Dress the Nest: Rachel's Nest and Bird Themed Shower

 Hi! It's Sarah, here. And I'm back to share a little bit of my sister, Rachel's baby shower with you. A few Saturday's ago we celebrated her and her little baby-bump with a shower we called: "Dress the Nest." I used all found materials to create the decor: cardboard, scraps of fabric, left over binding tape, paint chip samples and more. The only thing I purchased were the fresh flowers, which came straight from the grocery store and were very reasonably priced.
Here'a a look at the invite:

I've blocked out the address so you all don't show up at her front door:-P

Here's a look at my parents house, all decked out:

These letters are cut out from cardboard: dressed up with yard, fabric and mod podge and paint. 

The mantel with the bunting from scraps and left over binding tape. 

These little birds were cut from paint chip samples, free from the local home store. To make the template I used the bird graphic from the invite and just increased the size, printed it and made a tracing template.

The buffet centerpiece.

I put the book pages in the centerpiece to echo the library/book theme that was also a part of Rachel's shower. In the invitation we asked guests to bring their favorite children's book as a gift to Rachel, to help her build her children's book collection. We had a separate table set aside for the books:

I cut about thirty little birds and scattered them throughout the house in different places. It created a nice affect and solidified the whole theme.

The guests of honor.

Fresh flowers are a MUST for any party! These flowers came from the grocery store. I selected colors that fit the 'yellow and gray' palate. 

The shower started at 10am and we served brunch. Here are a few of the items we served that corresponded with the theme:

Bacon Egg Nests

Cupcake Nests. 

My beautiful sister and her beautiful belly.

Sophia, loving her baby and waiting for her baby cousin!

Helping Auntie Rachel open presents.

Breaking in the bathtub for her cousin.

If you interested in more details about this low-budget decor be sure to email us your questions or post them in the comments.

--Sarah

One Thing Just Led to Another...

Sometimes when I purchase something I have no idea what it will lead me into...  Last Saturday the girls and I went to IKEA-the same trip where we I purchased the now infamous "Puppy."  My purchases were mostly storage oriented.  I needed to get some of the stuff off of my cutting table, and thought more drawer space would help.  So I bought two Antonius metal frames and wire basket drawers.  Each 4 drawer unit was only $19.99.
Putting them together myself proved to be a harder task than I originally thought: I shattering the block of wood that my husband gave me to hammer against.  All the weight lifting I've been doing came in handy, as I wrangled the tight pieces together. 

After bringing them to my sewing room, I put them in their planned spot under my cutting table.  (Notice the black block risers under the legs of the table, they were my daughter's from her dorm room to lift the bed.  The blocks make the cutting table counter height, which means no stooping over. This makes my back happy, and creates more space for drawers underneath.) 

The new Antonius Drawer System.

I stood back and analyzed the space: the new drawers were great, but what I really needed were shelves above  so I could get the stuff off the cutting surface. I stood for a few minutes pondering the set up and then realized: there are shelves on the other wall! 

The shelving on the "other" wall, before the big swap.

  I went to work and began a big overhaul of my space,  I planned to just swap the two tables, but one thing led to another and I cleaned out the closet, sorted through some old quilting patterns and basically "spring cleaned" the whole space. Here's a look at the before and after, not a "total" makeover, but a few little changes that make the space much more workable. 

The Cutting Table "before.

The cutting table after (moved to the other side of the room).

The "new" spot for my serger.

The shelving in the corner.

Some details: a letter filing system from staples works well for rulers and cutting implements.

And finally a project from a few years ago that graces my wall.

What does your space look like?  

Cindy

Shower Decor Highlights

As promised, here are a few more photos of the bridal shower decor: 

The mantle 

The favors.

There are the "shower pillows" in position.

 Here's our buffet. After all those yummy soups were cleared and we set out the dessert: chocolate lava cakes and cream puffs. Yum!

Chunky yarn, pine cones, sparkly silver ball, white and cream linens = the perfect winter decor.

--Sarah