Browsing Category: Projects

Henna Inspired Pot

Howdy Folks!

Today I’m putting some paint on the hallway – Finally!!  I will share some photos next week (as right now it looks like a construction area) and share some tips I’ve learned along the way.  Fun, fun.

In the meantime, I’ve been keeping myself busy decorating pots for some new succulents.  I just love how these plants are everywhere right now!  I got a set of 3 at Costco for 12.99 and they are pretty large sized… the smaller ones are less expensive , but I’m tired of teeny plants.  So I was happy for the bigger version, and when I saw that there were 3, it was like “Challenge Accepted!!”  I can make 3 different pots to hold my newest babies and we can get crafty together.

So, here’s how I reinvented numero uno – Inspired by a henna tattoo.

images-1

You know I love me some culture!!

Here’s the pot, sans all the new fabulousness…  I picked it up because I really fell for the handles.

IMG_0987

First, a coat of primer to even everything out.  I used an oil based primer because it adheres to anything and never a bubble!

Then I took out some old puff paint, you know the stuff right?!  You used to write on clothes with it when you were in grade school?  I just happened to have some lying around… pick a color that you don’t really care about.

I settled in by my computer and started “henna-ing” with the puff paint right onto the pot.  See?

IMG_0995

Just checking my work emails and puff paintin’!!  Do you think your boss would mind you doing this at the office?

Side A
Side A
Side B
Side B

I wasn’t going to do both sides, but then I thought that maybe I would put the pot on a coffee table that would be viewed on all sides.  Anyhoo, you can do one side or both – Whatever you like!

Once it dried, I coated it with a spray of high gloss white paint.  All that white was a little blah, so I taped up the handles and painted them gold with Liquid Leaf paint – stuff is awesome!!  And soooo shiny.

IMG_1007

And here is the newly transformed pot!  Muy cute, Si?!

IMG_1012

1

Have a fun, extra long weekend!  Whoo-hoo!!

Vintage Kimono Pillow

Hi Everyone!

How was your week?  I’ve been a little busy trying to take care of the daily grind stuff… nothing too exciting.  We got rid of this humongous armoire in our bedroom on Wednesday, so that was a feat.  Ed was using it to store his t-shirts and shorts, so I needed to reorganize his actual closet to fit the whole wardrobe in one place.  That one small thing took me ALL DAY LONG.  I’m sure you feel my pain.  The day-to-day stuff just takes soooo much time and leaves very little for the fun projects that are on my Want-to-do-List.  Boo!  But now my room feels so much more balanced… Ahhhhh.  Sometimes it’s difficult to get rid of a major piece of furniture, especially when it’s nice, but it could have a major change in your space.  Now I will get down from my preaching perch =)

I did, however, make an effort to sew up a new pillow made from vintage Kimono fabric.

Here is where my inspiration came from… A find on 1st Dibs for $435 each

XXX_8200_1353004960_1

Perfect as one of my new sofa pillows!

Now began the hunt for kimono fabric and I kinda wanted something vintage, if it worked out. There are really only a two places I know of to likely find some… A flee market (and it must be a “worldly” one) and eBay.  I checked both, but I found that for what I wanted to do, eBay was a better play because there are a ton of options.  And the few vintage kimonos fabrics I found at flee markets were actual kimonos, very beautiful, very expensive and I could never bring myself to chop up a piece of art for a measly pillow.

Have you just logged onto eBay?  Good.  You mostly find silk, polyester and wool fabric.  I recommend the wool.  It’s thicker and more durable, but not as soft.  Silk is amazing, but just know that you can’t easily clean that sucker.  No polyester; it just feels wrong.  I purchased several of the three, and ultimately learned that wool is good and to expect to pay about $7-10 for a piece 15″x 60″.  Don’t stinge out – you will not be happy with the fabric.  My two cents!

Here are some options I just found on sale now…

$(KGrHqJ,!ooFHjvkcRoWBSC(0SJcz!~~60_1

$T2eC16R,!)sE9swmZpK)BSC(5zcVrw~~60_1 $T2eC16N,!wsE9suw)kM+BSCY!hVe,Q~~60_1

$T2eC16d,!y0E9s2S7)LPBSCYJU2Irw~~60_1 $T2eC16Z,!y0E9s2S8iuKBSCYO3Hl(Q~~60_1

Here’s what I ended up picking for $9 (inc. shipping).

$(KGrHqRHJEsFDMRcvUtSBQ1RrnkG+!~~60_1

They will obviously range in price but will be only 14-15″ wide.  Decisions, decisions.  Do you stitch two together for one pillow or purchase a complementary fabric?  I was super lucky to find a cotton fabric at Joanne’s that would go perfectly, while buying the bandana stuff!  Thank you Fabric Fairies!!

Channel your inner geisha while picking fabrics.  Don’t be afraid to mix patterns – that’s how the kimono is meant to be worn!

564e5817a90d471cd5cb9df613baa799

The pillow form I’m using is 16 x 24, so that would give me a few inches on each side of the new fabric and then I could put the vintage piece right down the middle.  Giddiness!

Cut your pieces leaving 0.5″ allowance for each seam side.  I always make my covers a few inches shorter than the pillow so it’s tight.  I made this one 14 x 22, then added the allowances.  Then pin the right sides together and have at it… with your sewing machine!!

IMG_0955

Now’s the time to add in the zipper, which I have already described in detail with the tassel pillow.  You got this!!

Line up your sh#t!!  There are lots of lines here, so take your time!!

IMG_0957

Once you have the zipper in, simply sew the other two sides together and if you’d like, you can sew the top too for a crisper look.

Ta-Da!

IMG_0970

Does she remind you of anyone?!?

I hope I’ve inspired you to try something new on your pillows.

Have a fantabulous weekend!!

A Pirate’s Life for Me!

Hello Amigos!  Welcome back!

As some of you already know, on Monday the dynamic duo (my outgoing twins) turned two.  A mild victory for Mom!  Yes!  So far no broken bones or busted teeth – Knock on Wood!!  I have to knock on wood, ’cause these two are daredevils!

On Sunday we had a very fun, and super casual pool party with a bit of a pirate theme thrown in there.  I had decided to do this only a few days before, so trust me when I say that if you don’t have a lot of time you can bust out a few of these projects.

Pirate Banner/Flag

DSCN1617

I purchased the cheapest fabric I could find (3 yards) and I used a black tea bag along with the brewed tea to “rough up” the color.  We’re pirates, right?!  Nothing too clean looking – works for me!  While it dried, I made a template on Word and used my projector to line it up properly and get a basic outline.  (If you don’t have a projector then you can print out the letters larger and trace them onto the fabric over a window –  actually that might have been easier than what I did!)  I used poster paint to fill in the letters and skull.  Total time 30-45 min (and an hr dry time)

Treasure Map

DSCN1525

Same fabric as the banner, I just tore (yes, tear it!) a piece off the tea stained fabric.  The hard part is figuring out where I was going to hide the treasure, a bunch of inflatable pirate swords for the pool that I purchased on Amazon.  Luckily I have a storage chest for outdoor stuff that already looks like a treasure chest – Phew!  I didn’t over think this map, friends… I just diluted paint (10% paint to 90% H2O) and put blocks of stuff places.  It’s not to scale or even all that accurate.  No worries!  They got the point and found the treasure!  Total time 15 min (10 min dry time)

Pirate Bandanas

Cutest pirate ever!  I can say that because the other one is identical!
Cutest pirate ever! I can say that because the other one is identical!

According to the “official pirate” website (can you sense my sarcasm here?!) an adult’s bandana should be a yard x a yard, and then you tie it to the side, so you don’t mess with your pirate napping position!  For the kids that was way too long so I did 25″ x 25″, and it fit the little ones really well.  If your group is on the older side, maybe 8 yrs + then I would add a few inches there.  Again, I bought 3 yards of pirate themed fabric and used a rolled hem foot on the sewing machine.  It’s like magic!!  It rolls the hem for you… I’m still in awe.  Total time 1 1/2 hr to make 11.

Pirate Brew

Forgot to take the shot at the party!  But you get the point, right?!
Forgot to take the shot at the party! But you get the point, right?!

A little homemade ice-cream (that is the easiest thing to make if you have a machine) and root beer = A fun little treat that looks like beer for the kids!  I just printed out stickers that I made on-line and got these cute mustache straws at Walmart.  Total time 30 min for the stickers

Piratebrew Stickers!  Please use my design!!

Adult Beverage

DSCN1526

A little sangria to enjoy by the pool anyone?!  Or shall I say, Pirate’s Poison?!  I love how the tossed wine bottles look all pirately!  Yes, it’s a word!

Pirate Themed Food

DSCN1523

6af86fb555c5287774f61d93869b397d

DSCN1524

Our caterer really did a great job with that one!  Hotdogs in the shape of octopus and “Golden Chicken Nuggets” for the kids, hearty tri-tip for the adults with a super cute (and easy) fruit pirate ship and bell pepper buddies!

Treasure Wrapped Goodies

DSCN1627

I had some burlap on-hand and used it to hold gold wrapped chocolates with gold ribbon and a pirate banner.  I cut the burlap into 10″ x 10″ squares (not precisely of course!) and then put in some Reeses, Rolo’s and Hershey nuggets, which look soooo much like bars of gold.  Total time 20 min

Pirate Ship Pinata

DSCN1549

Filled with, what else?, booty of course!  Lots of quarters so the kiddos don’t get tummy aches from all those sweets.

We also put an X outside the house, got some eye patches and made cookie sandwiches instead of having traditional cake… a sandwich isn’t pirate related, but it sure is easier than having to cut cake for everyone when you want to enjoy the party along with the guests!  Oh, and (in my opinion) it’s tastier too!!

Got any new parties you’re planning?  I think our next big endeavor will be Halloween!!