THANK YOU!

In this past year, I've refurbished, reupholstered, deconstructed, reconstructed, recycled, reused, revamped, repurposed, redecorated, thrifted and even made jewelry. Only to discover my true passion and surprisingly unknown talent, which is designing and sewing.

Lately, I've been sketching designs and making my own clothes. I've been watching videos online for sewing techniques and my next step is to take classes to further learn my craft. The realization has been eye-opening and so far the journey has been mind blowing. My new venture will allow me to create a new blog showcasing my designs.

To all that have visited this page, THANK YOU and stay tuned....

HARPER'S BAZAAR WALL ART

Do you have old magazines laying around, piled up in a corner or next to the recycling bin? Before you chuck them, pick out interesting magazine covers and make them into wall art.

 That's just what I did. I have an subscription to Harper's Bazaar and I saved 4 magazines covers that featured Sarah Jessica Parker, Selena Gomez, Olivia Wilde and Gwyneth Paltrow.

I purchased these 4 gold picture frames from Unique for less than $6.00.

Carefully peel off the sticky price tag labels. 

 After taking apart the frame, I placed the clear glass on the cover and cut around the glass. 

I used a box cutter, but you can use scissors or a straight edge.

Insert glass in frame, turn image over and replace back panel.

 Repeat process for the rest of the covers.

Before hanging, layout and arrange the pictures.

SAS Interiors offer templates to fit any wall display.

But, I just used last month's At-A-Glance Calendar page as a template.

You can use any big sheet of paper.

I placed the pictures on the front of the calender page in the opposite
order of how the pictures are to be hung.

I flipped the pictures over and laid the sheet on top.

I penciled over the sawtooth hanger on the back of the picture.

Tape template to the wall and hammer in nails.

So much easier than guessing.

I hung the pictures and marked 2 inches down for the other 2 frames.

This framed art adds just the right pop to my dressing room!

It's like a little art gallery in my house!

DIY THROW PILLOWS

Remember the chevron and paisley pillows from the Cheap Bedroom Makeover post?

Here's the easy tutorial.

Materials:  1/2 yard of fabric and (2) old pillows

Turn fabric inside out. Fold and insert pillow. Pin and cut off excess fabric.

Leave 1/2 inch seam allowance. See example:

(*not my finger)

Remember, you will only sew the (2) sides.

Keep the sewing machine foot close to the cut edge of your fabric.

After sewing the 2 sides, turn right side out and insert the pillow.

Cut off excess fabric and tuck the rough edges inside and pin.

Hand sew the last opening.

Using a needle and thread, start in the corner and sew the opening close.

It took me about 10 minutes to hand stitch it.

Voila!

Repeat steps.

REPURPOSED PICTURE FRAME

Remember this post when I framed iconic designers for my dresser top?  Well, my perfume bottles are kinda just there. Not bad, but not great. I was in Unique Thrift Store and saw this gold picture frame and instantly thought perfume/vanity tray. And the best part, it was only $1.49!

At first, I took the backboard off, but the glass seemed loose, so I put it back for support.

Then, I just flipped it over and cleaned the glass.

VOILA!

What a great way to repurpose the frame into a vanity tray?

Notice the intricate filigree detail.

Recycle Reuse Reduce

CHEAP BEDROOM MAKEOVER

Remember the movie, Purple Rain? Well, I love Prince and the movie so much,
 I painted my room purple. 

I enjoyed it while it lasted, but the room appeared smaller that it actually was. The easiest and cheapest solution to begin a makeover is with paint. I purchased a gallon of primer and a gallon of Colorplace semi-gloss antique white paint from Walmart, both for under $30 and got to work.

Let me tell you, it took a couple of coats. That stubborn purple was just peeking through everywhere.

I got these mirrors from Ikea, a while ago, and painting around them was a task in itself!

And oh yeah, I chose the hottest day to paint. I was sweating like a banshee. What was I thinking?

Well, after a week of priming/painting, here is the finished product. My daughter's friend, Hope, gifted me a robin's egg blue candle and from there the color theme began. I purchased the white owl from T.J. Maxx for $9.99. The beautifully crafted wooden apple was an incredible find from Unique for only $2.49. I purchased the white sheets from Walmart for about $18.00 and the white down comforter was a steal from Target for $24.99. These beautiful pink Gerber daisies purchased from Gray's Florist added the right pop of color.

Purchased the Life is Beautiful pillow from T.J. Maxx for $12.99. Using the colors from that pillow, I went to Hobby Lobby and purchased fabrics to make these chevron and paisley throw pillows for less than $8.00 a half yard.

tutorial coming soon

         I picked up this white linen/metal basket from Unique for $2.49 and used it as a plant holder. 

Cateracterum Palm from Home Depot

  I already had purchased this area rug from Target and it added a bold graphic print to the all white room.

 This heirloom cherry blanket rack retails for $45, but I lucked up and got this one from Unique for $5.99. 

*updated w/fresh yellow flowers*

Added all up, this makeover was under $120.

But looks like a million bucks!

(at least to me it does!)

REPOST: DIY CHAIN RING BRACELETS

While shopping on vacation in Myrtle Beach, I purchased a chain ring anklet for my daughter. It retailed for $14.99. Now, she didn't try it on until we got back home, and when she did, the chain around the toe came loose. I'm thinking I wasted my money, I can't return it, I shouldn't have bought it.

After fixing it, I told her to just wear it on her hand. But it was too big , because it was meant for a foot. I go online to see what was the going rate for chain ring bracelets. I check Etsy and I saw these.

They are charging $24 to $59 for a simple design. Because I spent almost $15 for a anklet that came apart, I knew I had to try and make one.

I got my pliers, "O" rings, and two gold rings and chains from an old necklace.

I measured the lengths on my daughter's hand and then laid out the design.

I attached each chain with the "O" rings.

Make sure you measure carefully before assembling the bracelet, because the chain that connects the ring part to the bracelet was toooo long and I had to shorten it and reassemble it. After trial and error, which is the mainstay of DIY, I'm proud to present the finished product.