Scrappy Patchwork Throw Pillow

I usually work Saturdays and/or Sundays.  As the manager of an event venue, I have to decorate, plan and oversee each party.  So, if I have prior commitment, the date is blocked off.  Making my own schedule is a perk, but one that I don't exploit.  It's very rare for me to have a whole weekend off, and very VERY rare to have two weekends off in a row. It just so happens that I am in the middle of one of those very rare occasions.

Because of this, I had a little time to organize my fabrics.  I found a pile of scraps left over from my recent orders, including these Rag Ribbon Table Skirts I made for Simply Vintage Candles' gorgeous booth at the Atlanta Gift Mart.

I decided to come up with a few fun projects to use up my pile of scraps...

Here is my first creation:

This Scrappy Patchwork Pillow has two different sides:

I love how these colors can brighten up any room!

If you like the look of this Scrappy Patchwork Throw Pillow, you can order your very own custom patchwork throw pillow/pillow cover.  Email me for more info!

Happy weekend, lovies!

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15 Minute Project: Tablecloth Curtains

I needed some curtains for my dining room (in progress) but I couldn't find any that I loved without giving up my first born child in return.  Then I came across two of these tablecloths:

 

15 minutes later I had this:

I love quick and easy projects almost as much as I love repurposing and upcycling.  This is my favorite curtain tutorial so far, especially because it is only has 4 steps.

1. Find a great deal on 2 identical oblong fabric tablecloths (Target's Threshold brand comes in 84" length...the same as a basic curtain panel! Many tablecloth brands range up to 120" in length for the same price!)
2. Fold over the end of each of the tablecloths and pin to create a pocket on each for the rod.  The amount your fold depends on the size of the curtain rod.  Keep in mind that the more you fold over, the shorter the curtains will be. Make sure you fold them identically so that the panels hang evenly!
3. Stitch along the bottom of each fold.
4. Hang your new curtain panels!

What I love most is that tablecloths are already hemmed along all four sides, so you only have to sew one straight line across each!

Identical curtain panels at Target cost $24.99 each!  These tablecloths were $18.99 each (regular price). I saved 20% using my Cartwheel app, AND I had a Target coupon for $5 off a home purchase, so I ended up spending around $25 for both.  Another plus is that tablecloths are anywhere from 6" - 20" wider than curtain panels, so I only needed two for this large window, where I would've normally needed 4 traditional panels.

If you keep your eyes peeled, you will catch a great deal on some tablecloths.  I've seen some as low as $6 recently! 

A variation of this tutorial for more narrow windows:

• Use only one tablecloth.
• Cut the tablecloth in half lengthwise.
• Hem both newly cut sides
• Follow steps 2-7 above.
• Save EVEN MORE MONEY!

Thrift Store Corkboards Two Ways

My daughter needed a corkboard to hang above her new desk and I was lucky to come across two giant corkboards at my local thrift store last week.  They were both on sale, marked down to just $1.25! They needed a little TLC, for sure, so this is what I came up with:

I was lucky enough to find a piece of fabric in my stash that was just the right size to upholster the corkboard.  Using a staple gun, I stretched and attached the fabric to the back of the frame stapling the whole way around. 

 That's it!  It probably took me less than 15 minutes total to upholster it and hang it on the wall.

I had some left over chalkboard paint from a project I did at least 2 years ago.  I don't think I ever shared it with you, but you can see it here.  I took the corkboard outside and spray painted it with the chalkboard paint, letting it dry between coats.  Easy peasy!!  I added a typography Julia Child quote with chalk and hung it near my kitchen table:

I think it looks fab...except hubby keeps reading it as "People Who Eat People"...maybe I'm too subconsciously addicted to The Walking Dead!

Can you believe these two corkboards once looked like this?

(Disclaimer:  I fully realize that these are awful photos!  This is what happens when you are in a rush to document a project!)

Stenciled Drop Cloth Pillows

I was bit by the DIY/craft bug a couple of years ago.  It started out with an obsession with thrift stores and vintage pieces, then progressed to refurbishing vintage furniture, then upcycling (using an existing item in a whole new way, or turning one item into another), and finally to sewing items from scratch.  The following project was my first attempt (October 2010) at incorporating the various crafting elements.

I got the drop cloth in the paint section and stencils and acrylic craft paint in the craft section of Walmart.

A true upcycle project, I used the stuffing from some old throw pillows.

(This chair was a $15 Goodwill find.  I just reupholstered the seat.)

(Antique chair $5, Goodwill)

This is an easy peasy DIY project, but if you are interested in your own stenciled throw pillow and aren't in the mood to DIY, you can always turn to me! I promise my sewing has gotten A LOT better since 2010! ;)

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Tea Towels Turned Curtains (Take 2)

Over the summer, I turned some tea towels into kitchen curtains.  They turned out a little shorter than I had hoped, and so I added some eyelet trim, which made them a little more granny-fied than I had intended. 

A couple of months ago, I picked up three other tea towels on clearance at Target. I set one on the oven handle ("for pretty"), and sure enough, Hubs used it to wipe up a gunky mess. Why he would use a perfectly new tea towel when there are a million raggedy old dish towels two inches away is beyond me! ((sigh))

Anyway, there was no way I was letting my  other two tea towels be destroyed, so I decided I would use them to replace Granny Curtains.

This is how they came out:

I set these with the stripes vertically instead of horizontally like Granny.

I then trimmed off the excess fabric so they would be just the right length,
and sewed a pocket for the rod.

...and voila, a new set of curtains for about $4.

Click here to see where this and my other posts are linked!

Upcycled Paper Bag Cape

My 'lil guy just turned 4! He chose the theme for his party: Heroes v Villains. It was so much fun!

One of his requests was that all party goers be able to make a cape and a mask. My response? "Perfect!"

The capes were so simple and fun to make I couldn't help but share. So here you go.

Start with a paper grocery bag. Open it up completely and start cutting at the side seam.

Continue to cut across the bottom and all the way around to the other side seam.

Cut a semi-circle in the middle of the bottom flap (this is where the cape will fit around the child's neck)

Next, open the edges of the circle where they are glued together and trim the ends so they are even.

Then, gently peal off the handle and your cape is almost done.

Finally, punch holes at the sides of the neck and tie ribbon through the holes. 

Now the kids are free to decorate and get creative!

One of my favorite little crafters, hard at work!

These were so much fun and totally FREE to make. And you know us Aqua gals adore a bargain. 

Fit for a Superhero and a great Halloween craft as well!
I know what you're thinking, "I can do that." Know what? You can. And you should. Because we also discovered that if you turn it around to your front it makes an awesome adult-sized bib for eatin' lots of BBQ!

Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Challenge: The Red Challenge and Features

Thanks to all of our readers and followers who participated in The Monochromatic Challenge last week!  Before we premiere this week's challenge, here are our favorite link-ups from last week.

Anh-Kay of Glass Slippers on a Budget put together this fab gray-inspired
monochrome outfit from items in her closet.  Love the chunky necklace!

Tanya from Kreative Korner used items she had previously
found in India toput together this gorgeous gray and
black outfit!  We love the bubble top!

Thanks again ladies for your participation! If your look was featured, make sure to grab a LOVED BY button from our Button Up tab to put on your sidebar or featured page.  Remember, if you want your look to be featured, follow the rules listed below!


Now on to this week's challenge The Red Challenge:

Sources found on our Pinterest board

Bonus Accessory:

 

Source

Here is a reminder of the rules:

• Recreate a similar outfit head-to-toe.  This can mean that you recreate 1, 2, 3 or all of the looks featured this week.
• Create your very own look inspired by the photos we have posted
• Use the bonus accessory in your completed look
• Create an outfit inspired by the bonus accessory

This is where the FRUGAL part comes in.  The looks you create must be made up from:

• Garments/accessories you find at a thrift store/consignment store/yard sale/etc.
• Garments/accessories you already own.
• Garments/accessories you create.

You have until this Friday to recreate the outfit(s) and blog about them. Make sure to tell us where you found the pieces and how much (little) you spent on them. Don't forget to add the button below to your blog post, and we would LOVE if you became a follower.

Come back to AquaSeventy6 on Friday to see how we have recreated the looks, as well.  You are invited to add the link to your blog post on our comments section and the following week we will feature our favorite looks on our site and our Facebook and Twitter pages.


Don't have a blog, but you still want to join in?  NO PROBLEM!!  Create your look, upload the photos to a share site (ie: Photobucket or you can pin your look to Pinterest) and add the link, as well as the purchase/cost details, in our comments section on Friday for a chance to have your look featured.  You may also email your look by clicking on the email tab in our sidebar and using the word "RED" in your subject line.

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Fabulously Frugal Fall Fashion Friday #4

On Monday we posted a few photos of fall fashions from our Pinterest board.  Our challenge (and yours) was to create similar looks using only items we already own or have bought second hand.  So how did we do with the Monochromatic Challenge?  You tell us!

Original inspiration:

Our recreations:

This black monochromatic look was put together using items from our closet.
The clutch was handmade by Yvette (do you like??)  The owl pendant was a souvenir from
Charleston, SC last winter.  The boots are more recent from Ross.

This dress was found in a consignment shop in Savannah, GA the winter of 2009. 
The boots are from Charleston, SC winter of 2009 and the owl pendant was found
last winter in a second-hand shop also in Charleston.

The top was found last month (new with Dillard's tags) at Goodwill for $2.50!  The pants
were found in 2009 in a consignment shop in Lutz, FL, the shoes are last fall Forever 21
and the clutch is handmade.

We want to see how you recreate these looks!  You have until Sunday to post a link to your photograph in the comments section of this post or email us the photo using the subject line MONOCHROME.  We will feature our favorites on Monday along with the new outfit inspirations for next week's challenge.  If you need a reminder of the rules or details, click here.




Click here to see where this and our other projects are linked!