Showing posts with label #diy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #diy. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Recycled Denim Jean Bag


It's not hoarding if you keep something you don't use any more and repurpose it for better use.

Cleaning out clothing gets a second look.
I adore jean bags when I see them and swore I'd make one some day.
This little skirt is never going to be worn by me again, so it was the perfect opportunity to turn it into a bag.


To make a bottom, I snagged this big suede coat from my fabric scrap bag ... well, what's left of the coat! You may remember I used the back of it to upholster "The Gentleman Chair".


Not much is needed to sew a bottom on the skirt, so I cut off one arm and both semi belts from the cuffs. Super awesome that I used them with very little sewing! Ready made button holes!


I cut off just enough from the sleeve to make a wide bottom.


After pinning the suede onto the inside it was sewn on from the outside.


I sewed along the skirts original stitching lines.


Then after choosing a couple of buttons from my stash, I sewed the cuff belts on the skirt to go over the pockets.


And sewed on the buttons. This helps keep the contents of the pockets secured ... such as a cell phone.


Then I added a leather belt through the loops.


And cinched the waist for closing the bag. 


 The belt became an over the shoulder handle.




To open the bag, a simple pull of the waist to the extent of the belt lets things drop in easily.


I finally have a denim bag. And it's completely recycled!



Do you have any novelty bags like this?
This is my first!







Thursday, February 26, 2015

34 Pond Ideas and Inspirations



When Liz contacted me from Hometalk and asked if I would curate a board based on my backyard pond, I jumped at the opportunity. 

It's been such a long, cold winter and I can't wait to get outdoors in the Spring to work on my pond. Right now is a great time to look through Hometalk ideas to prepare for the fun summer months. 

I created this water feature and have changed it a few times since I originally built it. It's 10 feet wide at the front and narrows to the falls in the back. It's one foot deep around the edges and deepens to 2 feet in the center. I like the triangular shape of it and made it to join the patio. 



Here is the first year I completed it... or so I thought it was finished.

Most will tell you after constructing a water feature, they will change it until they are satisfied. Guilty of that, I am! 

(I am having trouble finding photos for a full view. I lost many on a broken laptop so you must look behind me here.) I had some super nice ones, even a blue heron visiting and eating my fish!


After redoing it, I decided to remove the plastic waterfalls... 


and make concrete and stone falls instead.


It's a very enjoyable back yard feature. Adding fish and watching nature surround it always captivates me. 

I'm currently considering a splash water pond in another area of the back yard. While doing so, I'm searching for ideas and compiled some on Hometalk. There is so much inspiration, that I'm tempted to do a few of them. The reality is I'll do only one more. So I'll choose my favorite parts and combine them to make my own.


Love this swimming pond! So reading through the post will aid my plans. 


The falls from this feature is beautifully done. A must do! 


Imagine combining both of those? Yes; that's what I'm thinking! 



My new pond ideas are coming from those posted at Hometalk. It's the largest social network geared specifically to home and garden topics - a great resource when you're searching for inspiration or seeking answers on how to tackle a project around your home. I have learned SO MUCH while searching the site for tips and tricks. 

If you're considering a water feature project, take a peek at my compiled board of inspiration (here). It's quite enticing with 34 wonderful projects! 

Hope you enjoy the views and let me know if you are doing one... or two! 








Monday, February 23, 2015

2015 Country Chic Paint Blogger Squad



I'm so excited  to announce that I've been selected to be among the 2015 Country Chic Paint Blogger Squad! 


Country Chic Paint is a chalk and mineral based paint that is specifically designed for DIYers with a love for refinishing furniture and home decor.



Here’s what make it so special:

  • No VOCs – no harmful solvents
  • Little to no prep
  • Easy to use
  • Dries super quickly
  • Pretty much odorless
  • Easy to distress
  • Available in any color  and custom colors 




Throughout the year Country Chic will provide the Squad with paint and supplies in exchange for reviews of their product. The sky is the limit with projects and creativity! We are all so happy to try it out and share what we learn along the way. Maybe even inspire YOU to be creative!




Don't think you can paint? Do you want to paint and don't know where to start? Guess what, there are fabulous tutorials available! To learn more about how to use Country Chic Paint simply  click here to sign up. The six part video tutorial is essentially a FREE paint workshop; it’s easy to follow and delivered to your inbox in six separate emails.  At the end you’ll get an offer for $10 off your first purchase.





The paints and products are so easy to use. Support is available. And as part of the Blogger Squad, we will be providing a whole lot of inspirational ideas along the way. 

As I'm working on a project this week, take a peek at what is being posted at the Inspiration page already! 










Soooo exciting; isn't it?! I hope you follow along with us and share your painted creations! Stay tuned for more! 















Saturday, January 10, 2015

Friday Five: Fabulous Furniture Features No. 13





Welcome to




This is where I share my five favorites that I scouted out during the week. 

Ready for some 

oh my's and wow's? 


  
In no particular order because they are each,  just too splendid,  please enjoy these fabulous works. 






Ornate Side Table

by Debra at




Stunning. 

I really LOVE how the badly veneered top became an interesting beauty on this very ornate table. Between the work of the original underwood on the top and those interesting carvings, it screams beautiful texture. Debra did a splendid job turning a sad piece into this amazing state... of which... I want! Such a stunning table. You can see her entire post at A French Touch.






HAND PAINTED & DISTRESSED COUNTRY FRENCH CABINET WITH BIRD & NEST ARTWORK

by Lynda at



Masterpiece.

It's one thing to paint furniture but another to add art to it. Lynda turned this antique hutch and buffet into a French Country masterpiece. The bird and nest on the doors are now proudly the main subject! Lynda does a lot of artwork with her pieces that you can see at Lynda Bergman, Decorative Artisan. 









2nddoorontheright

Home Decor
on Facebook


(GASP!) Wow! I started to feature the table below, but when I saw this...it became a bonus feature! Beefy, curvy, gorgeous, and just boldly beautiful! I have never seen such drama on a chest of drawers before. The overall shape reminds me of a heart. 

Unbelievable. 

Look at the work on the table top. Added to the gorgeous ornate base, it became a beautiful marriage. When I saw this in my Facebook feed, I chased it down to get the details from 2nd Door On the Right.  That is when I saw so many jaw dropping pieces of work. You may want to check them out and follow on Facebook. You'll be pleasantly surprised at the work posted. 








SHADES OF GRAY, PART 1: THE CAST-OFF CHAIR

by Stacy and Eric at 


Perfection. 

Shades of gray never looked better. I can't believe how perfect the fabric is for this stunning chair. I don't know what I like best the backrest or the legs on the chair! Painted and reupholstered without overlooking any details, Stacy offers great tips of how it's done posted at Anastasia Vintage. The husband and wife team have a lot of beautiful work! 





Salem Red Empire

by Helen at



Timeless. 

I love empires. This one truly stands out. The colors of this work turned out quite nicely. The heavy distressing makes it a rustic, but classic, beauty. Helen describes what she did and how at Picked and Painted.  









grab button for Redo It Yourself Inspirations





I'm truly inspired by these fabulous pieces of furniture.





I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. 

If you pin your favorites, make sure you do so from the creator's post, so they can appreciate you in return.  :)