Thompson Family-Life: Fabric Pumpkin Tutorial I have to give a few disclaimers up front: 1. The photos are really, really bad. (did i mention bad?) 2. 3. 4. Now that that's out of the way! Here's what you need: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. Step One: I'll remind you that I got my initial instructions for these from Martha Stewart Living Nov. 2009 issue. But as you may have experienced (like me), alot of times Martha's instructions are vague.. and they show the steps all in one photo that's about 3 x 3 inches (if we're lucky). Silly Martha.. you must talk to us like we're dumb. So above.. you need to cut out your piece of fabric. But if you want to cut on the bias.. here are some instructions on how to do that. I used a rotary cutter to cut my fabric b/c i find it easier than using scissors. The size of your fabric should be twice as long as it is wide.. i.e. a 6"x12", or a 9"x18", etc. Once you've cut your fabric, fold it in half so that the wrong side of the fabric is on the outside. Line up your ends... Step Two: All done.
chela’s fabric screen chela edmunds is textile artist from melbourne, australia. she recently moved into a new apartment in brooklyn, ny and found that her beautiful windows overlooking the park only had enough blind coverage to reach chest-height. in order to let the sun shine through and maintain some privacy she created this simple but chic felted screen. she was kind enough to share her full project steps with us today, so if you’re looking to let light into your home and maintain a little bit of privacy, this diy is just the ticket. thanks again to chela for sharing her felt screen with us! CLICK HERE for the full project after the jump! Materials: Measuring tape/ rule soft lead pencil or dressmakers chalk template for the circle (I used a tea canister) sharp scissors a sewing machine thread felt fabric (measured to the width and length of the window) Instructions * Measure your window, width and height. * Use felt fabric. * cut out the circles using a sharp pair of scissors.
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: david stark’s twine snowmen [today's final diy project is a guest post from designer david stark! stay tuned for his updated hometour in the d*s book, or click here to check out original tour online] I have been obsessed with snowmen for as long as I can remember, and right now, I am certainly obsessed with string and twine! My buddies over at west elm humored my cord obsession, welcoming me to design my very first product line, a collection of holiday decorating items, all so reasonably priced and in the stores now. Many of the items in the line grew out of techniques we often employ for the hand-made elements we create for events. A twine snowman is a no-brainer. You can then draw anything you want because the wire holds the shape. Ho ho ho! CLICK HERE for the full project steps after the jump! Materials: 19-gauge floral wire Single-ply sisal twine Low temperature glue gun Wire snips Scissors Needle-nose pliers or board and nails Directions: Cut a few feet of twine and unravel it slightly.
made with love: wallpapered cabinet doors This past week I tried my hand at wallpapering a room for the first time and let’s just say it’s a lot like wrapping up a big, slimy Christmas present but with higher stakes. I only had one single roll of 1940s wallpaper (purchased from this amazing store) so I had to be extra careful to ensure I’d have enough to cover the whole room. If you’re not ready to take the plunge and paper a room, a great alternative is to paper your kitchen or bathroom cabinet doors. CLICK HERE for the full project after the jump! What you’ll need: - paper (I used wallpaper, but you can use pages from a book, gift wrap, etc…) - paint - wallpaper paste - paint brush - L square ruler - scissors or x-acto knife Remove cabinet door and hardware. After roughly measuring to make sure your paper is a few inches longer and wider that your cabinet door, spread a thin layer of wallpaper paste to the wrong side of your paper. Take an L square ruler and square off a perpendicular line along the lengthwise edge of your paper.
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: kate’s log dome display jar i just want to say that i envy all of you out there with a working fireplace. i have very fond memories of sitting around a crackling fire in maine, and watching my dad place freshly chopped firewood in a huge pile outside. that being said (anyone else watch curb your enthusiasm?) CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump! materials: 1. wooden log (if you want to skip the sawing wood step, you can buy wood coasters at various places. i found these simple ones online) 2. saw (chop saw or a regular tooth saw and mitre box) 3. pencil 4. stemless wine glass, drinking glass, or a clean glass jar (this is depending on what shape you want your jar to be. i found stemless wine glasses had a nice domed shape, but a jar would also look nice. if you want to size these up, i recommend using mason or other food container jars or simple glass vases as cheap options) cost: stemless wine glasses: $3 for two at crate and barrel wood logs: free (cut from logs in my backyard) wood burning tool: $15 time:
kate’s grocery planner unfortunately, the beginning of 2010 has me battling an epic cold, so the first few diys are going to be simple, mellow projects that you can do on a sick day or in front of a movie. i know that resolutions are kind of overwhelming, but i find that taking the time to complete a couple organization projects early really helps things go easier throughout the year. *DOWNLOADABLE versions of kate’s lists have been added below! CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump! materials: 1. clipboard 2. magnetic pen box (available at office supply stores, or you can make one out of a tin soup can or tin spice box, etc.) 3. pretty paper (mine is from the paper source) 4. spray adhesive 5. exacto knife 6. scissors 7. adhesive magnet tape (these come in dots and rolls, i recommend the roll that you can cut) cost: time: 1 hour (unless you obsess on the list making, like i did) instructions: for the grocery list: -grocery list -menu grocery list -grocery list items for the clipboard and pen box:
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » made with love: drying hydrangeas Seeing as I work in a flower shop (and not just any flower shop, the end all be all of cool girl flower shops, saipua) you’d think I’d be good about keeping flowers in the house. Well, I’m not. When I do bring some home, my cats eat them or I get distracted and don’t change the water like I should. CLICK HERE for the full post and instructions after the jump! Hydrangeas are at the optimal drying stage in the early fall so get your clippers out asap! What you’ll need: - clippings of fresh hydrangea, I used lacecap (the pinkish) and mophead (the bluish) - small bottles or vases - clippers It’s not so much a question of how to dry hydrangeas, as much as when to dry them. To prep your flowers, strip off all of the leaves. Dried hydrangeas, and most dried flowers in general, look the best in naturally arranged clusters. When arranging dried flowers, it’s a good time to use miniature vases that normally would evaporate water in just a day or two while holding fresh flowers.
monday diy special: kate’s menu binder [hi guys! i'm so sorry for the delay on kate's project. my blogging schedule got all mixed up when i was in salt lake so we're going to post kate's project from last week today, as a special monday diy treat] hey everyone! i am back with another organization helper for your kitchen (and your tummies). this one might be a little controversial (who has the time to do this?! isn’t this a little too organized?). CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump! materials: 1. three ring binder 2. clear binder storage sheets (these come in packs at office supply stores) 3. tab divider (you can also make these from manila folders or card stock) 4. notepad 5. hot glue 6. envelope 7. folder (or piece of card stock) 8. sewing machine (for fabric binder cover, optional) 9. inkjet transfer sheet (for binder cover, optional) 10. canvas (for binder covering, optional) cost: 1. binder $2 2. clear sheets $5 3. canvas $2 4. inkjet trasnfer paper $10 (for five sheets) time: 1 hour (including time to make cover)
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » diy project: fleece pom pom hanukkah garland jaime from prudent baby and prudent advice sent over this fun hanukkah garland tutorial that i thought would make for a great afternoon craft activity. all you need is some fleece (wool and felt would work nicely, too), scissors and a little thread and you’re good to go! thanks to jaime for sharing! CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump! fleece pom pom hanukkah garland from jaime at prudent baby materials: -fleece -scissors -embroidery needle and thread steps: 1. cut your fleece into strips (they don’t need to be perfect). cut in different lengths and sized to create different sized poufs. 2. make small cuts on either side of the fleece leaving about a centimeter or less in the middle uncut: 3. grab a strip and roll it up. stick a pin through it when it’s all rolled up. repeat with all of your strips. the easy way is just to grab a length of thread and tie it around the center, then double knot it, then use the excess thread to knot it around your trim.
made with love: fabric covered hangers These days I’ve been kind of obsessed with making fabric covered hangers inspired by a recent vintage find. You use up small bits of fabric you can’t stand throw away while turning an otherwise depressing closet of wire hangers into something really special. What’s not to love? CLICK HERE for the full instructions (and more images) after the jump! What you’ll need: - wire hanger - fabric measuring at least 14” by 9” (mine is windham fabric’s “a little bid told me”) - scissors - pins - thread - ruler - scrap paper - iron 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
Design*Sponge » Blog Archive » made with love: terrarium ornaments My love for plants growing under glass knows no bounds and I was extra excited to find a way to incorporate a little terrarium love into my holiday repertoire this year. These ornaments are actually fake terrariums, by using dried sheet moss or reindeer moss , the ornament isn’t technically growing so it requires no care. Perfect for those of us who are excel at forgetting to water things. Plus, I’m tempted hang them in my kitchen once the holidays are through. -amy m. CLICK HERE for the full how-to after the jump! What you’ll need: - clear glass ornaments - dried moss - twine - pencil - q-tips optional- twigs, butterflies, feathers etc… 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.