DIY Fridge Magnet Wall (No Fridge Required)

Living in a small house with a toddler like I do has its obvious limitations; space, clutter, frustration. It also has some limitations that come up out of no where and need to be faced along the way. For instance, my kitchen is one place that the munchkin isn't allowed to play in no matter what because it has become the safe haven for the cat when he's inside (he's an 18 year old and he's grumpy one. He requires a place to hide from tail pulling and the baby attempting to pet him while in reality shes playing basketball with his brain.)

The kitchen also serves as a mud room, storage for any cleaners that we need around the house, recycling center, the on again off again sewing center, the craft center, the list literally just goes on and on and on. For obvious reasons the bathroom is off limits too. And as far as my bedroom, I'd prefer the walking space not become a graveyard for toys that I'll never be able to find again (I'm speaking from experience here...I have yet to find the little lambs from the mobile on her swing and the last time I saw them she was headed straight for my room.) So that basically leaves her bedroom and the living room for her to play and explore in.

From visiting with other friends of mine that have more space for munchkins to roam I learn different things that Hannah likes. For instance, I found out one night over at my sister in law's house that Hannah LOVES fridge magnets. Ever since that night I thought about it from time to time. What could I possibly do??? The kitchen really isn't a safe place for her, and I'm not willing to compromise her safety over a bunch of magnets. Well, I've learned over the past few months to think these matters over and have become rather creative with placing her things so that we get the most amount of play space possible.

And then it occurred to me! Cookie sheets!!!! Those are magnetic! Our entertainment center in the living room happens to be my old computer cabinet complete with a file cabinet that conveniently swings out just far enough. It also just so happens to have the perfect amount of space for my idea! A trip to Walmart and we're in business.

Here's what I got:

2 Small Mainstays cookie sheets ($0.96 each)
1 Package of magnetic numbers ($1.27)
1 Package of Command hanging velcro sheets. (around $5.00 I believe.)

Once I got home the set up process was maybe 3 or so minutes, and most of that was chasing the baby down to get my velcro strips back.

Here's what I did:

-Holding the pan horizontally place one velcro strip in each of the two top corners.

-Now (without removing the paper strip from the back of it) connect a second strip to the one that you've just placed.

-Remove the paper strips and firmly press the cookie sheet into place on your flat surface.

-Repeat this process for the second cookie sheet.

-Place the magnets on the cookie sheets

-Let your munchkin have at it! Enjoy the wonders of cheap yet effective entertainment! I know I am.



I will tell you that my munchkin has already figured out that the cookie sheets do come undone from the cabinet if you pull hard enough. This made me very very glad that I chose to use the velcro mounts instead of something that was just double sided. You just pick up the cookie sheet and put it right back where it was.

I can't help but love simple and cheap solutions. What DIY projects have you done that made you smile? I'd love to know! =)

I’m on an official mission!!!

Oh yes! I said it! I’m in an attempt to cut my ties with as many store bought products as I can. I want to put in that little bit of extra effort and time and make things at home that are ultimately just as good if not better AND when all is said and done, I want to save money as well! Do you make anything at home instead of buying it already made? I’m seriously interested! I want to know! Tell me in a comment! I’ll love you for it!

Here’s what I’m already making at home:

•          Laundry soap (I've posted the instructions for that on here.)
•          Baby wipes (I can get just shy of 4 times the wipes for about the same price.)
•          Body wash (I’m still perfecting this, so it’ll be a while before I post this)
•          Diaper Genie refills
•          Taco Seasoning
•      Fabric Softener

I had to do all of my laundry with a wash board (for slightly longer than will ever entertain me…) while I waited for the washing machine to be replaced. I know that might be horribly useless information to the masses, but when I was faced with the prospect of that becoming a reality for me it was the collective information of about 5 blogs that gave me the information and (as ridiculous as this sounds) the confidence to believe that I could actually manage the task and not abandon my family in doing so. That being said, that post will be coming around eventually. 

I’m also working on a bunch of low budget dinner recipes!!!! Super yummy stuff!

SO! I know that the baby wipes and the Diaper Genie refills aren’t gonna be the epicly amazing creations that you’re DYING to read about, but they are accomplishments! Don’t you ever get that overwhelming sense of self-accomplishment? Oh. My. GOSH! It’s totally my drug!

Baby Wipes! They totally feed my addiction!! My version of the wipes is adapted from Homemade Mamas .

Here's what you need:

1 roll of VIVA paper towels (a single large sheet roll costs about $1.57, if they're available I would recommend the select-a-size version though, it'll save you about 20 minutes.)

2 tbsp Baby wash (I use the lavender scented)

Baby oil (I use the lavender scented)

2 cups water (boiled and brought back to room temperature.)

A good kitchen knife. 

A plastic container (large enough to fit 1/2 a roll of paper towel in.) ((I got a set of two square containers from Walmart for $2. I want to say they are about 8 inches tall.))

Here's what to do:

Cut your roll of paper towel in half. (This doesn't have to be absolutely exact, a close guess will do.)

I was a little OCD with cutting the frayed edges off. Oh well lol. 

 

Remove the cardboard center from the paper towel. You can do this by running your finger in between the cardboard and the paper towel and pulling back on the cardboard. Repeat this two or three times and you should be able on the third try to pinch the cardboard in half and pull it free from the paper towel. (You might end up taking one or two sheets with you, its ok though, if your really worried about them you can pull them off of the cardboard and stuff them down to the bottom of the center of the roll.)

 

In the plastic container mix the room temperature water, 2 tbsp of baby wash and 1 tbsp of baby oil together.

Place the paper towel roll into to plastic container (cut side down) and put the lid on.

Let it sit there until all of the liquid is absorbed into the paper towels. 

Then flip the closed container over and let it sit there for about 10 minutes or until the entire roll is thoroughly saturated.

Once that is done take the paper towel out of the container and tear the sheets at the perforated line. (If you have the select-a-size sheets you are done with this step. If you have the larger sheets you will also need to cut  each sheet in half with a pair of scissors. I know that sounds crazy but the larger sheets are just too big to justify using.)

This is one of the larger sheets cut in half. In my opinion that huge sheet would just be a waste.

Neatly place the sheets back into the plastic container. Be sure to leave the lid on tightly when your not using the wipes to ensure they don't dry out.

And now you have your very own homemade baby wipes! Do you feel the sense of self accomplishment??? Oh man I love it!

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And while we're on the subject of baby things, since this one isn't really all that miraculous, it just got me out of a bit of a bind.

I have a Diaper Genie, I got really really lucky and I picked it up at a kids consignment shop in town for $5! It even had a Yankee Candle air freshener inside. Total bonus! lol. So anyways, it's not a crazy necessity, I know, but it does wonders for keeping my kitchen from stinking too horribly. The refills that get put in them is basically thin plastic that you tie off at the bottom close the container and feed diapers through the top until its full. Then you cut the plastic & tie it off again and start all over.



All you need is a refill shell and a regular kitchen trash bag.

You tuck the top edges of the trash bag down into the rim of the refill shell.

And then just stuff the rest of the trash bag in there.

Put the refill shell into the diaper genie and push the trash bag just past the spring loaded board to get it started.

After that use your genie normally!


Woot for two-for-one post!! =P