I never knew curtains could be so simple to make....

My family room ceiling is about 18 ft high and 13 ft of that is windows.  So, I wanted to make my own curtains one, to save a little money and two, because I wanted to do it myself.  I finally found some fabric that I loved online from www.fabric.com  and it was so reasonable. I think I paid 12.95 per yard and it was 30.00 per yard fabric. I also bought the backing fabric and it was something like 2.95 per yard.  So, for under 100.00, I bought fabric to make 4 panels for two long windows. 

What I did was use the width 54inches and cut in half to make two panels.  My windows are narrow and I wanted less bunchy fabric on each side.  Otherwise, it would have cost double that, but that would still be better than paying someone over a thousand dollars to make.

Here is the link I followed on Pinterest (Click her for link on Pinterest for Step by Step)  and my pics to go along with it - step by step.  She has the BEST instructions EVER!  If I can follow them, you can too.  Just take your time and when she says to iron the hems, please do this! That is what saved me.

Up close of my fabric.  I love it!

First,  I laid my fabric out and cut down the center to make two panels.  I had a cutting board I moved along the bottom and used one of those rotary cutters! THE BEST THING EVER!

 

Once I had these cut, I took each one and ironed the hems down like she said. See my ironing board in the back, so I really did do it! :)

 Just a close up of the ironed hems.

Then, you place your backing fabric under the hems and I cut it. She used a sheet, but I needed much longer, so I bought thin backing fabric.  This part was easy too.

The next few pics are my sewn curtains. I was so proud. 

Another smart thing I did was cut one, iron it, add backing, pin it and them sew them ONE AT A TIME!  If I had cut all at one time, ironed each one before sewing, I probably would not have finished in one day. But to do one panel at a time and see the finished product before making the next one, I got more excited each time to get them done.  They don't look like much here, but hanging, I am so pleased.

 

It was really hard to get a good view of them hanging.  But, you can see how long they are.

I still have not hemmed them! I was trying to decide if I should puddle them or not, but I think since this is a family room and it is casual, I won't puddle. I just have to get them hemmed now. I will do it while they are hanging.

Tell me what you think.  Also, if you want to try them, please refer to the link above, she is fantastic with her instructions!  Good Luck!

 

 

I finally made COASTERS

I had some of the glossy white tiles left from a tiling project so I wanted to make some coasters. I like these for coasters, because they are a little bigger than regular coasters and will fit a wider bottom cup or glass, like a stemmed glass.

I chose the scrapbook paper I wanted to use. I have this green in my family room, so I thought it would be perfect.  I used a tile to make a template and cut out 6 of them.

 

I then put a layer of Mod Podge on the tiles and placed the papers on each one. I had to let it dry really good before going on to the next step.

Here is where I added a layer of Mod Podge on the tops of the papers once it was dry on the bottom. I did this two more times, for a total of three times.  You really can't see the lines, but if you hold them in the light, you can see some lines, but they are not cloudy, they are clear and kind of adds some texture. 

My finished products.  I am really pleased with them. Next I want to try some with Christmas napkins. I saw a tutorial on Pinterest with Santa napkins.  What a great gift idea.
Here is the link to the original Pinterest Pin I found them on.  http://www.reneweduponadream.com/2011/10/tile-mod-podge-coasters.html

 

Teacher Gift Card Tree

I had an idea of making my daughter's Homeroom Teacher a gift card tree. I had made one a few years back for a raffle and it was so nice. So, I found the clay pot idea on Pinterest and decided to put my own spin on it.  It was easy and fun.

Taken from Pinterest here

It's been a while...

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