On the Cheap

I just love shopping.  It's called retail therapy and I'm addicted. Many times I stroll through the store looking, touching, wishing....but really have no desire to purchase unless it's something really, really special.  I've come across two of those items lately.  Two items that I simply could not go home without.

I often frequent stores like Marshall's, TJ Max and the like.  You know, designer items at bargain prices?  A new store opened up recently in Fort Collins called HomeGoods.  I'm sure you've heard of this one, too.  I know it mostly from that really happy guy on HGTV, David.  He does the cool paintings and redoes the whole room for a family.  Color something........

Anyhoo....I just love perusing these stores for my latest must-have.  Here they are:

Very current...chevron is outrageously popular right now and HomeGoods had burnt orange, lime green, grass green, brown, red.....I had to have the green.  Even better, when I got home I discovered that it matched my rug to perfection.

Number two was just purchased this last weekend at Marshalls.  Too adorable and only $4.99.  Really!!??  For under $5 I could have this adorable owl?  Did you notice that it matches my new chevron throw and the rug? 

I have learned that when you're decorating a home or a room to take your time.  You can't just go out to the store one day and buy everything you need.  These creative, decorative goodies must be acquired one at a time.  If you follow this strategy you'll end up with a room that is dressed with treasures, not just things that match.

Happy Decor!
Jayna

Not Yo Mama's Shelf Paper

What a lovely afternoon strolling with my mom through store after store when we ended up at Marshall's.  My day became even lovelier when I saw some gorgeous shelf paper that was a stunning shade of aqua blue and had a very uncanny resemblance to some Dena Design's fabric that I use in my Etsy shop.  Naturally, this made me very happy.  In case you don't know; I have a fabric addiction.

Of course, I had to buy it.  I hadn't used shelf paper in quite a few years and the last time I remember it was this hideous yellow and white gingham, which at the time was the prettiest at the store.  Maybe I'm just lagging behind in the shelf paper deptartment, but I don't remember seeing so many beautiful designs.  There was zebra print, lime and white damask, and amongst others was this gorgeous aqua.  I could hardly wait to get it home and in my drawers:)

My husband thinks I'm a big nerd when it comes to stuff like this, especially when I make him get up off the couch when reading his Sunday newspaper just to come look in my drawers.  He thought I was an even bigger nerd when I got out my camera to take photos.

Happy Superbowl Sunday!
Jayna

DIY - Fabric Headboard

This last fall I was looking for some design inspiration and found it with (surprise) fabric!  I scored a great price on some Waverly fabric at my local JoAnn store.  The fabric itself was 50% off and I had a coupon for another 20% off your purchase, so it was a steal!  I had been looking to do a headboard for quite some time and of course, wanted to do it myself, so here I went.

All you need is:

Fabric - Preferable home decor fabric and enough to wrap around the back side of the wood by 3" on each side
Staple Gun with staples
Scissors
One sheet of Plywood/OSB - Measure your bed and know what you need before heading to the store.
Batting
Spray Adhesive

I believe that Home Depot or Lowes will make straight cuts for you at the store for free, but please don't take my word for it. If you don't own a saw and the hardware store won't do it for you, make sure to ask that hottie neighbor of yours to cut it for you or head on down to the local firehouse, where there is sure to be a hot firefighter that would LOVE to get his saw for you and cut your wood.

I did a rectangle as that's what I was wanting for my space, but if you have skilled saw cutting abilities, you could do round or some other funky shape.  Just remember that you can't re-do a cut, so measure twice and mark your board well before cutting.

I do want to mention that if you are hanging this on your wall or standing this on stilts, etc...make sure to attach everything to the back of the board before you cover it in fabric.

I dusted off my board and cleared a big space in my living room.  Here are the steps one by one:

1.  Unroll the batting and lay it on your board ; smooth out the wrinkles.  Cut off excess, leaving about 3" extra on each side.

2.  Take the batting off and spray the adhesive onto the board.  Apply batting.  If your board is large, you might want to do this in half or quarter sections.

3.  Let the adhesive set for a minute or two and then flip your board to batting side down.

4.  Staple the batting every 9 inches or so to secure.  Pull taught, but not too much.

5.  Stand the board up and lean against a wall or table out of the way.  You may need help with this. If you haven't ironed your fabric yet, do so.  Please do not skip this step.  Lay the fabric right side down in the area that your board was just laying.  Take a look at the pattern and mentally note where you want the board to go.  Smooth out your fabric flat and get help laying the board, batting down on top of the fabric. Do this slowly as you don't want to shift your fabric. Feel free to give the fabric a little tug every 12" or so to make sure it's wrinkle free. 

6.  Be picky.  Be very picky about exactly how the board is laying on the fabric, where the pattern placement is, etc.  You don't get to re-do this part.

7.  Take your staple gun and securely staple each side in the middle.  Top center, bottom center, right center, left center.  Make sure you are pulling taught with each time you staple.  However, you don't want to pull so tight you mess up your pattern.  When stapling, fold under the raw edge of the fabric so it isn't showing.
 
8.  Move to the end of each side and fasten in the same way you did before.  Top, bottom, left, right.  The goal is to secure the identical spot on each adjacent side.  It's like tightening a drum head.  You just can't start in one spot and move around from there, you have to do it in a fashion that is evenly distributed. I have noted a little bit of what I'm talking about with numbers here:

9.  For the corners, fold those like tucking in the sheet corners on your bed.  Nice and neat folds, tucking under those raw edges.  You don't want a big wad of fabric at the corners, either, so trim away fabric as needed.

10.  Eventually you have stapled all around the headboard and should have a staple about every 3 inches or so.  Now you can pick up one side and see the wonderfulness!!!

I hope you had fun!  Play around with patterns and colors.  Be bold!  You can even drill little holes in the wood before this process and then add buttons after it is all done for a tufted look.  Feel free to add decorative brads or whatever else your creativity seeks.

Happy Crafting!
Jayna

Button Monogram

My goal is to start sharing with you my crafts that I do (on occasion) that you can do at home as well!

My first is the adorable button monogram. I chose to do it on a backing of scrap fabric, but you can use a pretty piece of scrapbook paper, construction paper or you can even do it on a piece of wood covered with fabric...the list goes on and on.

I went to the thrifty (aka the thrift store for those who have never called it the thrifty) and looked through their used frames. You'll find some great frames for super cheap and even less expensive are the frames with no glass. Perfect for this craft.

I started off with an inspiration from this blog.

Things you need/I used:

paper
printer
fabric
frame
buttons
hot glue gun/hot glue
pins



For the fabric background, pick a fabric that isn't too busy. Solids are great or something like I chose (eyelet) is great because it uses a solid color but it has a design element because of the texture. Something like matelasse or pique would do nicely.

I took a printout of a lowercase "e" sized nicely for an 8"x10" opening and pinned it underneath my fabric. If you are using fabric, make sure you are taking into account that you will need to overlap the fabric behind the frame backing. Because I was using a white fabric, the letter shown through nicely. If you can't see through your fabric, I would suggest cutting out the letter and tracing around it with a pencil or even a pen. For those using card stock or other paper, you can print your letter right on that.

Heat up those glue guns! I haven't talked about glue guns much before, but make sure you have a low-temp glue gun. Those high-temp guns will result in 2nd degree burns for sure--ouch!

I used a package of buttons that I bought at JoAnn Fabrics. Of course, you can use assorted buttons that you have collected over the years or were lucky enough to score at that last estate sale.

I started by taking the larger buttons and placing a small amount of glue on the back and placing them within the boundaries of your letter. It's important not to stray over the lines! Also, don't use too much glue as it will seep out from under your button creating unsightly glue bubbles that aren't easily removed. Don't worry about the glue spider webs, those are easily remedied at the end with a blow dryer;)

I should have taken pictures of this whole process, but I didn't. Thank goodness for my BFF, Sarah. We did the craft together and she took pics.

After you've staggered the larger buttons and filled up as much space as possible, you can start filling in the empty spaces with the smaller buttons. It's important to really try to not cross over the lines. I took some of the smallest buttons to see if I could squeeze them into the space on the first layer. Then, I started working with color and size to create 2-3 layers of buttons throughout the design. Just go with what you think looks good. As long as you're staying within the lines, you can't mess this up. Don't be afraid to use cute shapes like butterflies or airplanes. Go with your creative instinct!

You'll know you're done when you look at it and you smile. I unpinned the paper from underneath, and framed this gorgeous creation. It's going to go perfect in my little girls room.

Have fun!!

Cheers,
Jayna

Cutting Corners

I'm in my 7th month of pregnancy which it seams (haha) is much like my first trimester. Tired, painful and the lack of ability to sleep come 4 am. Such as it is, this is a very productive time in my day. I get up, answer Etsy convos that came to me late last night, look at new fabrics and veg. This morning I was perusing the Riley Blake Blog for new fabrics when I came across a post about Cutting Corners. It seems that I have stumbled upon yet another source for free quilt patterns. But alas after looking, they have a lot more than quilt patterns. So far I have discovered FREE tutorials on key fobs, children's clothes, a table runner, a zipper flower and so much more. These are some of the designs I already love!!

Even more, with this adorable girls dress (and other patterns), they actually have the pattern pieces there for you to print out. These tutorials are very detailed. The instructions and explanations of fabrics, cutting and technique are just what we all need. Sure, I'm a good seamstress, but there is a ton of room for improvement and better technique.

There's also a "Rotary Club" where they review useful sewing tools and that's where I discovered this little ditty, the Skip Stitch.

Just put on your rotary cutter and you can run this little bugger along the edge of fleece, flannel or other fabric to create slits for your over-edge finishing with crochet or knitting or whatever else your little heart desires. Talk about cutting corners. I can imagine there are several ladies out there using scissors or a knife for this very task. Here is a cute blanket I found on Etsy thanks to Heart2HeartStitchery with a gorgeous crocheted edge ....and it's made out of flannel Riley Blake fabric. How fantastic is that??

My mom makes these blankets for each of her grandchildren and I'd love to post a pic of one of those, but did I mention that it's 4 am and my children are nestled all snug in their beds?

Thankfully it's Sunday. I'm looking forward to taking a nap this afternoon while hubby reads his Sunday paper and looks after my precious daughters while I lay dreaming of wonderful new fabric and the many ways to use it. As always, thanks for reading:)

Nighty night.
~Jayna

Rockin Around the Christmas Tree!

Pre-Christmas Special!! All orders placed Monday (12/20) through Friday (12/24 at midnight) get 10% off of their purchase price! Use coupon code dec10 to redeem at checkout.

http://www.rockytopdesign.etsy.com/

Zoey's Nursery

Jessica wrote me this summer with some fabric ideas from Spoonflower. She picked out some of the most gorgeous fabrics from designer Heather Dutton and of course I was thrilled to use them. I had never ordered from Spoonflower before and the prints were stunning. I would love to say that I have figured out how to design my own fabric, but that will have to wait for another day.

The colors in these fabulous fabrics are a coral pinks, blues and greens amoung others. Stunning with her white crib, don't you think?


This is what Jessica had to say about her bedding:

"Jayna,
We are thrilled with the bedding and curtain order you made for us! Our daughter was born just a few days after everything was ready. We couldn't be happier!"

I really love the way she has put together this room. Makes me want to duplicate it! One of my favorite parts about this room is the changing table. She tells me that it is an IKEA bookcase and she simply changed the knobs out with new ones from Anthropologie. Love it! That gorgeous green lamp is from Home Goods (love this store), the rug from Cost Plus World Market and the frames are from various stores, spray painted white.




There's nothing more easy than taking a piece of fabric and inserting it into a frame or covering an inexpensive canvas, they make wonderful wall decor! I also adore the blue-gray color on the wall. It's very popular and so chic. Perfect for either gender.



Thanks to Jessica for her wonderful decorating taste and for the gorgeous pictures.

Happy Baby!
-Jayna

Goodbye, Timber

One of my favorite (new) lines comes from Jessica Levitt. I have recently acquired news that her gorgeous fabric line, Timber has sadly been discontinued. By far one of the most popular color palettes in my shop, I will especially miss the gorgeous colors and graphics.

I have written Ms. Levitt, hoping to hear back that Windham Fabrics has been mistaken and that it's still be produced.

We will see, but I'm guessing that the manufacturer gave me correct info...boo hoo.

The Sun is Always Shining Somewhere

Welcome Rain. Here in Colorado they say that it's sunny over 300 days of the year. I find this to be true. It's gorgeous. Occasionally though in this spring/summer month, I will find myself hibernating inside the entire weekend due to rain (namely this weekend). This is not common here, but it does happen.

On occasion my 4 year old will comment, "It sure is a beautiful day". Naturally, this makes me beam. To me, I've done my job. I strive constantly to ensure that my two young children appreciate all that this lovely planet has to offer; both visually and nutritionally;) We are so fortunate to gaze at these Rocky Mountains every day and I know this to be exceptionally true due to the fact that I grew up in Illinois (where there's barely a damn hill).

Yesterday, my toddler asked me, "Mommy, why are the clouds covering up the blue sky?" Someone other than myself answered her with a "because it's a miserable day". Usually my answer would be somewhat about the science of why clouds exist and why we should appreciate the rain because of the flowers and trees blah, blah, blah. The unsatisfied toddler just lowered her head as if disappointed, because she knew not of a miserable day.

It made me realize that our outlook on life is only measured in the way it is viewed. My 4 year old will look at a storm cloud and appreciate it, but only because I've taught her to do so. I'm fairly sure this is because my mom taught me to look the same way at a dreary day.

This may make you throw up in your mouth a bit, but seriously people, take what's around you and find the positive. Why make life crappy if you can change your attitude and be happy; find something enlightening about that cup of milk overturned on your kitchen floor. (btw, I haven't found something positive about that scenario yet, but will let you know when I do).

Take a look at that rain and realize that now you don't have to pull weeds all day or sweat your ass of washing your car. Spend time with your kids, letting them know just how lucky they are to be living in the city, or on the plains or next to those gorgeous mountains. After all, they only know what you teach them:)

Have a rockin' day

-Jayna

Pretty Bird!

I love the new fabrics coming out this year. Pretty Bird is Pillow and Maxfield's newest creation for Michael Miller and I absolutely adore. These fabrics resonate a passionate movement, bright with fresh designs and feelings.

3 different colorways are represented: Aqua, Blue and Spice (my personal fav).

Some of the more bold prints being "Pretty Bird", "Dancing Flowers" and "Twirling Tendrils". Of course, no line would be complete without coordinating stripes, which are present here.

Here are just 3 of the Pretty Bird prints in this lucsious collection. You can view the whole collection on Michael Miller's website.

Some of this season's hottest trends lend towards Aqua (of course) and blues. What I love about this collection is that it will be hotter than ever later this summer and into fall with it's Spicey side. The warm tones of red and golden amber are going to be perfect as the temps heat up.

For those aren't familar, Pillow and Maxfield have also created the Whimsy collection, which is already on backorder with manufacturers and getting harder to come by.

Happy Sewing!

-Jayna