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Vintage Art
Posted On 03-11-2010 , 11:20 PM
I am such a huge fan of anything vintage, and that most definitely includes vintage art. I have some great prints in my laundry room and kids bathroom. I'm hoping to snag a few more soon for my kitchen. I found a fabulous source for vintage artwork from one of my favorite online discount stores, Brylane Home. They have so much stuff in every category you can think of. They also offer most prints in different sizes, so you can get a huge print or just a few small cute one's.
You can click on the link below to see all the prints they offer. You can also click on the images below which will take you to the direct shopping page for that image. I had a lot of fun looking through page after page and hope you do too.
Click here to see all vintage art.
Below are some of my favorites--it won't take you long to see that the vintage childrens category is another favorite of mine.
I love the old "Good Housekeeping" magazine covers.
Are you a fan yet?!
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Budget Nursery Canopy
Posted On 03-10-2010 , 11:22 PM
Do any of you feel like you are working on 20 diffferent projects at the same time? That is how I feel today. So many things are in the works, but nothing is quite finished. I was hoping to have 2 separate projects done to show you today, but I ran out of my Mod Podge and fell short by a few inches on the amount of ribbon I need for something else. After already spending a few hours at the fabric store in the morning, I am exhausted and decided to wait till tomorrow.
So I will share some pictures from my sister-in-law's nursery. She made a cute and inexpensive little canopy for her daughter's crib.
She tied a ribbon around the center of the tulle and then looped another ribbon through it to attach to the celing.
She finished it off with a cute bow.
That's it! So easy right?! Tulle is also very cheap so you can get lots of yardage for very little money.
I will post one of my many projects for you guys tomorrow.
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Thrifty White Vases
Posted On 03-09-2010 , 11:38 PM
In keeping with my $10.00 budget for projects this month, I am finding ways to use stuff I already have. So far I have not spent a dime! I am very proud of myself for this. So here is my latest project.
I love the look of white vases. I often see them in my favorite catalogs such as West Elm and Ballard Designs.
Here are a few pics of the white ceramic vase collection from West Elm.
This collection of vases is priced from $9.00-$89.00. I thought I could achieve a similar look for a lot less.
Now I could have spent a little money and bought inexpensive vases with some better shape, but I opted for the FREE version using random containers sitting in my cupboard. This is what I found.
This is a Target clearance find I got for $2.00. It's been sitting in my cupboard for over a year and I have only used it once.
I forgot to take a before picture of this sparkling grape juice bottle, so I snagged this shot while I was grocery shopping and then put it back on the shelf. I peeled off what I could of the label, soaked it in hot water, and then peeled the rest off.
I wanted a set of three, so this was my last resort item. My son got this in his stocking for Christmas and really wanted to save it. I thought it would make for an interesting set.
A couple coats of white spray paint (which I already had) and voila:
I'm not sure I totally love the small one. Maybe it's because I knew what it was before. But not bad for FREE! Much better than $89.00 I would say. They are just sitting on my bookshelf here, but I plan on finding a better spot for them in the living room once I repaint the walls.
Here they are on my shelf--before I had the last one done.
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Garage Project
Posted On 03-08-2010 , 11:21 PM
It has been a very busy weekend and Monday for my husband and I. We decided to take on a garage project. My husband actually did most of it, but I helped where I could. I have desperately been needing a work space for all the projects and building I do for my Jewelry Art business. We also needed to figure out a better storage system for all the stuff that just gets thrown in the garage. So we came up with a table that would serve as a good working space with lots of storage underneath. We finished the building today and now I get to beautify it a little. I'm going to paint the top and attach a skirt around the entire thing to conceal the storage.
This was actually a pretty simple project. We just built a basic frame using 2 x 4 pieces of wood. We attached the legs with srews and then added some additional support beams on the top, middle, and back of the table.
We used a half inch piece of plywood for the top and attached with screws.
Now that i know my husband can build basic furniture, I am dreaming of all the cool things he
could build for me. I don't think he's as thrilled about that as I am.
I wil post the fiinal pictures after I put the finishing touches on it.
I am just SO HAPPY to have this workspace. I get to say goodbye to the kitchen counter and the floor!
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Goodbye Daily Steal
Posted On 03-08-2010 , 12:12 AM
The Daily Steal page has officially gone away, but don't worry--it's under construction and will be replaced by a new feature that is more fabulous than ever. I am so excited about the changes and I know you're going to LOVE it. I will still be posting a bunch of new items this week on my favorite things.
I am set to launch the new page (a complete clearance center!) on March 22--two weeks from today. Wahoo! I will keep posting updates as it gets closer.
I can't do a post and not give you any pictures or ideas, so here is a totally FREE idea for corralling those wet boots and shoes. We've had a lot of snow here and this has been a great fix for my kid's boots.
Use a cooling rack and set it on top of a cookie sheet. You'll have an instant drip tray which will keep your floor clean and dry.
Hope you guys have a wonderful week and get inspired by this week's tips. Thanks so much for stopping by.
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Last Week's Budget Tips 3/1-3/5: No-Sew Projects
Posted On 03-07-2010 , 6:40 PM
Here is the recap. I had a lot of fun with these projects and hope you did too.
Image via BHG
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Image via BHG
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No-Sew Bedskirt
Use patterned towels to create a fun and easy bedskirt. Simply take off the mattress and place towels on op of the box spring. In this picture, a layered look is created by mixing both bath and hand sized towels. Give the edges a finished look by attaching bobble trim using fabric glue. Trims are very cheap and there are so many fun options to choose from at any fabric store. It's a great way to customize something to fit your style and personality. |
Image via Martha Stewart
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No-Sew Basket Liner
Add some style and color to any storage basket using oilcloth fabric. Oilcloth is durable, easy to clean, and requires no hemming! Just overlap two pieces crosswise inside the basket leaving a few inches of overhang. Then hole punch each corner and secure together with some ribbon. That's all it takes to create a stylish basket liner. You can find oilcloth at most fabric stores in a variety of patterns and colors. This project is so easy, cheap, and fun. You can also use any other kind of fabric, but you will need to hem the edges first. Keep it a no-sew project by using iron-on hem tape.
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No-Sew Tissue Box Cover
 Disguise all those tissue boxes floating around your house with an easy, no-sew box cover that will complement your decor. All you need is a 15 x 15 inch piece of fabric and some fabric glue. It easily slips on and off when it's time to replace the box. Click the link below for detailed instructions. Simple, easy, and cheap!
Click here for the complete tissue box cover tutorial.
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Image via Martha Stewart
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No-Sew Embroidery
You don't need to be a professional seamstress to get the look of embroidery on linens. All you need is a few supplies and a little time. Here is what you'll need: cording, fabric glue, marker, disappearing ink pen, and graph paper. Fabric stores have lots of cording options to choose from. Using graph paper will help you get a straight pattern. To start, draw your design on graph paper using a dark marker. Put the graph paper underneath the fabric and trace the design onto it using a disappearing ink pen. Go over the traced lines with fabric glue and carefully arrange cording. It is best to work in small sections when placing the cording on. You will also want to use a clear fabric glue, such as Fabri-Tac. Make sure to treat all cut ends of the cording with fabric glue to prevent fraying.
This technique works great on most linens. Try it on bedskirts, pillows, drapes, and more. Create a monogram, or just a simple design as shown on the bedskirt. It's an inexpensive way to add a custom, personalized look to any piece--without using a needle and thread.
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 No-Sew Pillow Cover
Why buy a pre-made pillow cover when you can make one for a fraction of the cost? With a little fabric and some iron-on hem tape, you can easily make your own cover. The best part: it's even removable! Pillows are such a fun, budget-friendly way to change up your decor throughout the year. Make a few different covers using this tutorial and change them out every few months with the seasons--or just whenever you want something new. You can find affordable pillow inserts at most fabric stores, or just make a cover for the pillows you've already got to save more money.
Click here for the complete no-sew pillow cover tutorial.
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No-Sew Pillow Cover Tutorial
Posted On 03-04-2010 , 10:58 PM
Pillows are so easy to make with or without a sewing machine. Here is a tutorial for a no-sew pillow cover. I used some extra fabric from my closet and a pillow insert I already had that has been screaming for a new cover. All you need is fabric and iron-on hem tape to make this. The best part about these is that the cover is removable--so it's super easy to throw in the wash when needed (a MUST for my house)!
My pillow form was 18" so I measured my fabric 19". You'll want to measure the fabric at least an inch or two bigger than the pillow, depending on the width of the hem tape, and how fluffy you want your pillow.
To make it removable, I measured one 19 x 19 inch square and two 19 x 14 inch pieces as shown below.
The smaller pieces will be create an overlapping flap in the back.
Take both smaller pieces and iron a seam on one end.
Cut a piece of your hem tape to size and place inside the seam you just created.
Iron over the seam, holding for about 3 seconds in each spot to make sure the tape sticks well to the fabric.
Take the larger square and place it right side up. Place one of the small pieces facing down on top.
Do the same with the other piece. Those two pieces will overlap on the back and it should
look like the picture below when you are done.
Measure the hem tape and iron it on around all 4 sides of the pillow, holding the iron
in each place for about 3 seconds as before.
Let the pillow cool for about one minute just to make sure the tape is set and will not come loose.
Turn the cover right side out and stuff in your pillow. The back will look like this:
Here is the finished product.
A few different shots on my bed. Not sure if I'll use this in the living room or bedroom.
I also made the zebra stripe pillows (with a sewing machine and batting) using the leftover fabric
from the bench I reupholstered in front of the bed. I'll save those pics for the master bedroom reveal.
I'm getting there slowly, but surely.
These pillow covers are just as simple to make with a sewing machine. If you don't have one, or don't
think you're sewing savvy enough, then try these out with the hem tape. It's so easy and
SO MUCH CHEAPER than buying a pre-made cover.
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No-Sew Tissue Box Cover Tutorial
Posted On 03-02-2010 , 11:07 PM
This is a pretty simple and quick project to make those tissue boxes floating around your house fit into your decor.
You will need a 15 x 15 inch piece of fabric. I used a 14 x 14 inch for this one and it turned out a little too small.
Lay out your square and flip it the so the side you want showing is facing down.
Center the tissue box on the fabric and draw a square around it. I just used a regular pen to do this.
Using a ruler, draw a line from each corner of the box outline to the corner of the fabric making an X.
Cut along the lines of the X and stop at the corners of the traced square.
Cut a 3 inch opening in the center of the traced square using a fabric cutter.
Using a ruler, extend the lines of the square all the way to the edge of the fabric.
This will create 4 triangles that you will cut out.
This is what it should look like after cutting.
Turn your piece over and place on top of the tissue box.
Now you need to assemble the cover just like you're wrapping a present.
It is your choice whether youwant the two triangle flaps on the outside, or inside.
Play with the fabric a little and use pins to keep everything in place
until you have figured out how to secure both sides.
Use fabric glue to secure everything together. Make sure you don't glue the fabric to the box.
You want to be sure you can remove the cover when the tissues are gone. I chose to put
the smaller flaps underneath the larger flap. The fabric wasn't cooperating
and this worked better for me.
As I said before, my fabric piece was a bit too small, so I cut a 1 inch strip of fabric and wrapped it
around the bottom for a cleaner edge. This is also a good fix if your edges don't quite line up.
Use more fabric glue to attach, making sure once again that you glue it to the existing fabric and not the box.
The best fabric to use for this project is felt because the edges won't fray. I didn't have felt
so I used some scraps that I already had. My scrap of this fabric wasn't wide enough, so I
attached two pieces together using iron-on hem tape. This is why you might be noticing an extra
seam in my fabric.
So, yes, the edges are not hemmed and are frayed a little, but I don't mind.
It's not something that is being handled enough that I would worry about it fraying too much.
I think it looks lovely on my newly refurbished bookshelf.
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There are a lot of little steps involoved in the project, but it really is quite simple. This one took me
about a half hour to do, but now that I have figured a few things out along the way, I could easily do
the next one in half that time. Try this one out with leftover fabric scraps you already have. The cover
easily slips on and off when you need to replace the box.
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Finished Bookshelf
Posted On 03-02-2010 , 11:04 AM
I am finally done with my bookshelf. I think it turned out great and is a big improvement from what it was.
Again, here is the before:
And After:
After sanding, filling in holes, and sanding again, I gave it a couple coats of white paint. I used wallpaper for the backing and attached with double stick tape. I already had the paint and the wallpaper that I use for my Jewelry Art, so the total cost of this project was FREE.
My 4 year old insisted on letting him style the bookshelf. With a little assistance, I think we did OK.
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Pictures Are Coming!
Posted On 03-01-2010 , 10:10 PM
I know I promised pictures of the finished dresser, but I ran out of double stick tape and couldn't finish in time.
First thing on my agenda today is to get it done. I will post the pics before noon.
In the meantime check out today's no-sew project tip on the home page. There are some great projects and
tips coming up this week.
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