Classroom Curtains

As you already know, I have recently had to switch classrooms as part of the big FIRST GRADE transition! In my new room I have one giant window . . . which clearly needed attention.

I absolutely, positively love IKEA. It is certainly one of my favorite stores. They have a grand selection of fabric that I adore. Thank goodness Kristy reminded me of their budget friendly fabric and how quickly it could be turned into curtains!

I purchased several yards of this print.

. . . cut out 2 large panels . . .

. . . ironed the edges for easy sewing . . .

. . . and in no time had my curtains!

If at all you can visualize . . . these are my two panels for my very large classroom window.

Hopefully next week I'll have pictures of them in place!

Slowly (but surely)

There's no doubt I'm still learning to sew. It's been a slow process seeing as how I haven't made time to take a class of any sort . . . (Unlike my friend Margie Lee, who has tried to talk me into one a couple of times. Are you out there, Margie Lee?)

I have gotten up enough nerve to hem a few pair of pants here and there (all of which, I assure you, have been no where near perfect). I've been lucky enough to be sister-in-law with the all time ultimate thrifter . . . Fleming Marsh. I have her to thank for opening my eyes to such a fabulous thing. In fact, Fleming has outfitted my entire collection of designer jeans for roughly $5 a piece.

HOW FABULOUS.

Anyway, after hemming a pair she recently found . . . I was a bit frustrated with how "clean" and unworn they looked at the hem. Put simply, it looked like . . . I hemmed them! (Not what I wanted.)

Thank goodness common sense kicked in, and I realized a quick fix was simply rubbing the ends on the bricks outside our house to "wear" them in a bit . . .

("Worn" on the right. "Unworn on the left.)

Hell, I'm still learning,
but if you have some other tricks up your sleeve, let me know!
Slowly, but surely . . . remember?

My Pillow Project

After convincing myself that I can no doubt create most everything the HGTV designers can, I was most excited to receive a new sewing machine for Christmas this year. I mean, seriously . . . cut some fabric- sew it together . . . right?

I'll admit my attitude changed a bit after a 45 minute "threading the bobbin" ordeal. I realized this wasn't quite as easy as I had imagined (or at least as easy as all my HGTV friends had made it seem).

After my afternoon of finally getting the thread situated, I decided to start with something I knew would give me clear and thorough directions: Sewing Patterns for DUMMIES . . .

. . . although it soon became apparent that I'm not a "dummy" at all . . . I must be flat out ignorant.

"Bias tape," "zipper foot," WHAT? I thought this was a pattern assuming I've never heard of these things . . . BECAUSE, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF THESE THINGS!

Once I eventually came to my senses and ditched the pointless pattern, I finally decided that I should just use my HGTV knowledge to lead the way.

You will be happy to know, (after 5 long hours) I finished my little pillow . . . and I must say, it turned out quite good . . .

from far away, that is . . .