Project List Update

Updated Project List:

• Make fabric boxes for the new changing table (still looking for a great tutorial, will let you know when I find one!)
• Finish fall wreath (work in progress!)
• Paint birdcage cream or light yellow
• Find a buffet to paint for the dining area
• Get chairs for the front porch
• Get potted plants for the driveway
• Build shelves on either side of the washer and dryer
• Take door off coat closet, paint, and put cubbies inside
• New couch pillows
• Install wall shelf in main bathroom
• Refinish piano
• Make some green frames to match green stained table
• Fix leg on green table
• Get or build a picnic table for the backyard
• Sew kitchen curtain (work in progress!)
• Sew changing pad covers
• Make flower hairclips
• Turn craft room into nursery
• Laundry room makeover

I couldn't find a tutorial I liked for the fabric boxes, so I made one up if you haven't seen it yet.  Also, we painted the nursery and moved all the other stuff out of the room.  It's coming together!  I hope to get some pictures up soon.  Now we are onto the fun, decorating stage.

I am working on some wall art for the nursery, and I am getting really excited to show you!

Easy Fabric Box Tutorial

We found a great deal on a new crib for the nursery, and it came with a changing table.  I used a dresser for the changing table in our other daughter's room, so I was excited to do something a little bit different this time around.

The changing table has a changing area on top and two empty shelves below.  I wanted to make some fabric boxes for the two lower shelves, but I couldn't find a tutorial that was exactly what I wanted.  I made six rectangular boxes total, with three on each shelf.  

Here's what you'll need:

-Fabric for the outside of the box (I used cotton quilting prints)

-Fusible interfacing (Make sure it is something you like the look of, because you will be able to see it)

-Thread

-Iron

You can easily make your own pattern, depending on the size of box that you want.  

A= Length of the short side of the box

B= Height of box

C= Half of the long sides of the box

After you have cut out your pattern, lay it on your fabric, with the fold on the side indicated, pin, and cut out.  This is what it should look like after you are done and have unfolded it:

Now, lay out your interfacing with the fusible side up, and lay your fabric on top.

Cut out the interfacing to the same size as the fabric, and iron both pieces together on the wool setting.  This is what you will end up with:

Now to begin sewing.  Sew the "B" sides together inside out, so your box looks like this:

Flip the box right-side-out, and hem the raw top edge.

Now you will want to break out the iron again, and iron your corners and the crease where the box transitions from the bottom to the sides.  This will make the last steps a lot easier.  Fold the sides down, and stitch all the way around the bottom crease of the box.

Next, fold your corners and slowly(or you may get a few broken needles) stitch them together to stiffen the sides up.

That's it!  

You can do some more ironing of the sides to help them stand up a little better, but the best way to get it to hold its shape is to use it.

Good luck, and let me know if you have any questions in the comments.

Faux Roman/Tie-Up Shade with Matching Pillows

I finished the window treatment in the kitchen with a lot of help from my mom.  We had neither done this exact shade before, so we basically made it up as we went.  The sides are hemmed and the top and bottom were finished with bias tape.  

We had a little bit of leftover fabric, so the other day we made a couple of matching pillows for the couch; which, incidentally, was another thing on my list of projects.  

Thanks to my mom's stash of fabric and trim, we didn't have to buy anything to do the pillows.  I already had the forms, too.  

I was going to ditch my other pillows, but they actually look nice with the new ones!  We are hoping to get to work on the nursery this weekend.  I have started packing stuff up and moving it out, plus we set up the crib and changing table.  Our new glider should arrive early next week.  I am going to do my best to get before, during, and after photos of the process.

Here's the updated list (I love marking things off!)

• Make fabric boxes for the new changing table (still looking for a great tutorial, will let you know when I find one!)
• Finish fall wreath (work in progress!)
• Paint birdcage cream or light yellow
• Find a buffet to paint for the dining area
• Get chairs for the front porch
• Get potted plants for the driveway
• Build shelves on either side of the washer and dryer
• Take door off coat closet, paint, and put cubbies inside
• New couch pillows
• Install wall shelf in main bathroom
• Refinish piano
• Make some green frames to match green stained table
• Fix leg on green table
• Get or build a picnic table for the backyard
• Sew kitchen curtain (work in progress!)
• Sew changing pad covers
• Make flower hairclips
• Turn craft room into nursery
• Laundry room makeover

Fall Wreath and Flower Hair Clips

I started working on my projects list this week.  I realized that I am running out of time before the baby comes!  Today I finished a fall wreath I have been thinking about and made some flower hair clips for both the girl we have and the one that is coming.

The wreath was easy, because I had the wooden wreath form already.  I bought a fall garland at Walmart and wrapped the ribbon and tied a bow.  The streaming ribbon ends are actually another piece of ribbon that I then tied around the middle of the bow.  

Easy peasy.  Plus, I can easily change it up for the next season or whenever I get tired of it.

Here are the flower clips I made.  These were super easy as well.  All I did is get a bunch of fake flowers at Walmart, take them apart, and put them back together how I wanted.  Some of them, like the giant daisy, I didn't even change.  I hot-glued them to ribbon-covered clips and glued a fancy button in the center.  Done.  

Besides burning my fingertips a bajillion times, this project went great!

After today's adventures, here is my updated project list:

• Make fabric boxes for the new changing table (still looking for a great tutorial, will let you know when I find one!)
• Finish fall wreath (work in progress!)
• Paint birdcage cream or light yellow
• Find a buffet to paint for the dining area
• Get chairs for the front porch
• Get potted plants for the driveway
• Build shelves on either side of the washer and dryer
• Take door off coat closet, paint, and put cubbies inside
• New couch pillows
• Install wall shelf in main bathroom
• Refinish piano
• Make some green frames to match green stained table
• Fix leg on green table
• Get or build a picnic table for the backyard
• Sew kitchen curtain (work in progress!)
• Sew changing pad covers
• Make flower hairclips
• Turn craft room into nursery
• Laundry room makeover

Tomorrow, I may have a chance to finish the kitchen curtain that I have assembled all the supplies for.

Just to be clear, I am not planning on finishing all of these projects before our baby is born.  Especially since that will be in like 10-11 weeks.