fabric

Day 7: How to Make Pretty Retro Pot Holders

January 16, 2015 by Tanya 11 Comments

Hello crafty friends!

I hope this finds you enjoying your January and hopefully enjoying our 31 day challenge
to make, organize, decorate and cook our way thru the month with a No/Low Spend plan!

Of course, the winter bugs have arrived at casa twelveOeight, so it seems as though it has
taken me 12 days to get through 7 ideas and projects.
Oh well. With any luck you are reading this and 7 things in 14 days is the most you can
do right now as well. Then we are perfectly aligned and there is peace in the land.

I love to upcycle, like…anything.
One of the reasons why I cannot fit even a teeny car in my garage is my love of a good
upcycle. [Read more…]

Filed Under: craft, DIY, fabric, How To Save Money, sewing, Thrifty Living

Upcycled Embroidery Hoop Wreath + Merry Printable Banner

November 28, 2014 by Tanya 33 Comments

I would love to tell you that I have learned the art of embroidery.

I have not.

It’s on my stuff-I-really-want-to-learn-but-I-get-so-distracted list.

Upcycling a sweet thrift store find however is something we specialize in around my house.
And today I am sharing a sneak peek at my Christmas Home Tour coming soon.
This Embroidery Hoop Wreath is thrifty from top to bottom.

The “sweater” was actually a Land’s End blanket I picked up at Goodwill last spring, and
drug all over with me all summer long. When the frayed edges could not stand another wash,
my white sweater blanket became part of a winter quilt (still in the works.) [Read more…]

Filed Under: Christmas, craft, Decorating, DIY, fabric, home decor, Thrifty Finds, Wreaths

Red + White Buffalo Check Christmas Light Garland

November 19, 2014 by Tanya 18 Comments

In the spirit of all things red and white this year (I cannot wait to show you the tree, but it’s not done yet so give me a few more days!)
I wanted to have a garland that I could hang anywhere that glowed in all of it’s red and white goodness and just
makes you happy each time you walk by it.

I have seen ping pong ball covered lights before for other types of garlands, but I wanted to try making a Christmas Garland
out of one.

Inspiration struck on a recent trip to Michael’s, when I found strings of red and white mini lights.
My heart went pitter patter and I knew exactly what I would do with them.

Well, kind of. And that never happens so it was awesome! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Christmas, Craft Ideas, Decorating, DIY, Dollar Store Projects, fabric

How to make No-Sew Curtains

October 27, 2014 by Tanya 10 Comments

I have a sewing machine.

I have two sewing machines.

One is my Grandma’s Bernina that needs a little work, and one is a super inexpensive little machine I picked up to basically make pillows etc…
But there are times that I just want to make something that doesn’t require getting the sewing machine out.

And a set of new no-sew curtains are exactly what my corner kitchen windows needed.

So, not only was this project super thrifty, it took me about 15 minutes.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: craft, Decorating, DIY, fabric, home decor

How to Shibori | trending DIY

August 9, 2014 by Tanya 6 Comments

You needn’t have spent time at a summer music festival or at a Grateful Dead event to
appreciate the rapidly trending art of Shibori. If you did, then you are probably still
recovering and a good DIY project is just what is needed.

There are many techniques of Shibori, the technique we are most accustomed to seeing is
similar to tie-dye. But Shibori also takes into account the type of fabric being dyed, as well
as the desired pattern.

Kind of a Feng Shui for textile dying.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: craft, Decorating, DIY, fabric, home decor

12 Fabulous IKEA Finds

August 2, 2014 by Tanya 4 Comments

Years ago a friend and I would make what we referred to as our yearly “IKEA Pilgrimage.”

It was a REALLY big deal people.

Our IKEA catalog’s were written in, folded, and ended up looking like origami by the time
we made it North to the Renton, WA location. But a few years ago, those of us living in
the Portland, OR Metro area received a gift. A gift so fantastic and amazing that I have to
pinch myself every time I drive by.

Yes, I have an IKEA like 15 minutes from my house.

I know right?
It’s a curse and a blessing, because those of us who love this place, it’s fabulous Scandi design,
and can’t leave without downing a few hot dogs in the cafe, and picking up some Lingonberry jam.

So I have come up with a system that involves shopping online, compiling an actual list, and an
extraordinary amount of self control. To wait until it’s time to go again, and not just drop in and
wander. It’s keep me out of trouble and actually helps me as I am creating new spaces and thinking
of things that will work in each.

Here is my latest IKEA drool list, I made a few notes on how and where I would use each item, and if
it needed a hack or I would use it as is. Here is what I am LOVING right now…

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Decorating, DIY, fabric, home decor, How To Decorate