movie monday, living room tour

Movie Monday is back!
I know you are all couch jumping...it's just so exciting ;)

Anyway, I have decided the first decorating project of the year is....

THE LIVING ROOM!

I know? Super fun, eh?

I picked the living room because...it is clean and after we put away the Christmas decor (cause Christmas is now officially over, y'all) it felt super-duper incredibly empty.
Time to fill it up and make it fun.
Yeah.

One small problem...
My budget is somewhere in the range of $5-$12
Hmmm...this will take some creativity...

Tour time!

Have any ideas for me?

Want to search Craigslist for me?

How about listing some stuff from the basement on Craigslist for me?

I'm also accepting donations ;)

Have an excellent Monday!

getting a move on! in my makeshift craft room, getting settled day 9

I know, I know. I am terribly behind on my 30 Posts about my new house.
I said I would have 30 posts done by Nov. 20, and I'm sticking to that.

So expect a flurry of activity for the next few weeks!

Because my office is currently far from workable, I set up a temporary work space in the front room.
Are you ready for this?
I'm going to blow your mind.

hey, that looks a lot like a folding table and kitchen chair...

What? Not impressed?

this guy loves it!

It's okay, this is not a permanent fixture in my house...but it's going to help me get stuff done.
And that's important.

The first few projects:
* stitch up a quick insert for this pillow case - which came from PB(clearance, natch) and I've had forever but never used.

* sew a slipcover for the piano bench (a holdover project from the last house)
* the giant roman shade! I bought pretty fabric! Now I have to do something with it.

roman shade fabric

* a completely frivolous project that will hopefully be high impact and not take up too much time...or it'll be the Hindenburg. I'll let you know how it pans out.


Good thing Disney aired The Aristocats on Friday!
Nothing keeps the kids' attention like a new movie.

Have any projects brewing?

a giant roman shade - getting settled, day 6

First - did you think I forgot about my 30 days of posts about my new house? I never said the series would be rapid fire style, or that it would only take 30 days ;)

Remember, I'm the one who writes the posts...this series could take years.

Or I could give myself a deadline...I'm arbitrarily picking Nov. 20.

You can hold me to this:

By Nov. 20, I will have completed 30 posts about my new house.

Pinky swear.

Back to draperies...ahhh window coverings...one of my favorite things to obsess about.
I'm trying really hard not to obsess too much.
To say "This will work, let's do it."
And then execute my plan.

It worked in my little granny bath.
And every time I scrub the toilet and disinfect the floor (hello 3 year old boy!), I look up and smile at my sweet little curtain.

Now, the exact opposite emotions consume me every time I glance (and it is always accidentally) at the horror that is the vertical blinds in my kitchen.

And then one day I was reading blogs and saw a roman blind on a window over a kitchen sink.

Thanks for the inspiration Centsational Girl!

My mind started to go into overdrive...can I do this on a huge scale?
I decided that I can, and I will.

I'm calling my project "Giant Roman Shade"
Super original, eh?
I pinned two Roman Shade tutorials (A, B), and I'm working from both.

Because I will need a chunk of fabric 85"x101.5", I decided to use a drop cloth.
I happen to have a few hanging around...

I'm almost embarrassed to admit that I have more drop cloths in storage. Almost.

After measuring, I realized not a single drop cloth is large enough.
Sad face.
Then grumpy face.

little helper

I hit up The Home Depot and found a 9'x12' dropcloth.
Happy face!

Except when I unfolded it I found this:

argh!

Not one, but two seams! And it is filthy.
Angry face. And maybe some expletives.
And I am totally making hubs return it.

I took a few minutes to regroup and came up with a solution:

I like to fill sketch pads with room and project plans...and then I never share my ideas with anyone.

Use a drop cloth base and  build a frame around it, then add some coordinating ribbon to accentuate the design.
After doing a little math I realized that I won't even need to cut the dropcloth I am using!
Is that kismet, or what?!

Tomorrow I shop for fabric and ribbon...and I'm bringing both boys...

I think I will require an expensive coffee ;)

What's your favorite expensive coffee?

Any bets on how long it'll take me to finish this project?