My Top 13 in 2013

So, I know I've been MIA for the last 4 months but I felt like I needed a little 2013 wrap up post. There were so many fun projects posted in 2013 and I've really been missing the blogging world lately. Hopefully 2014 will slow down enough for me to post some more of the fun projects I've been doing around here. Here are the top 13 favorite posts from 2013!

1. Anthropologie Rosette Pillow Knock-Off
This is for sure the favorite post of 2013. Thanks to all of my followers and all of the great blogs that have linked to my tutorial!

 2. Easy Homemade Crescent Rolls

 3. Shark Stuffie {Free Pattern & Tutorial}

 4. Dyed Ruffle Ombre Tablecloth

5. Creme Brulee Recipe

6. Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

7. $5 Dress Up Station

8. Bathroom Makeover

9. Gold Leaf Table 

10. Crockpot Honey Curry Chciken

11. Pesto Ranch Pasta Salad

12. Valentine's Free Printable  

 I saved the two Valentine's posts for the end. I hope these come in handy this year! 2 weeks and counting until Love day!

 13. Valentine's Day Outfits

Dyed Ruffle Ombre Tablecloth

So, I am officially the 3rd place winner of SYTYC. It was super fun being a part of the competition but I have to say I'm a little relieved I'm not scrambling to get a project done this week. Thank you THANK you to everyone who supported me week after week. I appreciate every. single. one of you. Especially my family, they are fantastic and my number one supporters.

I had a project in mind that I wanted to do for the finals so be looking for that in the {not so} near future. Just kidding I'm hoping to get it done sooner than later. Here is my final project/tutorial for So You Think You're Crafty.

I have never ever attempted dying fabric. The thought just stressed me out. I have to say it was really fun. I love that this competition has challenged me to go outside my normal "craft" areas. I love it. I also love how this tablecloth turned out. I used the same dye for the darker and lighter ruffle but varied the time it spent in the dye bath. Now that I got my first time using dye out of the way I have added a couple more projects on my list that include more RIT dye!

Materials list:

-around 5 1/2-6 yards of white muslin

-RIT Dye I used "Petal Pink"

Start out by measuring your table. Mine was 33 x 33inches. So, I cut 1 square that was 34"x34". Set that aside. Then, cut 4 rectangles that measure 29"x33" (These are for the sides.) Hem the 3 sides of these pieces. The top will be sewn to the top piece so it doesn't need to be hemmed. 

Next cut 12 strips that are 12" by the length of your fabric. At least 64" to get a good ruffle. 

Once all of your pieces are cut, you are going to dye the fabric. I decided to leave one ruffle white on each side. Mix up your dye according to the directions. Make sure you let it dissolve all the way or you will get random dark spots...I'll show you my fail later on...

Dip 8 ruffles in the dye. I used the sink but have heard great things about the washing machine. You can choose what's right for you. The middle & lightest ruffle only stayed in the dye about 7 min and is still a little darker than I had hoped. The darkest stayed in 40. You can pull your pieces out from time to time to check on the color.

Wash them after they are finished dying and dry according to the directions on the box. My ruffles got all tangled up in the dryer so it might be easier to hem them before so the loose threads don't tangle??

It turned out fine though after I ironed the crap out of them. Ha. Here you can definitely see the spots where my dye didn't dissolve all of the way and stuck on to my fabric. No matter how much I tried to scrub the spots out it didn't go away so beware.

Next, I hemmed every single piece of fabric I cut. Even the side pieces. You do not have to sew the entire rectangle, just two sides and the bottom. 

Then, you will ruffle the top of each "ruffle piece" just like we did here. Sew the ruffle onto the side pieces. White on top, Middle will be the light pink, and Bottom will be the darkest pink. Once all of the ruffles are sewed on you will sew each side piece to your top piece and you are finished!

This tablecloth is just asking to be used at a party. I can picture the cutest  dessert table on top. Or maybe stacked with presents, or a drink station?? So, so fun. I hope you love it as much as I do!

Valentine's Outfits

Here is my project from last week. Thanks everyone for your votes I truly appreciate the support. I had so much fun with this project and glad you guys liked it too :)

The first thing I thought of for "Red" was "VALENTINE's OUTFITS!!" So excited. I've been wanting to make some cute love day outfits and this was my shot. I pulled out my cute striped jersey and made a little pattern for some cardigans. I thought it would be cute to add some fun heart patches on the elbows. Originally I was going to use some plain red jersey, but, I found some cute red polka dot socks in my fabric stash and knew they were meant to be the hearts :) I hand sewed them on using a blanket stitch. When I finished the cardigans, I felt like we needed more. So, I pulled out some red stretch lace and used it as an overlay on my plain red jersey I had bought for the hearts. It was PERFECT for a Valentine's day midi skirt. Top it off with a fun headband and my girlies are set for the big day.

Gold Leaf Zig-Zag Table

I made it through to round 6 on SYTYC! Week 6 projects are up and I'd love it if you'd go vote for your favorite {which I really hope is mine ;) } The poll is on the right hand side and it only take a couple seconds!

I was really excited for this weeks theme {Glitter/Shine/Metallic}. But, I ran out of time due to my chronic procrastination to do the project I've been planning for months so I switched my thoughts around to this little lonely coffee table that had been begging for a makeover. I started out with DIY chalk paint, which was fantastic. I did no sanding or priming and I'm pretty sure this was laminate. Plus it only took 2 coats to take this from black to cream. Then I drew out the pattern I wanted onto the table, and hand leafed the gold leafs onto the table which was a lot more work than I had anticipated. It's definitely not perfect but I think the  flaws add more character ;) I love it and hope you do too!

For my chalk paint recipe I used

-1 sample sized behr paint jars
-2 Tbs Plaster of Paris
-1-2 Tbs water

Table Legs to Wreath Holder

The challenge last week was upcycle. I've had these table legs in my garage for months now, just waiting to be made into something beautiful. I fell in love with these curvy legs and knew they had some potential...I decided they were destined to be wreath/banner/welcome sign holders ;) I had been wanting to make one for awhile since I have too many wreaths to count and 3 wreaths on the door doesn't work out so well. Plus our porch is less than inviting and have been trying to figure out how to spruce it up. I first filled all of the holes in the table legs, bought wood pieces for the top & bottomat Hobby Lobby (about 75 cents a piece) . Then, I wood glued the wood pieces to each leg and let them dry. I spray painted the entire thing, sanded and antiqued them. Finally, I attached the hooks. I couldn't decide which hook I liked best so I used one of each and figured I could change them out later. Which is your favorite? I love giving old unused items a new purpose and think these will be a fun new addition to our home!

Anthropologie Rosette Round Pilliow Knock-Off

This is a repost of week 3 SYTYC. Week 4 is up and I'd really appreciate if you'd hop over and vote for your favorite! Everyone that has guessed so far has gotten mine right! Can you figure mine out this week??

I just got this new bedding from Anthro when they were having their huge after Christmas sale. I am obsessed to say the least. I love it so so much. And when I saw the email about the new rosette pillow I died. It's adorable. But, I knew I could make it for much cheaper. $78 for a small accent pillow wasn't going to happen any time soon. Especially when I made my knock-off for F-R-E-E. It's true. I had the fabric, stuffing, & thread all on hand. Thank heavens for a lovely friend who loaned me her sewing machine for the day. You're a peach :)

 First cut a pattern. I used a piece of yarn tied to a pencil to get an exact circle. Cut the yarn to half the size you want your actual circle to be and then draw your circle from the corner of the paper. Fold your fabric in quarters and line up your pattern. Cut & this should get you a perfect circle. I wanted my pillow to be around 18ish inches ha so my yarn was 9 in. This piece is the back of your pillow.

Now, you will cut the strips for the middle section of the pillow. I did mine 4" by as much fabric as I could get out of my scraps. I wish I had a little more than I did so that I could make it more ruched. Just make sure you have at least double the fabric to go around the circle. I just used all that I had left which was about double :) I also had to stitch the strips together so make one long strip, but it doesn't matter because you can hide those seams in the pleats. I don't have a picture of the next step but you will need to ruffle at least one side of this long strip. You can do both, but I just ruffled one side and then pinned then other.

Then, you will need to get the front of your pillow ready. Cut out a strip that is 9"(or however big you want your pillow to be.) by as long as you can get it. Mine was 40". Again I think I would have like it to have more pleating so I would have loved a little big more fabric, but I was working with what I already had. Sew a running stitch along the bottom like we did here. and gather the fabric as you sew. You can do this by hand or on a sewing machine.

When you get to the end, sew the ends together, right sides together. Again, you can sew by hand or with a sewing machine.

For the middle of the pillow, I cut about a 4" circle from the scraps and stitched it right to the middle of the rosette. I just hand stitched it all together on the inside.

Now you're ready to start assembling the pillow. Take the middle piece and pin it, right sides together onto your front piece. See how only one side is ruffled but it automatically ruffles the other. It worked for me, but if you are more of a perfectionist you might want to ruffle both sides. Sew the middle section to your front.

 
You're almost there! Take the piece you just made and pin the middle to the back piece, right sides together, making sure to pleat as you pin (if you haven't already). Make sure you leave a pretty good sized hole to stuff the pillow if you are not using a pillow form. Sew all the way around until you get to your hole. Flip your pillow right side out, and stuff the pillow full. You'll want to use more batting than you think to make a firm pillow. Hand stitch, or liquid stitch the hole closed and you are finished with your Anthro look-a-like!

I'm so glad I've been a part of this competition, it's allowed me to be creative and get those projects done I've been wanting to do for ages!