June 2010 Scrapbook Pages

I've noticed that lately I've really been keen on adding a bunch of journaling. I feel like I need to capture the story of all the funny things Ben's doing, in addition to capturing images.

This page is just words, the pic is just a random one. I really just wanted to remember a day with Ben, and I didn't have my camera with me but it was such a nice day. I though it would be okay to include a page with just words in his book.

You can click on the images to read the journaling.

♥Julliana

April & May 2010 Scrapbook Pages

Just working on finishing up some 2010 pages. Enjoy!

♥ Julliana

Outside of the House

Slowly, but surely, the front of the house is taking shape. Let's take a tour through the history of the front yard and facade of the house.

As purchased:

hideous bushes housed bugs!

You could hardly see the house, which was probably a good thing.

In progress:

The first thing we did was replace all the windows, and the front light fixture. We also added these shutters. Over the next year, Troy removed all the bushes as well...not an easy task!

Here she is before the grand remodel. No bushes, but not pretty either.

During the Remodel:

back deck before.

That old rickety deck had to go! The covering, which was a good idea in theory was not well made so we tore that down as well.

We decided that we wanted a concrete patio instead. Its much bigger than the original deck which meant Troy had to move around some sprinklers, but it was totally worth it.

about half way.

Here you can see we got the concrete poured and the new covering on. The back steps are awesome, made of trex, and really sturdy. Here they're wrapping the posts with some type of styrofoam so they can stucco over the top.

As for the front, we decided to stucco where the siding was.

Because of some rainy weeks this last spring, we had to wait forever for the top (color) coat to get done. It was funny how many of the neighbors would ask if this was the color we picked...NO! I have a bit of a better design style than that, my friends! But it was funny to see their faces. It was also fun to have people come over and try to figure out how to get into the house.

***Stay tuned for the final look***

Wood Pumpkin Decor

this was not my idea, but now I can't find the link :(

On one side I added a jack-o-lantern face. This will be perfect for Halloween.

The other side is plain so I can use it for the rest of fall.

What a cute pumpkin face!

The other side is just as cute. I dry brushed some brown paint over the orange to give the pumpkin a bit of a "dirty" look.

I had some extra lumber so I cut out two extra kits. You can find them in my Etsy Shop.
♥ Julliana

Young Women's Values BLOCKS

My sister was looking for a fun craft for her Young Women's group, and this is what we came up with. It's fun to make as a group or just make one as a gift.

I've added the Kit and the Vinyl to my Etsy shop.

♥Julliana

Remaking a Chair

I found her at DI (thrift store) for $15. She was too stinkin' awesome to pass up at that price. I've been keeping my eye out for a chair to reupholster for our new (in progress) Master Bedroom and she fit the bill.

I actually liked the fabric on her, but it was in really bad shape. The seat was scruffed up pretty bad and the wood just wasn't the right color for me.

Check her out!

I started by priming and painting the wood...in spray form. I LOVE SPRAY PAINT!!! I then sanded her into submission and went over all of her with some stain I had from another project. I had to wipe off quite a bit of it but it worked out pretty well. I was going for a shabby chic (but not dirty) look.

Then came the re-upholstery challenge. I looked, and looked, and looked for some really great home dec fabric for her...to no avail. I wasn't willing to spend $20+ per yard so I had to find an alternative. Instead I used painter's canvas drop cloth. I've seen various people use it online, and decided that was the way to go. So I bought 2 and bleached them out a few times.

It was surprisingly easy to work with. I can think of a bunch of things to do with the left overs. The back of the chair had fabric stapled across it and originally had double piping to hide the staples. That wasn't gonna happen so I just bought some trim and hot glued it down. Its a bit of a fancier trim than I originally wanted, but I figure it's just hot glued down so if I want to change it out later it won't be so hard. It works for now.

She's just as pretty from behind.

Oh, how I love her. I keep calling it a her, so I guess I should name her...something old and classic, but pretty, and with a bit of spunk... how about Lucille.

Here's the back of the pillow...not sure if I'll add a button or not, maybe. This was such a score. The pillow form and fabric both came from the NPS store. If you haven't been there yet, go NOW! It is so stinking awesome. The form was $6 (tag says its PB for $12) and the fabric was from their remnant bin so I got 1/2 yd of wide home dec fabric for $.99...that's right, less than a dollar. I will definitely be looking for more fabric there!

Finger Paints

In preparing for Pre-School I was looking for a good finger paint recipe. I wanted something safe for the kids to be handling, so edible, although it didn't necessarily have to taste good. I found a really great recipe that worked pretty well. I had Ben test it out.

At first he was a bit unsure of it.

And it felt a bit goopy on his hands.

But once he figured it out, he really liked it.

The "paint" itself was really easy to make and actually tasted kinda good - must be all the sugar in it. I think next time I'll make a half or even quarter size batch and maybe cook it a bit longer so it's thicker.

It made a lot! About 10 cups worth. It looks white to start but then you add food coloring to get any color you want. I stored it in small airtight containers for about 4 days and it was still usable. It was also very easy to clean up. Try it out!

"My Little Man" Ties

I am in! I will be competing on Season 5 of So You Think You're Crafty! In fact, I came in second in the voting...how exciting! Thanks for all your votes. As promised, here's the tutorial:

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

It's so unfair that girls get all the cute accessories. What's a mother of boys to do?

Make Ties!

First, download and print the pattern.

Materials Needed:
outer fabric - 1/2 yard printed woven fabric.  quilting cottons and home decor fabrics work well.
lining fabric - 1/2 yard solid woven fabric.  quilting cotton works well here. lightweight is best.
interfacing - 1/3 yard lightweight interfacing. you don’t need this if you are using a heavy outer fabric.

Pattern Pieces:
Seam allowance is NOT included in the pattern. I recommend you add about 3/8” seam allowance. Feel free to add more or less. {tip: This is a good place to make the tie wider or narrower. for example, you could add a 5/8” seam allowance and sew with a 1/4” allowance.}
#1 - narrow part of tie
cut 1 of main fabric
cut 1 of interfacing (optional)
cut 1 of lining
#2 - wide pard of tie
cut 1 of main fabric
cut 1 of interfacing (optional)
cut 1 of lining

Instructions
Cutting:
Make sure to add seam allowance.
* Cut both pieces from outer and lining fabrics. {note: The “straight of grain” is on the diagonal so the pattern of the fabric will run diagonal, or on the bias. Really, you don’t have to do this, it just helps the fabric curve easier.}

Sewing:
* Iron the interfacing to the wrong side of the outer pieces. {note: This is optional. If you are using a heaver outer fabric (i.e. home decor) you don’t need interfacing. Just follow the manufacturer’s instructions on this.}

* Stitch lining pieces together, and outer pieces together, at the center joint seam, right sides facing. {tip: overlap the points by by your seam allowance.}

* Next, pin the lining to the outer fabric, right sides together, and sew around the entire tie ... that’s right, the entire tie ... trust me!

A note about perfection: Get over it! It will all work out in the end. Here are some "mistakes" I made -

my seam allowances weren't cut perfectly...oh well, once you stitch and trim your seams it won't matter!

also, I sewed the seam folded down...again, it won't matter when the tie is turned inside out.

Basically what I'm trying to say is its okay if this isn't perfect. Its not a wedding dress, its a little boy's tie.

* Clip corners. {tip:If you used a larger seam allowance you may also need to trim your seam allowance a bit. It should be about 1/4”-3/8” wide.}

* Now the tricky part. Cut a small slit in the lining fabric running the length of the tie...make this a few inches long. This is how we will turn the tie out. Don’t worry we won’t see this at all!

* Turn the tie out, poke out the corners, and press the seams.

* While you are at the iron, press the sides of the tie toward the center back. I like to use steam for this to make it a really crisp fold. (watch your fingers!)

* Use a few hand stitches to tack the two sides together...or...use fusible webbing and don’t bother with the hand sewing! {note: if you need some help, check out my hidden hand stitches tutorial}

Now admire your handy work...track down your young man and tie one on him.

How dashing!

♥ Julliana