Paint Chip Calendar & Memo Board

I sure can't claim this as my idea but here's my interpretation of the adorable calendar that many of you may have seen over at Sewfantastic.  Isn't hers cute?!  I love the felt flowers she used to embellish the frame!

I took an old frame from the thrift store and painted it with homemade chalk paint, distressed and waxed it.  Using spray adhesive, I attached a piece of fabric to the back of the picture that was in the frame, then attached the paint chips using my Scotch ATG tape gun.

 I wanted a way to display the month so I took a jar lid, sprayed it orange and attached it using E6000 glue to the frame.  

 The months were printed out on cardstock and cut using my circle cutter.  I added a stamped flourish that mimics the print of the fabric.  I glued pieces of scrap magnet to the backs of the month pieces so they'll stick onto the lid.

 No real cute or clever way to keep the month pieces nearby so for now, they're in a bag and hanging next to the calendar.  To make this magnetic to put on my refrigerator (I have NO wall space to hang it!), I used super, heavy-duty magnets that I buy on Ebay.  

They are about the size of a dime and only about 1/16" thick but VERY strong.  I don't think standard magnets would work -- I used 6 on the back of the frame to hold this and attached them with E6000 glue.

 With left over fabric and another frame painted and distressed, I created a little memo board that hangs by the back door.  Everyone in the family knows when they run out of something or use something up, they write it on the board. (I used to just have a stick on dry erase board here but I like this better!)

 This is just a piece of chipboard covered with paper and aged on the edges with the paper punched flower piece added so we "Don't Forget"!

More Pennant Banners!

LOVE making these! Banners are such a simple way to add color and fun to an indoor or outdoor space, in my case, my gazebo.  I really put aside my 'obsessive, compulsiveness' on these and went for quick and simple.

 After making a pattern with paper, I cut out the triangles using pinking shears and then used a zig-zag stitch along the edges to stop any fraying.  Folding the top edge over some rickrack, I again used a zig-zag stitch to create the banners.

I made two banners and hung them in the gazebo.  I decided to use the left over fabric to make a table runner and created some mini-pennants for the ends.

These pieces I cut out and stitched two together and then turned them right side out and attached them to the runner. Here's a little tip:  When trying to create a nice, sharp point, take a single stitch ACROSS the point and then trim. 

I topped them with left over red, rickrack.

I haven't had time to make a centerpiece yet so for now I'm using this basket I got at a garage sale which I painted and added the labels to using paint chips.  The jar candle holders were different colors before so I just sprayed them to match the new colors.

Found these adorable glass lady bugs at a gift shop when I went to collect my daughter from college.

 TOTALLY enjoying record-breaking heat here in Chicago! Hope you are enjoying good weather, relaxation and a beautiful 3-day weekend!

Patriotic Porch

Short on time and short on money (story of my life - LOL!) I came up with a few quick projects to add some patriotic pizazz to my "Plain Jane" porch.  I started with this simple fabric banner (I didn't even finish the edges of the pennants -- just used pinking shears -- gasp!)

 For the table, I found this tablecloth at the thrift for 1.00 and the little patriotic teapot for 2.00! 

 

A scrap of left over fabric from the banner adds a little interest (also just used pinking shears on the edges).

 

With the addition of a few peonies and ferns from my garden, I'm ready for the holiday.  I hope everyone has a beautiful Memorial Day spent with family, friends or just relaxing!

 

Deck Decor - Give 'em the Boot!

I've never really decorated my deck/gazebo with a "plan" in mind but this year I do have one.  Here is my color palette inspired by the center fabric and . . . .

my red chandelier I made last year.  Red is one of my favorite colors and it is easy to combine with so many other colors.  My plan is to use these fabrics to make a pennant banner, table runner and other accessories.

I've seen a lot of cute ideas using children's boots for planters so when I saw these at the thrift for 2.00 -- I grabbed them.  I got the ceramic plant holder for free at a garage sale and sprayed it orange.

The hardest part of this project was putting drainage holes in the boots!  Why is it that when kids are WEARING them . . . they are full of holes in no time but when you WANT to put holes in them -- it's almost impossible!  I added a few basil plants to carry on the 'green, orange, red' theme and one of my wine cork plant markers. 

We're FINALLY enjoying warm, summer-like weather . . . I hope your summer is off to a great start!  Have a boot-iful day.  Sorry, couldn't resist.

 

Cork Plant Markers

I've wanted to make plant markers for awhile and when I saw Virginia's idea over at Artsy VaVa -- I knew this was something I wanted to try.  Check out her blog -- she is simply overflowing with fantastic ideas and tutorials!  I had to improvise because I don't have a word burning tool (which is what Virginia used) to write the words on the corks.  I used a black, permanent marker and then sealed it with clear, acrylic spray paint.

I got some small 'cocktail' forks at the thrift store to use for the herbs and I'll be using larger ones for my vegetable garden.  Using wire, I added some shell beads and a pearl and then covered that with twine.  Virginia also tells us to pound the tines flat, which I did as well.

Stick a fork in it . . . I'm done.  For now.

 

Removing Wallpaper Border

It's taking a very long time to convert our son's room into a study/guest room but we're making progress!  My husband got the ceiling painted and all of the trim painted white and then it was on to removing the border.  

The top layer came off fairly easily but left behind the pasted layer and reminded me that this was once our girls' room!  I made the stencils and painted that border when they were little girls and in love (well, they STILL love!) with Lion King . . . sniff, sniff.  

 At the hardware store they recommended "WP Chomp!" to remove this bottom layer and as you can see in the first picture -- it was fantastic!  (Plus . . . how great is that name!?)  It comes in larger sizes for wallpaper but this size was perfect for the border and we hardly used any of it.  

 Overseeing the renovation is our little chocolate Cocker Spaniel, Ava and her best girlfriend, Ande (who we were watching for a few weeks).  The walls will get their paint this weekend and then I get to do the fun part -- decorating!

 

Canvas Repair

I may refer to my gazebo top as "Frankenstein" but I've also saved $80.00 by repairing it time and again rather than replacing it.  It's been through wind storms and hail storms but with one great product and my sewing machine, it lives to see another summer!

Tear Mender is great for any type of repairs on fabric, denim, leather or canvas and dries 'rubbery', not stiff so it helps to prevent further damage.  You can order it on Amazon for $19.99.  Some of my tears were pretty horrific and thus required extra patching and sewing.  

After stitching, I apply a thick layer of the liquid and let it dry overnight.  I just use my finger to spread it -- it dries up quickly and you can just roll it off (remember doing this with Elmer's Glue?!). You could use a brush but I find it's easier to do it this way.  This bottle has lasted me (and several friends I've loaned it to) for three years now so it has more than paid for itself.

No time to decorate yet but here is my retreat where you can find me almost every evening.  

Let It Be Mother's Day!

According to Wikipedia (where ELSE do we go for accurate information these days??!!) this is the definition of Mother's Day:  Mother's Day is a celebration that honors mothers and motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March, April, or May.  

Here is my gift to all of you moms out there!
The young guy playing the guitar in this video is a wonderful friend of my son and a very talented musician.  He and his friend recorded their version of the Beatles "Let It Be".

Enjoy and Happy Mother's Day!

 

Psalm 139 Bottle Pictures

I pinned this idea a while ago when I saw it on "Treasures from the Heart".  Be sure to check out her blog because she did a lot of different projects using these verses!  I made these pictures this week for two of my friends who are celebrating birthdays.

 I added a little "bling" around the necks of the bottles and some shells/rocks collected on vacation last summer.

To wrap them I used a few of my vintage tea towels and tied them up with a pretty organdy ribbon.

 The flowers were part of a bouquet of these given to me by a dear friend (who just happens to be my son's Mother-in-Law) for my birthday.  

They are hand made out of paper . . . yes, paper!  Even the frilly centers . . . paper! There is a great story behind them and I'll be featuring more about the creator of these flowers in another post soon!  

I want to wish all of you mothers a VERY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY . . . relax, enjoy and celebrate!