How to Personalize a Crib Mobile Kit

One of the final touches in my son's nursery was the crib mobile.  I wanted to stick with my design theme of colors and shapes.  Of course I cruised around on Pinterest for DIY ideas, and really loved this mobile with felt balls on branches by momo.  I was attracted to the array of colors and the natural wood tone of the branches.  If you've been following me, you'll know that I didn't get to start putting our nursery together until Baby S came home.  With that said, I never found the time to learn how to make pompoms while learning how to be a new mom.  *Cue Grandma L to enter*

By coincidence, my mom bought this crib mobile kit for me.  It was almost a perfect fit for my design.  Most of the colors would work, but unfortunately my mom warned me that the felt pieces don't adhere to the string very well, which is no good hanging above a baby.  However, I figured I could use the structure and create my own pompoms to match the nursery decor.  I still had a variety of yarn left over from my DIY Dream Catchers that I already made.  Sounds like a plan!

I thought two-toned pompoms would be fun and more dynamic than a solid color.  Here's a close-up of the mint and green pompom.  The baby will see both colors as it slowly spins in the air.

These are the structural components that I used from the mobile kit.  It's a simple assembly of threading the strings through the rods. No tools needed. 

I figured out my layout, and attached the pompoms to the side pieces first.

After attaching the center string, it was clear that the mobile was not completely balanced.  Each pompom was not exactly the same weight, so it was hanging lop-sided.  I added an extra piece of orange yarn at the top, in a triangle shape, to help balance the weight more evenly.  It worked pretty well!

And here it is!  I love how my crib mobile turned out.  I think it's even better than I imagined.  Without further ado, I have to give my mom full bragging rights on this project.  She learned how to make these pompoms from a Pinterest tutorial, and labored over them just for her grandson.  I'm not sure when I would have found the time.  Thanks, Mom!

I designed the pompom colors to mix and match, with a stronger accent of mint green. Altogether this keeps the playful feel of the nursery that I have been designing all along.

The rods need a little tweaking at times.  I try to keep the side rods rotated in opposite directions, but I'm pretty sure I'm the only crazy one who notices that detail.

The mobile even ties in with my DIY Canvas Artwork.  But really now, are you surprised?

Baby S loves his crib mobile!!  He points at it, waiting for me to spin it.  My husband likes to bump his head on the pompoms when he lifts him out of the crib (Boys....) I think it's also relaxing when he falls asleep, and entertains him when he wakes up early in the morning.

The pompoms are also another layer of repetition in the design.  It reinforces the circles in the canvas art, the hoop of the dream catchers, and of course the polkadots of his OhJoy! crib bedding.  

And if you weren't too distracted by the amazing crib mobile, you may have noticed my baby bump.  I took these pics a few months ago, but now I'm 34 weeks along- OMG.  Yes, I'm a bit behind on photographing the mobile, but the good news is that Baby S and Baby2 will both get to enjoy it.