Pencil Purse

This ones a teeth grinder for sure!!  Too much sewing for an under-developed sewer like myself.  But alas, the project is done, and if it weren't for the beautiful magic of the flower as the finishing touch, I was deeply considering tossing this project and calling it a lemon.

The flower that saved the day!!!  And makes me want to make a thousand more because they are SO easy, and SO cute!!

Okay, so... to start at the beginning:

I had this dress of my daughters, which she out-grew, and it had stains on it, so I couldn't give it away, and it was too cute to throw in the trash.  So I decided to make this project with it.  I call it the "pencil purse".

First, I chopped it up, and sewed these two squares.

Then I measured what would fit inside my pencil purse.  This is how I did my measuring (I know, so professional hey?!  Don't laugh).

After MANY hours, and MANY thoughts of calling it quits, it all worked out in the end. Even though my sewing is not great, it is too cute to throw out.  And I am sure my daughter won't care.  

The sketch book was from the dollar store, a place I know they always carry them, and they are cheap to replace when finished.

Okay, so the flower that saved the day:

I cut four circles out and found a cute button to add inside.

I melted all the sides of the silk circles to give it the raised texture. This was fun!

After I had my flower in place I sewed them together (if I knew where my glue gun was I probably would have glued this, but maybe it's better this way -stronger).

The back of my flower.

The finished flower.

I added some ribbon to tie the ends together on my pencil purse (I'm calling it mine- hmmm.)

Feminine and fun!

Trust me this project deserves LOTS of pictures for the pain in the butt it was to sew.  But, I LOVE it.

Should I keep it?  Shouldn't I keep it?  Hurry up and make up my mind because my daughter will be home pronto...!

I am joining this Pantone  Party:

Fireplace Tiling

So, I wanted this fireplace in my bedroom, to fill a spot and add some coziness to the room.  I bought the fireplace last year off Kijiji for $40.00.  But it was just a frame, and stayed that way for about a year.  I wanted to get some glass tile to put in it, so I kept my eyes out for some.

So, to start I searched for glass tile.  I found them for $18.00 a sq ft at most places! Yikes! Then I found a shop that sold them for $1.99 a sq ft!  And guess what... they were the same kinds!  Phew, I just saved myself over $200 for this project (*wink- as if I would ever spend that amount on a small project!)

I picked this tile which was the closest to what I had in mind.

But I didn't want the black.   SO what did I do?  Grab a few sheets of tile, and PICK out all the black!

My hubby found some extra particle board from a work project, and he found just my size.  We cut the sides, and screwed them on to create this:

I set it out to make sure I had enough, and to cut them to size.

And got to work on the tile glue.

My daughter nabbed my camera, but did pretty okay with it.  She got me laying the tile down.  Yes, I am doing this on my bedroom floor.  Wouldn't you?

So now, I have gaps I have to fill with the extra tiles I bought.  Good thing they were only $1.99 a sheet. I started to fill in all the missing spots.  I wanted this to be mostly grey and white.

Once all was in place it is time to grout. 

(p.s. I waited OVERNIGHT for the glue to dry before I started grouting.  I am an impatient person, so I was proud of myself for doing the full wait!)

I got my grouting equipment:

Sponge -Lowe's 99 cents

Box of grout- Totem- 8.99

Trowel- Hubby's

Set out my fireplace insert...

Added the grout.  (This was surprisingly fun.  I think I like tiling!)

Had some unexpected help from this one:

(who also got into paint as well- notice the red eye!  BATHTIME!)

Wiped it down lightly once.  Let stand for an hour (again with the patience!  Remarkable!)

Then wiped it down clean and that was ALL!

My hubby says I didn't need to seal it because it is decorative and no water will be getting on this.

And all is well.

Yes, those are my Christmas decorations.  And No I don't still have them up, I am just late posting this.

I am thinking of filling my fireplace with tall candles, or a white berry wreath.  

What do you think?

Cost Breakdown:

Grouting equipment- $9.99

Particle Board- Free

12 tiles - $24.99

TOTAL: $34.98

I'm joining in the Winter party at:

What a better way to warm up winter than a fireplace!!

New Year Resolutions

Happy New Year!!

source

Any New Year resolutions?

Care to share?

Mine...

Spend less time on the computer!  Not that I spend a ton of time on the computer, but it seems like when I do I am interferring with family goodness time, and hubby time.  SO, lets see, what does that mean...

Less posts, better posts!

I have so many projects that I have that I want to do this year, and I will still post them when they are complete.  But I may not be around much in between.  So keep coming back, because when I do post, you WILL love it!  Or at least that's what I tell myself.

Here is what I hope to accomplish during this year:

Yes I painted my bedroom back in May!!  But as you can see it is not done because I am putting up wainscotting, and need the hubby's help.  Lets see how long it will take to get this done, because the half wall paint job is driving me nuts!!

My table was bought off Kijiji and came with a few scuffs, but NOW it has a LOT more scuffs!!!  I am hoping to refinish it!

Oh my entry, entry, entry.  What am I going to do with you!  ANYTHING!!!  It's way to drab and screaming for a pretty fix.

Am I the only one who will put something on a wall because there was a tac there, and you have a picture around?  Not that I like this picture there (I actually hate it there), but it has been there for awhile for lack of something better to put there!  Any ideas for the awkward wall with too many switches!!!

Ten years, 4 kids later, I think we are in need of new couches!!!  Unless you want to lend me some more black duct tape, because I don't want to buy ONE more roll!

Something... ANYTHING has to be done about this closet!!!

This night table I got at this garage sale will hopefully get a paint job soon!

Last but not least... I hope to put the finishing touches on my kiddies play house.

I DO have more personal goals, but this is what I want to do around the house.  

What about you?  Any plans for the New Year?

Hey, and any ideas of what to do in my much needed spaces, give me some suggestions!!!