4th of July Rag Wreath

This is a super EASY project! It does take a little time to complete, but the results are worth it!  I happened across this burlap rag wreath video, and thought ohhhhh new obsession! 

Disclaimer, I didn't set out to make another 4th of July wreath, I thought I would make the burlap wreath, but when I got to Hancock Fabric and was searching through the clearance rack.... Well, you can take it from there, LOL.  On another side note, I also went to Phoenix Fabric that weekend and rummaged through their scrap bins and picked up a 4th of July print.

All in, this cost almost $11.00 to make, which includes tax. Don't forget you can download apps on your smart phones for Michael's and Hobby Lobby coupons. I picked up the wire wreath form for 40% off, it only cost me $1.79.

Now, that that is out of the way.


Supply list:

Fabric ( I am guestimating but I got about 1-1.5 yards of each fabric)
Wire Wreath Form (Medium)
Sharp Scissors
Yard stick or measuring tape

I love fabric, but I do not know the difference in them, so I can't tell you if it's poplin, cotton blend, rayon etc... What I can tell you is, the white fabric was a little stretchy, the red with the white stars is shinny and not easy to cut, it is very clingy, the stars and stripes is stiff, and the blue with small white stars is; I think, plan ol' cotton fabric.

*The stars and stripes is printed and the red with white stars fabric is printed on both sides. This is something I suggest you find. If all the fabric is only printed on one side, I personally don't think it would have turned out so well.

My circle fabric cutter you see in the above photo didn't work well cutting. You don't need one!

The most time consuming part is cutting the fabric. I cut long 1 inch strips and then cut those down to 9 inch strips. (For all my fellow OCDer's it does not have to be perfectly 1 inch by 9 inch strips. As my eyes were crossing from all the cutting, some are more narrow others are wider!

 

After all the strips were cut, the fun begins. It  didn't take long to tie them on the wire form maybe 1.5 hours.

 

I started at the inner most circle and worked around. I made an assembly line and I went from one fabric to the next.

 

 

When I was ready to start the second row I pushed the first row of fabric toward the center of the wreath form to give myself working room.

 

 

When I finished the 2nd row, I was almost out of white fabric, so I stopped there. I though about going back for more fabric, but the wreath is full and looks great!!!  I'm super happy how it turned out. My next rag wreath will be a Gamecocks wreath.

 

 

 

I thought about adding some ribbon or an initial... Would love to hear what you would do!

 

Halloween Wreath for Grandma Fread :)

I know I have been MIA from my site, but it is not without warrant. I do currently have several unfinished projects going on ;}  My Hubby's family will be coming for Thanksgiving this year (they live in Missouri and Kansas) which means big projects around the house!  Poor, poor Hubs!

Now that you know that useless bit of information... I got a text from my Aunt asking me to make a Halloween wreath for my grandparents they're 91!!! 

You know most of my projects I do on the cheap, but it's my g'parents and I want to do it up right! I get my handy dandy smart phone, hit up Michael's and Hobby Lobby with my in store coupons, and still come out pretty good.

I hit there Halloween decor and starting picking up stuff at random with no real thought about how it would end up.

I did make sure I had the black, purple, orange and green deco mesh, black ribbon and a circle foam.

I covered the circle foam in the black ribbon, took the deco mesh (I use floral pins and hot glue to hold in place) and worked my way round the circle. Once this was completed it's just a matter of putting everything in place.

I took my larger items the WELCOME sign, owl, witches hat, BOO!, large spider, large pumpkin and the squiggles (for lack of a better word) and placed them around. I always go back and forth, moving, adjusting, and arranging everything. I also like to let it hang up on the door so I can see how it will lay.

 

 

 

Once I have the bigger items like I want them, I hot glue and pin them in place. After this I place the small green and black spiders around, green, purple, and black glass balls, small squiggles, etc.

This project at most took an hour, more like 35-45 minutes.

Let me know your thought!! I would love to see your projects too.

Happy Halloween!
Mel :D

From Staples Box to Storage Bin

I have spent the past few months organizing my craft room, with a lack of funds it's a bit of an adventure putting it together. I'm not finish, but you can read the post and see the before photos here.

While surfing Pinterest I came across a storage bin I deemed adorable! See it here at Millay's in Texas. Here's my version :)

I had this fabric I bought at Phoenix Fabrics for $3.00. I knew I wanted to do something with it, but wasn't sure what exactly! When I came across the storage bin on Millay's in Texas, the clouds parted and the angle's sang. (Ok, only in my mind!)

I used an old satin chocolate curtain I had to make the flowers.

Good-By Terra Cotta,Hello Color!

This is a quick and very easy way to update your terra cotta pots.  I found the small pots at Dollar General a couple of years ago at 90% off!!! I paid .50 cents each of these pots. End of summer clearance!!! I had 4 cans of spray paint on hand purple, sage, yellow and white.

take off the stickers and wipe down the pots with a damp rag. Let them dry and the spay paint.

 

DYI Wall Art

I saw this on Pinterest and followed it back to I Am Mama ~ Hear Me Roar. Cheri has many great things on her site so be sure to check her out!

As soon as I read the quote I knew it was for me and my boy.  I had to have it and would spend hours if necessary recreating!  As I was reading thru I Am Mama, Hear Me Roar my life became a little easier! Cheri created a file and sells it for $3.50!  You can buy it here. I am really good on a computer and knew I could make it, but for $3.50 it was worth me not having too!!!

The piece is large 2x3 and very easy to do.



Supply List:

• Canvas Frame
• DYI Modge Podge
• Foam Brush
• Engineer Print from Staples

Start by purchasing the above mentioned file. It will make your like easier. The file will be emailed to you. Download to a jumpdrive, Cloud or to your PC. You can load the file online directly to Staples or take it to them to print. I took it to them.  You need to print the Engineer Blue Print it is only $2.99.

I upcycled a piece of "art" on my wall. I use the term art very lightly. I bought the piece because of it's size, it was only $2.50, and the green matched the green on my wall.... 

see the photo below!

yes, this was actually on my wall!!!

I didn't take a lot of photos of the process it's pretty basic.  I painted the edges of the canvas black. I then applied my DYI Modge Pogde to the canvas, and gently laid the quote on top. The paper is thin be careful it will tear. After I had the quote where I wanted it I used the foam brush and applied my DYI Modge Pogde on top of the quote. I rubbed it hard in different places to take away some of the black and around the edged to give it a worn look.  I think it turned out pretty great and I love seeing it hang in my living room! 

Next time I would:

The print comes back with a white border I would use a Shaprie and get rid of the border. Get my hubby to help, a second pair of hand would have come in handy while trying to lay it out.

Faux Roman Shades

In case you don't know I can't sew.... I'm terrible at it, so this project required NO needle and thread!!! 

Before

After

The in between!

Let me reiterate I do not sew and it's not because I don't want too. I would love to quilt, sew curtains and drapes, but that gene skipped a generation. I even have a sewing machine collecting dust!!

So, I figured my away around it for this project and it involved glue!

Supply List:

• Tape measure
• Hot glue gun
• Tacky glue
• Iron
• Pencil
• Fabric
• 3 tension rods

Let me say, this is the first time I attempted this and it will NOT be the last! I'm just ubber excited it turned out as well as it did!

Let's get started!

Measure your window you don't want to go smaller than that. My window happens to be 31x36, cut your fabric bigger than the window. I cut mine 33x48 no particular reason it just worked out that way.

Plug in the iron and fold the sides over.

Helpful tip: If your fabric has a pattern or top and bottom, make sure you cut it the correct way.  I actually wrote the word bottom on the fabric in pencil :)

On the left and right side I folded over 1" and then ironed it down

On the top I folded over 2" and the bottom 2" so my curtain ended up being 31x44. It looked like this.



Take your Tacky Glue and glue the sides and bottom. You don't need a ton of glue and depending on the fabric it might bleed thru, so be careful.

For the top where the rod is going to be I used hot glue. I figure this is going to be a little stronger than Tacky Glue.

After this I ran the tension rod thru the top and took it to the window. Place your next tension rod over the fabric and then bring it up and over. Repeat with the 3rd tension rod.

I would love to know what you think or if you tried and what tips you could offer me!  I have 2 windows in my basement to do next!



Turning Placemats into Throw Pillows

 

A friend of mine turned me onto this gem!  A cheaper way to change out seasonal pillows or add a pop of color around the house.



Supply List



Supply List

• Placemats with backing
• Poly-Fill
• Hot glue gun
• Scissors

I got a gift card for Kohl's at Christmas, yes it is the first of March and I still have a gift card!

 I found these CLEARANCE Valentine's Day Placemats at Kohl's. They were $2.09 each not to bad.

 The key is to find place mats that have a backing

 Hit your favorite craft store for Poly-Fill. I like Hobby Lobby they have better prices and I think a better quality items than Michaels. I go to both to use the 40% off coupon they are less than 1/2 mile apart!.

Carefully cut the seam stitching 2 to 3 inches

Insert Poly-Fill. I didn't take a photo of this step, but I'm sure you can figure it out! :)

Because sewing is my Kryptonite I hot glue the seam back together easy-peasy!

Enjoy! Mel :D

All About Fabric!

Our little town of Williamston has an incredible fabric store.  Here's the kicker it is only open to the public the first weekend of the month! Can you say BUSY!!!!

All About Fabric is located in an old cotton mill that closed about 4 or 5 years ago. Last year this company came in reopened the old cotton mill to the public... I don't know a lot about this particular cotton mill except most everyone in town worked there or a member of the family did, my mama and aunt included!!!

Anywho, I picked up these 3 great pieces of fabric today for 3 different project.... My poor, poor, hubby dinner might be grab-n-growl one night:)

going on a piece of furniture

kitchen curtain

craft room

I got all 3 pieces for $20!  Can't wait to get started :)

Make Your Own Note Pad Using Scratch Paper.

This little project, is quick, easy and cheapola!!!! my fav:)

Use printed paper you don't need. You know those coupons you printed and let expire, or the song list you created and never did anything with. That used (key word here) 8 1/2 x11 paper for your printer and copier... scratch paper:)

Supply List:

• Used copy paper
• Elmer's Glue
• Foam Brush
• Bricks or something heavy

Cut the paper in 1/2 and then in 1/2 again and stack printed side down. Once you have a stack hit is on the table a few times so all the edges come together.

Place on a flat surface and stack bricks or heavy object on top. As close to the edge as possible.

Take your Elmer's Glue and apply to the face of the stack of paper, using your foam brush spread, then repeat.

 Let dry over night.



OrGanIziNG tHE CraFT ROOm

I love my house! I'm a Realtor and found this little (3200 sq ft) gem when the market tanked. Foreclosures were not yet prevalent, and this one just happened to be one. I knew the area and knew I could fix her up and make her a happy home for my family....

Yes, this did happen in our house!!!

Can we say Money Pit! You remember that 1980's movie with Tom Hanks and Shelly Long! Well, she's not that bad, and not terrible just a lot of updating. She's a 1969 brick ranch with a full basement. Just FYI, if your not from this area, homes with a basement are not typical.  (So, score one for the home team! :)  Anyway, we've been here for almost 3 years and have been working on the house and making it our own.

The basement is over 1600 sq feet, the heat doesn't work and we are not yet ready to install a new unit. However, we throw a good who-da (mama and I made up this word for party) in our basement in the spring, summer and fall months.... why am I telling you all this and do you really care???  Because in the basement we have a room that is 14x15 with built in shelves.  When I first laid on our house I knew what I wanted this room to be.  I knew it would make the perfect craft room...  Well, that didn't happen!!!! For the first year it was a junk room, then a year as a toy room, then six months or so as a movie room, and the last 3 months a bedroom. 

HELLO!!! What happened to my craft room!!! I finally got it yesterday! WOOT-WOOT!!!! Now, I've got to organize it!  And in case you don't know organizing is a therapy for me :-) as long as I'm working by myself or telling someone (hubby ;-)) what to do and where to put it, LOL!

So, here I am on Sunday afternoon at 4:30 looking at this room and wondering where to start!!!

SEE BELOW

{SIGH}

AND ANOTHER.... {SIGH}

I'll post new photos when I've got 'er done!