*March* Round-Up: DIY Pallet Projects

I have been finding all sorts of wonderful ideas for up-cycling pallets lately, that I couldn't help but share my favorites with you. Not only are they my favorites, but I am hoping to be able to create them ALL..... someday. The couch may have to wait though since we just bought a new one not too long ago. Maybe I could re-create it and make it in to some sort of outdoor furniture?

Click on the links below to learn how to make each of these projects!

Link to project is first, followed by link to the home page of the author.

1. DIY Pallet Couch // cuartoderecha.com // Note: This blog is in Spanish, so remember to use your handy translator to assist you! Isn't it an amazing idea though?? Comfort and storage, all in a few pallets and some foam!

2. DIY Rustic Pallet Coffee Table // thewonderforest.com // LOVE this! When I don't have little feet running around my house all the time, I would definitely enjoy this piece in my living room!

3. DIY Pallet Shelves // amandacarverdesigns.com // How simple and great is that idea??  I have also seen something similar, just smaller, being used as shelves in the kitchen.

4. DIY Pallet Potting Bench // bhg.com // I'm making this and that's all there is to it! Thank you Better Homes and Gardens!

I am determined to keep my eye out for some abandoned pallets! Wish me luck, it's Spring time and I wouldn't mind having that cute potting bench in my backyard.

Pillow Makeover

I've been going back and forth with many projects lately, one being a tutorial for an 'envelope pillow case cover' from Rae Gun Ramblings.
This tutorial is easy to follow and even easier to create! I was more than happy with the end result and even more excited to create MANY different kinds/designs of pillow covers.

See how the pillow on the right blends in to the couch? Not to mention, the design is just not my style..... But, how about the pillow on the left?? Would you believe one of those "not so cute" pillows is stuffed in there??

I absolutely LOVE how it turned out! Who knew that a simple cover could change the dullest pillow into the most inviting pillow you have ever seen. I will be honest, myself and this new pillow have been having our own love affair on the couch since I made it...... I can't get over how well it works with the colors of the couch and the living room. Now, to make 2 more for this couch! Keep an eye out for pillow covers!!

Remodel: Master Bathroom

Oh, how I have wanted NEEDED to re-do our master bathroom. I wish I could have taken a pre-tear down pic, but the husband just went at it one day and took everything out. (yay!!!) Especially, that pink toilet! Good riddance! Pink is definitely NOT my color of choice for a toilet.

We are getting ready to paint and hopefully do the floor this weekend, so I thought I would share how far we have the husband has gotten and just what my mind has envisioned for it.

Yes, the bathroom is more like a nook, but it's going to be the cutest nook! Notice all the drywall work he had to do? All for my pretty pedestal sink! Eeeek! And I have big plans for the super old medicine cabinet we took out.

We have lived in our house for 2 years and have yet to use this shower. Everything about the master bathroom screamed 1964 (the year our house was built), it was old and needed a good makeover. I am SO excited to be able to use this entire bathroom and actually enjoy the space that we are creating for us. Especially since the next upgrade is going to be our bedroom. We have all the pieces to make our new space, I just wanted to wait for the dirty work of the bathroom to be finished before I put out all our new pretties ;)

Oh, and what's that hand-sewn shower curtain you are asking about? Well, here is a sneak peak of what I have so far. You may remember me blogging about here, which also has a link to the pattern that I am using for reference. The husband helped pick colors and which design I should use. I really thought he was getting in to it until I showed him a pillow cover I made out of fabric he picked and he asked me where I got it from?? Really?? Oh well, I am still going to ask his opinion because even if it is just an "in the moment" decision and he never thinks about it again, he makes some good choices and eases my mind that is always questioning itself. Any who.... enough rambling...

All cut and ready to sew together...... so I thought :/

LouAnn the helper.......



Annnnnd..... I need more rectangles.......



Good thing I usually get extra fabric! Just for these occasions! Unfortunately, I have to get the green and the orange, I didn't buy enough of those. Sad day :( I like how it is coming together though! I think my favorite is the 70's yellow. I know what most of you are thinking, it's an ugly color, but I will admit that I LOVE it! It has an old feel and reminds me of the wallpaper my grandmother use to have in her kitchen. The pea green, mustard and rust mushrooms.....oh I know you know what I am talking about! Stay tuned for an update on the shower curtain's progress and a post on my new pillow covers!

National Craft Month: Projects In Progress

I've been working on MULTIPLE projects the past couple of weeks. One being our master bathroom! Hooray! Here are links to some of the things that I have been working on, in case you feel like giving it a try too! I am sure you have seen them around on craftgawker or Pinterest if you are a daily browser like me :)
NOTE: Click on image OR the link above the image for the source of all these amazing creations!

Tissue Rosette Kissing Balls from Amy Huntley of 'The Idea Room'

When I first spotted this crafty idea, I immediately said "oh this is easy, I can do that!" It's easy, until you start to over-obsess about the perfection of the rosettes..... That was my problem and I had to keep am reassuring myself that "it doesn't NEED to be perfect." Amy created an excellent tutorial and a VERY helpful video to go along with it!

Below, is my results of her tutorial and my rosette skills. I think my rosettes are smaller and more squished than Amy's, but I am liking how it is turning out. I am also using a light blue crepe paper to add it as a decorative piece for our new bathroom!



The beginning.........



Half-way through and not too shabby, if I say so myself......

 Makes you want to try it, doesn't it?



 Envelope Pillow Case from Marissa of 'Rae Gun Ramblings'

I absolutely CANNOT wait to try this out! I have written down all the instructions and know just the pillows that need a good cover. This tutorial is seriously the tip of the iceberg when it comes to making pillow cases. Once I figured out how simple this project really was, SOOOOO many ideas came into my mind. The case is just the beginning, you can add embellishments, appliques, fabric rosettes, or even use some freezer paper to create a stencil and paint on your design with fabric paint...... Like I said, SOOOOO many ideas!

Easy Strawberry Fields Bricks Quilt as seen on Moda Bake Shop.

Designed by Amy Smith of Diary Of A Quilter

Tell me you don't love this? I sure do! When I couldn't find any shower curtains for our shower stall that really called to me, I decided that I was crafty enough to try sewing a quilt-like one of my own. This could end up being a complete fail, but I am keeping faith! Anywho.... I went on a Google mission for easy quilt patterns and this one was the winner.

I am using different fabric choices than the ones above, except I am keeping the white squares. I also plan on adjusting the width and most likely the length to accommodate my need for it to be a shower curtain. I'll keep you posted!

P.S. Moda Bake Shop is a GREAT website to check out, if you already haven't, for fabric and patterns!

Crocheted Wool-Eater Blanket from Sarah London

You're running to get your hook and yarn aren't you? I don't think I have used "love" (or air quotes) enough in this post, so here it is one more time.... I LOVE this pattern from Sarah London! There are two patterns, square and oblong. This is a great way to use up scraps, but also a great reason to get more yarn if you are set on a color scheme. I am doing a rainbow-ish blanket to brighten up the couch in the library/second living room.

SIDE NOTE: Sarah's instructions are in UK terms. If you use US terms, make sure you translate her instructions before you get started. 

 

I am only partially done with it (maybe halfway?), and get excited with each new color I add. Would you believe that I already had every single one of those colors? I think it will be a perfect addition, especially with spring around the corner!