Lists

I love lists.  They help me stay organized and keep me from forgetting things. 

 

I remembered reading an article about a book of handwritten lists, compiled from various people.  I did a quick search and found the author, Sasha Cagen, also maintains a blog  - to-do list.  Following is a short description of the blog: "What does your to-do list say about you?  To-Do List blog celebrates the world of the overlooked and mundane, letting our lists serve as unique windows into who we are. Because nothing is more revealing than someone's to-do list."

 

As a listmaker and sociologist, I find this fascinating.  Here are a few of my lists.

 

 

 

And finally, I designed a free printable weekly to-do list for you to use!

 

Free Printable Weekly To-Do List

Enjoy!

Clutch Bag

I wanted to make a little bag, as a gift.  I didn't have a zipper, but I did have some scrap fabric, a hair elastic and a button - and that is all you need!!

First cut two rectangles from two different fabrics.  You can choose any dimensions, but mine were 10 inches wide x 15 inches long. 

Use a plate to trace rounded corners on one of the short ends, then cut.

Pin right sides together.  Place the hair elastic centered in the center of the rounded short side.

Sew around the edge, leaving a small opening on one of the edges and be sure to backstitch before and after the opening.  Then turn the bag inside out, through the opening.

(Be sure to have your Sonic drink close at hand!)  Then iron.

 

 

Sew the opening closed, using a ladder stitch.  Here is a tutorial at Sew It Love It.  Then fold the bottom short edge up five inches and sew each side.  I also added a decorative topstitch around the flap.

 

 

Then sew a button on!

 

 

What would you use your cute clutch bag for?

 

Painted Coffee Table

I moved into a new place and went with a new color scheme [later post].  My last coffee table was an ocean green antique trunk (which I love) but it didn't exactly fit with my new living room.  I pictured an oval, black coffee table in my new space.

 

So I check Craigslist and found a somewhat beat-up, wood/laminate, oval coffee table for $10.  Score! 

 

 

I did a bit of sanding, especially on that nail polish spot on the top.  I also used wood filler in the deeper gashes.

 

 

Then I primed the table, using the same tinted primer as I used on my dresser.

 

 

Then I painted the table, giving it two coats.  I used a foam brush for the everything but the top, for the top surface, I used a small roller and brush for cabinets and doors.

 

 

 

Then I gave the table two coats of polyurethane - clear satin.  I wasn't sure about what type of sealant to use, but from my research, it seems like the only drawback of this type is that it could yellow over time.  Since it's over black paint, I didn't think that would affect this piece.

 

 

I let it dry 24 hours and then moved it into my living room!  What do you think?

Next step:  Style my coffee table!

Beautiful Bedroom Canopy - Thank you Pinterest!

Pinterest Inspiration Pics:

 

 

 

You'll Need:

3 curtain rods (mine were $5 each at Walmart)

6 yards of white, gauzy fabric

 

First - make sure your bed is in it's final position in the room. 

 

Second - mount the curtain rods to the ceiling on each side and the foot of the bed. 

 

 

Third - cut the fabric into 6 panels.  Cut the six yards in half, to make two panels of 3 yards each.  Then measure and cut the width of the two panels into thirds.  My panels ended up being approx. 19.5 inches wide.  For the length, measure your floor to ceiling.  Add 4.5 inches for hemming.

 

Fourth - hem the two sides and bottom of the panels. 

For the top, fold two inches, then fold two inches again and hem near the bottom.  This creates an opening to thread the curtain onto the curtain rod.

 

 

Fifth - Hang your curtains and enjoy your beautiful faux canopy bed.