Homemade Apple Butter

This year's Christmas craft is apple butter.  I was shocked at how many people didn't know what I was talking about when I told them I was making it.  I grew up on the stuff.  To clear things up if you don't know what it is...
1. No it is not apple flavored butter
2. It's like jam but apple and cinnamon flavored
3. You can use it on toast, for pb&j, on vanilla ice cream, in oatmeal.  The possibilities are endless.

• 12 apples- peeled, cored, and sliced (an apple slicer makes this really easy)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp all spice

Step 1:  Throw everything in the crockpot on low and cook over night.  I let mine go until the apples were really soft and falling apart.  I left it on low all night and most of the next day.  

Step 2:  Crack the lid or remove it and turn crockpot up to high to cook off the water and thicken it up.

Step 3:  Put in blender and blend until smooth.

DIY Mug Cozy

I have been seeing these mug cozies everywhere.  They are so wintery and cute for a cup of hot cocoa.  I was at Hobby Lobby the other day and came across a long garland of cable knit sweater material.  I wrapped it around a cheap plain mug and secured it with some holly berries on wire.  I would have done buttons but I didn't have any and I didn't want to have to sew anything.  If you can't find the sweater material at a craft store, you could always cut up an old sweater. 

Reduce, Recycle, Reuse ;)

My inspiration

My version.  Not too bad for a 5 minute craft :)

Homemade Baby Wipes

This is really quick and easy.  Even for a new, first time mom like me.  I made them in the first week I was home.  The only thing you have to watch out for is, due to the fact that these are all natural with no preservatives, they can mold.  This really isn't a problem considering that you go through a batch of them in about a week.  Just don't make multiple batches and store for later.

I love these wipes.  When we brought Blake home I used Pampers wipes.  I was paranoid about diaper rash and I did notice her skin was a little irritated.  I don't know if that was just a normal newborn thing and normal new mom obsessiveness but when I switched over to my homemade wipes, which are really moisturizing, her skin looked way better.

All you have to do is mix the water, coconut oil, and baby wash together in a bowl.  The coconut oil is solid at room temp but has a really low melting point.  Making these in September in southern California, my coconut oil was already in a liquid state but if yours isn't, just use water that is a little warm and it will melt.

Cut a roll of Bounty Select-A-Size** paper towels in half.  It can be a little bit messy and use a big serrated knife.  Save the other half for the next batch.
**You must use Bounty.  Other paper towels will fall apart.

Stick the half roll of paper towels in the bowl of liquid and let it soak it up.  I turn it over once all the liquid is absorbed and let gravity do the rest.  In about an hour it will be all absorbed and you can pull out the cardboard center.  Put in an old wipe box or container of your choosing and pull from the center to dispense.

I made a sticker label to cover the Pampers label and done and done.  So easy :)

Nursery 2

 The shelves for Blake's library are spice racks from Ikea that I spray painted white.

Nursery

First, I will start with Blake's closet.  I used a cabinet above an open shelf in her room for Blake's wardrobe.  I already use the regular size closet for my clothes so this was the only place I had left.  It worked out perfectly because I could customize this space with paint and a homemade chandelier, making it a cute display for her tiny pink clothes and shoes.

From a wider angle, you can see exactly how the cabinet sits in the room.  The clothes hanger bar is just a shower curtain tension rod that I got from Target and hung in there.  I added baskets to hold the loose items like swaddle blankets, hats, headbands, and socks.  I always love matching hangers for a clean look and these were very cheap (like less than $2 for a semi-big bundle of them) from Target.

{The shelf underneath is yet to be styled so I tried not to show that for now.  Also to the right, is her bathroom which for now is just painted pink and does not have accessories}

  

Blake's tiny shoe collection.  We have tons of clothes but might need to expand this area.  I have a feeling she will just be in socks for a while so I know I have time :)

Another angle to show the chandelier.  This is the same one that I made a while back and used to hang in my old walk in closet.

I painted the stripes on the wall, which was not that bad actually, using a laser level, painters tape and a little bit of patience.  Also, if you are prego, ask for the safe paint at Home Depot that doesn't give off as strong of fumes.

The framed prints came from Etsy, the changing table pad and polka dot cover are from Pottery Barn Kids, and the baskets are from Babies R Us. 

The crib bedding is from the Harper collection at Pottery Barn Kids and the adorable elephant was a gift.  I made the hanging letters with materials from Hobby Lobby. 

Her hamper is from Babies R Us and the "baby" sign hanging from it came on a baby present gift bag that I saved because I thought it was so cute.  

 These pillows were also a gift and are from Home Goods.  It's amazing how well they go with the nursery decor.  I am still planning on getting some kind of chair for this corner, rocking or otherwise, but for now they are just hanging out in this corner making it cozier.

And last, this is my somewhat small collection of cloth diapers.  I have started with the Sunbaby brand of pocket diapers because they came recommended and were the cheapest to buy in bulk.  I currently have 24 of them and am starting slowly with a hybrid approach, where you do both disposables and cloth.  I will be sure to have a post later on to update how the cloth diapering is going.  It seems to be a great debate so for now I have no expectations except that I really want to give this a try and I hope it works out.  It's so much cheaper and better for our planet.  

Next, I need to add an area for a baby library, find a chair, finish her bathroom, and style that clutter filled shelf.  More on that later...

Bachelorette

Gift boxes for Shannon's Bachelorette weekend!!

And then for the aftermath: personalized water bottles, Advil, and homemade hair ties.

 

The Bride-to-Be's gift box has one extra thing.  The diamond ring pin that I wore at my bridal shower and bachelorette which was passed down to me by a friend.  I love that we have started a new tradition :)

Christmas 2012