Upcycled Diaper Boxes

If you are like me then you accumulate a ton of boxes. Diaper boxes, wipe boxes, boxes of things you shouldn't have bought online but couldn't help yourself :D. I have a lot of boxes stacked near the trash that drive me crazy. I had seen a few posts about up-cycling your boxes into cute storage. I like that much more than spending a lot of money on baskets that you can't customize. This way I could pick out my patterns and colors.

I decided to go with neutral & simple so I can move them from room to room if I want. I got some 12x12 scrapbook paper, which was big for my boxes so I had to cut it, for about 30 cents each.  I did not care about the sides as much since they are going to be on a shelf next to each other and up high so I wont even see the sides.

Supplies
Scrapbook paper
Exacto knife or Scissors
Modge Podge
Applicator brush
Spray paint (optional)

Set the box upside down on the scrapbook paper. Pretty side down/white backside up. Trace the outline of the box so you know where to cut. 

Cut as close as possible. 

Spread a layer of modge podge on the front of the box. 

Then immediately put the scrapbook paper on. Smooth out all the bubbles and let dry. 

 Before spray paint:

Nursery Makeover Tour

I realized recently that I have never shown Raleigh's room. I just painted and redecorated so I thought it would be a good time to give you a sneak peek.

 Before:

Moved around furniture before painting to see what I liked:

Wow Panoramic was much easier to get everything in at once.

After a layer of primer, because if any room has ever needed it then it was this surprising assault of a room. I had a couple of people say woah when they turned the corner. I have been wanting to change the color for months, but just never got to it. My plan to paint was off-white & gray bold stripes. The hubby didn't want that so I comprised to solid off-white on the top half, and if we didn't like it then I could do the stripes.

I ended up painting at 8pm, 2am, and then again at 7am. The primer we got in before the hubby went to work so I got help with that but was on my own on the late night shift. We had sweet Raleigh's crib in our room during the whole process, of course she didn't mind waking up and seeing us immediately. Yes, I think white would look better with the white & gray walls but I am fine with it this way.

 This bookshelf was actually mine as a kid so I was overjoyed to see that the color matched her crib & dresser. Most of the books are either my old books or my mother's so we definitely have some oldies on there ;)

I guess drawing during class & work finally paid off. This chalkboard is hand drawn.  

The baby monitor being in that corner was genius! Thanks Ashley Taylor! I can see the whole room since it pans & zooms. So when she's pulling all the books off the shelf or rolling on the floor then I can see her. Next to the mirror I am planning on getting some white single picture frames to hang there.

Recognize that yellow mirror & chalkboard poster???

There's the birthday girl pulling her blankies off. I had to get more than one since she loves them. I have to say they are ridiculously soft.

Sorry for the yellowy tint to the pictures. It was kind of gloomy that morning so there wasn't a whole lot of good light. I wanted to tone down after that bright yellow wall because all I ever wanted was a pop of yellow. Someone else *cough* painted since i was 7 months prego when we moved into the house.

Those floors are the big project for me to do in the bedrooms. I DO NOT like carpet. I have always had hardwood & I miss it *tear*. What's your favorite item or feature in her room?

Sunday is Funday

Now, Sundays around here are usually pretty laid back. The hubby goes into work at 4:30pm and works a 12 hr night shift so he doesn't get to put Raleigh to bed like usual. Which means this is mommy & daughter night!!! We turn off the TV & just roam around. We read books, throw books, play tag, hide-n-go seek, and be a little louder than normal. ;)

Today, I got brought waffles for breakfast while I was working (4am-12:30). Plus I got a few surprise visits from Raleigh when daddy would pop in because he knows I just like to see her sometimes. Seeing her smile makes all those terrible calls so much better.

Side note: all you folks who order off TV, be nice to the sales rep on the phone. They get crappy calls all the time. Be the one they remember as the highlight of their day.

We have a tradition on Sunday afternoon; we go eat Mexican food. Kind of weird, but hey who turns down something that delicious! It got started because after church we would go to the Mexican restaurant, then I had to start working first shift, but we still went to Mexican. Is it bad that the waiters know exactly what you want to order & know if you miss a week??? I call it being a loyal customer. ;)

Anywho, after Mexican we brought our sleepy, full baby home to take her afternoon nap. She knocked out so hard you would've thought that we gave her NyQuil. 2 hours of peace. I got some dishes done, laundry in, and then set up my pre-draft for my family fantasy football league.

Ms Raleigh woke up just in time to say bye to daddy. We always wave bye on the porch. This time I rushed us back in when I saw a massive, suspicious spider by the door. Reminder: get hubby to kill it in the morning or no steak for dinner! I am always afraid they are going to jump at me when I lean down to smash them to bits. Once daddy left the fun could begin!

First: LUNCH

This little pouty face was because momma wasn't feeding her fast enough. She has a 6th sense for when I'm making food.

 Next: ROOM REORGANIZING (on both our parts)

Peek-a-boo momma!

 Those are dirty little feet from crawling everywhere. Child just walk already!

 Can you tell she loves her blankie? I bought two because she loves it so much. Here it is blanket

Being lazy while we play

We learned how to close doors a few weeks ago. She thinks it's so funny.

Now as my baby girl snoozes away, I can't help but ask myself...How long will she want to play with mommy? I am going to try to keep her a happy, healthy, sweet girl for as long as I can. 

I am also very excited because my hubby has agreed to help me paint Ms. Raleigh's room!!!! I usually have to undergo big projects alone or with very minimal help, but we had to move the baby monitor today. Which got him to move the crib, then we slowly got into maybe changing the room around, then into painting. I got him to agree to help, but we'll see how that holds up. That post is hopefully soon to come. ;)