DIY Archives - Page 2 of 3

Petal Pillow Tutorial

August 16, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 19 Comments

Supplies:

Canvas drop cloth (or other fabric for the body of the pillow)
Felt (7.5” X 17.5”)
Sewing machine + thread
Hand sewing needle
Petal template

Random blah blah blah about cutting the petals: The wool blend felt I bought was 17.5” wide. I cut three 2.5” strips and then cut those strips into 2.5” squares. This gave me 21 squares (18 for the big petals, 3 for the smaller center petals). I stacked the squares 3 or 4 at a time to cut them out.

Random blah blah blah about the body of the pillow: I had an 18” pillow form, so I cut my front piece 18” X 18”. I used the already hemmed drop cloth edges to cut two 12” X 18” (this was the hemmed edge) pieces for the envelope closure on the back. If you don’t have a hemmed edge, you’ll want to cut yours bigger to allow for hemming.

Now where were we? Oh yeah. The pillow.

Decide where you want to position your flower on the pillow. Lay out 6 of the petals like this. I’ve included my tape measure in the shot, so you can see about how far apart I spaced them.

Pin them if you need to, and then sew them down (in towards the center).

Position another 6 petals for the second layer. Pin and stitch.

Position another 6 petals for the third layer. Pin and stitch.

Your 3 center petals are going to be sewed in place like this:

(pinch ‘em like a piece of farfalle pasta)

You can tack them into that shape first, or you can do it as you sew them on. You’ll want to sew them on with the points lined up with those in the 2nd row of petals.

Put the rest of the pillow together, and you’re done!

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Filed Under: DIY, fabric, home decor, sewing, tutorial

When Mountain Dew Flies…

June 29, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 35 Comments

We had a *little* incident of sibling rage last week.

Keller threw a (plastic) bottle of Mountain Dew at his sister (because she’d dropped it in the toilet). He’s not a very good aim, and this happened:

(Let’s not even get into the part where a piece of glass got stuck in the top of my foot and it bled for close to an hour, mmmkay?)

That’s my sewing room light. It’s what the contractors included in their bid when they finished our basement. And, it’s BORING.

I decided to take this opportunity and girly up the lighting in there a bit.

And a non-illuminated shot:

Cute, right? I guess sometimes kid fights aren’t the worst thing ever….

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Filed Under: DIY, home decor, ramblings

Nursery Window Treatments, Part 1

April 17, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 16 Comments

If you’re a professional drapery sew-er, you probably shouldn’t read this post.

Neighbor Jami presented me with a sketch of what she had in mind for her nursery window treatment. (The valance will be in another post, which will also show the complete window treatment installation. For now, you get my lovely helpers holding things up.)

The main panel is the measurement of the window, plus the depth of the board we’ll be mounting it to at the top. I didn’t include seam allowances because I was adding ruffles to the edges to make up the difference. If you’re not adding ruffles, add seam allowances. I was working with a wide (60”) window and typical cotton fabric (45”), so I needed to seam the fabric.

I added strips of a contrasting fabric for a little visual interest.

I ruffled strips for the edges (3” strips pressed in half) using my ruffler foot and then basted them along the edges.

The back is a piece of a cheap-o white sheet cut the same size as the main panel. I sandwiched the pieces together, right sides facing, and sewed both sides, leaving the top and bottom open.

Next I turned it right side out and marked where the contrasting stripes were on the back of the curtain. I made a small button hole towards the bottom (about 2” up) on the backing fabric in the middle of where the stripes lined up.

Turn it back inside out and sew the bottom seam closed.

Turn it right side out and press.

Next I sewed along both sides of the contrasting stripes to form 2 casings.

Then I got a couple of these:

I think they’re called cord stops or toggles or something. You can find them in the notions section of the fabric store.

I threaded a piece of cotton cording (with a knot at the end) through them and then through the buttonholes on the curtain backing and up through the casings.

I pulled it taught-ish (i.e. not so tight it puckers) and then stitched the cording down so it wouldn’t move along the top edge of the curtain.

Why? So Jami can do this to let some more light in during the day:

(I swear to you it’s cuter with the valance, this post would have just been so long I’d have gotten kicked out of blogging if I’d put it all together.)

Stay tuned for the valance and the installation!

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Filed Under: DIY, fabric, home decor, Lucy's Nursery, sewing

Guest Post: Neighbor Jami & Her Nursery Details

April 6, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 24 Comments

Jami’s back today to show us the rest of her nursery details!

This chandelier is another DI score…$2 whole dollars! I added some cream spray paint and these amazing magnetic pink crystals I found on clearance at Hobby Lobby and, voila! A dainty little chandelier!

It is screaming for some little lamp shades. I have been visiting Hobby Lobby weekly and buying them out of lampshades similar to these self adhesive, cover–it-yourself lampshades. Apparently they only stock 2 at a time?

This lamp is another DI find:

The lamp post was cute, so I spray painted it cream but the shade that came with it was pretty beat up, so I bought a “cover-it-yourself” lamp shade from Hobby Lobby and came up with this.

And of course, the name art.

Char actually did most of the work on this. (Char interruption: That is not true. Jami was the mastermind, I was just the man power.) I LOVE the way it turned out. Here is a better picture, minus the frilly iron decor above it.

The room is small and there wasn’t really room for a traditional changing table. My fabulous neighbor Decorator Wendy came up with this solution:

Handy to have a laundry basket underneath for all those newborn blowouts, right?

And then I hung the diapers and wipes bins on the wall above it.

Who wants to tell the cat her days of hanging out in here are numbered?

-Jami

Most of the curtains are done, I just need to finish the valance portion. Look forward to that project next week!

-Char

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Filed Under: DIY, fabric, guest post, home decor, Lucy's Nursery, makeovers, paint

Crib Bumpers

March 31, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 55 Comments

***I realize that some people have strong feelings about crib bumpers. The comments on this post are not the place to share those feelings, K?***

Jami picked up a damaged Pottery Barn Kids bumper at our local Down East Home store for $10 (cheaper than buying new batting, right?) and I recovered it. It was all one really, really long piece and stuffing it inside the new cover would have been a nightmare, so I cut it into 4 pieces (one for each side). I measured each piece and added 1′’ for seam allowances. I’m not giving you specific measurements for this because your bumper may be a different height and/or thickness. The top and bottom ruffles are 3” strips pressed in half and then ruffled with my ruffler foot.

I put large ties (5” strips, sewed RST into a tube and angled on the end) on the corners and a small tie on the top and bottom centers of each long side.

The bumper fabrics and the yellow for the ties are all Amy Butler fabrics.

The green ruffles are Heather Bailey.

The houndstooth on the sheet is Free Spirit. I used Dana’s tutorial for the crib sheet.

And someone remind me to head over to Jami’s to photograph her nursery in the afternoon next time because no pregnant woman should ever have to do this to help you get a good picture:

Or maybe I should just finish the window treatments next…

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Filed Under: DIY, fabric, home decor, Lucy's Nursery, sewing

Guest Post: Neighbor Jami & Her Nursery Furniture

March 29, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 26 Comments

Neighbor Jami is back today telling us about the paint technique she used on her nursery furniture!

As far as Lucy’s furniture went, I had none…at least none I wanted to use. My existing crib was way too bulky and masculine for a dainty little girl’s room, and I had given all my other baby stuff away.

So I put the word out via Facebook that I was in need of a crib and would be willing to take one off someone’s hands if they were needing to get rid of one. Within 2 hours I had landed one from my pal Mindy.
Next, I bought a solid wood dresser at the Bountiful DI for $25.00. Have I mentioned I love the DI? I do.

(The knobs are new, from Hobby Lobby)

I painted these both using a spray paint by Valspar in “Pistachio”. After a few coats and letting them completely dry I sanded the edges and then rubbed “Distress Ink” in the color of “vintage photo” on the sanded areas. (Distress Ink is basically a rubber stamp pad you can find at any craft store.) I then finished by spray painting a clear coat in a satin finish.

My Rocking chair:

My camera stinks so you can’t fully appreciate the color. It is called, “Crystal Aqua” by Valspar. A cushion is in the process as we speak. I also lightly sanded the edges and glazed the edges the same way as mentioned before.

My cute and talented neighbor and friend Decorator Wendy gave me these cute little boxes she purchased from Pottery Barn, to use next to my changing table. James painted these using the same “Aqua-Crystal” paint by Valspar that was used on the rocking chair. Then I cut out these labels in white vinyl using my silhouette.

-Jami

Hopefully the next installment will feature Char actually having sewed some bedding. If not, we might have to break up!
-Char

And, one more thing. Apparently Valspar has changed the name of the spray paint color in question. It is not longer called “Pistachio”. It’s something like “Leaf Green”, but the paint guys assured Jami it’s the exact same color. I’ll updated with the official name after my next trip to Lowe’s!

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Filed Under: DIY, furniture, guest post, home decor, Lucy's Nursery, paint

Utah Jazz Mural Paint Colors

March 25, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 1 Comment

Wall color: LA1001 Pale Apple 1 (It looks SUPER weird to me on the Valspar site.)

Navy: LA1412 Navy 6

Green: LA1116 Paris Green

Gold: A16-5 Naple’s Gold (from Olympic, but we had them color match it in the Valspar paint)

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Filed Under: DIY, home decor, paint, Utah Jazz Room

Guest Post: Meet Neighbor Jami & Her Nursery Walls

March 24, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 16 Comments

This is my insane(ly awesome) neighbor Jami, aka the person I’m most likely to get arrested with:

I’ve gotten A LOT of emails about her nursery since posting the name art.

You’re in luck, because she’s agreed to do a couple of posts to share the details with us! So, here’s Neighbor Jami!

Well, as some of you are already fully aware (and those who aren’t, surprise!!!) I am expecting! After having 3 boys and vowing to my husband, myself, and family and friends that I would NEVER be having more children. I gave in and am happy to be carrying the first, last and only daughter I will ever know!!! You can imagine my joy on finding out I was having a girl! Immediately I thought of all the wonderful things that will accompany having a girl: the shopping that will be taking place, money spent, hair bows, shoes, leggings, jewelry, dresses, lace, dolls, everything pink, just to name a few… and of course, let’s not forget the NURSERY!

Ahhh the blessed nursery. Within 2 days of finding out it was indeed a girl, my mind already conjured up brilliant plans for baby Lucy’s nursery. It has become quite the undertaking, but I must admit I love it! And of course I would never be able to produce my desired outcome without some major help from my talented friends and loved ones.

First, my amazing (and dead sexy) husband, James. He is my go to guy. I find I start a “simple” project that ends up being way more work than I had anticipated and then he lovingly steps in and finishes it for me. He is also amazing at building things I think of, that don’t exist, and “jimmy-rigging” thrift store finds so they are workable again. Besides all of these amazing things…he is a great husband and dad. I love him.

My husband, James (told ya he was dead-sexy)

Next, my pal, Char. Oh where would I be without this girl in my life? For how many times I call her for advice, opinions, directions, instructions, and to borrow just about everything, including her amazing input on craft ideas, I feel like I should be paying her a monthly fee! She has become my crafting comrade. Not only is she talented in all crafting areas, but she also provides some great comic relief to any scenario. We have had our fair share of fun crafting adventures, and fun “non-crafting” adventures. (Like the time we packed my van full of 6 boys all under the age of 6 so that I could double check a faulty pregnancy test with my doctor. But, hey…that is another story for another time).

She has been kind enough to help me out with Lucy’s nursery by helping me with some decor and also by taking on the huge project of sewing all her bedding and window dressings. I can’t wait to see them all finished and adorning Lucy’s room. It will be great!

Char and me, I feel, make a pretty good team. I feel confident enough to say that I can conjure up some pretty crafty ideas, but then to back it with brains… I am pretty much screwed.

Enter, Char.

The woman can figure anything out. Half the time she is explaining things to me I just have to nod my head and pretend to understand what she is saying just so I don’t look like a complete fool. What can I say? I am blonde, and I am a hairdresser, not a brilliant person like, Char. (no offense to hairdressers) we have our place in this world too. After all, we make people pretty! Can you imagine what an ugly place this world would be without us?

Okay, moving on…

I decided to use Jett’s old room for the nursery, because it already had bead board hanging on the lower half of the walls. I chose to re-paint the bead board using paint by Valspar called, “Craft-White”. Next, I rubbed a glaze in the creases to accent them using a tintable glaze by, Valspar. I cannot remember the color of paint I used to tint the glaze. I bought a light tan in a sample can that you can get for around $3.00 at Lowe’s.

DSC_0962-2 You can kind of see the bead board in this picture

Next came the upper half of the walls. I originally wanted this wallpaper by Amy Butler, since I love everything Amy Butler (I’d probably lick her toe jam, I love her so much) but then realized this was not going to be very practical considering the price! I’ll let you research that yourself, I don’t want to have you pass out in the middle of my post!

Bummed about the wallpaper, I called, Char and she mentioned these cool stencils. I liked the damask one myself, and I almost bought it even though it was a bit more than I’d like to spend. Then, on an outing to Hobby Lobby, I came across some wall stencils there and found a worthy comparison for only $16.99!!! I could handle that! So, I bought it. We primed and painted the upper wall using, “Baby Blush” by Valspar and then began stenciling, once the pink had dried.

For the stenciling, I wanted it very subtle, because it was a “busy” design. So I took the left over pink (1/4 gallon, give or take a few) and added the left over, “Craft-White” paint (1/2 gallon, give or take a few) to lighten it up. Next we followed the directions on the stencil and painted away. Over all the stenciling wasn’t too hard to do, just some prep work, and a lot of time, but fairly easy.

The stenciled wall. Remember, it is subtle, so look closely.

And here’s a digitally enhanced version of the same pic. The color is not that crazy in real life, I just wanted you to see the detail.

That’s it for the walls. Next up? Refinishing the furniture!

-Jami

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Filed Under: DIY, guest post, home decor, Lucy's Nursery, paint

Office Door Makeover

March 23, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 11 Comments

***Don’t forget to enter to win Shelley’s awesome How to Slipcover DVD here!***

BC’s office is the only one in the building that has a window in the door. Nice, right? Not so much when EVERYONE in the place has to pass his office on their way to the bathroom. And they all like to peek in. I have it on good authority that he occasionally falls asleep at work, so he asked me to come up with some sort of window covering solution. Here’s what we came up with:

First, we “frosted” the glass on the inside of his office door using clear contact paper and Windex. There are a bunch of instructions floating around out there, so no tutorial on that, but the gist of it is that you spray both the window and the contact paper with Windex and then you smooth out the bubbles with a credit card and trim the edges with a razor blade.

The main limitation of this technique is that you can only “frost” stuff narrower than your contact paper. We had to make a seam. You can see it in this picture:

We put his name directly over the seam to camouflage that a bit.

Next, I imported the company logo into my Silhouette software and used the trace function. I found a copycat font and retyped the smaller lettering, because it did NOT trace well.

I used Silhouette premium vinyl and applied the logo on the outside of the glass.

And now he can sleep in peace!

MARCH SILHOUETTE PROMOTION:

Silhouette SD, one of each fabric interfacing (clean cut & sewable) and a roll of white flocked heat transfer material for $229.

If you already have a Silhouette and want to try out the interfacing, you can get 25% off.

The March promotion will run from the 21st through the 27th.

Code “CRAP” will let you take advantage of either of the deals.

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Filed Under: DIY, makeovers, Silhouette, vinyl

How to paint a wall mural if you’re not artistic, Part 2

March 3, 2011 By Char @ Crap I've Made 25 Comments

Part 1 is here.

Where were we? Oh yeah…trying to find away around my unsteady painting hand.

I taped off all the straight lines using FrogTape Painter’s Tape.

Image from FrogTape

I find it seals better than the blue stuff and it’s a little more see through. You’re going to want see through…trust.

Next you’ll want to put a piece of tape right over the top of the curved lines, too. See why you need to be able to see through the tape, at least slightly?

Take an X-Acto knife and cut lightly (enough to cut the tape but not enough to screw up your walls) along the pencil line. Peel off the excess tape. Here’s what mine looked like when I was done taping and cutting and peeling everything for the yellow part of my mural.

Apply the paint to the inside of the taped area. I used cheap-o foam brushes for the yellow and green (small) parts of my mural. I used a foam roller for the blue (large) parts. Here’s how much blue we’re talking…

I turned on the ceiling fan so it would dry quicker and applied another coat before peeling off the tape and I let it dry for several hours before putting tape over the top to paint another color.

Here’s a shot whilst I was waiting for the blue to dry so I could paint the yellow.