DIY: Reversible Painted Throw Pillow

I have a slight obsession with throw pillows. I love them. I was thinking of a new pillow design for this "new to us" vintage chair and I couldn't decide between two ideas, so that gave me an idea to use one pattern for each side. 

Materials:

plain fabric (cut into two panels for the front and back)

black fabric paint

foam paint brush

sewing machine

matching thread

For the first side, I traced squares in different sizes to make a geometric pattern. I painted them in with the black fabric paint and set aside.

For the second side, I took the end of the foam brush and made little crosses with it. You can use a paint brush for a more uniform look...but I liked the random variety better.

 Once both panels are completely dry (read the paint bottle for instructions), place both panels together with right sides facing and pin. Sew along the outer edge with a straight stitch along three sides.

Flip the case right side out, put your pillow inside, and hand stitch the bottom closed.

Done! A perfect pillow for my indecisive mind;)

DIY: Painted Herringbone Memo Board

I found this cork board on a walk with my mom one day. It was out in front of a neighbor's house in their pile of things to be picked up by the city for removal. I am always amazed at the perfectly useful items that people put out for "trash". 

So, obviously I picked it up and carried it another block back to my car.

I had the idea of a painted memo board in my head for some time. I taped off the frame of this one and spray painted it black. Then, once I decided on a herringbone pattern, I drew it out with a black marker.

I started with vertical lines:

    Next, I used a ruler to make alternating diagonal lines. A herringbone pattern is similar to a chevron pattern. The only difference is alternating the colors between the lines. I colored in the lines that needed to be painted so that I wouldn't loose track while painting.

I used regular acrylic paint to paint in all the lines. I redecorated my daughter's art nook and it makes for a fun and new way to hang her artwork:

She's in a rainbow and heart phase...if you can't tell;)

 I also wanted to incorporate my latest vintage find. This basket makes for the perfect place to keep her coloring books and crayons both organized, and away from her little brother;)

I originally created this board to hang horizontal, but found that it fit the space better if hung vertically. Oh well, it was a fun and free project and I love the way it turned out...no matter which direction:)

DIY: Painted Oven Mitts

I needed some new oven mitts and while I liked the price of the dollar store ones...I didn't care for how plain they were. I found this old stamp in with my paints and decided to stamp my new mitts with some fabric paint.

 

MATERIALS:

fabric paint

paint brush

foam stamp

oven mitt(s)

 

STEP 1: Brush fabric paint onto stamp and press on oven mitt. Let sit for 24 hours (or however long the fabric paint bottle says) and then use!

 



 

These would make a great Christmas gift or hostess gift for the holiday season.

 

Happy Wednesday!

DIY: Painted Pumpkins

 

Can I make a confession?

 

I am not a seasonal decorator.

 

I know...decorating and crafting for the seasons is like blogger content gold, right? But, it's just not me. It has something to do with living in smaller quarters and not wanting to store it and not wanting to clean it and not wanting to clutter the home.

 

I know, sometimes it's difficult to live in my head.

 

But I am trying my best this year to add a few more seasonal items to our home without feeling like I live in Hobby Lobby. Plus, I already have an obsessive amount a few owl decor pieces in my house...so that passes for fall decorations, right?

 

I picked up three pumpkins from the dollar store and repainted them so they fit into our vintage/modern decor.

 

STEP 1: I painted all the pumpkins with ivory paint.

 

STEP 2: (for the chevron pumpkin) I drew a chevron design on the painted pumpkin with a pencil and then painted in the lines with a deep orange acrylic paint.

 

STEP 3: (for the polka dot pumpkin) I dipped the end of a pencil eraser in black acrylic paint and stamped it on the pumpkin creating a polka dot pattern.

 

STEP 4: (the yellow pumpkin) I painted the whole pumpkin with two coats of mustard yellow acrylic paint.

 

STEP 5: I painted all the "stems" brown and then sealed each pumpkin with two coats of clear glossy spray paint.

 

This was a a fun project and it helped ease me into seasonal decorating...which I hope to get better at, and enjoy too!

I'm linked to:
Tatertots and Jello

DIY: Beads and Bow Onesie

Along with the ruffle onesie, I made this painted beads and bow onesie for my friend's baby girl.

 

Materials:

 

black fabric paint

black fabric marker

black ribbon

matching thread

pencil with eraser on the end

 

STEP 1: I made all the dots with the fabric paint by dipping the eraser end of a pencil into the paint and stamping it on the shirt. I made a few rows of "pearls" and let them dry overnight.

 

STEP 2: I took a fabric pen to draw in "strings" between the pearls.

 

STEP 3: I tied a bow with some ribbon and then held the raw edges over a burning candle to seal them from fraying. I sewed the ribbon onto the onesie.

 

I think you could do this with any size shirt! It does look especially cute on a onesie though:)



DIY Chevron Shoes

Here's a fun DIY that can be completed in one night. I took a pair of shoes that I found at the thrift store for $2.50, washed them (I put them in the washing machine and then let them air dry), a fabric pen, and fabric paint.

I cut a chevron pattern out of paper to use as a stencil. I traced it onto my shoes with the fabric pen, and then painted in the lines with the fabric paint.

All done!

This was a fun and easy project and I love my new shoes. I already got a few compliments on them when I ran errands today:)

I'm linked to:

Sugar and Dots

Tatertots and Jello

DIY Play Kitchen (from a nightstand)

I am finally getting around to posting the play kitchen my dad (and husband) and I made for my daughter! I am really ashamed at how long it has taken me to finish this. Oh well...it's done now, right?

I started with a nightstand that I got off craigslist for $5 and pulled the drawers out. Luckily there was a board between both drawers..so we didn't have to build one for the "oven" bottom. My dad took the front off one of the drawers and attached it to front of the nightstand with hinges at the bottom so it could swing down like an oven door.

The backing of the kitchen is just a large piece of wood with two smaller pieces nailed in through the back for shelves. My dad already had the wood in his scrap pile...but I also priced it at Home Depot for about $5.

Here is a view of the top. I used a wooden letter "J" from Joanns for the faucet and a round cake pan from the dollar store from the sink. I didn't want anything too deep, otherwise nothing would fit in the oven compartment. Also, here are the burners I showed earlier. The burner knobs were also made with pre cut round pieces of wood. I just layered them, glued them, and then cut pieces of a dowel to put down the center to make them look more like knobs. The faucet knobs were something I already had. All the knobs are attached through the bottom with a screw and a washer so that they can turn.

Remember these cups, saucers, and canisters? I love they way they look on the shelves:)

The nightstand had two drawers...so for the bottom part, we took the drawer out and I made a little curtain to go across it for storage. My daughter keeps her play food in there. I attached it on the sides with sticky velcro so that it can come off. I got the material while in California. I think it adds to the retro look of the kitchen.

Finally, on the inside of the "oven" we painted everything with silver paint:

I really love the way it turned out! My daughter loves playing with it too...so that makes me happy:) I am in the process of making her some more accessories to go with the kitchen for Christmas such as oven mitts and dish towels....but more on that later:)

Price:

nightstand: $5

spray paint (2 cans): $6.00

wood for burners and knobs: $3.50

letter "J" for faucet: $1.00

material for curtain: $1.50

cake pan for sink: $1.00

all other materials I already had

Total: $18.00

I'm linked to:

Sugar and Dots

Someday Crafts

Sew Much Ado

Tatertots and Jello

Bassinet Makeover

My original plan for our little man was to move the crib we have into our bedroom and he can start his days sleeping in that. Then I came across this bassinet at a local thrift store and it was half off for $15...so I thought it might be nice to save some of our bedroom space until he makes the move into our daughter's bedroom. I used some Harley Davidson fabric that I found at Goodwill last week. My husband is a Harley lover, a Harley rider, a Harley mechanic, and now even teaches the subject for a living. So, I guess you could say we like motorcycles in this house?

So, I paid my $15, loaded it up in the back of my mom's truck, and scared my husband when he saw me walking through the door with this:

Oh come on...it's beautiful in it's own "why were lace and ribbons ever a trend?" way:)

I wanted to make my own cover for it, and I tried to use the existing one that was on there as a pattern...but it just didn't seem to give me the same look I wanted. So in the end...I just measured the bassinet and winged it!

I started by tracing the mattress to make the bottom part of my cover.

(And yes, you can be jealous of the awesome floral mattress that came with this gem)

I traced it with an extra 1" all the way around. I knew I could always take it in if I needed to...but if it was too tight...then the whole project would end badly.

Next, I placed the mattress and the new mattress piece I cut out into the bottom of the bassinet to see how it fit. I then measure from the top of the mattress to the top of the bassinet edge and half way around (I needed two pieces to make the inner edge).

When I am trying to recover something, I like to tape on the pieces I have made to make sure it looks like it will all come together when I sew it.

I cut out another piece for the inner edge and then measured the whole outer edge and made two pieces for that as well (my seams are on the two long ends of the bassinet). I decided I wanted the cover to come down on the outside about 6 inches.

Finally, I sewed it all together. I started by sewing together the two inner edge pieces at each end (right sides facing), creating a big circle or "bumper" for the bassinet. Next, I sewed the bottom piece to the inner edge (right sides facing). Now I had what looked like a fabric basket. Finally, I took the two outer pieces (also sewn together at each end with right sides facing) creating another large circle, and sewed that to the edge of the inner piece.

The outside of the bassinet was a little larger than the inside measurement, so that's why I have a little pucker in the middle of the front (and middle of the back) of my cover.

Also, just to make sure it fit securely, I folded under the outer edge that was still raw and sewed it all the way around with a 1" seam allowance, leaving a 2" opening. I then measured some elastic around the outside of the bassinet and strung it through my opening. I sewed the ends of the elastic together, fed it into the opening, and sewed the opening shut.

Here is the final product (after my husband also touched up the paint job). I made a little orange and black blanket to match too.

Also, if you want a little more padding than just the mattress, you could sew some batting to the wrong side of your bottom piece or iron some fusible felt onto it for a little more cushion.

I'm sorry there weren't many photos with this tutorial. I was sewing it late at night and trying to figure it out as I went along. It was actually one of the easiest projects I have done in a while. It only has a few pieces to it, but it's the measuring that takes a little time.

I love the fresh new look it has and I can't wait to bring home our little guy so he can try it out:)

Price:

bassinet: $15

fabric: $2.50

elastic: $.10

Total: $17.60

I'm linked to:

Sugar and Dots

Tatertots and Jello

DIY Chevron Wall Art

I have been a busy crafter lately. I got all my the squares for my daughter's baby clothes quilt sewn together (pictures to come), finished some curtains for our dining room (using the same material as these curtains from a duvet), completed my first custom order, and also finished up some projects for my friend's upcoming baby shower! I'm on a roll and I don't want to stop because I'm afraid I may never tackle my "to do" list again:)

On my list was something for our dining room. I wanted something large...but neutral since my curtains are a bright color. It's no secret that I love chevron. I love everything about chevron and I would even drape myself in chevron if it were socially acceptable (Seinfeld lovers will get that). So, a large piece of chevron wall art seemed to fit our style and my budget of zero point zero zero dollars (Bronx Beat shout out).

I started by finding an image of a chevron pattern and enlarging it on my computer screen. Then I took plain white computer paper, held it up to the screen, and traced the pattern. To make my stencil more precise, I went over each line with a ruler and a black marker.

I painted a large piece of thin wood white with acrylic paint since I already had some.

Next, I cut out my stencil and traced it over my whole board with an ink pen. I recommend tracing your stencil with something light so that it's easier to paint in later.

Finally, I painted in ever other line with some gray acrylic paint that I had and I was done! I found a foam brush worked best to get really clean corners and lines.

The wood I used is less than 1/4 of an inch thick. It was a piece of scrap wood my dad had and it was chipped and splitting in certain places and I really liked the texture of the design over each crack and imperfection.

I also hung it on the wall by nailing picture frame hooks on the back.

Also, you may have noticed that my red chairs are black again. Although I liked them red...I never thought to seal them and constantly wiping them down each day was starting to fade the paint (not the mention the movers scratched them up quite a bit). So, they are black again and I love them:) And a round of applause for my hubby for painting them for me without complaining one bit! I know he is counting down the months until I can paint my own projects again.

I'm linked to:

Sugar and Dots

Party Mindie Style

Wall Art for Under $5

I wanted some fun artwork above our dining room table, but since I have other plans for that space eventually...I didn't want to put too much money or effort into it:) Basically I was in the mood for an easy craft...ever feel like that after a lot of big projects?

So, I found these file dividers at Target in their $1 section:

I actually got 5 in the pack...but I saved the fifth one for something else. I cut the tab side and side with holes off with my paper cutter so that they were 9"x11".

I got out my box of acrylic paints and mixed colors together until I got a combination I liked and just painted random spots on each image. I liked leaving some black and white spaces so that they still fit in with our other decor.

Next, I got some 11x14 frames at the dollar store, painted them black with acrylic paint and then sealed them with Mod Podge. I tried to spray paint them...but they must have some oil on the frame or something because the spray wouldn't stick very well.

Finally I matted each picture using my posterboard trick and that was it! I like how much color they bring to the space and they match my red dining room chairs really well too.

They won't live in this space for too long...but they are a great place holder for now. I think they will look great going up the staircase someday too. I would like to get better frames for them someday as well...but until Target has theirs for 75% off...these dollar store ones are perfect:)

Price:

file folders: $1.00

3 picture frames: $3.00

posterboard: $.50

Total: $4.50

I'm linked to:

Tatertots and Jello

DIY Play Kitchen Part 1: Burners

While my dad is busy adding a large piece of wood to the back of the nightstand I have for my daughter's play kitchen (and making shelves for it)...I decided to get started on the pieces I needed to make.

I liked these burners of a KidKraft kitchen, so they were my inspiration:

I found thin 6" squares of wood at Joann's. I also found a bag of wood circles (21 pieces in different sizes).

I sanded down the edges of all the pieces and glued (with wood glue) a larger circle in the middle of the square piece:

Then, I glued another smaller circle in the middle of that:

I used square dowels for the burner pieces. I cut them the size I wanted for the corners:

Then, I cut down the inner edge so that they would lay flat over the circle piece:

I cut them with an exacto knife.

I glued on all the corner pieces:

Then I repeated the same process with smaller dowel pieces for the other parts of the burner:

Finally, I painted it all chrome and then the burners were painted black. I didn't paint all the pieces beforehand because I wanted to make sure they glued together well while the wood was still bare.

I can't wait to show you the plans I have for the knobs and the sink! I hope to have it painted by this weekend...but with the packing and such...I'm not sure if that will happen.

Price:

Wood squares: $1.00 (with 50% off coupon)

Wood Circles: $1.50 (with 50% off coupon)

Dowels: $.100

Total: $3.50

DIY Chevron Pillows

I have expressed my eternal love for zebra print and damask...but now there is a close third....chevron. Does anyone else love this print?? I would love a huge rug in our living room...but maybe after I don't have a toddler?

So, the next best thing to a rug was throw pillows. I finally bought a huge roll of freezer paper for $5 a few weeks ago and I have been using it for so many things!

Wanna make your own chevron pillows? Then let's go!

Materials:

paint of choice (I chose black acrylic)

materials for pillows (I got 1 and 1/2yds for two pillows)

freezer paper

pillow forms or stuffing

matching thread

iron

1. Cut out a piece of fabric that is the height of your pillow plus 1" and double the length, plus 2".

Example: I wanted my finished pillows to be 17"x17"...so my rectangle was 18"x36". I also cut two because I was making two pillows.

2. Cut out a piece of freezer paper the size of your fabric rectangle:

3. Draw out your design on the freezer paper, cut out, and iron the shiny side down on your fabric.

(To get the chevron design, I found a chevron pattern through Google Images, blew it up on my computer monitor to the desired thickness, and then held up my freezer paper to the screen and traced it with a pen)

4. Paint your fabric.

Tip: You will get cleaner edges if you brush away from the paper...that way you don't pull it up and get paint underneath it.

5. Peel your freezer paper strips off:

So, when I started this project, I planned on having the chevron design on both sides of the pillow...but then realized how long it took to trace, cut, and iron my freezer paper. At this point I opted to just have the design on one side of the pillow.

6. Cut your painted fabric piece in half (so you have your pillow panels) and do the same with your other fabric rectangle:

7. With right sides together, pin your edges and sew around the pillow with a straight stitch leaving an opening at the bottom to flip right side out and stuff. Clip the corners (not through the stitching).

8. Flip pillow cases right side out and stuff (I used two other pillows).

9. Fold inside bottom edges in and sew closed.

As my daughter would say, "Tada!".

It really didn't end up bothering me that the backs are blank. These are going on my bed and I can't even see the backs anyways...so it's not a big deal.

Also, I used acrylic paint because they are going in my bedroom which is normally a kid free zone (I know...mean Mommy!) but if I was putting them in the living room, then I would have used fabric paint so that I could wash the covers.

Price:

paint: $.50

material: $2.25

pillow stuffing: $3.00

Total: $5.75

I'm linked to:

Sew Dang Cute

Honeybear Lane

Sew Much Ado

Someday Crafts

Olivia Renn

Tatertots and Jello