Thrifty Decorating

One of my neighbors is a really great decorator and does home staging. She shared some of her secrets in a short class and I was amazed to learn that her expensive-looking decor was accomplished so inexpensively. She really inspired me. I'm trying to look at things that I already have in a new light or for different purposes. I've since found a number of home decorating blogs with similar themes of thrifty decorating. I love re-using, re-making and "upcylcling" things when sewing and want to learn more about doing the same for decorating. I have a few projects in the works, but here is a really simple one:
A glass cover that I found on its own for $1, plus a dish and a candle pedestal...
... become a cute serving stand.
I can just picture little cookies or cupcakes in here, or even some fruit:
Speaking of thrifty things, I went to a local thrift store in search of some picture frames and found some great ones that just need a little love, along with a few other treasures:
This is a Leacock Prints tea-size table cloth with the most charming design, and it is in perfect condition! It fits perfectly on the little table my girls use for their tea parties. So sweet!

Below, this shabby-chic looking tin was just calling me to take it home and fill it with hydrangeas or one of my mother's beautiful dried floral arrangements ...
... and, a little bird to sit on my kitchen table.

White Fluffies

I've been surrounding myself with white fluffy things lately:

One day, while experimenting with elastic thread and ruffles, I made this little pillow...

Today, I decided that I needed another pillow to go with it.

I started with a pillowcase.

Then I had some fun with a stencil.

And now my white ruffled pillow doesn't look so lonely on that chair.

More car seat covers

I've made a couple more car seat covers – one for me and one for a friend. I am having a hard time choosing which one I want to keep. I think I'll let her choose. I went for a less bulky bow on these, even though I adored the look of the other. I also tried different snaps on the straps with a lower profile so they would lay flatter. Velcro would probably work too, I just didn't know how durable that would be. On the blue cover I used the same geometric black and white print on the inside, but I really love the larger print I found for the lining of the tan and black cover. The buttons on the blue/brown version are my favorite so be sure to click on the pic for a closer look!

I've had a few requests for my pattern. I will have to send it via snail mail, so email me your mailing address if you are serious.

No pants allowed

Since my girls will only wear skirts/dresses, I've decided to sew some to add to their collection. I have some much cuter ones cut out and ready to sew but these were super simple and therefore were finished first. Ava picked the fabric for hers. She loves Tigger and Pooh. I couldn't resist – one seam and some straps made from an old T-shirt so they would have some stretch.

Emma's skirt used to be a tunic top of mine. I cut it in half and used one part as the petticoat. This is my kind of recycling!

A is for Audrey

Baby Audrey (to be born to my own baby sister) will be here soon, and we just had a fun baby shower for her. Val, the Martha Stewart of our family, hostesses the best parties and this one was no exception. I especially loved these classy invites and the little tags she had on the box lunches she'd put together:

I had fun sewing a few things.
First, a nursing cover (on the left). Don't you love the Amy Butler print? At right is one I made for myself – fabric from JoAnns.


Second, a car seat cover. I love this idea. You can cover the babe while sleeping or shade from sun etc, and still have access to the car seat handle (not the case with a draped blanket.) Also, if you're like me, the blanket is always falling off and you have kind strangers chasing you down in store parking lots to return it. Plus, isn't it so pretty?

My favorite detail is this beautiful button. It doesn't show well in the photo, but they are kind of shimmery, like mother of pearl with the floral pattern engraved into it.

This might seem like a strange choice for the lining, but I heard that the black and white geometric patterns are stimulating to baby's vision, and since this is the side that baby gets to see...


Both fabrics for this project, the buttons, ribbon, and magnetic snaps are from JoAnns. I made up my own pattern.

Another Activity Bag

I'm making these regularly for gifts, but I don't always remember to take a picture. This was for Emma's friend Peyton.

Flower cuff

My beautiful mother brought me some flowers last Sunday when I invited her to dinner. They were so fragrant and lovely! I'm so ready for spring and inspired by all the flowers I'm seeing in fabrics and fashion right now. I decided to make my own flower accessory: a flower cuff.