DIY Basics: Patches on a Blanket

To continue with the DIY Basics series I've constructed a simple tutorial on sewing a patch over a stain, unwanted decoration, tear etc. These same steps can be used on clothes, home decor items, furniture...pretty much anything you can sew on.

So, this is definitely a basic skill everyone should learn and know. For my example I'm using a wool army blanket that Ryan's mom found at a yard sale for us. You may remember this blanket from our Parkway Picnic, and I'm excited to show you how I transformed this utilitarian blanket into something a little more feminine and fun.

First things first, you'll need to gather your supplies. For this project I chose to use a more muted floral scrap from my fabric bin, mainly because Ryan wasn't happy I was adding florals to yet another item for the house. I also chose embroidery floss as my thread because I like that it's both functional and decoartive and wanted to add that element to the project. I also found a scrap of paper to create my template with; templates are key when you're trying to cover a specific area with a patch.

Supplies:

Scissors

Pinking Shears

Cardstock for template

Marker/Pen

Needle

Thread or Embroidery Floss

Fabric piece (large enough to cover wanted area)

Pin

First things first- measure out the size of your patchwork location and draw out your template on cardstock. I chose a heart because I liked the shape and it covered up my trouble area perfectly. Using normal scissors cut out your template and double check that it covers your trouble area before moving forward.

Next, trace your template on the BACK of your fabric. Make sure you trace on the back in case your fingers slip and you mess up the drawing. Using the pinking shear cut out your shape.

You'll need to pin your patch over the trouble area so it is secured in place as you sew. Thread your needle and lifting up the corner of your patch push the needle through, this will allow a perfect seam without the nubby knot showing. Sew around the patch knot and cut your thread and you're done.

I think you'll see just how easy DIY projects can be and how little touches can add a lot to your decor. Let me know if you have any questions. big kiss, bekuh

My Closet: Holiday Clothes

I'm notorious for planning out my holiday outfits months before hand, down to the underwear, but this year I just didn't have time. I'm glad because I ended up wearing a favorite dress that my dear friend Katie gave me and I was comfy all day long. While the turkey was in the oven Ryan, and I ran outside and snapped these pics of the ensemble to share with you.

Dress: Gift from Katie, vintage

Tights: HUE

Boots: Clarks

Necklace: Gift from Ryan, CatBird

Belt: JCrew

The weather has been so perfect in Virginia the last couple of weeks, I'm happy for an extended fall. big kiss, bekuh

Pumpkin Cookies

I decided to make these cookies instead of the traditional pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving because I like trying new traditions on from time to time. The recipe for these doughy, cake like cookies was given to me a few years back by a dear woman. I wish I could share the secrets of these melt-in-your-mouth delights, but under penalty of death I am not to give this recipe out to anyone.

Delicious! I love collecting hand-me-down recipes that have been in families for years and years. This is certainly one I'll cherish. big kiss, bekuh

Weekly Obsessions: My Christmas List 2011

I have to admit I'm still kind of a big kid about Christmas. I love silly lawn ornaments, twinkling lights, big fur trees and presents. I'm a huge fan of gift giving and receiving and if you're only going to do it once a year Christmas feels like the perfect time for presents. As a grown up my tastes have certainly shifted a bit, but even this year a toy or two has made my list. Here is my Christmas list for 2011:

1. Wacum Bamboo Create Tablet

With all of the sketching I've been doing lately I feel like it's time for me to digitize my doodles. The Wacum Bamboo CREATE tablet is the perfect mid-level tablet for everyday artists and semi-professionals. I've done my research on this guy and it is exactly what I need to streamline one of my creative processes. I plan on using it to develop a couple of prints, screen print designs, and branding for a new adventure I'll be sharing in the new year. Is your interest peaked?

2. The She&Him Christmas Album

I've been a big fan of She&Him for sometime now and when I first noticed that they'd come out with a Christmas album I almost died of shear joy. I've already been listening to the songs on the Internet so it's time to get the vinyl version in my greedy little hands. Who could forget how wonderfully Zooey Deschanel sang in Elf!? Obviously this is a perfect fit.

3. Cookbooks of Sorts

I've posted about the Good Life cookbook before, here. I love the graphics, read amazing reviews, but don't have $57 to pay for it. The second book, An Everlasting Meal is a new one I recently read an article about on an airplane, though that may be a strange place to read about a book I was captivated by its lyrical voice and personal nature. It talks about using the whole food and eating as a personal act and not a mere end to a means. I'm excited to crack its spine.

4. An External Hard drive

I've been giving a lot of thought to the gadgets I have in my life, and some of them are precious to me. One object that I want to keep in good shape and working at top performance is my Macbook Pro. I've had my computer for almost four years now and I wouldn't trade it for a new one if you paid me (well maybe if you paid me). That being said my memory is being eaten up by all the photos I've been taking lately and the fact that they're saved not only as the full sized file but the blog sized too. I need an external hard drive to keep my sweet baby girl healthy and a safe place to store all those pictures. After doing a little research I think that the Seagate FreeAgent Go for Mac is the perfect fit for my needs. I'm looking at asking for the 320GB model because that will hold over 180,000 pictures and if I get to the point where I have that many pics something is wrong with me.

5. Clothes, Shoes, Tights oh my!

1. Chicwish, Dainty Apricot Pleated Dress 2. Chicwish, Snowflake Wonder Tights 3. Steve Madden, Pembrook



Red Velvet, Rosemary Double Velvet Bow

What Christmas wish list would be complete without clothes and accessories? Mine certainly wouldn't be which is  where these beauties come in. I've been obsessed with the apricot dress for sometime which is evidenced here. I love any kind of bootie and the milky leather of these makes me so happy, as does the amazing snowflake tights which I think every girl needs. I'm also obsessed with Red Velvet's winter accessories collection. Ryan never thinks I have enough green to suit his tastes so I'm voting on the Rosemary color as my favorite.

6. Fuji Mini Instax Camera

Last but not least a mini instax camera. I know, I know everyone has one of these but it really is nifty. I like having pictures from a variety of mediums, I still use my film camera for goodness sakes! Adding an instax to my camera list would make things feel complete in my camera world for right now. Plus, I'm jealous of everyone who has the mini instax and this is my little girl tantrum want for this Christmas.

That's my Christmas list for this year. What are wishing for this Christmas? big kiss, bekuh

Ryan's Perfect Turkey

I make fun of Ryan's love of research a lot. He is almost entirely incapable of making decisions about anything without researching into it at length. But, I was silent on his research of thanksgiving recipes for two reasons; first, I had to eat whatever he made and I didn't want to upset him and have him pull some prank on me. Second, I was a little nervous whether he could pull off a delicious thanksgiving turkey. I had nothing to fear, Ryan's turkey was perfect! Move over Martha, bye bye Emeril my husband's the new chef in town. Check out his bird.

{If you're a vegetarian or vegan you may want to look away}

I can never make fun of Ryan's obsession with research. This turkey was the most gorgeous, delicious, unbelievably perfect Thanksgiving dish I'd ever had. I think I won the husband lottery. Way to go handsome! big kiss, bekuh

Thanksgiving Centerpiece

While Thanksgiving is still fresh in everyone's minds I wanted to share some pictures of our Thanksgiving centerpiece. I was originally going to incorporate gourds into the arrangement but the grocery store was out so I revamped my idea to include sunflowers and the small collection of milk glass vases I own. I was pretty happy with the way the whole thing turned out. I threw a couple of hand drawn feathers around presto chango, viola

The day after turkey day is not a shopping day in my family, it is a planned day of lethargy and everyone is required to participate. I have to say I enjoy looking over the scraps of the day before's meal and know that no one will be cooking, no one will be cleaning, everyone will be resting, and reading, and watching TV. My plan today is get a head start on some holiday projects, and photo editing.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! Ryan and I are celebrating our first major holiday together as a married couple, yippee! I'm super thankful to be home for this day and that my husband is amazing and doing all the cooking. The number one thing I am most thankful for this Thanksgiving is being married to the love of my life. My family and great friends are a close second and they've certainly been there for me through this roller coaster ride of a year, so my thankfulness abounds.

Also, thank you dear readers. I'm so thankful to have an audience who reads my crazy ramblings and supports my creative ventures. I hope each and every one of you has a hot plate of food and a warm heart on this day. What are you thankful for this Thanksgiving? big kiss, bekuh

DIY Autumn Feather Wreath

With Thanksgiving being tomorrow I thought I'd share this easy project I made for my Thanksgiving decor. This DIY may be a little late in timing but it's so easy it's not too late to make for Thanksgiving. Just a few simple steps and a couple of supplies are needed to make a fun, quirky, unexpected Thanksgiving wreath.

You will only need 6 supplies to complete this project and most people already own everything on the list! You can subsitute a lot of the supplies for other items you may have on hand.

You will need:

A colorful array of cardstock (or construction paper)

Scissors

Twine (or ribbon)

Double sided tape (or glue)

Black Marker

Scrap Cardboard (size depends on how big a wreath you desire)

Step one:

Using a template, or freehanded draw out your feathers and cut them out. I decided on an all reds, yellows, and oranges for my cardstock to highlight the autumn feel of the wreath.

Step Two: Roughly draw out your wreath shape, this will all be covered up so it doesn't need to be perfect. After you've drawn it out to your liking cut the shape out. You're now ready to adhere the feathers.

Step Three: Using your precut feathers, begin taping or gluing them to your wreath shape. You can do this a variety of way. I decided to mix all the colors up, but you could do an ombre effect, use only yellows or reds, or whatever you think is most attractive. Just make sure that your feathers are completely covering the outside, and inside edge of the wreath.

Step Four: Tape the twine or ribbon to the back of your wreath to hang and put the wreath up on your front door, above the buffet, or over your mantle. Enjoy! big kiss, bekuh

My Closet: 70s Inspired Office Attire

When you work in an office waking up in the morning can be a challenge of personal will. First you have to decide whether or not you really want to wake up and then you have to decide what to wear. When I first started my job I took a step back from personal style and followed the crowd, but now in year two I'm letting a little more personality show and people actually like it.

Sometimes I pretend I'm living in another decade, or I'm somebody else for the day and take up an alter ego when I look into my closet. On this particular day I decided that my alter ego was a Mary-Tyler-Moore-era office assistant and this is what she wore. big kiss, bekuh

Dress: thrifted

Tights: HUE

Shoes: Target

Necklace: My own design

Cardigan and Belt : JCrew

Coffee in the Morning

Each morning I wake up, stumble my way into the kitchen, and fumble around until I've made a piping hot cup of coffee. The joy of this moment for me is incalculable, and I've had the added joy of three wedding gifts making this morning routine even more special over the last month or so.

Katie and Austin gave us a french press, Meritha gave us a sensual blend of coffee made especially for us, and Sam and Molly gave us the coffee grinder. I'll be sad when the coffee beans are gone, but I'm enjoying them every second I can right now. I have to keep the little moments precious and this is one of my little moments. big kiss, bekuh