Archive for November, 2011
With the end of the year fast approaching, images of holiday parties and twinkling lights are on my radar. I’ve absolutely fallen for the Ruby Slippers print from MKendall Photography. An Atlanta-based photographer who loves to do collage inspired photography, Morgan Kendall puts it simply, “I tend to create images of a world I can only dream about, but long to go to.” Check out a couple of my other favorite sparklers from the collection:
Make your holiday a little twinklier with 20% off in her shop with code HOLIDAY2011
Enjoy the sights of MKendall Photography on Etsy.
This contributor post was written by Katherine of Making Chicken Salad.
In my opinion there can never be enough of the following in our home: storage solutions and layers of pattern. These DIY ottomans are super easy and fulfill both of those criteria! And, at less than an hour put together they make a perfect Saturday morning project.
Here are the materials you will need: 1. Plain storage ottoman. For those pictured above I used one microfiber ottoman and one velvet one with rhinestone buttons–they were both pretty ugly to begin with but at less than $15 each they are perfect candidates for a makeover; 2. 2 yards of fabric; 3. piping in a contrasting color/pattern; 4. staple gun & plenty of staples; 5. upholstery tacks & a hammer; 6. either a sewing machine or a hand sewing needle and thread.
Here is how you make it:
1. Let’s start with the base of the ottoman. Use your otttoman as a pattern to trace and cut out your fabric. Do this by measuring the width of one side, then multiplying that measurement by four and adding six inches.
2. Place your ottoman on its side on the long piece of fabric and bring the edge up and over the top. Place a few staples to keep the fabric in place.
3. Tightly pull the other edge of the fabric around the ottoman, with the raw edge folded under. Pull the folded fabric right over the staples you placed. Nail one upholstery tack into the center of the edge, and then one in each corner, pulling the fabric taught as you go. Once the fabric is held securely in place, fill in the rest of the edge with tacks.
4. Flip the ottoman upside down so the bottom is facing up. Tuck the raw edges under and staple all of the way around. Depending on the style of your ottoman you can either tuck and staple around the feet, or loosen the feet and tuck the fabric underneath, as I did.
5. Stand the ottoman on its feet, right side up. Tuck the raw edges of the fabric under and fold over the top of the ottoman. Staple the fabric to the inside of the of the ottoman, all of the way around. The base is now finished & you are ready to move onto the lid.
6. Place the ottoman lid upside down on your work surface and slice all of the way around the edges so that you can easily peel the fabric off to use as a pattern. Cut one square center piece and four edge strips the exact same sizes as the pieces of the original lid covering.
7. Sandwich the piping in between the edges of the center piece and each of the edge pieces, and stitch around the perimeter of the fabric. Then, stitch the ends of each of the edge pieces together.
8. Place the new cover over the lid, fold the edges under, and staple all of the way around the inside edge of the lid. Your finished product will look much better if you are sure to keep the fabric taught as you go. And, you are done!
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About Katherine: Katherine Jalaty lives in Northern California, where she spends her time taking care of her family and making things for her new home. Her blog, Making Chicken Salad: The Art of Something Out of Nothing, is where she shares DIY projects, recipes and bits of inspiration from her own life and from other artists. Keep up with her on the blog or on Twitter @katherinejalaty.
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Shop the collection at Storkie Express and support our sponsors that make this blog possible.
It seems to me that the home decor over at Monkey + Squirrel is ever growing, ever changing, for the better. Before, Jenn a.k.a. the mastermind behind the shop, compelled us to look at restored cast iron goodies in a new light and now she brings us a new collection of wooden, hand painted, jewelry hangers. These are right on schedule for all of us who have dangly baubles on our wish lists, don’t you agree? Me thinks diamonds would look lovely hanging from those vintage knobs.
Something else that is right on time? Taking 10% off with the code PAPERNSTITCH!
Stop back in to Monkey + Squirrel on Etsy.
This contributor post was written by Tiffany Moore.
The holidays are here (whether we’re ready or not!) and, for many of you, now is that time that it all happens at once: holiday gatherings, family, extra shopping. Additionally, if you have a creative business, this is likely you’re busiest season.
Here are my tips for staying sane this holiday season AND for getting the really important things done:
- Say no to social media: I learned this trick from the lovely Erin Loechner — Social media sites like twitter and facebook should be used to connect and promote. That’s it. Having a hard time saying no? Try putting limits on your social media time: start with 15 minutes twice a day, and see how much else you are actually able to get done. Bonus: you might just surprise yourself with how little you miss.
- Do as much as possible as early as possible: Are you already dreading addressing your holiday cards? Make life as easy as possible for yourself by printing address labels NOW. Who cares that your cards aren’t ready? Once you get them picked out and back home, getting them into the mail will be easy peasy!
- Follow the flow of easy: Think you have to cook Thanksgiving dinner for 14 people and entertain the kids and host your family all by yourself? Let people help you! I repeat: LET PEOPLE HELP YOU! There are so many people in this world who are ready to love and support you…all you have to do is ask.
- Learn to distinguish the good from the great: Now is not the time to say yes to every opportunity that comes your way. An invite to a holiday party that sounds fun but that you aren’t feeling 100% about? You’ve got other plans. The chance to cook for the school’s annual bake sale when you’ve got etsy orders piling up? Sorry, but not this year. You can help in February. If you’re willing to commit to only saying yes to those things that really make you giddy, you’ll find that you’ll not only have more time to get your things done, but that you’ll also really love the things you say yes to.
Remember, during the holidays, time is just as valuable a resource as money and it’s up to you to spend it wisely. (Hint: you have a choice. You always have a choice)
*image via shannonblue photography: Christmas Candy Cane
Tiffany Moore, co-founder of Teahouse Studio is an artist, life coach, change agent and magic maker. She helps creatives live their happiest, most sparkly lives (starting NOW) and thinks that everyone in the world is beautiful, including you.
There is still time to start decorating for the holidays or the every days. Cathy, from Catshy Crafts, shows us how a little felt can go a long way. With the help of the cutest little model, she brings you her fanciful creations made featuring felt, paper, yarn and embroidery to deck your halls any time of the year. How cute is this wreath, breaking from the traditional red and green this time of year? For a break with traditional prices, get 10% off with the code papernstitch10off.
Visit Catshy Crafts on Etsy now.
Make a big impression this holiday season with cards, invites and photobooks from Tiny Prints. Choose from a wide array of unique designs, that will make you swoon. A little something exceptional during the holiday times, they are also there throughout the year to help make any occasion, from announcing a new birth to celebrating that golden anniversary, feel extra special.
Check out the Tiny Prints collection and support our sponsors that make this blog possible.
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