In My Own Style

A Happy Fix

2010-07-31T14:40:33Z

I am a happy girl right now for a few reasons – 1. It’s the weekend! and 2. If you read my last post you know that I was having trouble with my scanner. I am happy to tell you that my scanner and computer are happy together again. I have updated the Barbie Purse tutorial with a downloadable template so you will have the actual pattern now. You can find it here, Barbie Purse Pattern. I also fixed the link to the printable files that I had trouble with of the wipe-off labels from a project I posted a few months ago. You can find them, here at Wipe-Off Label templates 1 and Wipe Off Label template 2.

I found the adorably happy, smiling faces in the photo above on Etsy, at a site called, Barrel of Monkeys. They are pins. Seeing them all grouped together – all the colors, hairstyles and bows are so infectious. They make me smile just glancing at them. I hope you are getting lots of opportunities to be smiling this weekend, too.

They Call Me Carol, But I’m Diane

2010-07-31T00:22:15Z

I celebrated my birthday not too long ago, but I was not the only one celebrating that day. Someone very close to me was also turning a year older, although she is officially in the record books - 5 minutes older than me! She is my twin sister, Carol. She is the one on the right, I am on the left of our “little sister” Laura on her wedding day.

We have always made good bookends for her and always add instant symmetry to all of our “sister” photos. In this photo I am the one bending down and Carol is on the left.

People have always asked us, What is it like being a twin? Did you ever switch classes in school? Switch boyfriends, fill in for each other on the job? Who’s smarter, taller, skinner, funnier, nicer, meaner, etc, etc, etc… We never thought we looked alike and would get away with any shenanigans, so the answer is no to trying to fool people. When I was in 7th grade I had to write an autobiography. I titled it, They Call Me Carol, But I ‘m Diane. That is the best way I can describe what it is like being a twin – I can answer to two names along with having a built- in buddy. Being a twin is really no different than being a “single”. Our twin-ness makes us look alike, but we are very different in many ways.

I wanted to give Carol something special for our birthday, something that would make her smile, something she would treasure always. She collects vintage Barbie clothes. A bracelet with Barbie shoes came to mind and would be just her style. I planned on completing it a month ago to arrive on our birthday, but that didn’t happen. One month later – it is finally complete. I am going to show you how-to make a bracelet out of Barbie Shoes and fun gift- bag that resembles another vintage Barbie accessory.

Here is the collection of shoes I found to make the bracelet. I got them on ebay. Type in “Reproduction Vintage Barbie Shoes”. The real vintage shoes are pretty expensive, so look for the reproductions.

To start, using a bead hole expander or awl, make a hole in the back of each shoe.

Then put a jump ring through it. You may have to use a pair of needle-nose pliers to get the ring in the hole. If the shoe is made of hard plastic it is pretty easy to get through. The rubbery feeling shoes took a little more effort.

Then just start attaching them to a bracelet chain. I used 20 shoes.

I also added some pearls and crystals to add some contrast.

The completed bracelet.

Now that the bracelet is finished I wanted to make something that said “Barbie” to put it in for a fun presentation. One of the most stylish accessories I remember as a child dressing Barbie in the 1960′s in her knock off Dior’s and Givenchy’s was a clutch style handbag. Carol and I always referred to it as “the Barbie purse”. We each had the silver version, but some of our friends had it in corduroy or gold lame. I thought I could make the gift-bag resemble the vintage “Barbie purse” making the gift all the more fun for Carol to receive.

I am going to wrap the bracelet in colorful tissue paper and place it in the Barbie Purse.

Here is how I made it:

Gather:

File Folder

Decorative paper or foil if you want to cover the file folder

Spray glue or a glue stick

Velcro tab

1/4″ diameter Pearl bead, needle, and white thread or embroidery floss

1/4″ width Red Liner double stick tape

Ruler, Scissors, Pencil, Craft knife

1. Here is the image of the template. Download the link below and size on a copy machine if needed, so it is as wide as a file folder – 11 1/2″.

Click the link below to download a pdf. file of the template:

Barbie_Purse template

2. Trace the pattern onto a file folder, making sure to place the center directly over the fold on the file folder. This will be the bottom of the bag. Mark score lines (broken lines) on file folder. Using a ruler and the tip of a pair of scissors or the open end of a paperclip, score along the broken lines. Cut out the bag with a craft knife and ruler instead of a pair of scissors, you will get straighter lines

3. Fold pre-made score lines that came on the folder and the ones you just made towards you. This starts to form the purse.

4. Turn the purse over so the outside of the purse is face down. Cut a piece of foil large enough to cover one side of the purse, leaving at least 1/2″ overlap. Lay foil shiny side down on a work surface. Spray the dull side with spray adhesive. Spray the back of the purse. Let it get tacky and then carefully smooth foil over the bag making sure there are no air bubbles or large creases.

5. Turn purse back over. Trim foil by cutting tabs into the excess. Run a glue stick on the outer edge of bag and fold the tabs over.

6. Using another piece of foil, trace flap and cut the shape out of the foil. Spray glue on dull side of foil and place on the inside flap. Smooth and trim if necessary.

6. Place a piece of Red Liner clear double stick tape along one side’s tab and place front over matching edges to form purse. Repeat on other side.

7. Sew a bead onto front of flap. Place Velcro tab with loop and hook sides already joined to under side of flap to cover the stitches. Close purse so the other side of the Velcro will attach to the body of the purse. Make sure they are lined up.

Variation #1

Tissue paper flower instead of a single pearl clasp.

Gather:

1 piece of tissue paper, bead or button, stapler, hot glue and gun, scissors.

1. Fold tissue paper in half and cut in half. Lay pieces on top of each other and fold in half and cut again on fold. Keep doing this step until you have a stack of tissue paper that measures approx. 3″ square.

2. Staple center. Using scissors, shape square into a circle. Cut petals into circle by cutting from edge into center. Repeat cuts all around. Fluff with fingers to make flower come to life. Hot glue bead over staple. Glue onto flap of Barbie Purse instead of the single sewn on pearl.

Variation # 2

Beaded Bag

To make the Barbie Purse totally glamorous you can cover it with teeny tiny beads or glitter. After cutting out the bag from the file folder, cover entire outer side,( except last scored line that will fold over) with a sheet of Red Liner clear double stick tape. Remove the backing from the sheet. Dip the purse in a tray filled with teeny tiny beads or glitter. Roll it over and over to make sure all areas are covered. Finish assembling bag according to directions.

Red Liner Tape Sheets Red Liner Tape Rolls

I am linking this post to:

Tatertots and Jello

Funky Junk Interiors

Somewhat Simple

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Finding Fabulous

Fireflies and Jellybeans

Life as Lori

Just a Girl

Frugal and Fabulous Designs

Chic on a Shoestring

Black Kat’s Design

Seven Thirty Three

How-To Make French Enameled Numbered Tags

2010-07-28T01:53:14Z

I can’t take credit for this very clever way to make your own French enameled tags. Rachel at One Pretty Thing found this project and shared it on her site. I read the post and loved, loved, loved the tags and couldn’t wait to make them to label my kitchen baskets. Gail, at Can’t Stop Making Things came up with this project. She used brass key tags and stamping supplies to make perfect replicas of the enameled number tags that the French use in winemaking. She has an excellent and easy to follow tutorial on how-to make them. They are very easy and if you are a stamper- super simple.

These wine tags were Gail’s inspiration.

Gail noted that she bought the tags at Ace True Value Hardware Store. That is the only place I found them. Lowe’s and Home Depot do not have them. If you have an old-fashioned hardware store in your town they may carry them also.

I took her advice and used clear stamps for perfect placement of the numbers on the tags. You also need a Black StazOn stamp pad and clear embossing powder. I found these at Michael’s.

I thought these tags would be the perfect detail to hang on a set of baskets I have in my kitchen. You can see more about them here, in a post about my kitchen make-over.

Here they are-

Before

And with the added detail of the enameled tags

After

I think details really do make a difference -that added special little touch that gives something more character and interest.

I love them.

You will find Gail’s step-by-step tute, here at Can’t Stop Making Things.

I am linking this project to:

Today’s Creative Blog

Under The Table and Dreaming

I Heart Naptime

Keeping It Simple

Making The World Cuter

My Very First…

2010-07-24T02:21:14Z

…authentic, found on a northern Pacific beach, shiny, bubbly - glass fishing net float! I am so excited. I cannot tell you how much I adore these and have wanted one since seeing a home in Hawaii with them displayed all over. Large and small ones under tables, on window sills, piled in baskets - everywhere. Mine, that sounds nice doesn’t it? Mine all mine- my first one. It is about 3 1/2″ wide. I found it through the Glass Float Junkie’s blog and Etsy shop. Kamichia found this float on a trip to the Aleutian Islands. She had to go by seaplane. How cool would that be? Her story is a collector’s dream adventure and so interesting to read. She has a short video clip and post about her trip. How I wish I could go beach-combing with her.

Since my husband’s lay-off, I have had to put my decorating projects on hold. This was just something I needed – a little gift from me, to me. A little decorating detail to make me smile until I can really tweak a few rooms in my home. My new float is from Japan. Isn’t she pretty? I chose her from Kamichia’s collection because she is blue and has lots of glass bubbles. I am not sure where I am going to put her yet.

Perhaps on my sofa table.

I used a plastic ring that retail stores use to hang scarves, to keep the float from rolling off the table. The rings come in different sizes and are perfect to hold any ball shape decorative item when it is on display. Christmas ornaments, carpet balls, anything that rolls – and they are free.

I could add my float to the Pottery Barn bowl that I have filled with shells that I have collected from beaches far and wide.

Or in my blue and white bedroom.

No matter where she ends up, I know she is going to have some company soon. I want to collect lots and lots of them in all different sizes and shades of blue and purple. If you love these floats as much as I do, you are in for a real treat when you visit the Glass Float Junkie.

I am linking this post to:

Frugal & Fabulous Design

Funky Junk Interiors

The Shabby Nest

The Shabby Chic Cottage

Trash into Gift Giving Treasure

2010-07-28T01:14:44Z

I am collector of throw-away” stuff”. Not junk, but honest to goodness – discards. My friends and family know to give me their throw-aways, which are different than cast-offs. Cast-offs are unwanted items like furniture and lamps. Throw-aways are bits and pieces of packaging, parts of items – stuff that seems useless once it’s original purpose is complete. Throw-aways are what I can’t seem to say “no” to. I love the challenge of coming up with some new use for these discards that will be Ohhh… la la worthy.

Recently, when I saw a bag filled with film canisters at a local camera store being thrown away – I had to speak up. I couldn’t bear to see it tossed and asked the salesman, if I could please have them. He handed the bag right over to me and asked what I was going to do with them. I told him, I didn’t have a clue, but I will come up with something sooner or later.

These plastic film canisters are becoming obsolete, but can still be found at camera stores and where film is processed. Here are my rescued throw-aways.

Before

After

Prest-O Change-O ! Add some decorative paper, buttons, an earring, tulle, some sheet music, along with some hot glue and you have-

Pretty mini- gift containers.

They make giving something little-extra special.

Gifts that will fit:

Anything small – earrings, rings, and other jewelry (if the jewelry is on a hanging card, discard the card and place the jewelry into a piece of tissue paper), rolled up dollar bills, a key to something big, like a car.

Top: Vintage clip-on earring with the clip removed. Canister Cover: A piece of a Neiman Marcus Christmas catalog cover.

Top: A gold and pearl button on top of a larger black button. Canister Cover: Scrapbook paper

Top: Mother of pearl button with a tulle rosette and rhinestone button glued on. Canister Cover: Gift-wrap

Top: Vintage button Canister Cover: Sheet music

Top: Square button with a silver pearl button glued on top. Canister cover: Wallpaper scrap.

Aren’t they pretty? They were practically free – only the cost of the materials I used to decorate them with – most of which were throw-aways, too.

How would you add your style to a film canister and what would you put in it? I would love to hear your ideas?

I am linking this post to:

Making The World Cuter

Today’s Creative Blog

Crafts Keep Me Sane

Tools Are For Women Too

On another note: It is time to show-off your holiday style.

I am starting Christmas in July here at IMOS. Click on the link below or up in my nav bar to link up your Chirstmas decorating and craft project and ideas. They can be old or new posts. If you don’t have a blog, leave a comment or e-mail me a photo and I will add it to the page. It will be on-going to use as a reference when you need some creative inspiration in the upcoming months – as the 2010 holiday season will be here before we know it.

How-to Make a No-Sew Cushion Cover

2010-07-28T01:03:25Z

I have been trying to get all my overdue outdoor projects done this past week. I have been pretty successful. I wish I could tell you that I just love to do these projects, but that would be lying. The biggest reason this project is complete in a timely manner is because friends are coming to stay with us for a few days. This was the motivating factor in my sudden burst of energy to give this swing that hangs from the pergola on our deck a makeover. I don’t think there is anything more motivating to get DIY projects done than having guests to your home whether it be for over night or a party.

This swing is very comfortable, but I wanted to add a cushion to it, not only for comfort, but to add a pop of color as well. I love the upholstered look of cushions, but also love instant gratification and being able to easily make something with fabric without sewing a stitch.

Before

Here is my swing in my garage waiting for it’s makeover. It was covered in a greyish cast of worn off stain and mildew

I washed it with detergent and mildew remover, then rinsed and let it dry out in the sun. Look at the arm, do you see how it is worn. I won’t have to sand this – it is very smooth. I didn’t paint this it, I used solid color stain that just wears away over time. This was after 3 years outside, except when it stored in the basement during the winter months.

I have found Behr House and Fence Stain the best product for outdoor wood. It holds up beautifully, is easy to apply, and best of all, easy to clean up with soap and water – my kind of product. You can see from this beaten and battered can – that it has been used many times. If you have ever painted with oil based outdoor paint, you know it smells and can take days to dry. When it gets old, it gets chippy and needs to be sanded before painting, not so when you use a solid color stain.

I set the swing up on a table in my garage and gave it 2 coats. I let it dry for 1 hour between each coat.

I then hung it back on the deck under the pergola. This is my favorite place to sit in the evening, especially in the fall when it starts to get cold. I bring out a blanket, some hot tea, and get all snugly and gaze at all the stars in the night sky.

For the cushion: I went to my local Joann’s Fabrics on a day when all the foam was 50% off. I had no idea that it was on sale and was happy to get such a great deal! I needed about 5 feet. Cost was $24.00. It is 2″ thick foam and very dense. To cut it to the exact size I needed, I grabbed the electric knife from my kitchen drawer. (The only other time this knife gets used is to carve the turkey on Thanksgiving.) I have a T-square and measured and marked where I needed to cut.

Super easy to cut foam with an electric knife. If you don’t have one, take your exact measurements to the fabric store and have them cut both width and length for you. Take the excess home to use for another project.

To make the no-sew cushion cover: pretend the foam is a gift box and wrap it as you would a gift, using fabric instead of wrapping paper.

Use large 2- inch safety pins instead of tape. I got mine at the dollar store.

Fold over the raw edge of the fabric and pin every few inches along this no-sew seam to hold the fabric onto the cushion.

Wrap the corners neatly and pull taut and then pin. The width of my foam was almost the width of the fabric. Normally I would like to have a bit more fabric to pull over the side edges, but this works. No one will see the pins.

Flip it over and then it is ready. I placed it on my freshly stained swing. I wanted this cushion to be easy to take on and off. I didn’t want any ties to deal with, so I made sure the foam fit very snugly, so it stays put when I sit on it and easy to grab to take inside when it suddenly starts to rain.

After

I am linking this post to:

Tatertots and Jello

Under The Table and Dreaming

Finding Fabulous

Just a Girl

Funky Junk Interiors

Frugal and Fabulous Design

Christmas In July

2010-07-18T21:26:32Z

See this basket? Look closely. What do you see? Jingle bells, Christmas cards, friends smiling faces, beads, and tinsel. Holiday project stuff, right? - in July? You are probably thinking that the holidays are 4 1/2 months away, but there is a reason I am showing you this now. Every Christmas for the past 4 years, yes, you guys, I am not kidding - 4 years I have had this basket filled with all the “needed materials” and every intention of finishing it, which when complete will be a garland to adorn my Christmas tree. I have fallen short of my goal now for way too long and am determined to get this project completed now, while my days are a bit less hectic - way before the 2010 holidays are twinkling in my eyes. That way I have one less thing to stress about and will not have to “do it all” in a small amount of time – the decorating, the shopping, the wrapping, the cookie baking, the creating, writing, and sending out cards, the parties, the cooking, the running to the post office, more shopping, running errands, more wrapping, plus work 9-5 and all the other stuff I do in a normal day.

If life seems to go into holiday overdrive for you the minute you wash and put away the last Thanksgiving dinner dish, then I have a plan that may work for you, too.

Join me if you would like to see pre-holiday inspiration, so you can start creating and/or planning your holidays now. I have created an on-going ”Link Up” to inspire us to “get the ornament rolling”.

To get to the Christmas In July link, click up on the purple nav bar, right up under my header where it says Christmas in July Link Party and you will be taken to the link page. There are two link lists – one for decorating and craft projects, the other for gifts, wrapping, tablesettings, and food.

I am going to work on my 4-year old project now, a little bit each night. This way when we bring our tree home this year the garland will be ready and waiting. I will be standing there enjoying the moment smiling that I accomplished what I set out to do, instead of stressing of what I haven’t done. So link-up, get inspired.

Happy Holidays – in July!

In “Their Own” Style

2010-07-11T22:02:43Z

I see so many inspiring and creative ideas around the blogosphere every week that make my heart go pitter-patter. I love to see the creativity and personal style in all my fellow bloggers’ posts and thought I would share a few of my finds with you.

It is a raining here today, but we need it badly - our lawn is all brown and looks like hay. I love a rainy day and since we haven’t had one in a while, I am going to totally make the most out of it. I should be cleaning the house to it get ready for our friends from Hawaii who are coming on Wednesday, but I can do that tomorrow, right? A rainy day requires one to watch a few good movies, bake something yummy, and find some more creative inspiration by blog hopping. Don’t you agree? Hope your weekend is off to a good start, too.

Look what Christine from Great Oak Circle found on Etsy. Two of my favorite things, vintage buttons and monograms. Christine has a great eye, you can check out her find at Letter Perfect Designs

Lettter Perfect Designs

I love where Heather over at Simple Daisy used chalkboard paint in her home. What a clever and fun conversation starter for a party or even to discover what guests wrote for the homeowner the morning after.

Simple Daisy - Chalkboard Wall in Powder Room

Jane at Finding Fabulous created this Fun Chalkboard Menu that I want to pluck out of this photo right this minute and place on my own kitchen counter.

Finding Fabulous- Fun Chalkboard Platter

And lastly, this video was not only visually FUN to watch, but makes you think – Are you having enough fun in your life? I really enjoyed it.

How-to Make a Towel Slipcover for an Outdoor Chaise

2010-07-11T13:55:08Z

These two chaise covers have been patiently waiting for a make-over since last summer. They are faded, ripped, and too short for the chairs. If you have outside cushions you know they can get beat up pretty fast, especially if they are left outside rain or shine. I had a plan to re-do them, but just kept putting it off as they were still functional, just not pretty anymore. I got by with them by just placing a beach towel over the cushion when ever I wanted to sit on one. These are right by our pool so we are usually wet when we are sitting on them. This gave me the idea to make slipcovers for them out of white beach towels. I wanted to them to be spa like -serene and relaxing – plus easy to care for.

Before

The transformation began when I added length to each cushion. I cut an old bed pillow in two, length-wise. I then had to cut each half of the pillow to fit the bottom of each cushion making them the same length as the chairs. I then pinned the pillow to the chaise cushion and using my sewing machine sewed them together.

I found thick, fluffy, white beach towels at a local discount store called, Ollie’s for a few dollars a piece. Each chair required two and a half towels. I looked at the fabric store for white terrycloth but it was $6.99 a yard and skimpy feeling, so I was happy with my towel find. I washed the towels in hot water for shrinkage and to get rid of extra lint. Then they sat in my studioffice for about 5 weeks.

Once I got motivated to get this project done, I got right to work. The cover is made up of 3 pieces – top, underside, and a flap. I started out by cutting out the top section. I placed the chaise cushion on one towel to make a pattern. The towel was shorter and much narrower than the chaise so after I cut the long side off, I then used that excess towel and sewed it to the top to add the length I needed. ( I made sure I placed the already finished hem of the towel at the top of the cover. Why have to sew more, right? If your towel is long enough you can skip this lengthening step.

Once I had the correct length, I cut the second towel the same way I did for the top piece to use for the underside of the cover. Once they were both cut out and the same length, I then placed the right sides of the top and underside pieces together and pinned and sewed the two sides and bottom together. Basically, I made a long pillow case.

I turned it right side out.

and straightened and smoothed it out.

I cut the 3rd towel in half width-wise and had each end monogrammed by a local monogram shop my area. The monogram is 4 1/2″ high. Cost was $14.00.

This monogrammed piece is for the “flap” section of the slipcover. I measured and cut this piece to fit the open “back” edge of the cover. Since I had to cut the towel to fit - I had to hem each side of this flap piece. Then I sewed the right side of the flap to the right side of the underside piece.

After

Simple, spa like, easy to remove, and washable slipcovers.

This photo will give you a better idea on how I constructed them - The cover looks like a long pillow case with a flap. If you look closely you can see the seam where I had to add the excess towel to the end to add length. Once the flap is over all the way it hides this seam.

Flip the flap over the top of the cushion.

When they get dirty, I can simply remove them to wash.

I have the best hubby. It has been really, really hot here – 102 and 103 the last two days. I was outside frying, trying to finish the covers and he brought me out an icy cold fun drink to enjoy for when I finished taking these photos. He even added mint sprigs. It was just what I needed. He is the best and always thinking of me, but he is the one who needs some pampering. He is such a wonderful, smart, and responsible guy, but stressed to the max - as he was laid off 15 months ago when the economy went south. He works so hard each and everyday networking and trying to find a new position or a business to start. I wish I could snap my fingers and make the economy turn around so he and all the other people out of work can find jobs that they love. We are trying to live as normally as possible and have wonderful family and friends who are super supportive. It is my hope that we both can soon sit on these chairs and be totally relaxed celebrating his employment.

I am linking this post to:

How-to Make an Easy Seashell Window Treatment

2010-07-11T13:56:15Z

Being “down the shore” last weekend and seeing all the” beachy” decorating reminded me of a window treatment I made for a segment I did for Lifetime Television’s, Our Home Show. The segments topic was super easy no-sew window treatments. I demonstrated how to make 3 or 4 treatments using all sorts of items. I can’t remember all of them – I will have to go look at the tape, but this seashell one was my favorite. I gave other actual “demo” treatments to my friends after the show was taped, as I couldn’t use them all in my house. I kept this one however, thinking in the back of my mind, I may have a house on a beach someday and will want to use it. So it has been packed away in my basement, patiently waiting to see the light again. I don’t have a house on the water yet, but I thought it might be a fun project for anyone who loves shells, the beach, and easy no-sew window treatments.

Here is what you need:

Raffia, Chain from the hardware store, lots of Seashells, Wire ornament hangers, Hot glue, String, 2 Nails, Scissors, Wire cutters.

Hammer a nail into the top of the window moulding on each side of the window.

Drape string or ribbon on the nails to measure how long you want your seashells to drape. Remove the ribbon/string and measure the length.

Cut chain with wire cutters to that measurement. If you don’t have wire cutters, when you are purchasing the chain, know the length in advance and have them cut it in the store.

Tape one end of a small bunch ( 1″ in diameter) of raffia

Weave it in and out of the chain. About every 4-5 links.

My raffia was 36″ in length, shorter than my chain so I had to add a new length of raffia. Start the second one where the first one ended.

Remove tape.

Tuck ends into chain. Don’t fuss too much as it will get covered with shells.

Hang the raffia and chain on the nails, making sure ends fall evenly on each side of the window.

This next step should be done beforehand. This is one of those steps that are best done while you are comfy on the couch watching a movie as it is the” mindless” part of the project or what I refer to as the “production line aspect”. Hot glue wire ornament hangers to the back side of all your shells.

The front will then look like this.

Once you have enough shells to cover the chain, start hooking them all along the chain. Try to mix and match shells along the entire chain to create visual balance. To cover the top portion of the draped section, you can bend and mold the ornament hooks to get the placement you want. If you want a more dramatic look, you can add another chain, just drape a bit lower than the top one. If you have a long window, you could make a few dips (swags) go across the window.

I am just putting this up for the summer. If you have a wall in your basement or storage area you can hammer in two nails a window width apart and hang the finished treatment there intack in the off season. Cover to protect it. This way you won’t have to take it all apart, but it will be safely out of the way and ready when you want to re-hang.

I am linking this post to:

Making the World Cuter

Between Naps on The Porch

Somewhat Simple

Shanty2Chic

The Shabby Chic Cottage