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Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Fabric Bunting


I love fabric bunting! It's such an easy way to make cute decor for a kids room. If you saw my post Wooden Chalkboard Labels you might have noticed the blue, green and brown bunting above my son's cubby unit in his room. So baby girl also needed some bunting for quick decor in her room too. 

I picked up three different fabrics and cut a triangle template out of cardboard. The bottom of the triangle is 5 inches across and the angles are 7 inches. 




Using my handy disappearing ink fabric pen I traced my template onto the fabric.




Then I used a ruler to make a line across the points of all the triangles to double the number of them. 


Using my pinking scissors I cut long the lines and voila! A bunch of triangles!


Repeat the process on fabric #2.


Then again on #3. Make sure you have an even number of each because they will be front and back. 


There are two ways to sew your bunting.

1. Put the fabric right side together and sew the 7 inch sides, clip the corner and then turn the fabric right side out after. Which is how I did the bunting for my son's room. 
or
2. Sew the fabric with the wrong sides together so you can see where you used the pinking scissors. 

I decided to use the second method this time because I thought it was more playful for my little girl's room. 

So I put the pieces wrong side together so I could begin sewing. 


Just sew straight down the 7 inch side. 






 Repeat on the other side leaving the top open.


 As you can see I'm anti ironing sometimes....there is a LARGE scar on my arm from a battle with an iron. I only use it when I think it's absolutely necessary.


 Next up grab your bias tape. 


Its double folded I just insert the 5 inch side of the fabric into the first fold and pin it down. 



Make sure the fabric is all the way in the fold so it will be secure after you sew.


Pin all your fabric down. 


Sew across the bias tape.






All done!






You can hang your bunting how ever you like. I need to make a trip to get some more command hooks to hang it...until then tape keeps it up off the floor.





Bunting

**3 fabrics all 1/2 yard: $13
Bias tape: $2

Total: $15

**I always buy more fabric than I need. I used about 1/4 of a yard of each fabric. I just like to have extra on hand for small projects. 




Friday, January 17, 2014

My Current Chaos!


This is the chaos that is currently taking up my crafting table! It's three different projects that I have going on at the moment. (As you can see my Starbucks addiction is aiding in the chaos.)

I promise a new blog post soon.

Cheers!

Monday, January 13, 2014

Wooden Chalkboard Labels


I came across these adorable Chalkboard Labels while searching on Pinterest from Simply Organized. I was so excited I had to make them.

So a quick run to Home Depot and I picked up two pieces of Poplar hobby board which cost me about $5 after tax.


Got out MY measuring tape (yes I have my very own measuring tape...no sharing), a pencil and a speed square. (nice straight lines make me happy.)



My boards were 24 inches so I decided to make each chalkboard 3 inches.


All measured out and ready to cut with the miter saw. (if you don't have a saw the guys at Home Depot or Lowes can cut it for you.)


It's been really cold outside lately so I set up in the garage with a space heater.



16 chalkboard labels ready for the next step.


I pre-marked all my holes to drill.


Then I picked a drill bit slightly thicker than my twine for the holes.




I got to paint outside since we actually had a somewhat warm and sunny day instead of being stuck in the garage. 




 For a project like this I would prefer to use spray paint for a quick even coat but I found this can of chalkboard paint returned and marked down for $3 a few months ago. Since I already had it on hand I decided to go ahead and use it. 


I'm in love! What do you think of the gray?




If you happen to count you'll only see 15 boards. My 2 year old stole one when I wasn't looking and was using it to dig up mulch.


I was painting downwind of a shedding dog...I can't even tell you how many times I had to pull fur out of the paint....maybe I should have stayed in the garage. 


 Personally I love getting a little messy when painting.





 Final coats are done now time to let them dry and clean up. 


 After I let the boards dry overnight I brought them in to start labeling and adding them to bins.


 My supplies. Some twine and pastels (I like to use pastels for my chalkboards since I tend to change them rather often and these are leftover from my days of doing chalkboard art in local restaurants...bonus!) Once I've finalized I like the way things are then I'll get a chalkboard pen.




Threaded the twine through the first hole and secured it with a knot then I'll feed it through the handle of the bin and tie to the front of the board and repeat on the other side. If you have a bin with a sturdy handle you can just tie it off on the other side. 



















(This is a bookshelf in our linen closet that I am converting to all things crafting since I do not have a designated room in the house. 
But that will have to be another post.)


Did you notice that these are the bins I got at Target on clearance! You can see that post here.



Chalkboard Labels

2 Poplar boards: $5
Chalkboard paint: already owned
Twine: already owned
Pastels: already owned

Total: $5 for 16 labels. (15 actually my son won't give me back #16)

How do you like to organize and label your home?