Sarah Hearts

Happy Monday! I hope you’re having a great day. The past week ended up being really crazy (I will post my weekly Instagram update soon) so here’s a little color  inspiration  while I’m away. It’s inspired by this lovely sleeveless top by Free People. Wouldn’t it be lovely to paint a room the eggplant purple-gray and fill it with warm, yellow and deep pink accessories. Add a touch of shimmery hold and it’s oh-so-lovely. How would you use this color palette?

{Color palette by me}

I’m super excited about today’s DIY! It comes from my sweet friend, Kristine. Let me just say that Kristine is one crafty-woman! She sewed her wedding gown and reception dress! She also has an Etsy shop where she sells her handmade creations. This weekend she sent over the photo above and I loved it so much I asked her to share it here. So here’s Kristine:

Here’s the “before” of the suitcase.

Supplies:

1. Mod Podge
2. An X-Acto Knife
3. Fabric -about 1 1/4 or 1 1/2 yards should be plenty, depending on how big suitcase is. I used just under 1 yard total on this.
4. A paintbrush
5. Tape measurer
6. That darn ugly suitcase!

Playlist:
Stars -esp The Five Ghosts album

Cost:
$1.50  -$5.99 for Mod Podge. I only used 1/4 of that.
$1.00 -Garage sale suitcase
$4.00 -Fabric. $7.99 a yard plus a 50% off coupon. I only used a yard
$6.50 -Total cost of project!!! Not to shabby! I’m VERY proud of that actually

To start, I found this treasure of a suitcase at a garage sale. It’s old and ugly and a perfect for this type of project

The insides are still in tact and the handle is a little worn, but definitely not unusable.

Before I did anything, I cleaned it up (focusing on the parts that will not be covered with fabric) with a little magical help from a Magic Eraser. The suitcase had tons of scuff marks and wear on it but this helped clean that right up!

The next step is to measure the fabric that you’ll need. Section the project out (front, back, side panels) and figure out how much fabric it will take to cover each. Don’t stress about getting this exact. As a matter of fact, I added an extra inch to the dimensions to make sure that it was more than enough fabric to cover it. Example: There are two panels on each side of my suitcase that are 16” x 3” so I added an inch and cut out a rectangle to fit it. Easy.

You’re probably covering details like a handle and latches. I’ve seen people just cut big ugly squares around this and it looks terrible.. I left these details to deal with later and really only cut X’s around them at this point to make sure that I can glue the fabric around them. Remember, that X-Acto Knife will help you make it look perfect later.

Take your paintbrush and brush the area you’re covering with fabric with Mod Podge.

Don’t put too much or it’ll get messy! I started with a full 16 oz container of Mod Podge and used about 1/4 of it total on this project, even after putting a final coat on top!

As soon as this dries, which shouldn’t take too long at all, grab that X-Acto Knife and have at it! Remember to be careful when using sharp tools

As soon as you’re done detailing and trimming that extra fabric, you’ll have a fancy, like-new suitcase! Add an extra layer of Mod Podge to make sure that the fabric is nice and secure on there, let it dry for a bit, and you’re done!

It’s a simple as that!

Today’s DIY tutorial is inspired by my friends. Recently, a few of them asked if I know how to make fabric roses. I’ve seen them everywhere but hadn’t tried making these before. These little rosettes are popping up in weddings, hair accessories, bags and jewelry. I decided to give it a try and they are much easier to make than they may seem. You only need a few types of craft supplies and the possibilities are endless. They can be embellished with pearl beads or feathers and would make the cutest bridal hairpiece.

1. For a 2″ rose, start with a 3″ x 22″ strip of fabric. I’m using unbleached cotton muslin.

2. Fold the fabric in half lengthwise. Then tie a loose knot at one end.

3. Tuck the short end into the knot.

4. Take the longer end and fold it downward. Then began wrapping it around the knot.

5. Keep folding the fabric downward as you wrap it around the knot. Repeat this until you get to the end. Trim the end of the fabric if it is fraying.

6. Once you are done, flip it over and using hot glue, adhere a round piece of fabric to the back. This will help it stay together.

7. Use the hot glue in between some layers to help it stay flat.

Then you’re done! You can add other details, such as pearls, beads, feathers, and lace and use them how you wish.

For some DIY inspiration and supplies (including high heat glue guns) check out Factory Direct Craft.

Last week, I told you about my decision to make an upholstered headboard for our guest room. This week, I need your help selecting a fabric to use! Above is the bedding we have in the room (without the light lime sheets). Which fabric choice do you think would look best? Should the headboard be tufted?

1. Amy Butler, August Fields collection
2. Premier Prints Polka
3. Amy Butler, Lotus collection
4. Premier Prints ZigZag
5. Amy Butler, Lotus collection
6. Waverly Lovely Lattice Jungle
7. Amy Butler, Lotus collection

I am happy to say we are just about wrapping up all the larger changes to the interior of our home. The last room to “complete” is our guest bedroom. We recently purchased a simple metal bed frame and I feel it’s just a little, well… blah. I have been searching thrift stores and Craigslist for a unique headboard but haven’t had any luck. Then I remembered Grace, from Design Sponge’s awesome headboard tutorial. So it’s decided, I’m going to make one for our guest room. Now, to search for lovely fabric!

Clockwise, from the top left:
Via Design*Sponge, Remodelaholic, Casa Sugar, Material Girls Blog, Design*Sponge, Algoa Fm.

I had such a great response about the last diy backdrop I made a couple of weeks ago that I decided to make another one! This one is even easier and faster to make. I used unbleached cotton muslin, however, you could use a printed or dyed fabric to make this banner. This backdrop would be great for a ceremony, reception photo booth, or for a holiday party. Today I am going to take both backdrops over to Shannon’s for her birthday tea party (yes, I will post photos). So here are the instructions!

1. You will need:
• 4′ dowel that is 1/2″ in diameter
• 2,  3 yard cuts of fabric at least 38″ wide (total of 6 yards)
• Scissors
• Tape measure
• Pencil

2. After you gather your supplies, use the tape measure and pencil to mark the short side of the fabric. I wanted my strips to each be 2″ so I made a mark every 2″.

Repeat until you have marked the entire short side of the fabric. If you want your banner to be more organic, skip step 2.

3. Cut a slit at each mark. Repeat until you have cut along all the marked lines.

4. Starting at the first slit, tear the fabric. This create a fabric strip that will be tied onto the dowel. Repeat until all the strips have been torn.

5. Using a double knot, tie one fabric strip onto the dowel. Repeat until all the strips have been tied onto the dowel. Rearrange each knot, if necessary, so all the knots are pointing down. Then you’re done!

For the photos above, I used painter’s tape to hold the backdrop in place. It can be hung with string or fishing line from a tree or it can be nailed to a wall. Enjoy!

I have long been a fan of surface pattern design. I just love how shapes and color relate to one another over a space. I also love how surface patterns can be used everywhere– fabric, housewares, industrial products, wall coverings, bedding and more. Silvia Dekker‘s work is right up my alley. Her color choices are bright and oh-so-perfect. And it doesn’t hurt that she uses flora, fauna, and sweet animals.

Where do you like to use pattern? Bedding? Curtains? Clothing? Shoes? Anywhere else?

This week’s wedding post features banners! A few months ago, I created the “Sew in Love” banner shown above for a photo shoot with Shannon Smith. Since then, I have fallen in love with the idea of using banners to communicate. There are so many great custom, handmade options out there. Above are few of my favorites.

{clockwise from the top right: Victorian Station, Ay Mujuer, Sarah Hearts, Ravens Bloom}