the stockings were hung from the ladder? with care…
December 10, 2008 at 6:41 pm | Posted in cleaning and organizing, reincarnate::giving old things new life:: | 4 Comments
This is one project I have been itching to do for quite some time. I have a thing for ladders. Since they are going to be taking up space, they might as well be useful. After a crafty day of glitter and glue I thought it was time.
Bigger eyehooks could definately be used, but I had this kit on hand and it did the job just fine. Just measured, drilled and screwed them in.
10 minutes to AWESOME!! Not only does it show off the kids’ Christmas crafts so well, but it’s also a great place to display Christmas cards and photos. Not to mention any stray surprises! I’m going to have this baby working year round.
got it covered
August 23, 2008 at 6:29 pm | Posted in cleaning and organizing, sewing, whichcraft? | 4 Comments
My 1st sewing machine has been sitting out since my cousin has been here. Now that she’s gone, I can finally put it away. But not before I get rid of that sad.little.torn.vinyl.cover. It was so easy since I took the original cover apart and used it for a template. I pieced and quilted the pockets. I forgot how tranquil quilting can be. I feel so proud that I started a project and finished it! This was my Saturday afternoon therapy.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend! We sure will!!
quick and easy.
August 21, 2008 at 2:25 pm | Posted in cleaning and organizing, sewing, whichcraft? | 3 Comments
We made this! We actually made homemade sushi. And you know what, it didn’t taste homemade. My husband and I took a class @ Central Market. We had so much fun. We rolled, we ate, we drank. It felt like a first date…a good one, of course. Between the white boy and the asian girl, he turned out to be the Sushi Master. Who knew? After the class, I still didn’t think we would ever make it again.
But fast forward to several weeks later and here we are. It cost about $80 to feed 7 humans sushi til’ they popped. It was so much fun, and super easy. This was always one of those tasks that seemed way too intimidating. Boy, was I wrong! We’ll be doing that again, and YOU should,too. Let me know how it goes!!
Here is one more super quick and easy project. I finally made something to corral all of my puppy’s “what-nots”. Brush, leash, and yes, his perfume! This project took me about 30 minutes from start to finish. I took some upholstery fabric that I had and cut out a rectangle with rounded corners. Why the rounded corners? Much easier to put binding on. The pockets are made of 3 seperate pieces that are gradually shorter. The top edge of the pockets are finished with scrap binding. Figure out how deep you want your pockets and stitch it closed, starting with the longest piece. It is closest to the main rectangular piece. Continue to sew the bottom of the pockets closed and a seam down the middle to divide the pockets. Bind the whole thing and add a handle at the top. My directions are blurred because my mind is currently mush. But this could easily be figured out, just by looking at the photo.
Not Just a Car Organizer
July 11, 2008 at 4:56 pm | Posted in cleaning and organizing, friends, kidstuff, sewing, whichcraft? | 5 CommentsShe did it again!! Craftapple has come up with another great and functional pattern. I was more than happy to test sew this pattern, and even happier with the results! Such a great design, and it was exciting to see it take shape and come to life.
I keep this one in the front seat to hold all of my essentials. It’s amazing what will fit in there and how much I have just lying around the car.
edit:: I just wanted to add that my trim is not a reflection of the pattern. I chose to glue mine down, in lieu of sewing the thick and lumpy fabric that I chose!!
This one is for the house. It moves around wherever I feel like I need it. Sometimes it stays on the stairs to round up all the stray tinker toys and “what-nots” that the kids need to take back upstairs. But most of the time it sits in the laundry room to hold things that need to go out of the house… stray tools my husband leaves around the house. a shirt I bought that doesn’t fit quite right that needs to be returned. library books. The possibilities are endless! My husband wants one for his car now. And I know I could use one by the couch to hold magazines and books.
And before I bid you good weekend, I thought I would share a fun little project that my 4 yr. old Mia and I did. A little collaboration. I had some leftover red burlap from the rice sack bag. I stapled it to an old picture frame that was being discarded and let her draw on the fabric. After she was happy with her work, I started mine. She chose the colors and I did the handstitching. I usually hate hand sewing, but this was truly relaxing and fun. It was a great project, short and sweet!! Have a happy weekend!!!
Introducing… The Stand Mixer Cover Pattern.
May 22, 2008 at 11:51 pm | Posted in cleaning and organizing, revel recipes, sewing, whichcraft? | 5 CommentsIt’s done, it’s finally done!! I am finally ready to debut my very 1st sewing pattern. This is the pattern for the Stand Mixer Cover. Sweet and simple, but it makes a bold statement in the kitchen. You can find more information from revel designs and they are available in the shop.
It has been quite a journey. It has been an ongoing project since the end of last year. It all started with this one. I had no idea how much goes into writing something like this. I have learned so much from this process and already have my next pattern in utero.
And I must say that I couldn’t have done this alone. I owe huge hugs and kisses to my hubby for doing all of my dirty work! The computer stuff, that is. He’s my graphic designer, my web guy, my IT guy…really, he’s just been the brains of the whole operation. Sure I can dream up a million concoctions in my mind, but he actually put “me” onto a piece of paper and a computer screen. He’s brought everything to life. Amazing! And I am so appreciative for my friend Linda’s support and advice. She has been there for me through it all. Through the test sewing and my neurotic nonsense, but most importantly, she really helps in keeping me focused. Thank you Linda! I am so blessed to have such a cherished friend.
Solutions-2
January 28, 2008 at 11:47 am | Posted in cleaning and organizing, sewing, whichcraft? | 6 Comments
The Problem: The girls’ “apartment under the stairs” is in complete disarray. The plastic tubs that everything is stored in is just not working. They can never find what they are looking for. Always wearing a pair of mismatched high heels.
The Solution: I took the bull by the horns and stitched it into a purse and jewelry organizer and matching shoe rack. Now they can actually see what they have got and accessorize accordingly! And while I was at it, I made my son a little something to store his school work, library books, and such. Now I can’t promise that this room will ever look like this again… but that’s a whole different problem!
For these projects, I used a set of curtains from Ikea that I found in the damaged section for around $7. Nothing at all wrong with them, except they were out of the package. These provided me with about 4 yards of heavy duty fabric!
Solutions
January 22, 2008 at 10:44 pm | Posted in cleaning and organizing, sewing, whichcraft? | 7 CommentsThis year I want to start looking at the solutions, instead of dramatizing the problems. No matter how big or how small. Not enough time in the day? Turn off Project Runway and get busy! Isn’t that why we have Tivo, anyway? Complaining about the baby weight you put on 10 years ago? Bundle up the kids and go out for a waddle!
The Problem: I can never find anything in the abyss that I call my purse. And the stray diapers and wipes in a baggie don’t help. I haven’t carried a diaper bag for quite some time, but my youngest is still in diapers.
The Solution: A handy diaper and wipes case! This holds a travel size wipes case and 2-3 diapers. It’s great to leave with the nursery, a sitter, or my mom! It definately does its job in style, but let’s be honest… anything beats the plastic baggie!
A Break from the Mayhem
December 14, 2007 at 12:48 pm | Posted in cleaning and organizing, decoupage | 12 CommentsAfter frantically sewing so many gifts, I’m feeling a little burnt out. Yes, I love to sew, but with a deadline, it’s starting to feel a little too much like work. So I decided to take the day off from Santa’s workshop and work on something that has been laying on my floor for a month or so.
These are a set of drawers that I picked up from Ikea. I finally got around to putting them together. After painstakingly cutting out paper to go on each drawer, I used Mod Podge to attach the Amy Butler scrapbook paper to the fronts of the drawers. The first couple didn’t quite go as planned. I used the Mod Podge without diluting it to attach the paper to the drawer and put Mod Podge on the front without letting it dry first. This created bubbles, even though I ran over the front with a straight edge to get the air bubbles out. So I decided to let the glue dry before I covered the entire fronts. I love the way they turned out. The Mod Podge creates a shiny, but not too glossy, coat over the paper.
And the best thing is that the drawers are completely reversible! My girls are having loads of fun deciding what design they want to create. This was my 1st successful attempt at decoupage, and I can’t wait to try it again. Next time using fabric.
E is for Everything in It’s Place…well almost
August 7, 2007 at 6:48 am | Posted in cleaning and organizing | 1 CommentFor some reason, I have been on an organizing quest. I guess it happens when you get a new house. But it has gone way overboard. I have actually labeled the shelves in the linen closet! I have bought little bins for every drawer in the house. I have got little bins for my little bins. Ikea is about an hour away, so when I am there I go nuts!
Today’s mission was the sewing room. I won’t be totally happy until I can slap some paint in there. That’s a little more than I can do during nap time. But I did manage to make this bulletin board. I got this together in about 20 minutes and completely did it all wrong. I actually nailed it to the wall. Hey, I was crunched for time because I spent most of the kids’ nap time reading blogs.
I don’t usually like to use fabric for my own home decor. I have commitment issues when it comes to choosing a fabric, or I just get really greedy and want to stash it away. I have been wanting to use these for awhile. It’s a combination of Joel Dewberry and Amy Butler. I love these 2 together and could not settle on just the right life for it. So I picked it up and decided to use it for myself. Sometimes you just gotta say,”What the craft!!” I really do like the way it turned out, and apparently it’s there to stay since I nailed it to the wall.
Kitchenaid Cover Up
July 24, 2007 at 7:55 am | Posted in cleaning and organizing, revel recipes, sewing, whichcraft? | 6 Comments
I spent last night and tonight perfecting this cover and I can’t take my eyes off of it. When I had decided that I wanted to make a cover for my mixer, I just rushed right into it. I love, love, love how it turned out, but I do regret not making a pattern for it. Who knew I would be happy with it on the first try? I thought about making one, but couldn’t locate my manila folders( which is what I usually cut my patterns from) amongst all of the unpacked boxes. In my mind, we won’t be officially moved in until cars can go in the garage.
I love the silhouette in this print and the celery green. I used a dark brown binding along the bottom and across the top of the pocket. I have never worked with store bought binding before, I usually make my own. I inherited alot from my husband’s granny. This stuff is great!! No ironing? Love it! Although ironing does give me a chance to watch tv while I’m “working”. And there is something to be said about the control you have when you are pressing fabric. I love the hot steam and heat bending and creasing all material at my will. Guess I missed my calling as a dominatrix. oh, well.
I have been wanting to use this Amy Butler fabric for quite some time. But I knew it had to be just the right project. Most of the time I just keep adding to my fabric stash, because I am too particular about how I want to use it. Then it just sits there waiting, and by the time I am ready… I’m sick of looking at it. To heck with the “perfect” project, I am going to start getting busy while I am still excited about it. These are the two that I want to work with next.
I love these two together. It’s Joel Dewberry and Amy Butler. I think the picture is a little distorted because I have no idea how to shrink them before uploading. David!! What, oh what, will it evolve into? For some reason, when I look at this I see pillow case, but I sure don’t need any of those. And that is why I have issues with fabric. The problem is that there are just too many possibilities. That’s a pretty good problem to have!
Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.
