DIY Reupholstered Glider

Can I just say this week has been crazy! My husband has been away for work for 2 weeks. Now I know that's nothing compared to those of you who have loved ones deployed, but this is the longest I've been away from my husband since we got married. Plus with 3 kids, it's been even harder! Anyway, the fact that I got anything done was nothing short of a miracle, on with the tutorial!

Have you ever come across a fabric that you just couldn't pass up even though you don’t have specific plans for it? Good, I’m not alone. I’ve had this fabric from Ikea for a couple years, since we lived in Utah actually. Well thank goodness for little girls because now I’ve found a use. (affiliate link - you can find it online HERE )

The glider in her room used to look like this.

Totally nice, but the fabric had started to rip and there were a few stains.

Now, I’m no expert, but here is how I recovered the glider cushions with the cute fabric.

I laid out the fabric and placed the cushion on it and cut the fabric. I laid the fabric with the fold at the top of the cushion so there wouldn’t be a seam along the top.

Don’t forget your adorable sewing assistant. :)

Next turn the fabric inside out over the cushion.

Start pinning pretty snugly around the cushion, leaving the bottom open.

Then fold the cushion and remove it from the fabric. Sew along the line, removing the pins before you get to them.

Once sewing is done, turn fabric right side out and put it back over the cushion. Fold the fabric at the bottom in and pin together.

Then sew along the bottom of the cushion.

Repeat the same steps for the seat cushion.

For the gliding ottoman, turn over and remove the screws to separate the base from the padded part.

Lay the top out on the fabric.

With a staple gun, begin stapling one side, beginning in the middle, topping a couple inches from each corner. When one side is done do the side exactly opposite and pull snug before stapling .

For the corners, pull the fabric together and up,

fold down

and bring the excess together with the other fabric. Staple.

Turn the top over and reattach the screws to connect it to the bottom part and you’re DONE!

I’m playing around with the idea of painting the wood white, but all the other furniture in the room is this same blonde color.

What do you think? To paint or not to paint?

Little Girl Flower Headband

Earlier this month I was invited to a friend’s baby shower. I had found this super cute onesie for her little girl and wanted a headband to match.

I found the original instructions HERE

Start by cutting five circles about the size of a quarter.

Fold the circles in half and run a needle through the bottom

and repeat with all the circles.

Pull the thread all the way through and adjust the petals to look how you would like and tie it off. I added a small circle of orange to the center of my circle to match the onesie even more.

Finally, cut some stretchy elastic to 13” and hot glue the ends together. Glue the flower to the elastic and if you would like, glue some felt to the underside of the elastic.

I’d say it turned out pretty good and matches really well! The best part? Her little girl was born on my birthday! We’re birthday buddies!!

What is your favorite thing to make for a mama-to-be?

DIY Bathtub Tray

Every year I have a huge dilemma – what do I get my dad for Christmas? Actually I struggle with gifts for most everyone because I want it to be something the person wants and will be useful.

This year I made him something I felt he would use – my mom’s idea actually. See, my dad has a claw foot tub and he takes bath ALL the time.

I took a pallet and cut it down in between the cross pieces.

Then cut down the 2x4 down to the width of the tub. I nailed it all together with finish nails and sanded it like crazy.

Finally I put a coat of stain on. It sits pretty well on top of the tub. I imagine my dad with use it to watch movies, sip hot chocolate, and eat pie. Seriously, he loves his baths!

DIY Compost Bins and Composting Tips

For Christmas, we gave the boys a Curious George DVD and they love it. One of the episodes is about composting and it got me thinking, I throw out so much stuff that can be composted, why don’t I start one. I know most of you aren't even close to thinking about spring and planting yet, but here in southern Nevada it has been a very mild winter.

So I grabbed some plastic bins, I had previously used these for planter boxes in our previous home when I wasn't ready to set down a garden bed.

Drill holes in all the sides of the box and lid

Fill with dirt and leaves.

Then add your compost items; fruit and vegetable peels, egg shells, lint, egg carton.  Wet all the contents and stir to cover with dirt

Put the lid on and let it do it’s magic.

Here are some other tips to help you get started:

Mix, Mash, Moisten, and Move

-MIX as many different plant based ingredients as you have.

-MASH: the smaller the pieces are the faster it will break down, so you may want to chop everything into smaller pieces.

-MOISTEN: you want it just right, not too dry and not too wet, just moist.

-MOVE: The more often you turn the contents, the faster it will be ready

     -If you want it ready in two weeks, turn daily

     -if you want it ready in three months, turn weekly

     -if you want it ready in a year, turn monthly

Good items include:  fruits, eggs shells, dead leaves, grass clippings, shredded cardboard or newspaper, dryer lint, hair, and vacuum dust/debris.

Limited amounts: saw dust, pine needles, coffee grounds, and hedge trimmings

NO: animals parts, seeds and fruit pits, dairy products, anything treated with pesticides, pet waste, or grease