I Finished My First Braided Rug!

Finally, after what feels like forever, I've finished my first braided rug. It certainly isn't perfect but I don't think it's too bad for my first either. The fabric is from old clothes, curtains and sheets and other odds and ends I had in my fabric stash and that friends gave me.

Now I just need to decide where I want to put it. My plan had been to but it in the living room but it's a little small for that room. I have it there now, but it may find another home, I'm still thinking about it.

Oh, I've already started my second one. I think these are so much fun to make.

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My Home, My Canvas

 I love looking for distinctive and creative ways to surround myself with beauty and with things that have meaning for me. I love browsing sites for ideas and inspiration and expressing it in fun and creative ways. My house is an often messy canvas for me to express myself in.

One thing that is very important to me is color. When we first moved into this house the main colors were white (walls) and tan (carpet) with some brown (paneling in the living room) and black (cabinet hardware in the kitchen). I remember telling Doug that I felt like I was living in an asylum. I need color!

Sadly, I still have not been able to paint the walls, but I have slowly been adding color to the house. One of the main ways I have done this is through making curtains. I discovered a love for sewing and made several sets of patchwork curtains.



I haven't made curtains for all the windows yet but am slowly working my way there.

Another way I'm adding color is by making braided rugs for our floors. I'm using old clothes and sheets and whatever other fabric I can get my hands on for these. I'm very close to finishing my first one and have the fabric strips cut to start a second one.

And while I'm working on these projects I'm looking around for other ideas as well. While we seem to have country theme going on around here I'm not opposed to mixing styles a little if I can find a way to make it work. Cushions are one way of adding color and interest to a room and these Indian cushion covers fill my mind with all kinds of images and ideas of ways to incorporate them into the decor. Whether bought or homemade cushions add a lot to a home. I remember my grandmother always having a few colorful cushions around  and how homey and comfortable it made her living room feel.

I've also been trying to convince my husband ( and finally succeeded) that pallets might be useful in making some small pieces of furniture that I could then paint in the colors I like and that I think would be brighten up the room. There are so many things that can be made from pallets from benches to bookcases to a reclaimed wood bed.

I have a few other ideas too, from wall art to adding indoor plants, that I've been thinking about a lot and looking up inspiration for. Now if I could just figure out a way to add hours to my day I'd be all set.

The Simple Woman's Daybook - Thursday February 9, 2012

For Today

Outside my window . . . bright sunshine and 36 degrees.

I am thinking . . . that some mornings just need a do over button.

I am thankful . . . that God loves me and never gives up on me no matter how many times I have to start over.

In the kitchen . . . not much at the moment. The preschoolers will be helping me make their sandwiches for lunch later.

I am creating . . . still working on the braided rug.



I am going . . . nowhere. I'm so glad I get to stay at home all day today. Monday Michael had physical therapy, Tuesday was a follow up with the doctor to adjust meds, and Wednesday was church.

I am wondering . . . if we're going to get any good snows this winter. I would love to have at least one good snow.

I am hoping . . . in the Lord.

I am reading . . . Heaven is for Real. The kids and I are really enjoying this book.

I am looking forward to . . . our read aloud time this afternoon.

I am learning . . . what sometimes feels like the same lessons over and over again.

Around the house . . . Austin is outside with the little kids, Amanda is folding laundry, the baby is in the baby swing about to go to sleep.

I am pondering . . . And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. More gladly therefor will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

A favorite quote for today . . . sometimes the littlest things are the hardest to take. You can sit on a mountain more comfortably than a tack. ~ Author Unknown

A few of my favorite things . . . sunshine shining in my kitchen windows, watching birds at the bird feeder.

A few plans for the rest of the week . . . I need to make next weeks menu plan and grocery list as well as lesson plans for all the kids.

A peek into my day . . . the view outside my kitchen window.



 

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WOWW - Updates on my Projects

A few weeks ago I shared some projects I had started. With school starting I've moved a little slower than I had hoped but I am slowly making progress.

I've sewn together the patchwork curtains for one window, now I just need to iron them and get some curtain rods to so I can put them up.

I've also sewn a set of curtains for the downstairs bathroom and they also need to ironed and put up.

One of the bean bags I cut out is now sewn together, I just need to get the stuffing to put inside it and close it up.

And I tried my hand at braiding fabric strips for a braided rug for the playroom. I definitely need some practice but it's going to be fun.

And that's what is on my "workdesk" this week.

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Braided Rugs, Patchwork Curtains and Bean Bag Chairs

I have quite a bit on my "workdesk" right now and not so much time to work on all these projects. But I'm having so much fun with them so it's all good.

For years I've carried around with me a stash of fabric that I couldn't quite decide what to do with. I finally settled on some projects and now I have three started. One of the reasons I have so many started is that I'm cutting things out while I'm waiting on a part for me sewing machine. It should be here any day now, and then I can actually start sewing.

The first project I started is patchwork curtains. Because the house we live in is an old farm house I thought patchwork curtains would fit very well in here.

I'm keeping it simple with patchwork squares. So far this is what I've cut out.

The second project I started is beanbag chairs. We recently rearranged the playroom, taking out the large couch and chairs. My plan is to make quite a few of these little beanbag chairs, at the moment I have enough panels cut out to make three. I found the pattern at Making It Fun - Bean Bag Chair.

I'm planning to make one red and tan, one green and tan, and one all red.

Now if the piece for the sewing machine would just come!

The third project I started is a braided rug for the playroom. I have quite a few older, mismatched sheets that I'm going to start with. At least I don't have to wait to use my sewing machine for this and can work on it in the in between times when it doesn't work for me to sew.

So there you have it - all the projects that are on my "workdesk" today.

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What's On Your Workdesk Wednesday

~ And Here ~

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