Makeshift Closet

My projects always seem to back up. Some day I will learn how to not procrastinate or maybe just how to not bite off more than I can chew :)

I've been trying to finish many started projects, but in the mean time, I figured I would share a projects that Nathan and I finished a while ago.

I've been reading the "Love Your Little House Series" at On the Banks of Squaw Creek. Someday when I own my own little house, I will be able to do more permanent projects and buy furniture that fits a space a little better, but right now that doesn't seem practical for a rental.

We have no closets on our first floor, so we had to improvise since I really hate when jackets get thrown over the banister on the stairs. Here's what we ended up with (never mind that I will have a MILLION holes to fill when we move out):

Cheesy...absolutely!

Art by Jennifer Hall

If only it looked this tidy all the time!

Super Project Weekend

I didn't partake in the super bowl festivities last weekend. But, I did craft up a super storm.

Nathan and I have had 2 blank canvases for a long time - like since we moved in to our current house back in September. We painted them teal to match the bird in a painting we had in our room and then did nothing else to them. Until I pinned this painting from Etsy and recreated it myself!

This is what I ended up with. Needs some tweaking, but it's certainly better than blank teal canvases.

Then, I went to JoAnn Fabrics and picked up some pretty fabric, ribbon, and upholstery tacks. I used a broken table top and some left over batting to create this....

Trying to hammer the tacks caused me to say a few choice words. But, after all but but 2 of the 24 tacks in the box and a little help from Nathan, we hung my French Picture Board up and I must say, it looks fab! 

Ireland

I feel a little less silly about celebrating and decorating for St. Patrick's day after spending some time in Dublin. I made this quote-thingy for my seasonal shelf - you may have seen it in some other pictures.

Then, as I was getting reading to post today, I realized that in all my blogging and adventuring last Fall, I some how never managed to blog about my trip to Dublin. So here are a few pictures of Dublin in honor of st. Patrick' Day.

Inside St. Patick's Cathedral

There he is, banishing the snakes.

St. Patrick's Cathedral

St. Patrick was a real man. And he banished the snakes from Ireland. But that's not all Dublin has to offer....

They have beer.

And buses

And convenience stores with yummy cheap food.

And yes, much much more. Like....

A stunning National Library

Beautiful Castles (Malahide) - this one is not in Dublin but a short train ride away.

And really cold water in the Irish Sea

 Can I go back now?

Unfinished Business

Really this post is about unfinished projects and crafts that have been laying around my house.

I have a problem with leaving things 90% done FOREVER and I really do mean a long, long time. Last weekend I was on a mission to finish projects that I already had started instead of starting on new ones. I was mostly successful…

Finished: Grey Fleece Jacket

Jacket and one of the storage boxes.

I bought the fabric and the pattern for this jacket in February of 2010. I remember because I thought it would make a cute light-weight jacket during the spring. Well, I cut it out. That was it. And then, it sat until February 2011 when I took it out again. I spent about 4 hours sewing (I’m very slow when I’m actually doing a nice job)and then I raced out to JoAnn Fabrics to get buttons/snaps so I could finish it. Well, it sat for another two weeks. But here it is! All done, and I’ve even worn it!

Finished: Fabric Covered Storage Boxes

Thanks to Katie, I finally finished the boxes I’ve been trying to cover since the beginning of January. I had used packing tape originally, but it was starting to come off. So, I took her advice and hot glued the 2 I had in the works and finished the last one! Yay. Now Nathan’s games really are hidden.

I cut card stock to fit the insides of the box, so if someone peaks in, they don’t have to see that I was too cheap to buy enough fabric to cover the insides, too.

Started and Finished:  Kitchen Bottle Silhouettes

I didn’t mean to start a new project. Oops. But I started this one and finished it in two days. I was inspired by a picture on the Better Homes and Gardens website . So instead of birds – which have nothing to do with my decorating scheme, I used bottles. I found inspiration in a photo from iStock photos (http://www.istockphoto.com/stock-illustration-10313485-bottles-silhouette.php ). So I cut out bottle shapes on black card stock. Glued them onto forest green card stock (I wanted to use a burgundy color but I didn’t have enough). And then, I stuck them in cheap–o matching frames. Yes please.

Half of my kitchen - my photography skills need serious help

 Started and Finished: RENEW Blocks

 

So, again I failed at not starting a new project….I’ve been wanting to make pretty blocks for my seasonal shelf. I found valentine blocks on super sale (2.50 for 4) at Meijer. So I had to buy them to repurpose and blocks with a spring time saying on them - you can’t buy plain blocks for that price. Any how, the first try was hideous – I wont even show you the evidence. But the second try was better.

Almost Finished: Fish Tank

I stole Nathan’s fish tank. But of course, I had to scour the whole thing and then rinse the chemicals out exceptionally well. Old dead fish guts and snails – icky. But it’s clean. I’ll post a picture once it has fish in it.

TO DO:

Satin Dress

I finally bought the interfacing for the pattern – I keep holding out on the notion that I will be loosing a few pounds - since the dress is very fitted. So, it could be a while. Did mention that I bought this fabric at the same time as the fabric for the grey jacket?

Burgundy Dress

So, I cut this out and even began sewing this dress over spring break 2010, I think…could have been winter break 2009. But, none-the-less I know I bought the fabric in July 2009 when the long jersey dresses were in style. Needless to say, some one my height does not need to be wearing an ankle length dress – EVER. So the one I’m making is knee length. Maybe someday I’ll finish it. It just needs sleeves and a hem.

Fish Tank

I still need to buy chemical to keep water at a safe pH, food, plants, new light bulbs, a new filter, and of course FISH!

Love Is In the Air

Love is always in the air in my house, but it's been exceptionally clear these past few weeks!

I had so much fun making my home love filled with time with friends and Nathan and of course with CRAFTS.

First I made cards:

Then I made blocks. They aren't all the same size - but floral foam is very is hard to cut in straight lines. I was inspired by some blocks I saw at hobby lobby - but they were too expensive. Next year I may try to make some new ones - these aren't my favorite.

I had an empty shelf on the wall, so I made it my holiday shelf (I may just keep Valentines up a little longer before I put up St. Patrick's Day) and it was the perfect place for my blocks.

I added a few more little do-dads and called it good!