Saturday, November 21, 2009

Did I do that?

This week, while delivering those cute little stools,
I was thinking... Now I can get photos of the window
treatments that I made about 2 years ago for this client.

You wouldn't believe how many of my creations that I
didn't get photos of. And I am kicking myself for.
You see, I didn't have my digital camera then,
so ... no photos. I don't think I could live without a digital
camera now.
Anywho...


As I peeked into the dining room, I had to do a double take.
At first glance I thought, she must have gotten new ones.
Then I realized...
Hey! That is the window treatments I made.
"Dang!"
Those look good! (Patting myself on the back now).
On to the living room...

That was one heavy scarf valance.
2 layers of heavy upholstery weight fabric,
and fabulous!

With rosettes on each bracket,
and an 'ascot' in the center.


Sometimes I just have to remind myself...

"I am good!"

Yes I am.


And finally, those cute little country frenchy stools, in their new home.
Don't you just love that brick floor?
I heart that floor. I do.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Cute as a Button

I've been a bad blogger.
It's been 2 whole weeks since my last post.
I just can't help it... grey skies get me down.
But it's time to get out of this funk.
I need glitter,
I need sunshine,
and Red Red Wine.
Lots of that.
I have been busy, though.
My latest project?
Why, these cute little wrought iron stools.

You can see... I am not a photographer. But you get the idea.
While these are frenchy cute... who wants to rest their tushy
on flat metal bars? Not me.
Super Seamstress to the rescue!
I added wood bottoms and 4" foam, secured that to
the stools...
slipcover pattern...

Can't you just see this in a black and cream toile???
Oooo la lah!

(never mind that bare sheetrock in the background)

But these aren't for me, these belong to a client,
and black toile isn't her thing.


Still country french inspired, though.
I think she'll like it.
More to come.
You like?

Friday, October 30, 2009

Excuses, Excuses

Any excuse to break out the beads!

Working on that beaded lampshade has got me in
a beadin' kinda mood. When I've finished my sewing for
the day, and I'm ready to wind down...
I can't just sit there and do nothing. I have to have
something in my hands.
Guess it's that work-aholic thing...
anywho...
here's what I've been working on.

Pretty cute, right!
I'm making a set of these ornaments for someone in my family.
(It's a secret...shhhh).
I don't know about you...
but I get so excited this time of year, when all of the stores bring out
their Christmas decorations. Every year I have a craft party for the
girls in my family. We get together and paint and glue and glitter 'till
the wee hours of the morning.
Or until we've had too much wine...
which ever comes first.
If you'd like to try your hand at beading a bow like mine,

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Weirdos

Got Google Analytics?
You should check out how people find you.
Some are funny... some are just disturbing.
Here's a sample of keywords and phrases that some people use,
and end up on my blog.
Seriously...
1.) drunk fairy
2.) the "baby maker" quilt - that must be some quilt
3.) one eyed drunk - not lately.
4.) babe-a-licious - thank you!
5.) cmt & white trash - if you say so.
6.) did Robert go to rehab?
7.) fanny amazing foto
8.) hot family and granny - mmm'kay.
9.) hot granny foto - sicko
10.) hot grannies in wheelchairs - okay, seriously?
11.) hot rod wheelchair
12.) no pee'in off the porch
13.) not pretty and nude - I'm not gonna touch that one.
14.) one eyed cat wine
15.) drunk one eyed friends
16.) red neck games mud
17.) sentfromheaven escort - How the heck did this one come to my blog?
Okay, now it's your turn.
What brings people to your blog?
I really want to know...
check it out and drop me a line.

Last One

Are you tired of posts about this lampshade?
This is the last one, I swear.
I just had to show you how it looks in it's proper place.

All of my creations look better in their home,
than in my studio.
Okay, I'm done.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Beaded Lampshade

A tutorial.
Yes you can just glue fabric over the existing fabric or paper.
But if you want a professional looking lampshade, I recommend
removing the old fabric or paper, so you're left with just the frame.
I think most of you know how to trace a pattern around a shade,
so I won't bore you with that.
I made this with 2 pieces of fabric, and stitched the seams together,
and took up the seams until the fabric fit nice and snug around the
frame. Pull it down nice and tight, pin in place, and hot glue
the fabric to the top and bottom of the frame. Trim away the
excess fabric.

Now for the fun part.
Many fabrics, like this one, make it so easy to see where to
add your beads. Think of it like coloring books ~ the outline
is there. You just fill it in how ever you like.
One little trick ~ after every 2 or 3 beads that you sew on,
tie a knot.

When you're satisfied that you have it beaded just the
way you like it, move on to the beaded fringe.
Yes, you can just go and buy it.
But I prefer to make it. And it's really easy.
If you make it yourself, you get exactly what you want.

Measure the lower part of your shade, add a few inches, and cut
a piece of seam binding to length. I use low tack tape to secure
it to my ruler. At half inch intervals, string up your beads.
Make sure you don't pull your string too tightly. Your seam
binding should lay nice and flat. Tie a knot after each section of beads.
Now for your fabric lining:
You can use the old lining from your lampshade to make a pattern.
Again, I used 2 pieces of fabric, stitched together on the sides.
I used acetate rayon for the lining. The same fabric you would
use to line your garments.

Pull it nice and snug, and pin in place.
You'll have to cut a little slit for the braces.
We'll cover the slit in the next step.


Here, you'll want to use double stick tape instead of hot glue.
Hot glue has a tendency to dry with hard lumps and bumps,
so that won't work here. With the double stick tape, you get
a nice flat finish. You can get the double stick tape from your
fabric store.


Work in sections, from one brace to the next.
Apply your tape, close to the top, then peel off the paper.
Pull your lining over the top, nice and snug, and press it
into the tape. Work it in there good.


Trim away the excess fabric, close to the tape.
Like you see on the right side of the above photo.

Now add about a one inch section of double stick tape
over each of the areas where the lining was split.
Outside each brace.


Cut a bias strip of the lining,
about 2 inches wide and 10 inches long.
Fold and press it, so that you have a double fold,
like the next photo.


Pass the folded piece underneath the brace, ...


... fold it over, to the outside of the lampframe.


Press this into the double stick tape, and trim close.
Repeat for remaining braces.


Now, cut a 1 and 1/2 inch bias strip of your cover fabric, long
enough to go around the top of your lampshade, plus a few
inches. Fold over each side of bias strip, and press it with a
hot iron. I used the double stick tape here again, on the inside
of my bias strip folds, to keep it nice and flat.

Once you've done that, apply the double stick tape to the
wrong side of your bias strip. I used 2 strips of tape here.
Remove the paper backing, and press firmly along the top
of your lampshade.

Like so...


Using the tape again, fold over one end, to cover the cut end
of your bias strip.


You can apply your beaded fringe with tape or glue to the
inside, lower edge of your shade.

Then, pull the lower edge of your lining nice and tight,
and pin in place. You'll want to hand stitch the lining to
the lower edge.

Like so...


And there you have it!


I love to inspire and encourage others.
I'm not a teacher, but if I can encourage any of you to get your craft on,
well... that just makes me happy!
I only spent about $20 on beads for this shade.
I hope this has inspired some of you, to make a lampshade to
perfectly match your decor.
If so, let me know. I love hearing from all of you, my girlfriends.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Hey Ladies!

Y'all know Robin?
Over at "Happy At Home"?

Well she gave me some bloggedy bling~!
This sign always makes me laugh...


Maybe it's just the way my silly little mind works,
but everytime I see this sign,
what I see is...

"Honest Crap"

and every time I have to laugh!

Now don't get me wrong...

I am absolutely honored that this crafty chick thinks enough of me, to pass this award my way. I have made the most wonderful friends through this blog, and I think of all of you as my extended family, my sisters. And that, truly comes from my heart.

Living here, in Hicktown USA, sometimes I feel like a square peg
in a round hole kinda world. But you girls get me. You really do.
Each award I get like this... means the world to me.

So I thank you Robin, you happy housewife, you!

Now, I'm not very good at going by the rules...
But there are rules, so I'll try to be good.

Rule #1. Say thanks and give a link to the presenter of the award. Did that.
Rule #2. Share "10 Honest Things" about myself. ...m'kay
Rule #3. Present this award to 7 others whose blogs I find brilliant in content and/or design, or those who have encouraged me.
Rule #4. Tell those 7 people they've been awarded HONEST SCRAP and inform them of these guidelines in receiving.
10 honest things.

1. Shows that I never miss ~ Desperate Housewives, Greys Anatomy, Ugly Betty, Dancing with the Stars, or NASCAR. That's right, I said NASCAR. I know, my roots are showing.

2. I L.O.V.E. red wine. Just call me wineau. Or since I'm from the south - "wino".

From the Urban Dictionary:

Someone who props up walls in the street, drinking an unidentifiable drink (it neednt be wine, could also be spirits, special brew, buckfast or lighter fluid) out of a paper bag whilst swearing incoherently and dribbling. Yeah, that's me.

3. I must have music. Always. I love music. A few artists that I love: Etta James, James Brown, Al Green, Alan Jackson, Pink, Christina Aquilera, Eminem. But Aretha Franklin will always be the queen in this house. Buddy Guy will always be the king. Silence is not an option.

4. I'm a little bit perfectionist, a little bit work-aholic. One of the hazards of being my own boss, I never know when to quit. However I never seem to finish the projects that I start for myself.

5. I could eat sashimi (raw fish) every day.

6. Perfect number for this one. Six. I can't seem to put up with any man for more than six weeks. Then I am D.O.N.E. done. However, if Brad Pitt gets tired of Angelina... I'd be willing to give it another try.
7. Things you will never find in my house - paper plates, paper napkins, plastic utensils or disposable cups.

8. My favorite place in the world is Grenada.

9. My favorite author is Robert Fulghum.

10. Fav. movie - Crouching Tiger - Hidden Dragon.
Now here's where I break the rules...
Consider yourself tagged - you're it.