Cute window shade from scraps

My sewing techniques are not for the faint of heart.  

Let's just say I'm never going to get paid for any of my sewing creations, 

but that's okay as long as I can live with them.

Here's my new window shade in our hallway upstairs.

(There used to be a paper shade here that cost me a total of $2.99,

so I didn't feel too bad about replacing it.  You can see that post here.)

This new shade is made from scraps of leftover fabric from various projects.  The brown and white print 

was leftover from a chair seat I covered at our kitchen desk years ago.  The brown trim on the edges was originally a tablecloth, and the lining is leftover Unbleached Natural Osnaburg that I've used for several projects....everything from pillows to printing on the fabric in the printer (it's great for that).

Here's how it started...

I didn't even sew a rod pocket for the shade.....the top of the shade is just tucked over a tension rod, 

so I wasn't too concerned about the finished look.

I literally tucked the ends inside the shade and sewed a straight line across the bottom to hem it.

(Like I said, not for the faint of heart when it comes to the serious seamstress...)

Done!

The "pleats" are in place with additional tension rods.

I saw this genius idea at Imparting Grace.
(This is a wonderful blog you should check out when you get a minute.)

I'm linking to the following parties:

100 Ideas under $100 at Beyond the Picket Fence
Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous 

Blog Link Party at Somewhat Simple

Have a great weekend!

Petie

Do you ever help your spouse select your Christmas gift?

Guilty, guilty, guilty!

I just happen to be looking at Ballards website a couple of weeks ago and 

saw a 48hr free shipping notice. 

 I had to help him!

I've been wanting a mirror over our family room mantel and this one was 

the perfect size, 24" diameter.

We I ordered it in the taupe color.

(and, oh yes, I've already hung it!)

Here's a close-up look.  

It has a great rustic-weathered vibe, but with the gold trim in the center it's not too casual.

I'm loving it!  

Thank, honey :)

Petie

Updated Gel Rug

Are you familiar with "gel" rugs? 

Gel rugs have a spongy thickness, and they're supposed to make standing for any length of time; say washing dishes,  a little more comfortable.

I've seen them in lots of catalogs for anywhere from $70 - $100.  Luckily, I found mine a few years ago at TJ Maxx for about $20.

I recently saw this gel rug 'cover' advertised in the Solutions catalog.  

It inspired me to paint my rug.

I decided to update mine with  a chevron pattern.

  

The rug has a basket weave pattern already, so it was really easy to tape off for the chevron pattern.

                     

I used Rust-Oleum spray paint that I had on hand (ivory silk), and added 

a top coat to protect the finish .  

 

I may add a coat of polyurethane later just to be sure it's sealed well.

This is what I got when I peeled off the tape....like Christmas morning!

 

I'm linking to the following parties:

Frugalicious Friday @ Finding Fabulous 

Overflowing with Creativity @ It's Overflowing 

Creative Bloggers Party & Hop @ Homemaker On A Dime 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Petie

Updated mantel

I really like to have an accessorized mantel that can work with me year round, but after seeing all the beautiful fall mantels in blog world...I decided to give my mantel a slight touch of fall.

     

Thanks for all the inspiration fellow bloggers :)

I'm joining the following parties:
Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House 

Wow Us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style

Show & Share at Southern Lovely

Blog Link Party at Somewhat Simple

Thanks for hosting ladies!

Petie

This says it all...

I was browsing through Marshall's last week when I stumbled upon this piece of artwork.  The words were a great reminder for living life a little less stressed.

I think I'm going to put this in my kids bathroom as soon as I get around to updating it a bit :)

What's your life mantra?

Hydrangeas Year Round

This is my 1st attempt at drying Hydrangeas.

I love them in the garden and want to see if I can enjoy them inside year round.

  These are the instructions I got off of google: 

Cut each flower with a 12 - 18" stem attached.

Remove all the leaves from the stems.

Place the freshly cut flowers in a vase with fresh water.

Make sure the stems are at least half covered with water.

Move the vase to a cool spot, out of direct sunlight.

  The flowers will still look attractive and can be used for display. Don't add more water as the 

water in the vase evaporates. It’s just there to allow your hydrangeas to dry naturally, rather 

than simply dry out. Once the water is totally evaporated, your hydrangeas should 

feel dry to the touch and ready to use.

 Wish me luck! 

Do you know any tips for drying hydrangeas or other flowers?

An invitation?

Have you ever gotten one of these emails? 

It's an invitation to attend a Pottery Barn decorating class at your local Pottery Barn store. 

I've often wondered what they would be like.  

	Join us on Sunday, June 12th at 10:00 am for a complimentary class.
	From hosting a casual backyard barbecue to an elegant dinner party, we’ll show you how to entertain outdoors in style.  Would love to hear from you if you've ever given one of these classes a try! ~ Petie

Magazine Artwork

My husband attended the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, AL.  To say he's a "huge fan" would be putting it mildly!  His love and loyalty to the university has rubbed off on my son over the years, so it seemed only fitting to work in some Alabama memorabilia in my sons bedroom decor.

This framed series of prints are all covers from Sports Illustrated magazines in 2010.  Alabama was undefeated that year and won the National Championship so they were popular with SI.

I carefully cut the covers off the magazines and framed them in some inexpensive frames.  Here they are hanging in his room.

This is our most recent edition of Sports Illustrated.  This cover shows some of the devastation in Tuscaloosa and all around the University.  It seems only fitting that the Alabama athletes will play a part in re-building the community, as they are loved and supported by so many in the area.

 Our thoughts and prayers are with those families and students

who are suffering and have lost so much.

I'm linking to the following parties:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays at Coastal Charm 

Show Me What You Got at Not Just a Housewife 

Penny Pinching Party at The Thrifty Home

Makeover for a sweet table ~

I've said it many times, I love Marshall's, TJ Maxx and Home Goods!  

Did you know that a gift card from one of these stores is good at all three?  Love that!

*  I'm planning to have a GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY from these stores once 

I reach 200 followers, so stay tuned *

Back to my post...

 I purchased this table at Marshall's a couple of weeks ago. It was originally a taupe color with a wooden top.  I immediately saw it's potential to be a great side table/night stand for my daughter's room. All of her furniture is white so the taupe color had to be changed.  Easy fix!  Next, what could be done with that wooden top to dress it up?  Get a piece of mirror cut to fit it!  I was excited. 

Here's the original after a few coats of spray paint.

I really like the fretwork pattern of the iron base.

 I think this will be a very versatile piece when my daughter outgrows it.

 Now, to spruce it up....the mirror.  I had the mirror cut at a local glass store.  

The wooden top can be unscrewed from underneath so I took it to

the glass store in order to get exact measurements.

 I used Gorilla Glue to attach the mirror.  I think this stuff will hold anything together!

Voila!

 Here it is in my daughter's room.

I love it!

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to teach my daughter how to clean glass...can you say fingerprints? 

(I think it was worth it though)

Can't wait for her to see it after school.

I'm linking to the following parties:

Flaunt It Friday at Chic On A Shoestring Decorating

Frugal Friday at The Shabby Nest

Inspiration Friday at The Picket Fence
Feature Yourself Friday at Fingerprints on the Fridge 

Thanks, ladies!