Measure up- Yardstick Projects

 

I am in the process of collecting vintage yardsticks. Here are some of the fun ideas I have come across:


Yardstick clad tables

Country Living

Reclaimed Crafts

Patina White

Yardstick Stair Tread-

Poppy Talk

Funky Junk Interiors

Yardstick Stars-  I could totally see these as part of my Christmas decor!

Mamie Janes

 

Mamie Janes

Lampshades

Roostliving

A Beautiful Mess

Sunburst Mirrors

 Budget Wise Home

 Craft Gossip

Frugal Decor Mom

Tutorial: Homemade Maternity Pillow

Last night I had my first good night's sleep in weeks. Trying to arrange pillows comfortably around a pregnant body and not push the husband out of the bed in the process is something I have yet to master.

I was not willing to buy a big, expensive maternity pillow, though I am sure they work great. Instead I took two old flatty pillows that were hanging around my linen closet, sat down at my sewing machine, and this project was born. Here's how I did it.

You will need: 

• 2 old flat pillows.
• A sewing machine and heavy duty thread, or a good needle, thread,  and some patience.
• A jersey knit pillowcase(great because it stretches) or other large pillowcase/sham,  or sew yourself a case if you are crafty!  Whichever you choose, you just need room for your two pillow rolls to fit in and leave a gap in the middle for you.

Step 1
Select pillows.  You could use one big fluffier pillow or just a bunch of batting in a pinch, but that requires more sewing, splitting the stuffing and making them their own pillow forms.  It worked for me to get out thin old pillows that no one wanted to use. They were the perfect size for this as well.

Step 2
Fold in half the long way, to form a skinny roll, and pin the edges. This may get a bit tough in places, try to push the batting away from the seam and then pin it.

Step 3
Thread your machine with heavy duty thread. Mine may have been a bit too thick, I had a tough time getting the machine threaded, not to mention the fun it gave me while sewing. You could give it two passes with regular thread.

Sew down your new seam, removing the pins as you go.  I ended up pulling my fabric taught from each side of the machine to help smooth the fabric and direct it under the foot.  It still looks a little rough, but it will certainly do!

Step 4
Repeat with second pillow.

 Get your pillowcase and put those babies in there!  I put the seams facing each other

 See how there is a good bit of slack between the two pillow rolls?

 Enough that I could fold it up like this:

 I couldn't model the pillow and take a picture at the same time, so I substituted two pillows for the pregnant body. Just lay on the center space and let the rolls support your back and belly. Plus, they won't shift in the night, because you are laying on the pillowcase and holding them right in place. 

Enjoy your good nights rest and tell me how it worked for you!

Nightstand Inspiration

I am officially a Better After addict! Here are some of the inspiration pieces for an upcoming nightstand project! I better run to the paint store!

Raingutter Bookshelves

I have seen this idea here and there, and finally, we did it too! I am sure there are tutorials for this all over town, but the one that inspired me was at the Raising Olives Blog.

Step One: find the books spread from hill to dale on a daily basis.Step Two: Take action. Purchase raingutters, brackets, and end caps. Have husband install them for you.
Step Three: Fill with books, and get some of those stuffed animals of the floor while you are at it. They are very good at covering the end brackets. Step Four: Stand back and admire the beauty that can come from the hardware store!

Homemade fly/wasp traps

We have a serious swarm of flies that hover under our maple tree. We also have wasps trying to set up house all over the place. I came across this recipe and put it to use outside. We have jars full of flies and what may be Bald Faced Hornets *cringe* Ahh, it makes you feel good to see all the little buggies that could be harassing us but instead are tucked safely away. I did put one inside, and it was not effective at all. There must be too much other good stuff in there.

Prepare mason jars by punching holes in the lids, the flying pests are attracted to the juice, enter the trap, and then can't find their way back out and will eventually drown. I used some wire to create a hanging loop. Here are Martha's instructions on wiring them, and here is a variation on them.


1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup vinegar
2 cups water

Mix and pour into mason jars. Screw on lids, and hang. Check out how they hung these ones as votives.

Lamp shade makeovers

Here are basic instructions for mod podging fabric onto a lampshade.

Here are instructions using the Spray Adhesive methods

• thestoriesofa2z.com did a beautiful pottery barn knock-off. I just fell in love with this fabric and may have to duplicate this one myself.
•  
• Diy Life - this one is pretty descriptive.
  
• Here is one at the Snapshots of life blog
  
• About.com

Glue versions:

• Designing a Life I love
• Creations by Kara
  
• craftleftovers
  

And apparently you can also buy lampshades with sticky exteriors, just for applying your own fabric! Here is the HGTV version, too.

If you want to do something more original, check out these guys!
or try the Faux capiz shell lampshade

Play Makeup

I love this idea. The only problem is I don't go through enough makeup to make these right away. If you have any empties or old nail polish, please, send them my way! This would be PERFECT for my little gals for Christmas.

She takes empty make up trays, and fills them with nail polish. Once dry, they look pretty real, lots of fun, and mess free!

ReFashion clothing crafts

Keep checking back to this post, I will add to it as the ideas keep coming! Lots of people are posting tutorials these days on things to do to upcycle old clothing. I guess it is people on budgets who are unleashing their crafty sides. There is a perk to the recession, I guess.

Too cute t-shirt scarf:

*Bonus Ruffle Scarf Tutorial*

Rosette T-shirt:
Another Version:Posie VersionTshirt Skirt
Sweater turned hat:

Egg Carton Pendant Light

Hey! This is super cute, even though the name sounds odd.