Sewing Jar

I’ve been seeing these little jars all over blogland and while sewing last night I decided to make one. Found some scrap fabric, stuffing, glue gun and scissors. Here’s how I did it in pictures. (If you have any specific questions just let me know.) It was super easy and I already love the new addition to my lil craft room.

Fill it with button and some thread, stick a few needles in the top and viola! You have a new sewing jar that is portable nonetheless! The best part is that you can customize it to match your space. Now get cracking and make a jar for yourself!

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Today's Creative Blog
Lil Luna

Fabric: Kalah Blue

Ever since I first saw Kirsten Krason's living room with this fabulous fabric, I kinda became its stalker. It's beautiful! My plan is to eventually have a couple panels either in my room or the family room. Who knows, maybe BOTH! Here are a few other places I've seen this beauty show up. Enjoy! 

 via

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LOVE! Here's to hopin I can get mine!

Porch Swing Progress

 Remember this post? Well we fixed the height of the swing almost immediately and I spend so much time out there. My littles love to play outside with the neighbors and I have a place to sit and watch. I added a splash with this pillow. I tackled 2 new sewing adventures in the process; piping and a zipper! When I left the pillow out, the Hubs asked where I bought it, which means I did a good job! I am so excited about it.

I got the fabric from Joann's with my 40% off coupon so it was only $11/yd! Wowza! I had been eyeing this fabric online, but just couldn't pull the trigger. Once I saw it in Joann's I bought the rest of the bolt. I decided to recover my dining chairs in the same fabric. (That reveal will come later when I finally finish refinishing my chairs.)

I still have a few things in mind to keep my swing company, like this from Urban Outfitters.

And perhaps a little table like this from Overstock.

I can't wait until I have more to show!

The Creative Spark

LilLuna

Ikat

Floating around in Design world are some incredible fabrics, patters, colors and textures, but I think my favorite by far is Ikat. You can get it in a variety of colors and it works for just about anything; 

drapes, pillows, bedding, cushions and even dresses and skirts. 

Here are a few that stood out to me and might even be making an appearance somewhere in my house. (stay tuned)

Coral has been dubbed the "IT" color for Summer 2011. Not sure by whom, but it's everywhere and I'm so glad it is because I love it! And even better is a coral Ikat courtesy of Decorative Fabrics Direct.

A timeless blue and tan could easily makes itself comfy in many styles and found on Amazon no less! Love it! 

Normally I hate traditional Southwest style anything, but this is beautiful to me. Also at DFD.

The colors of this Ikat could go in any room, but I'd prefer it in my Living Room to add some Zest! I love love love the colors of this fabric from Amazon.

This is a match to the coral, but shows that Ikat can be calm and serene as well. 

Last but not least is this gorge Blue and White Ikat. A color scheme that is also very "Big" this year. I seem to be seeing it all over the place.

That's Ikat in a nutshell looking up from 

Under my Mulberry Tree.

Back-Alley Hack Job T

I didn't wait long until I decided to try my hand at altering my red and white stripe T that I scored at Old Navy. Here's an almost step by step Tutorial of how I did it. I couldn't find my regular camera so I just used my cell. Sorry for the poor quality of pictures.

I started by laying the shirt out on my cardboard cutting thing. Make sure it is completely flat. No wrinkles, front or back.

This white T is one that I know fits, so I used it as a template. (totally a "back-alley hack job" approach but it was all I could think of) I traced around the white T leaving about 1/4" in either side for sewing room. Then I simply cut it out. Just up the sides and made sure the top of the side still met the arm in the corner So that I didn't have to stitch the arm hole as well.

Next, I folded the T in half to make sure both sides had the same silhouette. Then I pinned each side and sewed along the edge. Because I don't have a serger (which I know I desperately need) I simply ran a straight stitch twice in an attempt to strengthen the seam. (I'll let you know if it falls apart later)

I'm not sure why I did this next part, but I started it so I decided to finish it. I had removed the bottom hem because the shirt was way too long, as you can see in the picture with the 2 shirts layered on top of each other. Then I decided that I wanted it back on there because their hem would be way better than mine. I pinned this upside down on the outside of the shirt and sewed it back on, flipped it down so that the seam wasn't visible and ironed the hem in place. 

 The shirt was now the right length for what I wanted and the right width. 

I added a yellow scarf for color and this is what I have.

Not too shabby if you ask me. I hope that made sense in some universe. Good luck with your sewing adventures!

That's how you alter a $4.97 t shirt from where I sit,

Under My Mulberry Tree

Boys' Room Inspiration Part II

Ok. So When I posted about the boys' bedding, I hadn't found this bedding yet. I love it and even though it's not necessarily "teen worthy" 

it's perfect! 

It's the "Monsters" bed collection at Garnet Hill. A store I only recently discovered and love! It would be one of the splurges for the room especially because I would need 2, but I love it and I think my boys would love it too! I would just need to coordinate the accessory colors with this ravishing teal rather than the navy from the other bedding. Well check out Garnet Hill and have a great weekend.

That's my new view from 

Under My Mulberry Tree

Throw Pillows

In Feb, the hubs and I bought new couches. I absolutely love them, but they needed something else. . . PILLOWS of course! I already had some but plain tan doesn't fly around here anymore. I had been eying some fabric at Calico Corners and decided that it would make beautiful throw pillows for my new couches. I ordered a yard and when i got it, it seemed like so much less than a yard normally does. luckily I had some left over fabric from when I reupholstered my dining chairs and it's the perfect color for the BACK of my new pillows. This way I ended up with 3 pillows instead of 2. GENIUS MOMENT!

Here's the fabric that I found. I love the colors and the pattern is so feminine, yet masculine all at the same time.  

Pillow Before

Here's how my little project ended. I love how they look and I think they add just the touch when I look from

Under My Mulberry Tree.