decoupaged clothespins

my original purpose is to use clothespins to help hold fabric during sewing times since my work space is shared with matt's electrical gadgets, but these are so lovely i'm sure i will find other uses for them.

Calendar from 2010

Painted Faux Ombre Chevron Curtains

* You can see my newly updated room here.

I sat on this idea for awhile before I implemented it.  It's a running joke in my family that I was born in the wrong decade. :)  I tend to have good ideas, but majority of the time they are already implemented by someone else.  I was not surprised to have found that my "original" idea had already been photographed in a national magazine, on popular furniture website, performed by a popular blogger(s), and found among numerous link parties.  I was bummed, but I am use to it.  I knew chevrons are really hot among the blogging community right now, which is cool.  I love chevrons.  I mean I painted my walls in a chevron print and now on a set of curtains.  Heck, I even used the pattern on my snack bags.
(And I just realized right now that I may be coming across as a chevron freak.)

So this is how my faux ombre chevron curtains came about.


This is the magazine that graced my presence while thinking about painting curtains.  I didn't think curtains could be painted.  I thought I was going to take a risk and wing it, but a Better Homes & Garden Special Interest Publications confirmed that it could be done.

That's the #1 Dang it.

{Super cute!}

Once I knew that I could paint the curtains, I went with latex paint.   Latex paint is cheap, and there are tons of colors.  I picked out 4 colors from Lowe's and got them in sample cans. About a month or so later,  I was browsing the internet, and I came across this tutorial.

That's the #2 Dang it.

On the flip side, I was happy to read her tutorial because my first and only attempt was the right attempt, so I didn't waste any time or money.  By the time I read that tutorial, I had already completed my first panel.  Trust me though, I can totally relate to Kristen because I have had many projects go sour.

Halfway done with my curtains with one sore back (I worked on a coffee table), I was browsing the web (again) for cute rugs for my kitchen.   I came across this on Pinterest.

Aura

Yep, that's an ombre chevron duvet.  #3 Dang it.

I guess I do have something going in my favor.   Ombre chevron curtains.

Next on my list.  A valance for this sucker.

You can now see my full tutorial at Remodelaholic and read a post at Apartment Therapy.

I heart you both.

xx  nancy

My quilting book released Sept. 24, 2015 and is on Amazon.  Check it out!

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Pillowcase Dress & Barrel Monkeys {tutorials} . . . LOVE IT! {Blog Features}

One of my readers, Michelle from Delicate Construction, made a darling dress/shirt out of 

a pillowcase!  Most of us have extra pillowcases hanging around. Well, at least I do.  I tend to lose one out of the set, so that typically leaves me with one pillowcase.  UGH!

This is an excellent way to use up those pillowcases!

Bonus?  There are a lot of cute patterned pillowcases, and these patterns you typically won't see 

 in a Joann or Hancock's.  This broadens your fabric choices!

How adorable is that???  

You can see Michelle's tutorial here where she teaches you how to make one.

Can we say this is a perfect {thrifty} idea for a baby gift?

I do not know about you, but us Mormons pop out more kids than anyone I know, so that means lots of baby showers. :)

After you get done making that adorable pillowcase shirt or dress, head on over to Sew Stylish Boutique (more wonderful readers of mine), and check out their barrel monkeys!
I love new (and cool) toys, especially now that I have a toddler who is always looking
for new things to play with.
I could also see this as a teether, so make some monkeys and the dress for an adorable baby gift.

How fun is that???

You can see Rose and Heather's barrel monkey tutorials here.

Laundry Soap {Tutorial}

I like to save money whenever I can.  With only one spouse working (did I mention he is a full-time student too?), I try to stretch our dollars.  I started making laundry soap months ago when a friend introduced me to it.  I searched online for recipes, which there are many.  After making the recipe I chose, I adjusted it a little.  I still use stain treatment like Shout for more soiled areas, but I no longer have to spend lots of money on soap.  I use Zote soap, which you can find at Wal-Mart, and it has a clean, nice scent.  I have heard Fels-Naptha works well for pretreatment.  I cannot find that near me, so I don't buy it.