Outdoor Globe String Lights

{photo taken at wedding #2}

We had two weddings to attend this weekend, one of which had strings of globe lights for their outdoor wedding. I couldn’t help but watch them, envying a large backyard so I could have these too! With Owen nearly on the crawl, I’m already feeling squished in my 1200-square-foot condo, and dreaming of a large backyard to set him free has been on the forefront of my mind lately. Please tell me these aren’t a fad, and that they’re here to stay!

{Image via Lanterns and Lights}

{Image via Lanterns and Lights}

At $35 per string and up, globe lights are only a small fortune away… but I’ve gotta work on getting that big backyard first.

10.11.2010 // Tagged: design solutions

Dining Chairs: These Were Disgusting

I bought these chairs on Craiglist for $5 EACH!!! After driving an hour away to pick them up {The Mr. wasn’t too thrilled about this}, we find out why. DIS-GUS-TING. I had protective wear when removing the cushion fabric because it was so nasty, and even nastier – they smelled. Ug. Gag. I’m reliving it now.

I mean, the owner was nice enough. He even bid me adieu with a “May Jesus bless your day.” But it wasn’t the chairs that were they sinners, why should these “vintage” Ethan Allan’s be sent to Outer Darkness?

I finished two of them today, tackling the other two next week. I had to remove the arms off of two of them because they didn’t fit under my table. But I also just noticed that with all four chairs under the table, they can’t tuck in all the way. DANG! I thought I had found the perfect chair for this cutie table. I guess I’ll live with it for a little bit and see if it drives me crazy.

And just a reminder, here are the IKEA chairs we had before…

{FIY: Heirloon White Satin Rust-O-Leum spray paint on top of Zinser primer, fabric from Home Fabrics in Pleasant Hill, CA}

10.01.2010 // Tagged: projects

Spooky Chandelier

I know, it doesn’t make sense, but I’m bananas for Halloween. I think it is so fun. And when I saw this picture {via Curious Sofa Diaries}:

You see how I HAD to make these. Okay, now showing these make mine look a little wimpy, but here’s the deal: I scoured Craigslist and wasn’t willing to drive 40 minutes for a $20 chandelier to make this work. I’m too cheap and too busy. So I created one out of balsa wood and cheesecloth.

The best part? You can store mine easier!

Neener neener. I can take mine apart and stuff it in my storage box {I’m making a big deal out of this because I’m suddenly embarrassed at what mine looks like in comparison to these super-cool ghosty chandeliers}.

So, here’s what I used:

• 2 pieces of balsa wood from the craft store {about $1.60 each}
• 1 pkg. cheesecloth from fabric store {about $5}
• black and white spray paint {hopefully you have something close to this left over from other projects}
• hot glue
• twist ties {you can use string or zip ties, or…}
• chain from the hardware store
• 4 battery operated tealights

Here’s how I did it:

Clear out four containers of baby food, pudding, applesauce, or similar container. I saved these from my baby’s breakfast and dinners, and the way he eats, it didn’t take long. But I also like the idea of getting chocolate pudding cups, popping in a movie and getting your containers that way.

I trimmed them to make them shorter {and a little wavy}, glued them to the ends of the balsa wood and spray painted them white {you see four sticks here because I made 2 chandeliers… I used the container lids for one of the chandeliers}.

And while you’re at it, lay out the cheesecloth and spray paint it unevenly with the black to get a ghosty look, and hit the chain with both black and white.

Shred the cheesecloth by ripping it to get those cool edges, and hot glue to the sticks, leaving them open in the middle so you can connect them.

Mark the center of the two sticks, stack them, and use twisty ties or string to connect them. I used the chain in five pieces so it would hang evenly, using twisty ties for this part too.

BOO!

09.24.2010 // Tagged: tutorials

Wicker Chair Makeover

My mom did a chair makeover this weekend, and she sent over some before/afters. Because my mom has a self-proclaimed passion for “topstitching and piping,” her sewing always turns out completely tailored. Check out how she matched the fabrics to keep the tulips moving in the same direction. She said had she done curtains, the tulips would have faced up, but since it was a chair, tulips facing up would have given you a view of the stems. Not quite as pretty! She always has the patience and vision in the details, something I severely need to work on.

And of course, check out the chair topped with one of her infamous pillows!

09.20.2010 // Tagged: design solutions, sewing

Round Vinyl Tablecloth

My friend and I decided to make another vinyl tablecloth since I’ve been enjoying mine so much.

Problem: Her table is round.

Solution: Go get a bikini wax, because that would be less painful than making a round vinyl tablecloth.

I was going to do a tutorial, but after a lot of pulling, tugging and restitching, I decided you should just buy a rectangular table instead. {fabric is Nicey Jane by Heather Bailey, laminated cotton}

09.17.2010 // Tagged: sewing

Love Prints on the Cheap

I’m Spreading The Love!

I’m ready to offload some inventory, my uber-neutral “Love in Tan” prints are selling for $5 each! {+ $3 shipping}. They are 11″x14″, frame not included {Thanks Ashley!}

What I love about this print is that it can go ANYWHERE. I especially love it as a part of a grouping:

And the softness of the colors compliment the softness of the message; “Love is how we got here.” These have been the best back-pocket gift for bridal and baby showers!

Soak up the love! Order your $5 prints by clicking the “buy now” button below {RSS readers may have to view the full post here}.

09.15.2010 // Tagged: products

Enough With The Pillowcases

I know. We’re not even half-way through September… but look how cute this one turned out?!

{Joann fabrics: Dancing Skeletons and Halloween Plaid}

Why so many pillowcases you ask? I had an itch to make them, and I don’t know when my little bug is going to be old enough for a pillow {3?}, so these are for family. Oh, and we just got the baby a jumper and he’s been in it for an hour and he’s still smiling away, so I’m keeping busy!

I also saw that Martha has some awesome halloween products this year: http://shop.marthastewart.com/. I LOVE HALLOWEEN!

09.10.2010 // Tagged: projects, sewing

Halloween Pillowcases

It was a tradition for me and my siblings to pull out our halloween pillowcases for the month of October, use them for trick-or-treat candy collecting, then file them away until next year. I am excited to pass on this tradition… and it’s a fun quick project to make the pillowcases. {How did this tradition start, mom?}

Supplies

• 3/4 yard fabric for pillowcase
• 1/4 yard fabric for cuff
• iron
• sewing machine

How to Make  a Pillowcase {20 min. project}

Lay the 1/4 yd. fabric face up on top of the 3/4 yard fabric {also face up}. Sew the top edge.

Open the cuff fabric and iron the seam flat.

Fold the cuff over and iron 2 edges, one that will tuck under the seam so no fringe is seen, and one that will become the edge of the pillowcase. I don’t pin because I’m lazy, but you could pin this to lay flat for you while sewing.

Sew the folded over cuff so it stays in place. I forgot to do this on the first pillowcase and did it as the last step instead. Either way.

Trace a regular pillowcase so you can sew two straight lines to finish.

Trim, flip inside-out, and voila!

09.08.2010 // Tagged: sewing, tutorials

Diana wins the WhipperBerry WhipperKeeper

Congrats Diana!

09.03.2010 // Tagged: giveaway

Drool… Beautiful Furniture on Etsy

Stumbled on this original furniture somehow on Etsy, I don’t have the money for it, but I love it. The “distressed” doors are painted using oils. Beautiful! Find them Wheelers Studio.

09.02.2010 // Tagged: design solutions

Halloween Jars

After collecting jars for the “Cute as a Button” baby shower I threw, I wasn’t sure if I needed to keep them… and then I saw this from Chica and Joe {via Google Image search}. Looks like I have an easy Halloween project ahead of me. So cute!

09.01.2010 // Tagged: design solutions

Recent WordPress Website Designs

Here are a couple of recent projects I designed and programmed, each built in WordPress so the client is able to make changes to their website whenever they’d like. Love WordPress and it’s ability to let you add and edit without any HTML knowledge. You can read more about my web design services at brookehalldesign.com.

08.31.2010 // Tagged: web design

New Banner Advertising Rates

Readership is growing and you’d like to ride on my coattails. KIDDING! I’d be nowhere without you. I kiss the ground you walk on, you inspire me to jam more fun projects into my ever-busy days.

You’ll be seeing new ads in my sidebar, and new pretty ads in the RSS Feed. Wanna be a part of it? I have new ad rates and I’d love to send you info on it. Email me at ohbrooke{at}gmail.com by Monday, and I’ll extend my previous advertiser discount to you.

08.25.2010 // Tagged: odds and ends

Before and After: Mini Rocking Chair

My first ever Facebook Marketplace purchase – a total success. I bought this adorable little rocking chair for poor little Owen who has no toys anywhere and hardly gets a lick of attention {Opposite day}.

Since Owen thinks he’s a big boy who can hold his own bottle and thinks he can do a better job at spooning in the rice cereal, I thought I’d make it a big boy chair. He loves to watch {snooze through} hocky games with his dad, so this is his very own “shark tank” rocking chair.

{free rally shirt from last season}

{iron-on vinyl, thanks to my bro for discovering}

Okay, we may be a little topsy-turvey still, but in a coupla months, he’ll have it down pat.

08.25.2010 // Tagged: baby, design solutions

Car Seat Canopies and Giveaway!

My little Owen, or, “He who does not sleep”, has enjoyed his new accessories. And, let’s face it, if I got one good nap out of this boy due to these great inventions, then they are well worth having!

It was evident that I needed a car seat canopy with my new baby when I couldn’t wait the month or two to get out of the house on account of “stir-craziness”. I made a cover, and since then have tried a few others out as well.

JJ Cole Car Seat Canopy

This Canopy achieved what I was hoping to: keep the cover attached to the car seat when there is rain and wind {this product just came out this month!}. I had my baby in April, and a few trips to Target to get my post c-section bod moving, left me in the rain. All I had was a receiving blanket to keep the rain {and curious strangers} away from my baby. This would have been a perfect cover for this outing, because you can check on the little one without disturbing him with the little slit in the front. Plus, it’s adorable.

JJ Cole Car Seat Canopy

LOVE this cover. All I want to do is keep my baby warm {drives his dad crazy}. These are so adorable, and maybe the warmth helps them sleep better? {are you seeing a pattern here? Ya, my baby no sleepy.} Anyway, super cozy, and much less bulky than other warm covers I have. This you can keep in the car for the chilly outings and late night trip to DQ {yes, we’ve done this}. This cover comes out in September {also coming in PINK!}.

WhipperBerry WhipperKeeper Car Seat Cover

This cover is the type of cover that I’ve noticed most of my friends have – cute, handmade, easy to attach and easy to stick in the diaper bag. This has been great because it’s an impromptu blanket and tummy time mat, so you don’t have to bring a bunch of things with you. It’s easy for me to bring the whole house with me when I take Owen out, so I love that I can use this for multiple things. This is the heaviest fabric I’ve seen used for this kind of cover – very well made and durable. Should last me for my seven kids {heh heh}.

WhipperKeeper Giveaway!

You can win your own WhipperBerry WhipperKeeper, any fabric you choose!

Leave a comment below to enter the giveaway, comments close on Thursday September 2, winner will be chosen the following day. Good luck! And for heaven’s sake! Keep those babies outta the sun!

08.20.2010 // Tagged: odds and ends