Old Project Revisited

I was recently at a craft bazaar and saw a vendor set up with homemade ribbon boards. This got me thinking about the ribbon board I made, last year. They're wonderful for holding photos and momentos. Mine was especially great in the dorm for holding photos from home since I didn't have the space for traditional photo frames. It has survived a year at the dorm and has moved with me twice since then. With that said, I thought you may be burning with excitement to know how to make one of these handy things. (I know, not really..haha.)

Materials:

• Hot glue gun/Glue sticks
• Stapler/Staples
• Gel Super Glue (IMPORTANT! The gel kind is best for this.)
• Ribbon
• Bottle caps, buttons, etc.
• Fabric
• Foam display board
• Paper fasteners (The little brass things found in an office supply store.

Instructions:

• Cover your board in fabric. I hot glued it down, then stapled it for added support. Be sure not to staple too hard and crush the board.
• Place a length of ribbon diagonally from corner to corner. Glue then staple to the back.
• Repeat the process by spacing the ribbons parallel to the first one, about 4in. apart.
• Do the same thing in the opposite direction, placing another length of ribbon from the other corner to corner.
• Once the board is all criss-crossed, you can leave it like that, or you can add something to the intersections. Personally, I think it helps to keep your momentos in place on the board to have buttons.
• To make the buttons, glue a paper fastener to the back of your button or bottle cap with the gel super glue. Do not use hot glue for this step, because it will not hold in the long run.
• Leave the buttons peg side up to dry for a while.
• One they are dry, poke small holes in the intersections of the ribbon using a small nail or scissors. If you poke all the way through the ribbon, make sure not to cut it in half. If the ribbon is too thick or tough, just move the ribbon over a tiny bit and poke through the fabric. Once the button is over it, you won't be able to tell it isn't directly on top of the intersection. 
• Fasten the fasteners on the back. You can also glue them down if you wish to make them sturdier. I didn't need to.
• Now you have it! You're done! :) 

With that said, I have to get back to frantically searching for last-minute Christmas gifts. Bye!

Is it really winter?

So today was a pretty, sunny, lukewarm winter day. I thought it would be perfect for sitting on the porch and sewing; listening to music and taking in the sun.

I finally finished my car sprucing with a pair of seatbelt covers for the back seat.

Once again, the thought of taking step by step photos escaped me, but I think the process is pretty self-explanatory.

• First, you'll need some felt. Get a couple of sheets, white is fine... and it's usually less than a dollar. Easy.
• The next step is to measure and cut the felt so that it will wrap around the seatbelt, folded like a brochure. This will help you measure and cut your fabric.
• Use the felt to cut out the fabric squares for the cover. I used two different fabrics so that it will be reversible, but you can use one pattern if you like. You could even do the inside fold with a solid and the outside with a pattern. Whatever floats your tater. Do not cut it the same size as the felt, leave about 1/2'' on every side.
• Sew the sides together, with the good side of the fabric facing inward. Sew it around 3 1/2 sides, leaving a slit to insert your felt.
• Turn it inside out, and place your felt flat inside. It should not be lumpy. Sew the slit closed like you would a pillow.
• After this, I placed a seam around the perimeter to secure the felt inside.
• Lastly, place some velcro on it. Tada.

For your enjoyment, I found him in my sewing basket. Can you say, aww! =^.^=

Blanche.

Blanche is the name of my white Ford Taurus. (Yes, in Appalachia... it is common practice to name your car.)

My lack of permanent residence and my overwhelming desire to decorate everything I own led me to gussy up 'ol Blanche.

Although I don't have step by step photos of my projects, the tutorial I used can be found here.

For starters, I took a necklace that was gifted to me several years ago from Claire's, and I added a tulle bow. I just tied small 4'' strips of tulle to the necklace and played with it until I liked the way it looked. Simple!

Now for my pièce de résistance: the steering wheel cover. I used the tutorial mentioned above, but adapted it to my liking. My improvements included making the cover reversible. (Black with pink dots.) I also shortened the width so that I could still grip the steering wheel. 

Blanche's next project? Reversible seat belt covers! 

Stay tuned, it's coming soon!

P.S.Yes, this was Pinterest-driven. :)

Bah, humbug.

I went to my dad's house to help decorate for Christmas. My stepmother is one of those people that goes all out for the occasion.

...after 3 hours, this is all we had to show for our dedication:

We still have to conquer the Christmas Village and all of outside... Ugh..

It's safe to say I've not been getting into the spirit if things.

Pinterest Rehab?

I think every woman between the ages of 12 and 60 have at least heard of Pinterest. It is beyond my understanding how something so simple can be so addicting, but it's true... I am...undeniably...addicted to Pinterest.

When I feel like shutting out the rest of the world, I log off Facebook and turn to Pinterest.

What's my point in mentioning this (besides my dire need for a Pintervention)?

I won't turn out like these wayside pinners with their multitude of crafts that will never be attempted.

I plan on attempting them. Conquering them. POSTING them.

...

Soon.

I'm very bad.

So for the last three weeks or so, I have been in a funk. Funk is an understatement... I have refused to leave the house entirely...

In an attempt to vent, I blew the dust off this old blog and decided to make something for myself. More personal than Facebook, and wordier than Pinterest--my two most favorite creative outlets thus far. 

Only time will tell if I stick with this or not. I would love to perhaps even venture into sharing my DIY and sewing projects, if I ever gain enough ambition to get out of bed.

Who knows...