Tag Archives: Baby

Baby Shower Gift Basket Tips and Inspiration

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There’s nothing more precious than a new baby and putting together a collection of sweet baby gifts can be so meaningful for parents-to-be! I love shopping and gathering up gifts to create a beautiful arrangement and I’m all about a pretty presentation. I thought I’d share a few I’ve made this past year to help inspire you if you’re stuck or looking for some examples to go by. Some affiliate links included. 

diyshowoff baby shower gift basket tips and inspiration

Baby Shower Gift Basket Tips

Tips for personalizing a gift for a new little person makes if feel so special, right? Here are a few tips to help:

  • Registry – most parents-to-be will share their baby shower registry. Try to choose a few items from their hand selected wish list when possible.
  • Gender – it’s rare that we don’t know this ahead of time and completely unnecessary but if you do know, it does narrow down options. 
  • Name – even more rare, but if it is known, I love to add something monogrammed – specifically, I love adding a wall art letter or creating a personalized iron on decal. 
  • Theme – a lot of the time, the baby shower invitation will give a hint to the nursery theme or design style … elephants, owls, woodland, boho, Noah’s ark, etc.  
  • Parents’ hobbies, collections, lifestyle. Do they love the outdoors (fishing? hunting?), love their dog(s)?, have a favorite sport’s team? 
  • Your signature piece – for example, I’m all about wellness so I try to include chemical free, natural, organic options when I can. 
  • Diapers & board book – baby showers now will often host a special raffle for bringing one of these items. I always use a pack of Honest newborn diapers in the bottom of the basket to lift the gifts. Either way, diapers are SUPER helpful and adding a favorite children’s story or baby board book to create a library of bedtime stories is one of my favorite things to add. 
  • Gift wrap a few of the items with coordinating wrapping paper. I often use what I have on hand. It doesn’t have to be specific baby shower themed. 

Baby Shower Gift Basket Inspiration

Here are 5 baby shower gift baskets I’ve put together to help inspire your next baby shower gift. 

Girls: 

EMMA

Emma’s mommy’s favorite color is purple and she designed an owl themed nursery. My dear friend waited a long time for this precious miracle and I am so happy for them! 

purple owl baby girl gift basket

Gifts I selected: 

purple baby gift ideas

SOPHIE

– a pink themed collection fit for a princess!

pink princess baby girl gift basket

Gifts I chose: {some substitutions pictured)

pink baby gift basket tips inspiration

Boys: 

TOBIAS & ELIAS

– shopping for twins is so much fun! I didn’t go with completely “identical” but it was fun to put a woodland theme gift collection together for two! 

woodland theme baby shower gift basket deer boy baby shower gift basket

Gifts hand picked by me: 

woodland baby shower gift basket tips inspiration diyshowoff

CONNOR

– this little guy’s mom and dad are parents to two German Shepherds. What fun it was to include the ‘fur babies’ too!

german shepherd baby gift basket

Gifts I included:

dog baby gift basket tips inspiration

MARINO

– a blue teddy bear/sweet dreams collection for this precious boy. 

baby boy young living seedlings blue bear gift basketyoung living seedlings

Gifts I selected: 

baby boy gift basket inspiration tips

What are some of your favorite go-to baby gift ideas? 

DIY {club foot} Brace Cover

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Sweet grand baby boy was born with club feet and after months of casting then surgery, he graduated to special shoes and a bar.

Before…

DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff

And sometimes that bar conks him on the head. Ouch. So I made up a little cushion/cover and wanted to share here for others who may be searching to cover their baby’s Ponseti bar.

DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff

Materials I used:

  • pipe insulation
  • fabric
  • Velcro one wrap

DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff

What I did:

I cut a piece of pipe insulation to fit the brace between the shoes (6 inches). 

Next, I cut a piece of scrap fabric 8×9 inches. (It’s a snug fit so I’d suggest doing 8×11 inches instead…a little extra to tuck in.)

DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff

Then just ironed/sewed the borders. 

DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoffDIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff

I cut two pieces of the Velcro to fit around the pipe insulation snuggly. 

DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff

Assembly: Insert the brace into the pipe insulation. Wrap the fabric around the pipe insulation, tucking the ends into the open side. Secure with the Velcro. 

Optional: If you’re more of a sewing expert than me, you could do snaps or sew on velcro. 

DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff

Now, the brace has a bit of cushioning. If there was only a way to cushion those hard soled shoes.

DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoffDIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff

 

Ps. Yes, his shoes are on backwards. Doctors orders, part of the treatment. Isn’t he the cutest?

DIY {club foot} brace cover tutorial @diyshowoff

Meet My New Perfect Grandson

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Hey friends! I hope you don’t mind a little proud grandma bragging every now and then because I can’t resist the temptation. It’s going to happen. He’s just so perfect! Babies are such a blessing! I had no idea being a grandma would be the best.thing.ever! I’d like to officially introduce you to Aaro:

aaro @diyshowoffAaro Birth Announcement @diyshowoff

(birth announcement inspiration source) 

Mom and baby are doing well. My little girl is all grown up. ::insert group hug:: Babies are so precious, aren’t they?! I’m hoping he gets to spend a lot of quality time with grandma. Aaro was born with a birth defect known as bilateral congenital talipes equinovarus. That sounds scarier than it is. It’s the official medical term for club foot in both feet. A lot of doctor visits, lots of casting, special shoes, a brace/bar, maybe a surgery but something very treatable/fixable. Ali (mommy) and I may be creating a little blog to document the treatment process in an effort to help other families facing the same journey along with his progress. 

In the meantime, I see lots of baby-related DIY (i.e. spoiling) in my near future…if I can put him down. 😉 

small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoffcombined guest room nursery reveal @diyshowoff

Small Apartment Nursery Nook Reveal

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I’ve enjoyed creating two nursery spaces the last couple of months. The first one was the guest room/nursery space in my own home (see links below).

Guest Room/Nursery reveal @diyshowoff

Today is my daughter’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Ali! Creating a space for baby is one of her birthday gifts. Fun!

This one is a temporary space (functioning as a nursery until spring of next year). I call this sweet little room the nursery nook since it’s located in a small one bedroom apartment. Until I rescue photos from my old laptop, this is the only before picture I could find of the space:

bedroom-before

This part of the bedroom was made into a ‘dressing room’ type closet space a few years ago since storage is limited (I promise I’ll dig out the small apartment before and after pictures in the near future) but now part of the one bedroom is a cute little nursery nook for a soon to arrive little boy.

small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoffsmall apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoffsmall apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff

As you can see, it’s not super baby themed since it’s a temporary/rental space. We’re saving a fun boy-themed nursery design for next summer. 

small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoffsmall apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoffsmall apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff small apartment nursery nook reveal @diyshowoff

Source List:

  • Sauder dresser
  • Crib – Ikea
  • accessories, accent rugs and wall art – HomeGoods 
  • curtain – Target
  • DIY arrow accent wall

Metallic gold arrow accent wall tutorial

metallic gold arrow wall at diyshowoff.com

See my guest room/nursery space for more nursery inspiration:

DIY nursery wall decor at diyshowoff.comcombined guest room nursery reveal @diyshowoffeasy diagonal wall paint design tutorial @diyshowoffpainted craft box DIY at diyshowoffDIYShowOff Michaels Makers back to school book ends feature

Decorating Obsessed Nursery Reveal

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Hey there, DIY friends! Wow! You all had some amazing ideas and suggestions yesterday  about my DIY dilemma! Thank you!  I’ll keep you posted!

Today I’d like to introduce you to Ashley from…

Ashley is awaiting the pending arrival of her sweet baby girl soon and she’s just finished up  the nursery.  It’s an awesome combination of old, new and LOTS of DIY. The result is amazing! I love the bold non-traditional colors, don’t you? (Even her blog header looks good mixed in with the reveal photos!) 

First thing you can’t help but notice is the gorgeous argyle wall. Something that’s definitely going to catch baby girl’s eye.  

The also painted the base of the crib – isn’t that a clever idea to give it some special detail?

Want to see the before pictures? Like most nurseries, this room started out as a guest bedroom:

  

Now, it’s a beautiful space to grow, snuggle and play…

The attic access bothered Ashley…

So, they turned it into (non-permanent/easily removable) recessed shelving…

Check out this girl’s closet! 

I love the details and accents.  Isn’t this little guy sweet?

How fun is the DIY art (there’s more to see at Decorating Obsessed)…

You can get all of the details, more information and see more cute pictures at 

Guest Room

Attic Access turned Recessed Shelving

Nursery Reveal

Don’t stop there, Ashley’s blog name says it all. She’s “Decorating Obsessed” and her entire home is worth checking out!

Wishing you a happy, healthy and easy labor and delivery, Ashley!  I can’t wait to “e-meet” baby Audrey!

DIY 2011 Recap Party

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Happy New Year, DIY friends! 
Do you have the habit of looking at all that needs done with little regard to all that has been accomplished? Me too! Always looking ahead to what’s up next on transforming this old house. Who does that?  DIY crazed much? So, this time of year (here’s last year’s post), I love looking back to the year’s DIY and all that we finished up and tackled. Mr. DIY says we get tons done in odd years and that on even years, we’re allowed to sit around and be lazy. Um, he’d be wrong. This DIY girl isn’t going to let that happen! There’s so much to be done, I don’t know where to begin!  Let’s start with reflecting on 2011 for some DIY motivation.
Here is a recap of what went on (DIY and otherwise) at the DIY Show Off home in 2011 according to my picture files:
We adopted Lalka…
Kitchen Transformation 
Kitchen cabinets were painted, marble backsplash installed, walls painted, new granite countertops and bamboo flooring.

Before/In progress

After:
How to Install a Tile Backsplash
Helloooo beautiful bamboo!
Pantry removed.

Before:

After, the fridge is closer to the work area instead of trying to run out the door…
Love this new-to-me piece of furniture:
Before…
Guest Bedroom Now…
Sitting Room Makeover
Before
After
Before
After
Dining Room Sliding Door 
Before
After…
{opened}
{closed}

Dressing Room Closet Before…

Bi-fold turned French Door tutorial…
 

Craft Room Before

Craft Room After (still tweaking)

Some favorite projects:
Shaw/HGTV Home Design Challenge…How to get this Beach Cottage Look
Whew – what a great year!
Let’s see a recap of your DIY productivity in 2011!  Link up, then visit the links for some motivation to get moving this year!

(Sorry I don’t have the code – the previous didn’t work…making/pasting code into wordpress is a little different so I’m working on it. Please copy/paste picture above and linkt to this post or just link to this post in your 2011 DIY Recap. Thanks!)

  1. Write a post about your top 2011 DIY Projects.
  2. Add the Looking Back button by copying/pasting the code shown above into your blog post.
  3. Leave a comment and visit some of the other links.
  4. If you noticed your link has disappeared, please edit your post to include the link back to this post and try linking again (double checking that you’re linking up a 2011 recap. Here’s the link:  https://diyshowoff.com/2012/01/diy-2011-recap-party.html
  5. Be sure to follow along on G+ or subscribe via email (right side bar) so you catch the latest at the DIY Show Off in 2012.
  6. Thanks so much for sharing your 2011 recap!

If you haven’t already, after linking here, visit and link up at these awesome parties too:  

 

Special thanks to YOU for making 2011 so much fun! Your support, encouragement and comments mean so much to me…for real. I look forward to us all having a productive 2012 and can’t wait to see what you have planned!  I also want to thank these companies for their support and amazing and super fun opportunities this past year and look forward to an opportunity to work with them again this year…

 

 Click below to see our participation with...  

 

 

 

 

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