Pinterest Inspired Lampshade

I saw this lampshade on Pinterest and knew I had to have one like it...or at least my version of it.  Today I went to Hobby Lobby to start to gather my supplies for my next DIY project.

The ribbon was 50% off ($20 total) and this was the last two rolls of each of these, so it was perfect timing for me.  Now all I have to do is find the lamps I want :-)

Gotta have a plan...

So I have been thinking about the "Sew Your Own Wardrobe" challenge trying to figure out how I am going to tackle this.  At first, I was thinking....just sew outfits.  But I could not quite rap my mind around that one. 

Then I started to think back (realy think way back) on how we had to do our projects in school.  So I decided to do "colllections" or mini-wardrobes. That way I can maximize on my wardrobe potential and have pieces that can coordniate with each other within the collection as well as inter-mix with other collections.  This concept is also called "Sewing With A Plan" (SWAP).

So here's my SWAP...I'm thinking the base for each mini- wardrobe collection will consist of 5-6 peices:

A)

3 - tops

2 - bottoms (any mix of skirt, pants or shorts)

B)

2 - tops

1 - bottom (skirt, pants or shorts)

1 - dress

And then add in a light weight jacket or cardigan for the spring/summer or a coat for the fall/winter.  Plus what ever other outfit, dress, shirt, pants or what every I get inspired to sew through out the year.

2013 Wardrobe Challenge

Melanie posted about the Sew Your Own Wardrobe Challenge that is hosted by Pattern Therapy and The Fearless Seamstress and I knew...this is the challenge for me!I need to build my wardrobe and work on sharpening my sewing skills. The challenge begins on April 1, 2013 and runs until March 30, 2014. Participants commit to twelve months (one full year) of sewing their own wardrobes and not purchasing ready to wear clothing. I'm going to try my best to stick to this plan, which in actuallity should not be to too hard, because I hate clothes shopping.

I am so excited about doing this.  With all the pattern sales that JoAnn's, Hancock Fabrics and Hobby Lobby has had in the last few weeks, I have plenty of outfits to choose from.  I am going to start however with trying to use up some of my fabric stash so I can make room for new fabric.

And soooooo...the challenge begins!

Ironing Board Table

I needed some storage in my sewing room as well as a larger ironing area.  So I decided to build an "ironing board table".  I used a combination of a workbench plan and a bookshelf plan I found at www.ana-white.com .  I found the totes at Family Dollar. The larger totes were $3.50 and the smaller ones are shoe boxes that were $1.00.  They hold my interfacing, lining, fabric scraps, zippers, buttons and misc. notions.  In person, the green is not as bright.

The ironing board is 4 1/2 ft long, whcih is about a foot longer than a regular ironing board.  I covered  it in quilted ironing board fabric I purchased from JoAnn's and stapled to the MDF board.  I then picked out a grey damask broadcloth I found at Hobby Lobby to give the table a more decorative look.  The damask fabric can be removed and laundered if necessary.

 

The table is also deep enough were I can place my cutting mat on it and cut out smaller projects.  Although the table is not perfect, it will do for what I need it for.  Now on to finishing getting the rest of my sewing room organized.

Thanksgiving Tablescape with a Twist from the Traditional

The past few weeks I have been up to my elbows in modge podge, glitter and Polystain.
It all started with the realization that my little table, although it worked for everyday dinners...would not fit all the family for the holidays.  My first thought...since I'm still on the "I can build it kick" was to build a farmhouse table.  Afterall, I did a good job on my first project (my little console table).  But I put that thought quickly out the window since Thanksgiving was less than a month away.  THen one day after work it hit me...just expand my current table.  By adding 3 feet to it would make it the perfect size!  It was not as simple as I thought, but $70 later I had just the perfect table for my holiday dinner.

This year since I will be hosting dinner on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, so I decided to do a twist on the "traditional" by adding red to the decor.  I love the way the red pops against the cream damask tablecloth.

 

In the mist of "construction" project I went into DIY mode.  Simple Styrofoam pumpkins were purchased at Dollar Tree, Walmart and Hobby Lobby ($1.00-$3.75) and then painted with metallic acrylic paint, modge podged and sprinkled with gold, copper, silver glitter and sequins.  Pine cones (free from Mother Nature) then brushed with modge podge and sprinkled with glitter as well.  Glass votive holders filled with corn kernels and a vanilla tea light add a little ambiance lighting.

 

I found a set of 12 mini pumpkins on clearance at Marshalls.  Brushed them with modge podge and sprinkled with gold and copper glitter.  DIY napkin rings were made from unfinished wooden napkins rings purchased at Hobby Lobby (8/$2.99).  I painted the outer rims with gold acrylic paint, then wrapped them with chocolate brown velvet ribbon and added a couple of berries tied with a copper orange satin ribbon.  Each place setting is anchored with deep red chargers ($.98 at Wal-Mart) and my mom's gold flatware.

Table set for ten.  Red adds a non-traditional twist to this very traditional setting. 

 

 Since I have about 20 people invited to dinner, I plan on setting up another table in the living room with a similar décor.

Happy Holidays!!!

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