The Mrs.: our home

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Trashy Pumpkins {A working mom tutorial}

I call this a "working mom tutorial" because my craft room isn't spotless, my pictures aren't good, I may ramble, and my project is unPinnable - but it sure made me happy!

See. My craft room is probably the opposite of spotless. In her defense, though - she's kinda in transition. We had a leak in this room and it's in disarray.

So, I'm going to show you how to make "trashy pumpkins." I call them trashy because I used trash bags. Also know as Wal*Mart bags or grocery bags. I save all of my trash bags. ALL of them. So, when I wanted to do a fall craft, they were PERFECT!

To start off, you gather your trash bags. Ball them up and stick them in another bag. Stuff and stuff until you think you have enough for the size pumpkin suitable for you (I did a small, medium, and large).

Close off your outside trash bag.
Twist it a few times
Tie it off with a scrap piece of twine or ribbon.
Cut off the excess.

Grab your desired fabric. It doesn't have to be fall fabric. It doesn't have to be orange. I love the whimsy essence of my trashy pumpkins. Cut yourself a circle big enough to cover the pumpkin. I used no science, no measurements, no patterns for this. I just eye-balled it. And yes, I did in my lap with my feet propped on the yoga ball (that only gets used when my husband plays video games).

Lay your tied off trash bags on top of your circle and baste (is that what it's called - whatever, loosely hand stitch) around the perimeter of the circle.

Once you've stitched all the way around carefully pull your thread tight. This will allow you to cover your punkin'. If your pumpkin grew in the process, you can just smash it down to fit. Remember to pull carefully because your thread may break. Filth and foul.

Cut yourself a strip of scrap fabric. It doesn't have to be symmetrical... and mine totally had rough edges. Then roll it up to make your stem.

Stuff your stem into the trash bags. No science here, just wiggle it in.

Then, you will do a whip stitch(?) or maybe it's a loops stitch. Anyways, attach your stem to your pumpkin by stitching it on somehow *wink*

Not easy on the eyes is it? Don't worry - you can shape it.

See? It looks more like a pumpkin now! Just add a little twine, scrap ribbon, or lace to the stem to kinda hide your sloppy hand stitches, and voila! Trashy pumpkin.

I couldn't decide where to put them, so they made a journey around my home.

{i interrupt this tutorial for a cute baby who somehow managed to get from one side of her blanket to the other while I was playing with my pumpkins]

The pumpkins were lonely by themselves, so I decided to make a mini wreath to compliment them. Whatcha think?

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Costco: Cost More?

Source: via Masanari on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Carolyn on Pinterest

I'm curious about Costco.
For those of you who aren't familiar, it's like a Sams - buying in bulk.

I'm trying to weigh out the benefits here.

I only buy our meat at our local Winn Dixie when it's buy one get one free.
I usually buy frozen produce - or canned (party foul, i know) - because it's just two of us for now, but I will be making heaps of baby food soon. Could I buy a month's worth of groceries and not spend $645,345 on extra stuff?

Things I would buy there:

Produce
Baby products - Diapers/Wipes
Meats
Most grocery items
Gifts?
Gas?

Do any of you have a Costco membership?
What are the benefits?
What else can you tell me about Costco?

The Way of Entrance

I am guilty of not knowing what my style is for my home. I love everything. I like a lot of different things. Does that mean my style is eclectic? Isn't that another word for weird? Pinterest is a great source for many ideas, but I think there is a such thing as TOO many ideas. Then I second guess, and never make a decision and my inspiration is void.

We built a house and moved in November. I have yet to really decorate my home. I mean, I put some stuff up, made a collage wall, dedicated a room for crafting, and kinda cordinated the master. The only room that is truly decorated is the nursery.

My entry way has been bothering me lately. I'm so ashamed to even show these photos. This table is the place where all the mis matched decor just landed. There is no theme, no purpose, and it's not appealing. I even have a scrap of carpet as the rug. Oh my. Decor Police are on their way I'm sure.

Don't judge me for this photo please....

Whew. Glad that's over. I do love that antique mirror, though, so it's staying. I paid $10 for it at a yard sale!!! Now, let's find a solution. Here are some things I found on Pinterest that made me go "ooooh." I want to put this inspiration into action. I just don't know which one I like. Better yet, which one is my style.

I love the idea of a pop of color...

Source: bellemaison23.com via Megan on Pinterest

Source: katierosenfelddesign.com via Megan on Pinterest

Look how sophisticated this is though??

Source: lh3.ggpht.com via Megan on Pinterest

Source: housebeautiful.com via Megan on Pinterest

Then we have the practical, with built in storage...

Source: iheartshabbychic.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Megan on Pinterest

Well, isn't this just gorgeous?

Source: designerblvdaz.com via Chelsea on Pinterest

Oh and here's an antique mirror

Source: coastal-style-living.com via Megan on Pinterest

Now, isn't this a grand idea!

Source: nester.tumblr.com via Megan on Pinterest

I need help! Do you have any ideas or inspiration to share? What about a good pinterest board for me to look at?

Collage Wall {Wax Paper Method}

Have any of you seen this pin?

Source: roost-home.blogspot.com via Megan on Pinterest

Well, ever since husband and I got married (November 2010), I've had dreams of a collage wall. My nesting urges have finally gotten me motivated to actually put one up. This was super fun and super simple. Not all my frames are matchy matchy, and it's not perfect. I love it, though!

First I laid out my frames and figured out which arrangement I wanted.

I taped together four rows of wax paper and laid them over the wrong-side-up frames. Then, I marked with a Sharpie where the nails would go.

Then I took the wax paper and taped it to the wall. Adjusted up, down, left right...

Next, you simply nail right through that wax paper on the dots.

Pull down the wax paper (the nails stay, duhr)

Hang your framed masterpieces, and Voila!

{Notice I said "I," but my hubby is the one doing all the work ;)}

Decoupaged Desk

Drum Roll Please...........

I'm FINISHED!

This project didn't take long because it was hard. It didn't take long because it wasn't as fun as lazer tag in a dark room with your husband. It didn't take long because I wasn't motivated.

It took forever because I'm pregnant.
And it's winter.

Zero daylight.

By the time I get home from work (yes, I work full time)... It's dark outside, and I can't very well do these projects inside because that would kill mine and unborn babies brain cells muy rapido. I had to do a large part of this outside (I = husband; he did most of the hard stuff). Don't worry, I used one of those super sexy filter masks.

I found this gem on the greatest facebook group ever... The online yardsale.... I'm totally addicted. I snagged her for $30!

First, we sanded the tar out of that thing, and then lover primed it. After contemplating what to do with the unruly handles, I decided I would fill them. I used spackle from the hardware store... I don't know what the original use for spackle is, but it filled in my handles just fine. This part was rather annoying, but worth it in the end. It took days of layering and layering. Fortunately the pink stuff turns white when dry so that helped a lot! We sanded it smooth once dry to ensure a flat surface.

I wanted to add my own little knobs to the drawers, so we had to find the center and mark where the knob should go. Hubs drilled the holes. Be sure to drill the holes before you Modge Podge if you are going to try this.

Note: Modge Podge is now a verb, kinda like Facebook.... "Oh just Modge Podge it..." "Oh just facebook me..."

We then measured and cut our fabric for the drawer fronts allowing about an inch or so to cover the sides and back of the drawer front... Too much is better than not enough. Measuring for the first one sucks, but you get it just right and use it for a template for the rest of your drawers. I got to use my beautiful new rotary cutter and self healing cutting mat that I adore. Anyways... Then we placed our fabric over the drawer right side down to mark where the knob would go. Then I simply cut out a teeny slit to allow the knob to go through (this eliminates pulling and skewing your Modge Podged fabric).

After I had every thing marked and drilled, I was ready to lay it on thick. The Modge Podge, that is. I lined up my hole in my fabric with the hole in my drawer front, had hubs hold one side steady while I glued under the other... and then switched. Once the fabric was set in place, I coaxed the air bubbles to fly away and added more Modge Podge to the top of the fabric. Did you know Modge Podge smells like Disney World? Me neither until yesterday. It's not poisonous either. All these folks who use brushes to apply it? Phooey!! Use your fingers! It's fun! I wrapped the edges kinda like a Christmas present and glued over them like crazy. don't worry about stray threads {def don't pull them} just glue them down to be cut later.

Also, don't worry if your edges look like this... You can clean that up later too with a rotary cutter or a box cutter or something really sharp. Wink.

Once your drawers have dried, screw in your knobs and apply the washer to the back. Then to a little housekeeping; trim your rebel strands of fabric, use a rotary cutter to take excess fabric off edges, and you can even lightly sand the glue for a smoother texture. Paint your desk a corresponding color, place the drawers in their cubby, and then ADMIRE!!

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tips:
#1 if you are going to use your fingers, make sure you wash them in between drawers. The glue dries and will try and jump off your fingers and sabotage your Modge Podged perfection.

#2 don't choose your base coat color until you see the drawers completed. You might change your mind.

#3 take a swatch of Modge Podged fabric with you to choose your main color, it changes color once the glue hits it (only by a bit).

#4 use a space heater to speed up the drying process

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