DIY Iron On Baby Onesies

DIY Iron On Baby Onesies

I knew when I decided to throw a baby shower for one of my close girlfriends, that I wanted to do a little something different since this was her second baby. I didn't want to play all the usual baby shower games, like guessing how big around her belly was by cutting lengths of ribbon or guessing which candy bar was melted in each diaper (this game is just so wrong! haha!) since those seemed more like first time mom baby shower games. I also knew I wanted all of the guests to be able to create something for the mom-to-be to take home and keep. I talked with a friend of mine and we decided to go with making onesies for the baby. I thought iron-ons would be easiest, but the iron-on appliques are so expensive! When you're throwing a baby shower and thinking about buying a onesie for each guest to decorate, plus an iron-on applique for each guest, the cost per person really adds up! SO, my friend suggested that we create our own designs and iron them on with iron-on transfer paper.

Have you ever used iron-on transfer paper?! It will change your life.

You will want to take every plain article of clothing, every blank cloth object you own, and every scrap of undecorated fabric in your home, and iron on cute designs. #butseriously 

How to DIY Iron On Onesies:

My friend printed off several cute designs from her computer on plain computer paper (like the cute little birdie above), and we cut them out and picked out fabric from the scraps she brought - you don't need much fabric at all to do this kind of a project. Then we ironed the transfer paper on to the fabric and pinned the cut out pattern to the fabric so we could cut the fabric out in the shape of the pattern. After the fabric shapes were cut out, they were ready to iron on to the onesies (transfer paper side down of course!). Voila! You're done and have a super cute iron-on onesie done with contact paper and your favorite fabric!

This was such an easy and fun project to do at a baby shower! We all had such a fun time while we were picking out patterns and fabrics for our iron on projects and then creating adorable keepsakes for our littlest love on the way.

Have you ever used iron on transfer paper? The ideas for craft projects with transfer paper are endless... onesies, bibs, lovies, blankets, burp cloths, diaper bags, washcloths, etc! Eeek!

Raw

Over the last year, I feel as though I've been stretched and grown more than I have been in a long time. I've also felt more self-aware and in tune with what I'm feeling and how God is speaking to me.

One thing I've been trying to put my finger on is a feeling that I've had over the last few weeks. See, I have close friends who have recently had miscarriages. I have friends whose marriages are struggling and rocky. I have friends recently diagnosed with cancer. I have friends dealing with loss, and one of my friends was just given the news that the doctors have nothing more they can do for her mom, who is dying with cancer.

I've cried tears - at times doing the "ugly cry" - for these friends. My heart aches. My mind can't stop thinking about how they're hurting. My thoughts run into prayers and my prayers into begging. I feel exposed and vulnerable... raw.

My heart feels raw with the hurt I feel for these friends. It stings to think about them again... because, well, I'm raw. I want so desperately to ease their hurt, to ease their fears, to come up with the right words.

The verse that comes to mind is Lamentations 3:22-23:

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."

Because while I can't bring back those precious babies, or take the cancer away, or heal the hurt, God won't allow us to be consumed. It won't ever be too much. It might feel like too much at times, but as dark as it seems, morning always comes, and with morning comes new mercies!

To my sweet girlfriends who have experienced loss in a way that breaks my heart, hold on loves, God is cradling you in His arms and asking you to let Him comfort you and be strength supernatural.

To my dear friend whose mom is sick and facing death, find rest in Him. He knows that this feels like too much to bear, but the beauty in this tragedy is that He is molding you and shaping you to endure whatever this long road may entail. You are stronger than you realize, and you are loved more than you know. Your friends cry tears of sorrow and anguish for you, and we are begging God for mercy on your behalf.

To my friends with rocky marriages, with despair in your hearts and sadness in your eyes, lean on Him, for He will direct your paths. Christ intends for us to have life and life abundantly so seek His guidance in restoring your love for one another.

Oh friends, my cheeks are wet with tears once again, as I feel hopeless to help. I hope I can adequately put feet to my emotions, because I desperately want to walk with you during your time of pain, of sorrow, or of grief.

Maybe one day, this won't feel so raw.