Inexpensive Wall Art

I was at Michael's the other day and found these awesome frames on sale for $7/each!!  They were originally $20.  I was so excited about my find!

I needed something on my red accent wall in my living room and these would match my frame wall perfectly.  Here is a picture of my frame wall:

I definitely have a mix of styles, and this frame wall is the same way!  I love the contemporary clean lines of the black and white frames, but they needed a little but of Rustic/Traditional mixed in.  I absolutely love the mix of frames (and that's really all that matters right?)

Here's a close up of the frames.

I looked through the prints at Michaels and they were all about $10 each.  Way more than what I wanted to spend, so I decided to check out their scrapbook paper (which was on sale for .19 each)!  wahoo!

I figured for that price I would buy a variety and figure out what I wanted when I had it up on the wall.  I decided on a green and grey/blue.

My hubby says "They look so chic!" (It's his new fav word.  Cracks me up...)

So for about $15 I have some fabulous and inexpensive wall art and the best part is I can easily switch out the paper when I want something new!

Heaven is for Real

What an absolutely amazing story!  I would love to read this book.

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Decorative Sheet Metal Jewelry Holder

This project is genius!!!   It makes it so easy to see what jewelry you have.  I have a tendency to wear the same jewelry all the time because I forget what I have!

A few weeks ago I posted that while I was at Home Depot I saw this great stuff!

Thankfully my friend Merri from 2 Parents, 5 kids, 365 days told me about a great idea she saw, originally from Better Homes and Gardens.  It is simply brilliant!!

Home depot now carries these amazing decorative metal sheets.  So cool!  I found my sheet (which was 3' x 2') for $24 dollars.  I actually made 3 of them - you can buy smaller sheets for less.

My hubby cut my sheet using a circular saw.  I think it's about time for me to invest in some tin snips since I've needed them quite a few times!

My frame actually had tabs around the edges to hold the metal in place, but I did go back over it with a little bit of hot glue for extra support.

Next I added a tooth hanger and it was done!

I used S hooks to hang the necklaces. 

This hangs on the wall in my bathroom right outside my closet.  As you can see, I don't have a ton of jewelry, so this works perfectly for me!

I'm thinking I may paint the frame white and sand it so the dark shows through, but I kind of like the dark contrast with the bright walls.  What do you think?

Applique and Embroidered Onesies and Toddler T's

This is one of my favorite projects!  I love making cute applique t's for holidays, birthdays, gifts etc.  Here are a few I've made recently for friends.

Here is my disclaimer: I am totally self taught.  I've never taken any applique or embroidery classes, so I'm SURE there are better methods out there.  With that said, here's what I've found that works!  A lot of trial and error went into this.  :)

First, print your letter or pattern off.  I use wordart in word for any letters I do.  You can google any clip art pattern - I've done pumpkins, starts, sailboats, turkeys, etc. using patterns I've found online.

Use your Steam-A-Seam fusible web. (they have really great instructions on the package for using this stuff).  Iron on your pattern.  I use a grid to help line my pattern up on the shirt and sometimes use an erasable fabric pen to make lines to help with getting the embroidery straight later on.

Since t-shirts (especially onesies and toddler t's are such a soft cotton a stabilizer is an absolute MUST for embroidering!).  I actually use 2.  Sulky makes some great stabilizers!!

 For this project I use an iron on that's light weight and good for babies.  It's super soft!  I iron that on (rough side down).  Next I use a tear away stabilizer that I will remove one I've sewn and embroidered.  Here is what the inside of the shirt looks like with both stabilizers.

Next sew around your pattern.  I have a Brother sewing machine that has a few different options for applique stitching.  Here is my favorite:

Flip the onesie or shirt inside out and sew around your pattern. 

This step takes me about 10 minutes depending on the intricacy of the pattern.  I use embroidery thread to sew around the applique.  It's shiny and I just think it looks better!

Now for the embroidery!  I LOVE how my machine switches so easily back and forth from sewing to embroidery.  In just a few minutes my machine looks like this:

I have the brother SE-350 embroidery and sewing. I got it at Wal-Mart for about $300!  Such a great deal for beginner embroider/sewers.

Hoop your onesie inside out.  For really small onesies sometimes I use clips to hold the fabric.  I actually embroider through the neck hole.

The toughest part is getting everything lined up straight.  This machine is AH-mazing.  With a click of a button this is what you get!

Another great tip if you want super easy things to applique buy a fabric that already has the design in it!  I found this fabric at joanns.  So sweet for baby girls.

Here is another shirt I made out of this fabric.

I know that was a TON of info, let me know if you have any questions!

Pillows, Pillows and More Pillows!

I LOVE new pillows!  My hubby thinks I have way to many throughout the house, but they are so much fun and so quick to make!

You can read the first part of this post here where I redid the original couch pillows.  A couple weeks ago I finally got around to the chair that matches! You can read more details about that here!

One of the biggest trends for 2011 is mixing patterns.  I've always played it pretty safe when it comes to mixing patterns, colors, etc.  SO, I am getting out of my comfort zone and adding some excitement to our living room!

Some tips I've learned for mixing patterns:

1. Vary the size and scale of patterns to ensure they compliment and do not compete with one another.  Use larger scale patterns on larger items.

2.  Don't be afraid to mix stripes, checks, floral, and graphic fabrics.  It's always a good idea to throw in at least one solid to keep it from getting too busy. 

3.  Start by picking one fabric that you absolutely love, and look for fabrics that mesh well with that fabric.

4. There is really no right or wrong, just find what you love and run with it!

I found this fabric that I LOVE from thefabricstore on Etsy.  It's called "It's a Hoot Trees in Pistachio Marshmallow by MoMo for Moda". They have such cute fabrics, be sure and check them out!

It took me one hour to make two of these pistachio pillows - including, cutting, sewing and cleaning up the mess! So fast!

Sewing the Mother of all Pillows!

Remember 3 months ago when I did the couch revamp??  I FINALLY finished the chair that matches!! 

This chair had been tormenting me for 3 long months....

That is one BIG pillow!  It's larger at the top than the bottom, has curved corners at the top.  It was a beast.

Here's how I conquered it:

Took out all the stuffing.  Yes, all 3 trashbags full!

Layed out my fabric and traced my pattern using the old pillow as my guide.

Cut...

Sewed all but a little space to fill her up!

Stuffed, stuffed and stuffed some more!

 Easy peasy!!!

What about you - do you have a beast of a pillow you'd like to conquer???  Go for it!!  It's probably easier than you think!