October 2011 part 2

Coffee Bag welcome mat

Materials needed:

- $3.00 mat from thrift store, yard sale, Ross or any other discount store. Or maybe an old one you have around the house in need of a fresh look.

- One burlap coffee bag:  with awesome design of one of your favorite coffees. You can find these online or at your local coffee roaster.

- Thread

- Electrical tape or Duct tape

The Indian summer has just arrived and is passing us by as quickly as it got here. Like most of you, I have pumpkin fever and love to get out of the cold weather with a nice cup of coffee or hot chocolate. I decided to wait on my pumpkin project due to the weather. However, I found a nice indoor project to enjoy. My stove and my cup of coffee inspired this project. I sought out a visit with my local coffee roaster, Alta Organic Coffee Roasters, located in Davenport, CA. you can visit them at: www.altaorganiccoffee.com . Ask for Patti.

After sharing a nice cup of freshly roasted coffee, I started to go through the many awesome burlap coffee bags they had available for purchase. I must say, there are so many wonderful designs. I picked several not knowing which one I could bear to cut and sew.

I recently was disappointed with doormat shopping. I ended up going with a basic non- exciting  $3.00 doormat I thought I could make into something more awesome for this Fall Season. It was a perfect match with the burlap coffee bag.

Step No.1

Pick an awesome coffee burlap bag to cut and use for mat top.

Step No.2

Measure mat

Step No.3

Select area of burlap bag to cut desired size for matt. Remember to add 3-4 inches to all sides to fold over later for a seam.

Step No.4

Sew around edge of matt with burlap bag on top in desired area.

Step No.5

Sew diagonally across mat to hold burlap down to matt securely.

Step No.6

Fold extra burlap over the edge to create a smooth edge, and then sew it down.

Step No.7

For extra strength add Electrical tape or Duct tape to edge of seam on the bottom side to prevent seam ware.

You’re done! Place your coffee bag doormat in front of your fireplace, in your bathroom, in front of your sink, in front of your front door, etc.; wherever you want to enjoy the awesome doormat. 

October 2011 part 1

Vintage metal cart makeover

Growing up, there was this awesome COSCO yellow chair that was in my grandma’s kitchen, which came to our house later. The kind with pullout steps, that turned it into a stool.  I admit I remember getting “time-outs” on that chair, but overall I had great memories of the chair.  My mom still has the chair in her laundry room today.

As I moved into my own house this last year (first time homeowner), I realized I wanted that chair in my kitchen. I shopped online and found the same chair new, so I thought.  My mom purchased the new chair as a gift for me to the new house. I was excited! When it arrived, I discovered they changed many of the metal components to plastic ones. Where there use to be awesome chrome it is now plastic tackiness. Not what I had in mind.  It came with a warning label that read: “don’t stand on seat”. What? That is half the reason why I wanted it in the first place. Yes, this was the same company that made the originals. This is when I decided that when it came to the three-shelf cart I wanted to go with it, (as a set) I would go original or not at all. Luckily, not even a week after I told my mom what I was thinking, she happened to be visiting some friends who where cleaning out their garage. They were getting rid of some unwanted items, including an original red metal three-shelf cart. Jackpot! Yes, it needed some TLC, but that was perfect for me.

A month later, I finally had the time to do the makeover it needed before coming into the house. This was such a fun project.  I love items from friends’ and families’ houses. I feel these treasures have more meaning to them than the ones I would get at some random yard sale. 

Materials needed:

Mask-

Gloves-

Wire brush-

Reusable Sandsponge-

WD40

Rag-

Metal spray paint primer

Metal spray paint- the finish color you want ( I picked a mellow yellow to match my chair)

Goggles. (I forgot to include them in the picture because they where sitting on my head)

Step No1.

Clean off metal cart. Wash it with soap and water if needed, or with a damp cloth. Then let dry.

Step No2.

Wire brush all of the painted areas. Top and bottom. You should be wearing your gloves and goggles for this step.

Step No.3

Go over the painted areas with reusable sandsponge. If needed, repeat Steps 2 and 3 until desired amount of paint is gone and rust removed.

Step no4.

Remove the three shelves. Take all bolts and nuts and put in plastic baggie or tin can. Add enough WD40 to have the bolts and nuts covered in fluid. This will help remove the rust and clean them up for later use.

Step no.5

Repeat steps 2 and 3, to make sure all areas were reached before painting.

Step no 6.

Take damp rag and wipe each shelf off well. Each shelf should be free of dust, dirt, loose paint and other particles. When they are dry,  they are ready to be painted.

Step no7.

Shake white primer paint well before painting first coat of paint on each shelf. I did the bottom sides first for ease.

Step no8.

Apply second coat after first coat is dry.

Step no 9

 Repeat steps 7 and 8 to front sides of shelves.

Step no 10.

While the shelves are drying, take the reusable sandsponge and go over the four chrome legs. (These legs needed some TLC.)  Then wipe clean with rag.

Step no 11.

Apply spray paint, color of your choice, to top of shelves. You will apply second coat after first is dry.

Step. No 12

When step 11 is complete, go ahead and remove the bolts and nuts from the WD40 solution and wipe them clean with a rag. You can use the reusable sandsponge to clean the heads of the bolts.

Step no 13.

Reassemble the cart.

Step no 14.

Let it stay outside in vented area over night before bring indoors.

Step no 15.

You’re Done! Bring it indoors.

September 2011 part 2

Cycling Jersey.

One old t-shirt/ or t-shirt purchased at yard sale/ or Goodwill. (Cotton or synthetic.) It needs to be long enough to cover your crack when you bend over to touch your toes.  It should be comfy enough that it won’t choke you and has some give in it.

Elastic 1/8 inch – 16 inches

One-  fat corner or scraps of cotton fabric.

Thread – any color you want.

This month is my birthday month! I was surprised early with a road bike. I have wanted one for ages. This is an awesome women’s Bianchi bike ready for the road!!  I needed a jersey so I could take my I.D. and some cash to get a nice cold beer after my bike rides.

Now, cycling jerseys are not cheap, nor do they have any serious cute/ geeky female sized jerseys out there. I asked the Primal company  if they had a small or medium of the “Star Wars” logo jersey still in the works. That was a no go. I needed to make my own.

I found some seriously awesome math fabric at the local fabric store, HARTs Fabrics. 

I then went searching for a t-shirt at one of the local Goodwill.  I found just what I was looking for. A lightweight cotton jersey “T”, that was nice and long, but cute.

I was ready to sew. 

Step No.1

Wash your t-shirt and fat corner/ scarp fabric, then through all items in the dryer on med.

This way you get the max shrinkage.

Step No.2

Get your Iron out and iron your fabric.

Step No.3

Cut 15 wide by 8 inches high.

Step No.4

Once cut and ironed flat, create a half-inch seam on three sides of the fabric- leaving the top of the pocket to be open.

Step No.5

Carefully iron a ½ inch seam at the top. Take the 16 inches of the 1/8-inch elastic and carefully place it in the ironed fold of the top. Leave a ¼- ½ inch hanging out of each end.

Step. No.6

Now find the center of the pocket and sew a good hardy stitch  back and forth to help keep the elastic in place.

Step No.7

Now go ahead and sew along the side of the elastic leaving enough space for the elastic to be pulled through the fabric fold.

Step. No.8

Carefully pull one side with of the elastic to create a little bit of bunching. Once you reach the amount of bunching you want, go ahead and sew the end and trim the extra elastic away.

Step. No..9

Proceed to do the same to the other side.

Step No. 10

Once both ends are sewn and bunched to your liking, then go ahead and sew down the middle from the middle mark you made earlier. This will create two pockets. It is best to sew down the middle twice to help with strength. 

Step No.11

Try on your t-shirt to see where it falls above your waistline. This is where you want the bottom of the pockets to be.  Also measure the distance from each side seam of the t-shirt so you can pin the pocket into place. Pinning will help it from moving around when sewing.

Step No.12

Go ahead and attach the pocket to the t-shirt. 

Step No. 13

Go back to the mirror with your jersey on and make sure everything is level and comfy. Then you are ready to go for a ride.

I plan on make several more. Maybe even screen-print a few.

After seeing this posting yesterday I think I will have to make a helmet to match my new jersey!  There are some great CRAFTERS out there!!!

September 2011 part 1

Sandwich bags / veggie bags.

¼ yard of BPA FREE cotton fabric- any fun design

 1 package – Velcro 

I found a random sandwich bag on etsy the other morning and thought: “I can do that!” So, I walked myself to the local fabric store and purchased two different kinds of “BPA FREE” waterproof cotton fabric. (They were priced out at $17-$20/ yard) They were too rich for my blood. So I got ¼ yard of each to get me started. Counting the Velcro, I escaped with paying $14 total. NICE. I love projects that cost less than $20.

I kept the width of the fabric as it was cut at the store. I folded it over to be a 9-inch double square then cut it out. I was able to get three of each         design.

1. I folded over and sewed each edge at a ½ -inch seam.
2. I attached two square Velcro pieces- then sewed them on. (to make the tab)
3. I folded down the tab and sewed it at a 1-½ -inch length.
4. I folded up the bottom and sewed the edges up the sides.
5. I attached the other halves of the Velcro onto the bottom piece that I sewed on step #4.
6. To finish it off, I attached a quick logo to the front tab. (www.craftegeek.com) using a fabric pen.
7. I trimmed all the loose threads.
8. I rushed to the fridge and put my rabbit’s carrots in one bag and some fresh green beans from the garden in the other bag.

 

I plan on shipping the other bags to my eldest niece and to my mom who both start school on Monday. I think they will both get a kick out of the designs and hopefully store their sandwiches or other snacky items in them for their lunches.

 

*These bags are cute, machine washable and will help keep your veggies, sandwich or other snacky items fresh. What is better than that?

august 2011 part 2

Bath salts:

1 1/2 cups - Kosher sea salt

¾ cup - Kosher table salt

¼ cup - Baking soda

1 or two – 1 quart jars. (You can make a scent for each jar)

2- 4 drops of Essential oils of your choice (lavender, orange, peppermint, etc.)

After trying to figure out what to bring as a gift to my sister-in-law after she had her second child this month, I decided bath salts might be nice for the momma. I knew she didn’t need any more clothes or toys at the moment. She has a toddler who decided to start potty training himself this last week while she balanced caring for a two week old. This momma needed a nap and a good warm relaxing bath. Hopefully, my brother will put both kids to sleep after making her a nice dinner. J

My first stop on my visit was my sister’s house.  Which turned out great! Her two little boys helped me whip up a triple batch. Two jars went into the goodie bag for our sister-in-law, and the other stayed with them. The boys will use it in their next big bath. My sister is looking forward to sharing hers with some friends that are also moms. 

The bath salts went over great with my sister-in –law!

 

While I was visiting, I had an afternoon with my eldest niece who is 9 ½ yrs old. She and I had a mini pedicure session after we whipped up a double batch of bath salts. We soaked our feet in the amazing bath salts while we gave each other a pedicure. She took home the other jars to share with her mom. Super Fun!  Of course we ate ice cream to go with our pedicures.