Fall Front Porch

Welcome Fall! I've missed you terribly. I've been itching to have the colors of fall EVERYWHERE, but I couldn't explain to my hubby why I want to decorate when it's been SO HOT you'd think it was the middle of summer. Now that's is finally cooled down, the colors have started to change. So maybe it's not on the trees... but definitely at my house!

And since I've already shown you the inside, how about a look at the outside?

Berry Wreath with a few fall picks along with a paper mache B that's been Mod Podged. Cheap and Easy!



Mums and Pumpkins. Would you believe that I got these for less than half what they charge at the big box stores? Just by local or from a farmer's market. Great quality... did I mention they are HUGE?!



Mums. I didn't realize until recently that Mums were as awesome as they are. Mums: not just for Memorial Day!




And a Full Porch view

  Even though every tree and bush in my yard are still vividly green, I love the orange, reds, and yellows that fall allows me to decorate with.

So what's your thoughts? Do you decorate for the season's with a wreath and flowers? Is there anything else you add that I'm missing?

~ Janice

It's Fall Ya'll!

Fall is my FAVORITE time of year. It's finally cooling down enough to let the kids play outside and enjoy our yard. Here in Nashville, we don't have a true fall like I did growing up in Utah. So I like to bring the fall inside.

Here's what Fall Puked Up in my house this week:



Top of my great-grandmother's upright piano




Another view of my piano



Centerpiece of my dining room table (on a mirror a la thrifty decor chick)



Wooden Pumpkin made from 2x6's and SPOOKY blocks from 2x4's

 And let's not forget about my love affair with pillows:

And we can't forget about Elvira, my boys favorite flying witch:


We have two very large columns leading into our living room....too bad Elvira doesn't know how to steer

 There's my fall decor, with more to come in the next few days. Stay tuned for the Mantle and Front Porch... my favorite things to decorate for Fall.

So what do you think? Do you go all out, or just keep it low key for Fall?

~Janice

Babies, Babies, Babies

I swear they are everywhere! Either everyone has one or is going to have one. I've been to soooo many showers lately that I'm nearly over my baby cravings. Nearly....

But that's not what this post is about. This post is about being the best gift-giver at said shower. Trust me. If you include a few of these homemade burp-cloths along with your appliqued ribbon blanket in a cutely wrapped basket, you will be the talk of the shower. And many more showers to follow. In fact, I can speak from experience... your reputation will preceed you. And it's a good feeling....

So if you'd like that feeling, go ahead and make a few of these...

(I like using Gerber 6-ply Pre-folded cloth diapers. Very thick and wash extreemly well)

And then wrap them up all cute like this:

(and I'm sorry about the crappy pic... I'd forgotten about taking a pic until I had to leave and it was black outside... stupid winter is coming...)

*I made these using an embroidery machine, but you could freezer paper stencil them on or just order them from me. Yep. I'm doing a little self-promoting here. Just leave me a message, and I'll get right back to you.

What do you think? Is there anything you always give as a gift that's better? Because if there is, I'd like to add it to my basket of stuff!

~Janice

Molding Makes Everything Better..

Even Furniture!

I know that everyone has seen this little beauty (or something very similar) at their local big-box store. I've passed by it many, many times while looking for storage solutions. It looks practical.... but sometimes practical isn't pretty.

So I've left it alone, looking at other places for something a little nicer. But nicer comes with a price tag. A BIG one. And since I'm just looking to store my family's shoes and backpacks on it, I can't think of a single reason why I'd shell out $200+. But that's just me.

So we continued using a basket for our shoes... until one day, the basket just had a meltdown. It couldn't take it anymore, so it just decided to fall apart. Seriously. In one day. So then we had nothing. And no one could find their shoes.

That's when I decided to take another look at this lovely. And it was on sale! $35. Sweet! But what could I do to it to make it look just a little nicer? I took a page out of The Thrifty Decor Chick's book, and went with the motto that Molding Makes Everything Better. So I decided to chunk it up with a little MDF and trim. And guess what? It looks awesome!

What do you think?

Want to make one yourself?

Well then, you're in luck. Cause I'm feeling happy to have a computer to blog from, you get the lowdown on the construction of this $50 beauty.

Here's what you're going to need:

One assembled Closetmaid 6 Unit shelf, One 1/2" MDF board cut into two pieces (my measurements were the exact same as the top for one and the added an inch to the width for the bottom piece to have a lip), Two pieces of trim cut to the length of the shelf (I used quarter round for the bottom and door trim for the top), a Nail Gun (or hammer & nails), Liquid Glue, Wood Filler, sanding block, paint roller and tray, Kilz primer, and quart of interior paint

Now that you've gathered your supplies (or, let's be honest, raided you're hubby's stash like me), you get to put everything together.

First thing is to put the Liquid Nails on the top. This is what will actually keep the top MDF board on for the long haul. The nails just hold it in place to dry.

Then you'll line up your cut MDF board to be flush with all sides. This will be your top piece. Nail on the four corners and on the divider boards to hold in place.

Turn that puppy over, and repeat on the bottom, only making it flush on three sides, leaving the hangover on the front. Double check it's on the front side. Then check again. Because you'd hate to nail it into place only to realize that you did it wrong. Not that I speak from experience or anything...

Now that it has been beefed up a little on the top and bottom, let's make it look pretty. Give it some curves. Something to look at. To do that, you're going to lay it flat on it's back, with the front facing up. To do the top, put down some Liquid Nails and place the door trim on top. The Liquid nails are very forgiving. You'll be able to move it around to get it perfectly flush.

Once it's flush on the top and sides, you'll nail it into place.

Then you are going to place the quarter round between the overlap and shelving unit.

And once you put the trim on and stand it up, you'll have something that looks similar to this:

Doesn't it look soooo much better already!?

Then you'll prime with kilz, and paint with your selected color. I'm going to tell you though... this is the hardest part. The priming takes FOREVER. And because of the laminated boards, the paint doesn't stick very well, so it's really, really important you put on a good layer of primer before you paint. Or you'll end up with paint that will peel right off. Once again, not that I tried to cut corners or anything...

And when you're done with the priming and painting a few coats, it will look like this:

And once it's in it's special place, like this:

So for at $35 base, $5 in molding, $7 for MDF board, and paint and supplies left over from the trim in my bathroom, I got something that I'm not embarrassed to look at every time I come in from the garage.

Hope you like my Doctored Cubby! What do you think?

Applique Ribbon Blanket- A tutorial

Since I seem to be making quite a few of these bad boys lately, I figured that I might as well have a go at making my first sewing tutorial on such a fabulous item! I know this isn't the first taggie blanket tutorial you've seen-nor will it be the last. It's just my spin on a classic, with a few tricks tossed in for good measure.

If you seem to be attending baby shower after baby shower, maybe you should start being known as "The Awesome Gift Giver" by taking one of these and a few burp rags. Trust me. It's what all hormonal women want. It's just an added bonus that they will become the babies favorite blanket.

Want to make one? Then here's what you'll need:

If you're new to sewing, or just terrified at the thought of applique, it's really not that difficult. In fact, it's probably the easiest sewing there is because it's just glue. Here's a quick run down of the way I applique:

(please note that I ALWAYS use Heavy Duty Wonder Under. It washes soooo well. In my many years of using it, I've never had a problem. And you know this is going to be washed. And washed. And washed. And you don't want anything to fall off. So just use the Heavy Duty stuff ok?)

Once you've traced your shape or letter (if you'd like to monogram), cut apart the shapes so you can use them on different material. Don't waste your time cutting them out perfectly. Save that for when you have the material attached.
You're going to iron the Wonder Under to the wrong side of your material. Let it cool down. Then cut out the shape. Please let it cool. It only takes about a minute. And I don't want anyone to have to stop sewing because you've burnt your finger and thumb. Use my wisdom here, k?

Once it's cool and cut out, here's the best trick I've found for peeling off the paper backing: gently slice through the middle of the paper with a pin. Make an X and start peeling. It will peel off like a ripe banana. Promise. And you don't end up with frayed edges from trying to start on the edge.

Nice and Clean!

Once they are cut out, attach the circles to the center of the flower by removing the paper and dry ironing for 5-10 sec depending on the thickness of the material. Cottons bond very quickly. Maybe 5 sec. Flannels take about 10. So just watch it. If it's not totally stuck, just go back over it with a very hot iron.

Once you've attached the centers to the flowers, you need to attach the flowers to the material. Lay it out how it looks good to you. Trust your gut here. Or your eyes. Whatever.

Once you've ironed on the flowers, you're going to need to stitch around the applique. This is mostly for visual appeal. The Heavy Duty Wonder Under won't let go. Stitching around the edges just gives it a more finished look. Use a blanket, satin, or close zig-zag. Whatever you feel comfortable with.

Now on to the ribbons!

Select 8-10 matching ribbons. To make sure they fit, lay out the rolls like so:

Sorry the picture won't turn... but you get the idea.

Once you've determined how many different ribbons you're going to use, cut 16" of each ribbon.

Then fold over, cut at fold, fold again, and cut again at fold so you're left with four 4"ish pieces. It doesn't have to be exact.

Once you've got four 4" ribbons, you need to burn/melt the edges to keep it from fraying. This step is not optional. If you don't, the ribbons will fray after multiple washing and will come unraveled from the seam. So please just find a candle and melt the edges.

Divide into 4 equal piles.

Select a pile and layout along the side. Make sure you leave 1" on both ends for seam allowance. This is the best way I've found to keep from repeating a pattern around the sides with the ribbon, unless that's what you're going for. Take a second and make your spacing even and spread out the colors. Once you've found a layout you like, fold each ribbon in half, lay on material with the fold facing inward and edges on the edge. You can stagger the length of the tags, but don't lay them more than a 1/4" in. Or they won't get caught in the seam.

Do this for all four sides and you'll end up with something like this:

Now it's time to sew:

Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew over one ribbon, back stitch the entire ribbon, then sew over again. Do every ribbon this way to ensure they are sewn on well. Because these are going to be chewed on by little babies. And your heart would break if they were to tug one out.

Once you've done all the ribbon, lay flat, making sure all ribbon is laying properly. Take a second and pin the two ribbons closest to the corner together. This will keep them from getting caught in the seam. You can thank me later for saving you from having to un-pick and re-sew. You're welcome.

Take your fuzzy material and place it on top of the flannel, putting right sides together. Make sure all sides are flush.

Then pin around edges, leaving a 3"-4" opening for turning.

Sew around the edge, this time using a 1/2" seam allowance. Clip Corners and turn inside out. Press edges and pin shut the opening. Then sew twice around the edges using a 1/4" seam allowance.

Now step back and admire your work! Isn't it adorable?!

Whew! That was a lot of reading for you. Sorry about that. I tend to ramble. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask in the comments and I'll answer as quickly as I can

~Janice