ruffled {table} runner

I feel like I'm back from the dead now sitting at my computer. I spent the good part of Christmas night and all of Sunday in bed trying to recover from some sort of flu/food poisoning. It was not choice. The abdominal cramping  got so bad I thought I was contracting for real. What do I know, I've never popped a baby out before. TMI? Probably. It did help my husband and I realize that we are officially not prepared for this baby to come so on the to do list today is putting the hospital bag together and making the flannel receiving blankets to take her home in. Yeesh. Ok, since I know you didn't come for my personal life, I'll get back to crafting.

I finally got to work on the runner for the nightstand in the nursery before Christmas. It was pretty simple to put together and free since I had all the material on hand. I started with a piece of material that runs through the nursery. It was about 12" wide and I'm not sure how long.

I sewed a basting stitch to both sides and gathered them in. Make sure you don't back stitch so that the bobbin thread can be pulled through.

I laid it out so that the piece was how I wanted it to look.

I then took some gray suede that was leftover from this project and cut some strips about 2" wide and about twice as long as the ruffled center piece. I sewed a basting stitch down one side and gathered. Then I laid it out on top of the center pieces and pinned right sides together.

Then just sew over the basting line, removing pins as you go.

When that was finished I flipped it over so that right sides were up. I made sure the seam was flat in the back and did a quick seam over the top so it would lay flat. You could also iron at this point if you don't want the seam on top, but I like the look of the stitch. Plus I don't have that great of a track record with hot pointy metal objects so I avoid them when I can.

Do the same on the other side and your done! Put it wherever you want it to be. Of course.

Pretty simple project and super fast. I didn't finish the other side of the suede as you can tell, I tend to like the look of unfinished suede. Or I'm just lazy. Let me know what you think! Comments (and followers) are most welcome! Have a great Monday!

Linking to these parties this week.

{rosette} lamp shade makeover

My latest project for the nursery! I was inspired by this lamp from pottery barn kids:

However I don't really love silk flowers and I didn't want to invest in quality ones so they didn't look too cheesy. I do love the fabric flowers that have been going around however. There are lots of tutorials, but these flowers from Tatertots and Jello are really easy. I just used hot glue rather than liquid stitch and it worked fine.
I picked three coordinating fabrics. The nursery is a dusty pink, grey and creme color scheme, so I had the fabric on hand from other projects in the works. I cut them into varying lengths because I wanted to make the flowers different sizes. I folded each strip in half and using the tut above made the flowers. Then I just glued them onto the shade with hot glue. The shade was part of a lamp I bought at big lots but purchased another shade to go with the base. I kept this around because I loved the shape and knew it would be great for the vintage look I wanted. Wasn't digging the gold ricrac though. It took a couple hours to cut the strips and roll the flowers, but I kept getting distracted by the episodes of Burn Notice on Hulu I was watching. It will probably take you less time. I love the gray satin with the cotton fabrics, and the different sizes.
 I love how it turned out! Totally ties all the fabrics around into the room. Next up is the curtains and table runner I need to make....someday. I still have four weeks right? Let me know what you think! Comments and (followers) make me so happy!  Linking up to this week:
LINK PARTIES

personal picture {clocks}

***Update: I was recently asked if you just keep the board the same size as the picture, and the answer is yes. :) Inevitably because of the cutting there will be a tiny bit of spacing you can see which is why we painted it, as well as to make the sides uniform as you don't want them to be brown mdf. Unless you do, than that's ok too. ;) Sorry, I would have emailed you the info, but there's no contact. :)
I was also asked how I got the numbers to be perfect on the board, I used a template of a clock online. Just google clock template. I put that in a layer on photoshop and marked with the paint tool where each number was, then I put my own in. 
I was asked too if I got the numbers at hobby lobby. I did not, just did it on the computer. You can buy little stickers at hobby lobby or joanns, just print out a template so its placed correctly.
Thanks so much for your questions! Please feel free to email me, I can't directly reply if your info isn't on the comment you leave. Thanks again to all! ***
Jonie from Just Between Friends and I had the opportunity to craft together, and since Jonie and I have been friends since college days, it was super fun to be able to sit down and craft with her! This post will also appear over on her blog, so check her out! We both write on this tutorial, so hopefully it all makes sense!
 "Camilla and I FINALLY got together on a project we have been talking about for a little while now.  I was so excited to be able to join efforts with my seriously talented friend.  We both started our craft blogs about a month apart, and it has been really fun to have someone to chat with about my blog that is actually interested.  (My husband is really patient, but he can only take so much "blog talk" before he tunes out of the conversation. :) So after several conversations back and forth about the logistics of how to make it, I think we have come up with a project that is both elegant and totally do-able for anyone.   Aren't you so excited?
 What you need to get started:1. Your favorite photo (or just one you really like)  I was fortunate to have photos that Camilla actually took for me as well as my sister's engagement photos that Camilla took as well. (I'm telling you....she is talented!)
2. Mod Podge
3. Paint that matches your photo, or a color that contrasts to add a definite border around the clock as well as covers the raw wood.
4. Clock parts (We went to the DI and Salvation Army and bought clocks and took them apart.  Good in theory, but some of them didn't work.  I suggest buying new ones. Camilla found a four pack at Hobby Lobby for $14.99 and used a 40% off coupon)
5. MDF board.  We used 1/8 inch MDF that was 2 feet by 4 four feet and only cost $2.63.  I had the Home Depot guys cut it down for me.  For this project, we made our clocks 16X16 inches, so we were able to cut three from one board.  We decided to buy two full boards so that we could make them as gifts but only had them cut to 12X12" (you can get 8 out of the board then).

Let's get started!So this post will be a bit back and forth, so that was Jonie, and now this is Camilla. To edit the pictures I used photoshop CS4. I simply uploaded a picture file and pasted it into a 'new' image that was sized to 16x16 inches and 300 ppi. I also uploaded a template of a clock and used it as a pattern to make sure that I was placing my numbers or markers in the right places. I added some words to the image, and some brush strokes of florals for mine and Jonie's sister. I wanted to keep them pretty simple, but you can use textures if you want as well that also add some flare. Once it was how I wanted I flatened the image and then pasted it onto a 16x20 file size, because that is what Sams prints. Then I just cut the excess later with scissors. This can all be done on photoshop elements as well, and if you don't have photoshop, I hear Picnik.com is a great photo editing site. And if you just want to bag that all together, then I would reccomend just sending a favorite picture to Sams or Cosco (they will do a 12x12) and cropping it onto your board. Then you can use vinyl, stickers, or a stencil for the numbers and name. Some clock kits even come with numbers as well.

Back to Jonie! So after all of the prep work is done, you start by cutting your image to size and take a picture of your incredibly talented, cute and pregnant crafter in crime.  (Camilla: haah RIGHT.)Then you will need to paint the edges of the board so that when the photo is on it there is no raw wood showing through.After the paint is dry (very important step) completely cover the wood in mod podge and then attach the photo.  The best way to get rid of those bubbles without ruining your photo is to place something between your hand and the photo that won't stick.  We used parchment paper.Once the mod podge is set, cover the top of the photo in mod podge.  It will look really scary, but it WILL dry clear....as long as you use mod podge and not paint.  if you use paint, then I can't promise anything. Here are some more of the clocks that we did.  Camilla did some that were a simple subway art for her mom and mom in law.  I love the way they turned out too.

This one is going to take a little more work to finish it because of how dark it is, but I will show you in another post what I do to it. (Camilla: I'll be sure to link over to Jonie because I'M SURE it's gonna be awesome) :) Let the mod podge dry and then it is time to drill holes for the clock parts to go through.  We measured from corner to corner on both side and marked the middle.  If you go both ways, there should be an X where the hole should go.  
Camilla: Also, the clock sets I bought included a hang up on the back which is super handy because the board is so light. You can also use a picture easel which is equally as cute.

Jonie: After the hole is drilled, put the clock together and take a good look at all your hard work.  I made this one for my sister who just got married Nov. 20th.



I love the end result and I think my sister will too.
So now that you know how to make it, go get started!  Christmas is in a couple of weeks!And Camilla....Let's play again sometime!"
 Camilla: TOTALLY AGREE :) Happy Crafting! Let us know what you think and if you have any questions! We love comments! And Followers! Have a great weekend!

personalized {stockings}

I finally got around to making these as I've had this idea for a while now, and since there is a torrential blizzard outside right now I have no more excuses. I found the great muslin for 25% off at Joann's. I found the hounds tooth for $1.50 a yard at Walmart so I bought a bunch since I have other plans for it too. The tulle and felt I had on hand. Even though this was SUCH a simple project, my ocd kicked in after the first stocking, so I have yet to complete the other two. Also, do you know how weird it is to make a stocking for yourself as 'mom' when you never have been one up to this point? Yea. Weird.

The first thing I did was find a stocking in storage that my hubby and I had bought at the dollar store last year, cuz that's how we roll. Nice and cheap. I cut the muslin around the stocking just a little larger in order to allow for a seam.

I then used the muslin cutout as the pattern for the next two. I only needed three stockings, so I probably used about 1/2 yard on them. I did buy more muslin, because our family might *possibly* be bigger in the future.

The muslin stockings were about 8 inches wide, so I cut the hounds tooth into a strip about 4" by 15" long.

I put a basting stitch on both sides of the strip and gathered it loosely, then pinned it to the top of one side of the stocking.

I cut a small strip of tulle- about 20 inches long. When you sew the tulle will typically gather itself if your strip is only about an inch wide which mine was. I put that under the hounds tooth and then re pinned, because I was pretty much just making this up as I went along. All I knew was that I wanted muslin stockings, so...yea.

Sew your pieces down. Then pat yourself on the back. Then continue.

I cut a strip of felt about 9" long and 1" wide. I placed it over the seam and sewed lines into the felt so it would get that cute stitched look. At least that was the intention.

At first I was going to the back the exact same, but then I thought, "How cute would it be to do a pocket for notes from Santa on Christmas night?" See I don't need kids yet to still be a total five year old sometimes. It could also be a note from Mom and Dad if you've got some 'non-believers' in your home. ;)

I sewed a line across the top of the piece of felt I cut out then pinned the felt to the muslin.

I then stitched the other three sides with the machine.

I wanted to personalize the stockings so I attempted to make stencils from a font I liked on word. After I realized how dang long that would take that it would be better to just free hand cut them, I did so. I then pinned down the letters where they looked best on the stocking.

I stitched over each letter carefully and called it good.

Then at the top of each stocking side I folded it over and did a quick seam to finish them.

Then I put wrong sides together and sewed the two sides.

Trim any excess so that the sides are smooth when it's flipped.

I made a quick strip out of felt, looped it and then pinned it over the side seam.

Then I just sewed it down over the seam.

Flip it out and voila! You're done! I would have finished the other two, but I didn't. Apparently facebook was way more appealing than sewing. Don't worry, they'll be done shortly. Probably.

Note from Santa!

My parents used to leave us a 'note' by the cookie plate, I mean, SANTA used to leave us a note and we loved it as kids. How fun to have your own!

Happy sewing! Let me know if you have any questions, and if you like it! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!