No Sew Curtains Part II

Yesterday I finally finished the family room curtain.  Quite honestly I did not know what I wanted to do with this one so I just made a big rectangle out of my fabrics, hung it up and tried to decide.  I think I was originally wanting a relaxed roman shade look, however I think it's just a little too heavy for this unless I attach some loops on the fabric and eye hooks on the window.  I may try that some day but for now it ended up looking like this.  The ribbon is something I had on hand and looks ok, but I was thinking of maybe a black ribbon to match the trim fabric and maybe make it stand out a little.  I'm sure it'll be constantly evolving just like everything else in my house. 

I am still hoping to join Danielle over at Transforming Home for her Real Life House Party Tour. 

Kelly

No Sew Curtains Part I

I fell in love with these Burlap Curtains that Jen over at Tatertots and Jello made.  She is so talented and I adore her blog.  I set out to use the same color scheme and style since I liked hers so much (clever huh?), but my problem was that I get so much sunlight in these windows that burlap was a just a little too transparent for me.   I decided to line them with the same material that I used to make my PB Pillows.  Doing this allowed me to actually be able to turn the curtains around and show the burlap side or the linen side.  I actually ended up liking the linen side with my kitchen better.

Here is the reverse side (too lazy to climb up and flip the rod around...sorry)

Here is the eat in kitchen.  I did not ruffle mine like Jen did because my material just didn't seem fluid enough to do it.  I tried but mine looked goofy.  I sort of like the simplicity here.

Part II of these curtains will be to make one for this window which is just off of the eat in kitchen area so I'm going to use the same fabrics.  The rod is already on the window so I'm going to use what is there.

These were made simmply with my hot glue gun.  I will post a tutorial on how I make the family room curtain, but for the others I followed Jen's great tutorial.  Thanks Jen!

.........Stay tuned for Part II

Linking up to:

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

DIY Boxwood Topiary

After sitting on my mantel like this for a month or so...

I have finally made the boxwood balls into what I originally set out to do which are a pair of topiaries.  I wanted to be able to move the trees into different containers as seasons changed or even be able to set them on a pot just like the "before" photo when the mood struck.  In order to do this I needed to cement them into a portable container.  I decided a solo drinking cup and plaster of paris would do the job.  I mixed the plaster of paris according to the directions on the box and added it to the cups.  I then stuck the dowel into the plaster and held it with scotch tape.  The same scotch tape grid I used for making my Paperwhite arrangement.

Once the plaster was hardened, I stained the dowel a darker color.  The Boxwood ball itself was hollow so I needed a way to get it to stay on the dowel.  Luckily the ball was actually two halves with little snaps every so often to hold it together so I was able to unsnap it, add a styrofoam ball inside, and resnap it back together.  Now I was able to insert the dowel through the boxwood and into the styrofoam ball to secure it to the dowel.  Once secured I placed the tree into it's container.

I tucked a little bit of paper towel around the cup to make sure it didn't wobble.  I topped with moss to cover the cup and paper towels and added a little bit of linen ribbon to dress it up.  The mercury glass containers are adorable, I love them and snagged them for cheap at a Pottery Barn sale.

I am looking forward to different seasons where I can change them up a little bit with a different ribbon or container (especially Christmas).

Linking up to:

Show and tell at Blue Cricket Design
Make it Yours at My Backyard Eden
Get Your Craft On Thursday at Life as Lori
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Copycat Pottery Barn Number Pillow Covers

This was a challenging craft for me for the simple fact that it involved my sewing machine.  In the past her and I have had issues, meaning we haven't exactly seen eye to eye.  I think she hates me but I brought her out anyway and I begged her tried to make peace with her.  Apparently shes feeling a little neglected so I sucked it up and promised to bring her out more often.  I think it worked because I had a lot of fun with her and hope to bring her out again soon.   So back to my project, I really liked the look of the Pottery Barn number pillow covers but really didn't want to shell out $99 for them so off I went to try and recreate them.  Mine do not have the definition on the back which I do think is really cute but since I saved over $80 I think I can live without them.

Warning: Long post of instructions so if you just want the "after", scroll to the bottom.

The inspiration:

(Pottery Barn)                                                                                                    (Pottery Barn)

(Pottery Barn)

Tools:

1. Approx 2 1/2 yds of fabric (I used cotton/linen) for four 18" pillows

2.  Fray Check

3.  Black Fabric Paint

4.  Freezer Paper (MUST be freezer paper, smooth on one side, waxy on the other... DO NOT use wax paper)

5.  Sewing Machine (although this is optional since many of you make pillow no-sew pillow covers)

6.  Iron

Step 1:   Cut the fabric

 I cut the fabric to approx 21 inches square and applied fray check to the edges so they wouldn't...well....fray.  I let them dry according to the directions on the bottle.  You'll  want to wash the fabric after this has dried  to allow for shrinking.

Step 2:  Making the stencil

I first printed out the number using font 'Engravers MT' in Microsoft word.  I printed it using font size 750 (as large as I could get it printed on 8 1/2 x 11 paper).  Next I took that print out and scanned it on my printer and allowed it to fill the page.  The number ended up being 9 1/4" tall and 7 1/4" wide.  You could also take your printout to a copy machine or printing company and have them enlarge the numbers for you.  After I printed out my large numbers, I taped the page down to the smooth side of a piece of freezer paper and cut out just the number.  You can then remove the printer paper from the freezer paper.  Keep the freezer paper, toss the printout.

Step 3:  Mark, Pin and Sew Pillow Covers

You can skip this step if you already know how to make your own pillow cover...no sew or otherwise. I laid two fabric pieces together wrong sides out and measured in 1 inch from each side and traced a straight line all around making my sewing line 19 inches square.  I used a pencil since it's the inside of the pillow. Those of you that sew are probably cringing right now that I used a pencil.  It's not like it was a sharpie or anything.  I then pinned the two layers together and sewed three sides of the pillow cover closed, leaving one side open, because...duh you have to get a pillow in somehow.  I say this because I was flying along with my first pillow and realized I had sewn 1/4 of the 4th side shut! 

.

Step 4:  Iron on the Stencil

I first ironed the fabric (use the correct setting for whatever fabric you are using), then I laid a square sheet of freezer paper approx the size or larger than the stencil itself waxy side up between the fabric layers then center the stencil on the top layer of the fabric waxy side down.  Iron over the stencil until it is nicely adhered to your fabric (cool huh???).  I loved this part!  The freezer paper in between the fabric layers isn't entirely needed, but it does come in handy when you paint the fabric as it keeps the paint from bleeding onto the other side of the fabric.  Really it's just an added layer of security.

Step 5:  Painting

For the painting, I used black fabric paint diluted just a little bit with water to make the black...well...a little less black.  I used a sponge paint brush to apply.  I also slipped a piece of cardboard in between the layers of fabric to make it a bit sturdier to paint on and to be sure my paint wouldn't bleed anywhere even though I had the freezer paper in place. 

UGGGHHH...and no matter how good I try to be with the paint, my stupid finger had a little bit on it and I touched the number 3 pillow.  Darn finger.

Step 6:  Add pillow form and sew shut

I used my four couch pillows that I already had to fill my covers.  Once inside I just pinned the opening closed and ran it along the machine.  It won't be super easy to rip the stitches when I want to change them, but quite honestly I do not have the time nor the patience to hand stitch these closed.  It's definitely not perfect, but it was fast  :)

Voila!  4 new pillows for only a few dollars each!

I am linking up to:

The DIY Showoff - Show and Tell Week

Funky Junk Interiors - Sat Nite Special

Cottage Instincts - Make it for Monday

Between Naps on the Porch - 53rd Metamorphosis Monday

The Persimmon Perch - Made it Monday

Twice Remembered Cottage - Make Your Monday

Blue Cricket Design - Show and Tell

The Thrifty Home - Penny Pinching Party

The Shabby Chic Cottage-Transformation Thursday

Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday

Little White Vase Makeover

I know it's still winter and all, but I just cannot get into anymore winter decorating so along with my Christmas decorations went the winter things too!  Spring is slowly blooming in this house.  I had a little fun with a pretty paint color (Krylon - blue ocean breeze) and a plain white vase.  I looove orange flowers too and I'm really liking these two colors together.  I don't know yet though if it'll go behind my sink beside the wire cage or up on the mantel.  Neither is really 100% decorated right now just sort of thrown together so I'm sure I'll be changing it 6457   a few times before spring even hits.  Not even sure if it's a good idea to spray paint in 20 degree weather, but I did it and it worked out fine but definitely wouldn't recommend for any large pieces.

BEFORE:

AFTER (behind my kitchen sink):

AFTER (on my mantel):

Hopefully whereever they end up they'll bring cheer, I think they're just so happy looking.

Linking to:

Monday

Metamorphosis Monday at BNOTP

Made it Monday - The Persimmon Perch

Wednesday

Blue Cricket Design - Show and Tell

16th Penny Pinching Party - The Thrifty Home

DIY Show and Tell Week - The DIY Showoff

Desk challenge completed (a.k.a memo board)

I finally completed the memo board!  I have to say it's definitely growing on me.  I wasn't certain about it when it first went up because I think it's too poofy...like a headboard.  The outlets came through fine too.  You can still see things plugged in but unless I have it completely rewired that is just the way it is.  I think this is definitely an improvement.  Look!  More paperwhites!  You should all see when I start to pull out the Tulips!  I'm crazy for Tulips!

Desk Before:

And the desk after (Please ignore the cubbies....that still needs to be dealt with)

I am linking to:

Metamorphosis Monday at BNOTP

and

Make it for Monday at Cottage Instincts

DIY Paperwhite arrangement...and a little Brie on the side

I have had these paperwhites for a few years now and have been meaning to do something with them.  While we were organizing and purging our basement I came across some black rocks, a shallow bowl/vase and a bottle of wonder water.  I've used wonder water before and really like it.  I needed a new arrangement for our new coffee table and I thought these would work out great since it's almost spring.  What??  I know, "almost" is a stretch isn't it.  It's actually pretty easy to put together one of these displays, it's hard to believe that they sell for so much at some places.

I ended up using one and a half bottles of wonder water

I followed the directions and heated up a pan of water to 130 degrees and laid both bottles into the pan for approx 20-30 minutes or so until it was liquified.

Once it was liquified, I poured them over the rocks in my vase/bowl.  I also placed the bowl into a dish of warm water.  This is also in the directions, it helps to get rid of air bubbles in the liquid.  I let it sit for 30 min (according to the directions on the wonder water).  Once it had set for 30 min I placed the paperwhites where I wanted them and used scotch tape as a grid to hold them in place.  I saw this once on The Barefoot Contessa show on Food Network.  Ina has that great friend who owns a flower shop, you know what I'm talking about?  Right, so anyway it worked out very well although I had a little fight with the tape (no worries...I won) so it looks a little less than desirable.

Unfortunately the flowers are a little heavy and due to the shallow nature of the bowl, the tape just didn't seem strong enough to me so I also added a string to hold them together.

The directions say that it should harden in a few hours but I left mine set overnight.  I removed the tape and voila...a nice little arrangement.  I noticed that one stem is leaning a little bit, but the great thing about wonder water is that you just heat it up and you can re set them!

 

 

Now....just to show you how easy it is..I will have you know that I also made this while creating the arragement.  Sinful, but oh so good for dinner with some wine.  Dried Cherries, Pecans & Rosemary Brie En Croute.  I'll share the recipe below.

Dried Cherries, Pecans & Rosemary Brie en Croute

Ingredients

1/2 of a 17.3 ounce package Puff Pastry (1 Sheet)
1 Egg
1 TBS water
1/3 cup dried cherries, softened*
1/4 cup chopped toasted pecans
1/4 cup honey
1/2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary or 1/8 tsp dried rosemary leaves crushed
1 13.2 oz Brie cheese round

Directions

Thaw the pastry sheet at room temperature for 40 minutes or until it's easy to handle.  Heat the oven to 400 degrees F.  Beat the egg and water in a small bowl with a fork.

Unfold the pastry sheet on a lightly floured surface.  Roll the pastry sheet into a 14-inch square.  Stir the cherries, pecans, honey and rosemary in a small bowl.  Spread the cherry mixture into the center of the pastry square.   Slice the rind off of one whole side of the Brie (this will be the top).  Put the cut side of the brie down on top of the cherry mixture.  Brush the edges of the pastry with the egg mixture.  Fold two opposite sides of the pastry over the cheese.  Trim the remaining two sides of the square to 2 inches form the edge of the cheese and press the edges to seal.  Place the pastry wrapped cheese seam side down onto a baking sheet.  Brush the pastry with the egg mixure.

You can decorate the top with the scraps of pastry or additional rosemary if desired.  Brush with egg mixture.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry is deep golden brown.  Let stand for 45 minutes-1 hour.  Serve with crackers or bread.

*To soften cherries, mix the cherries and 1/2 cup hot water in a small bowl.  Let stand for 1 minute.  Drain and pat the cherries dry.