Custom Key Holder

One of my favorite things in my new laundry room is the key holder.  I made this from a picture frame ($0.25 at a thrift store), spray paint ($2.98 at Home Depot) and cup hooks (left over from my necklace holder).

 

Because this picture frame had a slot for the glass or cardboard backing, it was easy to use this a way to anchor the cup hooks.  I didn't have to have my husband drill holes like he did for my necklace holder.

I love how this small organizational tool makes it easier to find my keys, and it looks pretty on the wall, too!

Laundry Room Transformation

 When we bought our home last August, the laundry room looked like this.  I loved the size, the utility sink, and the way that it was a "catch all" room before you entered the main part of the house.  However, the floor, the wall color, the old shelves- they all had to go!

We had ceramic tile floor laid prior to our move-in date, so this brown and tan lineolium floor is long gone.  We removed these shelves shortly after we moved in, but hadn't had time to paint and redecorate until now.

We did put up some newer, nicer shelves and lived with those for a while.  These shelves were from an old shoe organizer that we didn't need.  So, we made use of the longer pieces of shelving by disassembling the organizer.

For quite some time, I thought about what color to paint this room.  Although the rest of the house is very neutral and soft colors, I wanted this room to be bright and fun.  So, I finally settled on a creamy yellow.  I don't have a name for this paint, though.  I went to Home Depot and loved the aqua color of spray paint by Rustoleum.  They had a canary type color that blended perfectly with it.  I took the canary spray paint to the paint counter and asked them to match the cap of the can, and they did!  And I just love it.

This small space has four doors- one to the garage, one to the kitchen/family room, one to my sewing room, and one to the patio/pool area.  So, there is a lot of traffic that flows through this area!  

These yellow baskets were in the Dollar Spot at Target a while ago.  I love how they organize my food and hide it, too!  I found the blue ones at CVS (3 pack for $3) and love how they are interspersed within the yellow.

Above the washer and dryer, I have a sign from Old Time Pottery.  The blue vase was found at our church's rummage sale, and the flowers were from our wedding six years ago.  The round yellow baskets are actually pots for plants (plastic, of course) that I found for $0.74 at Target.

This blue cabinet was actually a DVD cabinet that I bought on Craigslist several years ago.  I will share the before and after later the week, but we use it for the kids shoes.  It's the perfect size for toddler shoes and they can always be found when we're running out the door... if the kids put them away, that is.  :)

This peg hanger was found at Goodwill for $1.99.  I spray painted it white and then had my husband cut it down to make it go around this corner.  I left this space a little bare because I'm sure it will be cluttered with purses, backpacks, diaper bags, etc. in the near future.

Above this area, I made a key hanger similar to my necklace hanger.  I'll share the how-to later this week as well.

One of the more expensive things in the room was this broom and mop organizer from Bed Bath and Beyond- $13 with a 20% off coupon.  I love how it hides these unsightly necessities behind the door. 

I also made a felt ruffle wreath to hang near the dryer.  I had one long wall of yellow that needed a punch of blue, so this was a frugal and easy solution.

This white box was a yard sale find for $3.  It's solid wood and hangs nicely on the wall to hold paper plates, which we use often, especially in the summer. 

Under the utility sink I keep a plastic tote full of my Shark Steam Mop supplies and other cleaning supplies (not cleaning solutions, just in case the kids got curious).  This was also on clearance at Target for $5.

I love these closet hangers from Old Time Pottery.  They fold up (as you can see in the previous photos) and then can hang down to hold clothes and such.  Such a space saver.

And this octopus thing from Ikea is just perfect for swimsuits, bras, or anything you need to hang dry.

Well, I think that completes our tour of my new laundry room.  Let's just recap one more time...

Before....

and After....

Things I still want to do:

• Replace the brown doors with white doors
• Buy a new door for the exit to the pool/patio, preferably one with windows to let in natural light.
• Make a skirt for the utility sink.

Check back later this week for the breakdown of some features of the space.

Frayed Flower Pin for Market Tote

As I was looking at the gift I made for our speech therapist, I thought it needed something more.  So, I made my own version of this simple flower tutorial to add to this special gift.

 
To make this flower, you will need six (6) circles.  Mine measured about 3" in diameter, but you could make any size you choose.  I used a small bowl from my kitchen to trace a pattern for the circle.

Once you have cut the circles, set one aside.  You can choose to add iron on interfacing or other stiffener to this circle as it will be the base for your pin.

Stitch around the circumference of the remaining five circles with a contrasting thread.

Fold your circle in half.

Then, fold about 2/3 of the circle over.

Flip it over and fold the other 1/3 back over.

 
You will have an "S" shape like this (or in my case, a backwards "S").

 
Stitch these new petals onto the circle base.  Make a straight stitch from the center to about half way up the petal (about 4-5 stitches when your machine is set on 8).  Backstitch and repeat a couple of times to reinforce.

I did not add my interfacing until after I stitched the petals, and since I only use sew-in interfacing, I had to make a few extra stitches to secure it down.

Hot glue your pin back to the back of the flower.

Now, add a covered button or pearls or whatever you want and accessorize any outfit, purse, belt or more! 

Saying Thanks

My daughter has been receiving speech therapy since January.  One of her therapists, Karyn, is leaving the practice and moving across town.  She was the first speech therapist to diagnose my daughter with apraxia, and has consistently worked with her since that time.  She is kind, gentle and caring, and we are so sad to see her go. To show her our appreciation, I made her a market tote bag and matching zippered clutch.

I am a firm believer that if someone impacts your life positively, you should tell them or show them your gratitude.  Thanking those who go above and beyond their job description for you or your family member not only is appreciated, it sets a good example for others to follow and it inspires the individual to continue impacting lives on a daily basis.

Now, back to how we are saying "Thank You" to our speech therapist....

A market tote made from a beautiful black and cream damask, lined with cream fabric and trimmed with turquoise bias tape.

A square bottom makes this tote so very practical.

And, paired with a zippered clutch, it's the perfect way to say thanks.

Both items are Ali Foster patterns which can be found here.

A Sweet Gift Topper

I sent a gift to a baby shower tonight and wanted to add a cute topper to the box.  I know gift bags are easy, but I still prefer wrapping gifts in boxes and paper and adding something nice to the bow.

Can you guess what this lollipop really is?

Give up?  It's two baby washcloths rolled together and.....

...a baby spoon!  All tied up with cellophane wrap and added to the top of the gifts.

So easy.  So cute.  So cheap.

I first saw this idea here.

Another Shirred Beach Towel Dress

If you plan on swimming at all this summer, this post is for you!  A shirred beach towel dress is so easy to make and is quite inexpensive, too.  I first saw this idea here, and although I won't recreate the entire tutorial, I'll show you my tips and tricks to make it easier.

You will need:
One beach towel (mine was from the Target $2.50 dollar spot last summer)
Thread to match your towel (I used aqua blue for this towel, or you could use a contrasting color)
Elastic thread (sold by the elastic, not the thread)
Sewing machine
Straps (you can use fabric, ribbon, webbing, or leave the dress strapless)

The first step is to thread your machine with the top thread (not the elastic thread).  Then hand wind your bobbin with the elastic thread.  This must be hand wound and you will have to do it many times during the dress.  You could go ahead and wind 3 or so bobbins before you start.

Once your machine is threaded, you will sew multiple rows straight across your towel.  Sew down the longest side of your towel and use your presserfoot as a guide to keep your rows straight.  I measured how many inches of shirring I wanted, and then sewed enough rows to meet that length.  Once you have sewn all the rows, your towel will look like this.

Take your steam iron and hold it over the rows you just sewed.  High steam is key.... if it doesn't work you can spray some water on the fabric and then steam it with your iron. It will shrink up the elastic and shirr the fabric.... this has to be my favorite part.  It's like magic!  :)

See how tight the fabric is now that you have shirred it?

The top will form a ruffle type thing.  This will vary depending on how close you sew your first row to the edge of your towel.

Then, place the right sides of your towel together and sew a seam.  Make sure you change out your bobbin to regular thread now.

I would not recommend cutting the towel edges close to the seam as they are anchoring your elastic thread in place.  I would iron them flat so the dress will hang nicely.

Add your choice of straps (ribbon, fabric, or webbing) to the desired length and enjoy!

I made a child's version of this dress here.

Pick Your Plum Ribbon Deal!

Today's Pick Your Plum deal is smokin' hot!  

Sixteen yards of grosgrain ribbon for only $4.50 (plus $3.50 shipping within the USA).

As of right now, there is only 122 deals left.  This is a great deal on ribbon if you don't have an overflowing stash.

Read more about Pick Your Plum here.