Laurmelas House

Flannel, Flannel, oh my!

2012-01-25T11:31:00.000-08:00

I have this thing with flannel. Yes DH says it is serious, but I really don't think so... Since I started making rag quilts 8 years ago, I tend to buy flannel when it is on sale, even if I don't have an immediate plan for it! I buy remnants by the truckload. Here is the evidence:

This is one of the storage solutions I came up with for the sewing room. (More on that in another post)
This is just part of my collection. Here is more:

These are the bins that hold a lot of my remnants, my cutting table is just below. See I have lots of flannel.

I am always looking for ways to use it. I make quilts for premmies through Threads of Love, see this post. But I wanted something else.

Well wonderful Layla at The Lettered Cottage posted on her facebook a link to a pillowcase project at All People Quilt. Bingo. What a great way to use the flannel, they have lots of different patterns you could use, but I just went with the basic one. I made my first one in about 1/2 hr.

I have a few more cut out, good thing flannel is on sale this week an JoAnn's I think I may need some! LOL

I am going to see if I can donate these to the Joy Jar project at the NEGU Foundation. This is an awesome cause started by a young girl diagnosed with brain cancer last year. She lost her battle just recently, but it was her goal that every child facing cancer should have a little joy in their life. She created NEGU foundation, NEGU stands for Never Ever Give UP. Such a awesome cause by such a young but extremely gifted young lady. It makes me happy to know these will be going to young people that are needing a little joy in their life as they fight this awful fight. It is the least I can do!

Hope you are having a great week!

Toodles,

Laura

Old 80's oak.

2012-01-12T09:41:00.000-08:00

So here is my dilemma, we have a solid oak bedroom set we got before we married 27+ years ago. I want to see if I can rework it. It is solid oak and real heavy. It used to be one of those with the light bar and the cabinets on either side of the bed, but we took it apart a while ago. Here are a few pics from a few years ago.

This is the 2 cabinets, we clamped together and put on the side wall. The drawers for some reason don't come out on these pieces, which may be a deal breaker!

This is the dresser, it is 9 drawers but the 3 in the middle are smaller. Right now the mirror isn't hanging on the wall just leaning. The room has been painted since these pics were taken, and we have laid new floors as well.

Here is the bed, this is after we painted and trimmed out the windows. This is what you see when you walk into the room. I am thinking the headboard may have to go. Looking for ideas on a new one. While I would love an iron headboard, I don't think we have room. The room isn't that big. There is another window to the right of the bed, then the bathroom.

This is the armoire that sits on the wall by the door. This is where the TV cable is so this where it has to stay.
This is before we painted or finished the bathroom. It looks like this now.

I really love how the 'door where there was no door', turned out.

Ok any ideas out there? I think pinterest and I will have to have a date!

Thanks for your thoughts!

Laura

A Case for Ipad

2012-01-09T12:51:00.000-08:00

So DH totally surprised me at Christmas and got me and Ipad!!! I was shocked! Did not expect it at all. The kids got me a hard sided case to protect it, but I knew I wanted to make it a nice soft case as well. So I perused and read and read and perused and came up with a combination of ideas! I love how it turned out. The only thing I had to buy was a zipper, minke and fleece for the lining and that was a remnant. Here are the supplies:

I used pieces of fabric that I already had around. Plus I added the ribbon trim and an old button for the closure. I cheated and used a pony holder for the elastic! Hey it works! Here is the finished product.

LOVE IT!!!

Here is the nice soft lining for my baby. Not that I plan on dropping it, but nice to know it is protected.

Has a zipper on the back for storing cords and such.

Ipad fits in there nice and cozy, case and all! I may see if any of my friends need a case...

Have a great Monday!
Toodles,
Laura

Burlap for the New Year!

2012-01-06T10:06:00.000-08:00

I have been wanting to make a burlap table runner for the dining room table, but with all the holiday hoopla just didn't find the time. Well yesterday I was taking down Christmas, and figured as I put the house back together, maybe I could make one. I thought I had enough burlap, but it wasn't long enough. So after a trip to JoAnn's to buy 2 yards, with a coupon of course, I was ready. I had planned on lining it and putting a ruffle on the ends, but I could't find any fabric I liked for the lining. Then I came across this darling trim.

Isn't it neat! The gal cutting the fabric wanted to know what I was going to do with 2 totally different textures! She was surprised when I said used them together! I washed the burlap, which I am not sure I really needed to do, but boy did it come out a mess! Working with burlap when cutting a large length can be a pain. I just couldn't get the stuff to lay straight or cut straight. Maybe there is a secret I don't know about! Anywho here is the finished product.

I just frayed the edges and ironed on the trim with seam tape. Nothing fancy, but I do like how it turned out. Just simple but with a little pop.

It isn't perfect. Geesh I ironed the thing a lot, looks like it needs another pressing. And my rosettes are a little swirly! Oh well, I like it and it works for me! Have a great weekend.

Laura

Happy 2012!

2012-01-02T09:55:00.000-08:00

Hope you and yours had an awesome Christmas and a festive New Years! Welcome to 2012!
I have been cleaning, organizing and trying to do something productive everyday! My arms are sore! Last week I tackled the tool cabinet in the garage, photos forthcoming. That was a 3 day project! This week I am tackling the office/craft room. After Christmas it looks like a bomb went off! I call it Santa's workshop and close the doors during the holiday, but now it needs work!

Today's plan is to move everything away from the closet and tackle all the stuff in there that hasn't been seen in years! Then I will have more room to put stuff that I do use, instead of on the floor! Hope to have pics up soon on my new and improved office/craft room!

Happy organizing!
Laura