Hey CAGGERS!!

I would love to get into a huge update on what I’ve been up to personally and pseudo-professionally.  However, I sort of what dive into another subject to distract you away from the fact that I’ve neglected to post in a while. (Smile) For those that follow me on Facebook, twitter and Instagram, you know I’ve been a total lush for Do It Yourself (DIY) projects lately.  Therefore when it came time to do a maternity shoot with some of my close friends, Chinara and Terron, I immediately hit the web for some awesome DIY ideas!

Chinara has graciously allowed me to share some pics from her shoot here with you.  Hopefully some of you future mommies and daddies are inspired by these photos to do your own creative maternity shoot.

Check out the photos and instructions on each when you read the rest…

Weddings and babies are probably the most lifechanging events in a woman’s life.   I know I’ve never been preggers before, but I think pregnant women’s bodies are the greatest things on the planet! (Is that weird?) The reason why I asked Chinara to do this photoshoot is because 1. I look at her like a little sister, 2. I think she’s an amazing person and beautiful both in and out  and 3. I wanted to personally make sure that she had a mementos from her pregnancy where she could look back and say ‘WOW! I was beautiful as my baby girl was growing inside of me. Okay and 4. This was my first maternity shoot and she was the only person I know that would allow me to use her as my guinea pig. HA!! Luckily the picture came great thanks to great models and an extremely talented photographer, Derek Chase of the Photo Chase Photography!  Without of Further Adieu…Here are my 3 DIY Projects!! (ALL OF WHICH COSTS LESS THAN $40  CUMULATIVELY)

——————————————————————————————————————————-

DIY Idea #1: Gift From God

Click Picture to Enlarge

* Pre-tied Bow from Michael’s ($5)

* Card Stock Paper in 2 different colors (Less than $1)

* Scissors

* Glue Stick

* Sharpie Black Marker

Steps:

1. Cut out one piece of card stock into ‘door knocker shape
2. Glue down first sheet of cardboard on second sheet
3. Cut the outer piece of cardstock in the same shape but leave a half inch boarder do both color show
4. With the sharpie, write the message of your choice neatly.  Be Creative!
5. Snip a little hole in the top of the ‘door knocker’ and put to the side
6. With the ‘pretied’ gift bow, take one of the strings at the end and slide through the opening of the doorknocker

That’s it!  Super easy right?!  Okay Next Project…

——————————————————————————————————————————-

DIY Idea #2: Color Blocks Accessorized

Supplies Needed:

*Wooden Blocks (from Walmart) (Note – I got a full bag of blocks for $6!  There will be other brands that charge more with less blocks)

*Oil Pant ($2 per bottle at Walmart)

*Paint brush

*Spray Pain Satin Finish (Clear)

*Stomach Accessory (I used Pearls that I got from Joann’s)

*Accessory of your choice (We used pearls because 1. Pearls are AWESOME and 2. The babies middle name is Pearl!! HOW CUTE IS THAT?! )

Steps:

1. Pick out the letters of the baby’s name
2. Apply paint (I added about 3 layers of paint because I wanted the colors to be rich)
3. Once the paint dries apply Satin Finish to Block and let dry.

During the photoshoot, the daddy-to-be held the blocks and I draped the pearls around her stomach and had her hold the pearls.  Doesn’t her stomach look great?!

——————————————————————————————————————————-

DIY Idea #3: STRETCHABLE Maxi Skirt

(Unfortunately I don’t have a full length pic

Supplies Needed:

*2.5 yards of fabric ( I used white silk)

*1 yard of ¾ inch elastic

*Thread

This maxi skirt was a great idea because it’s inexpensive and it stretches!

I’m just going to include the maxi skirt video tutorial from my girl Mimi G, DIY extraordinaire, below.  I have made just about everything she has a tutorial for because she has an amazing teaching style.  In fact, I’ve never been taught how to sew outside of her videos aside from my 6^th grade sewing class where I made a tragic decorative pillow.  Anyway, check out of her video below and check out her blog site as well @ www.mimigstyle.com .  Tell her I sent you! Hehe

——————————————————————————————————————————-

Hopefully you are inspired by these pics to your own creative photoshoot.  I have a lot of supplies left including blocks, pearls, and the maxi skirt.  If you’re interested in any of these items PUHLEASE hit me up and they’re yours!! (I’m going through a serious purge right now and they may get thrown out in the process. )

As always, comments and questions are welcome!  Enjoy some more pics from the shoot below as well.