Easy DIY Pom Pom Pillow

I obviously have had an urge to change up some pillows over here (and have one more to show you!) but I thought I would show you a quick (like took me less than an hour or two) pillow update. I have a couple blank white Ikea pillow covers and have gotten a bit tired of them. I saw this pillow at Anthropologie and loved it and also knew what I would be doing to my Ikea pillow cover. I want to make this is additional colors too, but thought a classic black and white one would be perfect for us right now. 

A bit of easy math...

I first figured out how many larger stripes I wanted (three, in my case). Then I estimated how many rows of pom pom trim I would need to make the three big stripes (five smaller rows of pom pom trim to make one larger black stripe). I measured my pillow and multiplied that, in my case, times 5 (for the rows of trim) times 3 (to make the larger stripes)... and then I rounded that number up a bit because you never want to by left with not enough. I bought my trim from this etsy shop.

Sewing...

Measure where you want your larger stripes on your pillow and mark them. Since I was sewing to an already made pillow case, I started with the stripe furthest from the zipper (to get the hardest part over first). I sewed five rows of trim (with coordinating color thread) in the vicinity of my marked line, making sure to sew the trim as close as possible to each other. I repeated sewing five rows of trim in the middle and then again closer to the zipper. Done.

If you were making a case from scratch, I would recommend cutting out your fabric in the size you want as the pillow cover; marking the place where you want the stripes; sewing your trim to the front of your fabric (this part you will find much easier compared to sewing to an already made case) and then sewing three sides closed to make your case, closing off with a zipper or a fold. 

How to: Knit Pillow

We had a pillow form an odd size and I wasn't a huge fan of the original cover so after seeing all the inspiration for knitted pillows I decided to give it a shot myself. I originally wanted this to be in a grey (and still might do it) but couldn't find the yarn and desired to go with a mustard yellow since it is a universally pleasing color as a pillow and compliments most of my bedding.

I tried to make this pillow a couple different ways before just settling on the easiest. 

First try- I used giant knitting needles (size US 35- 19mm) with the yarn (Patons Wool Roving Yarn) and it produced too much of an open knit and any tug on the case would make it not look neat. I still want to use those needles to knit something beautiful but I need to find much larger yarn or roving to to so. 

Second try- I decided to knit the first long side and link the ends as I worked my way knitting the second long side (potentially eliminating the need to close the seems and producing a case by the end of all my knitting). This sounds confusing just typing it and it just didn't work- I don't recommend trying it. 

Third try-  I undid the attempt to link the side together and kept the first long piece I knitted. This piece measured to be one side of the length of the pillow. I then decided to switch things up (to keep the project interesting) and created a different pattern for the second half (or other side of the pillow). I did a knit, purl, knit, purl etc. to create this cross shape pattern shown below. I found that you had to keep track a bit, because when you got to the end of the row, you had to start with that same stitch you finished off with. For example, if my row ended on purl, I had to start with the purl stitch for my new row to keep the pattern looking right.  Once the second half was the same length as the first I finished it off and added four monkey fists/ sailor's knot to close the pillow. These were pretty difficult to make with this yarn, don't hold up well and probably wouldn't do them again but it was fun to learn something new (and, well, as you can see I used them anyways). 

In the end, I used two skeins of the yellow Patons Wool Roving Yarn with a set of size 13 or 9mm knitting needles to make a pillow measuring 22 inches by 15 inches. For any pillow project, I find the easiest way to knit a rectangle twice as long as your pillow so all you have to do is fold it in half and close up the three sides. Of course you can do it in two squares or rectangles, too, and close up the four sides. 

If you have any questions or try it let me know!

Easy DIY Microwaveable Rice Bags

I have been having some bad jaw pain and heard that a warm heating bag will help relax the muscles. Well I went to town sewing up some of these and couldn't believe how easy they were to make. Turns out they also have been great to heat up on cold nights and warm us up, relieve a sore neck or back and even calm a stomach ache. My favorite is to heat one up and put it on my chest when I am chilled and it warms my whole body.

I made a couple different sizes for us based on the fabric scraps I had on hand.
What you will need:
Fabric scraps in the shape you would like (long rectangles make for nice neck wraps)
Rice
Dried lavender
Lavender essencial oil (optional)
Sewing machine

-Mix 3:1 rice to dried lavender in a bowl (you can add more lavender to your preference) and add a couple shakes of lavender essential oil. Mix.
-Sew up three sides of your fabric scraps. Turn right side out.
-Fill half way to three-quarters of the way full of your sewn bag with the rice and lavender mixture. You don't want it all the way full!
-Sew last side of rice bag closed.
-Heat in microwave for 1-2 minutes. We found that 2 minutes makes it pretty warm but when it cools down a bit it is perfect.

This is a much more organized way of making these. Truthfully, I sewed my scraps, poured rice in, poured some lavender in and put a couple shakes of lavender oil in. Then I sewed them closed and warmed them up. Either way it all works out and is lovely. They make great gifts too!

Letters For Scott

Scott left on a big trip, or vacation as I would call it- he definitely wouldn't call it that. He is traveling almost every other day for interviews but we get a break to be together the week of Thanksgiving (thank goodness! I miss him!).  Last minute before he left I decided to put together this project for him.

I was inspired by it here, but didn't have the time to put that much effort into it. I wrote him a letter, added a quote at the bottom and printed off a bunch of pictures that most of the time coincided with the topic of the letters. I also wrote on the back of the pictures. I figured enough cute pictures of Wesley sleeping and of us would hold him over for a while and so far he said he really liked them. I found the letters much easier to write then I thought they would be, and since I didn't include a bunch of other stuff then pictures it all came together really quickly. The topics for my letters were: open when... you are happy, you are done with your first day, you are feeling sad, you are bored, you are hungry, you miss me, you are almost done with traveling, you need my love. I miss you baby!

Cable Knit Headband

I found this free knitting pattern for a cable knit headband and couldn't get it out of my mind. I have never cable knit anything before but after a couple times of taking it out and starting again (plus a you-tube video), I found it really easy to do. The stitch requires you to transfer some of your loops to a different needle and either hold them in front of or behind while you work on your other loops, I didn't get that every other transfer had to be held behind so it didn't look right (I realize that you would have no idea what I am talking about if you are not familiar with knitting the cable stitch).

Anyways, I altered the pattern a bit by making it five stitches wide for each cable instead of three to ensure that it would cover my ears when out in the wind and cold up here in North Dakota. I need to flatten it out a but but love how it turned out, a great alternative to a beanie if it isn't too cold outside.

DIY Scalloped Shorts

(I am also reposting this from my old blog because this is one of my favorite projects I have made and still continue to love them!)

I did it! I made my first pair of shorts ever.  I had this idea that I wanted scalloped shorts and they somehow worked out.  I spent a total of around $7 and it took a couple days. I will share with you how I made them since there is not a good way for me to reproduce and sell them.

My first attempt- I first bought a large (size 12) pair of shorts with a stretchy waste band in the back from Salvation Army for $2 and scoured the web on patterns for making shorts. I wanted them with pockets and a fly in the front. So I totally deconstructed the shorts, attempted at making my own pattern with pattern paper and and old pair of shorts. I liked my old pair of shorts so I didn't want to take them apart for an exact pattern so my paper pattern ended up being a rough approximation. I sewed all the piece together and, it was 5 inches too short in the back, I put the front panel on backwards, 3 inches to tight in the front and just didn't work. I couldn't even take a picture of them because they don't even cover some parts of my body.

Second attempt- Luckily the thrift store was still having their '50% off red tags sale' and they had another pair of the same pink stretchy shorts so I bought one more pair for $2 and tried again. I gave up on putting in a fly and pockets of any kind for now.  This time... I took out the waist band (just cut as close to the elastic as possible. If your shorts don't have the elastic sewed into it then you can just simply pull the elastic out by taking out a few stitches). My shorts had side pockets on the hips, so I took those out too.  Then I just started sewing... I took in the seams on my sides along my hips, I took in the seams  (by like an inch at first) along my inner thigh and crotch and left the extra length alone (both toward my tummy and toward my knees. Make sense?? Like I left the length in the waist band super high waisted till later and the length of the shorts super long to my mid-thigh). I just kept slowly taking in along those two seams mentioned above (mostly the side hip seams) until they fit pretty snug to me (to where I could still slip them off).  I also ended up taking in a small 1/4 of an inch along the back (butt) seam from the top of my bum to the waistband.

So once all of these seams were about done... I needed to take in one last time to get it snug and put a zipper in. I also needed to make the waist band. So before my last stitches I marked (with a washable marker- you could use anything that will wash out) where I wanted the top of the shorts to fall on my waist. I slipped them on carefully, measured how much needed to come in to be a snug fit, slipped them off and sewed them in. I then ironed the side-hip seams flat, rolled in the waist band and stitched it in place. Then, since the seams are flat, I inserted an invisible zipper using a method similar to this... except I didn't baste stitch, I had a real stitch which I preferred. I sewed in my zipper with a zipper foot, finished it and picked the stitch of the shorts where the zipper was. Now, I had a zipper in my shorts and I could try them on and they fit right in my legs, right in my hips, the waist band was done... now to the scallops.

I used this tutorial for the scalloped edges. I had to do a little measuring to make sure that my shorts would be the same length on, but I didn't have any problem scalloping in a circle around the leg. If I could do it again I would probably do 1 or 2 fewer scallops but otherwise I think it turned out well. I did at first not like that the scallops were so deep, so I sewed them shallower, and then zigzagged around the edges of them.  Sewing scallops is actually kind of difficult once you turn them right side out and I realized my shorts may fall apart if I don't top stitch the scallops in place. Also the top stitching would help holding the shape after I wash the shorts.

Now I am thinking about adding a back pocket and maybe some belt loops... but other than that, that was my adventure making shorts. It really just was buying a big pair and sewing them in to my size. Good luck and let me know if you try it out!

Lilly Pulitzer Short/ J.Crew Short

DIY Warm Scalloped Scarf

(I am reposting this post from my old blog because my mom loved it and is working on one herself, so I thought I would make it easier for her and you if you wanted to make a scarf).

I started this project when my husband was studying for Step 1 of his national boards. I had to start over a good 4 or 5 times (once I was four rows in!) but the final scarf turned out great and I love it. Here is the link to her instructions, but if you are like me and have never done a double stitch or Catherine's wheel stitch, I would recommend watching this video. Once I found this video that is when I started over because it is much easier to follow and figure out the pattern

I wanted a thicker scarf for winter so here are some changes I did:
*I used a size 6 crochet hook (size 10 was HUGE)
*I started with 161 stitches (your scarf should be made in sets of 10 stitches + 1- the link explains that) but then realized my scarf was too short, so I added on at the end, but you could just save yourself the trouble and start with 191 stitches (or another 10 if you want it a little longer). My final scarf measures around at about 58 inches which I found not too long or too short and gave a nice bulkiness at my neck to keep me warm. I did a total of 16 rows (each row is half of the wheel)
*I wanted my scarf to have scalloped edges so I went back around and finished the rows to give a scalloped edge.
* I found I needed 3 skeins of yarn (the same kind she uses). I didn't use the whole 3rd one but will use the left overs for a beanie

DIY Spring/ Easter Wreath

I was searching for a nice spring wreath I could make for my door. I found the perfect one at Williams Sonoma and knew it was just what I was looking for. It was super simple, took me about an hour and cost less than $15. Here is how I made it:

1 straw wreath the size of your choice (I got mine at Joann's- bring your coupon!)
Moss (I bought a moss mat at Joanns- bring your coupon!- but loose moss or moss "ribbon" will do)

Some floral pins

Burlap ribbon/ leftovers

I bought the moss mat because I got more good looking moss for my money, but if you can find some other moss that you like the look of then use that.

-If you are using a moss mat, cut about 2 inch strips (these don't have to be perfect). If you use moss ribbon, then just pin one end and keep wrapping all the way around. If you use loose moss, then take chunks of pieces of moss and pin down till your wreath is full.
-Use a floral pin to secure one side down on your wreath and wrap the moss around your wreath, pinning the other edge when done. Continue wrapping strips of moss around overlapping where you left off and pinning the edges.
-Fill in any gaps you may have.
-Add a burlap bow to the top or bottom and hang on your door.

Super easy, quick and beautiful!

Carhartt Christmas Gifts

So I made my sisters Carhartt beanies with pom pom's on them because I knew they would love them... I found the inspiration here.

Here is the progression of them opening up their gifts:

                                                           Both opening up their gifts

                                                     Bobo peaking (and super excited!)

 Both super happy!

Mountains + Happy Weekend

We are missing the mountains and won't get to visit soon so I made this little guy earlier in the week as an early Christmas present for Scott. I saw it over on Design Sponge and think it is the perfect addition to our home. 

Our plans for the weekend include celebrating Christmas tomorrow, taking down the tree later in the weekend (but keeping up the lights), loving on Wesley since it is our last weekend with him before our trip to visit our families, getting my nails done (because isn't it so much nicer when you travel to have your nails look nice when you see old friends and family? It's the little things for me) and baking some Christmas goodies for neighbors. 

Happy pillow making and weekend!

DIY Tree Skirt

This year I made our tree skirt after seeing this inspiration. It is pretty easy to make and you don't even need to sew anything if you don't want to (and it took me an evening to make)!

 

 

I bought a yard and a half of wool felt from Joanns and found it to be the perfect amount for this project.

The bottom two steps are optional, you could buy a plain pre-made skirt and attach the flowers

* Draw a perfect circle on your felt. I attached a string (the size of half the circle I wanted) to a marker and drew a circle holding the end of the string in the middle of the felt

* After cutting out your circle, fold it in half twice making a cone. Cut the cone about 3 inches in (or how ever big the base of your tree is. Make it smaller if in doubt, you can always take more away). Cutting 3 inches in will give you a hole of 6 inches. Then cut one straight line from the outside of the skirt to the inside circle so it will slip around the base of your tree.

* Start cutting out a bunch of "leaves". This part takes the longest but just keep cutting. My leaves were about 2 inches in height. I didn't cut from a pattern I just cut the same shape over and over and over

* Attach 5 leaves together to form a flower (reminds me of a poinsettia). I used a needle and thread, but thinking about it I think I should have just saved time and hot glued them together. 

* Attach the flowers, overlapping slightly onto the edge of your tree skirt all the way around with a dollop of hot glue on the bottom of the flower. 

Here you can attach ties (if you made the skirt yourself) to keep it closed. I just hot glued two spare strips of felt and let them dry. Then I used those to tie a knot.

I think next year I am going to sew gold beads into the center of the flowers to give it a little bit more flair. For reference, our tree is about 6 feet tall. 

Merry Christmas All!

Halloween 2012

 

Happy Halloween! We dressed up as a cat and a ninja for a last minute party over the weekend.

We dressed Wesley up in a pumpkin sweater my mom got him and it was a little small; he really got sad once we put it on him.

Then I made him a dinosaur outfit, compliments of Martha, and it really didn't turn out quite like it was supposed to but it was fun. I guess you can consider this a saw it made it. I bought a kids shirt on clearance at Target (because our Target didn't have any baby green onsies like the directions) and tried to take it in to fit him. His costume really just turned out looking like a preppy kid from the front and a un-proportional dinosaur from the back. As you can see from the pictures he was also pretty sad in it too.

Halloween this year we also got our first sticking snow and decided to start a new tradition of making doughnuts! But something else crazy happened with the first snow, our house and car were broken in to. The only reason they caught the crazy man was because of his foot prints left behind in the snow. Our house is ok, we learned a lesson or two, and a part was broken in our car, which is now fixed and fine, but it was a crazy Halloween night.

Happy start to a fun Holiday Season! 

Saw It Made It- Scalloped Shorts

I did it! I made my first pair of shorts ever.  I had this idea that I wanted scalloped shorts and they somehow worked out.  I spent a total of around $7 and it took a couple days. I will share with you how I made them since there is not a good way for me to reproduce and sell them.