Fabric Wall of curtains!

I have two embarrassing problems:

I can't believe I am showing this to everyone...
Problem #1

Unsightly cords draped down my wall because, neither myself or my hubster are electricians.

P.S. I don't ever watch Soaps, sorry, I couldn't find the remote so it was left on that channel! :)

Problem # 2

A toilet view from our bed. Sexy right?

That was one thing that I noticed when we were looking at our house to buy it. When we went home to talk about things my hubster assured me that there was in fact a door there and that I must have not seen it. I mean who doesn't put a door from their bedroom to their toilet? Then after a quick buy, and move in day, I then assured him that there was in fact NOT a stinkin door there!

What the crap right? (no pun intended)

 Anyway, after almost 3 years in the house and staring at the toilet every night as I lay my head to sleep, I decided I could not go on like this anymore. This is what we did. I love love love it!

I wanted it to go from wall to wall and touch the ceiling so there would be no gaps. We screwed those little loop things on the two side walls and then strung the wire through, then tightened it at the end. I also used some sticky back velcro to help close things up.

I want to get a hook to hold back the one drape from the door. For now the chair works!

My bathroom is the next project on my list of to-dos...don't judge!

If I had the rest of my room finished I would show you a picture of the whole room, but that will be in a few weeks..hopefully! I was afraid at first, that because the curtains are chocolate brown, they would make the room feel smaller, but I think it makes it look more GRAND because they are floor to ceiling and shimmery!

Now the T.V. looks like it's floating!

I also wanted to do a little stencil on the curtains, my significant other says no, he is old fashioned I guess. I think I might do it while he is at work and then he will come home and may have a seizure at first from the amount of drama on the wall, but I think after awhile his brain and eyes will adjust.

This is a mock-up of what it would look like if I decide to do the stencil. I would move the chair with the damask print away from the room, so there wouldn't be too much print.

I think I would do a goldish color of paint on the curtains so it wouldn't be too dramatic, but I think an off-white would look pretty too!

This is something that would be so awesome if you lived in an apartment and you couldn't paint, but you wanted the drama of a stenciled wall!

What do you think?

I'm linking up to these parties! Go check them out!
Blue Cricket Designs
Twin Dragonfly Designs
M.M.M. @ C.R.A.F.T.
Sunday Showcase
Weekend Wrap-up
Link Party Friday @ Creation Corner
Transformation Thursdays
Saturday Nite Special
The Girl Creative Party blog
Have a great night!

Tasha

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Lamp Re-do!

Have you ever seen a lamp like this?!

I was intrigued from the moment I spotted it...

it was so UGLY that I had to do something with it!

I am easily fascinated by ugly items that are cheap!

Shiny things also have a tendency to make me daze..but that's another project!

Here is the LOVELY before:

Here is the even more LOVELY after:

My mom and sister were with me when I got this cheap lamp...they were doubting that it could ever look good I think!

There is a huge lamp shade that goes with it, but I am not sure yet how I want to finish the shade, so that will come later this week!

When I have the whole lamp together (shade and all) it is about 4.5 feet tall! It is the craziest lamp I have ever seen!

I love it!

P.S. I am trying hard to not paint something turquoise and glaze it, but I'm addicted to both those things...can't help it!

Next time...maybe. NOT!

Have a Happy Wednesday!

Tasha

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I'm linking to all those awesome parties on the right side of my blog! Come join us!



What would you do with a rain gutter?!

Obviosuly, you would want to make a BOOKSHELF with it!

A LONG time ago I was on the hunt for bookshelves, that would be practical enough for my budget, and durable enough for my kids. After days of searching, and not really finding anything I liked, I somehow stumbled upon this genius project at Mama Notes! Go over and check it out, she gives you all the details of how to get yours done!
A vinyl rain gutter is the material of choice! Say WHAT?! Yes, When I went to Lowes and told them my plans they thought I was CRRRRAZY! I reassured them that I wasn't...they still stared.
Annnyway, it cost me about $15 to do 3 shelves! If I do just one long one, it would be around $10! It costs about $7 for a long vinyl raingutter and then $2 each for the end closure thingys!
This is how mine turned out!

I plan on having 2 more above that one, I am just waiting for my hubby to get done hunting to cut the other 2 out! Maybe I don't know how to use a hack saw, but WHOA did I find that to be extremely vigorus! Okay, so maybe I am just a wimp! Anyway, I know my hunky hub will whip the other 2 out like butter, so I'd rather wait for him!

My daughter has a little nook in her room, that's where I put the shelves, and I plan on making a couple chairs or bean bags to go under them! She is excited because she can reach them without having to get a stool!

I have to go get another gutter for my son, he wants one in his room for all of his books, so stay tuned for that. I plan on doing something a little different with his gutter!

Don't forget to ENTER in the GIVEAWAY!!

Have a Happy Wednesday!

Tasha

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I'm linking to the Cool Parties on the right of my blog! Go check them out!!

$3 Placemat Table Runner!

The other day I shared a post with you about the monogrammed place mats. Well I had a few left over that I was going to use as backups, but I needed a table runner! I had never made a table runner before, but I thought that this would be as easy as it gets! I sewed 3 place mats together to make one runner! Sounds ugly right? Then I decided to try out my first set of ruffles, which were as easy as everyone says, and have those cover my seams. This is how she turned out:

Want to make one?

Is all you need is 3, or of you have a longer table 4, 5, or 6 Dollar Tree $1 place mats.

Coordinating scrap fabric

Ribbon (optional) I decided not to use ribbon, but I might on another!

Sewing machine and scissors.

Here are the mats that I had, it would look awesome in different colors as well! I just didn't have that option!

I cut 4 strips of fabric 3 3/4in. x 25 in. that part is up to you on how many ruffles you want!

I forgot to take a picture while I was sewing the ruffles, but I'm sure you get the idea!

The 2 middle ruffles I sewed right in the middle of the strip of fabric. To make sure I had the middle, I ironed it in half first and then sewed down the line.

I also didn't finish my edges because I like the look of the raw edge with the elegant look of the place mat!

Just add Fray Stop to the edges if you do that!

I used a wide zig-zag stitch to meet the 2 ends of my place mats. There was no overlap, they were just flush against each other when I sewed the stitch.

I used stitch 3 on my sewing machine...on the longest setting it would go!

Then I lined up my ruffle on top of where I put the zig-zag stitch, where my 2 mats meet, pinned in place and sewed right down the center.

The other 2 strips of fabric, I put on the end of my runner, I sewed the edge of the fabric to make the ruffle, not the middle like the two middle strips. Then I lined up the end ruffles with the end of my runner and sewed.

If you don't want the middle seam to show up, then you would lay ribbon or another fabric right in the middle of your ruffle and sew. I didn't have any that I loved on hand, so I might add that later, or just make another and do it to that one. I like how this one looks the way it is!

Voila! It takes about 27 minutes and costs $3 and looks pretty elegant!!! Can't beat that!

Have a Happy Sunday!

Tasha

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P.S. That is the top of my table...more tomorrow..still not finished completely!

I'm linking to:
<center><a href="http://thetrendytreehouse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="The Trendy Treehouse" src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3303/4557784353_aa97118080_o.jpg" /></a></center>

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 <a href="http://www.bystephanielynn.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="UndertheTableandDreaming" src="http://i693.photobucket.com/albums/vv298/theliebertfamily/party2-1.jpg" /></a>
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<a href="http://craftingreallyawesomefreethings.blogspot.com%22%3e%3cimg/ alt="mmm button" width="150" src="http://i1037.photobucket.com/albums/a459/serendipity62/CRAFT%20blog/mmmbutton.jpg" height="125" width="150" /></a>
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Dollar Tree {DIY} Monongrammed Place mats!

                           Monogrammed place mats! FOR A little over a DOLLAR (each)! Serious!
I have not ventured into the Dollar Tree very often, maybe a couple times in my life. Mostly because I have never had one in any of the places that I've lived. The closest one to me now, is a 30 minute drive, but I hear so much about it, that I had to go see it for myself! GOOD THING! Annnnnnnyway....I have been looking for some place mats in a certain couple of colors, for a reasonable price...found them!

They are pretty just plain and simple, but I love monogramming everything. I grabbed 3 different colors that go like perfection in my home, and then decided to use the brown one for the letters, and the other two colors as the place mats. It takes only one place mat to use for your monograms, I was able to cut out 12 on just one place mat because I cut the edges off and then I had both sides of the mat to use up!

It cost me $7 for 6 of these beauties...I did both sides, so in case one sides gets dirty and I don't have time to wash it before guests get here, I just flip it over!

I used freezer paper and my Cricut with a Cricut marker to draw out the design.

I cut on of the brown mats out along the edge, leaving me two sides to work with. 

I then ironed on my freezer paper to my mat so the monograms would lay flat and still. (I also used HEATn'BOND Ultra and ironed that on the back of the brown mat, before I cut it all out together.)

I tried to cut the fabric out with my Cricut, but my mat wasn't sticky enough, so that's why I used the Freezer paper, but that would save you a LOT of time, and you could do a more cursive font too!

I chose to use a plain font, because I'm not very precise with scissors, but it would look GORGEOUS with a pretty, dainty font. When my Cricut is back in commission, I will do more with a better font. This is it for now!

Have a GREAT Weekend!!

Tasha

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I'm linking to these parties:

They are all listed on the side of my blog...GO CHECK 'EM OUT!!

Another Fall Wreath Tutorial...

Unfortunately my "brilliant makeover" turned out not to be so brilliant, more of a pain! It will be awhile before I finish it, so on to other projects for now! I have been seeing all sorts of wreaths and fall decor in blog land, so I have decided I better get my act together and get to my fall decorating! I started out with a simple fall wreath. It was so cheap and easy to make, and I think I love it! Here is what you need to create on for yourself:
P.S. It cost be under $10 to make!
Anyway go to your closest dollar store in town...I think they all have about the same things.
1. 4 or 5 (depending on size) bushels of flowers. I got 4 and I still had about one bush left.
2. 1 leaf garland in your color choice. I still have half my garland left, there was a ton for $3.
3. Any type of wreath form, I used one from an existing project because no one will see it.
4. Glue gun.

I pulled all of the leaves and flowers off the plastic stems and tossed them in the garbage!

I started gluing the leaves around and then started to fill in with the flowers...

I had the "H" on top of my cupboards and I decided to take it down to add to the wreath.

Do you like it? I don't think it looks like a flimsy DIY wreath that only cost $10, do you?

Have a Happy Tuesday!

Tasha

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Fabric Wall Applique Growth Chart (like vinyl)

Most of this is an idea that I can't take credit for, BUT I have no idea who it is that can.  Awhile ago I was watching the tale end of this Utah based T.V. show and caught the last bit of this segment. There was a lady there talking about sticking fabric on the wall like it was vinyl. I was trying to pay attention, but with 3 little kids, you can't always listen like you would like. So I filled in the blanks, and I unfortunately can't even check this girl's blog out because I didn't catch any of her! If you know who she is, let me know so I can link it up!! I at first didn't know of what I would do this for, but I thought it was a cool idea. So for nights on end I was trying to think of a way I can make it work in my home...then it finally came out of nowhere and I decided it would work best for me to use it as a growth chart rather than just a fabric decal like hers! Anyway,  I will give you my version of how I did it!
First your supplies:
1. Any scrap fabric that will fit the size you want your shape to be.
2. HeatN' Bond I used a mixture of ultra and lite because I used burlap and the "lite" wasn't holding for me.
3. scissors.
5. Iron
4. sewing machine (optional)
5. permanent marker. (for measuring your kidletts..if you want to use it for that)
Okay, so the first thing I did was draw out a huge circle on my fabric because I was making a whimsical tree to match my daughter's bedding. Then I free-handed a trunk to go with it.
Then I just ironed on my heatn'bond and ironed it onto the wall...That simple!

I also stitched around my tree for added detail, but you can just leave it plain, that's what I did on the other two that are by it. (sorry no pictures of them because camera died)I ironed the circle on the wall first...and because I was doing this alone, I used thumbtacks to help keep it up at first. Otherwise you will need an extra hand!

I had to keep trimming burlap off the trunk to make it look more fitting, and I am still looking at it and not liking i, but it's really easy to work with, that's why this is such an easy project! Then if you really don't like it or if you get sick of it after awhile, just peel it off like you would a vinyl decal! It doesn't rip of the paint or ruin the wall in anyway!!

I am using this as a growth chart in her room. So I made sure I took a measuring tape to get the height right. Then as she grows I can track it, and if we ever move I can take it down and stick it up in our new house and not have to worry about losing all that heights!!

I am going to do a simple one that can go in the play room to keep track of all my kid's heights, then it won't have to go with a certain decor style because it is just going to be a long strip of burlap with their measurements!

I have some Halloween ones that I will be putting up soon! That will come when I get more batteries for my camera!!

The trees look a lot better once you see the whole room in person. You can't really get the idea or see all the detail of the trim of the tree like you can in person...obviously!

There are a TON of different ways and ideas you can use this for! So let your imagination run wild and see what you come up with!!! (Then show me of course because I want more ideas!):)

Have a Happy Hump Day!!

Tasha

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UPDATE: One of my awesome followers knew who it was that originally did this so that I could give her credit! I knew someone would know who I was talking about, I just couldn't find her blog!

Her link is:  http://brassyapple.blogspot.com/2010/08/studio-5-free-pattern.html
Thanks so much to Sharon @ This Thrifty House for giving me the link!

Linking to:

Creation Corner

Kojo Designs

Dragonfly Designs

Tatertots & Jello

Under the Table and Dreaming

(Linky Party buttons are on the side!)

Beach Towel Wall Art

Since summer is unofficially over this coming Monday, you might have noticed all the end of summer sales! On this list of sale items are BEACH TOWELS! Walmart has a lot of different types, the usual kiddish ones, tweens and plain ones, but they also have some towels that are decor friendly! That's when I got this idea...

I made this using scrap wood and one...yes ONE beach towel!

I cut three sections of wood each measuring 40"x10"x2". Then I cut some smaller wood and screwed it in the back so that I would have something to hang it up with. I wish I had a before picture of the towel, but it looks just like what it does now, so I didn't have to do any measuring. I just cut down the lines of the towel where the pattern changed.

This is another one I did, out of a different beach towel from Walmart. I did this on 4 pieces of canvas, also found at Walmart. I think they are like $7 for a package of 2. The towels are on sale right now for like $9 I think. If you had enough scrap wood on hand then the only cost would be for the towel, or fabric you decided to use!

Linking to:

Under The Table and Dreaming

Creation Corner

Tatertots and Jello

Kojo Designs

Classy Children's art...

The other day I decided it was time to decorate our family room. I have been trying to figure out something to put in there (on a budget of course) that involved my children, but was also still classy looking. Then it hit me! Picture frames, with my children's prints on burlap, hung by ribbon, duh! Simple, cheap, classy, and kiddish!

So this is what you will need....

1. A picture frame for each of your children, or one big one that can fit them all would be cool too!

        (I got mine at the dollar store and spray painted them to match the colors in my house...$6 each)

2. Burlap. I think I used about half a yard at the most, for all 3 of my kids.

        (I had left over burlap from another project, but I know it's not more than $2 for 1/2 yard)

3. Ribbon (optional)

4. A small drill bit to make the holes in your frame if you decide to use ribbon, if not, then skip this!

5. Paint.

6. Foam brush (to paint the little hands and feeties)

7. Scissors to cut your burlap.

8. KID(s)

9. Popcorn and a soda optional.  (I, kid.)

I didn't take pictures of the process because it was a little hectic to be honest. A four year old, two year old and ten month old in a craft that involves painting their extremities....chaos! You ladies are all pretty genius, so I'm sure you won't need the step by step photos...

Anyway, this is how mine turned out, I personally think it could use a little POP of color somewhere, but I always love me some color! I think I will get different ribbon with some blues or oranges!

Oh and I forgot to date it too, so that will be later. I got a little excited to post it!

My kids LOVE them, well, the 2 that understand that they made them! Every time they pass by they point it out and feel so proud!

Link Parties (sorry, don't understand how to post the buttons yet).

Dragonfly Designs

The Trendy Treehouse

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Under The Table and Dreaming

Kojo Designs

Picture wall...

Okay, so I bought all these cheap frames from the Family Dollar. They were a shiny gold, not that they were ugly or anything, just not to my liking! Anyway, I am ADDICTED to spray paint, (in the decorating sense, not the drug sense) so I had to spray paint them of course! I used some colors that I have all over my house, I love color! So I choose a hammered finished bronze, Ivory, Turquoise, and PURPLE (WHAT?!). I thought that I would throw that color in for the heck of it! After they were all painted I threw them up on my wall and created this....

I am still trying to decide if I like it with no pictures, or if I want to add SOME pictures, along with a couple vinyl quotes or designs, or my children's artwork! Any ideas?!

Also, I made that LIMA BEAN WREATH there in the middle. I got wreath idea from Brooke at All Things Thrifty. She would be my best friend if we lived by each other! She is freakin' GENIUS!

I linked up to THE DIY SHOWOFF , The Girl Creative & The Shabby Chic Cottage!

Ceramics!

Maybe I just like ceramic things because I was raised with them? My Grandma had a ceramic shop, well she still does, but nothing is to come of all those ceramics because she is too old to run it :(...Which brings me to my post. I went in her shop the last time I was back home and came across A LOT of cool things! I forget how stinkin' cheap ceramics are, if you just get them unfinished! I of course got these things for free, but if you were to go to her shop than none of these items were over $10! Is all I needed was some paint, found at Walmart and I was set! There are SO many different techniques that you could do to these, the possibilities are endless! I was just in a home decor store here in town and found a finished water bowl thing (don't know what they are but the red picture below) and it was $55 for a smaller version of the same thing!

Here are a couple that are unfinished because I haven't decided where I want to put them!

Here is an owl cookie jar, it's in my kitchen on top of the cupboards. I don't know why I didn't paint the bottom of the hat! Opps!

This is the water bowl thing that I see everywhere, this one is really big, and in a store this would cost me at least $40-$60! It cost me it would cost you only $10 to buy unfinished and then $2 for the paint!

 

This is a cute little owl, I just painted it yellow and added a glaze, my grandpa drilled out the eyes, so I can use it as a nightlight in my daughter's room! I made a basketball nightlight for my son's room, but he is sleeping right now and I forgot to take a picture of it. Darn!

Thrifty!!!

I linked up at The DIY Showoff, http://www.creationcorner.blogspot.com/, & The Shabby Chic Cottage !