Rag Wreaths

These are the simplest wreaths and another great project to do while driving or watching tv.
Go here for a tutorial!
I found these wreath forms at the dollar store. Basically all you do is tie strips of fabric all the way around.

Redecorating Part V - Lampshades

Bexley's room needed a little simple re-doing of it's own, so when I saw this lampshade on pinterest (oh how I am addicted to pinterest), I made one for her. I used paper instead, because I'm lazy and would have rather used a paper punch instead of cutting fabric for days (someday I will own a silhouette).

And I am obsessed with these coffee filter lampshades! I did mine in a more straight-lines-all-the-way-around pattern, but either way, they are so fluffy and fun! Now I just have to get to our new home so I can spray paint the bases, I'm thinking yellow or grey...

The before picture, can you see it all the way in the back corner?

His and mine...they did take FOREVER and he is not so fond of how careful he thinks he has to be it with it now, but he deals with it because I love them!

Redecorating Part IV

I got this cute cake stand for $7, but thought it was too cute to put away until I had a cake to display on it. So I'd seen someone use wiffle balls for decor, covered in mod podged scrapbook paper. I found 6 balls for $1 and covered half with twine and the other half with the leftover leaves from the vase of yellow flowers.

Redecorating Part III

Since I got rid of the vase of flowers on our dresser, I needed something to replace them. Have you seen all the great dollar store supply ideas on craft blogs lately?! They are fantastic! I already had the large cylinder vase, then bought two smaller ones and candle sticks at the dollar store, added some rocks and flowers I had on hand and here it is.

I think I'll change out the rocks and flowers once we move, but for now I was just using what I had.

Redecorating Part II

Turning these...
Into this...
I am loving all the white in decor these days and happened to have a glass vase, did you know you can spray paint practically anything?!

The Re-Decorating Itch: Part I

I don't know if it's more of an itch to move or just to re-decorate, but Landon said no more new decorations until we move, so now I'm itching for both! This was the best before picture, since I forgot to take one before I started the project. I had to bring the wreath hanger into the house because I put potted flowers on the front porch for the summer. So then I needed a new wreath to hang from it. So I took the yellow flowers in the vase on the dresser in this picture:
And turned them into this:

And here is where they now sit:

I just plucked them off and hot glued them to a straw wreath. Total project cost: $1.50 (the cost of the wreath). Next up, what to do with the other potted flower arrangement from the entertainment center.

Bexley's Birthday Party

First, the star of the night in a t-shirt I ordered from etsy and a re-vamped tutu.

The birthday banner.

Cupcakes and toppers using this adorable paper flower tutorial.

The whole table of goodies.

Most of which came from one of my greatest goodwill days yet, all for under $20. We never have fun dishes to entertain with, so when I found most of these mostly for no more than $1-2, I jumped on 'em! If you live around here, this is the link to the monthly calendar so you get the best price for all your thrifty crafting!

My version of the easiest cake stands shown here and here.

Last minute project for drinks, since I forgot to plan anything else for people to drink.

And some fun tissue paper pom-poms I might have to re-use for her 1-year-old pictures if she ever starts feeling better.

Relief Society Activity - Homemade Gifts

Our ward held a night of homemade gift ideas where a few people came up with some fun, cheap ideas, then displayed them and provided handouts for everyone to go home and make whatever they wanted. I was so sad I had to miss the actual night, I wanted to see everyone else's ideas!

First project, a place mat into a purse. Idea from Sew4Home. The only thing I did differently was buttonholes in place of grommets (too cheap for grommets), then added a fabric flower at the end of the handles to hold in place.

I ended up having to make the actual place mat first because I couldn't find one I really liked.

I'm pretty positive I live within walking distance of the greatest thrift store in ohio. They have a monthly calender of deals, including half off day. I found this frame a few weeks ago...

And turned it in to this for my cousin's wedding gift.

Then I decided I wanted one for myself, I spent a little more on this frame.

But it was worth it. I even had enough fabric from a project I may never finish so it will all match!

And last, I converted these cupboards...

Into a version of this and this from an idea I saw at swiss days last year.

So much fun and so easy and cheap. I'm pretty much ready for Christmas now!

When We Own Our Own Again...

Well, our dream house went on the market again over the weekend. The one we made an offer on and was accepted, but found out no bank in their right mind will give us a loan while Landon's a private contractor, until he can prove his income after his first tax returns.

Oh well. It still got me thinking about all the fun stuff I want to do in our next house...

This texture molding:

And this:

Curtains, Curtains, Curtains

I may have mentioned this before - our new apartment is hideous, but we're also trying to start paying off student loans, paying for private health insurance, saving for a down payment on a house, saving to start a practice, etc, etc, etc.
So, I took the curtains from our bedroom in the condo and added some fabric to the hem that matches the pillows on the couch. Cost: $3

Our new bedroom curtains were even easier. I've had this fabric for over 5 years. I cut it in half length-wise, added a rod pocket at the top and a wide hem at the bottom and ta da! Cost: $0

The dining room curtains were inspired by friend, Amy, who is a cheap curtain genius!

You can buy flat twin sheets at Walmart for $3.

Cut one in half length-wise and finish off with a nice stitch on the freshly cut edge.

Your rod pocket is already in place from the top of the sheet.

Then add some prettier fabric to the bottom and any type of embellishment anywhere else and you're done!

I even had enough fabric left over to do two valances for the smaller windows on either side of the large window...just need some cheap rods to put them on.

Cost for 3 curtains: $6

Side note...most of these curtains are a little longer than I like. I prefer curtains to barely touch the ground or hover just above. But my super awesome husband was nice enough to hang the rods for me and did so just a little too low...oh well, I'm glad I didn't have to hang them myself!

More Pillows & a Little Extra

Back to Bexley's pre-earth BFF. We put together a whole new futon for little Alysa's room to match her bedding. For the futon cover I just made a fitted sheet...easiest project on earth:
1 - cut out one rectangle of desired fabric (with a few inches extra all around).
2 - Double fold and iron edges all the way around.
3 - Sew hem (leaving an opening).
4 - Pull elastic all the way through. Sew end pieces of elastic together. Sew opening closed.
DONE!

And just a few more pillows using this tutorial.

Just one more week til we get to meet her!

Pillow Obsessed!

I almost wet my pants when I saw this flower fabric at Joann's, of all places. I get so bored in the winter and need some brightness in every room of the house. I started these pillows in dreary February. Too bad I didn't get around to finishing them til April while we've been having record 80 degree temperatures...not that I'm complaining!


I feel like this room is so much brighter now and I can decorate with practically any color cuz it will match the pillows!

This was all part of a crazy sewing day, a total of 8 pillows in one day...four more to come!

Drab to Fab Towels

My sister in law wanted some black towels for her birthday, but I just couldn't give her plain towels, so I sewed some cute fabric on the bottom and lined it with some ric rac...much better!

Hobby Lobby $6 Find

Found this in black with ugly rooster pictures and a broken chalkboard. Re-painted, re-attached some hooks and added some mirrors, paper, and a star to hang on the wall in the basement bathroom. It only took me two years to finish!

While the Boys Played Halo

The Girls Played Craft Night! I love these flowers made from the scallop punch. I made this frame (in my FAVORITE colors) for our bedroom.

They're so cute and so easy I decided to make some for the Christmas tree. I think this is what we will do for Activity Day in December for ornaments.

New Picture Frame

I've been SEARCHING for a new frame for our "family" picture. I've wanted to do new pictures of us for this year's Christmas card and I want a cute frame to put one in for our house. After seeing a cute frame in my friend's house that she made out of bead board, I came up with this and I LOVE it!

Previous Projects

A Christmas gift for Landon's mom. Just a scrap block of wood, some paint, vinyl letters, and ribbon!

Valentine's Day Project with Kiki.

Bridal Shower gift. A super cute recipe box to get her started in the kitchen!

Wall hanging. Can you have too much vinyl lettering in your house?!