Up, Up, and Away

Just a few scenes from the weekend. Enjoy!

 

And... as usual... someone was grumpy.

At least he's predictable!

Butterick 5355

Suddenly, there was an explosion from the left side of the room! Fabric, pins, and thread were sent flying through the air.

The creature began to destroy everything in sight. None were safe from its tirade of epic proportions.

What happened?! What awoke the sleeping monster and provoked such a reaction?!

Bias tape + a neckline.

**gasp**

Okay. I'll confess. I'm the brat who let a neckline get the better of me.

Welcome to "Fast and Easy" Butterick 5355.

I was delighted to open this envelope and discover that there were only 4 pattern pieces required to complete this breezy top!

I've had two yards of a gorgeous chevron crepe de chine on standby for a few months, just waiting to be used for this project.

I'm not usually a chevron-kind-of-gal, but I loved the bold colors and the diagonal orientation of the chevron bars. Cute, cute!

After my last project with crepe de chine, I was apprehensive about getting started. However, all came together beautifully.

I used french seams to finish the edges because of the open, flowy arms. I think it has a more polished look versus a serged seam.

There were no problems at all, really... until I hit the neckline.

I knew I needed to make my own binding. There were no pre-packaged options that would have looked right with this fabric. So, I spent nearly an hour, cutting, folding, and pressing my own bias tape.

{Well, there went the "Fast!"}

Because of the "easy" nature of this pattern, the included instructions indicated that the 1/4" binding be pinned to the neckline and stitched together through all thicknesses.

Well, it looked just awful. The fabric kept slipping... my seams weren't straight... and, the more I tried to correct my issues, the worse the fabric looked! I lost the fight and decided to give up all together.

I mean, totally give up. Sewing. Crafting. Blogging. Forever! I was done! I didn't need this stress in my life!

Aye-yi-yi... such a brat!

Two weeks later, my husband convinced me to pick it back up and finish it. Knowing I would have the same trouble, I decided to hand-sew the binding on.

It took forever, but the result was worth it. It looks so polished!

I'm so ashamed of my behavior and the fact that I let this "Fast and Easy" top get the better of me! I know that my frustration was actually a culmination of other stresses affecting my temperament. After a good cry and a nice break, I'm inspired and getting back to the business of creating.

Geez... I hope I'm not the only one who cries over the sewing machine...

This Ugly House :: The Family Room

From the get-go, this room had more personality than any other in the house.

I mean, look at this fireplace feature. It screams at you as you walk in the room.

Not necessarily the "belle of the ball," but sort of cool. Definitely worth embracing.

First came the paint...

Next came a new entertainment center...

We have a WONDERFUL Amish furniture store in town. I would gladly take one of everything! We lucked up with this unit. It was marked down because it was a floor model and they wanted to make room for new samples. The craftsmanship is unsurpassed.

Then came the flooring...

This flooring was a sort of vinyl plank... somethin' or another...

It was hard to get off and it shredded like cardboard.

To replace it, we wanted to go with something durable and sustainable. We decided to go with a bamboo at Lumber Liquidators. We did our research. We looked at samples in the store and finished rooms online before making the decision to purchase.

The sample we saw in the store essentially looked like this:

Nice, natural, variegated... However, we discovered (upon opening the boxes) that the dark tones on every single plank is sprayed on in a fairly consistent pattern. That was a bit disappointing - but also the risk you take when you order flooring online. There is a 20% restocking fee (which equaled a pretty substantial chunk of change) so we opted to go with it.

The end result isn't as terrible as we expected, though.

Yes, there is a definite pattern, but it's still a huge improvement over what was there.

A little unpacking, fluffing, and new window valances (I used McCall's 3632) and we are in pretty good shape!

And there's a place for our collection of lucky little guardians!

"Enameled" Pinwheel Charms

I just dropped Kellie off at the airport.

**tear and sniff**

We had such a great weekend... sightseeing, shopping, eating, and... crafting.

Yes, I suckered her into a crafting session. I've missed having creative company! A visit from my bestie was the perfect crafting jumpstart that I needed.

I've had this idea floating in my head for a while and was waiting for the right time to give it a try - "enameled" Shrinky Dink pinwheel charms.

Isn't it adorable?

I love pinwheels. I "pin" them as often as I see them. They are such happy little things!

Look at these beauties.

And, do you remember my March Winds wreath?

 

It's still hanging in my boys' playroom. Such a happy sight!

But I digress... back to the tutorial.

We would both label this project a challenge and a success (and I have the burns to prove it!).

Here's how we made our charms.

Start with a 2" x 2" square of Shrinky Dink material. Cut four slits from the exterior corners to the near-middle of the square.

Punch a hole in one corner.

Heat your oven and shrink per product directions.

Here's where it gets tricky... and dangerous...

Right as your plastic lays flat, open the oven and begin to fold in the edges towards the center as shown below. You have to work very quickly or the plastic will become to hard to fold into shape.

I burned myself several times during our various trials - so, trust me, it's dangerous work!

We made several attempts before figuring out the proper technique for working with the plastic.

 

File the tips of the pinwheel just a bit because the edges are very sharp.

Paint your piece with nail polish just as you would a manicure - several thin coats and a top coat. Allow each to dry thoroughly.

We inserted toothpicks into our punched hole to make painting all sides easier.

Add a jump ring and you're done!

Now that we've worked through this project, I can think of 1,000 ways to make it even more creative with painting techniques. I'm thinking polka dots... glitter... stripes... ahhhhhh!!!! There is so much fun to be had!

I'm tempted to try more 3D Shrinky Dink projects after our success with this one. Any ideas? Send them my way, please!

This Ugly House :: The Deck

I love my back deck. I have nothing negative to say about this space.

{You were beginning to think that I do nothing but complain. Am I right?}

It's so spacious and inviting. And now that it's warm, we are practically living back here! My 3-year-old says dinner is always a "picnic."

What could need improvement?

Well... other than just a thorough power washin', a few flowers for these sad planters were in order.

So, we've spent the last few days pruning and planting.

What an improvement!!

I honestly can't remember the last time we bought this many annuals. They are so beautiful and happy!

Coleus is one of my favorite planter additions. It comes in so many pretty hues and complements just about everything.

There is also a beautiful and very large Japanese maple that provides a shady spot to sit beneath all day long. It's just gorgeous!

 

My appreciation for spring and warm, sunny weather has reached a whole new level. I don't want to waste a single minute indoors.

I hope that the weather is beautiful and life is peaceful wherever you are.