So I know I’ve promised the Catan Nursery Reveal this weekend, but first things first:
Happy Easter!
I’ve been so busy lately trying to get ready for baby Rose and cramming work in before I’m out for a while, that lent and Easter fell off my radar. I’m feeling a little guilty, because this is the time to remember and reflect on one of the most important events in history: Christ’s death and resurrection!
As for today, I’m rejoicing and celebrating the hope we have in Jesus. Praise God for his love for us. With all the Easter joy and new flowers in bloom, it feels like such a great time to bring a baby into the world. You don’t get to pick when you get pregnant, but I’m sure grateful baby Rose is coming when he/she is.
People keep asking if we’re “ready.” But can you actually be “ready” for a baby?
I’m guessing no. But I’ve prepared. I’ve washed tiny socks, onsies and baby blankets in some kinda special baby laundry detergent. There are diapers stashed in closets and drawers of burp rags ready to go. I even knocked out a few freezer meals and have a hoard of frozen pizzas in our outside fridge. This is good as I am now 37 weeks and this baby is OUT. OF. ROOM. I feel like I’ve swallowed a king-size water bed with a sea monster lurking inside.
The boy has been equally busy, trying to beat the latest Zelda game before baby’s arrival. Priorities y’all.
But most exciting…the Catan theme nursery is finally ready!
I explain how we came to the Settlers of Catan nursery idea in this post.
Basically, we wanted something that was:
- Gender neutral
- Captured something we both loved
- Would feel calming
However, when I started looking for Catan themed nurseries to be inspired by, I found none! Not even on the Pinterest where I thought no great idea was lost. So if you pinterest at all, and find this nursery worthy, please PIN IT so we can spread some Catan Theme Nursery love to the world!!
All we knew in the beginning was that we really wanted to represent the 5 resources from the game: wood, brick, sheep, wheat and rock. Everything else evolved from there.
Side note, if you’ve never played Settlers of Catan, you should!
The two things in the nursery that I think REALLY tie it all together are the Catan blanket and the amazing Catan box-top inspired painting above the crib.
This amazing blanket was created by my neighbor Amy, with some help from our friend Lesile who crocheted the water. It is so soft, and beautiful and beyond perfect. Thank you ladies, I LOVE it.
Then there is the fabulous painting that my neighbor Colette did which is inspired by the Catan box top. Its is also perfect, capturing the Catan theme, without being a copy of the box at all. Her husband built a custom wooden frame for it too. The crib is also on loan from them. Nothing beats free. Thank you Colette and Jesse!
Clearly, I have some pretty talented and loving neighbors. They’re the best and the nursery would not be the same without them.
Moving on to the things we bought:
I was able to get this cute little bookshelf on clearance sale from Pottery Barn Kids. Thats all we got from there, though, because the prices of that place are a bit insane. Thanks to many great friends and family, Baby Rose has a pretty good book collection. Given his/her head size, he or she may even be able to read some them already!
The rug, hexagon shelves and curtains are all from Land of Nod. We felt like the rug gave a nice “wheat” feel and the curtains a “rock” vibe. Since our house has 12 foot ceilings, basically any curtains we get must be modified. I ironed (with that “sew magic” stuff from hobby lobby) some fabric to the bottom to make them work.
The cute little sheep ottoman and the glider were Amazon purchases and are both winners on price and functionality. Finding a glider with a high back was quite the challenge, but alas, Amazon saved the day. Thanks to Prime, shipping was free and thanks to the boy’s parents, the glider itself was covered. It’s currently one of my favorite places to sit and pray for baby Rose as well as mom and dad Rose.
The Resource Wall:
On the “resource wall” we used the hexagon shelves to display various resources. Most of these resource items are recycled decorations from my Catan themed shower. A Catan shower post is to come!
The only thing that I didn’t gather from the shower is the bricks. Again, Amazon saved the day. They are actually mini “stress reliever” bricks, so they are light and soft, even though they look like real bricks.
Oh, and not to be forgotten, the custom Catan themed mobile from GraceAnnBaby on Etsy. For some reason, I’m unable to locate her shop, otherwise I would link it. I asked her to make one of each resource and she nailed it.
The wooden mobile arm is also from Amazon, as I felt like the plastic ones wouldn’t jive with what we had going on in here.
On the wall opposite the crib is our glider with the blanket my co-worker’s sister made and DIY Catan string art that the boy and I made one ambitious weekend. You can find instructions in this post.
One of my favorite things about the nursery is all the friends and family’s homemade touches. It really makes the nursery feel like a place of love and support.
Speaking of, thank you so much to everyone who reached out with personal stories or words of encouragement after last weeks post. You are all a great reminder that I am not alone in this journey. I think the enemy would like us to feel alone sometimes, but Jesus reminds us we aren’t (Matthew 28:20). There is a whole community out there, thank you all for being a part of that for me.
As a reminder of not being alone and because its just such a great piece, I hung this sign in art piece from my Catan shower right above the light switch. It has the names of everyone who came to the shower on little hexagon paper cut outs.
They say “it takes a village” to raise a kid. Even if you’re not raising a kid, my guess is that you do have some great challenge in your life. And if you don’t currently, enjoy, because one day you will. We as moms, parents, siblings, employees, spouses, ect., just have to remember that we have a village. And to count on that village when needed. Or if you don’t feel like you have a village, start praying for one. God will provide. He’s good to us like that.
Happy Easter and much love to you all!
Amanda says
Looks amazing – all you need is baby! 😉
thegingerlifeblog@gmail.com says
Thanks Amanda – baby is on its way!!
cindy says
I love the Catan nursery, and I’m sure Baby Rose will too! I can’t wait to see Baby Rose enjoying this beautiful fun space.
thegingerlifeblog@gmail.com says
AWW baby can’t wait to meet you. Also Bourbon is looking forward to your visit!!
Anna Marr says
Incredible!! Love all the little details, so fun!!
thegingerlifeblog@gmail.com says
Aww thanks! The Texas alphabet is actually to-be hung. We are working on getting a frame for it, but we bought the Michigan alphabet from her etsy store so now baby rose has both!
Faith says
Love it!
thegingerlifeblog@gmail.com says
Thanks Faith!