Treating Our Windows

If you read my post about our DIY pallet headboard, you know that curtains are becoming an issue in our house, haha. Well, just prior to making the headboard, we got some new window treatments for our dining/living room. Correction: I bought 3 different sets of curtains/panels for our living room, because they were all on sale for just a few more hours, and I didn't want to miss out on the price, but knew I would Kit would want to see options before making a decision. Don't worry, I returned the other two... mostly

So here is what we ended up with: 

They're Bamboo Panels from Pier One. The rods are from Lowes.

These are the curtains I wanted (dead serious). Also, from Pier 1. Kit nixed them immediately. I knew he would. 

Here's a secret: I only returned 3 of the 4 panels I bought of this orange goodness. I kept one panel for myself... just cause. 

I know the ones we settled on look great, are very adult, and will go with most decor. More importantly, they slide easily and keep the right amount of light in and out of the house. 

Here's the curtains we had prior (on the right of the photo). I thought they were super cute, but we couldn't slide them open or closed. Most of the time they ended up thrown over the rod. Pardon the crazy photo of Ivy in my character shoes. I couldn't find any other photo of the curtains!

We chose to mount the curtains higher than the window (as is the decor trend right now) because they make the windows/room look bigger. We're super happy with this purchase. This is one project where my husband said, "You should probably blog about this." I love him.

Aloha, 

Rebecca

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This table... when will it be done?!!

 I'm desperately trying to finish the Kids Pottery Barn table and chairs...

I want it to be adorable and cute and FINISHED.

My original posts about this adorable set... (yes, posts is plural, because it's taking me forever!) are here and here.

Yesterday I worked on it. I'm proud to say that everything has a coat of paint on it. One coat. Two of the four chairs are completely FINISHED. 

But first, I had to do this to the table:

Thanks mom for lending me your garage sale find: liquid sandpaper.

I kept Ivy busy with a little bit of orange and purple paint, a box, and a paintbrush... well, the dog bowl ended up orange. Her slippers ended up purple. I asked her to look and smile for a photo, but she was too concentrated on her painting. 

Hopefully this never-ending (but enjoyable!!) project will be done by the end of the month so I can finally post my "after" at Shine Your Light blog's before and after party!

Aloha, Becca

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New Project for a New Baby Boy

Haven't had much time to blog. I work for a Performing Arts organization and the dance department's year-end recital is at the beginning of May. Less than a month away, so I have been spending a lot of time prepping for that. But, Monday is my day off and today I decided to really take the day off, and do a project. 

A friend had a baby recently and I wanted to make my signature bunting. Also, I have been dying to try this tutorial for a Fabric Bucket from here. So I got out my adorable Squirrel Fabric, and every piece of coordinating fabric I own, and made this:

I used these fabrics, but nixed the white at the last second. Too many solids.

Started with the triangular bunting...

Best tip ever: snip the corners!

End product:

These squirrels and birdies are just adorable. 

Those are the same aqua birdies from the pillow in this post.

 Can't go wrong with grey and white polka dots.

I don't love the black bias-tape on top, but I can't find aqua or grey bias tape anywhere! Orange would have looked good, but I doubt it would have been burnt sienna enough to match the acorns... so I had to settle for black. 

 And now for my new creation, the fabric bucket. 

The top can be folded down...

Or left up...

There's a great tutorial at http://inspiredbyfamilymag.com/2012/01/15/diy-fabric-bucket/ so I won't repeat the work they've already done...

I used felt instead of interfacing... I'm too cheap to get interfacing, plus I always forget to look for it at the store. 

Btw-- the bucket is sitting on one of the Kids Pottery Barn chairs I've been working on for forever. I've completed painting 2 out of 4 of them. See full post here.

I sewed a little X on the bottom to give it an extra element.

A look inside...

Stuff diapers, wipes, etc. in it. 

I can't get over the natural lighting that was coming in when I took these photos.

I haven't given it to the recipient yet, but I hope they like it! It was fun to do a new sewing project. It was pretty easy to follow the tutorial. I got some great new fabric today that matches Ivy's room: dark blue, light greens and pink and grey and white... and... and... just kidding. Anyway, I want to make one of these fabric buckets for her room. 

Check out my other bunting posts here and here and here.

Aloha, Becca

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