DIY by Design: March 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

Embroidered Bolster Pillow

Ever since I received an embroidery sewing machine for Christmas,

I have wanted to make a new bolster pillow for my daughter's room.
Honestly, I don't need much of an excuse to make something girly and new for her room.

I bought a flat twin white sheet from Walmart for $5.00.
Twin sheets are so perfect for making projects like this and you can't beat the price.

I'm getting better at using my embroidery machine. I found out that if you read the directions and actually follow them to the letter that the machine really works wonderfully. Lol
I just chose a pretty font and let my machine do the rest.

I used actual embroidery thread this time (in my first few attempts with the machine I was using regular thread). I love the sheen of the embroidery thread. Embroidery thread is significantly more expensive than regular thread, but I definitely see the benefit. I used regular thread in the bobbin.

Once it was done I laid out the design I wanted around it.

I tend to work on the floor in my hallway when I have to lay out sewing projects.

Using ribbon and ric rac I had already, I adhered it to the fabric using Fabri-Tac. To me, this is the absolute best fabric glue out there. It adheres immediately. I decided to use fabric glue rather than sewing it on because I didn't want stitch lines. Once all my ribbon was adhered, I sewed it right sides together to the size of my bolster pillow.

I really chose the easy way out this time and simply gathered the ends
and held it in place using a hair tie.
I only had to finish off one end of the fabric since one side was the finished edge of the sheet.

I then tied a bow on each end with pink polka dot ribbon.

Here is the finished bolster pillow.

Here is a close-up.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE how this came out.
It picks up the colors in my daughter's comforter perfectly.

I can't wait to hear what you think of this project.

I'm really loving my embroidery machine!!

Don't forget to get together your spring projects, recipes and decor this weekend for the
Bunny Blog Hop on Monday. Remember there will be an awesome giveaway at the party as well.
It's going to be a hopping good time!!

Have a great weekend!

-Judy

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Embroidery Hoop Clock

Debbiedoo's is hosting a newbie reunion party today. I was a newbie once, and Debbie's was one of the first places I partied. I thought I would create a special project in honor of her party.

Lately I have had a thing for embroidery hoops. They are just so versatile.

You can check out here and here what I've done with them before.

I have been wanting to make a clock for my daughter's room for a while now.

For this project I used some left over Thomas Paul Aviary fabric I used on my daughter's desk chair,
an embroidery hoop, buttons and a clock kit

(which I bought using a 50% off coupon from AC Moore).

I started by painting the outside of the embroidery hoop an aqua color to coordinate with the fabric.

I then traced around the smaller embroidery hoop onto a sturdy piece of cardboard -

(I used a thick box I had). I then cut it out using a sharp knife.

I put my fabric in the embroidery hoop and started to sew on the buttons for the numbers on the clock.

Once I was done sewing on all of the buttons, I added the cardboard to the back, blank side to the front (my fabric is a little see-through so I didn't want to see the words peak through by mistake). The cardboard fit snugly so there was no reason for glue.

Now that the cardboard was in place it was time to add the hole for my clock kit to fit through. I used an awl to make the hole. I made the hole just big enough to fit the clock mechanism.

I then put together my clock kit. The hands of the clock were gold, which I didn't love with the aqua. I took the hands back off and painted them silver using some model airplane paint we had in the house.

It hangs in my daughter's room above her closet doors.

and coordinates perfectly with her desk chair.

What do you think of my new clock?
I can't wait to hear.

-Judy

partying here

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Swing into Spring - It's a Party - #58

Welcome to this week's Swing into Spring party. Before we start tonight's festivities,

I want to invite you all to a very special party.

I would love for you to join me and these awesome ladies at our Bunny Blog Hop.

On Monday, April 2nd we each will be sharing with you fun Spring and Easter projects on our individual blogs and asking you to link up and share your Spring and Easter projects. You can link up to any of the four parties and your entry will appear on all four blogs.

So hop on over here on Monday and link up your favorite Spring and Easter posts
for the Bunny Blog Hop.

Also, Ann from On Sutton Place is generously offering one of her gorgeous "Garden" pillow covers as a party giveaway. You won't want to miss this!!

In the meantime, I would love it you would grab this button and place it on your sidebar or somewhere on your blog to help get the word out. Can't wait to see all of your awesome projects.

Now back to our regular scheduled program...Here are this week's features:

This dresser transformed by Designed to Dwell is certainly pretty in pink. This dresser (and a matching chest) were found on Craigslist. She got the whole set for $100. I hope you will stop by to check out the before and after photos.

Decorating Cents shares an awesome tutorial on how to create a custom frame for a plain mirror.That's something I have to learn how to do...use a miter box.

I just love these chalkboard tags made by With a Dash of Color. This is definitely going on my "to do" list. Imagine all of the possibilities.

I thought that this decoupaged bird made by Deep in the Heart of...Arkansas was the cutest thing.A simple but super sweet project.

Design Dreams by Anne created this awesome soap dispenser out of a clear mason jar she had.I think it looks just great.
If you were featured, please grab an "I've Been Featured" button (you can now find my buttons by clicking on the buttons tab right under my header). Now let's get started with this week's party. I can't wait to see what you have been up to. Link up anything you have been working on...home decor, sewing, crafts, organizing, baking, recipes etc. I will keep this link open through Friday.

A few rules:

1. Please become a follower (if you already follow me on Google, I would love for you to follow me on Linky Followers as well).

2. Please grab my party button above and display it either on your sidebar or somewhere in your post. This way word can spread about the party. The more people at the party, the more fun we will have.

3. Please enter the link to your actual post, not just a link to your main blog page.

4. Please visit others who have linked up. Everyone works hard on their projects and blogs...let's show each other some love by visiting each other. Let's have some fun and hopefully make a few new friends along the way.