Nope, not guilty pleasure.
Quilty pleasure.
Yeah, I’m lame.
I really just needed an excuse to show you the progress on my latest quilt project.
The top is nearly done.
And who doesn’t love turquoise, aqua, apple green and brown?
Not me, though I think I may try my hand next at something like the one Pottery Barn is flaunting on their website:
love, allison
I’m working on a quilt.
No, not a fancy one with circles and swirls or something other than 90 or 45 degree angles.
‘Cause I don’t know how to do that.
Seriously.
My quilt-to-be is simple.
Because it’s hip to be square.
A five inch square, to be exact.
Here’s a quick preview.
I’ll keep you in the loop as my sewing imperfections mount.
But I’m liking it, so far.
Why?
It’s made with love.
(loads)
And sweat.
(probably)
And tears.
(almost)
Plus it’s going to be oh, so cozy.
Jealous?
Don’t be.
In a few more days I’ll be cursing myself for starting this stupid project.
Right about the time that my arms are sore from pushing it through the machine.
Or the machine breaks.
Or I realize that I’ve miscalculated somehow and I’ve got a hexagon that has the wrong proportions for warming the human body.
Then somehow I’ll magically fix and finish it.
Realize I’m proud.
And, like a mom after childbirth, I’ll think, “that wasn’t that bad. maybe I should do it again.”
Remind me that I’m crazy. Okay?
love, allison
Here’s a peek at what I’ve been busy doing in West’s resource room.
I haven’t yet put this beauty in.
And I’m still waiting on bar-height table legs.
Plus keeping my eyes peeled for a couple of cheap stools that can be painted.
But there’s progress.
Plus a lot of pretty jars.
They make everything easy to access.
Easy to see.
And easy to eat.
There are gummy bears on the counter for you.
Come on over!
love, allison
Today’s project sponsored by:
Remember when I said I was taking on a project to decorate and reorganize West’s resource room?
Well, I’ve made my trip to IKEA.
Purchased all of the cute jars my heart could want.
Made fun cork boards with spray glue and scrapbook paper.
Hung a dry erase board.
Organized shelves.
Found a cool rug buried in Central campus’ resource room.
And today, I scored a $6 ugly duckling chair from Goodwill.
The fabric seriously makes me cringe. But for six buckaroos, I couldn’t help myself.
That’s when the other supplies came in handy.
I sanded.
Then primed.
Spray primer saves some serious time and clean-up.
No brushes to wash.
Waited for it to dry.
Sat in the sunshine.
Played with the dog.
Chatted up a few friends.
Sipped on some Chick-Fil-A sweet tea.
Finally dry!
I gave it a coat of satin black spray paint.
Wipeable, but not shiny.
Waited some more.
Checked the mail.
Cracked my knuckles.
Just kidding. I don’t do that.
No offense to those of you who do.
Remembered I needed to ditch the ugly flowered fabric.
Found my tools.
Hacked at it.
And discovered the seat was covered by not one, not two, but three ugly fabrics.
One of which was orange vinyl.
Why, people?
Once I pried them off, and yes, it did require prying (hammer, pliers, flathead screwdriver), I wrapped the seat in my new green and white fabric and stapled the heck out of it. Pity the fool that ever decides to remove it.
Moral of the story? You too, can find an ugly (flowered) duckling for $6. Spend another $6 on spray paint and $3 on a half-yard of fabric and end up with a swan. A black and lime green swan.
This guy’s going to look festive tucked next to the big $10 table top I found tucked in the “as is” section at IKEA. The resource room is nearly done. I can’t wait to show it to you, and more importantly, I can’t wait until the Children’s ministry teachers have a great place to create things for their kiddos. It’s going to be a happy place to gather and plan. I’m getting excited thinking about it.
love, allison
My bro is a Children’s Pastor, which means he maintains a Resource Room for his teachers.
Resource Room = Craft Room.
= dream world.
= endless possiblities.
= pretty things.
= fun projects
= supplies everywhere.
= eternal mess.
= brother’s worst nightmare.
I’ve volunteered to transform the West Campus craft room.
Why?
Because I googled “craft room inspiration” and came across these:
Yes, brother.
I can’t wait to dream up and organize a room like this for me West Campus!
Your sister teachers will love it.
This is the perfect excuse reason to drive an hour to IKEA.
I will be so envious happy when it’s finished.
Your sister’s pride West Campus kids will benefit in a job well done.
Resource Room = Dreaming vicariously, jealously beautifying, thoughtfully organizing with someone else’s $200.
Am I wrong?
love, allison
Take this:
Make this:
It’s a proven fact that people will stop by your office more often if you bribe them with candy.
Let’s face it: everyone needs a quick friendly conversation every once in a while.
Bribery = friends.
Supplies:
1 half-quart jar from Target
1 sheet of sticky letters, these are 3 dimensional
1 sheet heavy cardstock
1 small wood disk (look at Michael’s)
Modge Podge / heavy craft super glue
ribbon
craft knife
black sharpie
Fray Check
candy of your liking
Directions:
It’s pretty self-explanatory, but here’s how it works: take your wood disk and glue cardstock on both sides, one side at a time, trimming excess with a craft knife. Color edges of wood disk with your Sharpie so they are nice and black. Let glue and Sharpie dry completely. Cut one piece of ribbon that will fit around the mouth of the jar with enough at each end to glue to the back side of your wood disk. Make a bow out of another piece of ribbon and attach to the top of your wood disk. Don’t forget to Fray Check the ends of your ribbon so they won’t, you know, fray.
Assemble it all together and let it dry for at least 24 hours before using. (I made my “sign” hang low enough that I can remove the entire thing from the jar for washing.) If you’re really inspired, modge podge the whole thing so it is stain and water resistant.
That’s all folks. Easy, easy. And less than ten bucks.
Only one step left:
Fill it with candy, set it on your desk, and they will come! Start the bribery, make new friends.
Send me pics of your candy jar creations. Can’t wait to see what you make.
love, allison
Forgive the blurry, dark, incredibly inferior photos.
But without a camera handy, and a package waiting to be shipped, I had to snap what I could.
A new crafty little project.
For my sweet friend’s newly birthed baby.
Not this friend.
But for my eco-chic, West Virginian friend.
I’ll forgive her for moving one day.
Two years later and I’m still stewing over it.
Point is, they just welcomed baby girl #2, Annie.
Love her.
Can’t wait to snuggle her.
Give her kisses.
Watch her gummy smile.
Someday.
For now, a couple of hand-appliqued onesies will have to do.
Just until I can get my hands on that soft hair and fat cheeks.
Sigh.
Back to the onesies.
Here they are, in all of their glory!
Totally appropriate for my marine-loving, reduce your footprint, chicken-raising friends.
Want to make your own?
Go to Jo Ann Fabric. Don’t forget your 40% off coupon. Buy some iron-on heavy interfacing plus two different fabrics, 1/8 yard each. Totals up to mere pennies, my friends. Free hand shapes on your fabrics and cut them out. Iron the interfacing to your cut-outs, then iron that to your onesie (or shirt). Use a zig-zag stich on your machine to outline each shape. I prefer thread that matches, not stands out. Your choice. As the onesie gets worn and washed (cold water only, inside out!), the edges will fray slightly. In a cool way, of course.
Need more deets? You can email me!
love, allison
Aren’t baby shower presents and decorations the cutest?
I’m pretty much in love with tulle.
Who wouldn’t be, at less than a buck a yard?
Practically free, if you use your JoAnn 40% off coupon.
Once you give the gift, the baby mama can find another good use for it.
Like decorating the nursery for the baby.
Okay… or regifting to another baby mama.
Come on, you know you do that too.
I got to dress up some gifts recently for a sweet first time baby mama, Katherine. They’re expecting baby Abigail this Fall and have decorated her nursery in brown and pink. Still a cute combo, in my opinion.
Something about tulle makes a basket o’ goodies seem like a real gift.
Extra tulle = perfect tissue paper replacement in gift bags.
Next time you want to put something special together for a baby and baby mama, use tulle.
Instant beautification.
Let me know how it goes!
love, allison
I’m at it again. I got the itch. Couldn’t shake the monkey from my back.
That’s right. I’m crafting. Busy turning treasures from stash. Making (pretty!) things out of supplies I have buried in boxes and bins. Ribbon and buttons and fabric and paper, galore.
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The latest?
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A bouquet of fabric flowers.
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..
Cute huh?
Not too hard, either.
Nothing scissors and glue can’t master.
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You should make some.
In a fabric of your liking.
Mine was a freebie.
Given to me by a former volunteer, one state and 4.5 hours away.
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Anyway, these puppies are sassy when fastened on bobby pins, clips, or headbands.
Believe me, I know.
And now you all know what you’re getting for Christmas.
As for me?
I’ll continue making my Christmas in August projects.
Today, fabric flowers.
Tomorrow, who knows.
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love, allison
Hey you.
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Yes, you.
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Remember this post and this promise?
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I’ve finally come through!
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Now for your viewing pleasure… love, allison on Etsy… complete with a few new lovelies for you to oogle.
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Let me know what you think, and share them with your friends. More pretties coming soon.
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love, allison
love, allison 