Baby Photos using stuff you might have.

I did GB's first Halloween photos using a costume I was given, a curtain, a pumpkin, some dollar store cut outs I found in a box, a lamp, and some crap used for levels under the curtain. I also took a few minutes to edit them on a free mobile photo app. They turned out like this. 

Natural enough that they don't look cheesy but nice enough to fool some into thinking they're semi-professional. I used the same concept and technique for GB's Christmas shoot. He was a little fussy so I only managed a few pictures before I gave up. The only thing that you might not have is an outfit. A Santa hat (even adult sized) would suffice but I just happened to have an elf costume from when I was a baby. Yes, that's a 27 year old costume with only one broken button. I threw up a curtain and plugged in some lights (use the LED ones!) for a few pictures using my iPhone. 

If you want to take some decent pictures it's way easier then you think.

- use any sort of curtain or blanket as a backdrop

- A good camera on your phone will work just fine as long as you use the focus and no flash. 

- If you've already dug out the Christmas decorations, you have props

- An editing app is your best friend. Crop out the carpet or the cat or add a cute holiday message that looks professional as fuck. I use an app called Aviary.

So here's Giant Babies Christmas Portrait 

Including set up time, the whole thing ended up being about 45 minutes. Completely worth it if you have the time. 

-MMT

DIY Kneepads for tiny movers

One of the MILLION things I pinned pre-baby on my "Baby Boy" Pinterest board, was a set of adorable knee pads. Alas, when the time came for Giant Baby to crawl, I was still without knee pads. And I was suddenly seeing how useful they would have been on the hardwood floors we have. So...yup made my own. Don't even really need to say it anymore. 

1) Take a pair of socks (your kids, not yours) that you don't mind reworking. This will only work with socks that have some sort of gripping system on the bottom. 

2) Cut the toe off

3) Put them on! The cut seam should be facing the foot to ensure the grips are in place. 

WARNING: Check how tight they are and don't leave them on for more then 30 

minutes. 

INSTANT KNEE PADS! So cute and very helpful! Have fun making these guys! - MMT

I Try So You Don't Have To: Mess-Free Painting!

This is my take on mess free painting. It was a quick and easy clean up and Giant Baby got to feel the paint without the fear of it getting everywhere. Worked like a charm!

1) Take a hardcover book that's bigger then a regular piece of paper. Saran 

2) Wrap the book unless you want it destroyed. 

This part is best prepped beforehand because, babies=no patience 

3) Take some paper and write a fun message or name in painters tape

4) Use said painters tape to tape the paper to the book. Now I used knitting needles as spacers but you could a paper towel roll cut in half lengthwise too. 

5) Throw some paint on the paper and cover it with the Saran Wrap, leaving a gap between the plastic and paper for smearing.

6) Let your tiny human go to town! Keep an eye on them obviously and try to trim their fingernails beforehand to prevent snagging. 

Cuuuuuuute! And mess free IF you

A) Secure the Saran Wrap. Wrap twice if you want

B) WATCH THOSE NAILS!  

C) When pulling off the top layer of Saran Wrap, make sure to try and wrap it up with the wet paint on the inside and YOU won't even get dirty!

Happy painting! -MMT

Quick and dirty cleaning tip

In-laws coming to surprise visit? Well after you've run around frantically cleaning, you'll soon realize that the Swiffer pads that came with your Swiffer have run out. And it's either wet a rag and mop up those coffee spills and food stains on the white linoleum that are making the whole room look terrible OR pack up your kiddo(s) and make a walmart run, right? 

Nope! Throw a diaper on the ground (works best with disposable but cloth could work too if you're willing to use one) face down. Put one foot on one edge to hold it and stretch it out. The Velcro on the Swiffer should hold it. Just spray the offending spots real quick or spray the cleaner on the diaper and go to town! You're welcome!-MMT

All the bibs were dirty: The No Sew receiving blanket bib

Yup. Not only were they all dirty, but they were located in the same load of laundry. Because FML. So it was either naked feeding time (for him, not me) or I just let food spill onto his white onesie and hopefully remember to pre soak it later. 

Who are we kidding? The crusty onesie would be more likely tossed and I kinda liked this one (tiny bulldogs with footballs!). Then I felt the gears in my brain churn. I remembered pinning some cute ass bandana bibs when I figured out the gender. The pattern looked easy BUT my sewing machine has been FUBAR for a while so I improvised. I'll preface this idea with this warning: Didn't have a ton of time. If you have the time, by all means sew up the edges and place a proper snap or button on it but I tied them in a pinch. Hope it's useful to someone! 

And yes, Giant Baby. The nickname I will forever give my son. He's my model and the receiver of most DIY goods. He loved his new drool bibs. Hope someone else finds this helpful! Email at mamamadethatblog@gmail.com for questions or comments! Thanks! 

Welcome!

Welcome to Mama Made That. A place where you can find cheap and easy ways to DIY along with tons of crafting and knitting ideas. I'm a 27 year old SAHM to a 10 month old boy. I DIY as much as I can and for as cheap as possible. I'll be showing you how to use things you usually already have and changing them to suit your growing child. But I'ma be straight up. I cut corners. Like a lot. I'll post both fails and successes. Beware that this is a curse friendly, judgement free, honest blog. So with introductions over with, let me start on my first official post!