Making a Surprise Ball

i stumbled upon surprise balls
through the website i found
for the Munari Mobile

miekewillems - surprise ball

it looks like the ones from kiosk
in New York aren't available anymore
but kiosk is still pretty cool
kioskkiosk - main page

so i decided to make a surprise ball
for my mother in law for her xmas present
she and i have very close birthdays
and we both love little toys and
little things and fake food

at first i bought crepe paper streamers
but then i realized that people were using
tissue paper cut into ribbons
so i went back and bought
xmas themed tissue paper
and some thin ribbon for
the finishing touches

i bought some small things
online at this store
tinythingsarecute

i spent about $35US on ten items for the ball

these are the tutorials i will reference
notmartha
i don't like the look of her end result
honestlywtf
this one is beautiful

this is my finished product

Gathering Items For Baby

babies need stuff
but they don't need all the stuff
especially up front

this is what i've purchased/gathered

1. chicco keyfit 30 carseat and two bases - craigslist $70
update: turns out the expiration date was too soon for this seat
and some of the straps on the bases were cut
so we turned it all in for a %25 discount at babies r us
for a new set (not a complete loss)
but i don't think i'll use this carseat past 3 months
because it is already heavy for me (5' tall) at 2 months
2. Uppababy bassinet piece for sleeping - craigslist $40
update: best purchase ever, portable, light weight
simple design, sturdy
we put it on a drawer turned upside down
by our bed (similar height) and it is perfect
3. pack n' play - gift
4. pack n' play mattress - amazon $35
update: 
5. mattress cover - amazon $12
6. changing pad - amazon $25
7. changing pad cover - amazon $5.00
8. baby bjorn baby sitter seat with toy bar - craigslist $100
9. small swivel rocker (because i'm small) - $50
10. Maclaren Easy Traveler stroller frame - craigslist $15
11. gauze swaddle blanket fabric - $40 to make 8 blankets
12. clearance newborn clothes - average $3 or less/piece
13. a new car - my old truck had a bench seat
14. Maclaren Vollo Stroller - craigslist $60
15. baby bath - amazon $45

i don't want a crib
because i want to do a montessori style floor bed
and there is only a small window where a crib might be nice
from (4mo - 9mo)
and i think a pack n' play with a nice mattress
would be totally sufficient for a couple of months

i don't need a high chair
because we don't eat at a typical table
we eat at a low coffee table
so it is actually perfect for the cube chair (see previous post)

i don't want a plastic diaper disposal system
i don't want plastic walkers/bouncers/exersaucers
i don't think i need a special nursing pillow

i don't want a commercial baby gym
because i'm going to use the montessori wall mirror & mobile
as well as a wooden tripod type set up

Making Sleep Plans For Baby

i plan on having the baby sleep
in a bassinet raised up
on an overturned drawer
next to my bed for three months

the baby can always sleep
in the bassinet anywhere in the house
because it is very portable
and not some static piece of furniture

the baby can sleep
in the bassinet
until it grows too big (3 months)

then i'll transition the baby
out of the bedroom
and into the pack n' play
with a mattress
in the baby's room

then i'll take away the pack n' play
and transition the baby to a floor bed in the nursery
montessori style

update:
two months old and the bassinet
on the drawer by my bed
is perfect so far

baby is easy and sleep is good
our bed time can range from
10pm to 12pm (with baby)

and baby wake up anywhere
from 3am to 7am for a feed
and then back to snuggles in bed
until around 10am