Crafts & DIYs

Pre-Baby Bucket List

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The term “bucket list” sounds like a dirty word. It totally implies impending doom and that is not how we feel about becoming parents at all. “Things we’d like to do before we’re responsible for another human and I love you and I’m kind-of a little bit scared about what will happen when it’s not just us anymore so let’s go on some dates real quick!” just doesn’t roll off the tongue. Bucket List it is!

This is a sweet and simple concept, and can be customized to fit every couple (it can totally work for friend groups and families, too!). Jot down a list of ideas in your phone or on paper, or run to the craft store like me. The whole point of this “bucket list” is to make time and effort for your lovie before your life changes forever. Seriously, it’s about to get real. Think small, yet seemingly impossible, tasks like taking a nap together. Day trips and date nights are a go, too!

  • Go to a concert (we chose Ja Rule and Ashanti)
  • Play mini golf
  • See a movie
  • Go dancing
  • Get hot chocolate at your favorite local spot

My favorite part about our “bucket” is the reversible sign. We are so excited to start filling it up with more ideas and “things to see, just us three.”

What are some things you’re trying to squeeze in before baby comes?

Mother Christmas: DIY Ugly Maternity Sweater

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Hot chocolate runs through my veins. I take the holidays very seriously, and with a tiny snowflake on the way, my spirit is off the charts.  Even if I didn’t have an official event to wear this to, I’d make it and go to the grocery store.

There are a ton of “round” themed holiday items to pick from when faced with making a maternity ugly sweater. Snowman, wreath, ornament, snow globe, the last dozen cookies I inhaled. Snow globe, yes!

Initially I had a problem with all the supplies being “ugly,” but I quickly reminded myself that was the whole point. I’m wearing this to an ugly sweater party, and I didn’t actually have to be seen at the grocery store in it. Once I accepted that, I filled my Dollar Tree cart with all gaudy tinsel and garland.

  • Shirt or sweater
  • Plastic wrap
  • Glue gun and glue sticks
  • Scissors
  • Chalk
  • Everything and anything to set the scene in your snow globe! I found fake snow, ornaments, tinsel and foam crafts at Dollar Tree.

Click through the gallery for a very professional tutorial!

All the ugly pretty things!
I get it, it’s not a sweater. But I’m pregnant, I sweat enough. Using chalk, mark off where you think your snow globe will look best. Cut some fake snow and glue it down. (Don’t get crazy over ugly edges, you’ll cover them with tinsel at the end!)
Choose your scene setters!
Originally, I drove myself crazy looking for a plastic bowl to use as the globe. HELLO, my belly could totally do the trick. To be very clear…I had no idea if hot gluing plastic wrap would start a festive fire, but I went for it anyway. I secured the “globe” over the scene safely (somehow).
Once you trim your snowy scene with tinsel you’re ready to win all the ugly (super cute) sweater awards this season!

 

Under 10: DIY Baby Mama Ornament

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Growing up, one of my favorite holiday traditions was unpacking all of my family ornaments to hang on the tree. No matter how many years I unwrapped the same ones, I’d always get the same warm feeling as if I was seeing my great grandmother’s crocheted outhouse for the very first time.  An ornament that always stuck out to me was a pregnant Momma bunny (LOL, what?) that my own Momma got when she was pregnant with me. It was so special to hang up every year and I always hoped to find something just like it when I was starting my own family. Of course I couldn’t find any “expecting” ornaments this year, and definitely not a bunny with a baby bump, so I decided to take things into my own puffy hands.

Whether you started decking the halls before Halloween or are skipping the tree altogether and decorating a pineapple instead, there’s room for this sweet little ornament in everyone’s holiday traditions. Not only can you get it done in less than 10 minutes, it’ll cost you less than $10, and your skill set doesn’t need to be anywhere near a level 10.

  • Wooden Ornament-any shape will do just fine! I found this heart that already had the intentions of becoming some type of ornament at Michaels.
  • Paint Marker(s)
  • Mini Cookie Cutters
  • No idea why the scissors are in the picture, didn’t use ’em!

  • Undo the twine or ribbon on your ornament
  • Grab a paint marker, write “Cookie Baking” and the year if you’re feelin’ it…
  • Using the original twine or ribbon, fasten the mini cookie cutter to the wooden ornament

For under $10 in less than 10 minutes, this is a sweet treat you can make for all the expecting bunnies on your list.

P.S. I totally found an ornament in Target as soon as I hung this baby on our tree. Yes, I bought it, and I can’t wait for our son to help hang them both on our family tree for many years to come.