Here it is! The moment you've all been waiting for (well, maybe YOU haven't been waiting for it, but I sure have been waiting for it!). When we were looking for a house, this teeny, tiny room that we now call Hannah Grace's nursery was the one negative. But we looked at it and looked at each other and said, "baby furniture is small!" And so we purchased our first home. For awhile, it served as our Mississippi State guest bedroom that looked like this (whole other blog post):
Well, we moved all of that out and to another room. And now, without further adieu, let me welcome you to Hannah Grace's Linen and Lace nursery.
I'll do my best to walk you through everything so that you don't miss any of the details (because we all know I'm all about the details). But let's be honest, you came for the pictures. So I'll try not to disappoint!
As you can tell, we kept the valence and curtains that were previously in the room. The curtains are blackout curtains made by David's mom for the previous room decor. Those curtains can make her room look like a cave! Amazing how they work! The wall color stayed the same too.
Everyone was so surprised when I said that her room didn't have a theme! They were mainly surprised that the theme wasn't OWLS! And while you'll find touches of owls throughout the room, I didn't want it to be the only thing that Hannah Grace remembered about her room one day! Plus, I didn't want to overwhelm her with all of the owls this early in life! ;) Everyone kept saying, "you have to have a theme!" And so, linen and lace was born. I wanted something very neutral, girly, and full of heirlooms. I think I accomplished my goal, however, never in all of my life have I been so indecisive. Some women say that pregnancy made them moody, emotional, sick, etc. Well, I'm here to tell you that it made me downright indecisive! I remember trying to pick out fabric after Christmas (she was born 1/15, remember) and debating the decision so much that you would have thought it was a life altering decision. I laughed and told myself to just pick one! All of my swatches were practically all the same anyway!
To the right when you first walk in is a high boy chest of drawers that I "rescued" out of someone's trash. I asked if I could have it, and the wife told me no because they were going to redo it. She called an hour later and said that her husband wanted me to come get it because he didn't want to load it up and redo it! You can imagine my husband's joy when I told him that WE were going to load it up and take it home from Starkville in our Equinox. He wasn't very happy with me! A little paint and some love and David says it's one of his favorite projects I've made! And now it holds all of Hannah Grace's clothes. Well, some of her clothes. Not all.
The frame has one of her owl newborn pictures in it. The little owl is an owl piggy bank given to her by her great uncle.
Moving on around the room, you'll find the crib, which of course is only currently used for naps. This crib was mine when I was a baby. Funny story that I'll spare you most of the details. It goes like this:
1. I wanted to use my baby crib.
2. Mom said it wasn't as Jenny Lind as I was thinking and had solid sides on the end.
3. I thought solid sides would make the room look smaller (and it would have).
4. David and I ordered a white Jenny Lind crib. David put it together.
5. At Christmas, my Mom got my old crib from my aunt's house to put at their house in Starkville.
6. I saw it being loaded in the back of the truck, realized it didn't have solid sides (like she claimed), and fell in love.
7. David and my brother set crib up at Starkville house. I love.
8. David and my brother take apart said crib and load up in our Equinox to take back to Memphis.
9. David builds crib in Memphis and takes apart Jenny Lind crib.
10. Jenny Lind crib goes to Starkville where, thankfully, my Mom puts it together sparing my husband having to put together yet another crib.
Sigh...pregnancy indecisiveness again!
Oh, but isn't it just beautiful!!! All kinds of spindly goodness!
And now for close ups of the lace. I FINALLY found lace on Etsy around Thanksgiving. I fell in love with it, but you never know what lace will look like when you get it if you order it online. Mom and I decided that for the price I would be paying, it was worth a shot to see what we'd get. Said lace was coming from China (save it, I'm sure I supported a sweat box) and didn't arrive until 3 weeks later. Longest 3 weeks ever! To make matters worse, I did LOTS of online shopping for Christmas (to avoid having to walk around at 33 weeks pregnant). Every day the FedEx/UPS man would come, and I would wondered if it would be lace day!
But isn't it gorgeous?! I had found a shower curtain on Etsy (link here) for my inspiration. Yep, a shower curtain.
Trust me, after looking for months for inspiration, a shower curtain was a welcomed thing because I finally loved something! Close ups of the lace:
Inside of the crib, you'll find some of the very first things I bought for Hannah Grace--the two owls. I just love them!
Minnie Mouse is from my friend that works in Disney! She wanted to give Hannah Grace her very own first Minnie! And we think it's precious!
The pillow below was made out of the same fabric used for the curtains with antique crocheted doilies sewn on. The little bunny below is a lovie that holds a paci that we aren't using yet because I'm terrified of it smothering her! And no one worry! All of these things are removed from the crib when Hannah Grace is sleeping! Story on the pink blankie at the end.
Above the crib, you'll find a few things. The handcrafted mobile, bookshelf, and dresses. Now, no one worry about this bookshelf. It is secured to the wall with a french cleat that will hold up to 200 lbs. When we first hung it, I had dreams about Hannah Grace pulling the dress down and the whole thing coming off the wall. I told David about it, and this is what he came up with. If you're still scared, look up french cleats. You won't be worried anymore.
The dresses have some significance too. The cream gown below is the christening gown my Mom made for my cousins to wear. All three were dedicated in it since that's what we do in the Baptist church. We attend a non-denominational church, but we still plan on letting Hannah Grace wear it! Mom spent many hours making it about 16 years ago!
The pink dress behind it was made especially for Hannah Grace by David's aunt! I cannot wait for her to be able to wear it. The other pink dress that you can't see in this photo was made by a very good friend of the family for me. I wore it when I was little and now Hannah Grace will get to too!
On the shelf you'll find two photos of Hannah Grace and my old Precious Moments Bible and Bedtime Stories book. I love the memories in both of these. As I was reading the Bedtime stories book, it was AMAZING to me that I could remember some of the stories! Pretty impressive for someone who doesn't remember everything!
The mobile... I knew from the beginning that I wanted to create the mobile. I did not want something that sang and spun. I found these cute balls that are lace and sparkly glitter and jewels and knew that's what I wanted! I'll spare the details on all of the rounds of making this, but lets just say that it involved me making/remaking it 5 times and David hanging it from fishing line twice. He refused to do it again, and I like how it turned out!
Who knew, but when you turn it to let it spin, it will go back and forth for awhile, slowly rotating until the balls begin to individually spin. Hannah Grace loves it!
Who wouldn't love these super sparkly things twirling above their head?
Moving along to the next corner of the room...
I picked out this chair from Premiere fabrics. It was great because you could choose from any of their fabrics. It swivels and glides, and I love it more every time I rock in it! David's parents gave it to us as a gift for Hannah Grace. So blessed by them!
I decided to frame a dress that my Mom made/smocked for me to wear in my Aunt's wedding when I was a little girl. I was the flower girl in the wedding. My wonderful husband cut plywood that I covered in batting and fabric. Then I straight pinned the dress to the fabric. No worries, it will come down one day when she is big enough to wear the dress! I wish I had taken an up close picture so that you could see all of the intricacies of the fabric she used.
You may recognize the dress from my wedding. My flower girl (my Aunt's daughter) wore it in our wedding when she was MY flower girl! I don't think Hannah Grace will be able to wear it in my cousin's wedding though considering she is almost 9.
And here's a gem I found where I wearing it. Good grief. I'm sure this is a sneak peak of what Hannah Grace will look like wearing it as well!
Below is the blanket that David's Mom made for Hannah Grace. I posted the story on Hannah Grace's homecoming post, but here it is again:
"It was created with love by David's mom. However, it was made out of the robe of my maternal Grandmother. You can read about her in this post from the other day. Coot loved a good robe and this one was well worn. David's mom also made a little lovie blankie that is Hannah Grace's size. Of everything in the nursery, I think this is my absolute favorite."
This little rocking chair was mine when I was a girl. I know Hannah Grace can't use it yet, but one day she'll be able to. She can rock her baby dolls just like Mommy!
One more wall to go! I decided I didn't want your typical changing pad furniture for the nursery so I talked David into this piece off of Craigslist. It was yellow when we bought it and I painted it to match the other piece I redid. And I love it! It turned out perfect.
I had recently purchased new lamps for our living room. Rather than get rid of the old lamp, I decided it would be perfect for the nursery. A coat of spray paint and a new lampshade later, and we have a new lamp! I love recycling (can you tell?).
Let's talk about this lamp shade. I wanted something unique. Of course, I couldn't find anything unique for the price I wanted to spend so I purchased a solid white shade. Then, after a trip to the antique store, I sewed old vintage crocheted doilies on it. This was MISERABLE! I think it took me days to complete this project because it hurt to push the needle through the hard surface of the lamp shade. However, it was well worth it because I LOVE this piece! It turned out wonderful. When the lamp is on, it illuminates through the doilies and is truly wonderful.
And there isn't another one like it in the whole wide world (and probably never will be ever again).
I framed hymns above the dresser. I wanted something classic and something to sing to Hannah Grace while rocking her to sleep. I love how they turned out.
I asked my Mom and my Mother in law what one song they would choose that they wanted to be an anthem for Hannah Grace to remember throughout her life. David's Mom chose Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee. I love this song! Besides the fact that it makes me think of Sister Act and Amy Hogue showchoir days, I love the truth it proclaims!
Ever singing, march we onward, victors in the midst of strife,
Joyful music leads us Sunward in the triumph song of life!
Wow! What powerful words! I too hope Hannah Grace is ever singing as she marches as a victor in Christ throughout her life until she meets her Savior!
My Mom (Hootie) chose like a list of 20 songs. I kid you not. Hootie wants Hannah Grace to know every hymn in the hymnal by heart (which wouldn't be a bad thing). Because her list was long (and full of some good ones, I might add), she forced me to choose for her. I asked multiple times for her to pick her favorite off of the list but she never would! Now would be a time to add that I did not tell either Mom what I intended to do with the hymns. Mom's hymn is It is Well with My Soul. I love this song too!
When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.
Lord, that Hannah Grace would always be able to say WHATEVER God allows to come her way, in sorrow and joy, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL! I pray that kind of peace over her life! How hard it is to trust the Lord sometimes when we can't see the whole picture of how He is working. May she write the times she can see the Lord at work on her heart and mind so that she can return to those in the difficult sorrows.
And finally, it was my turn to choose a hymn. I chose Be Thou My Vision.
Riches I heed not, nor man's empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now, and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.
Oh Lord, that you would be first in her heart and her treasure. That she would not value the opinions or praise of others but that your voice would be the only voice she listens to and that you would speak directly to her heart in ways that she would hear loud and clear.
The other hymns are In the Garden, Come Thou Fount, and Just a Closer Walk with Thee. I hope that Hannah Grace learns all of the words to these hymns!
Well, there you have the nursery. This gem still needs to be hung. It was made by some very precious friends of the family. There is a perfect spot next to the tall dresser, but I'm not tall enough to hang it. Daddy will have to do it when he has time, and I know he will. I still have to find the perfect picture of her for the frame. How true it is that the smallest thing can take up the most room in your heart (second to her Dad, of course). Winnie the Pooh was a genius when he said this! :)
My favorite thing, you ask? Of everything in the nursery, even with all of the sentimental items, I think my favorite thing is this lovie blanket made out of Maw Maw's robe by David's Mom. I hope that Hannah Grace will always treasure it the way I treasure the memory of my grandmother.
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