Summertime and Picnics

Even though I haven't been getting much done in my sewing room, there has still been some creativity going on around our house in the last week.  This all started when the preschool that my kids attend sent out a request for kid-sized picnic tables to be donated for their playground.  Someone donated a Little Tykes-style table and, since we use the playground a lot, even during the summer, I discovered how handy it was to have a snacking place there.  I got to thinking it would be fun to build a couple of tables but I was temporarily stalled by the dilemma of making it weather resistant without resorting to toxic pressure-treated wood.  A friend suggested I use "that plastic wood" and I had a lightbulb moment.  We've been storing several pieces of "plastic wood" for a couple of years after completing some repairs to our deck, and they were the perfect size for this project.

I found these plans at Build Eazy and, with some modifications, my husband got to work.  I helped but can only claim consultation and fetch and tote roles.  We used 2x4 material for the frame (bigger than called for in the plans) because that is what we had.  My husband chose to bolt the frame together instead of using the called-for screws, but did use screws to attach the top and seat portions.  The good news/bad news part of this project is that the tables weigh about 75 pounds when completed (that plastic wood is heavy!).  This makes it a little hard to move around which might be very beneficial on a playground filled with kids determined to get a head start climbing the resident trees.

My kids love having their own table on our deck (we made two), and I even convinced them to hold still for a picture this afternoon.

Here are a couple more pictures that I have to share.  This past weekend my youngest was looking at a picture taken of his older brother and my husband.  My oldest was exactly the age of my youngest when this picture was taken (on the left).  My little guy tried to copy the pose and I had to snap a shot of his efforts (on the right). 

Enjoy your week and stay cool!

Woodland Nature Clip Ornament and Giveaway

The last of the advent ornaments brings a super quick and easy but lovely-to-look-at clip that can be used to adorn gifts as well as your tree.  Once you have your materials gathered, you can put one of these together in less than 15 minutes.  I love to wrap my packages in brown kraft paper and tie them with jute cord then clip this on.  A little spray glitter adds some sparkle.  After the package is opened the decoration can be clipped onto a branch of the Christamas tree. 

I also created a smaller version of these clips on mini clothespins and used them as package toppers on the gifts I made my boys' teachers.

I've written a tutorial that gives you all the help you need in crafting one for yourself.  And, if you leave a comment on this post, I will pick one winner randomly and send the winner this ornament for their own tree.  Comments must be received by 6 a.m. on Wednesday morning to qualify, and the results will be posted on Wednesday morning.

This is the last of my advent posts but watch for my Bag of the Week post later this week.  Sharing this with the folks at Today's Creative Blog on their Get Your Craft On Feature.  Head over that way to see lots of creativity.

Window Treatments for a Nursery, Part 4

This is the final of four posts on the window treatments I made for my great niece’s nursery.  The first week I covered making your own cornice board.  The second week showed how I constructed the valance which attached to the cornice board.  Last week I shared how to make a Roman shade.  And today I will talk about how I installed each item and put it all together.

The first step was to install the cornice board and this step was completed before I determined the final length for the Roman shade.  Use the angled brackets attached to the bottom of the cornice and drywall anchors to fix the piece to the wall above the window.  I allowed the bottom edge of the bracket to rest on the top window trim which raised the cornice just slightly above the window.  Once it was in place the final shade length could be determined by measuring from the hanging bar to the desired length.

Next came hanging the valance from the cornice.  As you can see in the picture above, the hook side of Velcro has been applied to the top edge of the cornice.  The corresponding loop portion was sewn to the top of the valance.  Hanging is a simple matter of matching the center pleat to the mark made at the cornice center and pressing the valance in place from the center out.  This allows for easy removal of the valance for cleaning.

Finally, the Roman shade is put in place.  Determine which side of the window the cord will draw from and install a cleat on the wall (you may want to wait until after the shades are hung to determine the location of the cleat).  Insert the hanging rod through the casing at the top of the shade and hang in place.  Tie one end of thin drapery cording to the lowest curtain ring on the far side of the shade (the side away from where the draw cord will hang).  The cord is run up through each curtain ring, through the eye hook on the cornice above those rings and then through the other two eye hooks on the cornice board.  Allow a length of cord to remain for pulling the curtain up and cut off the remaining cord.  Repeat this process with each of the rows of curtain rings.  The row furthest from the draw cord will run through 3 eye hooks; the middle row will run through 2 and the row closest to the draw cord will run through only one eye hook.  Pull all of the cords taught and tie together in an overhand knot.  Determine the length of cord needed for drawing and cut off remainder.  Wrap cords around cleat to secure shade in the open position.

I have purchased most of my drapery supplies from Drapery Sewing Supplies.  They have an excellent selection of notions and supplies as well as lots of helpful resources about sewing window treatments. 

Moving on to new projects now!

Window Treatments for a Nursery, Part 1

The Cornice Board

I have been working on completing some window treatments for my great-niece’s nursery.  It was a long project and an even longer story.  You see, my sister originally started working on the various aspects of her granddaughter’s nursery and got some of the elements completed.  Then she broke her leg.  Yep, that little accident seriously set her back in the sewing department.  So, I offered to help and finish what I could.  Which is how I came to be working on these window treatments.

The project can be broken down into various elements and, over the next four weeks, I will be sharing each of these parts:  cornice board construction, valance, Roman Shade, installation.

I will begin with the cornice board as that is the foundation I needed before I could create the valance and the shade.  I have written a tutorial about how to create one of these for yourself.   I have used a cornice like this several times in my own home, and I find them attractive and versatile, providing some display space above a window.  It is a fairly easily and straightforward project, and you do not need fine woodworking skills (mine are rudimentary, at best).  The project can be quite crude as it will be covered with lovely textiles and no one will ever see it.

Here is a picture of the completed cornice, ready for hanging on the wall with wall anchors.  I have applied Velcro (the hook side) along the top edge, wrapping around the sides which will be used to hang the valance.  I have also used closet pole brackets and screw eyes which will both come into play when it is time to hang the Roman shade.

Check back next week as I show you how I created the valance.