DIY: Fabric Hoops

Please say hello to my new mantle. I spotted the idea of the fabric hoops from my friend Stefanie's pinterest {originally spotted on The Purl Bee} a while ago. I fell in love with the idea instantly, but didn't have time to put it into action until now.

Materials
To make one fabric hoop

• A square of fabric, at least 2" wider than your hoop in all directions. I used scrap fabrics along with fabric quarters you can purchase from Joann for $1.99 {they're on sale right now for .99 cents}
  
• A wooden embroidery hoop in any size {I got mine from Hobby Lobby and they were .79 cents - $1.99}
• Elmer's or fabric glue of any type
• Fabric scissor

• Place fabric in the hoop, pull taught
• I originally trim all the extra fabric, but after a couple of trials, I figured that it looks better if you leave a little bit of extra fabric. You can run a small line of glue around the inside hoop, just next to the fabric
• Press fabric into glue, all the way around
• Allow glue to dry
• Trim fabric to edge of hoop
  

I also used one of my old favorite t-shirt from To Write Love On Her Arms that I can no longer fit in.




I wanted to add some more personal touch with something special to the hubby and I. We used this phrase a lot {almost as much as I love you} around our house. I made this with some rick rack from Joann and fabric glue, but I didn't like the way it turn out at all, so I"ll probably experiment with some more ideas.







It is still a work in progress because I haven't found a frame for my grandma picture yet. I'm also on the hunt for some less generic fabric, so I'll post the final product at a later date.

Do you have or know of any online fabric resource {on the cheap, please}? I"m making a trip to Ikea this Sunday, so maybe I'll find some fun and a bit more eclectic fabrics there.

DIY: Shadow Box

I was cleaning out my husband's office closet today and found a few goodies including a small 5x7 white shadow box. I wanted an excuse to take a break from cleaning, so I put the shadow box to use right away.




The end result. I don't remember where I got the little poem from, but I had it written on my board of randomness. You might also be wondering why is there a random patch of polka dots under the word "I'll"...well I made a flub, but I didn't want to start over...so, yeah.




My favorite part was definitely the billy balls. Did you know that dried billy balls look the same as fresh one? These billy balls are 4 months old and they're still in awesome shape.




I think it added a cute touch to my side table...don't you?

How was your weekend? Did you do anything fun. I hope your Monday had been lovely so far. I spent most of today catching up on cleaning and laundry. I also spent a good part of my day rewatching season 1 of One Tree Hill {don't be judging}.

Help, give me something to sew.

I attempted my first reupholster project a while ago. It wasn't too complicated. I just stapled {with a staple gun} the new fabric over the old one.











Anypooh. I recently bought this little beauty ...



why hello miss Singer Brilliance. This was a pretty exciting purchase, because it took me about 7 months of saving up loose coins to finally take this little miss home.




I actually still have a lot of the fabric from the reupholster project left. I'm itching to start sewing. I know that I want to make some new throw pillow covers, but I'm not sure if I wanted to use those fabric or shop for new one. Would it be too matchy matchy? What do y'all think? Do you have any easy sewing project you would like to pass on {I would love you forever}?

Pretty diy painted glass vases

These pretty diy painted glass vases would be cute for a bridal shower {or a wedding too}.

Check out the tutorial on Project Wedding.

Cross Stitching

On my to do list for next weekend is learning how to cross stitch. Here is the tutorial on Martha Stewart's blog.

I think it'll be a fun project and a great way to personalize some gifts I have in mind for some of my friends getting married this year. Hopefully I'll be able to pick it up easily. Martha always make things look so easy, but that is not always the case.

Here are some fun patterns on Martha's blog.

The "Taking Notes" Skirt Tutorial

I can fall in love with this skirt for just the name alone. It's called a "Taking notes" skirt. Don't you just love that name?! {Or it is just me, because I'm a dork who loves taking note?}

What I love the most about this skirt though is the maker choice of pattern {you probably already guest that, didn't you}. Check out the tutorial for this skirt on Sewing In No Mans Land.

A Hanging Succulent Garden

I've accumulated some really fun succulent plants from all the Superbowl events Branching Out had last week. I"m thinking about making a hanging succulent garden like the one below.



Check out this cool diy hanging succulent garden by Skinny Laminx {spotted on Design Milk}. I am now on the hunt for some cute garden pots for all my succulent plants. I would love your suggestions on where to get some?

DIY Paper Lantern

Hello internet!!! Our internet and power has been in and out these pass two days. Due to the icepocalypse I haven't been able to pick up all the supplies I need for Lunar New Year {which is tomorrow}. All the posts that I had plan for this week is going out the window {boo}. Despite the downside of the previous comment, this week has been rather nice and relaxing.

I got to have my friend Meaghan from Sweet Pea Events and Amanda my co-worker over for a little brunch on Monday before the Icepocalypse hit.

On Tuesday I got to stay in my PJ's all day {and today}. I did some crafting for Lunar New Year. This wasn't the project I had in mind, but it was quick and fun.





Here is a quick little diy tutorial for this paper lantern.



You'll need paper {I used a 12x12 scrapbook paper}, scissor, glue and paper cutter {not a must, it just make things quicker and easier}.



I cut the paper in half. You can keep it 12x12 if you want a bigger lantern.



I folded the paper hot dog style {do people still used this term?}.



I used my finger and make a crease along the folded line.



I cut half an inch away from the border and half an inch away from the top from the folded side up.

Keep cutting every half an inch till the end.



Open up the paper once you're done cutting.



Put glue {I used rubber cement} along the vertical edge on one side of the paper.



Bring the two vertical edge together.



Press it together for a few seconds or until the glue dry.



You can stop here, but I always like a handle for my paper lantern.



I cut a half inch strip from another scrapbook paper.



You can used the same color/pattern, but I always like to mix mine up.



Dab some glue on the two ends.



Glue the strip on opposing side of the lantern. I added a little paper flower to mine because I love details like that.



I put the lantern over some votive candles I had around the condo.

:)

It's beginning to look a lot like Lunar New Year

I had a fun weekend filled with late night munchies, movies, mad cleaning and ended it with a small dinner party at my place.

I was reminded that Lunar New Year is this week when we went to a Vietnamese restaurant near my in-law place. I can't believe that I totally forgot about it this year. It is one of my favorite time of the year.


I love how all the restaurants and markets are lit up with lights, colors and over the top decor.



I have some fun stuff coming up this week for the blog. I have a simple Lunar New Year table scape and a fun diy project to celebrate Lunar New Year. Happy Monday!

P.s I know that Valentine's day is right around the corner, so check this cute valentine card and more over at Mr. Boddington spotted on Eat Drink Chic.



P.p.s Also check out this super easy diy Valentine's love book from Paper and Thread Studio spotted on The Wedding Chicks.



I found Hello Kitty on weheartit. Photo 2 and 3 was taken with my phone.

DIY Transparent Clutch

Check out the diy tutorial for this Charlotte Olympia Pandora clutch {$618} by clicking here.



Materials you'll need to purchase
Clear rectangular hinge box from Container Store {$8.99}
A pretty knob from Anthropologie {$6 - $14}
$9 + $14 = $23
$618 - $23 = AWESOME DIY PROJECT!!!

Reclaimed wood headboard

Love this headboard from House *Tweaking.

P.s I did some cleaning on the blog this morning. What do you think?