This is the crib mobile we bought when Little H was a baby. It’s nothing super special. It was inexpensive and gender neutral but we have video of her cooing and smiling at the stuffed animals going by. Fast forward to baby number two, and we used it on his crib as well. I have fond memories of my children watching the musical mobile go ’round.
Now that Baby N is pulling up to stand we had to take it down.
I got sad.
I know it’s just a mobile and I know that I shouldn’t feel so nostalgic about every freakin thing in my house. But I do. I can’t help it. It’s just the way I am. I thought stuffing it into (an already overstuffed) closet would be silly. Keeping small items in a memory box is one thing but cramming awkward and never to be used again baby gear into non-existent storage space would just be insane. So I came up with a plan. A plan to keep the mobile alive and useful in our homes decor.
Here’s how.
Step #1 – Cut the animals off the mobile
Step #2 – Thread a needle with fine gauge floral wire
Step #3 – Do unspeakable things the likes of which Vegas Body Suspension artists are known for.
Step #4 – I realize this is more than one step all mashed together – go with it…
Point 1 – find a piece of colored paper and measure it against your mat board.
Point 2 – Cut to size
Point 3 – Poke holes for your floral wire to pass through the colored paper.
Point 4 – Put the wire in the holes.
Point 5 – Twist to secure (gently, you don’t want to tear the paper)
Point 6 – (not shown) tape the wire to the back of the paper to secure further.
Step #5 – Cram it all into a Shadow Box
It was at this point in my project that the Hubs nicely points out – ‘You have 5 animals and only 3 boxes.’
To which I replied…’The lion and panda are too fat to fit. I’ll only use the skinny guys.’
“Oh”, he says, “So it’s like that now. Total fatty discrimination.”
Step #6- Admire your new Wall Hangings!
Cute! Nice job!
Well, how very clever of you! I never would have thought to do something like that.
That’s perfect! Bravo… a wonderfully written way to hold on to memories and create something beautiful. As always, you rock! 🙂
Love it! What a great way to hold on to wonderful memories while also re-purpose the mobile animals. Brilliant.
So Adorable!! Perfect way to keep the memories and keep things out of the closet!! 🙂
Totally clever! and you say you’re not crafty!!!
Great idea!
Hubby and I just went through a purge of Ro’s old clothes & baby items. It was so hard! I cried about some things remembering how tiny she was, how much she loved something, etc. I also had the “I’m 40 and will never have another baby” freak out/realization. It was not fun.
But I know we have very limited storage space and she doesn’t need theses things anymore. I did keep some of her “firsts”, of course.
It’s very tough for us sentimental moms to go through the memories and weed out which to keep and which to give away.
That is a cute idea. I saved the stuffed animals off both my girls mobiles & put them in their baby boxes.
That is so crafty. What a great idea and it adds so much to the room!
I love it, Heather! Such a great idea.
This is such a wonderful idea!! I love your creativity and the way you can make something new again with just a few adustments. Fantastic. You’re the best!
that is adorable!
Cute idea!!! I used my son’s mobile & cut off the characters & made them into Christmas ornaments! Every Christmas I pull them out & hang them on my tree! =)
that’s a super cute idea!
Great project! I just wanted to let you know that we featured this project on our Facebook page with over 17,000 fans. We’d love it if you’d use our Featured Blogger button, available at: http://www.dailycraft.com/thank-you-for-crafting/. Our audience loved the project and we look forward to sharing more from you. Please let us know if you have any questions or projects you’d love us to feature! Thanks!
So cute! I love the idea of stuffed animals in a shadow box! perfect for memories!
Thank you for posting this. I am searching the web for ideas because I cannot get rid of my daughter’s mobile either. 🙂
you’re so very welcome!