Boughs of Love Baby Mobile

So…it’s just one bough but leaving the “s” off sounds weird to me.

With all of my kids I’ve always wanted a baby mobile, but just never got one or made one. Either I couldn’t find one I liked, or didn’t think about it until they were kind of too old for it anyway, or I couldn’t afford one.

Well the mobile for today, costs about $1-2, so that solves that one if you’re in the same boat.

Natalie is actually kind of too old for it too, but I put it up anyway because I think it balances out her room really well.

And now that we lowered her crib she won’t be grabbing it and pulling it down on herself.

Yes…that’s her standing up. She is growing up way too fast for my liking…I don’t want to talk about it. 🙁

Let’s make a mobile:

First, gather your materials. This is probably the trickiest part because you have to go hunting for the right branch. You can do what I did, and just send your boys (husband included) out to find as many sticks as they can find. 🙂

You need:

– A dried out branch the size and shape you like. You don’t want it to be green and moist because it will be heavier and might have some bug life still hanging out in it.
– White paint. You can use spray paint, craft paint…whatever you have on hand.
– Red vellum paper (or a color of your choosing). I found mine at Micheal’s for a little less than $1.
– White thread or clear thread if your walls are not white.
– Optional: Accent paints to paint on the vellum.

Let’s begin!

1. Paint your branch. Sand it down a bit to get rid of any shedding bark.

*Then paint it. I’ve painted branches with spray paint and craft paint. Both work well. Spray paint can give you more coverage with more coats, but I opted to allow some of the color and knots in the branch to show through.

2. Prepare the hearts. 

You can do another shape, but I chose hearts because it goes well with the heart canvas I painted for her room.

I also like the idea of love falling down on her from above.

*Optional. You can paint the vellum with other paints to soften up the bright red like I did. I did it in a messy fashion to bring some dimension to the paper. The only drawback to this is that if you use too much paint, it will cause the paper to curl. I have been fighting with a few hearts that just won’t quit curling.

*After the paper is dry. Freehand cut hearts out.

*Continue to cut hearts until you get the amount of hearts you desire. Then cut a few more just in case.

3. Thread the hearts.

*Simply take a needle and thread and knot loooong strands of thread into the top of each heart. Lay them out, being careful to not tangle the threads.

4. Hang your branch.

I doubled up thread to make it stronger and then hung (the very light branch) from two white ceiling hooks. Eye hooks also work.

You can of course paint your hooks to match your walls and ceiling.

5. Tie the hearts onto the branch.

Very carefully double knot each heart to the branch in an arrangement that you like. Try to vary the heights of the hearts and the spacing…or tie them in an even line for a different effect.

Simple as that!

Natalie seems to like it…

Or maybe she likes, that I’m making googly eyes at her through her crib slats.

Mmm…tasty. She’s teething. Can you tell?

I made a couple more pieces of art. Some with a paint brush and some with my computer. The little crocheted dog is from a couple of years ago. See the post here.

And her room is complete.

If you’re wondering about the art on her wall, see this post.

That lovely, perfect shade of red, fabric I used for her throw pillow is from the Ribbon Retreat. Go here for the listing.

I hope you have a happy weekend!

I’ll be in my sewing room corner!