Sarah Hearts

Here’s another practical gift that is perfect for newly wed friends and foodies alike. Stenciled monogram tea towels (also know as kitchen or hand towels) are very cheap to make and look lovely in the kitchen. I used the freezer paper stencil method (explained below) with acrylic paint mixed with a fabric medium. The fabric medium allows the paint to set and be washable. You can also use fabric paint, and save some money.

These would also be a perfect hostess gift you give to your friend or family member who is hosting the holiday dinner. The would be an adorable wrapping “paper” for a small loaf cake. Don’t be overwhelmed with the length of supplies or directions. This is a supper simple craft!

Supplies:
• Tea towels (I purchased these towels at Ikea for $.79 each!)
• Fabric paint
OR
• Acrylic paint and fabric medium (like this one, I had both)
• Foam brush or medium size paint brush
• Freezer paper (can purchase this at any grocery store)
• Printer
• X-Acto Knife
• Iron

Directions:
1. Print out the letters or initials using a word processing program. I recommend using a font that is pretty thick and not a script, as a script font will be harder to cut out. I used this font (I’m obsessed with it right now!)
2. Place the paper with the printer letter under a piece of freezer paper that is about 2″ larger than the letter. Make sure the shinny side of the freezer paper is facing down.
3. Using a pencil or sharpie marker, trace the letter (you will be  writing on the matte side of the freezer paper).
4. Remove the print out then using your x-acto knife, carefully cut along the outline of the letter. If using a letter such as A, B, D, you will also need to cut out the “inside” of the letter. Keep the “inside” of the letter. you will need this for the stencil.
5. Iron your tea towel to smooth out any wrinkles. Then place the freezer paper stencil with the shinny side down on top of the tea towel wherever you would like the monogram to be. Iron the stencil onto the towel. Make sure you not use any steam or spray while ironing the stencil onto the towel.
6. Paint inside of the stencil then allow to dry. After it is dry, add a second coat if necessary. Then remove the stencil once it is completely dry.
7. Using a dry iron, iron over the monogram to heat set the image. Then you’re ready for gifting!

Cost: $.79 per towel

{Photos by me)

I made another video tutorial! This one shows you how to make an ombre painted pumpkin. Ombre is popping up everywhere—in fashion, home decor, and design. Why not put it on a pumpkin?

Like many of you, our home is full of a few Ikea staples. You know, classics like the Malm dressers and Expedit cubes. Recently, I have been thinking about how I can remake a few of those pieces. With a little research, I found that others have “hacked” their trusty Ikea pieces and made them into beautiful furniture. I love the idea of using wallpaper to add pattern and texture to the dresser. And Anthropologie drawer pulls would be awesome! If you own Ikea furniture, what are some tips for making them one-of-a-kind?

1. via Apartment Therapy. 2. via Cut Out and Keep. 3. via Design*Sponge. 4. via Simply Inspired Home.

Shortly after we moved into our home, we painted the foyer and living room. I have always loved wallpapered foyers, however, our walls are a bit too uneven for wallpaper. So I decided to use the paint color we used in the den and paint 10″ horizontal stripes in the entry way. I have to say we absolutely love it and we always get compliments from guests the first time the enter our home!

I’m thinking of replacing the table shown above with this shoe cabinet from Ikea and painting the mirror white. What do you think?

The paint colors used are Behr Ultra Parachute Silk and Ivory Lace in eggshell finish.

We just finished my home office and we are nearly done with our den (photos coming soon). That leaves 2 more rooms in the house to tackle: the guest room and the master bedroom. Today’s post is a little visual guide I put together for the guest room. I fell in love with the bedding, however, I’m not to sure how it’s going to look with the other things in the room. What do you think?

Items clockwise from the top right: Target Springmaid bedding, Target Vintage Floral Rug, Behr Ultra paint in Parachute Silk, Blik Amy Ruppel wall decal, West Elm Window headboard.

Image from Our Labor of Love.

Image from Lupen Grainne.

Image from Jay B Sauceda.

Image from Candi Mandi. She also has a great blog.

Image from Maya Lee. She also has an Etsy shop.