Valance With A Ribbon

I know, I know... my titles are lame, but I do it for you, you know.  That way if you ever want to refer back to a project you can type in what it was called in my search box to the right and it will most likely be the first project that pops up.  Try it!

I usually like to have my post up first thing in the morning on Monday, but well... my kids are out of school now, and well... I slept in!!  It felt great!  It was only until 7:30, but I am back into routine tomorrow (5:30-gym).

Okay, on with it...

I sewed these valance curtains awhile ago, but never finished stitching up the sides.  So that's what I finished up, and I thought I would explain the process along the way.

First, I bought this pretty fabric from the store (on sale of course), it was $15, and it coordinates with my girls bedspreads.  I took a long piece of fabric, that went the length of the curtain rod over their window.  Leaving an inch extra on each side to hem.

Recognize the fabric?  This is the fabric that I had leftovers from to make these ribbon covered chairs (click here if you missed them).

I actually matched my thread to the fabric (sometimes, I am too lazy, and like to use what I have on hand, but for this, I made an exception).

Here is where I attached another piece onto the valance, because I wanted my stripes vertical, so I needed to add more fabric.

I folded over the bottom twice, and hemmed it, to make it clean cut.  This is the bottom of the valance, so it has a small hem.

The top of the valance I made to go right over the curtain rod, ends and all, so it was a lot thicker.

Here is the side view, I can stick the whole rod in with the ends on because I don't want to have to detach the ends when I have to take off the valance (whenever that would be...)

To make the side look like a puff, rather than fall flat I hand stitched just a few stitches, starting from the front, because I wanted the bottom of the puff to flip under, not out.

I stitched about 7 stitches, that were one inch apart so it would be a loose bunch.

If my fingertips looked orange in the photo above it's because (no I do not have nasty nails) I was peeling carrots to take on our picnic this morning.

I pulled the stitches together and tied a knot when I had them bunched the way I wanted them.

Finally I bought this pink ribbon from the dollar store, and wrapped it around the front and back of the valance, and tied it at the bottom.

There you have it.  Cute bunches, and a cute ribbon tie.  Heehee, finally I got the ends done.

I am thinking of hanging some sheer white curtains behind these, and tying them with a bow as well.  Just to give it a more finished look.

What do you think?  Do you like this style too?  

I think they are perfect in my daughter's room.



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What's Hot - Poppies

These vibrant little flowers are popping up everywhere.  It's no wonder though, they are so bright and cute.  There are so many different choices in colour, and where you can have a poppy.  Where's yours?

Look how cute this little halter top is!

found here

Hairclips... I love how bright red these are!

found here

Now this is gorgeous!!!  I would love to have one of these hanging on my door.

found here

Oooh la la.  How fun to be carrying this around!  It's called a fabric organizer bin, but I think I would definitely find something to put in it to tote around.

found here

How delicate.  This ring is super feminine.

found here

There's something wonderful about this picture and having these fun poppy pillowcases hanging on a drying line.

found here

This painting is so fresh and calming.

found here

Although, I have to say this is my favourite poppy photo.  What a cute outfit!  I just want to hop into the photo, and enjoy the farmer's market wearing such a cute outfit, and the HUGE poppy is amazing!

found here

So where do I have my poppy??  They are going in my garden!

Where's your poppy?  Or maybe you ought to get one, or some!

Chair With Ribbon

Okay, so last Monday was all about my fun ruffle table skirt (check it out here).  This week I am taking you deeper (oooh...), okay it's only to take a closer look at the chairs I made to go with the table!!

Well, sorry, I didn't make the chairs, but I made the pretty ribbon that goes around them.

Now again.  Remember I do not know how to sew.  I just go with the flow.  But here is what I did.

I had this leftover fabric from the curtain valance I made for my girl's room (I'll show pictures of those another time), and I decided to make these chair ribbons out of the leftovers because then it will match in their bedroom.  Which I am all about matching!

So my plan was to have four fat ribbons on each chair, and have them sewn together neat and tidy into tubes.  BUT... somehow I again measured wrong and I ended up cutting five strips, which now the idea of having fat tubes was thrown out the window.  Now I was left with four strips that the edges are sewn down to look neat from the front (our little secret!).

Once I had four strips sewn, I started on the tie for the ribbon.  I cut a small piece of fabric, folded it in half, and sewed the side, and end.

I at least had the nice tube I wanted for the tie.  I used a pencil to turn it inside out, and stitched the end.  This part won't be shown at the end, so it's okay to look like this.

Next, on the four large strips, I gathered the ends, after measuring around the chairs, and sewed them to stay pinched. (Meaning, I scrunched up the fabric, and jammed it under the needle to stay like this!)

See...

Next I wrapped the strips around the chair, and was ready to put the tie on them.  I held the strip tight around the chair, and wrapped the tie around the ruffles.  Then holding tight I slipped the whole chair ribbon and the tie off the chair to hand stitch it into place.

I held tight, and poked the needle from the back to the front, making sure not to stitch through the front so I don't leave a trace.  I just went under and moved the tie to come out the front.

This is the back of the tie that holds both sides of the strip together, and holds the tie in place.

The End....

What the front of the chair looks like...

What the back of the chair looks like...

Yeah, I did it!  Through all my instructions you were doubting the outcome weren't you?!!  Well it looks just like I thought it would (minus the tubes- oh well).

Okay, so this last picture isn't the greatest with the crooked ribbon, and dead grass in the background... but ignore all that and tell me you want to make some too!!!

A Summer Mantel

I decided to freshen up my fireplace mantel with the warmer weather.  I love things that look like they belong outside.  I found this... hmm... I don't know, what would you call this?  It was on clearance at Homesense (have I mentioned before this is my favourite store!!)  Regular $29.99 on for $11.00.

I found these cool moss balls at the dollar store.  I got all these balls for $1.00!  Yes, I have been seeing all the crafty and creative ones around the web lately, but for one dollar, and I didn't even have to make them  I grabbed them.

On one of my thrift store trips I found this planter pot for $1.99.  It's a nice bronze colour.  I knew I could use it.

So I stuffed the moss balls into the... (no seriously, what do I call this thing?)

I had just enough moss balls to fill "it" (the glass thing with no name) from top to bottom.

Ooooh, I'm liking it.

I had this fake plant from Ikea in my bedroom, until I painted my room, and then it no longer looked good in there.  But I love the plant and it has found a new home.

See, it fits perfectly!

Okay, a small change, but fun, and something I can bring out each spring and summer to freshen up my mantel.  It looks so natural, I don't even remember what I had there before this!

Yay Summer!

What do you think?  Do you like my little set up?

Ruffle Table Skirt

Okay, so finally this is done!!!  I was looking for a little white table and chairs for my girls and finally came across one, maybe three years ago at a garage sale for $10!  I loved it.  It was just what I was looking for.  Although it has since been scratched up and repainted white again.  This year I wanted to make it a little prettier (being in crafty mode), so I decided to paint it:

Yuck!  My sister said it reminded her of a poker chip.  Gee, just the look I was going for.  So I made it white again.

This of course is when I had sanded the table down.

So, I was at a giveaway (have any of you ever been to one?  They are awesome!!!  Tables, and tables and tables of free stuff.  I should get a picture of the next one I go to!) and I saw this skirt, and thought hmm... I know what I could use this for!

I decided to make a ruffle skirt for my girls table!

So I place the skirt over the table:

And drew a line around the skirt about an inch from the side so I could cut the skirt.

A beautiful sight.  A second life!

Then I measured my table around the outside.

And cut my fabric to the measurement size.

I stitched up the left piece so it would connect the whole way around, but when I went to try it on the table it was about 2 inches too short!!!!  Grr.  Did I mention I have no idea how to sew, I just make things up as I go.  So if you know how to sew, stop laughing at me, because you probably know what I did wrong.  I still don't!

So I ended up sewing 2 inches of fabric back onto the skirt to make it long enough. Which left me with an extra seam.  But this is okay.  It's a play table!

After I had the side sewn I found this adhesive velcro at the dollar store which I was going to sew onto the skirt (the reason I want the skirt attached by velcro is so I can remove it and wash it - 3 girls = messy!) but it was SO sticky that I didn't even have to.

I sewed the top down to have a nice edge at the top to cover the velcro from showing when everything was all done.

 I stuck the other velcro piece onto the table.

And, do you want to see the result?!

I am pleased with myself. I love it!  And I can finally put it back in my girls room.  but first I had to get a few pictures of them enjoying it.

Remember the tea set I bought at the thrift store and cleaned with my homemade silver polish (for the recipe look here).

She loved it for her birthday!!  Yay!

And they had a special guest too!

It was so much fun to make and put together this cute table set.  I know they are going to love playing tea party all the time now!

How do you think it turned out?  

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