Memo Boards

When I went to college, my mom bought me a french memo board that was denim with canvas ribbon.  I loved that thing and it served me many years... until it got upgraded to my argyle bulletin board pictured here.

My friend and fellow teacher Jessica wanted to make one for her daughter to take to college and I told her I would help.  We spent a lunch time working on it and I think it turned out fabulous.  On a side note, I converted Jessica into a hot glue gun user - a true moment of grace in a crafter's life.  She is now the proud owner of one herself!  Her board is part of a shower board so she can write messages on the back, especially secret ones from mom!  It turned out great and Lexie got it today for her birthday (Happy Birthday Lexie)! 

Here it is!

I love the red and black with the white buttons!  Super fabulous!  Thanks for letting me be a part of the project Jessica!

House Divided Wreath

I have been working on several projects over the past week.  And I am posting again!

If you know anything about my husband and I, we live in a divided household.  In the Southeastern Conference (the SEC), collegiate affiliation is thicker than blood and I was raised Gator.  My husband is attending graduate school at the University of Tennessee.  This is bad news.  There is no cheering for two teams in this house and no one wants to give up their team.

As football season approaches, I needed something festive for my front door, but knew that we couldn't have a just UT or just UF wreath... thus the "House Divided Wreath"

What do you think?  I love the playfulness of the ribbon wreath!

I can't wait for football season!  Go Gators!  And perhaps the Vols (just not on Gator weekend :) )

I'm Back!

Hello Blog Readers!

We are officially off - vacation and I have recovered from my vacation!

It was a wonderful trip to see the family and the final shuttle launch!

This is after a VERY LOOONG morning on a bridge, in the wind and the buggies!  There is the smoke trail!  Anyways, I have a bunch of projects I am working on after my nerdy vacation!  Tune in tomorrow for the first one!

Vacation!

Dear Blog Readers...

I have been a touch lacking in the posting department!  I am on vacation and currently in the Sunshine State! 

I am going down to the shuttle launch tomorrow and will be back to posting on Monday - promise!

Happy Summer All!

Patio Pillows

So, I am not a lame kid who just gave her mom paperclips for her birthday!  I had a second awesome project that I created. 

So, my crafting Achilles heel is cutting.  It seems like every blog I read has got some fabulous new pillow on their porch.  I was thinking, what can I use that would be tough and durable at the lake, and I didn't have to cut it out???? 

Eureka!

Cloth napkins! 

They are super durable, washable, and just the right size!  I matched a printed and a solid napkin to make a super pillow!  

 I sewed around the edge, leaving a fairly large hole to shove the pillow through.  Then, in the hole, I sewed in Velcro (thanks youtube tutorial) and it closes up seamlessly (no pun intended).  I can post a more descriptive tutorial is people want... If you are even a semi-experienced sewer, I know you don't need one!  

 I made four in total... they are great for outdoor spaces because the whole thing is washable.  Cover and pillow and they separate for easy cleaning!  Hopefully, we can give them a try out at the lake this weekend!  What do you all think???

Better Than A Bookmark

My mom's birthday was earlier this week and I wanted to find her something really awesome.  She is currently in two book clubs and does a lot of reading!  Her goal is a book a week this year - you go girl!  Anyways, if you've ever been to book club, or a college seminar on a book, you know that you can never find that exact spot you wanted to share when it is your turn.  The elusive page...

So, I found a solution while I was wasting time hanging out on pintrest.  They are from a great blog with super tutorials called how about orange.  The tutorial is on that link.  Anyways, my first attempt was an epic fail (see post below) and I learned a few valuable lessons.

1) If it says you need stiffener, starch will not do.  There is a major difference.
2) The twist tie you need are the cheapies off the bread bag.  My husbands fancy appliance cord ties do not work.  I think I am going to head to Kroger to steal borrow some ties from the bulk aisle. 
3) Any project started at 2:15 in the morning will probably not work out. 

So, after I used stiffener (for your reference, on the glue aisle at JoAnn's) and let the pieces of leftover fabric dry overnight, I took them with my scissors and twist ties to a doctors appointment in the morning.  As I patiently waited my turn, I cut my pieces... mine are a little smaller than oranges... and manipulated them!  They turned out so cute and I love them on the colored paper clip!

Loving the Bow!  (And the houndstooth!)

Need two page marked? no problem!

They are really cute... really simple... and less than $5!  All I had to buy were snappy paperclips!  Not bad for book club!

Epic Fail

So, it's been a while since I had a project totally tank on me.... It happened last night.  Who knew that starch, fabric and a paper clip could be so challenging?  I am reworking the disaster and have some good results on my hands, hopefully!

I'll post a picture later when I finish wrangling paper clips!

But, I do have good things to show... fruit leather is delicious and a fabulous new project with an interesting fabric source!  I'll post pictures tonight (or in the morning)

YUM!  Craft Rescue Hero gives it two thumbs up!

Be sure to check back!