Creating Memories and the Art of Saving

            As Alex and I began putting together our baby registry, we were more than slightly unprepared for the cost of preparing for a new baby (especially the first). We started talking about ways we could save; noting things that were necessary purchases verses luxury. Our first plan of action was to buy second hand where we could. We knew there were a few things that we needed to buy new, but thankfully we have incredibly generous family and friends who gifted us the essentials. We have everything that we absolutely needed to bring our daughter home and then some. But there was still a part of me that wanted to dress up a nursery and splurge on pretty bows and frills.






           So for the last few weeks I have been busy piecing together my own handmade nursery set for our baby. I started at our local discount store and found some very inexperience material that I fell in love with! My first big project was a rag quilt for her crib pulling together the colors I picked for her nursery.
 
        Rag quilts are a great beginning project for those like myself who are strangers to the art of precise cutting and seaming. My seams are never near perfect and forget trying to cut a straight perfectly even square. After combing Pinterest for some tutorials I dived in head first. After six wonderful hours I suddenly found myself staring back at my very first finished sewing project since middle school! I still haven't finished cutting out the fringes along the seams but I will hopefully still have a little time before we will be using it.


       My second project was a soft snuggle blanket. Every baby needs a soft blanket, but neither Alex or I were willing to spend $30 on one. So instead I found some scrumptiously soft pretty pink fabric (that Alex pointed out before I even had a chance to show him. He is going to be a good daddy already having an eye for pretty things he wants his little girl to have.) that was significantly discounted from the original price.

*Something that I have noted these last few months after getting into all of the DIY projects plastering my internet browser from Pinterest, is that if you are looking to save money, it is not always penny conscious to craft verses purchasing new. Material is becoming more and more expensive depending on where you purchase, and the majority of crafting materials are not always cheap. Finding things on clearance and in Second Hand stores are the way to go when looking to save a couple dollars.

       After finishing Charlie Ann's snuggle blanket I was happily surprised to find enough left over fabric to imagine up a little Lovie to match her nursery set. I really had no clue how this was going to turn out in the end, but I had seen a few examples of little fabric dolls in stores to get a rough idea of what I needed to do. I even tried searching for ideas or patterns on Pinterest but unlike most days came up empty handed. So I got my mother-in-laws scissors out and chopped away piecing it together as I went.

         I really loved the end product. Soft, pink and pretty, and stitched with nothing but love! There is something special about sitting down and taking the time to make something by hand for your baby. Sure you could buy everything new and that is fine and everything. But being able to hand something to your little one that you labored over intentionally for him or her is incredibly sweet and precious.

        I still would love to make little curtains or valances for her room, but seeing as how she will be sharing our room until we move into a bigger home, I know there is no need. Over all we only spent a total of $14 on the three items. Yay to savings! We were able to save and create memories all at the same time.

       Only two more weeks and I'll be able to set up all of her pretty little things in the corner of our room! I am so excited to bring her home and begin the next phase of my life-mothering my daughter.


What are some ways that you saved or prepared for your babies before you brought them home? Comments welcome! Feel free to share with friends and family!!

Love,
Leah