2.19.2015

Modern String Art


This is totally a 4th grade project.  AND, it looks fabulous on my wall.  String art.  Not only does it add color, but it ads texture, which adds interest.  You could do a heart, a letter, a bird, a tree...whatever your little heart desires.

Materials needed:

- Hammer
- String (usually found in the yarn section at your local crafty store, or perhaps on your hubby's workbench:)
- Wooden plank, etc.  I got mine at Hobby Lobby, in the unfinished wood section.
- Paint (optional) You can paint your wood thing or decoupage, etc.
- Nails.  I use 1" finishing nails
- Paper template
- Tape
- About 1 hour of time without kids, but you can add wine or beer.

Nails and String and Template
















































1.  If you want to paint or decoupage your wood plank, now
would be the time.  Please allow enough time to dry well.  Before painting, look on the back to make sure there's a way to hang the finished project.  If not, you'll have to make that happen.  Now...paint.

2.  Cut out a template.  I chose a heart as this was going on my living room wall as a part of my new gallery wall.  Using a scrap piece of paper, trace and cut out object.  It has to be an object that without definition, will still look like that object.  A letter is perfect, or a shape.  Something like an airplane might not work so well as it needs more definition to not look like a blob.  I

3.  Center the template on your wood and secure with tape (under template).  It's okay if you don't want to measure. I didn't.

4.  Hammer nails into wood surrounding template.  They don't need to be in super far, just stable.

5.  Take your string and tie one end on a nail, leaving about 5" of tail for tying off later.

6.  This is where the fun begins!  You can take your template off now.  Start by making an outline 2 times around the perimeter of the object.  Each time you come to a nail, wrap the string around it and go to the next.  It is VERY important that the outline is done a special way.  When moving from one nail to the next, always wrap the nail in a clockwise motion.  This forms a very neat line.  Keep your string taught as you wrap the entire time.

7.  Now you can move onto randomly wrapping the nails.  Sometimes I wrap twice on each nail.  Move around and fill up your space!  Occasionally, you'll have to push some of the string down the nails so you have room to keep wrapping.

8.  How do you know when to stop?  You stop when you like how it looks.  It's all up to you.  Finish up by tying it off at the starting point.  Done!!!  Sit back and admire your craftiness!!



There are lots of ways you can make this your own with colors and design.  Have fun!!

~Jayna

2.18.2015

Peaches & Butterflies



You can't get too far into a boutique these days without the soothing images of corals, peaches, mint and aqua.  I have personally fallen head over heels for the combo.  Adding metallic gold to the mix is like adding a cherry to an already gorgeous sundae.

This is the Winged Collection from Art Gallery Fabrics.  Fabric designer Bonnie Christine includes this collection in her stunningly vast array of fabric creations.  I'm not quite sure how a pastel can be bright and soothing at the same time, but she's done it here.


Thank you to my wonderful customer who sent me a few pictures of her bedding made with these gorgeous fabrics.  Bedding made by RockyTop Design.  Custom made children's bedding and other home decor pieces.

Flutter away, butterfly!

-Jayna

2.17.2015

Coffee Table turned TV Stand


I haven't painted many pieces of furniture, but I'm always so pleased with the results.  We bought a new TV and therefore, needed a new TV stand.  I couldn't bring myself to buy something new, so I went in search of something that would work from Craigslist.  Found it.  Gorgeous and in perfect condition, this coffee table was to be the new TV stand.

Fresh off of Craigslist

I started with spray primer.  After doing some research, I decided to use the Kilz brand spray primer.  I did a bit of light sanding first, then I wiped clean with water.  After drying, I used the spray primer on it, until it was almost white.

Primer added



After drying overnight, the next morning I bought an antique white spray paint.  I almost used a roller and paint, but I just didn't have it in me to get all of that out.  Rustoleum was the winning brand here. Nice, light, even sweeps when spraying.  I put some fans on it and let it dry for another 5 hours before I went over it with a 2nd coat of the antique white color.  Paint takes longer to dry when it's cold.  After the second coat, I allowed it to dry overnight.

The top of the TV stand is where I was torn.  I thought about painting the whole thing antique white and then distressing.  I also thought about using a bright turquoise for the top.  I had that spray paint already but I couldn't figure out how to cover the rest of the table well enough to use spray paint on the top only.  I seriously didn't have time to waste on that.  I finally reached into my extensive collection of paint in a can and found the perfect shade of light, celery green.

I used a brush and it worked great.  I had my mind set on distressing after drying, but I just loved the look of the table without it.  I'm not into the whole 'shabby chic' look anyway, so I went for the 'brand new' look.  Hot damn.  This table turned out gorgeous.

Paint Finished!

I always like to finish up with a thin coat of Polycrylic.  You can get that in the wood stain section in the hardware store.  It adds a bit of sheen, but mostly just protects it from fingerprints and scuffs, etc.

I finished it off with a new gallery wall.  I scored gray/silver baskets at TJ Maxx.  Love it.



My advice, don't be afraid of trying this.  Always make sure to let the paint dry well in between coats and keep away from flying dust, etc.  You've got this!!


-Jayna

2.16.2015

Metallic Pillows

I just had to quickly share these wonderful coral, aqua and metallic gold pillows I found the other day. Target. That's right, I found them at Target.

 Loving these geometric shapes and soft metal prints. Anyway, thought I would share. Soon to be on sale, I'm sure:)

Have a great day!
Jayna


Valentine Ring Bling


Every year, my quest is to find a Valentine project that is simple and affordable.  I have 3 children in school now, so even a simple Valentine adds up when multiplied by 75! Enter, the chocolate ring bling.  Simple and very affordable. Perfect for our busy household.

Supplies:

Bag of Hershey Kisses (one kiss per Valentine)
Bag of Red pipe cleaners (one pipe cleaner per Valentine)
String or yarn of some kind
Tags (I purchased pre-cut tags in the scrapbook section, but you can cut your own)
Pen (I used a pretty paint pen that I already owned)




  1. Take out one pipe cleaner and cross the two ends, as shown below. Give one or two twists.
  2. Place the Kiss flat side down on top of the twisted part.

3.  This is where I pic up both pieces and make sure the crossed part of the pipe cleaner is centered on the kiss.  Now bring all 4 pieces up and holding securely at the tip of the Kiss, twist.  I do this a few times and then wind around the sharp ends that remain.  Try to get those hidden as they can be sharp.  Put the ring on your finger to shape.  If it needs to be smaller, a few more twists will work.

4.  I purchased a stamp for the tags, but you don’t have to, or can add a sticker or some other prettiness.  Then, tie the tag onto the ring, fill out the To and From and you’re done!


After you've tied some string onto the tag and then onto the ring, special care should be given to these so they don’t tangle.


Great for teachers and children alike.  Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Jayna

11.05.2013

Climbing Trees and Firefly Dreams

As grand as these mountains are outside my kitchen window with their snow capped tops, they small in comparison to the vast openness of the prairies of Illinois.  I grew up in the midwest and to me, that is beauty.  The gently blowing breeze over-top the grain filled fields holds a gentle picture in my mind that I suspect, always will. 

I have come to discover that the place you call home...truly home...will always be the most beautiful.  Maybe the dirty, city streets for the city born aren't the fondest to remember, but I would bet that the towering architecture and buzzing streets hold a corner of your heart.  My husband was born here in Colorado, so the Rocky Mountains are something he continues to love and cherish every single day.  While I am in complete amazement of these hills of strong granite, somehow the prairies, wandering creeks and fireflies of the midwest make me feel at peace and at home.



I came upon Sarah Jane's new fabric line today and not only is it gorgeous, but it reminds me of home.  Wee Wander from Michael Miller is a great representation of what life is like through the eyes of a child in the Midwest.  Fireflies, climbing trees, leaves and pinecones, frolicking birds and ponies are some of the memories featured in these fabrics. In Illinois,we didn't have too many ponies, just cows.  I don't suppose cows playing in the fields and flowers would have made such a pretty print;)



While these fabrics won't be showing up my shop until January, I couldn't wait another minute to introduce them to you.

Meanwhile, take a moment to remember your childhood days.  For me, my fondest memories are playing in the creek with my brother, Eric or playing catch in the front yard.  Catching fireflies in the dark, warm nights is an amazing experience that every child should have.  If you can't have that, you can at least get an idea of what that might be like.



 Fly home, firefly.

-Jayna

8.27.2013

Designer Spotlight: Jackie McFee

It would normally be my intention to interview said designer, but with my shop in full swing, I just don't have time for that.  However, I came across a fabric designer today and I just LOVE everything she has!  I'm not sure if it's the color I love more or her design. Her fabric designs are currently being printed by Camelot Fabrics.  It's no secret to my friends that I'm a chevron addict. I don't think there's a room in my home that doesn't have chevron in some form. 

Jackie feeds right into this addiction and temps me with additional wonders like large dots, anchors and stripes.  I know from experience that these designs will be wildly popular with my moms-to-be when ordering their custom crib bedding.  Here are some of my favorites that I uploaded today:
Kabloom
In the Navy

KaBloom
I love how the colors react with one another and seem to be the perfect combination of contrast but with a similar feel as if they just belong together.  The stripes, the dots...they are just fabulous.  Jacqueline has a great website that features her retail bedding designs and home office supplies.  You can read about her successes on her website.   Great job, Jackie!

 


3.11.2013

Find Your Color

It's been a while since I've been to Lowes Home Improvement Store and I was so colorfully delighted by the display of Pantone Paints that I almost bought them all!


What gorgeous colors they have chosen...49 to be exact.  Pantone says that the "MyColor inspired by Pantone offers designers and do-it-yourselfers an affordable, easy-to-use solution for adding a splash of color to any paint project including furniture and accent walls. Offered in a 35 oz. size, this ready-to-go, ultra low VOC paint is odor free and provides an elegant, eggshell finish that is both durable and washable. Premixed, factory-precision color ensures an exact match every time while unique stain-blocking and self-priming qualities save time and reduce workload."



What a great idea.  Just open and paint.  Sometimes I find it so difficult to choose the color of paint that I just give up and go home empty handed.  So, if you have a dresser or table that could use a pop of color, why not take a look at these and pick one out for yourself.  Don't have a Lowe's local?  No worries, you can order them online.

Here is a great inspiration post by Houzz with some gorgeous dressers for your liking.

Happy painting!
Jayna

3.10.2013

Out to Sea

Last fall XO Gigi sent me some fabric from Sarah Jane's newest line, Out to Sea, which is manufactured by Michael Miller Fabrics.  Gorgeous!!


These fabrics are not only printed on a high quality quilting cotton, but the colors, the illustrations...they are just so beautiful.  I pondered for so long what I wanted to make with these fabrics and knew that I wanted it to be something that I could look at every day and really enjoy the fabrics the way they are meant to be enjoyed.

I have mentioned before that I previously wasn't the biggest fan of table runners, but they have really grown on me.  I decided to do a strip-style so I could use bigger pieces of the fabric...making sure that the whole pattern was visable. 



Backed with a white matelasse, this piece turned out gorgeous.  I put it in my sewing room and that has turned out to be the most perfect place to enjoy it.  I hope you are inspired to create something new today!



Jayna

I love Poms

I just had to share a picture of this gorgeous pom trim that came in a few days ago.  It's Riley Blake's Jumbo Pom trim in Lime.


I was scared that it would be really bright...which is not what I was wanting.  In true Riley Blake fashion, it is the perfect shade of lime, which isn't too bright but not too dark, either.

This trim will go perfectly on my drapes I have planned for my office.  Hopefully I'll get those up this Spring.

Happy Sewing!
Jayna