Blanket Ladder

As I prepare to share the beginnings of my coffee table refinishing project - stay tuned - I thought that I'd post the pics of my Very. First. Ever. woodworking project. This heady attempt - and the several months cooling off period that followed - *may* have given me an inflated sense of handiness that prompted me to take on a project that I wasn't really qualified for . . . yet. That's how we learn quickly.

About 9 months ago, my very own mother sent me this Hallmark Channel "Home & Family" segment of a project-gone-right! I was smitten by the relative simplicity and utility of the project - give me all the blankets - and knew that I needed to make one! or two! I've painted small items but I'm going to go ahead and place this blanket ladder in the elevated category of furniture-making. Even with the excellent tutorial, (truly, it is), I had to ask a lot of questions and be a little bit patient with myself. I phoned more than one friend and relative to ask about pretty much every phase - sanding, staining, assembling and sealing. Also, I borrowed tools. 

 This picture illustrates what I learned about my first stain choice: multiple coats will not make it less orange.

 Although not a terrible hue, it wasn't quite the crowd-pleasing color that I was attempting.

 A second trip to Home Depot resulted in this Hail Mary attempt to color-correct my stain by layering a darker stain on top of it (to avoid having to sand and start over). It worked! Although, to be truthful, I didn't have time to start over anyhow.

 Here's the finished project, sprayed with a finishing coat of poly, drying in my garage. Pardon the lighting, there was no daylight remaining.

 Ready for blankets!

But, in the end, I ended up with a project that I was proud of contributing to my Annual Handmade Holiday gift exchange. And, I think, in lieu of a patch, I have earned a Furniture Camp shirt to add to my novelty tee collection. 

The Festivity Dress, aka The Pinecone Dress

I was lucky enough to test Elegance & Elephant's Festivity Dress before it's release last November. This pattern offers two styles: a fit and flare silhouette with twirly, flouncy skirt and a simpler, faster A-line option. Since I wanted this dress to be Evelyn's holiday dress, I opted for the fuller fit and flare dress but I actually think that the A-line option might be really handy for larger or directional prints when you don't want to worry about those pretty, but pesky, princess seams breaking it up. Plus, a time-saving A-line dress might just be the difference between making one holiday dress or two (ahem). 

I decided on a 3/4 sleeve because it felt just right with this ladylike little dress but the pattern allows you to choose your own sleeve-length adventure.

I confess that I'm a "dress person." I love color and pattern and dresses are a really great canvas for both. Sewing for my kids makes it even more fun because I feel like they can pull off a wide variety of prints and styles. I'm not sure how well this silvery, glitter-flecked fabric shows in the pictures but, in person, it reminds me of a wearable vintage Christmas card: perfection.

Disclosure: I received this pattern in exchange for my feedback on my experiences as well as photos of the completed dress. However, any opinions expressed are my own and reflect my own experiences with the pattern.

Placemat Throw Pillow

For my crafty friends.  Because someday you will see a super cute placemat and think of this easy craft.  I initially got the idea from this great pin about using a fun, shaped placemat.

Take a placemat.  It *could* be one you found on sale at Target for about $3.  It should be cute! :)

Top stitch 3/8" around the placemat leaving about a 4" opening, or big enough to squeeze your hand through.  This will create a little border around your pillow, sort of like piping would.  I like that look but, if you don't, just skip this step and move on to the next.

Unpick the existing stitches that run parallel to your opening or 'gap' that you left so that you can open it up.  I had to do it twice because there were two sets of stitches on my pillow, front and back.

Open up the gap.  Insert stuffing.  I used Poly-fil.

Stitch closed.  Merry, merry!  Keep pillow for yourself so that your kids will stop telling you that you don't decorate the house enough for the holidays -OR- Think about all the people you know who need a happy pillow like this (and how brilliant they'll think you are).

Update, one week later:  I kept mine.  Currently, the kids have a rotation for who gets it during nightly story time :)