Family Circle Kitchen Table

 

 

Hey!! I hope you are all having a great week!! I’m excited to say that I have made it on to Round Three of the One Crafty Contest!! Yippee! Thank you, again, for voting for me one more time. I really appreciate it!

 

This week’s challenge was to create something using Mod Podge. I’ve gotta be honest. This was the one round that I had no idea what I was going to make. Not a clue. I immediately began looking at Pinterest, Google, and Flickr for inspiration. Like most of my projects, this Mod Podged kitchen table project came from adding a million ideas into one big thing.

 

Our kitchen tabletop is the perfect candidate for a makeover. It is a bit small for what we need, so it will be getting replaced eventually (get in line, table). Plus, like I said a few times before, I’m so tired of all the brown around here. All this brown and none of it’s chocolate. Sigh.

 

Taking a family picture and Mod Podging it to the top seemed like a fun, family friendly way to personalize the table while it waits for a replacement top.

 

Here’s our table before it’s makeover:

 

 

For the picture, I wanted something we’d love to look at all the time. (Pictures of our feet were out!) We all laid in the grass holding hands in a circle while my friend took our picture. (We tried standing but just kept getting feet in the shot!) I edited our picture on our computer (using Picasa) and changed it to black and white.

 

The picture was saved to a flash drive, and I took it to FedEx/Kinko’s to get copied. Our table is 36 inches across, so I asked for a copy that was 36 x 36. This cost $7 and was my only expense for the project.

 

Once I was back home, the picture was then spread across the table. I centered everything the way I liked it (using painter’s tape to keep things from scooching around) and then pressed the paper around and down the edges. I used this line later when it came time to cut the excess paper off. Using a roller brush, Mod Podge was painted across the entire tabletop. The print was then added to the top and the bubbles smoothed out.

 

I put towels down to protect the picture, and then heavy books and boxed were stacked on top to make sure the copy paper adhered to the table. I left it there for awhile because I had places to be and things to do. (Like going to a live taping of X Factor!!)

(Yes, that’s the same outfit I wore to Wicked. This mom needs to get some more “goin’ out” clothes.)

 

K, so once I quit playing with my friends ;) , I finished my table top. Three coats of Mod Podge were added to the top of the copy paper. The edges of the print were cut away, and more Mod Podge was added around the table’s edge.

 

I’m thinking I may want to add some varnish to the top, just for a little more protection. But for now, our new tabletop:

 

 

I love love love this project because it’s personalized to our family. Just about any picture can be taken and made into a large print, so the options for another project like this are endless. Plus the price…$7 or so for the copy…is just so much cheaper than buying a new tabletop. I can hold off on that expense just a little longer thanks to this fun makeover!

 

Thank you, again, for your votes!! Round Three is this week, and the challenge is to make something with FABRIC. Hmm. I have a pretty good idea of what I want to do. Let’s see if it works out! :)

 
 

I’m linking up!

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , A Bowl Full of Lemons, The Thrifty Home, Someday Crafts, Seven Thirty Three, Beyond the Picket Fence, House of Hepworths, Tales From Bloggeritaville, Made in a Day, Sassy Sites, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, The Shabby Nest, RemodelaholicBeneath My Heart, Lolly Jane Boutique, Be Different Act Normal, C.R.A.F.T., Thrifty Decor Chick, Funky Junk Interiors, Under the Table and Dreaming, House of Grace, Primitive and Proper, Sugar Bee Crafts, Home Stories A 2 Z, Domestically Speaking, Southern Lovely, Somewhat Simple, One Artsy Mama, It’s Overflowing, Six Sister’s Stuff

 

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Round Two Voting Is Up!!

 

Hey Y’all!! The entries for Round Two of the One Crafty Contest is up, and voting has begun!!

 

PLEASE, will you take a second to vote for you favorite project? I’d really appreciate it!

 

I’m really thrilled about the way my project turned out. I hope you like it!! Can you figure out which one is mine?

 

 

Click HERE to vote!!

 P.S. Remember that the vote button is ABOVE the project! :)

 

Thank you so much!!!!

 

Goin’ Green

K, so if you take a look at the following beautiful spaces, they all have one thing in common that takes them from lifeless to lovely:

 

Kristen Hutchins

 

Lonny Magazine

 

Patrick Ahearn

 

Photobucket

HGTV

 

Pinned Image

Midwest Living

 

Atlanta Homes

 

media_room_sf_showcase_2012

Weaver Design Group via Simplified Bee

 

Each room has plants or flowers breathing a little life into them. If you put your fingers over the plants, it’s amazing to see the difference in the spaces without them.

 

Plants are the finishing touch in a room that may otherwise feel lifeless and flat. Plants give homes a soul. They give them dimension, and they make homes look and feel fresh. And the best part? Plants are always in style.

 

K, so we’ve seen magazine pictures and show houses with plants in them. Of course those rooms look amazing…that’s why they’re in the mag in the first place. You could add a bag of dog vomit in a decorative bowl, and it would still look pretty great. So – how does this translate into “real life?”

 

I recently toured a model home with Allison, and we removed the plants to see what a home looks like with and without some green. And WOW, what a difference. Seriously.

 

Living Room with plants:

Sad:

Happy:

 

Boring:

 

Interesting:

 

Ugly:

 

Not ugly:

 

Unappetizing:

 

I’m pretty sure even three year olds eat all their vegetables and sit the entire time they eat at this table:

Go away:

 

Welcome home:

 

With the addition of just a little green, these spaces seem homey, happy, and complete.

 

And for just a little green, you can add some soul to your home, too. Places like Ikea, Big Lots, Wal-mart, and thrift stores sell live and artificial plants for next to nothing. Bouquets of fresh flowers at the grocery store start at $4, and you can break them up into smaller groups to place around the house.

 

Remember my Creeping Jenny? She was like $3 maybe? at Home Depot.

She is all over the place now, and soon I’ll be able to transfer her outside.

 

If you see an artificial plant at Hobby Lobby that you like, you can either wait for it to go on sale or use a 40% off coupon. (Did you know that if you go to Hobby Lobby.com on your phone while you’re in the store, click on Store Coupon, and show the coupon to the check-out person, it’s honored as though you have a paper coupon? Love that!)

 

This is assuming that you’re like me and don’t already have flowers growing outside your home. Cuz if you do, cutting them and placing them in vases around the house is FREE! Lucky you! (Can I have some?)

 

So, I’m going to take my own advice and look for some more green for my home…starting in the family room. I think that’s a huge thing missing in that space. Can’t wait to fill it with a little more soul and life (and a little less laundry and crumbs!) ;)

 

How about you? Do you decorate with flowers and plants? Any plants in your home that you love? Any suggestions for keeping them alive? Do you know any great deals on artificial plants? Leave a comment…I’d love to know!

 

I’m linking up!

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , A Bowl Full of Lemons, The Thrifty Home, Someday Crafts, Seven Thirty Three, Beyond the Picket Fence, House of Hepworths, Tales From Bloggeritaville, Made in a Day, Sassy Sites, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, The Shabby Nest, RemodelaholicBeneath My Heart, Lolly Jane Boutique, Be Different Act Normal, C.R.A.F.T., Thrifty Decor Chick, Funky Junk Interiors, Under the Table and Dreaming, House of Grace, Primitive and Proper, Sugar Bee Crafts, Home Stories A 2 Z, Domestically Speaking, Southern Lovely, Somewhat Simple, One Artsy Mama, It’s Overflowing, Six Sister’s Stuff

 

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No Sew Beaded Tutu Bedskirt

 

UPDATE!!! Please check out the FAQ section at the end of the post!

 

 

First, I’d like to say THANK YOU!!! all so much for voting in the One Crafty Contest!! I am excited to say that I have advanced on to Round Two, and it is only because of YOUR votes. Thank you thank you thank you!

 

 

There were so many cool projects…everyone worked so hard! If you’d like to see tutorials for any of the projects, they are linked to their pictures HERE. Today I wanted to share my submission with you so you can make one, too!!

 

I created a No Sew Beaded Tutu Bedskirt for my cutie pie sweet cheeks niece, Gracie.

Last year her bedroom got a little Free Stylin’ treatment. Using only items her family already owned, we were able to create a precious room that she loves. (Check out her room HERE.)
A couple of years ago BP (before Pinterest), I came across a picture of a tulle bed skirt, and the fabric reminded me of a tutu. Because I don’t have a daughter, I knew I wanted to create one for Gracie. She loves to dance, and pink is one of her favorite colors, so the bed skirt would be perfect for her room.

 

This project began with 20 yards of bubble gum pink tulle. @ 99 cents a yard, the price was pretty nice. The fabric was cut into 5-6 inch strips.

Now, if you read Free Stylin’ at all you know that my sewing machine and I have a relationship like The Notebook’s Allie and Noah. We fight all the time and make up long enough to get one thing accomplished. (Except, in Allie and Noah’s case it’s kissing, and no, I don’t kiss my machine. I’d rather punch it in the face.) Sooo, it was pretty clear that sewing wouldn’t be involved.

 

I placed a white fitted sheet we already owned on the box spring of the bed. Then I marked two slits (two finger’s width apart or about an inch and a half apart), one above the other, on the sheet.  (**I literally placed two fingers (middle finger and pointer finger) side by side on the sheet and drew a dash next to it. Next to the dash, I placed the fingers my fingers down again and then drew another dash. The fingers were for the spacing. I eyeballed the dash to be about as long as the empty space my fingers made.)

 

The slits were then cut, and the tulle strips were slipped through the holes and tied in a lark’s head knot. I tied two strips of fabric per slit to make the bed skirt more full. (**Some people have asked if I worked with the sheet on the box spring…YES, I did. It was SO much easier that way.)

 

To ensure that maximum girly-ness was infused into the bed skirt (cuz pink ballerina tulle isn’t enough?), all of my boys were sent on a camping trip, and I made sure to watch BBC’s 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice while I worked. :)

 

For extra sparkle, and to incorporate Round One’s material, beads, vintage beads from costume jewelry belonging to my great-grandmothers were hot glued to the bed skirt. I used pink, pearl, and silver beads.

 

And the completed skirt:

 

 

So sweet, huh? I am so excited that Round One featured beads because this is a project I’ve wanted to make for Gracie for awhile. I’m itching to give it to her and to see it in her room.

 

Round Two begins tomorrow, and we’ll know late tonight what our new “ingredient” is. Kinda makes me feel like Iron Chef. :) Thanks for going on this fun ride with me!

 

UPDATE!!

 

THANK YOU so much for your interest in the bedskirt! I am thrilled with how many people love it. I’ve received so many cute pictures of the skirts y’all are creating. Keep sending them in! (Maybe I’ll do a post showing off YOUR bedskirts!)

 

Lots of you have had questions, so here are some FAQs about the bedskirt to get you started!

 

1. Where did you buy your tulle?

Hobby Lobby (but you can find it at fabric stores)

 

2. Did you use tulle from a bolt or roll?

I used tulle from a bolt.

 

3. How wide is the tulle?

K, first a disclaimer: I HATE to sew. HATE it. One of the reasons is because things seem to have to be exact, and I am not a perfectionist when it comes to things like this. It drives me crazy because I know I won’t be able to have things totally perfect. (Wait, so does that actually make me a perfectionist? Hm. Maybe.) SO, with that said, I did NOT measure out the tulle. I cut my strips eyeballing the width, and I used notches on my friend’s dining room table!! (Each strip was 4 notches long. See? Not helpful, I know.) Nothing is exact – just approximate. I’m pretty sure that will drive those who actually sew crazy – those are terrible measurements! – but it’s really how I made this because I can’t sew!

 

BUT, I did measure a few of the strips for you. Most strips are about  7 – 7 1/2 inches wide. Hope this helps. And I’m sorry I am NOT exact!

 

4. How long are the tulle strips?

I folded the material in half, but now that I measure, the strips are about 32 inches long. So, math wise it doesn’t make a lot of sense does it?  The strips were too long not to cut, but too short if I cut them in thirds. Cutting them in half seemed to give me the most material without wasting any.

 

5. How do you wash this bedskirt?

Put the bedskirt in the bathtub with some mild detergent and water. Let it soak for a little while and scrub only the parts that may need spot treatment. Rinse and hang dry.

 

6. Did you put the tulle strips completely around the bed, or just one side and the foot?

That is entirely up to you. You can put the tulle strips on all three sides of your bed. But, if your bed is along one wall, just do the foot of the bed and the side that is showing if you want.

 

7. I’m trying to figure out how to make this work with my daughter’s new furniture. She got new bedding for Christmas and she just got a new trundle bed, so no boxspring. The bedskirt doesn’t lay well at the corners or foot of the bed, so this would be great! I was thinking maybe doing the fitted sheet upside down on the mattress, what do you guys think?

Great idea!

 

8. My girls have a bunk bed, so no box springs to use this with.

So, you could use a flat sheet in this instance. Lay the sheet across the bed (while the mattress is removed). Cut off any excess sheet. Adhere the sheet to the inside of the actual bed (staple gun or Velcro strips). Your slits will begin a few inches in from the bed, and the tulle strips will then hang down below the sheet.

 

9. I want to make one for my baby’s crib. What can I do?

My suggestion is to get a fitted crib sheet and put it over the board your crib mattress goes on, and then place the mattress over it.  You may want to make the strips of tulle longer so they’ll reach the ground. And skipping the bead step is probably best with a sweet baby.

 

10. I want to make one, and I am a grown adult! What do you think?

Go for it!! If you love it, then I say DO IT! :)

 

11. Did you really just use 20 yards?

YES! At first I tried tying more strips to each slit to make the skirt more full, but I only had the 20 yards, so I made sure to space things out.

 

12. How much tulle would I need to buy to make a queen sized skirt? 

I don’t know exactly, but I would begin with 40 to 45 yards to be safe.

 

13. How do you keep the ends of the tulle from fraying?

So far we haven’t had that problem, but you could use Fray Check if you needed to.

 

I will continue to update the FAQs as they come in. If you don’t see the answer to your question, leave a comment or e-mail and I WILL answer you! :)

 

 

I’m linking up!

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia , A Bowl Full of Lemons, The Thrifty Home, Someday Crafts, Seven Thirty Three, Beyond the Picket Fence, House of Hepworths, Tales From Bloggeritaville, Made in a Day, Sassy Sites, Chic on a Shoestring Decorating, The Shabby Nest, RemodelaholicBeneath My Heart, Lolly Jane Boutique, Be Different Act Normal, C.R.A.F.T., Thrifty Decor Chick, Funky Junk Interiors, Under the Table and Dreaming, House of Grace, Primitive and Proper, Sugar Bee Crafts, Home Stories A 2 Z, Domestically Speaking, Southern Lovely, Somewhat Simple, One Artsy Mama, It’s Overflowing, Six Sister’s Stuff

 

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Updates…and a Request

Hey Y’all!! I hope you’re having a great weekend! I meant to blog on Friday, but I’ve been working on a project that’s taken up a bit of my time (more on that in one sec…), so you get Friday’s post today. :)

 

K, so I wanted to fill you in on some really cool things

going on in my little Free Stylin’ world!!

 

First, I am THRILLED to tell you that I am in the One Crafty Contest hosted by One Artsy Mama!!!

 

 

Thank you so much to those of you who voted for the Map Wall in my boy’s room so I could be one of the 20 contestants. I sincerely appreciate it. Round One is tomorrow (Monday!), and the material we’re required to work with this round is BEADS.

 

I’m not gonna lie…I’m pretty proud of the project I created. It’s one that I’ve wanted to do for a little while now, so I’m excited to have the chance to move it up on the list of projects in my brain. Unfortunately I can’t tell you which one is mine, but maybe (just maybe) you’ll see it and love it and vote for it! So…here comes the request:

 

 I would be SO grateful if you would PLEASE hop over to One Artsy Mama to vote for your favorite project.

Voting begins Monday and ends Tuesday @noon.

You can vote for up to 5 projects.

 

Thank you so much!!! :)

 

Next, I’m also excited to say our Ikea office desk was featured on Ikea Hackers!! Yay! Read all about it HERE if you have a minute.

IKEAHackers

 

K, on to the random…

 

I bought this swim suit this week:

All About Navy Tankini Top

Essential Swimwear

 

I learned about it from another blogger, and I immediately fell in love. Weird part for me? It’s brown and white striped. BROWN. I hate brown…it’s my least favorite color. Not sure what it is about this cute suit, though. I. just. can’t. help. myself. Keeping my fingers crossed that it’ll look good on me. Cuz I’m not sure what I hate more: Trying on swimsuits or waiting in a long line at the post office listening to Amy Grant sing Big Yellow Taxi. Either would be my personal hell. Anyway, I think what clinched it for me was the price: $14.99 for the top, $8.99 for the bottoms. Them’s K-Mart prices, y’all!! :) So, here’s hoping the mailman will speed it up a little and get my cute swimsuit here. Like now.

 

Since I’m getting ready for swimsuit season, I’ve been trying to kick things up a notch in the fitness and nutrition department. (Don’t really wanna scare small children when I go to the pool.) I came across a YUMMY, healthy recipe recently that I wanted to share, plus a tip you may find helpful. (If you don’t find it helpful, then I apologize. You will not get the next two minutes of your life back. Sorry.)

 

The other day Natalie, from Designer Handbags and Dirty Diapers, posted a recipe for Veggie Hummus Wraps. And, man, I pinned that pic faster than the fat girl trapped inside me could grab an Oreo.

Designer Bags and Dirty Diapers

 

Yum, right? And fast, and easy to make, and not very expensive. Love lunches like that. Yesterday I went to the store to buy the ingredients to make my own wraps, and when I got home I noticed the hummus had jumped out of my cart and decided to go home with someone else. Or something, cuz it was not there. Grrr. I could have driven all the way back to the store, but then I realized I had most of the ingredients to make my own hummus: white beans, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper.

 

Except…no lemon juice. You need lemon juice. I could’ve gone to the store for a lemon, but I might as well have grabbed some hummus, and we’re back to square one. So, I improvised, and here’s my tip:

 

I used lemon pepper in place of my lemon juice.

 

It did make the hummus a little spicy, but whateves. It was still really yummy, AND I didn’t have to drag my lazy, cheap butt to the store.

 

So there’s a little tip for ya. If you need it. And if you don’t, I’ve already apologized, so get off my back about it. :)

 

Last, but not least, in the random department…I bought my plane ticket for Haven Conference!! Can’t wait to go. I’m really getting excited to meet bloggers I have looked up to for years, connect with friends I’ve met through blogging, and soak up a boat load of new info to help make Free Stylin’ better. I’m really hoping it’ll be a great week.

 

And that’s about it in this little neck of the blogosphere. Thanks for stopping by. And thank you (in advance…hint hint!!) for voting tomorrow @ One Artsy Mama!

 

Smooches,

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