Scrap Quilt

During my spare time that last couple days I have been busy sewing together a scrap quilt for my living room.


I used up the last of my favorite red ticking stripe fabric (so sad), a little red fabric for the binding and leftover red fleece for the backing.

Here she is!

Using 6 inch squares, I sewed it together alternating the direction of the stripe. I didn’t worry too much about the squares not matching up - - it’s not worth my sanity!

I added cozy fleece for the back and trimmed it all out with a 1 inch binding.  You can see I still need to hand sew the binding onto the back.  I'm waiting for movie night to roll around this weekend.

See why I call it a scarp quilt?  Two colors of red fleece on the back.  Not very professional, I know, but I wanted to use up what I had.  Besides, when I get sick of it I won't feel like I need to keep it since I didn't spend an arm and a leg on it. 

She'll look right at home when she'll all finished. 

Living Room: Rearranged

We live in a split level home and the first room at the top of the steps is the living room. I feel it needs to make an impression.


Lately it’s been sad and lonely looking.

I’d like to slipcover the sofa. Add some personality. Even thoughts of painting the walls have been swirling around my head. I need to figure out how to marry together four key components.

1. A clean, crisp, airy feeling

2. My love of vintage items

3. Kid friendly room

4. Ever changing colors schemes (it seems I have a different color favorite for each season)

My heads telling me to go white or neutral, I just can’t seem to take the plunge. I’ve been putting off doing anything, hoping a plan would form in my head.

So far – Nada!

I finally said “THAT’S IT - - NO MORE WAITING AROUND”, I just need to do something to help out this poor, sad room until a plan is realized.

I started scrounging around the house looking for anything that would work. I added curtains, moved furniture, and brought in a few accessories until it looked a little more cozy.

It’s looking better.

I need to find some sort of end table for by the couch. The wall above the chair needs something, anything - - just don’t know what.

Any suggestions?

Tutorial: Valentine Pillow

This morning I made this.

It turned out so cute I thought I'd would show you how to make your own.  My first tutorial!  Yipeeee!

This is an envelope style pillow cover, super easy to make. You will need three pieces of fabric to form the envelope. Since math and I don’t get along so well, I cheat a little when it comes to cutting my fabric.

I needed a finished cover of 15 ½ inches square, so I cut three pieces 16 ½ by 16 ½.

Next I took two of the cut pieces and finish one side with a double folded hem (fold back 1 inch; press, fold again, press; sew seam)

Here’s where I cheat.

I place the front of the pillow right side up. Next I layer first one then the second hemmed pieces on top of the front piece, overlapping the finished edge by an inch or so. Throw a few pins into it to keep it in place, then I flip it over and using the front piece as a guide I trim the extra off the sides. Now all three pieces are ready to be sewn together. But don’t sew yet; we need to embellish the front of the pillow first!

Cut one piece of contrasting fabric 10” by 10”

Cut one piece of contrasting fabric into a heart shape.

Trace both unto Heat n Bond paper, and cut it out.

Double check the fit of the Heat n Bond by flipping your fabric to the wrong side and placing the Heat n Bond on top (paper side up). Trim as needed. I trim it slightly smaller than the finished piece of fabric in order to avoid getting my iron all sticky from the Heat n Bond.

Once the fabric and Heat n Bond match up it’s time to iron. Place your fabric wrong side up, place Heat n Bond on top and iron. Let cool.

Here's how it should look. 

Now you will have three pieces to put together. 

With your pillow front right side up, place 10” square in the center (remove paper backing first) and iron in place.

Next, remove paper backing from heart, center on 10” square and iron it on.

It should look like this.

Next, using a zigzag stich, sew around both the 10" square and the heart.  I used red thread on the white square and white thread on the heart.  Here's what it should look like.

Next step, pillow assembly.

With right side facing up, place pillow front on table, place one back piece (right side facing down) on top, follow by second back piece.

Pin in place.

Sew around the outside.  Turn right side out and check fit.  If it works, trim seam allowances and finish edges (I use a zigzag stich)
 

Your done!  Enjoy!

Linked up to:

Vintage Finds

Good Morning Ladies.  Happy Monday.  Hope you had a lovely weekend!

Thought I would share a few vintage items I've picked up in the last couple weeks that I found beautiful and adorable. 

First, I'd like you all to meet my new puppy friend.  Isn't he the sweetest.  I've been on the look out for cast iron dog figures but haven't had much luck.  Once I saw this sweet little guy, I just knew he had to come home with me.  He's not cast iron, but I love him just the same. 

Next, I found one more silver pedestal bowl (in the foreground). I now have three and am obsessed with them. Always on the lookout for more!

I’ve added a crystallized candle ring to each bowl and love the dark and light contrast. Plus it seems very “wintery” to me.

Finally, I picked up a small milk bottle with red type and a few silver knives.

Not crazy about the knives in the milk bottle, but for now it works. I have them both displayed on the shelf in my kitchen.

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A Picture Surprise

Have you ever handed your camera over to your kids and let them go wild?

My kids love it!

They have such fun snapping pictures and giggling or sometimes making movies. It’s not unusual for them to fill a whole memory card in an hour. Sure I end up with an uncountable number of photos showing fuzzy faces, feet or hands; But every once in a while I receive a surprise.

A photo I fall in love with.

This morning, while clearing my memory card one such photo popped out at me.

Taken by Ms. Z it reveals a view in our home I didn’t know could look so good. So cozy.

So heart warming.

On a daily basis I spend hours sitting at this computer, working and playing.

It’s become common-place. Familiar. Unappreciated.

This photo speaks to me. It says “home”.

It gives me a warm and cozy feeling in my heart. It’s not often I take the time to enjoy my home. I’m too busy running around taking care of it and the people who live here.

I will cherish it.

It will remind me to appreciate what I have and to take the time to slow things down and enjoy it.

Simple Ruffle Heart Pillow

This morning I felt like sewing something. 

Didn't know what but after digging around in my supplies, I came up with a little something for Valentines Day. 

Now don't judge it too much, it looks a little kooky.  It took less than an hour start to finish--just the type of project I needed today.  Something quick and easy.

A simple envlope style pillow cover made of white muslin with a ruffled ribbon heart shape in the middle. 

Ahhhhhhh, sewing is such fun!

Beautiful Eye Candy

This morning I was browsing my archives of photos I've saved to my old computer and came across a few that have me thinking Hmmmmmmm.  Thought you might like to take a look (sorry, I don't now where these photos are from since it was before my blogging days.  If you have any idea please let me know - Thanks)

I really like this room.  It looks so comfy and relaxed.  I enjoy how filled with light it is and the white background make all the blue and green just pop!  Plus I love every single piece of furniture and of course the floor and beadboard ceiling.  It's the type of room I dream of having but just can't seem to take the plunge into so much white in my own home. 

I think this sweet pillows ruffle and buttons are adorable.  Thinking I would like to make a few for my bed. 

Here's a lovely mudroom.  All the elments are very simple and completly do-able(if that's a word)  Plus a few touches of red never hurts. 

Momma Don't Rhyme

NOTE:  This is a silly post, sorry.

Let’s face it - - I’m not a rhymer. I’m in awe of those who have the gift. Oh sure, I’ve mastered 1st grade rhyming like . . .

Cat and Hat, Mat and Rat. . . but that’s it.

Ask me for a “grown up” rhyme and something strange happens…

I get that deer in the headlight look. . .

My poor brain struggles for a word, but instead one brain cell at a time it all goes numb…

It becomes like a deep void, a faint echo saying “ think…think…think…” can be heard…

Then it’s over and I’ve got nothing!

Imagine my surprise this morning while talking to Ms. Z when a rhyme just slipped out.

I stopped in my tracks, said it again, then proceeded to do little happy dance of celebration as I chanted my rhyme. Pretty sure Ms. Z thought I finally went crazy!

So what’s the rhyme you ask? Ok here goes - - remember I’m a novice!

It’s Not Very Fun, But It Needs To Be Done.

I’m still wondering if I heard or read this somewhere and it just bubbled out. You real ryhmers out there, if it’s not a rhyme – just pretend it is, Ok? For now I’m calling it my own.

A transforming morning . . . Momma can Rhyme! Who would have thought!

Rearranging

Come January the rearranging bug comes to town. This year I started in the dinning room with my trouble spot.

I have two picture ledges hung on the wall which in the past have always giving me trouble in the decorating department.  Twice a year, Christmas and Halloween, its perfect;  the rest of the year - not so much. 

Today however, I think I've finally figured it out, and I'm loving it. 

Loving the overlapping photos in black frames with large mats (ok, there not matted, just centered on a piece of textured cardstock and held to it with a touch of scotch tape - - but it looks matted!) along with a few of my current favorite silver items. 

I think the whole arrangment looks wonderful against the yellow walls.

So what do you think?

Did I FINALLY Get It Right?

Have You Tried This: Bounce Dryer Bar

Bounce Dryer Bars are AMAZING!

No more annoying dryer sheets stuck inside pant legs. Just stick the bar to your dryer drum and your good to go! Four two months!

LOVE. IT.

Give it a try!

Dusting Off The Sewing Machine

This morning found me digging out my sewing machine, dusting it off, and flexing a few sewing muscles.

The occasion?

One of Mr. J's team members is celebrating the arrival of a itty bitty bundle of joy. It has become tradition for us to give a handmade baby gift.

I thoroughly enjoy this task, it's such fun picking out adorable fabric and transforming it into something useful for a new mom. This time around I picked a super fuzzy fleece in green, a pale pink fleece and a striped flannel.

Here's the finished product. Turned out very I think.

Heat Wave Coming Our Way!

I feel like I should dig out my summer clothes and throw a party. We might reach 32 degrees today - - finally warm enough to enjoy our winter wonderland.

This mornings view of the park behind our house was breathtaking. The trees were frosted and everything was a lovely blue tint. Talk to you tomorrow, Robin

I have some lovely pictures to show you today from an old issue of Country Home magazine, a la' August 2000, I miss Country Home - it was by far my favorite magazine.

Naughty me, I swiped it from my mom's stash over the holidays in order to take a couple pictures of a few pages that caught my eye. DON'T Worry, mom's coming over today and I'll return the magazine to me - grudgingly!

Sorry the photos aren't the best.

I love this room. All the white and red accents. The creaming white walls. The layed back furniture. Oh, and the faded sign over the fireplace - love it!

Did you notice the pillow on the couch! How adorable - American flags and pom-pom fringe, a perfect combo.

My red loving, chipped paint infatuated heart is SWOONING over this simple fabulous bucket. Where can I get my hands on a bucket like that!

This photo jumped out at me also. Love the black stools, the wide plank floor and of course the signs. Ah! the signs. I've got to figure out how to make my own since I have no luck finding this sort of thing on my trips to the antique store.

I thought this arrangement was stunning in an old trophy. Guess what item has been added to my "must have" list - - I bet you guessed an old trophy with graceful handles. Man! you ladies are good. Anyone else as infatuated as I am?

Beautiful Rustic Barn

Do you like taking pictures?

Me too!

I enjoy it so much I don't think a day goes by in which I don't take a least a couple. I'm not the best photographer and I only use a point-and-click type camera but with the help of Picnik I am normally very happy with my photos. I'm always impressed with the photos of others showing smiling families in front of rustic backdrops. I find myself wondering "where to people find these places"?

Well........I found a place.

Over the holidays we went to my parents home. They share a driveway with Farmer Larry. He has a wonderful old barn that hasn't been used in the twenty some years I've know it, and it is literally right in their front yard. The barn has always seemed part of mom and dad's, although it isn't. I was happily snapping pictures of the barn in all its winter glory and realized it was the perfect backdrop. Of course I snapped a million more pictures and plans began to form in my mind. Hurry up Spring or at least a mild winter day - I've got plans and can't stand to wait.

Here she is, isn't she perfect!

A rustic door, the weathered wood is so pretty. I can just see one of my lovely little ladies framed in the doorway.Or how about this door? Aren't the hinges fabulous, oh and the little rustic window in the middle - so cool!

Or how about a poise in front of this fabulous brick foundation. The poor little window looks like it's seen better days but it would also be so fun in a photo.
And last but not least, this wonderful rusty sign. Boy would I love to get my hands on it. It would look great hanging in my family room.


Hope you enjoyed these pictures as much as I did. Here's one more beauty before I go.

Talk to you tomorrow, Robin

A Pretty Way To Oraganize My Week

I'm sure you have all seen chalkboard and white board projects swirling around the blogs you read, and you probably love them as much as I do. But in real life I dislike writing with chalk and I'm not crazy about the look of whiteboards.

A while back Chris over at Just a Girl did a fabulous calendar thingy with an old frame, I have been wanting to make one for my kitchen. Today, my friends, was the day to get it done.

I scrounged around my old frames and found this one.

It's was little dark for my taste, so I of course painted it white, then added a little burnt amber glaze to distress it up a bit.

Next I hot glued the glass to the frame and POOF a new whiteboard - - how easy it that. Thanks Chris!

I didn't add the calendar grid since I always have a hard time writing in those little squares. Instead I'll use the large blank space to write the weeks highlights, to-do list, shopping list or whatever!

You should have seen the look on Ms. Z face when I started writing on it. At first she looked horrified, then a sneaky little grin appeared, followed by a shout of "let me try".

Good stuff, Talk to you tomorrow. Robin

Linked up to Transformation Thursdays.

I'm Back! Yipeeeeee!

That was the longest three days of my life!

My computer bit the dust just as I was crawling out from under the holiday mess in my house. I was ready and eager to get back to blogging then POOF - no computer.

It worked out ok though, it gave me time to start my January sweep of the house and get my hands dirty organizing neglected corners of the house. I'm proud to say I've conquered the dreaded storage closet and came out victorious!

What have you been up to?

And because whats a post without a picture - - take a gander at this cutie.

My Computer Bit The Dust ...I'll be back soon(I hope)