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Wednesday, April 24, 2013

LACE OVERLAY WEDDING GOWN

My daughter and I were finally able to do our styled shoot this past weekend and even at that it was touch and go with the weather....we postponed three weeks from our March date due to freezing cold temps and snow; and leading into this past weekend we had another snow storm.  We were afraid of muddy conditions after the snow, but it was okay.   It has been a crazy spring in Colorado!

So, here are just a couple photos that I took that day - just a quick peek at the front and back of the gown...I'll have the really great professional pics from kb digitaldesigns posted on my website very soon!   
          
Thank you to Steve and Ashley for being such awesome models for us!

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

UPDATED METAL FILE BOX

This project bubbled up due to tax season.  My daughter and son-in-law chose to use the gal we've been using for years to prepare our taxes.  She does such a great job!  Anyway, she returns the forms in a nice pocket folder.  My daughter commented that she didn't have a file cabinet or large drawers in her desk to keep them, so I told her I had an old metal file box that I could clean up for her.  It was the perfect size for the folder,  it can hold several years worth, and it can easily slide onto the floor of a closet or be placed on a shelf. 

BEFORE

AFTER

There aren't too many supplies needed.  Decorative paper, Mod Podge, Washi Tape and a bit of jute.
I first learned about washi tape about two weeks ago, and I'm hooked.  It comes in every conceivable color and pattern and it's really easy to use.
It was just what this project needed for the edges.  This particular box has a cool feature, the front door pulls out and expands to let you easily get your forms out of it.  But, with that it made for some extra raw edges; the tape helped correct my imperfections with the exacto knife. 

Whenever I cover something like this with ModPodge, I first lay down a good coat to hold the paper down; just like Elmer's glue.   Once all my paper is secure and I've pressed out as many of the bubbles/creases that crop up as it dries, I then go over the entire thing with Mod Podge.   Add as many coats as you want; I used two coats on this one.  The first one before I edged the corners with the tape; the second after (yep, I went right over the tape).
As you saw from the pictures, this guy had seen better days, a bit of rust and a couple of dents....but with a bit of creativity, it has new life!

To personalize it, I added their name, using a fun font printed on  a decorative sheet of paper; then I glued some jute around the border with the trusty hot glue gun. 

Not too shabby.

Friday, April 12, 2013

THREAD CABINET

I have memories dating back to my childhood of a small thread cabinet which was in my Mom's sewing room. She did quite a bit of sewing when I was younger; we had some Mother/Daughter outfits that I can remember--totally cool.  At some point in time she did less and less sewing and in her retirement years she took up quilting.  Anyway, this cabinet has been a part of my sewing area for years now, but it wasn't getting any use at all; I had it tucked away, collecting dust....but I was also too sentimental to part with it.   So, in all my recent organizing I decided I could put it to good use. Once I spiffed it up of course!

BEFORE

AFTER

One of the hinges was missing the pin.  That was an easy fix...a trip to Home Depot for some new hinges and I was good to go.  I also needed a dowel so I could cut some new spool holders for the five that were missing and then I Knew I wanted to add some character to the drawer pulls.    These pulls are so tiny, that I found some items at Hobby Lobby that I could glue on which would make them look like antique pearl pulls.   I decided to use the pale blue paint and distress it to match my distressed cabinet.   I used the same technique as I did with the cabinet; sanding, painting and then sanding to rough it up.
I added some decals  to the top and front to give it a little panache.   I plan to put small spools of thread and bobbins on the dowels and I think it's a perfect place for my variety of sewing needles, different sizes of sewing machine needles, snaps, hook/eyes, etc.  The finishing touch was the pearl chain for the doors; it took me awhile wandering around Hobby Lobby for just the right touch and I found this in the fabric section with all the other trims; plus I hit a 50% off sale...what more could you ask for?

I tied the end of the chain around the left door with embroidery floss and made a ribbon loop at the other end of the chain; so I just slip the loop off the right door pull when I need to open the doors.   Easy Shmeasy!  I'm really pleased with the end result....little by little my "studio" is coming together.  Interesting tidbit for you.....I found a spool of thread in the cabinet with a price tag still attached...are you ready?  It was 50 cents.  Are you kidding me?  A run of the mill spool of thread costs $2.99 these days.  If you want a better quality thread, I've spent close to $5.00 a spool.  Crazy!

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

SEWING AND CRAFTING ORGANIZATION


I had reached my tolerance level. I needed to get organized. My sewing and crafting supplies were a mess and I needed to do something about it. I did some research on what other ladies have done to get themselves organized and used some of their ideas....then, I came up with some of my own. I'm getting there......
So, I bought two drawer organizers at Walmart for next to nothing and then went to town on my spools of thread;wrapping up the loose end.  I tried the tape trick, but didn't like it.  So, I thought of a rubberband.    I found these small ones in the hair section; they're for braids!  They worked like a charm in holding the tail in place.


Next up, spools of ribbon.....I can't take any credit for this; I found this in my research and loved the idea...plus I already had this type of hangar in my closet.                  I found ribbon I didn't even remember that I had!  
My loose trims were in a bin, but again no rhyme or reason.  So, I bought this tray with slots in the sides.  I cut some foam core board that I had leftover from a project and wrapped the trims around the board.  I then placed the corners into the slots and they stand up nicely!  
                                                                                                                                                                      My gift boxes, wrapping papers,and gift bags had really gotten sloppy over the years, so they all got stacked into a box and placed on the floor of the closet.  I used clothespins to hold the loose ends of the wrapping paper to the core, and also used clothespins to attach the lid/bottom of a box set together and flattened them (I had originally kept the boxes assembled and nested one inside the other, like my Mom used to do but found they took up too much room- sorry Mom).

strawberry carton to hold flowers


All of the other bin drawers got a makeover....hem tape, seam binding, and assorted trims.  My paint and stencil drawer.  I really liked one piece of advice that I read and it was in regards to looking at things you toss away for recycling or trash differently; case in point, I used a strawberry carton to store my assorted flowers.  It keeps them from getting crushed and they're together in one compact space.
I even took care of my remnants....again, these were in a drawer, but I couldn't see what I had....so I actually measured them all out and made a template on the computer so I could tag the fabric (indicating the fabric width and total yardage).  Anything over one yard was bundled, labeled and wrapped with rafia.  Now I know what I have!  The smaller pieces were all neatly folded and stacked; small stacks were tied with rafia and then they went into a box.

I still have work to do in my main closet; I know I want to put a peg board up to hold the large spools of thread for my serger. I can also see hanging my zippers (similar lengths together) by the zipper pull versus how I have them rubber banded together and in a drawer; that will free up that drawer space for other goodies!  It's a process....I know you feel my pain.  But, I know in the end I'm going to be happy that I took the time to get organized.

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

MINI CHEESECAKES

Remember the Petit Four disaster?  Well, I wasn't going to let that stand in my way of baking some delectable delights to top off the Easter dinner this year.  So, lookie, lookie what I made!!
While I looked over plenty of recipes, I'm claiming this one for my own since I combined several to come up with this one.  This will make 16-18 cheesecakes, depending on how much you fill the cups.

Crust:
1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. melted butter
1 tsp. cinnamon (love the extra flavor the cinnamon added)
Mix all the above ingredients and press into individual muffin liners (I'm going to get me one of those mini cheesecake pans for the future)

Filling:
3 pkgs. (8oz. each) softened cream cheese (I lightened it up a bit by using two of the 1/3 less fat variety)
1 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp. lemon juice
3 eggs
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
Beat cream cheese, sugar and vanilla with mixer until well blended.  Add eggs one at a time, mixing on low speed after each; just until blended.  Add sour cream and lemon juice.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes.  Cool completely.  Refrigerate for at least two hours.

Topping:
Beat one cup heavy whipping cream and 1/4 cup powdered sugar until soft peaks form; add a dollop to the top of each cheese cake and top with fresh fruit.    Last, melt a large bar of dark chocolate in a baggie in the microwave.  Cut the tip off the end of the baggie and drizzle over the fruit.
Don't they look yummy?  They really were....I made 17 and they are gone, gone, gone!  They weren't all eaten that same night, six went home in doggie bags.....but none-the-less they are just a memory right now. Enjoy!