Just Between Friends

Blog Wars Round Two Voting

Jonie @ Just Between Friends — Fri, 24 May 2013 05:49:14 +0000

this post Blog Wars Round Two Voting first appeared on Just Between Friends

Pretty Hand Towel

My project is a fun little hand towel project using the Riley Blake fabric bundle I got in the mail. The colors were some of my favorites in lime green, navy blue, and gray, so I thought I’d use those fabric pieces and ric rac to create an easy and pretty hand towel for a bathroom or kitchen.

I had the white hand towel on hand from JoAnn’s, so I attached the ric rac to the top and the bottom of the towel area and then created cute little flowers with the fabric with buttons in the center of each. This would be a fun gift to make as a housewarming present or to match your party decor for your next party–you could even make them seasonally for gifts!

Summer Sampler Wreath

Few things make me happier than creating and displaying a new wreath. I love the pop of color and cuteness they add to the front door! But, wreaths are hard to store, especially since I am short on storage space. So with that in mind, I took this rounds materials and created a Summer Sampler Wreath! Not only does this save on storage space and money, but using the materials given to us from Riley Blake Designs I made a wreath that can be used throughout the summer!

The first thing I did was wrap a foam wreath form in strips of the the large polka dot fabric and added a green polka dot fabric bow (isn’t it cute on its own?). Knowing I wanted to be able to use the wreath again-and-again throughout the summer, I made interchangeable add-ons! Using these add-ons, the wreath is decorated for Father’s Day (cute cassette tape fabric tie and sign), the Fourth of July, Summer Sports (doesn’t the sign look like turf?!), and Summer Fun in the Sun! I attached brass thumbtacks from the dollar store to the back of each add-on, so I can change them out and keep my wreath form in perfect shape! I think my wreath addiction is filled for the summer! Hope yours is too!

Just Press Play Tunic

Any momma with little ones knows the pain of dealing with stained clothing. Its an inevitable part of having kids and one that I’ve finally found a solution for! My daughter recently had one of her brand new tank tops go through a load of laundry that contained my son’s red shirts. You can guess what happened next… Ugh.

To cover up the new bright pink stain, I used the gorgeous Riley Blake fabric and trim we were sent as part of this awesome competition. The layers of yummy ruffles, bright patterns, and girly touches really speak to my daughter’s personality and I love the uniqueness of how the tunic turned out. It’s for sure something we won’t see any other little princess wearing around the block!

Colorful Jumper

This week our *secret ingredient* was an adorable package of fabric from Riley Blake. I LOVE fabric and I LOVE Riley Blake so this was like a dream come true for me. I knew immediately that I wanted to use EVERYTHING they sent to me. The variety of fabrics were so bright and fun and the ribbons and accessories all coordinated wonderfully. I decided on a fun and bright sundress. This was a new pattern for me to use and it was fun to create something different from what I am use to. Riley Blake was wonderful to send us so much that I didn’t have to buy anything extra to create this sweet dress, I had thread so I was able to get right to work.

At first I was a little bit thrown on what to do with the cassette tape fabric, I wasn’t 100% sure I would be able to come up with a way to use it but I LOVED the bright colors so I first decided to use it as the ruffles on the plain florescent yellow panel of fabric. Once I had the ruffles done I knew I wanted to use more of it in the dress to bring more of the fun colors but I also didn’t want it to be the main focus so using it to back the straps and sash was a perfect compromise, I got the fun colors in without the whole dress being about cassette tapes. I also HAD to use the fun ruffled ric rak green ribbon, putting it on the grey panel I think really made the green pop. I am in love with the end result and cannot wait to share more pictures of this fun dress!

Slipcover For a Chair and a Pillow

Fabric is a wonderful thing–and that’s exactly what we had to work with this week. Of all the things there are to create with fabric, I decided to be a brave little toaster and try something I was inspired by several months ago: this fabulous chair. (And just in case you missed the price of the fabulous chair–ta-da: $5,750–which is $5,725 beyond my budget.) The mix and surprise of fabric was what I was going for. I wanted something new and tailored to cover (NOT reupholster) a thrift store chair we had. I gathered every piece of fabric (from the storage area I call my craft room) that could possibly work and started to put the puzzle together. It took ‘a minute’ to figure it out–and in the end I needed to purchase 5 of the 17 different pieces. Seventeen is crazy–but it worked.

It looks like it was reupholstered but it’s not–which is the look I was going for. With a slipcover I can change the look of the chair in a few years. In a surprising turn of pillow events, I actually used the rick rack and a button they sent us. I love the chair. I love the pillow. Feel free to join me for an afternoon read.

Ruffled Baby Dress

This week’s project was fun (Riley Blake fabric!! Yes please!) but a huge challenge. The fabrics they sent us were different colors than I would typically put together and were unique cuts that made sewing them all together a challenge for me. But a fun challenge and I am happy with the results.

I made a small ruffled baby dress which in truth was going to be a shirt but ended up turning into a dress as I sewed. Perfect for summertime or could be great even in the winter with a pair of leggings and a sweater over it. So much fun to make! And I especially love the little bows on the corners. and who doesn’t love polkadots and chevrons? Fun fun fun! (And yes, I can give you a tutorial after the competition ends.)

Jewelry Display Frame

So, I promise I did use the fabric that was sent to us although (in spite of getting all kinds of fun patterns) I decided to paint the plain grey swatch. It sort of felt like I won a prize from an art gallery but chose to decorate my own canvas instead. Even better, since I was jazzed (high from fumes?) after spray painting the frame, I brilliantly thought I’d make a freezer paper stencil and use the spray paint on the fabric too. NO. Badbadbadbad. But a crafting miracle was bestowed upon me and I was able to salvage it by hand painting everything. Big relief since I thought I had just ruined the ONE thing I definitely needed to use for this project.

I added a shelf to this Salvation Army frame (which can also be hung on the wall), and I made my knobs. In a perfect world I’d be able to buy some vintage style Anthropologie knobs and be awesome, but those are expensive (just one of them costs more than this whole project) so I made my own out of push pins, paper, and those flat glass pebbles. The Mason jar for my rings is a stand in until I can find a tiny bowl to put there. Now I no longer have to use the “detangle-as-needed” method of jewelry storage and I’ll probably be on time for my next date with my husband.

Baby Dress, Shoes, and Hair Bow

As soon as I saw what was in this week’s package I new exactly what I wanted to make. One look at the fabric and all I could see was ruffles! I love the colors and patterns and could just see it all coming together in a wave of fun and funky-ness for one lucky little girl…

I started with a twirly summer halter dress full of those layered ruffles. I used the ribbon and buttons to accent the waist–totally wish there was enough fabric for one in my size! Then I added a few just-for-fun accessories. An elastic headband with a flower from a few scraps and another button and then a pair of barefoot sandals. SO loving this week’s challenge! Can’t wait for some warmer weather and a chance to show off this cuteness!!!

DIY Pottery Barn Inspired Tile Board

I present my DIY Pottery Barn inspired tile board. I really enjoyed this project tremendously, by far it had to be one of my favorites and I’m in total awe of it! I took the fabric that was sent and made rosette push pins and magnets. I also turned the buttons that riley blake designs sent and turned them into magnets. I made a few extra with buttons I had laying around. I covered 3 cork tiles with fabric, one of which is the grey fabric that was in our package! I made a stencil for the “Pin it” board and painted the design on the cork tile. There are 4 cork tiles, 3 magnetic, all of which you can write on, and 2 wood tiles for a clothes line. Using some of the scraps I had left over I made a banner for decor. I think its a great addition to any family’s home, office, or kids room. And why pay $420.00 for something when you can make it for a fraction of that price!! I think it is even better than Pottery Barns.

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Meet the Contestants: Stephanie from The Silly Pearl

Jonie @ Just Between Friends — Thu, 23 May 2013 13:40:03 +0000

this post Meet the Contestants: Stephanie from The Silly Pearl first appeared on Just Between Friends

Have you entered the Play at Home giveaway from round two yet? Riley Blake Designs is giving two people a chance to win some amazing fabrics, trims and buttons. You know you want it!

I am excited to introduce you to Stephanie from The Silly Pearl today! Go ahead and read on to learn more about her!

#1 What is your favorite kind of project? -also- What is your favorite project you have ever completed?

Such a tough question for me…I love all kinds of crafts! My first love is sewing, but I also love upcycling projects. My current favorite is my Spring Sunburst Wreath.

http://www.sillypearl.com/2013/03/craft-tutorial-spring-sunburst-mirror.html (note: I know it says “mirror” in the url but it’s actually a wreath! Though you could make a mirror out of it!).

#2 If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I’d go to London, where I was born but we left when I was 2 months old and I’ve never returned!

#3 If you had one day to do anything you wanted to do, what would it be?

Visit every thrift store in the area (and rent a truck!).

#4 When you were younger, what did you think you would be when you grew up, and did it happen?

I have a degree in Epidemiology. Does anyone ever say “I want to be an Epidemiologist when I grow up”? But I did also want to be a Mama, and that childhood dream did come true!

#5 Favorite medium? (paint, sewing, power tools,etc..)

Fabric and paint

#6 Why did you start your blog? How long ago did you start it?

I started to blog at first just to record the fun as well as the challenges of having twins (I have 6 year old twin girls), so I started a personal blog in 2008. I posted a few craft tutorials on it in 2010 and got a good response to them. So I started a separate craft blog, The Silly Pearl, in 2011.

#7 Tell me your favorite joke.

My girls’ favorite joke right now: How do elephants fly? In an ELECOPTER!

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Meet the Contestants: Whitney from A Mommy’s Life With a Touch of Yellow

Jonie @ Just Between Friends — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:06:24 +0000

this post Meet the Contestants: Whitney from A Mommy’s Life With a Touch of Yellow first appeared on Just Between Friends

Did you enter the Play at Home giveaway for a chance to win some Riley Blake Designs product? You should definitely go take a look because it is a really cool prize!

Today you get to meet the lovely Whitney from A Mommy’s Life With a Touch of Yellow. Here’s how she replied to all of the questions I asked.

#1 What is your favorite kind of project? -also- What is your favorite
project you have ever completed?

I just love to create. From the big transformations to the little craft projects. I feel good when I complete something
that I love. Probably my favorite project as of now would be the project that I submitted into blog wars. It is the
DIY pallet barn wood headboard. It wasn’t too hard but I just love the way it turned out and how perfectly it fits into
my room and my style.

#2 If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Hawaii, I have always wanted to go there. It just looks so beautiful and peaceful.
I love the ocean I love the beach and this would be the perfect place for me to vacation one day.

#3 If you had one day to do anything you wanted to do, what would it be?

I would go to Disneyland with my little family, and both sides of mine and my hubbys family. How fun would that be?! Either that or I would go shopping all day with no money limit. ha ha, if only!

#4 When you were younger, what did you think you would be when you grew
up, and did it happen?

I couldn’t make up my mind. I wanted to be a doctor, a teacher, a dentist, and a hairdresser, and I always wanted to
be a mom. I went to school starting out as a athletic trainer and because of my hubbys school and us having to leave
I made the hard decision to finish off in physical education and health education and becoming a high school teacher.
I really loved teaching when I student taught, so maybe that it what I was supposed to d all along. I don’t know,
but for now I am a mom. I get to stay home with our two boys and I LOVE it. It is the best job in the world.
Yes it is very hard sometimes and sometimes I have no clue what I am doing but I wouldn’t choose anything else.
I feel very lucky to be able to stay home with them.

#5 Favorite medium? (paint, sewing, power tools,etc..)

Paint. I feel like paint can transform and make just about anything beautiful, in style and chic. I love how it can
bring life and color into a big ugly wood furniture piece or a wall backdrop or even just a small little trinket
to put on a shelf.

#6 Why did you start your blog? How long ago did you start it?

I started blogging actually as a family journal and then I started sharing fun crafts and projects that I had
made and I loved sharing those things so much and the comments were so exciting that I actually transformed my blog into
a mommy/craft/creative outlet blog. I just love showing what I create, how I feel, my mom moments
and everything in between. I have had a family blog since 2009 but I have transformed it into this creative blog
since 2011 with about a 6 month break last year due to student teaching.

#7 Tell me your favorite joke.

I can’t think of one specific joke, but I pretty much laugh at everything. I am like a 2 year old silly things make
me laugh.

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Play at Home Round Two

Jonie @ Just Between Friends — Tue, 21 May 2013 14:53:51 +0000

this post Play at Home Round Two first appeared on Just Between Friends

Yesterday, the second round of Blog Wars officially began! I announced that Riley Blake Designs was the sponsor and that the contestants got a box full of fun fabric and trims. Well, today is your lucky day! Two people will have the chance of winning the Play at Home Round Two Giveaway for the exact same box of fabrics that our contestants got!

Before I get to that though, I wanted to announce the winners of our giveaway from Cricut. The two winners of the glittery iron on vinyl are:

Ariean K

April G

Congratulations ladies! Send me an email with your mailing addresses so that I can pass it on to our sponsors. After you get your vinyl and use it, I would LOVE to see what you did with it!

Now for this week’s giveaway. Like I said, there will be two lucky winners! Enter the Rafflecopter form below for a chance to win. The giveaway will run from today until next Monday at 10:00 PM MST. The winners will be announced the following day. Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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