mags rags

New Life for 2 Sad Dining Chairs...

2010-03-11T17:25:00.000-08:00

These lovely ladies had seen better days...missing their seats, lots of scratches & scuffs...

Nothing a hand sander and a little upholstered bench seat can't fix! First, I made the scratches and scuffs appear to be on purpose (by adding more of course!) and attached a rectangular piece of plywood covered with a graphic black and cream floral. I also added a burlap pillow with a large red felt flower pin. So many possibilities with these....what a cool project! I had planned to cover the seat with burlap and do a floral pillow, but changed my mind at the last. Glad I did!

I think I will be making more benches.....sorry Dad!

(Fresh) Trash 2 Treasure

2010-03-11T15:01:00.001-08:00

First, the maple side table....a dumpster find....! Please note, I did not actually climb in the dumpster, the tables were sitting beside it. & A friend was kind enough to point them out to me :) ! I simply sanded the tables, painted a cream color, distressed some more, and wiped an ebony stain on top! 2 Free tables....check! They are going to the school auction later this month!

And now the ugly 80's mauve lamps. Same dumpster, well just beside it. First, as you can see in picture #1 above, I sanded the lamps. I then painted them white, too boring. I then wiped an ebony stain on top of the paint, to weird. Hmmmmmm.....decoupage will cover up all my mistakes!!! I used an old dictionary purchased at the Habitat Restore for $0.50. (knew it would come in handy!) Funky shades with black and khaki stripes, perfect match. Still think the shades need a great big colorful fabric flower? What do you think???? Lamps are also headed to the auction, sure hope they find a home!

Another auction quilt down & 1 TO GO....

2010-03-07T07:43:00.001-08:00

So I have not posted in a while....busy quilting, refinishing furniture, and taking care of a sick child and a husband that just had surgery. (not in that order) Child is better, husband is on the mend.

But finally! The three year old class quilt is finished! The silhouettes turned out great and were super easy! Here are the steps:

1. Take a profile picture, against a white or light colored wall
2. Print the picture using black & white ink (draft mode on your printer)
3. Iron heavy duty wonder under (or similar product) to a piece of fabric large enough to hold picture.
4. Using a glue stick or double sided tape attach picture to the paper side of wonder under
5. SLOWLY cut around the picture...you are cutting through the paper, wonder under, and fabric
6. Peel off paper (picture) and wonder under. You should be left with a profile silhouette, fabric on one side, and shiny sticky material on the other
7. Place fabric shiny side down onto the bask fabric and iron! DONE!
8. Do not try to sew through the finished product...it doesn't work, trust me ;)

More School Quilts for Auction!

2010-02-21T14:38:00.000-08:00

Another quilt is almost complete! This is the 2 year old class quilt. I think the flowers look like lollipops, but my children assure me they look like flowers! Do you think they need leaves? I am also going to add a bird to the tree...should have done that before I added the back!

Bringing a drawing to life!

2010-02-14T14:48:00.000-08:00

Three days in the house with my sick little guy! We found this fun idea in a Martha Stewart Good Things for Kids Craft booklet (the kind that are available at the grocery store checkout!). My son drew his "creature" on a regular sheet of paper. I then cut around the picture leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance. He chose his fabric and buttons from my stash & we put the hole thing together! Just needs some stuffing & we are done! Something fun to do on a cold, yucky day!

Pillowcase Dress Tutorial ~ Doll Size

2010-02-13T09:38:00.000-08:00

I have been working on a girl's pillowcase dress with a matching doll dress. I have looked everywhere for a tutorial on making a pillowcase dress for a doll. I was unable to find anything! So here is what I did...I folded a regular 8 1/2 x 11 sheet of paper in half lengthwise and trimmed a corner for a sleeve. I then cut two pieces from this pattern. I then followed a regular pillowcase dress pattern. Free patterns are available everywhere!

See the pictures below for the final dress & doll dress! Both are up for grabs in my ESTY shop!

Tote Bag made from an old T-Shirt

2010-02-13T09:07:00.000-08:00

I have seen this done before & even found a few tutorials. All of the instructions I found online made a SIMPLE, 5 minute project , WAY to complicated. Most of my friends know I like quick, easy projects....that I can do in a day (or 10 minutes, really). I have no patience & can not wait to see the end result!

So here goes...

1. Find an old t-shirt
2. Cut off the sleeves
3. Cut around the neckline, a few inches from the collar (see pics)
4. Turn the entire thing inside out (or outside in if you are that kinda person)
5. Stitch 3 rows of straight stitched across the bottom, back stitching at each end
6. Stitch a row of zigzag stitches for extra stability
7. Turn right side out & YOU ARE DONE!

Planet Applique

2010-02-08T18:26:00.000-08:00

Aren't these adorable!!!! I love this website for applique and embroidery designs! Check it out http://www.planetapplique.com . From Feb 8th to Feb 28th the new in the hoop bunny booties pattern is FREE with a $15.00 purchase! You can get a free design if you send a photo & they are having a sale on select designs...$0.99!!!!!!! Everything is so cute! & the prices are all so great! They even have a blog which has wonderful pictures and tutorials!

Quick & Easy Valentine Project

2010-02-06T17:37:00.000-08:00

OK, this is NOT my original idea. However, I waited to long to order online & I think these turned out just fine. We have a NO STORE BOUGHT VALENTINE rule at our house. Actually it is self imposed, I don't think my husband or kids would care. At any rate, it is tough to find something for an eight year old boy going on 14 to take to a Valentine's Day party, that won't get him decked (his words). So I created Hershey bar wrappers in Word using clip art, and word fonts. I just measured the candy bars and printed a few drafts until I got it right. A little double side tape & viola!

New Etsy Items....Just Listed!

2010-02-06T17:11:00.000-08:00

Here is a sneak peak! I finally have some dresses made! And it actually did not rain today, so I could get some decent pictures. I plan to list the items for sale in my shop...if they don't sell they are going to auction! I love these fabrics, but felt a little silly taking pictures of spring dresses while it flurried outside! Check them out! www.etsy.com/shop/wjackson98

School Auction - It is QUILTING time again

2010-01-30T13:07:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again. My children's school is preparing for the largest fundraiser of the school year. As I think I have mentioned before, my children attend a very (very, very) small private school. Along with the all of the benefits of a private education, comes the work involved to sustain a privately funded school. A few years ago we started a low country boil and auction. The auction includes a little bit of everything, trips, gift certificates, and household items. I believe that is one reason we have been so successful. The big draw for the parents is the classroom art, in our case QUILTS. The quilts, which include the student's artwork, are put together by parents.

This year the auction will include seven quilts, featuring the art of nearly 70 students! I thought this blog would be a great place to share our ideas! Let me start this post by saying that I am not a quilter, by any means. I am certain that I break every quilt "rule" known to man. No sewing circle would ever have me & I only learned to thread a needle 5 years ago! But we HAVE raised A LOT of money!

Each year our school director chooses a theme...we try to incorporate that theme in our Christmas play, parade floats, fundraising, etc. This years theme is GO GREEN. Great subject, great lesson for the kids, & so many, many ideas! I plan to post pictures of each quilt in progress and the finished projects.

The first quilt, kindergarten & first grade, is entitled "Save the Oceans". It was inspired by a project I found online. I wish I could link up to the owner, but I have no idea where I found this fantastic inspiration:

Which leads me to our version. I am working on the background "water". Sewing the curves has proved to be a little harder than I thought! I found a very user friendly tutorial at http://www.equilters.com/. ( Here is the link http://www.straw.com/equilters/library/techniques/sewing_curves.html) And now our work in process !

The children have made sea creatures, sharks, jellyfish, dolphins, using a glue batik method found at http://www.familyfun.com/ to create their artwork. (Here is the link http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/glue-batik-banner-785331/ ) I'll be sure to post some more pictures when we are finished!

Off to the sewing machine to work on another.....

Funky Side Table

2010-01-24T20:42:00.000-08:00

Thought I would share this fun project I finished a few months ago. This whimsical little table needs a home, just not mine. I loved making it, just not sure where to put it! I originally purchased the table base with hopes of using it for a night stand in my daughter's room. But (sigh) I did not measure & it was way to big! My partner in crime found this great clock...hmmmmm. I removed the clock parts and attached the table to the base. I also added black stain to tone the yellow down a bit. Not sure why I thought a table with a clock on top needed to be toned down, but what the hey. I don't think the clock face would withstand the elements, or this baby would be on the porch! Isn't it fun?

Sweet Scarf

2010-01-24T20:05:00.000-08:00

I think the rain has finally ended in GA, the kids are sleeping, and the washing machine is humming...perhaps I can finally get a few things done? I don't feel like a got much accomplished this weekend. I did, however, finish a sweet little scarf using left over Amy Butler fabric from a charm square pack. I used most of the squares to make a darling skirt, which my sweet girl refuses to wear! #$%^&@

Onto the scarf. The back of the scarf is remnants of a chenille bedspread that was slowly falling apart. (The remainder of the bedspread was turned into pillows!) I simply sewed a length of the squares together, added pom-pom fringe scraps, cut a length of chenille for the back, sewed right sides together leaving a hole for turning...and there you have it! Upon completion, I realized that white may not have been the best choice for a scarf. I am certain, that if Maggie ever decides to wear it, it will become a giant napkin? Oh well, it looks good on my porch post ;) !

Updated Blog & Etsy Store

2010-01-19T19:05:00.000-08:00

I just got a new blog banner, Etsy store banner & avatar, and business cards! Everything "goes". I am so excited! I read a lot of blogs and I am always so impressed with the photos/graphics/creativity. I am a blog NEWBIE....so all of this is extremely foreign to me, but I am learning!

How did I accomplish this amazing task you ask? Well I did not! I simply placed an alchemy request on Etsy & received a lot of bids. Ultimately I chose a really great store with tons of cool invitations, business cards, etc., etc., etc. Really great price, easy to work with, and very, very fast! Can't beat that! Here is the link to her shop: http://http//www.etsy.com/shop/Deidamiah I am very pleased with my order...check it out!

I guess all of this good news means I need to get back to my sewing machine and get some items on the shelves of my Etsy store! I cleaned everything out after Thanksgiving & Christmas...time to get sewing!

Kitchen Cabinets

2010-01-17T19:05:00.000-08:00

If you happened to read the last post, the felted wool purse was hopeless. My daughter is now using it to cart around the cat. Not sure if the cat or I are very happy, but my girl is...!

Onto this post, my cabinets. Once upon a time they were a VERY ugly "mapley" color, with a darker stain in the routed out bit. The wallpaper back splash was white with yellow flowers! Antique brass hardware and light fixtures. UGLY!

Well I had to redo on a budget & something I could do on my own. New wallpaper backsplash in tan and hunter green check, new light fixtures in antique rubbed bronze, and new cabinet hardware did the trick. That & the paint job!

Here is what I did:

*Sanded and cleaned all of the doors, drawers, and surrounds
*Let my kiddos go wild with chains, and a meat tenderizer (probably wasn't one of my better ideas)
*Gave each 2 coats of a cranberry/red paint (the cabinets, not the kids)
*Sanded, distressed, and cleaned again
*Rubbed, splattered, and dry brushed black stain on top of the red paint
*2 coats of poly

I probably spent $300 on the entire project. Not the choices I would have made with $15K, but hands down better than the before!

MY OOOPS Felted Wool Purse

2010-01-03T16:54:00.001-08:00

So I went to a craft show & saw the cutest felted wool purse. But I had a cheap moment and said to myself, "I can do that!, There is no way I am paying $20 for that!" The original purse was not lined and was very flimsy. So I decided to line mine and add iron on stabilizer to the lining material. I also added denim from an old pair of jeans to the handle for stability.

Well, I am here to tell you that purse was probably well worth every penny!!! I tried to make my own. What a mess!!! I have read that all you do is wash the wool item, sweater in this case, in the hottest water possible & dry on high heat. Perhaps I bought the wrong kind of wool sweater? I had lint EVERYWHERE!!! Tons of it, what a mess!

Anyway , the "felting" part worked even though it was messy. The material was easy to cut, did not fray, & was easy to sew. I think the flower turned out cute. I'm not sure what I did wrong on the rest of the purse...the top is curling...it may because I top stitched around the opening of the bag to close the hole I left to turn the bag? Perhaps I should have hand stitched the opening? I have the bag lying under a stack of books for the evening, maybe it will look better in the morning?

YARD SALE FINDS

2009-12-31T19:52:00.001-08:00

So I found 3 of these lovely ladies at a yard sale a while ago....I think I may have paid $1 for all 3! They have been sitting in my basement collecting dust until I could figure out what to do with them. I originally thought I would cut a piece of wood to fit in the bottom, but there was no "ledge" to hold the wood in place.

I decided to sew liners for each. I used some Laura Ashley drapery fabric from my stash of "oooh this is pretty fabric, & it is cheap, so I must have it" fabrics. I sewed a simple reversible box and added an elastic tube at the top to fold over the edge of the server! I measured the length/width/height of each box and added one inch to each measurement. So I ended up with 2 bottoms, and 8 sides. & Viola!! I think they turned out pretty cute!

Find #2. I picked up this little silver (ish) tray for $0. 25! I cleaned it up and added a J using a stencil and acrylic paint! I wanted to add a Christmas word and hang it from the tree....but my daughter insisted on a "J"! Not sure where it will land now...it isn't exactly my style, but it sure is cute!

# 3 Antique Frame. This was a freebie from my MIL. No glass or backing. A friend added eye hooks for me and a few rows of wire. We hung pictures using teeny teeny tiny clothes pins. I love the way it looks, just didn't realize how much I hated the paneling. I have seen something similar using screen in the frame and using it to hang earrings.

I wonder if I can find a yard sale on New Year's Day.....? Happy New Year!

Fabric Roses

2009-12-30T19:57:00.000-08:00

I have found a great blog, love her ideas....and I have copied a few (well some) (OK a lot). So here is the link to her Tattered Fabric Roses Tutorial http://http//bridgetbaxter.blogspot.com/2009/11/tattered-fabric-roses.html. Unlike the tutorial directions, I used ES 6000 glue and straight pins to hold my flowers together, removing the pins after a few minutes. I used the ES 6000 because the fumes are so much better. Just kidding, I can't find my glue gun.

Such a fun project. Another easy & fast one! I also made a necklace. The back is awful, hopefully no one will ever see it! I wore it to a party & it stayed together! I guess I did something right? I am going to attempt a fabric covered bead necklace with roses...maybe tomorrow!

Christmas Play -COSTUMES, COSTUMES, COSTUMES!

2009-12-16T15:21:00.000-08:00

Well the Christmas Production is over and it was a HUGE success. The play was based on the book Tales from the Manger, adapted by our drama teacher . The kids did a great job and they are sooooo proud. Thought I would post a picture of the costumes I made for grades K-5. The kindergarten and 1st grade were baby sheep and mice, gray & white t-shirts, ears, and simple skirts for the girls. No tails, for obvious reasons. The older kids...grades 2-5...were the manger animals. Each animal had a (very) simple apron and a ski cap with ears of some sort. My favorite was the rooster! I sandwiched a piece of card stock between layers of felt and stitched it onto the hat. The kids looked great! However the donkey and the sheep, that looked like a dog, (played by my son) are still a little angry with me. ;)

Teacher Gifts

2009-12-16T14:46:00.000-08:00

Just waiting until the E-6000 (I LOVE that stuff) dries, so I can wrap these babies up! I made each teacher this year a fabric covered button ring, necklace, bracelet, and matching fabric flower! I tried to match their tastes-hope they like them! The necklaces actually have pin backs on a large button back, so they can be worn as a necklace or pin. I purchase all of my supplies on Etsy from Fiddlers Creek Designs)http://www.etsy.com/shop/FiddlersCreekDesigns).

Oven Mitt Tutorial

2009-12-15T19:38:00.000-08:00

OOOOh! Just found this tutorial, so I am posting the link...just in case! http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/Free-Make-an-Oven-Mitt.htm
I think I can get a few in in 10 days?! These would be so cute with some tea towels, baked goods, or homemade jelly in a basket...

I love this website & they have tons of free tutorials...got to get my machine going!

Pumpkin Muffins

2009-12-12T18:26:00.000-08:00

My friend Shelia gave me this great recipe and I make it A LOT. My kids love them and I like to think of them as nutritious. (Please don't comment & tell me that they are indeed not nutritious) OK...here is the recipe...one box of chocolate cake mix (I use devil's food) and one 16 oz. can of pumpkin. YEP, that is IT, 2 ingredients! Mix them together, it will look like you do not have enough liquid, keep stirring. When everything is sufficiently mixed, fill mini-muffin pan cups 2/3 full, then bake 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes. You can also add mini-chocolate chips if you like! EASY, EASY, EASY!

20 Easy Aprons & A Pretty (but SMELLY) Christmas Tree

2009-12-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

I currently teach a 2 year old preschool class at my children's school. I decided that I would make aprons for each of the 2 & 3 year old students for Christmas.....SO EASY! Not sure where I found a tutorial or if I read this somewhere...? So I will tell you how I did it!

I purchased $1 dish towels at the Dollar Tree. They were kind of long, white with a red stripe. I began by folding the towels 1/4 of the way up, and sewing vertical pockets for untensils. I then cut "holes" for the arms. I zig zagged the arms & attached white ribbon for the ties at the neck and sides. I also purchased 4 wooden untensils for $1 per pack. I plan to include 2 untensils with each apron. I will also include a child friendly recipe on cards that I found on Microsoft online. Tied with a pretty ribbon & VIOLA...cute, homemade gifts for my class!

OK now on to the SMELLY TREE. I am afraid I am going to be taking benedryl for the next few weeks. My nose is running & I am sneezing like crazy! I have no idea what kind of tree we purchased at the tree farm today? I loved the blue color, I was cold, and the kids were making me VERY nervous with the saw. I really just wanted to get out of there and get home to decorate! I definitely do not have the fresh pine smell in my house!

I am without my camera so I can not include a picture of the stinky tree or the STINKING CUTE aprons! Maybe later ;) !

Take Two & A Busy Weekend

2009-12-05T18:55:00.000-08:00

35 Loaves of Banana Bread DONE & 15 or so more to go! My daughter tells me it is delicious, I will take her word for it! I will be happy not to see or smell another mashed banana for at least another 12 months.

I have successfully (at least I think so) completed 24 fabric flowers using my friend Shelia's curtains! The remainder of the curtains will be quilts for my children's school auction. But, SIGH, I will save that for a later post. Back to the flowers...so EASY. I simply ripped one inch pieces of fabric, the width of the fabric....I think it was 40 inches or so? I like the frayed edges of the linen fabric. I then gathered one side and "shaped" the piece into a flower. I stitched an X in the middle of the flower and glued a fabric covered button or something from my stash in the center. I then glued a pin onto the back and VIOLA! 2 dozen flowers!

I also finished my MERRY banner for my fireplace today...my first decoration to go up. I found the freezer paper stencil tutorial on the Everday Chaos Blog (link at the bottom). I also made HO HO HO for a friend. I have tried different methods to attach the burlap letters to the jute cord, I have decided that E-6000 is the quickest & easiest. Have a look....!

Take One....

2009-11-30T19:34:00.000-08:00

Ok here goes...this is my first try! Bear with me....