Project Review - Frugal Bedroom Makeover

I'm on a roll folks! I realize this is my 4th (yes 4th!) post of the day, but all of my house work is done, my sweet baby is napping, and I have so many ideas and projects I've been wanting to share that I'm just going to keep on going until duty calls me elsewhere! 

This is the only "before" picture of her room I could find!  It was taken last May when we first moved in.  As you can see, the room is empty and bare!

My goal was to decorate her room on a budget of $300.  This INCLUDED having to buy the furniture, bedding, and accessories.  ( I know *GASP GASP* but it CAN be done!) ;) 

I had originally found a green and white floral sham and quilt that I was going to use in the room, but ended up returning it to the store when my mother-in-law gave me a roll (about 4 yards worth) of pink and white stripped fabric that she had left over from years ago when my sister-in-law was a little girl.  It is sweet, soft, and feminine and least of all...free! ;)

We found a white bedspread at TJ Maxx for $20.  I love using white.  It is so versatile and neutral and makes it super easy to change the look later down the road.  Using the pink and white stripe fabric, I made her a bedskirt and sham for the bed.  I also made a cute little turtle throw pillow from scrap fabric from the sewing room. 

 The headboard was made using this tutorial I found on the BHG website.  I plan on having her monogram added to the top, but haven't done so yet.   The total cost for the headboard supplies was around $30.  

Remember this tutorial that I shared earlier this month on how to turn your mini blinds into functional shades? Well I tried it out in Anna Cate's room and guess what?!? It IS easy to do, they DO work fabulously, and it turned out to be a SUPER INEXPENSIVE solution for the time being!  On that project we spent a whopping $0 because the blinds were already up in her room and the fabric was free.

I recovered an existing lampshade that we already had in a pink and white polka dot fabric and her little rug we already had from the nursery in our old house.  The little patch work quilt at the foot of her bed was something else I kept from her nursery.  

The room still has a ways to go until it is finished.  Now its time to focus on all of the fun little details.  I need to decide on a paint color for the walls.  I also have some fun ideas (thanks to the new Pottery Barn Kids catalog) for projects to add some accessories and artwork, but it is starting to all come together now that the basics have been taken care of!    

 

Recovering a Lampshade Tutorial

This is a project I've been meaning to share for awhile now, but haven't had the time to sit down and write up the tutorial.  I recovered my first lamp shade two years ago while decorating my daughter's nursery.  I found a great deal on a floor lamp at TJ Maxx, but the fabric on the shade did not match the decor in the nursery.  Out of necessity, I learned how EASY it is to customize a shade that will look like you bought it from a pricey designer store! 

I was in one of my favorite furniture stores last year with my mom and about fell on the floor when I saw a lampshade for sale for $150 (!!!!) that was covered in some Amy Butler fabric I had sitting in my sewing room!   I'm sorry for whoever bought that lamp!  You can create the exact same thing for under $20 (fabric included) if you know where to look for your shade. 

I've found the best places to find them cheap are at thrift stores like Goodwill or His House.  People toss out old lamp shades all of the time and you can find some really interesting  shapes that look like they've come straight from a designer magazine when recovered with the right fabric!  Ask around and see if any of your family or friends have extras sitting in their attic they no longer need or want.  If all else fails, Target sells a basic white square shade for around $6 that can clip onto any lamp base.

First lampshade I recovered for Anna Cate's nursery

This one was given to me by my friend's mom who bought a lamp from TJMaxx but didn't like the original fabric on the shade.  I love the unique shape of this one!

Let's Get Started!

 Materials Needed:

-Lampshade 

-Fabric of your Choice 

-No Sew Fabric Glue

-Heat N Bond Hem Tape

-Iron

-Scissors

-Clothespins or Paper clips

-Newspaper

Step 1:  Using a sheet of the newspaper, trace one of the sides of the shade to create a pattern.  Depending on how many sides your shade has (most have 4 or 6), use this paper pattern to cut out the correct number you will need from your fabric.

Now measure the length (top to bottom of shade) of one of the sides.  Cut appropriate number of strips you will need to cover the edges of your lamp.  I usually cut my strips about 1 1/4 inches wide, but you can make them wider if you so desire. 

You will also need a strip of fabric for the top and bottom circumference of the shade. 

Step 2:  Take each strip of fabric and lay it out flat.  Now cut a piece of the Heat N Bond Hem tape that is the same length as your strip of fabric.  Lay the hem tape down the center of the strip and iron in both sides so that they meet.  As you iron, the hem tape will glue the fabric together to form a finished edging for the lamp.  Repeat this step until all of your strips have been ironed together. 

Step 3:  Now take your fabric glue and apply around all 4 edges of one of the sides of the lamp.  Carefully place one of your pre-cut fabric pieces over the face of the shade and smooth to make sure there are no wrinkles.   Repeat for all sides of the lamp.  (*Please note that I do not spread glue over the entire side of the shade.  Just glueing the edges will hold the fabric secure, making it easy to take apart if you ever wish to recover the shade in the future).

Step 4:  Now take the fabric strips you just ironed and glue them to each corner of the shade.  This strip of fabric should cover over the seams where your fabric is glued to give it a finished edge.  

Step 5:  Almost finished!  All you have to do now is glue the strips of fabric around the top and bottom of the lamp to completely finish off all of the raw edges.  I usually will fasten paper clips to the edges while the glue dries to ensure that it is securely fastened to the shade. 

Step 6: Now enjoy using your new lampshade! :) 

Free Pattern Roundup

In my search for ideas to make some cute spring clothes for Anna Cate this year, I've come across some fun and easy tutorials that I thought I'd share in case anybody else wanted to put them to good use!

Pillow Case Dress Tutorial

Project Time:  About an Hour

Total Cost:  Under $10

 (could be much less depending on your fabric selection!)

Easy Peasy Toddler Belt

Project Time:  20 minutes

Total Cost:  Less than $3.00

(I was in a hurry when I made this pink belt because I made it out of the necessity to hold her little pants up!  I just used fabric I already had on hand from the dolls; however,  if you had the time, you could make the cutest patchwork belt for children or adults using this pattern!  Think "Vineyard Vines" catalog) 

Lazy Day Skirt Tutorial

Project Time:  Around 30 minutes

Total Cost:  Under $5.00 

(Again, it all depends on how much you want to spend on your fabric.  I found this in a remnant bin at Hobby Lobby for $1.00)

Tutorial on Adding Ruffles to an existing Pattern for Pants

(Photo courtesy of Jump Up and Down's blog) 

I have not tried this project yet, but it looks simple enough and oh so cute!

Ruffled Skirt Tutorial

(Photo Courtesy of Grand Revival's Design Blog)

Another project that I'm itching to try...though she may be a bit young this year to wear this style skirt.

The Bandanna Skirt Tutorial

(Photo Courtesy of V and Co's Blog)

I know, I know...another skirt tutorial! But how can you resist when they are so cute and easy!

Sweet Mary Jane Baby Shoes

Ok, this pattern isn't free.  Sorry! :(

I've looked and looked online for a pattern for Baby Maryjane's but haven't been able to find one.  I made these shoes from a pattern I purchased from an esty shop, Precious Patterns, for $3.00.  However, they only took about 30 minutes to make and the pattern is really easy to follow!  (they look way harder to make than they actually are)  I've already made several pair for baby shower gifts.  Because I've been so pleased with the pattern, I thought I'd pass along the info!

Nursing Cover Tutorial

photo courtesy of the Bebe Au Lait website

I wanted to share this super easy tutorial I found online for making your own nursing cover.  This project took a total of 45 minutes to complete!   I made one last week for a friend who is having a baby and I'm planning on making myself one too.  Of course, I forgot to take a picture of it before the baby shower, but the finished product looks just like the "Hooter Hiders" they sell in upscale boutiques.  

**FYI - The tutorial calls for 1/2 yard of Corset Boning, which I was able to find at Hancock Fabrics for 99 cents a yard.

Fancy Washing Gloves

Several years ago, I made some fun gloves for the girls in my Bible Study.  It was a group of newly married ladies and our teacher was encouraging us to find joy in our work at home (washing dishes, folding laundry, dusting, etc.)  I made a pair for each girl so they could have a little more fun while standing over those dirty dishes at the kitchen sink! :)

I had totally forgotten about them until one of my friends who was in the Bible study requested several pair for some wedding gift baskets she was putting together.  The first ones I made had sequins dangling from the ribbon, but she requested some fabric flowers instead and they turned out SO CUTE!  I wanted to share this idea because it would make a darling gift (birthday, Mother's Day, wedding, shower, etc) for almost any lady!  You just sew the ribbon around the base of the glove and then make two fabric flowers to attach to each one.  

* I used the white Mr. Clean brand gloves that are lined with a soft flannel.  They hold up much longer than the regular yellow kind and the soft inside makes them feel more plush! I can usually find them in Wal-Mart.

**You may experience some trouble sewing the ribbon to the glove with a sewing machine.  I had to try several times to get the machine to stitch the ribbon without tearing the glove.  You may choose to hand-stitch the ribbon instead.  

Shades From Mini Blinds

Just thought I'd share this tutorial that I found on a decorating blog, Little Green Notebook, that teaches you how to turn ordinary mini blinds into beautiful & functional shades.  No sewing involved!!  I can not wait to try this out for our kitchen! 

 For months I've been thinking about what to use as window treatments.  I don't like blinds, nor do I like traditional curtains, but this just may be exactly what we need.  Thank goodness I haven't thrown out the blinds I took down in AC's room and the nursery.  I have all of the materials... if I could only find the time!  

  

Fresh from the Oven

Yum yum these cookies look scrumptious! I whipped up a batch this weekend to give my little baker for Christmas, but they turned out so cute, I'm not sure I can wait that long to give them to her!

I'm planning on making her a little apron out of the polka dot material and also getting a small rolling pin from the craft store to go with them. 

They were a fast and easy project, and would make the sweetest birthday present for a little girl.  All you need is felt for the cookies and icing, some beads for the sprinkles, coordinating embroidery floss, and some polyfill to put inside them to make them squishy.  

To Make:  

-I used a biscuit cutter as a template to cut out two circles from the cream felt.  

-Then, I cut out the "icing" from the pink and/or brown felt. 

 -Next, I stitched the beads onto the icing and top piece of cookie.  

-To finish them up, I used this tutorial , from fabric designer Anna Maria Horner, on felt stitching to stitch around the edge.  

-Before I stitched the cookie completely closed, I stuffed a small pinch of polyfill in the center to puff them up a bit. 

 Now who is ready for a tea party?  

Fabric Flowers

I've had several people ask me how I make the little flowers for the dolls' hair, so I thought I'd create a simple tutorial for anybody to use.  These fabric flowers are really cute and versatile.  You can add them to ponytail holders, bobby pins, pillows, or tacs to use on a cork board.  They even make cute pins to attach to a purse or handbag.  

You will need the following materials:

- Fabric scraps

- Button*

- Hot glue gun

-Heat N Bond

-Iron

*To cover a button with fabric as pictured with these flowers, please see my tutorial for making button earrings.  Otherwise, you can use any type of button or sequin for the center of your flower.  

Step 1:  Cut 4 circles and one square out of your fabric scraps .  (I usually cut my circles with a 4" diameter and a the square as 6" x 6" but you can make them any size you desire.)

Step 2:  Cut a piece of Heat N Bond to cover 1/2 the size of your square.  Follow the instructions that comes on the package to iron the paper onto your fabric. 

Step 3:  Then fold your fabric over so that the Heat N Bond binds the two sides together and iron again.  (You don't have to use the Heat N Bond if you don't have any.  This step helps to stiffen the fabric to provide support to the back of the flower, but you can omit this step if you would rather use felt for the back piece. )

Step 4:  Form the petals of your flower by folding each of the circles in half twice so that they form little triangles.  (I use pins to hold them in place until I am ready to glue them).  

Step 5:  Hot glue two of your petals together at the tips of each triangle.  Repeat for the other two petals.  Cut a flower shape out of your stiffened fabric.  

Step 6:  Assemble your flower by glueing your petals onto the back piece of the flower.  To finish it off, hot glue your button onto the top of the flower in the center.   

You are finished with your flower! Now you can decide what to make with them!

Vintage Inspired Button Earrings

Aren't these earrings just darling!  Reminiscent of the earrings worn during  30's & 40's, they are so much fun to wear and make really unique gifts.

To make them you will need the following:

* Buttons to Cover Kit (found at any craft or fabric store...I buy them at Hobby Lobby and Hancock Fabrics)

* Fabric scraps (I've found that smaller designs work best)

* Earring backs (also found at any craft store)

* Hot Glue Gun

This is what the refill package of button covers looks like.  The first time you make them, you will need to purchase the kit which also includes a holder and pusher - (see below).

 

Step 1: Using small pliers, remove the loop on the back piece of the button. 

Step 2:  Using the template provided on the back of the button package, trace and cut out 2 circles from your fabric. 

Step 3: To make an earring, place your fabric circle (wrong side facing up) into the white holder.  Then place your round button into the circle.  Push the button down using the blue plastic pusher.  

Step 4: Make sure your fabric completely wraps around and covers the sides of your button.  Push the back piece into the holder, locking the fabric into the button. 

Step 5:  Now just pop out the covered button and hot glue the earring back into place.  Repeat for the second earring.  

Easy Art

This is a super easy project that can be completed in less than an hour and looks so cute in a child's playroom or bedroom.  I made this to hang in the playroom several weeks ago after trying to figure out a way to add color and art to the room without spending a dime.  I dug through my fabric scraps and used a pillow I had seen in the Pottery Barn Kids catalog as inspiration.

Materials Needed:

 * Frame (I just used an old one we had in storage that I had picked up at a yard sale and painted it white).

* A piece of fabric slightly larger than your frame to use as the background

* Various fabric scraps

* An idea of the picture you are going to create (you can use pages from a coloring book as a pattern, or anything you find that inspires you!)

* Heat N Bond No Sew (This is an inexpensive iron-on adhesive that you can find in the craft section at Wal-Mart or any crafting/sewing store.)

Have fun cutting out your fabric to make the picture you desire and then follow the directions on the back of the Heat N Bond package to iron the fabric pieces onto your background.  Pop the picture into your frame, hang it on the wall, and ta da!  You are all done!  That was easy! ;)