When I decided to give my guest room a makeover for the One Room Challenge, I knew it would be a great opportunity to create a cool accent wall. So once I finished the rest of the space, I dove into the final detail - a hand painted brushstroke accent wall using a slightly darker paint color.
When it comes to the holiday season, I like to start small. I'll start by introducing Christmas socks into my wardrobe, playing Sufjan Stevens' holiday records on Pandora, and I usually change the wallpaper on my smartphone. This year, I'm sharing a festive design in a few color schemes, depending on your holiday preference! You can download them as a wallpaper for your phone or desktop, or, keep reading to find out how to print and use as a festive iPhone case.
Do you remember this joke?: April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? The answer is "pilgrims" for those of you skipped the third grade. Cue eye roll. Anyway - we are headed right into the rainy season as March comes to a close and winter is finally releasing its chilly, chilly grasp. It's finally time to break out the umbrellas and rain boots! Keep reading to see how to make your rain gear more personal by DIY-ing this painted umbrella (P.S. it's totally waterproof, too!).
I literally never remember to purchase gift tags at Christmastime - and I'm not using the term "literally" for extra drama here. I actually cannot recall a single time I've ever picked up gift tags at the store, put them in my shopping basket, and taken them to the register to check out. What usually ends up happening when I'm wrapping presents is I realize my mistake, try to find a nice-enough piece scrap of paper, scribble the recipient's name on the back, throw on a little Scotch tape, and call it a day. Janky, I know. Hence why I love printable gift tags!
Guess what? Christmas is almost here! I'm super excited, and grateful that I can finally start to decorate my home for the holidays. Last year I went for a Scandinavian-theme with my holiday decor, and this year I'm continuing the motif. I love the care and simplicity of the Nordic patterns that pop up during this season, and I decided I wanted to replicate those patterns on some hand-painted Scandinavian stockings. It was easier than it looks - keep reading to see how it works!
I have a really hard time buying shorts. I usually can't find any in the store that I like, because, let's face it - most women's shorts are so short they're actually just denim underwear in disguise. Even if I do find shorts I like, I can't seem to bring myself to pay $25 for an article of clothing that requires so little fabric, and that I'm only going to wear for a few months out of the year. Fortunately, you can sew shorts on your own really easily. I made these without a pattern, got to pick out my own funky and fun fabric, and more importantly, I made them as long as I wanted them to be.
I was at the airport the other day waiting for my bag to come out of the carousel and after what seemed like ages, I finally spied my little black suitcase. Just as I was going to grab it, someone else picked it up.
My first thought was a territorial 'get your hands off my bag!' (don't worry, I didn't say it out loud. And really, why I was being so protective of my dirty laundry is beyond me).
My second thought (after I'd hurriedly retrieved my bag) was a silent admission that my black wheeled case looked just like every other black wheeled case circling around that carousel.
Bold patterns aren't just for walls, as this beautiful kitchen floor makeover proves!
Back when I still considered myself a painter, I constantly studied patterns for inspiration - wallpaper, fabric, you name it. I guess you could say, it became an obsession of mine, since my focus as a painter was planted firmly in the abstract world. Naturally, some of those interests carried into my adult life, and I'm still a huge fan of pattern, especially in unexpected places.
So today, I thought it would be fun to explore interesting ways that patterns and prints can be used in the bedroom. Shall we?
These pretty painted patterned pumpkins (say that ten times fast!) are inspired by bold textiles like Suzani fabrics, Missoni, and traditional Indonesian Ikat. While the source material may be classic, these pumpkins are anything but!
I am LOVIN' this Puff Daddy pouf knitting pattern from Pickles. Inspired by the Urchin Pouf from designer Christien Meindertsma. Here's what you'll need
Photo Images: Spoonflower
If you're like me, and I've only heard of one other person who does this, you've imagined a fabric design in your head and you go out and try to track it down. Impossible, as well as a huge time waster. However, if you have some graphic art designing ability, you can design, create and even sell your very own fabrics on etsy, or design and make your own curtains, bedding and even upholster with it.
They're sturdy, bold, and always under $10.00. And though intended for upholstery, Ikea fabrics can be entirely wearable.
From CraftyCrafty:
"I'm always impressed by DIY-ers who choose less obvious fabrics to make up their patterns (remember the shower curtain dress?) so I was instantly drawn to this delightful dress that Chic Steals made up from a Vogue pattern using Ikea's Patricia fabric. Ikea's a good place to find bold, clean and eyecatching...
Attention Crocheters: Don't miss out on the sweet and free amiguri heart pattern this Valentine's day. Show some handmade love...
Gift cards have become MORE than acceptable presents for friends and family during the holidays. At their best, they say, "I know what you're into, and I want to be sure that you get exactly what you love the most."
So, add a little handmade touch with this free gift card box pattern from Heather Bailey. With a single sheet of cardstock, you can customize your gift and keep its recipients guessing as it sits under the tree.
Amy Butler has several free patterns on her website, but the Snow Mum Pillow Pattern is by far my favorite. It's fresh, delicate and modern. Available in PDF format, the pattern includes ‘instructions, measurements and pattern pieces.’
I'm not sure what I would make out of this fabric, but I adore it nonetheless. From Alexander Henry, Perfect Pattern is available in tea & red and pink. The 100% cotton fabric measures 44/45" wide and comes in at a very reasonable $8.95 a yard. From Pink Chalk Fabrics.
All People Quilt has posted a new pattern for these DARLING little grab bags! The pdf pattern is very detailed with ACTUAL pattern pieces. Love it!
POST UPDATE 7/16/2013: Click here for the free pattern. They DO request membership now! (No biggie; it's free too.)
I’ve been in the process of redecorating our bedroom for the past 4 months or so. Why is it taking so long? I sort of boxed myself in a corner with color. The new carpeting we had installed is a sesame. The walls we painted in a light caramel. We decided to add an Ektorp Tullsta chair with the white slipcover to the room, which provoked me to buy a white quilt for the bed. Caramel and white are not colors you find together at the fabric store...
