticks…. thinking outside the box

Translucent Silly Putty

A Cave of Stars

Elephant Toothpaste

Edible Paint

Last but not least, for an old rainy day stand by, check out my Playdough Board for about a dozen different homemade play dough recipes. That ought to keep them busy for a while!