Halloween kicks off the maker/crafter/seamstress time of the year, and I don't mind admitting it is my favorite holiday of the year. Here are the projects I have planned:
I'll be sure to link the projects as I get them finished -- help me stay accountable, will you? xxx Anna
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![]() I'm so excited to be setting up a new home office and studio upstairs. I've been collecting ideas on my Pinterest boards for quite some time, and here are the critical elements I have been considering: color, whimsy, order, inspiration, comfort, and multifunctional. Please feel free to send me your ideas and suggestions! ![]() Have you met Charlotte? She's got a fabulous blog at www.handmadecharlotte.com, full of DIY, décor, and toddler ideas. Here are some of my favorite posts from her site: Thought I might share my favorite household products made from scratch. These all link to my Pinterest board, "Frugality." Note: These are the only pins I have personally tested AND recommend.
Steam cleaner solution and all-around great cleaner Laundry stain remover Liquid fabric softener Teeth whitener I'm not the first person ever to do this, so while my post is a tutorial, I'm sure you can find lots of other tutorials on the web! Now all I have to do is get two strong guys to help me hang it! Supplies: Old bulletin board Acrylic craft paint and brush Fabric Iron or steamer (optional) Stapler and staples Exacto Ribbon (I used burlap ribbon found here) Thumbtackes How I Slogged Through It: First, I painted the trim. The acrylic paint allows the wood grain to show through, which made it look like a bright cherry stain. Use another kind of paint if you don't want the wood grain to show through. I used only one coat and it looked exactly as I wanted it. Don't worry if the paint gets on the cork; you want to make sure the inside of the trim is painted also, and the fabric will cover the paint on the cork. Next, I stapled the fabric to the cork, getting as close to the edge as possible. Again, don't worry about being perfect -- you will be covering it with ribbon. Once stapled taut, I cut the excess fabric with an exacto knife. ![]() Finally, I tacked down my ribbon with the thumbtacks. Was able to make my own birdseed today using the languishing ingredients from my pantry: raisins, stale cheerios, pecans, flax seed, rolled oats, bulghur wheat, wheat germ, and leftover crackers.
If unintentional plant-slaughter was a crime, I'd be locked away for a long time. I've tried over the years to master houseplants, herbs, flowers -- you name it. But all have died a swift death at my hands. Consequently, I have a collection of old planters and flowerpots that I avoid looking at in the garage lest I feel a pang of guilt. I decided to repurpose them with fake plants. Yes, fake plants have come a long way, and these that I bought at Joanne's look very lifelike. Guilt gone, more room in the garage. Supplies:
Old flowerpot Paintbrush Paint Floral foam Fake moss Fake plants How I Slogged Through It: This was really simple. I painted the outside of the pot and let dry. I put floral foam in the bottom, plugged in the fake plants, and covered the foam with fake moss. ![]() Excited to read Neil Gaiman's new book, The Ocean at the End of the Lane. I love all of his work, and especially recommend Anansi Boys, The Graveyard Book, and American Gods. ![]() My neighbor Robert is going to build a treehouse for Zoe this fall. I'm collecting ideas on my Pinterest board and would love your ideas also. I want it to be something that will grow with her, a getaway she can still use in high school if she wants. ![]() Speaking of her treehouse, wouldn't this be a great lighting idea? And a great way to use up all those fabric scraps. I look forward to making these mini fabric lamps. ![]() How quickly the kitchen pantry gets crazy looking! I had duplicates, and in some cases, triplicates of items. Time for a pantry do-over. ![]() I've been slowly working my way through renewing furniture in my house -- see related post here about candidates for renewal. ![]() BEFORE: This is a great little dresser, but the color was a little too primary for my taste, and there were missing and mismatched hardware. AFTER: I painted it a butter yellow and added new hardware. ![]() Close-up on the knobs that I found at World Market. ![]() And a close-up on the new brushed nickel pulls I found on Amazon. This was the hardest part -- the size was an irregular 2 1/2 instead of standard 3 inches. I am admiring these placemats and napkins from Home and Garden Art and these coffee mugs from Target. I stumbled across this post about 24 Free Splash Pads in Austin from the fabulous Free Fun in Austin website. (http://www.freefuninaustin.com) I think we'll take Zoe to the one at the Triangle and enjoy the farmer's market as well. ![]() After staying the night in a hotel last week (what a luxury for a new mom) I'm thinking that blackout curtains will help Zoe get to bed at a reasonable hour this summer. ![]() I'm wondering if Austin artist Lisa Marie Concannon from luluxo will accept a commission to upcycle our tshirts and baby clothes into one of her amazing creations? ![]() I've started our diving/family packing list which you're welcome to download and personalize. |
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