This Week We're Loving....

What we're loving? Those adorable Boutique Boot Socks!  What we're not loving....the price.  So, we thought we'd make some of our own.  What else we're loving? They make the perfect, inexpensive stocking stuffer!


Here's what you'll need:

1 pair of knee socks, or over the knee socks depending on how high your boots are

some lace, some buttons, a needle and thread

First, measure the widest part of your calf.  You'll want to put enough lace in the sock to fit over your calf.  Then, cut off a piece of lace 1/2 in longer than your calf measured.

     We found something a similar width and shimmied the sock over it to get the sock to the width we wanted it.  The lace will not stretch like the sock, so you have to stitch the lace around the sock while it is large, otherwise it will come apart when you put the sock on.

Then, we just stitched the lace around the cuff of the sock.

You can embellish with buttons, or a monogram!

 &

We're linking up to these great parties...

House of Hepworths

Somewhat Simple

Toiletry Roll - A Tutorial

I was headed out to Cali, and not that I NEEDED a toiletry caddy, (or that TSA would even allow my toiletries in anything other that a quart size plastic bag) but I saw some cute washcloths at TJ Maxx that matched nothing I had and they were just begging to be given a greater purpose. 8 washcloths for $7.99! Aren't they cute?   They're going to be even cuter when I turn them in to Toiletry Rolls!

First, I laid out the washcloth wrong side up

Then, placed my toothbrush so that the top was even with the top of the cloth, and then folded up from the bottom. It was about 4 inches.

Next, I folded 12 inches of ribbon in half and pinned it just inside the fold.  This will help tie it in to a roll when I'm done.

 I sewed the edge where I pinned the ribbon closed

For the first pocket I measured 3 inches in and sewed a vertical line across the folded area.

Then, 1 inch over from that I sewed another line.  This pocket is for the toothbrush.  Mine fit at both 1 inch and 1 1/4 inch width, but all toothbrushes are different, so you will want to measure with yours to ensure a snug fit.

 I continued to sew lines another 3 inches over, then 1 inch over, and one more at the other end of the washcloth.

What a great camp goody or slumber party favor! 

Fan-cy

I love it when I am watching design shows on HGTV and the first thing the designer says is "That ceiling fan has GOT to go!".  Well, clearly, that room is not in the South.  We NEED our ceiling fans down here, ugly or not!  Of course I have them in nearly every room in my house.  I thought there MUST be some way to make them more attractive, though I have never seen much of anything except your typical, run of the mill ceiling fan.  Down here, they are so common you don't even notice.

Then, I got a Lowe's flyer in the mail.  This beauty was in there. LOVE, WANT.

What an awesome solution to ugly ceilingfan-ness!  Not so fast, cowgirl, this baby was originally priced at $699...are you kidding me?  (*It has now dropped to $399, same comment still applies).  So, I put my thinking cap on and came up with my own CUTE and CHEAP solution.

Voila:

Tween Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Tutorial follows for the Tween Fan.  The shade in the master came from Ikea, and was constructed differently.  A little ingenuity and these tools got that one hung pretty quick!

Husband laughing hysterically, but the clothesline is basically invisible against the fan, even when standing directly below.  It's level, secure, and cute....really, what more do you need?

Ok, so the Tween Fan was a little more involved.  Supplies needed: 18 gauge wire, wire cutters, pliers, this clampy thing (I am sure it has a name, but they sell it in the plumbing section for about $2-$3).  Duct tape (this is high tech!) and in this case, I was reusing old lamp shades, so grosgrain ribbon and a glue gun.  Shades were originally purchased at Lowe's and come plain or in several colors for $14.99.

1. Cut three pieces of wire that are approximately 2 inches longer than the diameter of your lamp shade.    Bend at a 90 degree angle approximately 2-3 inches from one end.  Now "lay" this end on the top of one of your lampshade support thingees (is there a name for these?) and duct tape together.  I used gold duct tape from my daughter's vast collection so it would be less noticable. Attach the other two wires to the other two lamp thingees in the same manner.

*If you are doing anything decorative, such as ribbon, you should do it now.  I simply hot glued grosgrain ribbon on the top and bottom edges of my shade.

2. Now take you plumbing clamp thing and center it in the middle of the top of the lampshade.  Bring your attached wires under and bend around so they are holding up the clamp.  The whole thing is kind of loosey, goosey at this point, but that is ok.  Your wires should be secure where attached to the lamp, giving you some stability.

3. Unscrew the clamp so it is completely open and place it around your ceiling fan above the lights but below the blades. ***Be sure your ceiling fan blades are NOT moving at this point.  You do not want to whack yourself in the head!**.  Place the clamp back together and tighten clamp as tight as you can get it.  This should secure everything pretty tightly, and if you were careful to get the clamp close to the center your shade should be level and beautiful.

4. Twist your wires back around themselves and cut off any excess.

And there you have it!  

If I wasn't clear, please feel free to ask questions...and if you make any of your fans Fan-cy, please leave a link, I would love to see!

Skip To My Lou

Between Naps on the Porch
Making the World Cuter
Coastal Charm
A Stroll Thru Life
Tip Junkie
Stringtown Home
A Bowl Full of Lemons

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint project #2, Dilapidated to Darling

Sorry I have been MIA.  While Holley has been spending weekends on the water, I have been up to my eyeballs in remodeling and moving.  We are on the homestretch now (movers coming tomorrow, Tropical Storm Debbie allowing), so I finally have time to start sharing what I have been doing.  Let's start with ASCP project #2...Dilapidated Desk

 I needed a sturdy desk or table to put my sewing machines on in the new craft room.  Yes, you guessed it, another trip to the Hoarder's garage sale.  Jackpot (though this seemed to be a matter of opinion).  Sturdy, but sad, desk procured for just $25. I also picked up 2 solid wood chairs for just $5 a piece, you will see those soon.

So here is the sad, but sturdy, desk.  Husband and Daughter sent to pick it up expressed some serious misgivings about bringing this one home, but I was SURE I could work miracles with my ASCP (That is Annie Sloan Chalk Paint for anyone not familiar).

Notice the lovely laminate finish, burn mark, water ring (?) and general ickiness.

I wanted a darker neutral for this piece, so I chose Graphite, kind of a navy-gray.  I like the way it turned out.  Here it is after just ONE coat...remember no sanding, no primer and no need to paint twice on this piece!

Since I was on a budget, I thought I would try to rescue the original handles.  To the rescue: Krylon's hammered silver spray paint.  Worked like a charm...just like new!

Next, wax.  I used a mix of clear and dark.  At this point, I still did not have a wax brush and was a bit hazy on the whole wax application process.  Since then, I have made another trip out to Sweet South Cottage, our local stockist.  Lisa gave me a GREAT wax tutorial.  I can't wait to get out there and take some classes.   Be sure and visit if you are local.  It's worth the drive and Lisa and her staff are VERY knowledgeable and helpful!  In any case, I am still pleased with my wax finish.  I did not distress as I felt this piece would distress on it's own with use, and I like that.

Voila!  Desk transformed from Dilapidated to Darling!  Excuse the grainy pictures, camera is packed...I am sure I will find it soon, I hope.  

Have you done any projects with ASCP?  Comment with a link, I would love to see it!

Linking to:

Boogieboard Cottage

The Most Amazing Stain Remover Ever

So, I finally fit back in to a pair of cute, white cropped pants from over a year ago! Yay!  Except, there are stains on them from over a year ago when I tried to iron them and some kind of rust/goo was heat pressed on to them! BOO!  I tried stain treating and bleaching when it first happened; but nothing seemed to work.  For some reason, I hung on to them anyway.

But wait! Over the past year I had read an article in a magazine about a miraculous stain treater!  And guess what, I've been using it on everything! 2 parts Dawn Dish Soap and 1 part Hydrogen Peroxide.  This stuff is amazing. 

It works better than any stain remover I've ever bought at the store. Just mix it up, pour over your stain and scrub lightly.  I've been using it mostly for sweat and makeup stains and it is nothing short of a miracle.
 

Let it sit for a few minutes before washing and you'll be amazed at the results.  So, let's see if it can take on these pants!

Look Mom!  No stains!  Even better than bleach! They're still a bit wrinkly; maybe this time I'll use the steamer!

Pinwheels and a Tutorial

 So, we have these pinwheels out side the store.  Liz put them there because they look cute and, unlike a plant, it's something we don't have to worry about keeping alive.  Not a day goes by without a customer trying to buy them!


It got me thinking, what is it about a pinwheel that just makes us smile?  Something about their color and whimsy, or maybe even the nostalgia of the simplicity of toys from our childhood?  Whatever it is, I wanted some pinwheels to use for simple decorating during the approaching Patriotic Season.


Here are the supplies I used...


Scrapbook paper (I cut mine to 6" x 6" and 8" x 8" squares)
Glue Dots
Single Hole Punch
Scissors
Brads
Wooden dowel

First, use the glue dots to secure the coordinating patterned paper together.

Then, fold the paper in half diagonally

And then again diagonally

Open up your paper and you have your lines for cutting.  Cut along each line, being careful not to cut too close to the center.  Leave about a 1/2" in each direction.

Punch a hole in each of the corners and the center so that it looks like this....

Insert a brad in to one of the holes and begin folding in each corner, inserting the brad in to the hole every time.

Glue to your dowel rod and there you have it!  Now, keep in mind, mine are just for decoration and they are NOT functional. 

What do you think?  

They made a great centerpiece at Sam's party and I will use the red and blue ones for anything and everything through July!

 

Linking up to these parties:

Keeping it Simple

DIY Showoff

Making the world cuter

Sew Chatty

Nifty Thrifty Things

The Southern Institute

Lines across my face