Spoonful of Imagination

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My “Double Curtain Panel” Story

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Last week, I had one of those weeks that you have to laugh (and pray loads) at to make it through. I was sick, my baby girl was sick, my husband was traveling, my son’s puppy pooped live worms on a favorite rug at 11:00pm…so I found my sick self washing all my bedding at 11:00pm for fear I would get worms. The same baby girl (that isn’t really a baby at 4 years old) took a late nap (that never happens) and peed my bed, and I didn’t realize it till much later. So, I was changing sheets again another night…I could go on and on…it was epic.

In the midst of all that, I just needed a pick me up. Somewhere in that week, I sewed my curtain. The week is a bit of a blur, but I see these curtains and they feel like a bigger accomplishment than any other regular craft project. They feel like I climbed Mount Everest.

double_curtainsDo you have a project like that? In all actuality it was just a curtain panel. For weeks and weeks, I searched the web, pinterest, my favorite stores-looking for the perfect fun, colorful, floral pattern curtain. I never found any I just loved for the price I wanted to pay. I just wanted one curtain panel. I needed a fun curtain to add to my black and white one.

If you remember from my home tour, my craft studio use to look like this…

craft-ROOM1

craft-ROOMI loved the big open windows. I didn’t really even think about putting curtains up, until I put a day bed in the room and realized it really could act as another sleeping place for guests. That started the curtain thinking and searching. Once I realized my black and white set would only cover a portion of the windows, I decided to mix it up with a contrasting color and pattern in another curtain panel for fun. After looking for a long time, I decided I just needed to make it. I found this fabric and draped it over the curtain rod to stare at for a while to make sure I was sure. It kind of worked like that, so maybe I could have just left it. It worked with the look of another favorite rug thrown over the chair, so the puppy wouldn’t pee on it…or chew on it…again too. 🙂

deciding_on_curtainsI simply folded about half an inch over on the side and sewed it up. I could have ironed to have that fold have a nice pretty crease, but I was sick…and didn’t care.

sewing_curtainsAfter both sides were sewn up. I folded the top over about three inches, pinned the fabric down, and sewed along the pin line. This made a long loop for my curtain rod to go through.

curtain_loopI then hung up the new curtain to be able to tell length. I got three yards of fabric and probably cut off about 1/4 a yard. I just eye-balled it, cut it, and sewed the edge. There isn’t anything super pretty about my sewn lines or the corner edges, but it’s just a curtain panel, right!?

curtain_length

sewing_curtain_edgeI love how it came out. It was a little joy and fun in the midst of some craze. I’m feeling so much better. I’m so glad I am writing to you rather than being in bed by 8:00pm. God is good.

craft_roomIt was just a curtain panel, but after weeks of searching, deciding to make it, and pulling it off…it was a GREAT thing to get done. Do you have anything like that on your to do list?

I can’t wait to show you this whole room, but tomorrow I am going to share with you my boys’ bedroom stenciled wall. Be sure to check it out. It’s one of my favorite paint projects to date!

I’m jumping all over with this home tour. I hope you like seeing bits and pieces as I have them! Love you all, and so thankful that you are a place that I can share my bad week and just be real. As always find me on Instagram (ericadeuel) so we can chat!

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Craft Supplies

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20 top DIY craft suppliesIf you aren’t a DIY crafter, it can be really overwhelming to walk into a craft store like Hobby Lobby, Jo Annes, or Michaels.  There are so many different products and all classified in aisles with similar type items.  I assume you stand there looking at it all and wonder which do you choose and where do you start.

Today, I want to give you a list of my favorite craft items.  These items (other than the ones that don’t need replacing like scissors and ruler) I am regularly buying, even if I don’t have a project in mind.  They are the items that I use ALL the time for a wide range of projects.  I feel like if you have these items you can jump start DIY projects and decorating your home for much less.  Below I have listed 20 items and given examples of ways/projects I use these craft items.

Read the list, print it out, and go shopping!

1. Clear Sewing Ruler

My favorite ruler is 3″ x 18″. I use it to measure everything-not just sewing projects! I love to use it on paper crafts as well because you can align patterns better with the see through style. Example of use: making cards and centering applique items on fabric

clear sewing ruler

2. Mod podge

I think Mod Podge can make any project look more “finished” and “professional.” There are lots of different finishes, but the gloss and matte are my two favorites. Example of use: finishing off any ceramic paint job, collages, or appliqueing pictures/papers to other objects

modpodge

3. Sharpies

I use sharpies everyday. There are lots of different sizes and colors. Having a multi pack is a great thing to have on hand. Example of use: making cards, organization, banners, decorating jars/signs

sharpies

4. Exacto Knife

Having an exacto knife on hand is so helpful. It can be used to cut all those small or intricate things that scissors can’t do really good. Example of use: create your own stencil

SONY DSC

5. Burlap/Burlap Ribbon

Burlap is so fun and cheap! You can buy it by the yard, or (in the flower section at Hobby Lobby) they sell it in a variety of different ribbons to make it more manageable to create with. I have both on hand and use them all the time. Example of use: create a table runner, decorate jars, make a banner, wreaths, and embellish pillows

burlap_ribbon

6. Brown packaging paper by the roll

I buy mine for a $1.00 at the Dollar Tree in the office supply section. It makes great wrapping paper, but I end up using it a lot on other projects as well. Example of use: table runners, banners, stuffing for filler items, cards, wall art, or a drop clothe for other projects

brown-wrapping-paper-8-meter-roll

7. Paint brushes

Having paint brushes in a variety of different sizes is so helpful! I also like to have a variety of types as well. I have a Dollar Tree ones that I use on quick, one time projects like staining a sign. I also have nicer fine brushes that help me paint small things like letters. Example of use: painting signs, using mod podge, or decorating anything

775paintbrushes

8. Acrylic paint

I have a whole basket of different colors of small acrylic paint bottles for like $0.49 each. I like the Americana brand at Hobby Lobby. Example of use: creating a sign, painting seasonal items, embellishing items, or organization

art-deco-paint

9. Scrapbook paper

I buy the brown paper package at Hobby Lobby and use it for everything! I also love to have lots of fun sheets and patterns on hand. I use to scrapbook, but now I use all my scrapbook paper for different projects! Example of use: cards, background for frames/wall art, banners, and embellishing

scrapbook paper

10. Packages of fun/vintage buttons

There are so many fun uses for buttons and you can never have too many! Example of use: hair bows, wreaths, pillows, wall art, necklaces, and embellishing

buttons

11. Cute glass jars to store craft supplies in

I love to store my beads and other small craft stuff in pretty jars, so I can easily see my supplies and also enjoy their fun bright colors. Example of use: storage, organization, vases, gift to give flowers

glass-jars-with-lids

12. Sheets of felt

They sell pieces of felt for $0.25 each at Hobby Lobby. I use felt on a lot of different projects. Example of use: hair bows, embroider hoops, sewing projects, wreaths, and embellishing

sheets of felt

13. Embroidery floss with needles

They are like $.19 each and I always use it for something! Example of use: wall art, embroider hoops, hair bows, monogramming, sewing projects, and embellishing

embroidery floss

14. Jute rope

Jute Rope is a staple. I use it on everything from wrapping presents to making banners & tags. Example of use: decorate jars, banners, gift tags, cards, wreaths, and wall art

jute rope

15. Small sewing scissors

Good scissors are so important, but also there are so many projects (even paper ones) where I need a small point to cut something out and need a small sharp needle. Small thread scissors can be perfect for this OR in the BEAUTY section at Target the eyebrow trimmer scissors are really good too. Example of use: creating stencils, cards, hair bows, paper wall art, and sewing projects

eyebrow scissor

16. Stencils

Stencils are great to have on hand. If you don’t want to buy one, you can make one like I showed you on a personalized sign I made for my sister. I think having a nice font with all the letters of the alphabet is a great place to start. Example of use: signs, cards, organization, and embellishing

stencil-alphabet

17. Fun tape or ribbon

I recently bought some fun patterned duct tape in the Target dollar section at the front of the store, and I know I will be using it on something other than a normal duct tape use. Example of use: wall art, wreaths, hair bows, embellishing

ribbonspools

18. Little Things

I love little things like knobs, scrap book pieces, feathers. I use them all the time in random projects. Example of use: signs, hair bows, wreaths, and signs

craft feathers

19.  Hot glue gun

A hot glue gun is a staple in the craft room. I have two guns. I have a fine tip hot glue gun that I use to make hair bows, but I also have one that has a wider end that is helpful to use on bigger projects. Example of use: ANYTHING!  I just used it to make a rug 🙂

Hot-Glue-Gun

20.  Natural elements

Here is where I might sound weird. I have zip locks of natural elements that I love to use in decorating or other craft projects. Examples:  acorns, pine cones, bark, hay, and rocks. Example of use: filler to lanterns/jars, mantle decor, banners, signs, and wreaths

pinecones

Spring is such a wonderful time to de clutter and get motivated to start new things.  I hope this craft list can help encourage you to try a DIY project if you don’t already craft. If you are ALREADY a crafter, did any of these items surprise you from me?  I think the BEAUTY supply item (eyebrow trimmer scissors) is such a valuable tool!  What is your favorite craft item?

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Furniture with a Story

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Have you ever taken an old piece of furniture (with a story) and given it new life to make it beautiful again?  It’s one of my favorite kind of projects to do.  You might remember seeing these before pics of my chest of drawers from my grandparent’s auction.

I loved the drawers and saw potential in this piece right away!  My cousin grabbed the second one, and I love how he remade his set chest of drawers to turn it into an end table!  I quickly redid that little chair (in the above pic) for my bedroom makeover, but the drawers have set in my car port since the beginning of this summer!?

They looked so sad and forgotten in the middle of all kinds of other projects.  I finally set out to tackle the transformation a little before Thanksgiving, and this is how I did it.

I gave the metal drawer slides a quick coat of silver spray paint to cover up the rust and grim.  I then gave the drawers a really good sanding.  This was the most labor intensive part of this project.

Once the drawers were sanded, I used a gray stain that I received at the Country Living Fair to cover the drawers and the chest itself.  I knew the stain would settle different on the chest (since that was just pure wood) than on the drawers (which were painted white).  I was excited that the drawers and chest would have the same finish, but (since the original base was different) the drawers would stand out a little.

I loved the result.  My son said it looks dirty, just like he said about my Rope Balls’ Planter.

Next, I gave the drawer handles a coat of a bright blue spray paint, and I then gave them a light sanding so they too looked more rustic.  I wanted to add some color to my piece, but let it be pretty timeless as well.  I think I accomplished that.

I decided that this chest of drawers would be a perfect addition to my craft table/area.  My hope was that it would help keep this area organized, so it didn’t always look such a mess.

Once it was set up in my house, I was so excited about it!  I quickly snapped this picture with my iPhone and sent it to a friend.

The desire to have a neat free craft area is good, but it probably isn’t practical, right!?  This is my area now…

It is complete with Legos and toys all over the floor.  Watch your step around here!

Although the table is a mess once again, the drawers have been super helpful, and I love all the drawers and dividers that help keep my favorite craft stuff organized.

I love the way this chest of drawers turned out, but what I love the most is that it use to be my grandpa’s.  I love the story that comes with it.  My grandpa has always been super handy and built amazing toys, clocks, and lamps.  I was just talking to my mom last weekend about how he made the most intricate doll house with furniture for my sister.  It is gorgeous.  With his auction this summer he sold most of his tools, since he is getting older, but I got this drawer set where he used to store his bolts and screws and used it everyday.  It is so special that I now can use it everyday to help my craft.

Do you have a piece of furniture in your home that has a special story?  Thank you so much for stopping by!