DIY: "Home is where the You are" Places you Love/ have Lived ♥

I couldn't resist doing a DIY post and this one was the winner! I had went to Goodwill with my Mama when I was visiting her house recently and grabbed a few things that caught my eye. Pretty random I know but that's me! All at great prices and thought I could add spunk to the poor things.. I had an idea previously to make maps of States we (as a Military family) have lived together in. Something to have on the wall to bring back memories.. I originally thought of using actual maps of the States but my Oldest painted with Water Colors at Bushie's House.. Then the idea just came to me! Why not make the States out of Little Man's art work?! Hello?! Awesome! So here's what I did...

WARNING! I will tell you that I didn't have much to work with so I just worked with what I had.. Bare with me please:)

Things you will need:

1. Wooden Plaque- You can get one at any Crafts Store (Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Joann Fabrics, etc.) I just got mine from Goodwill for $3.50. 
2. Acrylic Paint- I will say this is PERFECT if you mess up (I did- not gonna lie) and it just wipes off while it's wet! You can also pick them up at your local Craft Store for normally less then a dollar per bottle when on sale.
3. Mod Podge (Gloss)- This is a must in every Craft Room anyways but this will make sure your Paint is on (doesn't wash off). Also, makes the paint look even and shiny. This will also be used for making your State Map that you have created stick on the plaque.
4. Paint Brushes (not pictured)- Obviously you'll need something to put on the Paint and Mod Podge.. I used a Round Acrylic Paint Brush for the little things and a Hair Coloring Brush (Gotta work with what ya got!) I would recommend to use a Actual Paint Brush you use to paint walls with.. 
5. Map of State(s) (not pictured)- So... My Printer does work so I wasn't able to do this.. So i took a piece of paper and traced over my Laptop... I know.. But normal people would get a map or print one off. I'm clearly not normal..
6. Heart Shaped Item- You can use anything for this really. I had Heart Shaped Buttons and thought they would do.
7. Hot Glue Gun- This is to apply your heart shaped items. You also can use a strong glue. I would recommend this though.

Random's (not pictured): Scissors and Pencil

Optional For State Map: Art, Pictures, Music notes, Fabric, Anything you would like!! Like I said I used my Son's Water Color Painting and thought it would be a nice way to display it rather then on the Fridge..  

Step 1: Paint Plaque

Since I used a plaque that was already painted I didn't need to sand or prime it.. Not sure really what you'll be doing but make sure that the surface is even and not rough.. So when you paint your plaque make sure the paint goes on even. You may or may not need to add a few coats depending on the color. This also should be done the night before so you can let dry. After you are done you can reward yourself with a Chocolate bar like I did:)

Step 2: Apply a coat of Mod Podge

MOD PODGE!!! Oh do I love my Mod Podge:) After your plaque has dried you will want to put a even coat on. It is VERY important that you do so. Otherwise it will come out streaky and smudgy. It will have this white glossy look to it until it starts to dry so don't be alarmed! 

 -State Map Art-

Step 1: Trace States

While your waiting for the plaque to dry you will want to start on your State maps! Yeay! Here is my proof that I traced my maps.. I feel like a hillbilly. Anyways, If you choose to "jazz up" your States you  will want to start out by cutting them out. You really don't need to be perfect just get the shape down. I didn't include any of the States Islands.. You can if you would like! 

So here is my finished product.. Not bad right! Well now you have to trace your State on what ever you chose to use.. If you are just using normal maps you are taking the easy route my friend! Anyways, when you are done tracing you will want to cut out your traced map. Then you end up with this..

Step 2: More Mod Podge!

 Your almost done with the maps! Now all you have to do is Mod Podge your Maps. If you are using Fabric you won't need to do this step. 

Make sure your even again! VERY important! Also, with paper of any sorts you will need to make sure that you lift up your map so it doesn't stick to whatever it is on. After it dries it will be harder. 

Back to Original Steps..

Step 3: Finish Touch ups

I personally couldn't handle just having the plaque be black.. I had to add life to it:) So I just added a different color to every side.. If you do this you might have to add a couple layers (I had too). 

Step 4: Apply State Maps on Plaque

I know you might be getting sick of the Mod Podge... Your almost done. After your corners dry your going to put another layer on. While your plaque is still damp put down your States how ever you would like them. Make sure you put them down evenly and flat. Little Man's art was already wrinkled so it just added a little life to it. Then you will put your last coat of Mod Podge over the States. Make sure it's even! Then let it dry..

Step 5: Glue Buttons/ Heart shaped item(s) on Plaque

This is one of my favorite things to do... Hot Glue things! So fun! You will want to apply your heart shaped item where you would like it. That easy! Just make sure you don't burn yourself with the glue.. It hurts.

Optional:

Step 6: Add a cute quote or saying

I thought "Home is where you are" was perfect for us. Being away from each other for long periods of time has made me realize this. No matter where you are it's not home without your loved one. Okay enough of my mushy mushy.. I also used the Acrylic Paint. It is NOT easy writing with a paint brush so be prepared! You can also use a Vinyl some how! I'm sure there is something on Pinterest LOL. This is the last time you will have to Mod Podge. Then you, my friend, are finally finished.. 

Final Product:

If you haven't lived in different states you also could do favorite vacation spots, places your family or friends live, road trips! Anything you can think of:)

I hope you have enjoyed this post! It was a fun project and made my creative side of the brain work harder. I would LOVE to see any of your projects to see what everyone else comes up with! I really like doing the DIY post so I will make sure I come up with something soon! Thank you for taking your time to read. Love y'all!

God Bless,

Hillary

Ways I keep Precious Moments of Little Ones young

I thought this was the perfect time to write about this kind of topic because I feel like everyone of my Preggie Friends are having their little ones! Also, because my youngest will be turning 1 year old this month! (I still am in shock!) So I went in my Memory box that I have all different sorts of things I have kept of memories. Anyone but me would call it clutter. It's in a box so technically it's not;) I am ALL about memories.. I love to look at pictures from the past or papers I've kept that have meaning.. I'll make sure I save going into detail for another post..

So as I went through all my memories of my little ones I thought that maybe it would help out new Mommies or Future Mommies to think of ways of keeping their little ones young in that sort of way. I will be honest that with my First I kept a lot. Also, I will add that I have learned other ways of keeping memories as I have grown wiser;) So here are my ways of keeping my memories young of my Monkeys! 

Going Home clothes

One great way to keep a little memory of taking your Little one home is to keep their "Going Home" outfit. I know that you probably will have a hard time to part from a lot of their wardrobe like I did. I promise that as long as you have 1-2 outfits you will be fine.. I kept 6. Yes, I am crazy and I just can't let go (trying not to make excuses).. I want my Boys to see how little they were and pass it down to their little ones. So one day they can look at pictures and see what I have kept for them.  Some other memorable outfits you can keep are ones from First Baptism or Hospital Onesie you received from the hospital. Choose one that takes you back to that very moment you put it on him/her.

"Birth Earth"

This is my absolute favorite. For my First Baby shower I got a little glass jar with a cork on top and a piece of paper that said "Birth Earth". My sweet Aunt told me to put the earth (dirt, sand, etc.) from where I had Monkey in the jar to keep. I had never heard of anything like it. So, with both Boys I have got the "Birth Earth" for each. I thought this would be cool that both were born in different states neither that were in our hometown. All you have to do is go get a small jar from Michael's or even the Dollar Tree and put a little in there. So one day you can give to your Little one and show them the Earth they were born on. I will tell you that I grabbed the "Birth Earth" on the day we moved from both states. I couldn't leave without getting it. I just think it is one of the coolest things and the is the most memorable to me.

Baby Objects they were attached to

I can honestly say that neither of my Boys had a certain object they were attached to. Nothing. No Binkies, Blankets, Pillows, Bottle or even Stuffed Animal. I put this on here because I had a Baby Pillow. I knew how much it meant to me. My Mom made it when I was a baby and I kept it. The reason I kept it was because I know my Mom worked hard on it and that made it even more special to me. I thought it was awesome to have something my childhood I could pass down. I became excessive when I saved my Barney, Baby Bop, and Lion King magnet nose kissing animals (They actually sell a newer version of the Simba and Nola now since they remade the movie) and a couple more. So one day when you do save that something they might be even more grateful then when they were little.

Hand & Foot Prints

This is a must do. You can put them on the Birth Certificate or in their Baby Book. Or you can get creative! I forgot to do both and I kicked myself for a long time. When my Youngest was born I decided it was going to change. That is the time that my life changed forever. Pinterest. It gave me more ideas then my brain could process so I went crazy and did more crafts then I normally did. I got this adorable idea to make Footprints into Butterflies. I had to try.. There are so many things you can do. You can make Salt Dough Ornaments, Stepping Stones for your garden, Trace or paint their hand on a Plate and more! There are so many ways! Go to your local craft store and let the ideas come to you..

Calendar/ Baby Books

Calendars and Baby Books have been around for awhile and are pretty common. It is a great way to keep track of milestones and firsts. There are some Mom's out there that are amazing at this and that is awesome! If your not don't feel bad. If it makes you feel better I have a Baby Book for my First and not one for my Second.. But I do have a Calendar and keep better track then I did with my First so it's a Win-Win! Baby Books are fun because you can add Family history, Facts about the time and year they were born (like the price of Gas or Milk) and a note from Mom and Dad. I added an Envelope in the front of my book and added all different kinds of things. Some of the things I put in there were:

• Hospital Bracelets 
• Birth Announcement
• First Baby Food wrapper
• $2 bill got from an Aunt (tradition)
• Stickers with Weight/Height from Check Ups
• Newborn Diaper-not used;)
• Baby Shower Invite/ Birthday Invites
• First Drawling

And more! I kept all the same memorable things for my Second also. You can do whatever you can think of. It will be fun one day going through it with them.

Birth Story

I will give my Amazing Mother credit for this one:) This is a great way to remember and for you to have it down on paper incase. The best reason for this is because when the feelings are fresh, it's nice to know every little detail. You can Write it, Type it, Embroider it, whatever! haha Embroider. That is a good challenge! I put it in their Baby Book/ Memory Box for them to always have. I will say that my Second had a way shorter story then my First. That's the best part about having more, it gets easier! The best results come when the feeling is raw. 

Those were a few of My ways.. I am sure that everyone is different or has different ways of doing things. Since you are starting your Family or are getting ready to then make your own traditions and memories. Those are always the best. I know one day my Boys will appreciate all the things I have done and saved of their childhood and so will yours. They grow to fast to not make records of the little things. One word of advice that I'm sure that all Mommies will give is that Time flies. Way to fast and just hold on to every moment you can. One minute they are smiling for the first time to crawling. Then they are walking and talking and telling you No! and asking Why? (If you haven't hit that stage here is one word of advice: Patients) So hold on to them tight because it will be gone fast. 

I'm not going to ask questions probably till someone comments or I have more followers. I kinda feel funny asking anyways. But if you would like to leave a comment on ways that you have kept memories of your Little ones young or maybe something that your Mother did for you that you were grateful she did. 

God Bless,

Hillary