DIY Valance

*Post updated with pictures 3/11/2013*

We got a project done in the nursery today!

The valance for Elizabeth's nursery is now up! :) YAY!

I am going to do my best to describe how I did it, even though it's nothing fancy or special. :)

First of all, let me start off by saying I am NO sewing expert! Nor did I use a "pattern." I combined some ideas from myself, my auntie, and some other DIY things I have seen on Pinterest.

Secondly, the pictures were rushed today. I didn't mess with my ISO or getting a good angle or anything, and the lighting was changing so much that we didn't have a chance to get the pictures done before it changed. Sorry!

Without further ado, I'll start with some basic measurements:

My curtain rod was about 51.5" from hook to hook. So, I measured out about 77.5" (lengthwise) of fabric. 

I eyeballed how long I wanted the valance to be. It seemed that approximately 18" (including 2" overhang for the top) was about right. So I cut about 22.5" width.

First step was to iron it all out. 

Next, I folded over what would be my bottom seam about 1/4"-1/2" and ironed that down. I stitched it together with a light pink bobbin and a chocolate brown top thread, using a simple stitch. (I did this for every stitch on this valance. Also, since I used brown for my top thread and I didn't want the pink being prominent, I stitched this "blind," or with the folded edges underneath. It may or may not be the "right" way to do it; but it's just how I chose to do it).

I folded each side over 1/4"-1/2", ironed them down, and stitched those together, too. *VERY IMPORTANT to do this next, otherwise you won't be able to get your valance on your rod!*

• Next, I folded the top down about 4.5" and did a stitch lengthwise all the way across. The stitching was approximately 1/8" from the bottom (unclosed) part of the fold.

• Once that part was done, I had my husband measure the rod width at its widest point (it has a thinner end that slides in and out for easy adjustment). He said it was about 5/8", so I did two more seams approximately 1 1/4" apart, starting 2" down from the top (fold). You end up with 3 seams across the top. 

Voila! That is my very simple valance! :) Again, I may not have done it "right," or "typical," but it was just how I wanted it. I'm sure you could glam it up a bit, perhaps adding a contrasting bottom layer (if you want it layered), or some fancy stitching patterns. Total time to complete this project was approximately an hour and 15 minutes from measuring and cutting to hanging it up.

We can't wait to bring baby Elizabeth home to her nursery so she can enjoy the valance mommy made for her! 

Relaxing

Betcha didn't think you'd see that on my blog, did you?! Hehe. :) Wonders never cease!

Despite all of the craziness of life lately, I've decided that I have to find time to relax and do stuff for myself.

This includes:

• Reading more
• Following through on some of my DIY, Baby, and other Pinterest board pins
• Taking a bath at least once/ week
• One organizing or cleaning project per week (I swear, this is relaxing to me!) 
• Anything else Robert and I come up with

Because I'm working 45-50 hours per week, I've found that I'm craving R&R time. Especially being 30 weeks pregnant (new post coming soon, I promise), I'm simply exhausted. Though I have more energy than I did in the first trimester (and even some of my second), I also get tired quickly.

Last night, I made a new kind of scrub for the shower. Mostly, because I cannot use any bath or shower gels right now (I get migraines and throw up with any strong scents). The only kind I can use is the Bath & Body Works Lavendar-Vanilla Sleep brand of products, and I'm out. But I also had a tiny bit of coconut oil I wanted to use up, and plenty of dry milk left over from Christmastime. :)

This is the recipe I used:

Image and recipe from: http://blogs.babble.com/the-new-home-ec/2012/02/27/how-to-make-irish-cream-sugar-scrub/

It's pretty simple:

• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp. dry milk
• 1/2 cup coconut oil (I used more like 2/3 cup)
• 2-3 drops peppermint oil (I used 3)
• Green food coloring (I used none)

Mix it all together, and you've got a fabulous new scrub!
 
I have to say, I absolutely love the texture and consistency of it! It reminded me of fluffy snow, and it felt fantastic on my skin in the shower this morning. I even used it on my face!

I did not use green food coloring in it. I might, if I ever make something like this for a gift. I might use a little honey in it next time I make it, just to smooth it out a little bit more.

Anyway, I'm off to finish watching TV with my hubby for the evening, and then take a relaxing bath. :)

March Goals/ February Update

Forgive me; most of this post is all about goals/ ambitions/ projects that are baby-related!

Here are my February Goals:

Hair bows!

• Get the office in order (starting with one small task every day) - Robert did it all for me, and it's not totally done yet.
• Keep up with picking up/ vacuuming/ dusting - We both did a really great job!
• Finish 2 more DIY Projects for Ellie Jo from Pinterest - Yes! Keri & I totally had a crafting morning last week, and I also made some bows from her tutorial for Ellie Jo!
• Keep up with my Bible Reading in 1 Year - STILL haven't missed a day! :)
• Try to find a new home for the piano in the den - Not yet. We'll be doing that this week.
• Keep up with attendance sheets for Awana Games - Perhaps actually being able to attend the practices would have helped me be able to do that. But due to my working 50+ hours/ week right now, I was unable to do much of anything for Games.
• Return library books and start over with a new goal of 1 book per week - Returned them; haven't started a new one.
• Take a bubble bath to relax - Haven't.Had.Time.
• Find a new set of 5 tall votive holders for on top of the mantle (me and my gracefulness totally kersmashed one of them over Christmas, sigh. And since one is already broken at the top, it's time for a new set). - Can't find a set! :(
• Help Robert as much as I can with the furniture projects (as much as I can) - I haven't hardly done anything. Robert has done everything for me. :( I haven't been able to find enough time to help out around the house much at all.
• One is moving the piano out of the office
• Two is moving the two bookcases from the guest room/ nursery into the office
• Three is moving my daybed, entertainment center, and TV to my dad's house 
• Four is getting the crib, dresser and changing table all ready to go 

As you can see, it was pretty much epic failure. It's not for a lack of trying. It's for a lack of time. I've been working crazy hours since it's tax season, and I'm up at H&R Block 4 nights a week and all weekend. 

I'm thankful for everything Robert has been helping me with, and I'm thankful for a clean house. I suppose that's about all I can say, lol!

We have 2 1/2 months left before Elizabeth is here. Can't believe how fast the pregnancy has been! I'm still getting sick pretty much every day. But it's less than it was before! Starting next week at our doctor's appointment, we'll be going in every two weeks after that. :) 

Here's what I'm thinking for March! 


Goals for March: 

• Get rid of the piano
• Get the bookcases out of Elizabeth's nursery and put them in the office
• Get the closet in the nursery cleaned out
• Get the day bed in the nursery to my dad's house
• Find a place for the small entertainment center and TV in the nursery
• Start and finish a new Pinterest project for Elizabeth
• Experiment with a new recipe
• Go to bed before 11:00pm as often as I can 
• Pick a project off of my "Things I Want To Sew" board on Pinterest and do it! 
• Find something new to do with Etsy