Fab Friday Favorites

Here are some fab creations from around the web this week. Take a look see, jump over to their site and spread some blog love. Just don't forget to come back here and finish looking at the list!

Little Miss Momma makes this wonderful button bracelet. The outstanding part is she has a great tutorial that also shows how to put on a lobster clasp.

I just love wreaths. I wish I had more doors to display them on. If anybody has any unusual wreath display ideas, just let me know. This beauty is made from ... wait for it .... paper towels and food coloring! Redberry Barn was super creative with this. ** Update. The wreath inspiration and the picture that I actually posted was from Nicole over at  Made by Nicole. I got the credits wrong and Jenn at Redberry Barn was nice enough to help me out. **

These necklaces look like something expensive in a boutique store. They are made from ordinary washers and come from the creative mind of Yolanda at Monkey See- Monkey Do. Don't they make you want to run out and get a metal stamp set? If you make these you can use the tutorial from Little Miss Momma above to put a clasp on it. See, I'm watching out for you!

Isn't this just adorable? Jessica over at A Few of My Favorite Things made this t-shirt with rosettes. I really like this. It's feminine without being cutesy.

OMG, I'm in love. The Little Green Bean has made these mini fabric bolts to store her fabric obsession I mean collection. I would need a bazillion of these. I love that they are neat and tidy and you can see all the fabric. Swoon.

I Can Find the Time has this neat quilted coaster project. What a wonderful way to use up some fabric scraps. I'm thinking Christmas gifts!

Jessica over at Lemon Tree Creations made a tray from a frame. I like this. You can coordinate the fabric inset to match your decor and change it up when you like.

I had planned to feature a completely different project from Tatertots and Jello, then I saw these pillows from an October post and knew you had to see them. I'm still not over my burlap obsession and just love how these pillows are dressed up and changeable.

I hope you enjoyed this Friday's Fab Favorites. Tune in next week, same bat time, same bat channel (Batman cartoon reference for those of you who didn't get that, although if I have to explain it it reduces some of its fun quotient).

Sorry -- Deleted Buttons

I was playing with working on my blog and I think I accidentally deleted my old "Featured On"  and "Site" buttons. If you had them you will probably be getting a photobucket error now. Sorry about that. You can grab the new button here.

Just Because Its Pretty ...

I have this problem. I'm easily distracted by pretty and shiny things. I like to window shop on Etsy and Craig's List even if I don't need anything, have the space to put anything, or even have the money to purchase anything. If my ancestor cave woman was a gatherer then I was the one who was trying to trade my berries for the other cave womens different colored berries, not happy with just one color and deciding that it was time to switch things up a bit.

Now I think I've mentioned that my condo is furnished in a mid century modern style with a bit of folk art  thrown in. I have a really tight color palette that I furnish in. And my space is small so it's minimal by design and necessity. And yet I still shop. And torture myself with all the fantastic bargains and gorgeous items I find.

Like this recent Etsy fabric I was lusting after. Yes, pure lust. Right style, right colors, OK price ...but I just couldn't find a use for it. I wanted to own it because I wanted it. Just that, no real purpose for it. I had to be talked down from the ledge by Alison.

Just because it's pretty doesn't mean I have to own it. Sigh. Life is hard.

What have you been lusting (gasp) after?

It's Craft Time - Architectural Letter Name

My friend was talking about her friend and how she received her last name in framed architectural letters as a gift. Both friends just loved it and thought it was the neatest thing. I told friend 1 (OK, It's Alison. Again. My Creative Cohort.) that I could easily make one for her. You see, she was going to spend big $$ and order one from where the other friend had received hers. I can create that project in under $10 dollars, Bob. And off I went. (In case you can't tell, the letters spell out BOWMAN).

I first started at my store of choice, Dollar Tree. There I picked up 6 carved bronze-ish 4"x6" frames for yes, you guessed it $6. The bronze-ish color coordinates beautifully with other accents in Alison's bedroom where these are to be hung. No need to even paint them! And unless you look really hard, you can't tell these are cheap plastic frames. Nobody will be looking that closely at the frames, they will be awestruck by the architectural letters inside.

Next I scoured the interweb for architectural letters. They were easy to find, but watch for copyrights. Larger file sizes were better for increasing in size to 4"x6" than small images which became out of focus and blurry. So in Photoshop I cropped and enlarged the letter to 4"x6".

At first I had them in black and white. I thought the graphic nature of the letter would look good that way. It was also a way to make them all look more cohesive. They looked awful in the bronze-ish frame. I was crushed. What to do, what to do. After a little Google action I had the answer. Change the letter from black and white to a sepia tone. I had no idea how to do this (I was please I managed to get them black and white). This is where my friend Google came in with this awesome tutorial here. Well "here" should be a clickable link to the wonderful, simple tutorial I used. But I can no longer find my link so you will also have to Google it.

Here you can see the difference. The black and white is on the left and the sepia toned one is on the right. The difference is kind of subtle but made a world of difference in the frames.

So the project was easy and fairly quick. Find the letter (took the longest - I couldn't find an "N" that I liked), open the file in Photoshop (I'm sure you could use some other software, this is just what I had) and size and crop to 4"x6". Why 4"x6"? Because that is the size of the large stash of photo paper I had on hand. (Watch Staples for wonderful deals. I think I paid $1 (after rebate) for each package of 100 sheets). Change to sepia tone, print, insert in frame. I think it probably took 2 hours total, including my Google time.

Project cost was $6.60 for the frames and $.06 for the paper. So for $6.66 I was able to create a personalized gift for a dear friend and save her big $$. If any of my other dear friends (Valerie) wants one just let me know.

Linking up to these great party's.

Fabricaholic

Hello. My name is Kat and I'm a fabricaholic.

It's been almost 2 weeks since my last fabric purchase. I was tempted today and even went into a fabric store. It was so hard. The textures, the colors, the fabrics! I was overcome with the need n.e.e.d to purchase, even though I knew it wouldn't be good for me.

I told myself I was only going in for some fusible web for my son's quilt project and had a coupon. I was lying to myself. I went in for that, yes, but also because I knew I would be around fabric.

I was a good girl and only purchased my fusible web (even resisted the magazines) But I need some serious help!

Do you have trouble in fabric or craft stores?

Organizing the Linen Closet - After

Remember my post about how horrible my linen closet was? Go back here for all the before pictures.

Ack! However did I put up with it for the almost 3 years I've lived here? Then while I was slaving away working my magic on the closet I gave you some organizing tips and tricks for your own linen closet here.

Now prepare yourself for the wonders of the newly painted and organized linen closet!

Empty! You should see my bedroom - it's as if the linen closet vomited in there. How will I ever sleep? My bed is just covered with ... stuff.

Look at the difference white paint makes! The walls were a dirty peachy flesh color before. I wonder how I even saw anything in the dark closet. I had to paint the shelves in place in the closet because I have no room. You should have seen me when I decided that the bottom of the shelves were reflecting their icky color onto the white shelf below it and needed to be white also. I was twisted in half trying to paint the bottom of the shelf while not sticking my hair or hands in the wet paint. Needless to say, I came out looking like a skunk!

Top left side. Only bedding and pillows on the top shelf now. I still haven't found a home for all the other crap that was there, but I will! I even have room for rags now on the towel shelf. I had to give my son a towel folding lessen so that it stays this pretty. To fit my closet shelf, fold the towel in 3rds lengthwise then in 3rds widthwise. Works like a charm.

Top right side. Notice that the shelves are labeled so items go back into their proper place! I still want all white towels (except for the rag pile with the green and blue towels here). It will have to wait for a sale and after new tires are purchased for my car.

 

Middle left side. See all the pretty baskets nicely labeled?! No excuse for not being able to find anything now.

 Middle right side. Did I mention that I used that new Behr paint that is the primer and paint mixed in one? It went on smoothly and covered fairly well. I only did a single coat - I was impatient and lazy. With stuff in the closet, you can't even see that the coverage is spotty in places. I did have a nifty roller cover that was made to paint corners also. It worked well and I had to do hardly any cutting in with a brush.

Bottom left side. I was able to move some cleaners out from being stuffed under the kitchen sink to the closet now. I did take a basket of spray paint, wood stain, lemon oil, WD-40, etc. down to my basement storage locker. It doesn't belong in my linen closet and it freed up so much room! Yes, the litter box had to stay in the closet.

Bottom right side. Look! I have room for toilet paper and rolls of paper towels now. See the empty piece of carpeting? Room for a box of cat litter! How lovely.

I didn't get my cleaning tools moved from my front hall closet to the linen closet yet. Truth be told, I was having so much fun organizing and labeling that I forgot all about them until I sat down to write this post! I'll probably wait until I paint the doors and trim in the condo now before I move them.

Total cost: 

$10 for 10 baskets at the Dollar Store

$34 for a gallon of paint. I only used a fraction and will use the rest to paint my trim and doors in the condo.

Time spent: An hour getting the shelves prepped for painting (remember? They had stuck on bits of shelf liner and glue). And it took longer than I thought to empty the closet. All told about 5 hours from start to finish with prep work and painting including cleaning up. Add another hour to dig out my bed and make room so I could sleep. The next day, sorting by like item, putting the stuff into baskets, labeling and organizing the closet took about 4 hours. I went through and checked all expiration dates, wiped everything down and made a list of needed items as I went. I consolidated a lot of boxes that had just one or two items left. I didn't realize but I had duplicates of several items because I couldn't find anything in the closet. And I spent a little extra time getting the baskets in the "right" place and order. A little OCD perhaps? I also had to recycle the empty old baskets and put away the misc. stuff that hadn't found a home yet.

Is it weird that I am totally in love with my new labeled and organized closet? I open the door to look at it even if I don't need something. I could hardly wait to share it with you. Such a feeling of satisfaction and job well done. All is right with the world.

What have you organized recently? And how did it make you feel?

Linking up to these wonderful parties. Go check them out!

Countdown to Christmas

It is only 242 days until Christmas. If you celebrate it do you make handmade gifts? Do you know what you are giving and to whom? Do you have a plan for when you will start making them? And then the real start date, when do you think that is?

I usually have ideas for gifts around September but don't start really making anything until around Halloween. Then I pause a little and have a mad dash after Thanksgiving to get things done. I'm usually working on something right up until the last minute. (And I'll confess that sometimes my son's (18 years old) gifts don't get made until after Christmas or July). But once I've made up my mind in September I stick with the project, no matter how tedious it becomes.

I was so proud 78 days ago when I posted that I knew what everyone would be getting. Well things have changed because I saw something similar to what I was going to make in a Sister-in-law's house - quelle horreur!

Now I have to rethink things and still try to use the supplies I've already purchased. Darn it. I was creative once, I don't know if I can be creative twice!

What are you making for the holidays?

In the Kitchen - Southwest Chicken Chili

I wish I could take a picture to accurately convey how yummy this chili is! This is another family favorite and has placed in several small, local chili contests. (Darn it all - I don't think I've won because its not a traditional chili). I always double the recipe with the thought to freeze half, but it gets eaten so fast that I never get anything frozen!

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast cubed
1 Tbs. butter
1 tsp. chili powder (add more as you like)
1/2 tsp. salt
dash black pepper
1 small yellow onion chopped
1 green pepper chopped
2 Tbs. chopped green chilies
4 Tbs. chopped jalapeno peppers
15.5 oz. can dark red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can chili ready chopped tomatos (I prefer Red Gold brand, but any works)
8 oz. can tomato sauce
cheddar cheese as a topping
sour cream as a topping

Dice chicken into small cubes and place in a stock pot. Saute with butter, chili powder, salt, pepper, onion, green pepper, green chilies, and jalapeno peppers. Add kidney beans, chopped tomatoes and tomato sauce and simmer for 30 minutes. Top with cheddar cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

Recipe serves 4 and can be easily doubled. If possible, I make it in the evening (after dinner so nobody will eat any) and let it sit overnight in the refrigerator prior to serving. It just tastes better as the flavors have a chance to meld together.

Enjoy!

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

Seriously, my new Bluetooth headset has changed my life. I purchased the cheapest one available ($20) and I LOVE it. Now I know this isn't new technology by any stretch of the imagination, I just could never understand why I would need one. Now I'm a hands free talking manic.

Well, see, I talk with my best friend Alison (I've talked about her before) almost nightly for up to an hour or so. Her husband is so understanding. Since we live 150 miles apart and rarely see each other this is our version of having coffee together each morning (except its at night ... you get it don't you?). Well during our conversations I would sit and hold my phone to my ear. And do nothing. Well I listened, but when you talk with someone every night you don't have to listen with 100% attention 100% of the time. It's not like we're solving world hunger. (Alison, don't get me wrong - I completely listen to your every word).

With my bluetooth headset I can fold laundry, pick up the house, brush the dog, wash dishes (ugh, I hate washing dishes). So I can talk and be productive at the same time. What a concept. I liked it so much I talked Alison into getting one. This way when I'm folding laundry she can be rug hooking or doing her laundry too.

Why did I wait so long before getting one? It's the best thing ever. Except for one little thing. I must have deformed ears. I can't keep the darn headset to stay on my ear for anything. I tilt my head and off it falls. Eeh, nothing is perfect.

What's your favorite new piece of technology?

Haiku Saturday

Oh what shall I do

when my fancy turns to paint?

Why grab a roller!

Twitter has Arrived!

I set up Twitter tonight. You should (fingers crossed) be able to get tweets about my blog posts and little extra comments throughout the day. I hope you follow me for a fab time.

Fab Friday Favorites

Who was caught being fabulous this week? Let's see ....

Lindsey and Nicole at the Pleated Poppy came up with this wonderful list of family rules. Pretty and practical.  I've got a "rules" project on the back burner and this definitely gives me a different way of approaching it.

Over at Creative Jewish Mom they have these wonderful  branches with tissue paper blossoms. They look so real!

This lovely Napa Style inspired lazy susan is from Room to Inspire and is just perfect! Read how it was put together from misc. pieces.

Amanda at a Lovely Place to Land took an old suitcase and made this wonder for a special girl. If purple isn't your color, just think of all the possibilities this technique has. Colors to match your room, brown with a world traveler theme, almost any color with the multitude of scrap book papers available, even wrapping paper. What would you do with said suitcase? Why have it out, stacked with other suitcases as an end table, plus have a bunch of storage. I can think of 2 people I know who need end tables. Hmmm..... I might have to make a trip go Goodwill.

Linday at The Cottage Home came up with this ultra creative way to store spools of ribbon. It's a pants hanger! Isn't she clever?

I love the idea of a birthday banner, as done by Pickup Some Creativity. What a great tradition to start with your family.

A Girl and a Glue Gun made these adorable cord ties out of fabric. Now I'm not a big sewer, but even I can whip up a couple of these beauties. With the sewing machine cover that will be made "some day" my sewing machine will be all tricked out. What fun.

Blogland is just full of ruffled, flower strewn pillows and clothing. It's very popular right now. I think this is one of the best pillow/rose combos that I've seen. It's sweet, but something that I could still have in my more modern space. This is from Suzanne at Just Another Hang Up and it has a tutorial. Check out her site, there are wonderful projects and she has an Etsy store with great things!

Shannon over at Quarry Orchard made these unique globe balls. I've never seen anything like them and just adore them. I want to have a tray (if I can ever figure out where to put it) with different texture balls in them and this would be a perfect addition. Hop on over for her tutorial.

Alicia over at Thrifty and Chic came up with this headband for her headboard. I LOVE this. Who would have thought to do this? Why Alicia of course!

I hope you enjoyed this week's spin around the web. I can't wait to see what I find for next week!