Inspiring upcycle: glass bottle diy projects

Have you ever looked at your recycle bin full of glass bottles (don't judge) and thought: "What a waste!". I had this revelation the other day as I passed all the neighborhood bins on my morning walk... "We can do better", I thought to myself. So I grabbed a couple bottles when no one was looking, and I committed to figuring out a new way to upcycle this amazing resource. Here's what I learned, and some tips if want to give this a try ;D

Boxed corner cushion sewing project

Beautiful fabrics deserve to be made into beautiful products... so when I find something like this vintage velvet remnant, it's project time! And the perfect choice for this vintage fabric, is a vintage style pillow. Piping, zippers, and boxed corners are all part of today's DIY.

Making a cottage style woven reed footstool

I love the french country look, and I know I'm not the only one... Pick up any decorator magazine and you can find those rustic natural elements accenting even the sleekest of modern designer rooms. So today I'm going to show you how I created one of the most versatile pieces of furniture; the cottage footstool.

Wood + cement = modern farmhouse cake stand

I love finding inspiration in unusual places... especially when it means avoiding a large retail price tag! This project was inspired by a beautiful slate topped walnut pedestal dining table from a high end retailer.  I loved the shape and presence of the table, but (1) I don't need a new table, and (2) not looking to spend a few thousand today. And voila, the design for this stylish little cake stand was conceived. From casting the cement top, to turning the wooden base, to sealing a food-ready surface, I'll show you how it's done ;D

Making picture frames from reclaimed barn wood

Reclaimed wood is such a great resource for so many of us; from old fences, to industrial palettes, and in my case old barns! But what can we do that really makes the best of this upcycling gold? Well today, I'm turning some of my favorite barn wood slats into gorgeous picture frames!

Creating an heirloom pet bed

If you know me, you know I love dogs... so when I came across a vintage, handmade, wooden doll bed frame at the flea market you can probably guess what I saw: french country, four post, woven rush dog bed! So here's the story of how the broken doll baby bed became the farm-chic puppy perch ;D

Magazine rack makeover

It's no secret I love the look of vintage woven rush furniture... so it should be no surprise that my latest transformation went from shabby and dated, to farmhouse chic in a hurry! This makeover is so complete, I almost didn't even recognize it... So check out one of my favorite makeovers to date, and let me know what you think!

How to finish your fiber rush crafts

This will be a quick (but hopefully informative) post for those of you dabbling in fiber rush crafts. For me, that's been all about restoring adorable stools and footrests... and bringing these heirlooms back to life! Whether you're looking to customize the color, or simple protect your work; I've tested a few options to help you get that project done right ;D

DIY project: wooden crate upcycle

This story starts like so many of my stories, someone was getting rid of this adorable little wooden box! Sure it's missing pieces, had paint spilled on it, and has a hole in the bottom... but that's not what I see. I see a bedside table with storage, a simple upholstered top in clean canvas with top stitched details, and nail head trim. Let's make that happen ;D

Furry Knits: 10 free knitting patterns for pets

designer: Jacqueline Cieslak

Who loves us more than our pets? From dogs and cats, to guinea pigs and ferrets, we welcome all kinds of furry creatures into our families... so why not show them how much they mean to us with some hand knit gifts? I've made it even easier by puling together 10 great patterns that are adorable, quick to knit, and best of all... FREE ;D

DIY project: pouf ottoman

Maybe it's the cold weather, but I find myself drawn to sewing projects lately. I also happen to have a stack of upholstery fabric (left overs from other projects, or flea market finds) that's just been begging to be put to good use! So this week I'm working on a simple, functional, and stylish project that can be completed in a day: my classic pouf ottoman.

Finding new passions: something old is new again

It's that time again... time to resolve to do all the fantastic things that we just couldn't get to last year! This year I've challenged myself to learn new things. For me, this could mean trying something completely new, but it can also mean building on the things I already know... or even re-learning something I haven't done in a really long time. From woodworking to needlework, get ready for a preview my 2017 project plan!

10 reasons to try knitting cables: free knitting patterns

designer: Debbie Adriulli

As I might have mentioned before, this new year I am branching out and resolving to learn new crafts... but I'm not looking to do this alone! So to help bring you along on this journey, I'm going to revisit some of my favorite crafts in the hopes that you will be inspired to try any of those that are new to you; this time around we are knitting cables! Whether you're an experienced knitter, or just getting started, I've found 10 FREE patterns that will definitely pique your interest in taking your skills to the next level ;D

Thanskgiving at the grown up table: vintage folding chair upcycle

It wouldn't be a holiday if I wasn't working up to the last minute on some kind of project... this year it's a little extra seating, vintage style. I picked up these adorable little wooden folding chairs over the summer, at the request of my Mom (actual quote): "I wish I had some extra chairs for family dinner night". Well that's all I needed to hear... So the plan is to show up with these 3 upcycled seats to share with the family!

Upcycled upholstery: round tufted ottoman

We all know by now, I'm a sucker for a sad and discarded piece of furniture... especially one that's seen more years than I have, or one that simply has so much potential! Well, this project is just one more example of why I can't let those little treasures go. If you've ever been out shopping for that perfect little accent piece, small bench seat, or foot rest, than you know it's not only difficult to find... it will cost you! In this post I'll show you that you can get that high dollar perfect look for less, with a bit of work and creativity!

DIY crafts: 3 Halloween decorations to make today!

Halloween is such a fun time! Costumes, candy, and of course the festive decor... Halloween decorations can be found all over these days, but why pay when you can make them yourself with items you probably already have on hand? I'll share 3 different decorating ideas you can make no matter your crafting skill level, in no time flat, for under $10!