Closet Organization on a Budget

This project wasn't a zero cost project.  I allotted $50 to spend and came in under that so I was quite pleased.  No matter how many things I had tried in this coat closet, nothing seemed to work.  This set up seems to be doing the trick though because there is a place for everyone and everything.

Indulgences

A few years ago I lost a lot of weight and I passed on most of my sewing patterns to someone who could use them.

I was perusing Ebay -- a dangerous pastime to be sure -- when I found a huge lot of various patterns.

Careful inspection of the photos showed them to be in my size and in similar styles to what I will wear.

There was also a variety of children's patterns mixed in, which I appreciate very much because I like to sew for my nieces and nephews.

How I managed to open the box upside down is beside me, but I did it.

Even more amazing is that she had packed all these patterns in this box.

I couldn't get them all back in.

I pulled through all the patterns and separated them according to gender/age.

I found three that I am passing on to my mama.

The rest all went into my sewing room.

There were a few crafting patterns, some girls and boys patterns, a couple of men's patterns, and a slew of women's patterns.

My biggest dilemma is deciding what to make first.

I've actually ran a test on a pair of knit summer capris.

I used fabric and thread I had on hand.

My daughter is calling these my 70's pants and says she isn't sure she'll be seen with me.

I've reminded her it is a parent's job to embarrass their teenage daughter.  :-)

Crazy Week(end)

Last week was such a crazy week, as far as me being off my routine goes.  My daughter was gone for spring break, I traveled to work with my husband, and then I had a couple of days where Mama came to stay with me.  I'm so behind in my blog reading I am not sure when I will catch up.

 However, I did have a great week. I continued to work on the usual -- eating things we have on hand, using up craft supplies, etc.

In the food department, we ate everyday...lol...something and I cooked it from ingredients we had on hand.  Of course, I didn't keep a list.  I remember making a big pot of soup for one day and eating on it for a couple...lol.  We had fried chicken in there somewhere.  Oh, and chicken pasta from the freezer.

 On the craft supplies, I actually worked on 4 placemats that I have had lingering in my stash for years.  They are a Christmas pattern, and I always tell myself I'll make them for Christmas decor.  Yet, when Christmas time rolls around I'm too busy doing other things to finish the project.  This year I am going to get them ready in advance.

 I also made a trip to Hobby Lobby while Mama was visiting. I did buy a few things that I needed.  I'm trying to be careful and only buy things needed for finishing an ongoing project.  I bought three packets of bias binding for the placemats and a rotary cutter blade.  Then I picked up three skeins of yarn for ordered projects.  (I'll share those in a second.). I also bought two pieces of decor.  Both were marked down, and they are designated for the top of a shelf I keep in the upstairs hall.  

These are the projects I bought yarn for -- mermaid tail cocoons and matching headbands.

I've sold three and had an order for a fourth.  (I am buying more yarn for the fourth today.)

They're sized newborn to 3 months and go up to the underarm....most people are using them in photos.

Then one of the pieces for the upstairs shelf was a "color me" canvas.

I settled in with my favorite markers and colored these cute little birds.

Throw Pillows (A Work in Progress)

I've completed two of the throw pillows.

I want a burgundy pillow to go with the smaller one on the end.

At present I don't have any fabric I think is quite right, so this is a work in progress.

I'll keep my eyes open for pieces in the thrift store.

Another option that would give me a variety in texture would be to crochet one.

Do you think that with the afghan that would be too much crocheting?

Upcycling and Repurposing Curtains

I had some plain navy blue valances that we had used where we previously lived.  I'd stuck them up at our current living room windows, but hated them there.  They were too short for this length window.

I spent some time pricing curtains online and looking at fabric in Hobby Lobby.

I just didn't want to make that kind of investment (cost wise) for something I wasn't in love with, and I just couldn't find anything I was in love with.  I did check the local thrift stores and didn't find anything there either -- not even a compromise pair of curtains.

I came back home and looked at these valances again. 

I decided to take one down and take it up to my sewing room.

I added a strip of the fabric I used to repair the sofa and then a narrow strip of navy with polka dots.

I like the contrasting patterns, but the colors mesh well together.

So I upcycled/repurposed valances used in a former home.

I did these before I cut out my throw pillows to make sure I had adequate fabric.

I had more than enough and throw pillows are next on my list.

Cost to me -- I used leftover thread (borrowing a tip from Carol and using a slightly different shade of blue in the bobbin).

The valances had more than served me well in the last home...so I consider them a wash.

The blue polka dot fabric was a gift from Mama some time ago.

I think it took me longer to pin baste and to iron than it did to sew them.

So basically I consider this a more or less freebie.

Bonus is they tie in well with the existing fabrics I'm using.

Sewing Again and Question

When I was pulling through my fabric stash looking for curtain material,  I found some St. Patrick's Day themed fabrics.  These were leftovers from many years ago. I used them when my children were young for holiday themed pillows and things of the sort.  

I decided to make a quick table runner and 4 napkins.  I only had enough of the clover fabric to make luncheon sized napkins that were just shy of 12 inches when finished.  That's okay.  They'll work perfectly for what we need.

Cost was paid a long time ago, and I consider this a freebie.

However, I almost cried.  I've used up all of my spool of favorite green thread.

On one hand that is good, because I know my "use it up" policy is working.

On the other hand, I love the color green and can't believe I am out.

Anyone know the most economical way to buy sewing thread?

Simple Curtains

For years my laundry room has simply had a valance over the window top.

Our nearest neighbors aren't super close on that side and I liked having the sunshine come in.

 Recently a gentleman has started parking his 18 wheeler in the cul-de-sac by our home.

I don't mind that at all, but he does come and go at hours when I am usually in my night clothes.

Daughter, too, for that matter.  

My husband and I decided it might be time to put up a curtain over the window.

The room is kind of small and non descriptive as far as color.  I thought a pop of color would be nice.

In keeping with my goals of using materials I have on hand, I pulled through my fabric and found a piece to use.

I had just enough of this simple red checked fabric to make two panels.

My original plan had been to machine embroider down the sides for detail.

However, when I tried my sample I felt like the pattern was being lost in the checks.

So a few hours entertainment for me.

Curtains for the laundry room.

Cost -- nothing new....this fabric was a piece that was in a huge box I bought years ago.

Patience Pays Off

One of my "resolutions" for 2017 is to buy second hand whenever possible.

Last summer when my son moved, I gave them our couch.  Long story short, due to the layout of their new home it was the piece that would work best.  I took their love seat and we made do.  

(It was a piece that I had previously had for years.) 

On my home improvement list was a new couch for the living room.  

I knew I wanted a couch and possibly a matching love seat.

I knew I didn't want to pay a lot.

I knew I wanted something with a print because our home layout is open and all the walls are neutral.

I've been faithfully watching my areas online yard sale site.

A few weeks ago, I was a little sad because I thought I had missed a piece I might would have enjoyed.

However, as life often does, I found this set this week.

The bonus was that not only is it print, but it is floral.

I love floral prints of any kind.

And not only is it floral, but it is in colors I love -- a burgundy, tan, and navy with hints of green in the leaves.

It goes perfectly with my burgundy recliner.

Guess how much I paid?

The family selling it was originally asking $100, which I was more than willing to pay.

However, when they took it out of storage they found two rips on the arms.

She dropped the price to $60 -- without my asking -- and that price included delivery.

Upon careful inspection, I decided that I could easily cover the rips.

I decided to go to my craft room first and look through my fabrics.

I pulled out several pieces that I thought would work and finally decided on a creamy and tan print.

I cut my strips, basted them in a contrasting thread, and pinned them to the arms.

At that point, I knew sewing them on would be a little tricky.

I pondered it for a bit and remembered that I had been given a bag of sewing supplies that included some curved quilting needles.

Armed with those and a matching thread, I set about sewing the strips on.

All total it took me about two hours from start to finish.

By matching the two strips, they look as if they are meant to be there.

Bonus -- I have enough of the fabric left to do several throw pillows to add to the couch.

So I paid $60 for a personalized couch and loveseat that I love.

2017 Goals

We actually kind of went over these a few days into 2017 because I was in full recovery mode (read that as filled with pain medicine) and I was totally unproductive.

Our "big" goals in general:

1.  Plan one large family vacation.
2.  Do some redecorating and repairs on our home. (It's time.  We will have to pay someone to do a lot of the painting because of the open foyer.  There is no way I am climbing scaffolding over open stairs.  If I were to fall, I imagine the medical bills would far outweigh the costs of a painter.  We also need a new stove and to do some general light repairs.  Now that we are down to 1 child at home we are also going to rearrange some things.  I will also be replacing the living room furniture.  The pieces I am using now will go to our other place, where we need living room furniture.)
3.  Get our daughter enrolled in the local university.  (She will finish at the community college this summer.)
4. put a raised garden bed along the edge of our home

Our usual little goals:

1.  continue to tweak our budget
2.  work on better organization

My personal goals:
1.  continue to use up craft supplies on hand (My goal is to only purchase supplies if I am using them at the moment and I have run out of what I need.  For example, I had everything for my current quilt but basting pins and quilting thread.  I picked those up -- using coupons to off set costs.)
2.  streamline my wardrobe and sew more of my own clothes
3.  work on handmade birthday gifts for my youngest nieces and nephews
4.  utilize the library more often
5.  return to my charity knitting, crocheting and sewing

So those are our broad stroked plans.