2 Ways to Decorate with Bookcases in the Bedroom

Bookcases can be used in some exciting ways in the bedroom and not just to hold rows of books! OK, bookcases do provide a ton of storage but they also add a huge visual appeal in the bedroom.

So, check out these 2 new uses for bookcases in the bedroom. They will add some visual excitement in the bedroom and give it a whole new look...finish reading...

Ultimate Hobo Bag Pattern

This ultimate hobo bag pattern is easy to sew and even has 3 pockets inside! What more could you want?

Looking for the utimate hobo bag pattern? So was I , but now I think I have found it. It helps when you love the vintage inspired fabric the hobo bag pattern is made in as well.

I used a retro looking Heather Bailey fabric for this fun hobo bag pattern. The vintage curry yellow fabric looks amazing and really blends well with styles found today.

The inside of this vintage inspired hobo bag is a fun retro pattern named Dittybud - which is so sweet!

More Vintage Purses, Retro Fabric, Reproduction Retro Fabric and More...

Well, could I have waited any longer to post? I have been listing eco friendly hobo bags made from recycled fabrics alongside many of the retro purses, vintage handbags, and new purse patterns made from Amy Butler fabrics.

Hope you enjoy the photos! Some of these retro fabrics and vintage fabrics I bought on Etsy as well as Ebay. The eco friendly purses have been made from recycling old skirts, vintage shirts, and more retro clothing.

Retro Fabric Ideas Book & Recipe Book

Check out this super cute ideas book. I made a retro fabric recipe book and thought it would be fun to make an ideas book since most of us have them!

This fabric is also a piece of retro feedsack fabric from the 1940's.

3 Ways to Decorate a Kids Room with Vintage Beach Chairs

Summer is fast approaching. Summer design tips are kicking into high gear.

Vintage beach chairs make the most awesome kids furniture, kids storage, and retro reused furniture for the home.

I recently came across a stash of vintage beach chairs and was completely inspired to use them in a kid bedroom...finish reading...

Streeterville Bag in Amy Butler's Midwestern Modern Fabric

Made this large hobo bag in the new Linen Optic and Mustard Martini fabric from Amy Butler. This bag is reversible! I love a large handbag and this one holds so much stuff!

You could easily use this handbag for a diaper bag or gym tote as well.

Eco Friendly Purse - Recycled Materials

I am always amazed at the cool items you can make from recycled fabric. This is another sweater purse made from a soft and sweet grey sweater that once again shrunk up in the wash.

Maybe I need to quit washing them in the machine and I could wear them more than once! This awesome recycled bag also has 100 % cotton canvas inside, which gives a great pop of color and it super sturdy.

I will be adding this grey sweater purse to Etsy soon. So, look for some more photos and hopefully you will be inspired to recycle some fabric & clothing as well.

Meet Pinky

Oooh, this one is too sweet. This is a charming little pink purse made from a recycled sweater. You know, one of those sweaters you love, buy, wear once, and it shrinks up about 6 inches.

Anyway, it will have a much longer life as this chamrign little purse!

I used some yellow fabric inside with a washed out old feel and a magnetic snap.

New Purse Made from Amy Buter Fabric

OK, I do love this Amy Butler fabric and never seem to tire of seeing it made into a new purse pattern. I used the full moon coordinating fabric inside, like most peole do with the Wall Flower pattern.

I made up this purse pattern as I went along. The best description I can give for it is a puffy pleated purse. I simply added some pleates on the left and right sides of the front and back panels and it really makes this purse pattern have some awesome fullness.

I am going to make this same pattern out of some vintage fabric as well! It seems like it would work well in a variety of fabrics, including some of the new Amy Butler fabrics.

This simple purse pattern might also look great in a large size.

Granny Chic Vintage Purses/ Clutches/ Bags

These granny chic clutches are something I put together this weekend. I have been making a ton of Amy Butler purse patterns, some of my own vintage fabric purses, and even some bags, so I though I would break out and try a clutch or two.

The final picture is some cherry fabric spring purses I made for my nieces, the tiny cherry purse is for one little American Girl Doll named Abbie.

Vintage Cherry Feedsack Purse - Cheery Cherry Handbag

This purse is made from the cutest piece of vintage cherry feedsack fabric! I love love love this one as well!

Inside is lined with a coordinating vintage blue plaid. Hmmm, I like this one for Memorial Day and July 4th!

This is a pattern I somewhat pulled together after seeing a very cute photo of a purse. It was pretty easy to do, so the next one I sew I will take a ton of photos for a tutorial for you. This is one of those super easy purse patterns perfect for kids, beginners, and anyone with a sewing machine.

Vintage Strawberry Fabric Purse

Here are some photos of the cutest purse made from vintage strawberry fabric. I made this hand made purse for myself, so you probably will not be seeing it on Etsy.

If I am lucky enough to come across some more of this vintage strawberry feedsack fabric, then maybe you will see purse for sale on Etsy!

I attached a pouch or wallet inside and added a green zipper to keep the vintage strawberry theme going!

More Breaks from the Amy Butler Purse and Fabric

Ok, so I started working on a messenger bag pattern and I love it! This one is my first try. I used a vintage blue fabric that I was lucky enough to buy 5 yards of.

This is the same vintage blue fabric that I made the fabric shopping bag out of.

Feeling a little patriotic, so I used some red striped twill inside. I love wearing a messenger bag and keep coming across patterns for sale. They are simple, so if you can follow an online purse tutorial, you can easily make your own messenger bag pattern!

I may be listing this on on Etsy, not too sure yet!

A Break From Vintage Purses

Ok, thought I would take a break from all the Amy Butler purses and inspired purse and show some photos of something else.

I threw these about a month ago and they are the most lovely shade of red, magenta, purple, and even clear. The color is Cohen's Red. I listed them on Etsy if you feel you can't live without them!

There is a matching honey jar in the kiln which will be added soon as well.

Addicted to Amy Butler Downtwon Purse!

I forgot to show you the inside of the Amy Butler Downtown purse. Most people use coordinating fabrics from Amy Butler when making her purse patterns.

Of course, I am no exception. I used the full moon in Cherry red as the inside fabric on the flap of the downtown purse.

I also used a snap in place of the Velcro recommended by the Amy Butler Downtown Purse pattern.

Amy Butler Uptown Purse

Ok, made the Amy Butler Uptown purse with some vintage fabric. This is an easy Amy Butelr pattern and much quicker to assemble than the Downtown Amy Butler purse.

So, check out the photos of my Amy Butler Uptown Purse project made with vintage fabric!

Amy Butler Downtown Purse - Red Wallflower

Made this Amy Butler Downtown purse this past weekend with my mother! This is a great purse, wiht easy to follow instructions, but extremely time consuming!

Listing New Items

I am listing new items this week at Etsy. I thought I would give you a sneak peak.

The items range from wrislets, cards, wristlet kits, patterns, and of course pocketbooks!

I shot some videos of how to make the wristlets, so looks for links soon!

How to Hang Curtains in a Cement Ceiling

Learning how to hang curtains when you have a cement ceiling is so much easier than you probably expect it to be.

I currently live in a condo with cement ceilings and just hung curtains.

I have also lived in a loft with cement walls, brick walls and cement ceilings and was easily able to learn how to hang curtains in cement easily...finish reading...

Vintage Charm Bracelet Craft Project

You can use inexpensive damaged vintage jewelry to make the cutest retro charm bracelets.

I like to salvage damaged or broken vintage necklaces from the local flea market and GoodWill to make these sweet retro charm bracelets.

This is an inexpenxive way to get old beads and create something new with them...finish reading...

Vintage Game Board Photo Albums

You can make the coolest vintage photo albums using vintage game boards from the local flea market.

I also find great vintage game boards at the yard sales in my area as wall. They all make great old looking photo albums.

Tip: You can also recycle the old game board sleet over from your children as they out grow them.

They look great displayed on the coffee table and I can bet you someone will pick them up and start looking at those photos...finish reading...

Retro Fabric Grocery Bag Pattern You Can Make Yourself

Retro fabric is perfect for making an eco friendly grocery bag! Use your favrote paper grocery bag to make your own fabric shopping tote in only an hour.

This reusable retro fabric grocery bag pattern is a simple one you can make and sew yourself.

This is a lined eco friendly fabric grocery bag, but very easy to make.Once you get the basic pattern for this vintage fabric grocery bag down, you can make it in any size...finish reading...

Retro Kitchen Hardware Made from Vintage Fabric

You can make some retro kitchen hardware for your kitchen cabinets using vintage fabric from your stash.

I love using vintage fabric in usual ways and these retro kitchen cabinet hardware and draw pulls are an awesome project!

Don't worry; your retro kitchen hardware made from vintage fabric is durable, affordable, and great looking in a retro kitchen...finish reading...

3 Ways to Frame Your Bathroom Window and Get the Hottest Trend

Framed bathroom windows are one of the hottest bathroom trends in 2008.

You can get this hot bathroom trend on a budget and without the pricey handy man or contractor.Here are three ways to frame your bathroom window and get that hot look in 2008.

I love creating easy ways to decorate in the home. Each of these ideas are quick, easy, and great DIY projects...finish reading...

3 Ways to Update Outdated Curtains for Less Than $25

Curtains are an expensive part of decorating your home.

If your curtains have become outdated after years of use, then here are some fun ways to update the look of your curtains for less than $25.

Take those outdated curtains down and wash them first! No need to keep the dust with the new look of your updated curtains...finish reading...

New Vintage Wristlet on Etsy

Just posted a new vintage wrislet made from old feed sack fabric on Etsy! There are quite few fabric choices, so you can customize your order.

Here is a close up of a finsihed retro wristlet.

By the way, if you want the pattern, I will be listing it on Etsy shortly as well.

Elegant Rustic Burlap Day Lillie Easter Card Craft

This Easter Lillie Card is made from burlap and fabric paints.

You can make a simple and elegant Easter Lillie craft into a fun Easter card perfect for someone special.

If Easter Lillies are yoru favorite flower, then you will love this simple Easter Lillie craft turned card...finish reading...

How to Make a Paper Flower Bouquet Using Coffee Filters

Coffee filters make fun and frilly paper flowers perfect for a Valentine's Day bouquet of flowers.

If you are looking for a fun paper flower craft, then check out this simple and easy to make paper flower bouquets made from plain old coffee filters. Kids can make this simple paper flower craft for Mom or Dad this year.

The great thing about this paper flower bouquet is that you do not even have to cut out the paper for the flower...finish reading...

3 Tips for Correcting a Bright Paint Color

Bright paint colors on the wall can be corrected in a few simple ways. If you have painted your walls and the color turned out way too bright, then try one or all three of these tips to turning your garish paint into a delight!

Paint Correcting Tip #1: Dark Curtains

Adding dark curtains to your windows is not really to block out the sun. The dark colors of the fabric can really just outline each side of the window. You will see that the dark colors of the fabric will ground and define a too bright paint color...finish reading...

Easy Felt Flowers

Felt flowers are a fun craft that is easy to make and fun to give as a bouquet for Valentine's Day.

You can use these easy felt flowers as decoration and learn how to make them in minutes.Scissors are using to make these simple felt flowers; so younger kids will need supervision and help from Mom and Dad.

In the end though, the felt flowers make wonderful hand made gift perfect for a fabric flower bouquet for Mom or Dad...finish reading...

Sheer Cover vs Bare Minerals: Battle of the Mineral Powder Foundations

Products like Sheer Cover and bare Minerals dominate this market. Mineral powder foundation makeup is 100% pure natural ingredients, free of oils, irritants, talc, and preservatives.

Basically, products like bare Minerals and Sheer Cover are answers to a growing demand for natural products that work. Mineral powder foundations go two steps further than traditional liquid foundations and one step past those powder foundations that go on like a powder but cover like a liquid.

By offering the amazing coverage of a liquid foundation, but eliminating the messy bottle, breakouts, and caked on look that many liquid foundations have, products like Sheer Cover and Bare Minerals have virtual taken over the mineral powder foundation market...finish reading...

Repurpose Your Christmas Cookie Tins in 3 Steps

Christmas cookie tins can be repurposed into very useful storage.

I love simple and stylish storage and cookie tins leftover from Christmas are perfect for making this.

If you love the look of Ikea storage or stainless still boxes, then try these simple steps on for transforming your Christmas cookie tins in so few steps..finish reading...