Thursday 29 March 2012

Pottery Barn and The Lettered Cottage Inspired Light

Hey there, how are you???  I've been busy working on a few projects over the past couple of weeks and I can't wait to show them of over the next little while!  Today, I'd liked to share a quick little update I did to our dining room chandelier. 

I'm a big fan of Kevin and Layla's blog - The Lettered Cottage.  I love their ideas and have been admiring their house for months now.  One of the updates they did was make their own Pottery Barn inspired lamp shade.  Well, I LOVE anything Pottery Barn, so this immediately caught my attention.  We have a similar light fixture in our house and I thought that this would be an easy update to try.



All you need for this project is jute, a glue gun and lamp shade.  It's pretty self explanatory, you glue gun the jute to the bottom of the shade - easy peasy and the results are terrific!  I really like this subtle enhancement to the shade...it adds some visual interest, without standing out too much....it was just perfect!!

So here is my creation, I couldn't find the braided jute, but found some jute ribbon from Michaels which worked perfectly. 



And because I just love my old but improved light, here's another shot of the final result in all it's glory!! 


I'll be linking up to these fun parties:
Freestyle Friday - Happy Hour Projects
Whimsy Wednesday - Home Happy Home
Taylor House Thursday - The Taylor House
Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya' Got
Seven Alive - Link it Up Thursday
Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading
Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday
Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday
A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link
A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party
Simple Home Life - Features and Simply Creations Link Party
Bacon Time in Northern Cali - Anything Goes Linky
The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday
Delightful Order - Delightfully Inspiring Thursday
House of Hepworths - Hookin' up with HoH
Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up
I Heart Nap Time - Sundae Scoop Link Party
Classy Clutter - Saturday Spotlight
The 36th Avenue - Show me Extradordinary Link Party
Reasons to Skip the Housework Link Party

Monday 26 March 2012

Here's Kadie from Seven Alive all Livin' in a Double Wide

Today, I'm so excited to have Kadie here with me today.  In addition to being a super creative and talented, she is absolutely lovely and I'm so happy to have met her!!  Last month, I did my first guest post on Kadie's blog, Seven Alive all Livin, in a Double Wide and today she is my very FIRST guest blogger!!  Take it away Kadie....

Hello, Hello.  My name is Kadie and I blog over at Seven Alive all Livin' in a Double Wide.  I am really excited to be here today.  Jenny is such a fun blogging buddy.  It has been a true joy to get to know over the last couple of months. I love the layered look.  I wear cardigans or double t-shirts often.  It is starting to warm up and in the south that means no more layering.  It is to hot to wear anything as thick as a cardigan.  I was thinking that if I had a cardigan that was as thin as a t-shirt I might still be able to wear it in the summer.  Enter the huge bag of clothing my MIL gave me forever ago.  It is the same bag that this sweater dress came from. 
I took a t-shirt that I like the color of and fit me okay.  It is a little shorter than I like for a t-shirt. I love working with knit fabrics for up-cycles.  They are great because they don't fray. Here is what I did if you would like to make one for yourself.
Cut the shirt up the middle with scissors.  Then try the shirt on and with pins mark how short you want the sleeves.  The material from the sleeves makes the ruffles so you want to chose a shirt that you want to shorten the sleeves. Next cut the sleeve material into 1 inch strips.  You can use the tutorial here for making straight cuts if you need it.  After you have your 1 inch strips you are going to ruffle them.  Ruffling strips is super easy.  On your sewing machine make your stitch length as long as it will go.  Then set your tension as tight as it will go.  Make sure you leave very long strings at both ends of the strip.  Place your needle right in the middle of the strip and go.  It will magically ruffle up behind the needle.
Ruffle all the strips you cut from the sleeve material.  Lovely piles of ruffles with VERY long strings.
Straighten out the ruffles to look the way you want them to.  Take care not to break any of the thread.  Pin the ruffles on the shirt about half an inch from the cut.  Sew down the center of the ruffles.
Cut off all the strings when you are done.  That's it.  Your done.
And just in case you are wondering yes, you do get funny looks when you hang a shirt in a tree and start taking photos of it.  Oh well, at least it was just my in-laws. They already know I'm crazy.
Thanks so much for having me today Jenny.  It was a blast.

Isn't that pretty!!!  I can think of a ton of shirts that I could update like that!  Be sure to visit Kadie's blog, say hello and check out some of her other great projects.

Friday 23 March 2012

High Five for Friday

Happy Friday everyone:)  Today, I'm linking up to Lauren from My Grey Desk and participating in her High Five for Friday link party. 

Here are my High Fives this week:

1.  Launching my very first giveaway with Adrianne from Happy Hour Projects - we've had a great turn out and it's not too late to enter...click here to do so.



2.  Going for walks, playing at the park - just getting outside....holy cow the weather has been beautiful! 
3.  Being "Featured" on Reasons to Skip the Housework for my Pottery Barn Inspired Pillows.  Click here to see how I did it:)



4.  Receiving the Liebster award from Jill at Create.Craft.Love.  What an honour, thank your Jill:) 

5.  Enjoying a McDonald's McFlurry with one of my best friends...mmmmm! 

How about you?  What are your High Fives this week?  Click over to From my Grey Desk and link up!!

Have a great weekend and don't forget to enter the Bake in Style giveaway!

Tuesday 20 March 2012

Tutorial Tuesday at Happy Hour Projects!

Happy Tutorial Tuesday!!  Today I am hanging out with Adrianne at Happy Hour Projects where I'm sharing the tutorial for these super cute and extremely easy tea towels!!   Be sure to stop by and say hello!



Wanna know a little secret???  You can WIN these tea towels (and other awesome stuff) in my VERY FIRST giveaway!!! 


Adrianne and I are teaming up to offer one lucky reader an awesome "Bake in Style" gift pack.  Click here to enter and to see what YOU could win!!  Good Luck:)

Monday 19 March 2012

My First GIVEAWAY!!!

Happy Monday morning! I hope that you all had a great weekend - once again, the weather has been AMAZING!!  We spent lots of time outside and even cleaned up our BBQ to cook some hamburgers:)  I'm shocked that this is March, but I'll take this weather anyday!

I am super excited about today's post....Adrianne from Happy Hour Projects and I have joined forces to offer everyone a terrific giveaway and this one is pretty special since it's my FIRST GIVEAWAY!!! 

 


One lucky winner will be baking in style with all of these happy-kitchen goodies:

Half-apron, two tea towels, and a 50% off one item coupon at Jessie Street Designs on Etsy, sponsored by Jessie Street Designs



Magnetic recipe holder (with stand and magnets) and coordinating measuring cups, spoons, and poly countertop boards sponsored by Happy Hour Projects


Wouldn't these look great in your kitchen!  I wish that I could enter:)  Oh....did I mention this is my first giveaway!?!?
This giveaway (my first giveaway - EVER) is open to US and Canadian residents.  Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter up to 7 ways ~ good luck!

Friday 16 March 2012

What's Cookin' Good Lookin'?

Happy Friday Everyone!

I'm going to be adding some new items to my shop and I'm so excited to share these additions with you all over the next few days.  Today, I'd like to give you a sneak peak at the new aprons I'll be selling. 

Drum Roll please......behold, the Jessie Street Designs Half Apron!!

I may be tooting my own horn, but I think that this is adorable.  The apron is made from Amy Butler fabric (one of my favourites!) and the trim detail gives it a vintage feel.   The ties (not shown) are the same material as the trim.

Be sure to check out my shop for pricing and more fabric choices.

Happy St. Patrick's Day - Play Safe! 

Thursday 15 March 2012

Photo Challenge - Everyday

I haven't entered a photo submission for Carly's weekly photo challenge in a couple weeks....so without further adieu, here's my submission for the most recent topic - Everyday!



I just recently purchase a Keurig coffee maker and I am in love with it...I haven't even purchased a coffee since I bought this machine.  Every morning, I like to "treat" myself to a coffee in my monogrammed mug - isn't it cute!!  Anyways, this is one of my favourite "everyday" traditions.

Be sure to stop by Carly's blog and check out some of the other submissions and even participate in the Photo Challenge!

Thursday 8 March 2012

Pottery Barn Inspired Pillows and Envelope Pillows

Hello again!  I feel like I have neglected my blog a bit this week....but with good reason - I have been busy making new pillows for our family room and (because the fun couldn't stop there)...new curtains for our kitchen!!  All this spring-like weather we've been having is making me want to lighten things up a little bit, and what better way to do that than changing up some pillows:) 

Earlier this week, I headed out to Ikea...I don't even remember why I had to go there and had no plans to re-decorate, but I somehow ended up coming home with approx. 4 yards of fabric, 2 pillow covers, 2 new pillows and big plans to lighten up our family room and threw in the kitchen curtains for good measure - it happens....right, please tell me I'm right!?!?

Today, I'm going to share how I did my pillows.   The tutorial I used for the striped pillow comes from Curbly.  Envelope pillows have got to be the easiest pillowcases to make....it honestly took no more than 15 minutes to make one.  Check out the tutorial, I found it very easy to follow.

The pillow with the number "1" on it, is my take on the Pottery Barn pillows.  I made another one with "2" on it...I think that they look cute and it really wasn't hard to do. 

Here's what you'll need:
pillowcase (make your own or buy one - that's what I did!)
fabric paint
paint brush (I used a sponge)
stencil
iron

Step 1:

Remove pillow form and position your stencil on the pillowcase and make sure it is secure.  I used my Cricket to cut some vinyl which I stuck to the pillow and taped about the edges just to make sure it would stick. 

Step 2:

Paint.  Follow the directions of the paint you are using for proper application and drying time. ( I let mine sit over night)***Also, make sure you put something (cardboard, old towel, etc) between the pillowcase, you don't want the paint to get on the other side of the pillowcase.



Step 3:

Once paint is dry, turn pillow inside out and iron the painted area. 

Step 4:

Turn inside out again, insert pillow form.  Now, sit down, relax and enjoy your new pillows:)



I'll be linking my pillows up to these fun parties and also submitting it to the Pinterest Challenge!



The Pinterest Challenge


Not Just a Housewife - Show Me What Ya' Got

Seven Alive - Link it Up Thursday


Serenity Now - Weekend Bloggy Reading

Finding Fabulous - Frugalicious Friday

Ginger Snap Crafts - {wow me} wednesday

A Little Knick Knack - EBTKS Link

A bowl full of lemons - Tuesday Link Party

Simple Home Life - Features and Simply Creations Link Party

Bacon Time in Northern Cali - Anything Goes Linky

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday

Delightful Order - Delightfully Inspiring Thursday

House of Hepworths - Hookin' up with HoH

Tatertots and Jello - Weekend Wrap Up

I Heart Nap Time - Sundae Scoop Link Party

Classy Clutter - Saturday Spotlight

The 36th Avenue - Show me Extradordinary Link Party


Reasons to Skip the Housework Link Party

Tuesday 6 March 2012

I've been Tagged!!!

Hello Everyone!  Last week, I was "tagged" by my friend Kadie from Seven Alive.  You may remember Kadie from the guest post that I did on her blog a couple weeks ago.  Kadie has been and continues to be a huge help to me and you can all look forward to a post from her on MY blog later this month! 

So here are the rules to being tagged:

**You must post the rules {?!}
**Answer the 11 questions that the tagger posted for you & then create 11 questions to ask the people you’ve tagged
**Tag 11 people and link them in your post
**Let them know you have tagged them

I thought that this would be fun and surprisingly, I actually found this more difficult than I thought it would be....here goes!

1. What is the last book you read, or are currently reading?

Currently, I am reading Left Neglected by Lisa Genova
2. What is your all time favorite movie and why?
Do I have to pick just one?!?!  The first movie that comes to mind is Dirty Dancing, I can watch it over and over again and never get tired of it - Nobody puts Baby in the corner;) 
3. Would you rather dress up and go out to eat or stay home?
Since I'm home ALL day, everyday I'm going with dress up and go out eat! 
4. How much time do you spend on the computer a day?
Yikes, Kadie .....do I have to answer this?  I spend most of my time on the computer after the kids go to bed but I'm able to multi-task...for instance, I'm watching "The Bachelor - The Women Tell All" right now!  Although I'd be lying if I didn't admit to checking emails during the day - sometimes it's easier for me to connect with people via email instead of the phone.
5. What is your favorite city or town, you have visited, and why?
Hmmmm, this one took some time but I would have to say Scottsdale, Arizona.  Before my husband and I had children,we took a trip there and had such an amazing time - the scenery, the people, the resort - everything was outstanding!
6. Are you a cake or pie person?
Not too long ago, I would have said cake (working in a pie factory will do that to you) but I am back to being a Pie person.   My grandmother made the best apple pies:)

7. If time, money, and kids were not a factor and you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I have always wanted to go to Ireland.  I think that it would be a fun place to visit.
8. You are on a beautiful beach, warm sun and sand. Are you most likely to build a sand castle, or swim in the ocean?
Oh geez, can I say both!!  Seriously, I can't choose....but since my kids would likely be building sand castles, I'll go with that.

9. What is your favorite book?
I love reading books...so trying to narrow down just one is hard for me - here's a few that come to mind:
The Help
Memoirs of a Geisha
A Thousand Splendid Suns
The Birth House


10. What is your favorite type of food, Italian, Mexican, or Chinese?
Mexican.
11. What is your favorite drink?
Chocolate Milkshake....mmmm, I could have right now.

Whew, all done.  Now, I get to tag more people....

Chrissy - Taylor House
Taylor - tailor.made
Jill - Create.Craft.Love
Amy - Home Happy Home
Ashli - Mini Manor
Mandi - Mandi Being Crafty
Rob, Megan, Amy and Chris - Our Pinteresting Family
Mindi - Bacon time in Northern Cali
Carly - the simple things
Amelia - Brightsides
Meg - A Little Knick Knack

Here are the questions:

1.  What is your favourite room in your house and why?
2.  What is your favourite quote?
3.  What did you eat for breakfast?
4.  Do you like rainy days or snowy wintery days more?
5.  What is your favourite song and why?
6.  Are you usually late, early or right on time?
7.  Can you play an instrument? If so, which one(s)?
8.  What's the weather like now?
9.  When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
10.  If you could hire a celebrity to play YOU in a movie, who would you chose and why?
11.  What is your favourite time of the day and why?