Before and After: Coffee Tables and End Tables

Over 18 months ago, we moved across the country and planted roots in Florida.  We sold a lot of our furniture and lived with family for a few months.  When the time came to move to our own place, I started hunting for cheap furniture to paint, update, whatever... money was very tight at that time and I was scrambling to make a rental house feel like our home in a city that was foreign to me.  If you've ever been in this situation, you know the feelings I was experiencing. So, enough mushy-gushy stuff....

I found this end table/nightstand at a garage sale for $5. 

 

And this four-drawer chest at the same yard sale for $8.  I know it says $10 on the price tag, but I talked them down!  :)

 

And this coffee table was free- lying beside a dumpster at an apartment complex.

 

With the help of my parents, sandpaper, paint, new knobs and a lot of time, we transformed these three pieces to work for our home.  They make our house cozy and also served a practical purpose.  

This piece needed new baseboards around the bottom, new paint and new knobs.  It was probably the easiest piece of the three.

This four-drawer chest got new trim around all the drawers, as some were in pretty bad shape.  My dad actually rebuilt one drawer all together.  Obviously, it got new paint and hardware, too!

 

And the coffee table... there was originally no drawer when I found rescued this beauty.  So, my dad built a "fake" drawer (just the front plate) on it, and we attached a knob.

 

And for anyone who may be wondering, the paint color is Coffee Bean by Eddie Bauer.  Happy Painting!

Fabric Labels- How to Make them for Cheap!

When I started sewing for profit, I invested in some fabric labels with my name and websites.  I purchased them from an Etsy seller, but they took a long time to ship and were about 30 cents a label!  I know that doesn't seem like much, but when I only sell an item for $5, only about $3 or so of that is profit.... and 30 cents is ten percent of my profit!

So, my frugal spirit went a-researching and found this excellent post from PatchworkPottery.  I followed her directions and adapted it a little to make my own labels.  Please read PatchworkPottery's post if you attempt this... it covers many of the nitty-gritty details that I don't mention here, just because this girl's already done such a great tutorial with the basic bones of this project.

The first time, I followed her instructions exactly and printed these labels on grosgrain ribbon.  They sew in nicely by top stitching, as seen in the photo below.

 

Then, I started thinking there must be a way to make the sew-in-the-seam labels that I loved so much from my expensive Etsy seller.  I bought 7/8" wide white satin ribbon and re-designed my word document to print this.

Don't forget to "mirror image" in your printing preferences before you print.  You are printing on iron-on transfer paper, so you must reverse the image so your words will not be backwards on your finished product!  I was so mad at myself when I wasted a sheet of this pricey paper because I forgot to click that!  

Anyways, then cut your paper in vertical strips, instead of horizontal as in the original tutorial.

 

Then find the right side of your ribbon.  If you are using grosgrain ribbon, there is no right and wrong side.  But, if you are using satin ribbon, you will need to be sure you iron your labels to the right side.

 

Put your paper with the printed side up, and then your ribbon, right side down.  I pinned mine together because I had such a small margin between the printed image and the width of my ribbon.  It worked really well- I just removed the pins as I ironed along the ribbon and my image was perfectly centered.

 

After you peel away the paper backing, you may notice this filmy stuff on the side of your ribbon.  It reminds me of peeling skin when you're sunburned.  :)  Ouch.  This is easy to cut away with fine-tip scissors.  Just trim it up so it looks nice and professional.

After my labels cooled, they started to curl.  At first I was so upset, thinking I failed in my new job as "label maker"!  But then I realized they curled much less when cut into individual labels, and I was going to stitch them flat anyways.  So I was no longer devastated about my new career.....

Cut your label strip into individual labels, making sure to leave enough room to fold over.  Finger press the fold- I would not recommend ironing this as there is a vinyl-type covering on the satin ribbon.  Don't think it would be good for your iron or your label.

Put your label into your seam.  Pin it well to keep it from slipping.

One trick I have learned over time... Pin the printed side of your label against the right side of your fabric.  In this wristlet, the pink is my lining and the black print it the right side.  When you turn your project your printing will be facing out.  Believe me, I've made a lot of things and then saw I put the label on backwards.... BIG bummer.

And that's it!  I love my new labels and think they look amazing.  And price wise?  My thoughts are they are about $0.05 cents per label... and that's much better than $0.30 each!  

Can you tell the difference in the labels I bought from Expensive Etsy Seller and the ones I made?

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I welcome your comments or questions about these labels!  Please feel free to link to this post, but do not copy my wording or photos without permission.  Thank you!

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Gift for a Christmas Baby Girl

My husband has a life-long friend who became a father over Christmas weekend.  I didn't think the baby girl wasn't due until mid-January, so I had postponed making her gift until after Christmas.  I ran to the sewing room when hubby got the text that Christmas Baby Girl was on her way!  Since this family lives up north (when you live in Florida, almost everything is north!), I sent some things that may help with the frigid temperatures!

 A Rice Warmer for Mommy, Burp Cloths, Leg Warmers, and a Car Seat Canopy. I also added a bib at the last minute (after I took this photo!).

 

A close up of the Car Seat Canopy.  I'll be posting soon about how I learned to make my own labels and save tons of $$$!

 

I've had this butterfly fabric for a few months, waiting for the right occasion to use it.  I hope this new mommy and baby (and daddy, too!) love it as much as I do.

Car Seat Canopies are an excellent baby gift!  I have made TONS and everyone LOVES them!  Click here to order one.

Christmas Neighbor Gifts

We moved into a new neighborhood in August, and wanted to give something to our neighbors this year as a means to share the gospel with them.  I saw this idea on a blog last year (sorry I don't remember where), and thought it was so simple, cheap and cute! 

 

The instructions are simple:  Put Hersey Kisses inside a wire whisk, stick in a cellophane bag, tie with ribbon and attach a tag.   My tag says, "We whisk you a Merry Kiss-mas!"  Inside the tag I wrote our names and street number, since we are new to the neighborhood.  I got my wire whisks at Target- a 3-pack for $2.99.  You could also check the Dollar Tree.

 

It was a lot of fun delivering these gifts.  My 3 year old really enjoyed knocking on the doors and shouting, "Merry Christmas!"  And, the responses from our neighbors were as varied as the colors in a rainbow!

A Tangible "Get Well Soon"

 

Tonight I'm taking a meal to a family in our church.  I made a triple batch of tomato basil soup, salad, bread and homemade waffles (which I typically do in lieu of dessert, especially this time of year).  As I was cooking the soup, I thought to myself, "I wish I could sew something that would bring warm wishes for wellness."  Then, I remembered this tutorial and went to the sewing room.

 

Microwave for 2-3 minutes and apply to where it hurts.  I added a few drops of Lavender and Chamomile Massage Oil from Bath and Body Works.   It smells sooooo good.

Winners of the Reusable Lunch Sack Giveaway

 

I was BEYOND THRILLED to have have nearly 300 entries (296, to be exact) in the giveaway this week!!!  Thank you to everyone who entered, and welcome to all my new followers and Facebook friends! 

From Random.org, the winners of the Reusable Lunch Sack and Two Matching Snack Bags are.....

Caranam (winner of the blue fruit set)

 

And KissThis (winner of the yellow orange and lemon set).

Congratulations to the winners!!!

 
If you didn't win but would like to purchase one of these items, they will be available soon in my Etsy shop.

Baby Boy Car Seat Canopy

Tonight I made this Car Seat Canopy for a friend at church, who is giving it as a gift.  I no longer have an infant car seat, as ours was way beyond the 5-year limit.  So, you'll have to click on the links to see how it works.

 

It's a blue and brown print with elephants, peanuts and polka dots.  From the Debbie Mumm collection at JoAnn's, it is one of my favorite baby boy patterns. The lining and velcro handles are a coordinating brown broadcloth.

 

I package all of my Car Seat Canopies with this postcard size tag, which has a brief description of its uses, washing instructions, and my contact information.  I find this helpful as many people have never seen a Car Seat Canopy, but love it after just one use.  Everyone I have given or sold a Car Seat Canopy to has raved about it.  

If you'd like to order one, please click here.

Classy With A Punch Of Pink

During naptime today, I made this purse.  I think that Ali Foster's pattens may be my new favorite thing, because they are so very easy to follow and she doesn't add in unnecessary steps or explanations.

I did change a few things about this pattern- I used interfacing on the exterior and lining of the purse instead of inserting a layer of duckcloth.  I mainly did this because I really like all the duckcloth I have in my sewing room and didn't want to cut into it.  I also did not topstitch around the finished product, because I like the pink lining poking out a bit.  Also, the kids were waking up and I ran out of time.  :)  I may go back and do it later. 

Things I really, really like about this pattern:  It uses a button closure, not a magnetic snap.  So much simpler and cheaper!  I LOVE the shape of this purse... it is so classy!  I can make the entire thing using fabric from my stash.  I also love the short handles... and the interior pocket. 

Your thoughts?  Feedback?  The responses (Love it/like it/not so much) below are completely anonymous, so feel free to click away.  :)

Broadway Purse

Tonight I made The Broadway Purse.  I purchased this pattern last week, and was really anxious to try it out.  I was really pleased with the finished product, and the pattern was very clear and well written.

I really liked that I could make this purse from my stash of scrap fabric.  I made the larger size, and it took between 1/4 and 1/2 yard for the purse.  I also used heavy interfacing.  The pattern recommends lightweight fusible, but I prefer sew-in interfacing and I also like my purses to be stiff, so I used heavier interfacing.  I'm so glad I did, because this large purse would be too flimsy without it.

 

The pleats were easy to do, and add a lot of space to the inside of the purse.  I do wish the top part provided more of an opening.... it seems like things may get "lost" in the purse.  But no doubt, there is ample space in this bag.  I also wish there was an interior pocket.  One could easily be added, but I wish it was written into the pattern.

I really like how the lining of the purse fits so nicely.  It really does have a professional look.  The only change I made to this pattern was I didn't use a magnetic closure, simply because I didn't have one on hand tonight.  Otherwise, I would have followed the pattern exactly.

 

I have another purse pattern waiting for me to try.... but tomorrow night I have a Christmas party to attend, so check back on Thursday.

Reusable Lunch Sack and Two Snack Bags Giveaway- Two Winners!

I'm participating in the Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day and offering a Reusable Lunch Sack and two matching Reusable Snack Bags to two people!

These lunch sacks are really great!  They are roomy, about twice the size of a brown paper bag, and fully lined with PUL- a wipe-down clean material similar to vinyl.

They have a velcro closure in the lining, and fold over and button close for added cuteness.

 

Each bag has one layer of interfacing allowing it to stand alone.  Two reusable matching snack bags are included in each lunch sack.

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Two lucky people will win these lunch sacks.  Winners will be chosen at random and pattern choices will be determined upon the random drawing.  

Would you like to win one of these Lunch Sack Sets?

1.  Leave a comment below for a chance to win.

2.  For a BONUS ENTRY, Like Gabriel's Good Tidings page on Facebook.  Post about this on your Facebook status, linking to this giveaway.  Make a SEPARATE COMMENT below telling me you have done so.  Make sure to leave a separate comment, as each comment will be counted as one entry.

Please make sure each comment contains a way to contact you.  What a shame to win and not know it!  :(  Prizes not claimed within 72 hours will be forfeited

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This giveaway will end on Friday, December 17, and the winner will be announced on this blog on or before Monday, December 20. 

Good Luck!

The Perfect Clutch

For weeks, I've been dreaming of sewing one of these.  I've had the idea in my head, but hadn't fleshed out all the details.  Thankfully this girl had already done the hard work.  I made my clutch similar to hers, but changed a few things up a bit.  Thinking of adding a wrist strap in the future.

I added this fabric flower, which I first put on this bib a while back.  I also used a snap closure since I didn't have any magnetic closures on hand.  

I love the POP of pink inside this clutch!  It's the perfect size for bills, coupons, cell phone, notes, etc.

As always, your kind and honest feedback is appreciated and valued.  Either click one of the responses below or leave a comment with your thoughts.

Christmas Bibs

I had many bibs for sale at the Handmade Holiday Open House, and sold out of all my tie bibs and flower power bibs.  But, I do have these very practical towel bibs with Christmas print now available in my etsy shop.

Until December 24, I am offering 15% off any order from my shop by using the coupon code CHRISTMAS2010.  If you have questions about how to order on Etsy or where to insert the coupon code, please contact me.

Sold in sets of two, these bibs are the perfect gift for a child's first (or second,or third!) Christmas! Please contact me if you are interested in only purchasing one bib.  These bibs are backed with a soft towel, making clean up of your little one's face and hands super easy. It is machine washable and tumble dry. A snap closure keeps is secure on your child.

Big bibs offer more coverage and less mess of clothing! My bibs measure approximately 13" x 9". They fit most children 6 months to 3 years. This is my own original pattern, designed with a curve to lay flat on your child's neck and shoulders.

Buy with confidence from my smoke free and pet free home. I use high quality fabric and towels, and guarantee all of my work. I ship quickly! Within two days of payment received, I will ship the item to the address you specify. I package every items neatly and ready for gift-giving! 

 

Christmas Trees, Reindeer and Showmen Bib

 Candy Cane Bibs

 

Penguin and Christmas Lights Bib

 

Red Snowmen Bibs

 

Blue Snowflake Winter Wonderland Bibs