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Placemat Hack: Flaptop Laptop Cover

By ModHomeEcTeacher Laptopflaptop_093

  Finally a use for colorful, rectangular placements available at World Market!  Here's a tutorial you can follow to make some jazzy padded laptop covers for yourself or for gifts.  You'll need a little more than basic sewing skills to do this, but it's worth the time and it's very customize-able.  With some patience and  desire,  you'll be the envy of all your Black-Nylon-Canvas-Cased Friends.  what you need: sewing machine thread, scissors, seam ripper three placemats, padding for interior or quilted lining fabric lining fabric fabric for boxing and pockets (I used leather from a vintage coat) fusible webbing magnetic closure or velcro... »MORE

May 15, 2008
4 comments
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Preview-2008 International Contemporary Furniture Fair

By ModHomeEcTeacher Redlamp

Ready or not, the 2008 International Contemporary Furniture Fair will open May 17 and run through the 20th at the Javit Center in New York City.  Celebrating it's 20th year, the ICFF is a melting pot of designers, young and old, local and international, nervous and confident.  This is a show I've wanted to go to for years.  Designboom  hosts a group exhibition featuring designers from around the world.  If you visit the show, you can meet the designers and get to know their work.  I see a few pieces that are DIY-able, with a few changes. I might try... »MORE

May 14, 2008
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Hang Ten (Thousand Tiles)

By ModHomeEcTeacher Surfboard

Mosaics Garden artist, and personal friend of mine, Nancy Keating has just completed the first in a series of mosaic surfboards.  This work is titled "Cayman Dreams".  Nancy put over 100 hours into this stunning 6 foot wall hanging made of thousands of handcut pieces of art glass, mirrors and irredescent glass.  The tiles embellish a real surfboard which is surprisingly light weight, and is equipped with brackets on the back for hanging.  This would be fantastic at a beach house, vacation home or above a bar.  See some of Nancy's other works right here. »MORE

May 13, 2008
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DIY: Ottoman Tear Repair

By ModHomeEcTeacher Starstoolrepair_050b

Folks, this project is not for the squeamish. It's real life.  A few spots, tears, chunks out of furniture you just aren't ready to chuck.   My friend pleaded with me to do a repair job on this tired ottoman that has a giant tear, nay, RIP, right down the middle of the top.  It's a long story about the owner, her 6'9" football playing son, the reason they need a quick fix and so on.  But the long and short of it is that they aren't ready to buy a new chair and ottoman, they are having a party, and this old... »MORE

May 13, 2008
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The Shining: Revisited

By ModHomeEcTeacher Abandonedhotels

Shells of grand hotels spring out of desolate landscapes or sit empty in the middle of thriving cities and towns around the world.  Did money run out or did people just stop coming?  I have a morbid curiousity of the "whys" behind partially constructed, abandoned buildings.  It could be that I come from a family of builders and architects.  There is always so much hope and excitement during construction. Beyond the obvious monetary reasons for closing doors, I wonder why the vision never materialized.  ProTraveller has wonderful photos and brief summaries of 16 hotels that sit abandoned and decaying from around the world.... »MORE

May 03, 2008
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Root Furniture

By ModHomeEcTeacher Roottable

Rustic never looked so good.  These pieces, avaialable at www.vivaterra.com are made from reclaimed roots.  Although they are planed down and smoothed for home use, only Mother Nature could produce such naturally beautiful, unique and interesting shapes.  Rustic has never appealed to me, but this console table would look perfect in my front hallway.  Made by hand, the natural imperfections add to the one-of-a-kind desirability, certain to make a statement.  The console retails for $479.00 while the stool runs $149.00, not bad.   »MORE

May 03, 2008
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DIY: Shade Garden Re-Do Part 1

By ModHomeEcTeacher Garden-stools_006

After 1st round of weeding Most of the year I longingly look out at my shade garden imagining summer afternoons, sipping lemonade, having a good talk with a friend.  None of these things have really taken place here,  although, I have had some peaceful moments on that hard bench.  But this summer will be different! Right.  Even though I don't have heart-to-heart conversations out in the shade garden, it is the first thing you see when you drive up and around to the garage.  Last weekend started the re-do.  Even though it's still a bit of a mess, it's at least... »MORE

May 03, 2008
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Found Lighting

By ModHomeEcTeacher Kitchenlight

This isn't "found" in the salvaged sense of the word.  It's just that I found the light I want for my kitchen.  Remember?  This thing has to go!  I've had my heart set on this new light from Hampstead Lighting  for a couple of years.  This style might be found for less with a little sincere research, but I think it's time for an economic stimulus from my checking account.  I'm going to call a friend who knows a guy in the lighting business. Ha! (sounds doubtful, but it's worth a try) More to come on this subject.   »MORE

May 03, 2008
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Customizable Naked Knobs

By ModHomeEcTeacher Nakedknob2

Have you ever thought of such a thing?  Refillable glass knobs in different shapes and sizes.  The glass knobs can be filled with anything you can think of.  Remember the resin knobs with spices and herbs suspended in them that Grandma used to have?  These are even better.  You can refill these with all sorts of colorful things-candy, beads, seeds, beans, sequins, anything you can fit inside.  Mix and match to jazz up a kids room or the bathroom/spa.  One big warning is to not let your kids watch you filling the knobs as they may decide to get their grubby little... »MORE

April 29, 2008
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DIY: Ten Minute Grommet Workshop

By ModHomeEcTeacher Grommet12

While helping a friend with her booth for a trade show, we learned how to install grommets simply and frustration-free.  If you are needing grommets installed for  a craft, drapes, shower curtains, drawstring totebags or your handsewn tent, DO NOT think that a grommet kit from a fabric store will be sufficient. Try to get a semi-industrial kit from the hardware store.  They are heavier duty and the pricing is more reasonable.  If you really want the jumbo grommets, take your project to a drapery workroom and see if they'll install them for you using their very expensive, heavy duty equipment. By... »MORE

April 23, 2008
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Mid-Century Modern Light Fixture: Needed

By ModHomeEcTeacher Christmas07

Hallelujah!  My husband was changing a bulb that was stuck in the socket of this UGLY fixture and he broke it!!!  Now I can look for a new fixture.  I'm looking for a new fixture or, better yet, a mid-century fixture that gives off enough light.  I'm looking for interesting ideas.  The table is staying but the chairs will be replaced.  I'm still working on what to do with the greenhouse view. »MORE

April 19, 2008
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Don't Buy-DIY! 100 Calorie Natural Snack Packs

By ModHomeEcTeacher Diysnack

Plan ahead and pack yourself some delicious, healthy, natural 100 calorie snacks instead of purchasing the prepackaged munchies at the store.   When I'm grocery shopping,  I'm usually hungry, which means I usually buy all sorts of goodies that tempt my eyes and brain to think I'll be on my way to calorie control if I buy these cute little snack packages.  They've ingeniously marketed portion control to us, the mindless masses.  We can do this on our own with a little know-how.  Check out the DIY Life intro to basic snack packing.   »MORE

April 18, 2008
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Suede and Hide Silhouette Art

By ModHomeEcTeacher Fabricsilhouettes_035a

This silhouette art makes PB silhouettes look like child's play. (Whaaa?)  Suede samples cut into silhouette of a boy and his Great Dane.  The suede silhouettes were temporarily adhered to the fabric and then stitched on.  The Great Dane hide pillow was made from scrap hide available at a leather store here in Indy and sewn onto white, remnant fabric with cotton velvet cording.  »MORE

April 15, 2008
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How to Make FABRIC Silhouette Wall Art From (Mostly) Recycled Materials

By ModHomeEcTeacher Aprilprojects_310a

Silhouettes can transcend paper, you know?  I've been experimenting with all sorts of fabrics for silhouettes during the past year and a half.  The best materials are felt, hide, suede, faux leathers and, if you don't mind a little raveling, cotton velvet.  Believe it or not, the yellow floral fabric was a hideous sundress I found at GW.  I needed that color of  yellow so this is it.  The best thing was that the dress was lined so I used the lining as an underlayer on the round base.  Double recycle!  The circular base is the oh so wonderful, free... »MORE

April 15, 2008
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DIY Hangable Hamper

By ModHomeEcTeacher Doorhamper14a

  Oftentimes it's quite simple to improve on an old idea.  This DIY Hangable Hamper took me two hours, tops, to design and complete.  It can be constructed from remnant fabrics and old purse handles salvaged from the Goodwill or your mom's closet.  My less-than-tidy husband is thinking of attaching  a hook on the wall in the closet so he can test out his wife's jiffy design. what you need: sewing machine 1 yard remnant or new fabric 2 plastic purse handles scissors thread something round to use as a curved pattern what you do: 1. Fold one width of 1 yard of... »MORE

April 15, 2008
8 comments
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Step-by-Step Upholstered Cushion for Everywhere in Your Home

By ModHomeEcTeacher Boxed_cordedcushion_096a

Kitchen chairs, bar stools, porch furniture, patio furniture, window seats, sofas, chairs, floor pillows, dog beds, doll beds, cat beds, and that's all I can think of, this tutorial will show you step-by-step how to make your own boxed and corded cushions. You can ditch the cord for a more modern look.  Have at it this Spring with the beautiful large graphic print fabrics available for the interior and the new outdoor fabrics--to die for! Let's get started- what you need: sewing machine zipper foot fabric foam for cushion scissors batting stuffing zipper what you do: 1. using old cushion... »MORE

April 02, 2008
4 comments
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How-to Insert a Zipper

By ModHomeEcTeacher Boxed_cordedcushion_062a

Whether you buy a zipper at the fabric store or use a roll of zipper "tape", the steps for inserting a zipper are really very simple.  You need a zipper foot for your sewing machine.  This how-to shows you how to insert a home dec sort of zipper used in cushions, pillows and slipcovers. The zipper I am inserting here is 40" long and will be the back band or boxing on a window seat cushion. What you need: zipper sewing machine with zipper foot thread fabric you're inserting the zipper into scissors What you do: 1. cut a strip... »MORE

April 02, 2008
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Simple Steps to Make Welt Cord/Piping

By ModHomeEcTeacher Boxed_cordedcushion_021a

Almost all pillows, cushions and upholstery is finished with fabric covered welt cord/piping.  Here is a simple tutorial for you to see how easy it is to make.  what you need: cord to cover strips of fabric, cut on the bias, sewn together sewing machine what you do: 1. cut fabric on the bias (diagonally) into strips I use 5/32" cording so I cut 1 3/4" strips of fabric.  I couldn't cut these strips on the bias because I didn't have enough fabric.  It was thin so it had some "give". I use a rotary cutter and quilting ruler for... »MORE

April 02, 2008
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PHOTOGRAPHY LIGHTING PLEA FOR HELP

By ModHomeEcTeacher Modgal_medium

I know I've asked for help before, but listen one more time.  I am trying to photograph one single chair in my basement/studio.  Here's my set up that just yields shadows all over the place.  Chair set up on large table against white backdrop.  Two clip-on Blue photography bulbs at 45 degree angles on either side of the chair.  Miscellaneous track and more clip on lights from the ceiling at different angles trying to "back light" to eliminate shadows.  I have one small window well window of light coming in from the west, not much daylight.  The simplicity of the... »MORE

March 21, 2008
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Goodwill Hunting-Modern Coffee Table

By ModHomeEcTeacher Upholstery_101_127a

Last weekend was spent participating in my favorite sport of Goodwill Hunting.  With the expansion of this chain of fine variety stores, it's becoming difficult to hang on to my change.  It's also taking up lots of time and gasoline.  But what if something tremendous just arrived behind those swinging doors? I deliberated a bit before shelling out $24.99 for this little cutie.  That's my limit........I guess. The top of the table has some discoloration that looks like it's underneath a varnish.  It appears to be a textured insert of some sort.  Does any Curbly woodworking aficionado know how to fix this?... »MORE

March 15, 2008
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