Pretty Scrapbook Paper Covered Magazine File ~ Tutorial

I'm in the midst of needing to re-do my sewing/crafting/office space - it needs it - desperately!!  If you came into my house right now I would be so embarrased.  I have a gazillion yards of fabric everywhere and have taken over the entire dining room and office.  I am the type of person that needs my space to be organized and put together in order to feel like I can move ahead and create.......well right now, I should be at a stand-still because it is a disaster!

So in an effort to start to re-do my "studio" (that's what we'll call it.......sounds good, right?), I decided to start with an easy project.  Several years back I had purchased some inexpensive cardboard magazine files from IKEA - these to be exact:

They are only $2.99 for a pack of 5 - a bargain!!  But look at them.......they are screaming for some color.  So here is my overhaul project for these great deal, but not so pretty, magazine files.

Pretty Covered Magazine File Tutorial

Supplies:

-Magazine files

-Pretty scrapbook paper

-Glue

-Scissors or a paper cutter

-Pencil or pen

Directions:

Grab your scrapbook paper.  I used Amy Butler's scrapbook pack so that I would have a bunch of designs and colors that all coordinate and you know how I feel about Amy Butler (love her)!

Get out a sheet of 12 x 12 paper.

Flip your paper over and trace (with your pen or pencil) around the long-side of your magazine file.

This is what it will look like after you have done your tracing.

Use your paper cutter (or scissors) and cut out what you traced.  If you don't have a paper cutter, I highly recommend getting one.  They are pretty inexpensive (especially if you use your 40% off coupon at Joann's or Michael's) and if you plan on doing much crafting at all, it is well-worth the money.

Here is your long front piece cut out and ready to go.

Take your glue and place it all over the side of the file and place your long piece on top (be sure to line it up perfectly).  I just used your basic glue, but the stronger the better.  Another idea is to use Mod Podge for this project - if you are into that sort of thing.

Now you could stop here, as you really will only see the front of the file if you keep these in a bookcase, but I decided to take it a few steps further and cover the entire file box.  For the sides trace each one on another piece of scrapbook paper.

Use the first one you cut out as a template for your second.  You need two in order to cover both sides.

Again, swirl glue all around the side of the file and place your pretty paper on top.

For the other small piece, use a scrap from the first long-piece we cut.   Trace the same as the other pieces.

Here is what the smaller side of the file should look like.

To add your labels, I cut small pieces of neutral cardstock (approx. 1" x 3") to back my printed labels.

For the printed part of the label, I used my label maker (oh how I love my label maker!), but if you don't have one, just print your text out on your computer or hand-write it.

Place your labels all at the same height on the long-side of the file. 

Here is what your pretty magazine file will look like after it is complete.  Looks like it cost a lot more than the 60 cents that I paid for each file, right?

Here are some more files that I did as well in coordinating Amy Butler scrap paper.

These files just make me so happy, now if I could just get the rest of my "studio" to make me this happy!!

oh phoebe

a couple of weeks ago i took a trip to south of market over by adac.  just around the corner from south of market is phoebe howard’s max & company store so i stopped in since i was in the area.  max & company is set up like a home, and each room is designed with a particular theme.  i fell in love with the top floor of the store which had a very european feel to it.. 

i loved all the architectural elements and special touches that make the space truly look like a real home…or even better than most homes. 

this zinc top table with nailhead details was for sure my favorite piece of furniture in the room.

close up of the nailhead detail.

i also liked this little reading nook that was tucked into a corner over by the bedroom area.  i wish i had a small area like this in my house to set up like a reading nook…one day, one day.

i would love to have windows like the ones behind this bed.  the light poured into the and lit the whole room.  natural light is so necessary in designing a home.

for some reason the image below is my favorite one that i took while i was there.  the symmetry of this vignette speaks to me. 

i didn’t get pictures of the rest of the store but if you want to look at some you can view them on the store website here.  if you’ve never looked at them before believe me you will be completely inspired.

LiveJournal Tags: phoebe howard,max & company,atlanta design stores

Easy-Sew T-Shirt Shrug Tutorial

So I never sew anything for myself these days.  Right now it is all about my girls, but I decided today was a new day, the sun was shining and it was time for the cottage mama to have something new to wear.  I saw this idea here and it looked SO easy that I had to give it a try. 

I know several of you have commented or emailed me about being new to sewing.  This is the perfect project for a beginner sewer.  Don't be intimidated by the fact that I am using knit here.......trust me......you can do it!

So let's begin.......

This was a long-sleeved t-shirt that I had been wearing this past winter.  Unfortunately it had gotten several small holes right in the center of the shirt and had a small little stain (as is with most of my white shirts).

There are the holes in the middle of the picture......see them......they are very tiny, but they are there.  But no worries, they will be hidden as I turn this t-shirt into a shrug.

I used my quilters ruler and drew with a regular pencil.

Make sure you just cut the top layer of the shirt and don't cut the back.

It was sad to cut off this beautiful trim, but I saved it and will use it for another one of my many projects.

Turn the shirt inside out and measure around the entire area that you have cut - up and around the neck-line.

Pin all the way around - please, please do not skip this step.  I know there are some who think that having to pin is a big pain in sewing, but trust me, it is the only way to achieve professional looking results.

When sewing with knits, I prefer to use a Singer "orange" needle that is especially designed for sewing with knit-like fabric.  You can use your regular needle, but I find the other needle to move through the fabric more smoothly.

Once you have sewn around the entire center and neck-line turn your shirt right-side out.  I don't know if you can see it very well, but we have created an opening all the way around the neck-line.  Ok, stay with me, we're almost done!

This was a really fun piece of trim that I got recently and I decided to use it for my shrug.  Any ribbon or string will work.  You can find bodkin's at all of your sewing shops - they are very inexpensive and I much prefer them to the safety pin.

You will use approximately a yard and a half of ribbon - give or take, depending on your size and how much gathering you do with your shrug.

 Completed T-Shirt Shrug

 (that's me taking a picture of myself)

Then pull your ribbon tight and tie it into a bow (pulling the ribbon on both ends will cause the shirt to gather).  You can wear the bow higher or lower on your chest.  Just play around with it and see what fits your personal style.

There are so many ways to personalize this shrug.  Use any kind of knit t-shirt - go edgy, punk-rock, preppy, laid-back........whatever your style, you can make it work with this look! 

Have fun and happy sewing!!