A Tutorial: Coffee/Hot Cocoa Cozy

I don't drink coffee, but I sure do love a cup of hot cocoa! And I have a theory, why use something generic and boring when you can use something cute and fun... So forget those cardboard sleeves... Head to my shop and try out one of my Coffee/Hot Cocoa Cozy's or stay tuned to learn how to make one for yourself!                Let's get started, shall we?   Print out the pattern. Then cut it out of thick interfacing. Then cut out one piece of the inside fabric you like 1/2 inch larger than the pattern on all sides.       Fold the edges over the interfacing and top stitch around it, tucking the corners in.        Then cut out another piece of fabric that will be the back just like you did above. Fold the edges under to match the sewn piece. Pin it in place. Then slip a 1.5 inch elastic loop on to one of the sides.         Top stitch around the entire outside. Reinforce the side with the elastic by sewing over it again.       If you have a tag add it to the back below the elastic loop. Also, sew a button onto the opposite side of the elastic loop on the front.       And that's it. Cute and fun... And you know you want one. Or want to make one... Right???                

A redo that was much needed... My Front Entry Table

About 6 years ago one of my mom's neighbors was redoing the look of her home and was giving away furniture. We took an entry table. This table was fine. Redwood, glass top, traditional. Nothing like my style or remotely anything I would purchase. But, it was free, we were broke and I was thankful. Fast forward to today. I'm not broke. But I'm thrifty. I'm not going to buy anything that I can redo and make for myself...   With that being said... here is the before...       And here is the after.       Same table. A completely different look. I highly encourage you to sand down your old furniture give it a fun coat of paint, seal it with polycrylic... and change it's look entirely!   I even had a little helper that helped me along the way!!! First I sanded the entire table with sandpaper just enough to scruff up the old stain. Then I painted it with two different layers of acrylic paint to give it a weathered look. Then I sealed it with polycrylic. Then I put old fence  boards on the top and across the bottom shelves, I saved the glass for another project). And last but not least. I sealed those fence  boards with polycrylic.                               Alright enough of my cute helper... Did you notice the little piece of sandpaper he grabbed though to help me. I was dying! It's funny how fast they can pick up on things even so little... Smart little brains they must have...   Once again, in case you forgot... Here is the before...        And the after.          Nothing was necessarily wrong with the before. It just wasn't me. And now. It's definitely me. It screams my  name! I love the fence board details... And I love that my husband redid part of the fence and didn't freak out when I told him I was going to keep the wood. He just smiled and said okay. Bless his heart, he's learning... And look? I did something amazing with it! (I've got a bunch more, and I've got a bunch more projects I will be doing with it soon).        On the bottom shelf I have a basket that we keep our scriptures in for family scripture study in the conjoining room. I also have an old magazine keeper of my grandparents. On the top I have a ceramic pot full of cream and brown fake flowers, a lamp, and then I took a mason jar and filled it with curly twigs tied with a ribbon. Simple, but sweet.       To finish the touch I decided to hang the old window I had leaning on it before. I also layered the wreath with a Monogram S... (you can find it in the tutorials). And I love it.        I'm slowly getting there... I've got a few more  projects downstairs  until I have it where I want it... so stay tuned the next few weeks while I try and complete them. I'm trying to have it done for when our families come in town over the 4th of July! None of them have seen my home and I would love for it to be finished! I've got a lot to do... so I'm going to be busy!  

Seafarer Top Pattern Review

 

I had the opportunity to test The Seafarer Top Pattern from Sew Much Ado. And let's just say I LOVE it. I FREAKING LOVE IT. I have made so many tops using this pattern already. There are so many fun variations you can do to it! And it's so comfy...

 

The pattern was very easy to follow. And it literally took me about 45 minutes to complete one shirt. I think anyone could make it. It's a must have pattern. And I am NOT being paid to say this. It's just my personal opinion. Here is my most favorite shirt I have made using this pattern so far...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Darling isn't it? Head on over to Sew Much Ado and check out all of her fun shirts and variations... And purchase it! It's well worth the $9.00... Then come on back here and let me know about your shirt in the comments I'd love to see them!!! 

 

Oh and I've come to just adore Abby, she's not only gorgeous she is AMAZING!!! Her blog is just darling and so is she! Thanks Abby for letting me test out your incredible pattern!

And The Hair Decision Has Been Made...

 

It's going to be long... because all the Things, including the Dad one... don't like it short... they just tolerate it... and I'm fine with it long...


And stay brown. Why? I really don't want to have to upkeep a lighter color... so brown it is. Which is fine...

 

So wish me luck... I'm glad my hair grows super fast... because it's going to go through some awkward lengths the next little while... Maybe I'll cut a mullet... okay, I won't... but that would be sweet!!!

 

As soon as it's long enough though you can guarantee I'll be trying this out!!! She makes it look so easy... I'm a little hair impaired though... so who knows how mine will turn out!!!

(If you watch this entire video you'll be able to see how to enter an awesome sweepstakes as well, just our little secret, okay?)

 

Sweeps rules:
http://www.blogher.com/hair-sweepstakes-official-rules-week-8
Prizes & Promotions page on Blogher.com:
https://www.blogher.com/blogher-tv-weekly-hair-style-sweepstakes

Decorating Battery Operated Candles

I LOVE these battery operated timed candles. What I love even more is I can decorate them and don't have to worry about them catching on fire... They add that little extra touch to my mantle, to my book shelves, and on my sconces. This set is on my book shelf...       Simply grab a sheet or corrugated cardboard. I grabbed mine from a shipment I received recently. And grab your battery operated candles.       Cut the corrugated cardboard to the height you would like. Wrap it around your candle and tie it in place with bakers twine, or ribbon, or rope, or string, or tape it with washi tape and add a cute embellishment... You really could do anything to personalize it. I tied mine with bakers twine.         Remember. It's the little touches that make your home unique and bring a smile to your face.