Saturday, June 12, 2010

Simple Ideas: Photos on Canvas

Don't get me wrong. I love a good frame. In fact, I have lots of them and am not one to just put a naked picture up on my wall. Although in high school my walls were plastered with snapshots of me and my friends, now it just feels too sloppy.

When we had our family pictures taken, I knew I wanted to display them in our home but I didn't necessarily want to buy matching frames. I wanted them to go together but not be so matchy matchy so I mounted them on canvases. I am pretty sure I saw this somewhere else, so I can't take credit but here is how I did it.

Here is what you'll need:
-spray glue
-canvas in size of photo. I bought mine at Joann's when they had them on 50% off. Don't ever pay full price because they go on sale often.
-black paint (optional)
-print of your picture. We did 11x14" which seems huge but when its up on the wall its not so big. I would love to do one big poster sized one one day. Costco prints a 11x14" for around $2.87.
(the photo display in our living room-see 11x14" is not so big)
1. Paint canvas. I painted mine black but you don't have to.
2. When paint is dry, spray with glue. Wait a minute so the adhesive isn't permanent*.
3. Place photo on canvas and smooth from the center out.
4. Hang on wall.

Tips: One thing I found is that if all the pictures have a black and white or lighter color scheme, it won't seem so chaotic. Harmony is key. Also be aware of which way the print will need to hang. If you want a square shape or all of them to line up in a row, you'll have to pick pictures accordingly. Playing with size could be fun too-mix big and small sizes.

*I wanted to be able to switch out the pictures so I made sure I could easily peel the picture off and replace with another one.

Henry: The Mega Eater

I wanted to strictly breastfeed for 6 months but at just over 5 months, it was apparent that Henry was very interested in our food. So I got a booster, a bib and some tasty (bland) solids.We started with rice cereal. I think his expression says it all. What is this crap? Two days of that led to sweet potatoes. And he was starting to get it-well at least he would eat it off his bib. Next was butternut squash and the boy went wild. He downed the whole jar. He also liked peas and carrots. Now he eats one jar a day like a champ. Yummy carrots.
Next will be fruits and those gross meats. Eww.

Friday, June 11, 2010

The Zebra Rug

I have wanted a zebra rug for a long time but the nice big ones are so expensive. I found one I liked at Home Fabrics but by the time I decided to get it, it was gone. So I decided to make one. I know, who thinks they can make a rug? Obviously, me.

I looked up some ideas online and this is what I came up with. There really was no tutorial so I just kind of winged it. Here is what I did:
I went to Lowe's and found a thick painter's canvas drop cloth. I selected the 12x9' one but did some trimming. ($20) I found my fabric at Home Fabrics, a heavy upholstery chenille-so its soft yet durable. ($50) I already had black fabric for my trim and spray glue. ($0)
I laid out the canvas in our front yard (ghetto but necessary). I cut and sewed the zebra fabric to the right size 9x9'. I then adhered the two together with spray glue. Working from one side I started in the middle and rolled the zebra fabric out as I went, smoothing. This part was tricky and I would recommend a flat surface that isn't your sidewalk. The glue is just to keep the two pieces together, you will sew a border.
Once everything is adhered, I made a bias tape out of my black fabric and then sewed the rug edges kind of like you would a quilt. You can also buy black binding tape but its cheaper to make your own.
And that's it. Move furniture, spread out rug and voila! your own rug. I really like it and it is so soft to sit on.

Things I would do differently next time:
-pick a less busy print, this one feels kind of crazy but once we're in our new apartment with a new layout, I think it will work better
-make it smaller and more manageable, the rug is thin but exhaustively heavy to maneuver.
-your fabric will probably "shed" a little like a normal rug so keep vacuuming it up and it will stop
-also I have some thoughts on this being in a high traffic room such as the living room, we'll see how it goes but I can always move it to the bedroom where it might be safer. I'll keep you posted.

The blue rug we had before will make its way to Henry's new room in Georgia but I definitely want to try this again on a smaller scale.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Simple Idea: Brooch Necklace

In an effort to dejunk before the move, I have been trying to go through all our stuff (crap). Whilst perusing my jewelry boxes I found this cool pin I bought from a thrift store when I was in high school. Citron enamel flowers backed with gold. I think I have only worn it a number of times on the lapel of a jacket or pinned to a bag but I love it so I don't want to part ways.

And then I found a simple strand of beads I purchased at the Gem Fair.

Brooch + Necklace = Beckie Loves!

Seriously how cute is that? And so simple. I am ridiculously excited about it.

Monday, June 7, 2010

The Perfect Couch


This is the couch I want. It might seem like your grandma's couch or the couch your mom used to watch tv on in the 1960's but I love it.
The dilemma: our current couch, which I love too, is sadly torn and every time I sew it up, the fabric gets thinner and pulls even more. Reupholstering a tufted chesterfield is just not in my comfort zone.
What to do...

Friday, June 4, 2010

Apartment: Check

So when we decided on Georgia, I immediately started looking for a place for us to live. I contacted the bishop out there and was hooked up with some lovely ladies in the relief society who helped me scout out places.

Today we signed the lease and one of my stresses has lifted. We will still have two bedrooms but the place is larger than where we live now. And we'll have a covered deck with lots more storage. And even though we'll be moving there during the hottest, muggiest part of the year, I am excited to have a fireplace. And of course we're allowed to paint (crucial for me) so you know my mind is reeling with new color schemes. And I have a new zebra rug to tell you about later.
For now, I'm off to costco.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Henry: Through Steve's Eyes


I'm usually the one to take the pictures but Steve took these of Henry and I really like them. Especially the first one. Can you tell he has out grown that onesie? A little bit of chest showing? No prob. He's only a baby...with cleavage.