Naughty Notions Clutch...just in the nick of time

VOTE HERE

A few weeks ago I stumbled across the Naughty Notions Challenge and immediately signed up (because it's not like I had a million other things that I needed to get done first...and is it really necessary for me to get 6 hours of sleep a night?  I mean, how ridiculous am I? *wink*wink*).  But, I love a challenge and just can't resist.  

I spent the first few days contemplating my design.  The voices in my head debated over several different ideas...zippers and buttons and bias tape, oh my!  Then it hit me....eyelets!  Lots and lots of eyelets!  I decided I would use them to create an outline of something.  But what? After hours and hours and hours and hours of research on Pinterest, I decided there was no better inspiration for an accessory than Audrey Hepburn.

Sadly, it turns out that even though I have a high school diploma and a college degree, I am not even close to being qualified to operate the eyelet gun.  I apparently lack that skill and need to hire an eyelet installation tutor. So ashamed!

But, I picked myself up, dusted myself off and started all over again!  And here it is...

 My notions are tulle, ribbon, a button and elastic rope.  With a satin base, I attached rows of tulle ruffles focused from the center out.

Then I covered the bare center seam with a satin hounds tooth ribbon and attached a black and white cameo button from my collection.  A small loop of elastic rope was attached on the reverse side to allow for a closure.

I really wanted to have a little pop of color, so I decided to add it to the inside.  I had this great remnant of satin with blue circles that I used as the lining.

I love how it turned out!  I can't wait to carry it!  

And now I am ready for the next challenge!

Don't forget to vote!!

  

Superheroes come in all shapes and sizes...

I am not quite sure how the time has gotten away from me, but it has been 2 weeks since my last post.  I am on the verge of putting my house on the market, so I have been spending all my spare time trying to finish up a few small projects to get it ready.

Hopefully I can get my act together and try to be a little more organized with my time.   Especially since I have joined the Naughty Notions Challenge and need to get my clutch done!  I have started my first attempt, but I am not all that thrilled with how it is turning out.  I think I just need to sleep on it and decide in the morning if I am going to move on to plan B.

Now, on to the superheroes in my life.

It all starts with a boy named George...

George is 5 and doesn't like to go anywhere without his superhero cape on.  So, I knew for Christmas I wanted to make him a personalized one.  (Since, I have 3 nephews between the ages of 3 and 5, I made one for each of them.)

(It was a little chaotic that day, so I didn't get pictures of each one wearing the capes, but this is what Charlie's cape and Connor's cape looks like)

George loved it so much that he wore it home.  Oh yeah, and they are reversible...

Even grandpa was a little jealous and had to have a turn being the superhero.  Which led to this...

and this...

It was fun to see them really enjoying the capes.

A New Slipcover, Phase Two

It's finally finished!!

This slipcover took so much longer than my last one...not really sure why.  Could have a been a bit of procrastination (wink, wink), but it did seem like there were a lot more trips back and forth between pinning the pieces together while on the couch and the sewing room.

I'm just so excited to have a couch I am proud of now.

I know the side tables and the coffee table are pretty boring, but they have actually changed since I took these pictures.  More on that later....

Here is a little sneak peek at the next piece of furniture that is getting a slip cover.

This is an Ethan Allen chair I found while out thrifting one day and the only thing wrong with it is a missing cover on the seat cushion.  I thought it was a steal at $24.  I am thinking a bold print on the seat cushion and perhaps a bit of painting (but not the way you are thinking).  Check back soon to see how I transform this piece.

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A New Slipcover, Phase One

I bought this couch 6 years ago at a consignment shop.  It's nothing too exciting, but it is a great couch. Unfortunately, over the years, my dogs have really done a number on it's appearance.

{...and these are the clean sides of the cushions}

So, it is time to change things up a bit...

Yes, a white slipcover.  I know, I know, you have seen hundreds of these.  Even though it's nothing new and exciting, I just had to share a bit of this journey.  The cushion covers aren't finished yet and the skirt needs to be hemmed, but I am so excited about the direction this is headed.  Less than half way done and it already changes the feel of the room.

I can't wait to get this finished and finally have a couch that I like again.

Check back for phase two very soon!!



New Life for an Old Bench

I have had this bench forever. 

OK, not really forever...but for awhile now.

OK, OK, I confess. I have only had it for a couple of years, but already I was bored with it and shoving it in rooms I don't use so that no one would see it when they were at my house.

It's not that it is an ugly bench...it's just blah!  I already recovered the cushion, because if you can believe it this bench was even more blah to begin with.  But, it was time for a drastic change.

So, a little paint and some new fabric makes Jenni a happy bench owner.

Now I don't hide it in a guest bedroom...

I proudly display it in my own bedroom.  Right under my beautiful mirror!