Pom Poms, Pillows, and Passing Things Down

I have been having so much fun putting together all of the small touches in Charlotte's nursery. My newest crush: Pom poms!  After using them on my Lamp redo I have been thinking of all other places I can add them!

So, pom pom trim for a pillow? Absolutely!!!

This pillow was extremely easy to make and only took about 15 minutes to finish. I have been holding on to this vintage floral mint green fabric for forever, just waiting for the perfect time to use it. It goes perfectly in Charlotte's nursery! I bought the pink pom pom trim at Hancocks on sale, and stuffed it with left over stuffing from other projects. This pillow cost me only $1.50 to make!

For a good tutorial on making your own pillow covers check out...
The Sweet Survival: Sew a Pillow with Piping
E Tells Tales: Big Bow Pillow Tutorial
Teal and Lime: Envelope Pillow Tutorial

I just love those little pom poms! Luke loves them too and calls them balls...he has tried his hardest to remove them already. Ha!

For right now this pillow's home is on this adorable little wooden chair, next to Charlotte's toy cradle and baby dolls. I love being able to pass things that were mine, onto my baby girl. The doll, teddy bear, and cradle were all mine as a little girl. I am still debating on wether or not I want to sand down and repaint the cradle and the chair...not too sure yet.

I actually have at least one, maybe two or three more projects where I can see myself adding more pom pom trim. :-) I'm telling you....totally in love with the pom poms!


Linking to: Not Just a Housewife

DIY No Sew Apron

Today I am going to share a super quick, easy peasy, and cheap tutorial for an everyday apron! Since I have started line drying our laundry, I have wanted an apron with a pocket to put the clothespins in. So the other night I grabbed up some scrap fabrics, and whipped one up in about 30 minutes.

Don't know how to sew? Don't have a sewing machine? Don't sweat it! I share both a sewing and a        No-Sew version! 

Step 1.) Gather your Materials...I used some left over fabric for the main fabric, a handkerchief for the pocket, and some old lace for the ties. For the ties you can use lace, bias tape, ribbon, etc. Don't have a handkerchief...use any piece of fabric you want. I went with this hankie because the edges were already finished. Use whatever you have on hand. No need to buy new fabric!

If you are making the No Sew version you will want to pick up a small roll of Heat-N-Bond Ultra. You can find it at Wal-Mart or any craft store for just a few dollars. 

Step 2.) Cut your main fabric to the size above (28" wide x16" long). You can honestly make this any size you want...want it longer, add a few inches...want it wider...no problem! Do what ever size works best for you. 

Serge or zig zag edges so they do not fray.

**If you are making the No Sew version: When "hemming" the edges with Heat-N-Bond you will want to hem the top edge 1" and the sides and bottom 1/2". This will save you a whole step later on.**

Step 3.) Pin and sew handkerchief onto main fabric.

No Sew Version: Use Heat-n-Bond to adhere the two edges of the handkerchief together since you are folding it in half, before adhering it to the main fabric.

Step 4.) Sew or Bond  1 1/2" of the top of the handkerchief to the main fabric. This will give the pocket a bit more stability.

Step 5.) Hem the top of the apron. Fold over 1", iron and sew in place.

**If using the No Sew method this step has already been completed back in step #1. Yea!

Step 6.) Line up the center of your lace to the center of your apron. Attach with either Heat-n-Bond or pin in place.

No Sew: Once you attach the lace with Heat-n-Bond you are done! Try it on and be proud!

Sewing: Continue to step 7...

Step 7.) Sew lace in place.

All done! See...simple...easy peasy...and cheap! Now fill it with some clothespins, or whatever else you want and look super cute while working!

Linking to Frugal Days Sustainable Ways and Raising Homemakers

Ring Bearer Bow Ties

Here is one more project that I have been working on lately...



Jack is going to be one of the three ring bearers in my sister's upcoming June wedding. S0 she asked me if I could make the bow ties for the boys. Like I have mentioned before, her colors are yellow and orange- LOVE IT! So we went to the store and picked out some adorable orange and yellow fabrics.




This bow tie is Jacks. He looks so adorable in it! The small bow is for his puppy dog. My sister and her fiance requested that instead of pillows with the rings on them, that each of the boys carry their favorite stuffed animal down the aisle.




Pup pup (as Jack calls him) is looking very handsome in his matching bow tie!




So I made an extra matching bow tie for each boy's favorite stuffed animal to wear. Too cute!

(this is Jack saying cheese while trying to smile...what a goober!!!)

Here is my little man all dressed up for that big day. Not only are the boys wearing these adorable bow ties but they also each have a different color suspenders!

If you want to make a bow tie for your own little man visit Prudent Baby's Blog and check out her bow tie tutorial that I used to make these bow ties.

I started out using the measurements that the tutorial calls for, but found the bow tie too big for my little guy. After adjusting it a bit I finally got it just right. I also used velco for the closure...it's what I had on hand :-)

Bridesmaids Clutches

A lot, a lot, A LOT has been going on at our house lately! With things only going to get busier rather than slower!

We found out about two weeks ago that we are going to be moving out of our apartment. We are very excited to move, but the whole packing and unpacking business...not so excited about! Especially since we will be moving 2 weeks before this baby is born!

So between packing, baby dr appointments which are now every two weeks (and will go to every week here shortly), taking care of a little one, keeping the house organized and livable while packing, and helping hubby with our normal ministry stuff, I have managed to find some time to sew...

believe it or not :-)

My sister asked me a little while back to help her with her bridesmaids gifts. She wanted to do something special and unique with a little handmade touch.

After I showed her this tutorial over at Noodlehead, she asked if I could help her make them. Being the wonderful sister I am... ;-)
I agreed.



We had so much fun picking out all of the different fabrics at the store together. All of the colors basically match the color scheme of her wedding= yellow & orange, with touches of purple and red (super colorful!!!) I love how they turned out!



I have been dying for an excuse to try the tutorial and this project definitely gave me tons of practice! All in all it took me two nights to put these little beauties together. Not too bad! I really thought it would take much longer! But the tutorial is very simple and easy to follow, plus she has step by step pictures that really help.



The inside even has two credit card pouches and a divider to keep all of your little odds and ends organized.



This one is mine! I love the yellow fabric! And the orange zipper that matches the accent fabric is so fun.



And this one is for the bride :-) I just couldn't leave her out of it!



This one is another one of my favorites...I love the yellow and blueish/purpleish (probably not words...hahaha) fabric combination!

It was actually hard deciding for myself which one I wanted...they are all so pretty! I am definitely going to have to make more for myself...they are pretty addicting!

...and if you are one of Erica's other bridesmaids and you see this post...just pretend you didn't, and that you have no clue what she is giving for presents :-)

A House is not a Home with out...Drapes!

There is just something about drapes that make a house feel so much more like a home! They can transform a room and bring warmth to any space.

So my big project for the last month has been making drapes for some one's house! It was such a fun and challenging project all at the same time.

Here are the rooms that got a new look...

(the pictures below are not the greatest...very difficult to photograph a window when the sun is setting! hahaha)

Living Room Drapes & Sheers...

These sheers are called "eye lash" curtains because they have this fringe that rolls up like an eye lash. (FYI...cutting into this fabric makes quite the mess! Do not vacuum your living room first and then cut out the fabric...hahaha)



Dining Room Drapes & Sheers...



You can kind of see in the picture below...that this cream fabric (looks yellow in the lighting below but it is cream I promise!) has a very subtle animal print to it...super cute!




Playroom Drapes & Sheers...




I loved loved loved this fabric! So fun and bright...and that lime green trim is awesome!






Kitchen Relaxed Roman Shades...

My biggest challenge by far was the kitchen! This was my very first attempt ever to make relaxed roman shades. They are exactly like roman shades minus the rods. This gives the curtains more of a balloon effect.



I am very very happy with they way they turned out! It is hard to see in the pictures but there is even some beautiful trim that hangs from the bottom.



These curtains even pull up and down...



I was so nervous when we were installing them! But I am so happy with they way they turned out!

Now on to the other ten projects that are cluttering up my sewing desk!

What have you been up to lately?

Maternity Jean Skirt Upcycle

Just because I have not been blogging much lately definitely doesn't mean I have not been sewing like crazy!

My biggest project that I have been working on sewing wise has been drapes I am making for some one. It has literally been consuming most of my sewing time. But I am officially finished!

A quick sneak peek....


I'll be sharing the rest of the pictures soon!

I have also been planning my little sister's wedding shower, which I am super excited to do! I will definitely be sharing pictures here of that as well!

I am in the process of making a new diaper bag for the boys. All of the pieces are cut out, it just needs to be assembled now. I have already made a matching wet bag (to hold dirty cloth diapers) and a smaller pouch to hold miscellaneous items.

In the spare time that I find between all of these projects, taking care of the house, and a 19 month old I have been doing a bit of sewing for myself.

My favorite project thus far....

my Maternity Jean Skirt made out of an old pair of jeans and a t-shirt!

Skirts are my favorite thing to wear besides pajama pants....especially when pregnant. I think they are ten times more comfortable to wear than pants! I am so excited about the warmer weather that has been peeking in here and there which is finally giving me a chance to wear my skirts.

I saw this tutorial on Homemade by Jill before I was even pregnant and couldn't wait to make my self one!

Now that I am sporting a pretty good size baby bump and can't wear my pre-pregnancy clothes any more I decided now was the best time to go ahead and go for it!




I LOVE LOVE LOVE my new skirt!
It is so comfortable, I seriously want to wear it all the time!

You could completely use this tutorial to make a regular jean skirt from a pair of jeans...just don't cut the waist or add a belly panel! I will definitely be doing this as well after baby boy is born and I can fit back into my old jeans!




29 weeks down...only 11 to go :-)









Linking to Frugal Days Sustainable Ways

In previous posts, I have been sharing with you all how I am adding new colors to my living room. I have previously felt very restricted as to the colors I could use, due to the fact that my couches are a dark hunter green and our big chair is a huge red and green floral print.

We recently got rid of the huge red and green chair and temporarily replaced it with a brown recliner (my sister and brother-in-law purchased it at a thrift store the last time they were in town and had no way to get it back home with them, so we are hanging on to it until they can get it).

Now, the big chair also had a matching ottoman which I decided to keep since it was still in really good shape.

Here it is...



Now it matches great with our green couches...but not so much with the new color scheme I am trying to give the living room.

I have seen tutorials previously where people make their own slip covers for chairs, couches, ottomans, etc. So I decided to give it a try and....



I am very pleased pleased with how it turned out!

To make one of your own all you need to do is...

1. Pick your fabric. I happened to have this great upholstery fabric that my mom gave me a while back that I decided to use. I think a thicker fabric does work best for this project as opposed to just cotton, but you can go with whatever fabric makes you happy.

2. Measure the length and width of the top and sides. Add about 1/2" to each side to allow for enough seam allowance and a hem on the bottom. If you cut your fabric to the exact measurements of the ottoman it will be too tight and not fit properly.

3. Cut out fabric to measurements above.

4. Pin fabric right sides together. The easiest way to make sure seams line up is to pin it together while it is on the ottoman. Like so...



(This pic shows after I had sewn it together...but you get the general idea.)

I also found it easier to sew two opposing sides on first and then pin on the other two.

5. Hem the bottom.

6. Finish off any inside seams so they do not fray if you decide to wash.

7. Try it on your ottoman, and stand back to admire your work.



The new cover goes so much better with the new color scheme! Plus I love that I can take the slip cover off and throw it in the wash!

Hopefully the steps were not too terribly confusing and you can make one easily.

Rainbow Garland

About a week ago I saw this New Year's Garland on The Purl Bee and fell in love with it!

I thought it would actually be super cute to hang in Jack's room. So I quickly grabbed a pile of colorful felt and went to work. (You can find the tutorial on the link above)



The only thing I didn't have on hand was invisible thread. But oh well....I still think it turned out great!



And it looks super cute in Jack's room! I think he really likes it too because every time I put him in his bed he starts pointing at it and saying "ooooo".

From Satin To Lace

I so enjoyed having my sisters here with me this past week! It was so wonderful to get to spend time with them, talk with them, and create with them.

While digging through some old clothes my sister Erica spotted this vest which she immediately fell in love with...



The only problem with it...the back of it was black satin that was terribly torn apart.

she immediately handed it to me and said "fix please"

So I dug through my fabric stash and pulled out a couple different options to replace the back of the vest.

Erica looked them over and finally settled on some white lace...

I began by cutting the back off of the vest off to use as a pattern...

Next I took a pen and traced around the satin onto the lace(leaving about 1/2" for the seam)...

then I cut out the lace...

hemmed the sides so it wouldn't fray...

reattached it to the front...

and...

TADA! Good as new :-)

I think the lace actually ended up being a very nice choice. It adds something a little different and unexpected to the vest!

And of course Erica looks fabulous in it!

Fabric Flower Head Band

My little sister Andrea is definitely a very fashionable girl!

No matter what the occasion she always looks adorable and trendy. She can always pull off the cutest outfits, hats, shoes, and scarves that I wish I could!

So I knew I needed to make her something fun and very "Andrea".

A little while back I found this adorable black dress at the thrift store. It had these beautiful black flowers on the top and such a cute skirt with big pockets. Problem- it was just a bit too short and just a tad too tight...

...but it was only $2 so I decided to buy it any way! I figured I could do something with it! (more coming later as to what I did with the rest of the dress).

Since Andrea is always wearing cute hats and things in her hair I knew a "head band" of sorts was just the way to go.

All I did to make this head band was...

cut two of the flowers off of the black dress I purchased...

Then cut three 1" strip of black t-shirt- all the same length (measure them around your head to make sure you cut them long enough)...

Braid the three strips and sew the two ends together...

Finally sew the two flowers directly on to the braided band....

ALL DONE!

Super easy and super quick!

Now if you don't just have some super cute fabric flowers on hand, check out Ruffles and Stuff's post here...she makes this adorable bouquet tank and gives you a step by step tutorial on how to make the flowers, plus gives you links to sites that show you how to make the other flowers. Any of them would look beautiful on a head band!

Have fun making your own fabulous head bands!

T-Shirt Shrug

While my little sisters were in town this past week I also decided to go through my closet and pass down all the clothes that were either too small for me, or that I had not worn in the past year.

While digging through the pile of clothes I found a bunch of t-shirts. They were all too small on me now, but I was looking for old t-shirts to cut the bottom off of after I saw this tutorial on I Am Momma Hear Me Roar. I love the idea of the modesty of an extra layer, but with out the bulkiness. So I went ahead and took a bunch of t-shirts I had and cut the bottoms off to make my self a few.

My sister Erica had mentioned a little earlier that she would love for me to make her a shrug.
So it worked out perfectly that one of the t-shirts I had cut the bottom off of was a pink t-shirt with a deep scoop neck - perfect shape for a shrug.

I also found a gray tank that had buttons down the front of it (I prefer to use pieces that already have buttons and button holes sewed on. I abhor sewing button holes!).

To make the shrug I first cut a straight line up the middle of the pink t-shirt.

Next, I cut off the bottom of the gray tank, folded it in half, and sewed it to the bottom of the pink t-shirt.

Then I cut off the section of the gray tank that had the buttons and holes on it and sewed it to the edges of the front of the pink shirt.

To finish it off I added a little of the gray tank to the sleeves of the pink shirt for a little extra embellishment.

Thankfully my little sis Erica is a skinny minnie and the shrug fit her perfectly!

Bandanna Tunic

I had a wonderful Mother's day this year! It was so nice to not only spend it with my husband and son, but to get to spend it with my four sisters!

My parent's left on friday to go on a cruise to Jamaica for their 25th wedding anniversary. So friday morning they brought the girls and dropped them off with me for a few days.

I have had a bunch of fun girl craft ideas floating around in my head the past few weeks, so I decided to take this opportunity to make a few things for the girls.

One of the first things I made was this bandanna tunic for my littlest sis!

Doesn't she look cute in it?!

Poor thing had to close her eyes...the sun was making them water like crazy!

And this is her striking a model pose....hehehe! I love it!

All I used to make this shirt was two bandannas and a piece of soft rope.

I simply folded the top point down and sewed a straight line across about two inches down to create a hole for the rope to pass through.

Next I took the rope and cut it in half so I would have two pieces.

Then slid one piece through the "tube" in the top of the bandanna,

made sure it was even on both sides,

gathered it slightly,

then sewed the sides of the rope in place so it wouldn't slide out.

Then I did the same thing to the other bandanna.

next I lined up the two bandannas right sides together and sewed down the sides to attach the two (you might want to have your little one try it on first to make sure it won't be too small or too large).

Since bandanna edges are already finished you don't have to hem anything :-)

The last thing I did before having lil sis try it on was to put a knot in the ends of the rope so it wouldn't fray.

Then I had Emma try it on and tied the rope at the top to finish it off.

There are a few tutorials on other types of shirts and clothing you can make out of bandannas
here, here, here, and here. Check them out and give them a try!