Mission: Budget Organizing

I, like most of you, are on a budget.  I cannot spend too much money but there are so many things that I want out there.  So I try to find creative and thrifty ways to make my house a little more organized and pretty.


This was my goal when I set to making my craft area neater.  You see, my sewing area is in the family room, exposed to my family and my guests.  In my last home, my sewing area was in my bedroom hidden away where no one would see.  It truly was a mess.  I am bound and determined to keep this sewing area organized and pretty.

This is my before photo. 

I'm not afraid to say it...it's a HOT MESS!!!


So herein lies the problem.  How do I organize without spending a lot of money?  And the answer is Mod Podge. This is my second project with it and I think I might be in danger of a Mod Podge addiction.  Watch for me on a future episode of Intervention.


I took those boxes that you see and covered them with fabric using my faithful friend Mod Podge.  Again, not rocket science but definitely messy.  And sadly, I ran out of Mod Podge but I was able to cover 5 boxes so here you go.

I'm really happy with the look of the boxes.  I can throw all my sewing crap in them and have my projects hidden in plain sight!!!


Now I have to run to the craft store to get more Mod Podge!!!

Bookcase Makeover

I am a Pinterest addict.  I saw this bookcase several months ago and absolutely fell in love.  I pinned it on my renovations board hoping to use the idea someday.  

 

Bookcase by Sarah Gunn

Fast forward to last weekend and my parents gave my a tall white bookcase that could use a little TLC.  I immediately thought of the above bookcase.  They had used stencils and paint on the back but I thought that I could get the same effect with fabric.  Since it was going to be the hubster's bookcase, I let him pick out the fabric.  I have to say that I was impressed with his choice.  Its exactly what I would have picked.  Good thing we have the same taste ;)

Sunday evening I got working on my project.  I cut the fabric the size in between the shelves and used modge podge to glue the fabric to the back of the bookcase.   

It wasn't rocket science but a little hard on my knees.  The fabric tried to wrinkle a couple of times but I just carefully lifted and repositioned it.  The project took me 30 minutes to complete.  Just my style, short and sweet.

We waited for it to dry overnight and voila...a beautiful bookcase makeover.  And my mom liked it so much that she joked that she wanted it back!   

And why is that my boy bug who never wants his picture taken kept popping up in front of the camera this afternoon????

Too funny!!!

Summer, Summer Summertime Wreath

I've been having such a great time putting our house together since our move and really making the house into our home.  I needed a new wreath for our front door and wanted something festive and summery.  This is what I came up with.

The wreath is a 5 dollar foam wreath from Joann's.  I used strips of fabric to wrap around it.  I made the mini banner using 2 inch pennants and ribbon.  I loved it but I knew it wasn't quite right yet.  So I added a pinwheel based upon a fan's suggestion.  I made that from paper glued to fabric.  I made the yoyos in various sizes.  Everything is assembled with sewing pins.  Here is the final summer wreath.

Gotta say that I am in love with it.  What about you?

My Hoop Art

I have some very dear friends who will be moving to the Northwest in the near future.  They purchased a rural home with their own lake.  I've been seeing some really cool hoop art on Pinterest and I thought that it would make a great and personal house warming gift for my friends.  So this is what I came up with.

I have to say that I don't consider myself very original or artistic but I had THE BEST time making this hoop art.  And I love the final look.  Now I have to make one for my own home.

Pintervention

I am official obsessed with Pinterest.  Seriously, my addiction is bad!!! I think that my husband might hold an intervention for me.  Here are a few of my pins from the weekend.

Little Charmers 5 Pattern

30's Reproduction Tumbler Quilt from Saltwater Quilts

Whale Painting

Perfect Yellow Paint

You can follow me at http://pinterest.com/littlebughouse/

Hope to see you there!!!

Moving On Up

We are moving, moving on up!  We are a family of five squished into a 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1000 square foot apartment with the tiniest patio known to man.  I started referring to my kids as caged animals.  That was when I knew that we needed to move.  We are so lucky to be moving into a beautiful home with a nice yard.  I have fantasized for too long about yelling at the kids, "Go play outside" and next week it will be a reality.  Even amidst all the boxes and messes and chaos, we know that we are fortunate indeed.

Baby Quilt Mania

I had 4 friends having 5 babies (one had twins) this Spring and I was determined to make a quilt for each little baby.  I just finished the final one last night and I don't think that I have ever felt so relieved.  

Baby Quilt #1

made from Reunion by Sweetwater for Moda Fabrics

Baby Quilt #2
made from Pam Kitty Morning by Lakehouse

Baby Quilt #3
made from Ten Little Things by Jenn Ski for Moda Fabrics

Baby Quilt #4
made from Sugar and Spice by The Quilted Fish for Riley Blake

Baby Quilt #5

made from Sea Foam Impressions by Ty Pennington for Free Spirit Fabrics

Funny thing about these quilts, I fell in love with every single one.  As I was working on one, I would think, "This is my favorite quilt."  Then I would have the exact same thoughts about the next quilt.  A lot of love was poured into each quilt and I can't wait to make some to sell in my store.