Hometown Girl

Make an iPad Cover.

I whipped up a cover for our iPad in about and hour and as a little thank you I have one to giveaway to one of my readers (and some other goodies). I'll post the giveaway on Sunday so be sure to stop back.

You'll need two fabrics one for the outside and one for the lining, and some fusible interfacing you could use batting too.

I used an old men's suit fabric I had and a quilting cotton for the lining. I used a sheet scrap to make the pleat for the outside.

Cut 2 outside pieces 9 1/2 x 12. Two lining pieces 9 1/2 x 11 and the interfacing a touch smaller at 8 x 10.

Fuse the interfacing to the wrong side of the lining fabric (center on the lining). Put lining wrong side with teh outer fabric and fold top down about 1/2" and stitch down. You can leave raw or serge the edge which is what I did so it won't fray. If you don't have  a serger you could fold it down twice 1/4" then sew down or run a zig zag stitch along the edge.

I made a pleat and sewed it to one of the outside pieces. Pin the right side together and sew around three edges leaving the end you folded down open. Turn right side out and iron!

Hope you give it a try! If not come back and maybe you'll win one!

See you Sunday.

Susan

New Blog Design & LIttle Shades.

I'm so excited for you to see my new blog design. The lovely and talented Hope of Paper Relics did it for me and I'm so happy with it. She was such a pleasure to work with and really got what I wanted, thank you Hope! 

I'm also happy to say the bath is almost done! The ceiling, walls and cabinet are painted. I still have some distressing to do and then wax the cabinet. Then just the accessories!

Yesterday I customized the plain sconce shades I purchased at Lowes with some satin ribbon that I pleated and stitched on my sewing machine.

Then I used my gun glue to adhere the ribbon to the bottom of the shades. I started at the seam in the shade. I just dotted some glue every inch or so until I made my way around the whole shade.

I love that it's simple but so pretty!

I hope all is well with you and you are having a good week. Thank you for coming by, I love hearing from you! I'll be around to visit soon. I've been so focused on getting things checked off my list I haven't taken much time to visit this last week.

Susan

 

My Faux Roman Shade.

I created a Faux Roman Shade for the bath window. The glass is frosted so I didn't really need it to work. The window has been plain for quite some time so I decided since I was giving the whole bath an overhaul I'd make something for the window too!

I did a whole tutorial which will be published on Houzz (I'll let you know when!). 

 

Here it is waiting to be hung!

I used a painter's drop cloth from Lowes, it cost me $5.50 and the cost of the wood. The whole window treatment was under $10! Can't beat that, can you? And it looks like linen.

See you soon. I've got lots of painting to do!

Enjoy your weekend :)

Suz

 

DIY Flower Box.

I'm a big fan of shutters and flower boxes. My husband laughs at me, sometimes when we are driving I'll see a house I like and say, "It needs shutters!." or "A flower box would add so much". It's funny cause he pretty much can finish my sentences that way.

Ok, so where am I going with story? I did a DIY flower box project for Houzz. Stop by if you want to have a look at how I put this together.

Hope all is well!

Suz

Moss Decor, A How To.

The sun is shining here and you can't help but feel energized and embrace Spring! I've been wanting to create some moss ball to use to decorate my entry table. The process was simple and pretty inexpensive compared to buying them.

You'll need:

Sheet moss. (I bought the kind with the mesh behind it and it held together much better than the one without).

Spray adhesive  

Paper mache balls.

Scissors.

The mache balls were $1/each and the sheet moss I bought made all three with more leftover for something else. I got the moss for less than $5 using a coupon. I had the spray adhesive on hand. Total cost about $8. 

First I cut the moss to fit around the ball.

Spray with adhesive.

Wrap the moss around the mache. It's very pliable.

Any place where there is too much cut off and push down so the seams don't show.

Any little bare spots just quick a tiny squirt of adhesive and use a small piece to cover.

They are so bright and pretty! Perfec upcoming St. Patrick's Day and Spring.

I used them in my ironstone compote with some burlap, my little white bird and a silver dish filled with eggs.

Hope you are enjoying a day filled with sunshine!

Thank you for visiting I'm so grateful for all of you who come by.

Suz

 

Chair Redo Tutorial on Houzz

My chair tutorial has been pulished on Houzz. You can see the whole process on how I transformed my chairs. I hope all is well with you!

Susan

Simple Jute Wreath.

 Since we are nearing the end of Fall I thought I'd make a new wreath for our side door. I had an extra foam wreath on hand and on a recent trip to Joann's I found a thick jute (for only $2 using my coupons). I knew it would come in handy for something. I wanted to keep the elements simple & removable so I can change it for various seasons.

 

I used two colors of my favorite double-faced satin ribbon. I like the contrast between the organic jute and the elegant ribbon. I wrapped the wreath first in jute, securing every couple wraps with hot glue. I added my ribbon hanger and then I decided to use the "give thanks" tag from my table here. This is just tied around the wreath so it can be easily removed. I adhered ribbon to the top of three of my glittered pine cones with hot glue and tied those each around the wreath until I was happy with the placement.

It's simple, pretty and it's perfect for Thanksgiving. I can easily adapt it for Christmas by removing the tag.

Hope this Wednesday finds you well!

x0 Susan

p.s. I'm grateful for my friends, old & new. I couldn't get by without you!

Linking to Southern Savvy Style

Simple, Organic Holiday Gift. Pretty Pine Cones.

I love using things we find in nature for gift giving. I created pretty bags of glittered pine cones to use as Holiday decorations. Collecting them is something that the little guy and I enjoy doing together. If you don't have access to them you can find them at your local craft store. 

You'll need:

pine cones

silver or gold spray paint

Modge Podge

glitter

bags, tags, stamps & ribbon for packaging (I used vintage seam binding, vintage luggage tags & SU stamps).

After the pine cones are spray painted and dry use a paintbrush to dab some glue (Modge Podge) around the pine cone. Mix with a little water if you need to. Sprinkle with glitter and let dry.

Fill clear bags and add a tag & ribbon.

I think they make thoughtful gifts without breaking the bank.

A quick recap of the week.

Glitter Ornaments here.

Give Thanks Outdoor Table here.

Reader Appreciation giveaway here.

I'd be remiss if I didn't wish all our Veterans a blessed day. I am so grateful for their dedication and service so that we can enjoy the freedoms that we do, thank you.

Wishing you all a beautiful and blessed weekend.

Susan

Today I am thankful for all the amazing heroes that serve our Country.

The Little Acorn Project.

We were on the hunt again, this time for acorns. We were able to get some at my friend's house. Her lawn was covered in them. We picked a big bag, most had lost their caps but with my handy glue gun we put them back on in no time.

 

 

I got out my stash of vintage jars, filled them with small candles and added my acorns. Best part, my son and I got outside to enjoy a beautiful Fall day, bonus I didn't spend a penny!

 

I added them to the living room coffee table next to my jar filled with sunflowers. They make the room feel so earthy & cozy.

 

 

This little project is proof again that it doesn't have to cost you a lot to add little details that make a house a home. While I'd love to claim credit for this one I can't. As I'm pouring over those cattys (thank you PB) I take in every detail to see what I like and can recreate myself. It's sweet and simple and suits my style perfectly.

I have more details about the living room to share soon, it's coming along. As always I appreciate your visits. Enjoy the week and I'll see you soon.

~Susan

*reposted from last Fall.

 

Fall Makes Me Want to Knit.

As the cooler weather approaches I get in the mood to knit. I found this gorgeous cowl on Pinterest which also shares the link to the pattern. I've already gathered my needles and yarn to get started on this beautiful cowl. This piece is totally my style and I know I will get tons of use out it. Depending on how long it takes me this may turn into some Christmas gifts. I may even try to adapt it to the single crochet since that goes so quick!

 

 

Happy knitting!!

xo

Susan

p.s. want to learn to knit or crochet? you can find some great basic tutorials just by Googling the subject or I like the children's books available at the craft stores. They are so simple to follow.

still time to enter my giveaway, winner picked tomorrow!

enter here