Trick or Treat! Shutter Signs and Feather Boa Wreath

 Easy to make "shutter style" Trick or Treat signs and feather boa wreath 

(see early posts explaining how to make all).

Embroidering a baseball cap with a regular hoop -- SEW EASY!

I'm not sure what the "big deal" is about embroidering on ball caps, but I've never tried, until recently. I'm self taught and have figured out most techniques on my own. So, when my friend asked me to put her daughter's monogram on a ball cap for camp, I gave it a try. I used sticky stabilizer in the hoop and mashed and pinned the front of the hat to the stabilizer to get a mostly flat sewing area -- it worked! I did it on my Baby Lock 6 needle machine, but I'm sure it would work on a regular embroidery machine, as well.

GPS Coordinates Embroidery Design PILLOW

I've always loved numbers and word clouds and anything graphic, so my latest obsession is with GPS Coordinates, as seen on my Etsy account and here.

After digitizing the location and coordinates for my embroidery design, I stitched it out on white twill fabric and sewed together the pillow (18" square). I added the extra detail of a grommet in the upper left corner (these are super easy to do) and is add a little something extra to the look.

I did this for one of my daughter-in-law's bridal shower gifts using the wedding venue, as well.

 

I found my GPS coordinates by going to: http://www.gps-coordinates.net/

Type in the address. Hit "Get my Coordinates".

https://www.etsy.com/listing/279771190/gps-coordinates-pillow-cover-18-white?ref=shop_home_active_6

https://www.etsy.com/listing/272966016/gps-coordinates-pillow-cover-18-white?ref=shop_home_active_5

Cheerwine SERCY Party Favor Gift for our son's Wedding Rehearsal Dinner

Rehearsal Dinner "SERCY" - take home gift for our guests

So when my oldest son got married this past May, I wanted to bring a little bit of him and the South to his Long Island wedding. I brought a bottle of Cheerwine (a North Carolina staple) for each of our 50 guests at the rehearsal supper. Each bottle was decorated with a striped paper straw, grosgrain ribbon, and a laminated card featuring an NC barbecue recipe made with Cheerwine.

All of our guests LOVED it and many had never tried it before!?!

Closet Remodel - TRANSFORM builder's wire shelving to wood shelving - NO KIT needed

 I was looking for a weekend project and decided it was time to make better use of my closet space and transform my wire shelving into wood shelving that makes a much more efficient use of the space.



RIGHT side of Master Closet



LEFT side of Master Closet

Remove shelving, spackle, sand, paint

I added a center support for the rods on the long wall on right side of the closet.




I used these FANTASTIC EZ Ancors to provide support for the end supports for my new metal rods.

I used these FANTASTIC EZ Ancors to provide support for the end supports for my new metal rods.



RIGHT SIDE: I used a level to draw straight lines for where my new shelf braces should go. I used strips of 3/4 x 1 1/2 white wood to create braces for my shelves to rest on. I also ran a bead of gorilla glue along the back and 2.5 inch finishing nails into the studs for added support under the shelves. Finally, I used an awl to hammer the nails just below the surface of my wood strips, then filled with wood putty, sanded, and painted the strips.



LEFT SIDE: I added support strips for shelving at the same height as the shelving on the RIGHT side of the closet and then added two extra shelves in between so that I could fit in more shelves for my shoes without wasting space above my boxes.

 

For the actual shelves, I used 11 1/2 by 3/4 inch cheap white shelving wood from my local home improvement store and cut each to length with my miter saw. I painted most of the boards with 2 coats of paint before cutting and fitting into place so that I only needed to touch up the paint once they were fit in place. To finish the front of the shelving, I used inexpensive 2 inch primed white molding. I attached it to the front of each shelf with wood glue and finishing nails. Counter-sink the nails with an awl, fill with wood putty, sand, and paint.



LEFT SIDE with two L shaped shelves above the rod and hooks.

I mitered the corner of the molding, filled with wood putty, sanded and painted. I also used gorilla glue and flat steel brackets where the shelving came together in an "L" to provide stability.



LEFT SIDE

LEFT SIDE finished. I purchased linen shoe boxes from the Container Store that have a clear plastic window to store my out of season shoes.

RIGHT side finished.

I purchased a few linen storage bins at my local Marshall's.

Closet Wire Shelving Transformation to Built In Shelves - 2nd closet

I was really pleased with the outcome of my MBR Closet reno from wire shelving to built-ins...keep in mind, I am not a carpenter! So I moved on to my daughter's closet which has some weird dimensions on the ends. The left side shelving actually has 5 sides (which can't be seen in these pictures), so I used birch plywood and a circular saw to cut out the exact shape and make use of EVERY square inch of space.

Next I added the molding to the front, counter-sunk the finishing nails with an awl, filled with wood putty, sanded. and painted. KEEP IN MIND, I did not attach the shelving to the strips of wood that are attached to the wall for support, so all shelving can actually be lifted out of the closet if need be. The bracing strips of wood were attached to the wall with gorilla glue and 3 inch nails into the studs (see my MBR closet makeover for more details and pictures)

The right side of her closet only had space for very shallow depth shelves, which are perfect for books or shoes turned sideways.

LEFT SIDE

RIGHT SIDE

FINISHED. I also added two more wooden shelves across the top above the clothing rod that run the full width of the closet.

Fabric Transfer Latitude Longitude pillows

I used Avery light fabric transfer to create these cute pillows.  I created the design and pattern in
Word using word art so that I could do a mirror image. I followed the package directions and used Canvas to make the pillows. The only thing I did not like is up close you can see the clear transfer material -- this doesn't bother most people, but I can see it...

Successful Minka Ceiling Fan Install -- quiet and works via the light switch -- cool and easy peasy!

Successful Insinkerator Evolution install--no more leaks and a quiet motor--not so hard to do at all!
You Tube videos and somewhat understandable print instructions were both helpful.

Front porch decor for our annual Army Navy football game party!!

 

Time for the annual Army Navy football game -- BEAT NAVY!

 

I appliqued the word BEAT and NAVY on two separate pillow covers to add to my front porch decor.

Christmas Tree SWAG BANNER -- Go Army, Beat Navy!

This idea popped in my head this evening and was super quick and easy!

I took a 5 inch strip of burlap and embroidered "All I want for Christmas is to BEAT NAVY!" Just in time for our annual Army Navy football party. I cinched the ends with rubberbands and then a pretty polka dot ribbon and hung on the tree with ornament hangers.  Super Cute and Super Easy!

Harry Potter PLATFORM 9 3/4 Handpainted Sign

Just handpainted this new sign for Harry Potter fans!

 

 

I started by painting the wood board solid beige with some interior latex housepaint I had already. The board is a scrap of birch plywood, measures 12 inches tall, 24 inches wide, and 1/2 inch thick. Next I used a template to roughly draw the rectangular bricks (I used a piece of cereal box that measured about 2.75 x 5 inches). I should have taped off the center "Platform" section first, so I had to go back afterwards and remove the brick lines.

 

 

Once the brick paint has dried, tape off the center section and place your CriCut letters where you want them. Paint over the letters with black and peel off the letters and tape for the big reveal.  Finally, I put a single coat of brown stain over the entire sign to dull and age the sign. 

 

 

 

If you don't want to paint it yourself, you can purchase it in my Etsy store for $30 plus shipping:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/112524947/harry-potter-fanatics-wood-wooden-hand