Ready for Fall, Almost. {Weekend Wrap-Up}

Tell me the truth... have you had a Pumpkin Spice Latte from Starbucks?  I'll let you in on a not-so-secret secret... I have not. Ha!  What have I been up to, you wonder?  Well...

I turned 30 last weekend, so I've been Thirty for a week and two days... I have to say, it's not feeling much different than the past few years.  The kicker may be that both of my girls are now in school, well, the youngest is in Pre-K, but, still...  I now (for the first time since starting SoChick!) have actual, dedicated, work time during the day! Yay!

So, back to this weekend's wrap up...  I may not have had Pumpkin Spice anything from Starbucks, but I did enjoy a homemade pumpkin spice coffee at home, in my new mug, which I picked up at World Market with my $10 Birthday Coupon!! (Along with the pretty new earrings shown)  

Here's how I made my Pumpkin Spice Coffee:

- One mug fresh brewed coffee, I use World Market's Breakfast Blend.

- A drizzle of pure maple syrup

- A dash of Pumpkin Pie Spice

- A splash of organic 1/2 & 1/2

I know you love my exact measuring... *wink*

We spent the weekend enjoying the company of some wonderful friends of ours who were out this way from the coast.  It was a short and sweet visit, but we were so, so glad to see them!

 Lastly, because it's been quite brisk here in the Mountains the past few mornings, I decided it was time to put up a fall wreath on our door.  Of course, since we are in a new home, I thought it'd be nice to update my previous wreath, using supplies I had on hand.  I'm very happy with how it came out and very glad to have used the brown satin ribbon I've been holding on to for years!  I swear, years!

I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and I hope to have more to share, very soon!

XxOo~ Melissa

Girl's Room Makeover {A DIY Project}

While my girls were away to the beach this summer, lucky kids, I decided to give our eldest a surprise room-makeover.  My goal for this makeover was to ultimately create a space that she could: easily keep tidy/organized, have room to hang out with her friends, quietly do her homework (away from her little sister) and read, etc.  The girls shared a bedroom for the past two years, so this was a nice way to celebrate her having her own bedroom.

Previously, my chickie and I sat down to pin some inspiration to a Pinterest board, so I had an idea of what she was wanting the room to look like.  I also kept the budget for this makeover super low, using items we already had and chalk painting a desk (which I got for free a few years ago).  The only purchases I made were:

1 gallon flat paint for the walls
2 paint samples containers for the desk (though I only used 1) 
1 can of Minwax furniture wax (which will last the rest of my life, I'm sure)
1 package plaster of paris
Desk Lamp base
Lamp Shade
Clear drawer pulls, for desk

Alrighty, here are the pictures & details:

Kind of a "During" shot... but you get the idea, lots of junk and beige walls.  I painted the entire room in one day, did the desk DIY the second day; put the room together the third day.

{Desk DIY}

I used a chalk paint recipe that my Stepmom found somewhere on Pinterest, the same recipe I used on the shelves in this bathroom makeover from our old house.

Chalk Paint Recipe:
- Plastic Container for mixing.
- Plaster of Paris
- Interior Flat Paint 
- Water

Mark lines on the side of the plastic container to divide it into four equal parts.  Add Plaster of Paris to the first line.  Mix in an equal amount of water to make the Plaster of Paris smooth, it should still measure to the first line.  Stir in the paint, to the top line.  

I painted four coats of Homemade Chalk Paint onto the desk, not including the drawers, lightly sanding after each coat.  After the final sanding, I wiped down the desk and applied Minwax furniture wax to the entire desk, again, not working on the drawers, and polished.

I chose to modge-podge fabric to the front of the drawers, picking colors that matched the room.  I pressed and trimmed the fabric to fit the front of each drawer, leaving a slight overlap so I could fold it around the drawer front.  I used Elmer's Spray Adhesive to adhere the fabric to the drawer fronts, being sure to smooth all bubbles.  I then applied two coats of Modge Podge to seal the fabric.

I used a drill to drill through the fabric into the original holes on the drawers, then put on the new drawer pulls.

{Ta Da!}

We have artwork and photos to hang on the wall at some point.  Not pictured, is the wall space to the left of the foot of the bed, where we have her gymnastics memorabilia hanging.

 

My chickie was super-duper excited when she saw her new room... I actually took a video of the "Reveal", but I don't want to completely embarrass her by sharing it with the world... sharing on Facebook was engouh to do the trick. *wink*

XxOo~ Melissa

{SALE Announcement} SoChick Fabric Shoppe

Happy Friday!  If you are signed up for the SoChick! Newsletter, you know that I need to make room in my studio for new fabric... to help with that I'm having a SALE in my Fabric Shoppe on Etsy!!

Through Thursday, November 15th, save 30% at checkout with coupon code ETSY30.  That means you can score Amy Butler prints for as low as $6.30/yard and cotton laminate for less than $12/yd!

It's a great time to grab up fabric and try any of these free projects that Amy shares on her website.  

Source: amybutlerdesign.com via Melissa on Pinterest

You can make beautiful gifts for giving over the Holidays or save it for stitching on a cold winter day, nothing beats the winter blues quite like beautiful fabric!


Enjoy and have a great weekend!


XxOo~ Melissa

Weekend Wrap-Up, and More! {DIY, Food, Thankful, Sandy Relief and How you Can Help}

I'm alive!  Of course if you are following me on {Facebook}, {Twitter} or {Instagram}, you knew this... if not, you should! *wink*

{Where I've Been...}

I took a much needed mental break.  You see, my brain works overtime coming up with awesome ideas, which I welcome... but unfortunately, along the way I sort of overwhelmed myself and had to step away to recharge.  We all need a little recharging every once in a while, right?

As you may or may not know, working from home and managing a business is a lot of work, never mind when one is also managing a family with active children and has a hardworking, yet supportive, spouse who is the main source of income for the household.   

During my re-grouping session (doesn't that sound professional?) I took a look at the big picture that is my life; I saw that I needed to re-prioritize my time to give my brain a break so that I can be present, physically and mentally, for my family, my business, this blog and for myself, too.

Here's some of what I've been up to, I'll fill you in on other goings on over the next week or so...

{DIY: My Master Bathroom Re-Do}

  It has been over a year since the fire in our home, and while most of the big work is finished, there is still kitchen back-splash to be hung, trim to be caulked and painted, and some other small painting projects.  I went through my list for the summer, and then accomplished very little... to get back into the swing I decided to take on a smaller DIY project of re-doing our master bathroom:

Un-Primed Builder Beige, blah!

Freshly Painted Grey

It was dark out when I took this photo, still the same grey!

I was excited to try homemade chalk paint for the first time with this DIY project.  I painted the shelves, which you can see were a dark cherry color in the Before picture, a light, almost-white, color called "Sweet Leaf". 

More about this re-do, including an actual After picture once it's complete, along with paint color info, the chalk paint recipe I used and my inspiration for it, coming soon.

I also lined the DIY Roman Shades from this post, and replaced the slats because our cat, Jack Bauer, jacked them all up... pun intended, ha!

The shade on the left is lined, right is unlined, see the difference?!

I'll update my DIY Roman Shade Post with How-To info along with Pros and Cons to the Mini-Blind Roman Shades!

{Good Eats: What I've been cooking}

I've been doing a great job of meal planning... well, for me anyway.  Since we are gone for gymnastics practice three evenings a week, I've been trying my best to make crock-pot and easy-to-cook meals.  But also, I've just been enjoying cooking for my family in general.  Here is some of what we've been eating.

Sunday Morning Breakfast: Thick-sliced italian bread French Toast, Baked Bacon, Mocha French Roast Coffee, Freshly Juiced Pineapple-Orange Juice.

Dinner: Country Ribs, Roasted Brussles Sprouts, Sauteed Sweet Potato w/Brown Sugar

This morning we had Steel Cut Oats- My little chicks loved this breakfast!- Inspired by this Pinterest Pin:

Source: thekitchn.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Follow Me on {Pinterest}

Want recipes? Let me know in the comments and I'll put a post up for ya!

{Thankful in November}

Everyone else is doing this, and it's a fabulous Idea, so I'm jumping on the bandwagon... I'll follow-up via Instagram & Twitter #ThankfulInNovember, but here are my first five:

1- I'm thankful for, this guy:  

I couldn't ask for a better friend, husband, and father to our girls, to spend forever with.

2- I'm thankful for, this chick: 

My first little chick-a-dee was born a preemie, at 5 1/2 weeks early, and weighed 4lbs 14oz. I couldn't be more proud of this girl, she cracks me up, loves school like it's cool, all while managing to excel in gymnastics and girl scouts. *tear*

3- I'm thankful for, this chick: 

My littlest chickie, does most everything on her terms... Miss Southern Diva, 'nuff said!

4- I'm thankful for, Coffee... because this is true:

5- I'm thankful for my Nan's Brother sewing machine, because, let's face it, it started it all!

{Hurricane / Superstorm Sandy Relief: How you can help}

I am thinking about everyone who has been affected by this storm.  Being that I am from NY, I am proud to say that if anyone knows how to pull together and get through tragedy, it's New Yorkers, but even they need a hand... here's what you can do to get involved and help everyone affected by this storm:

-Donate to the American Red Cross, here.  Or, you can text REDCROSS to 90999, which will donate $10 to disaster relief efforts from Superstorm Sandy.  It doesn't get any easier than that.

-Quilt Relief: Another way to help is to send your finished quilt tops to be quilted and donated to those in need.  So many people are still without power, and homes.  It's Novemvber and cold in the North East... a quilt can bring warmth and comfort.  Here's more info on how you can get involved: eQuilter Quilt Relief

Thank you to Lisa, @CrazyQuiltyGirl, for donating her time and tweeting about this project!

* * *

Sign up for the SoChick Newsletter, which will go out this week, for info on my Handbags Shop and Fabric Shoppe Sales for the Holidays!  (Sign up is in the right column.)

Whew!  I think that's enough for one day!  Leave me a comment if you have any questions,  would like a recipe, or just to say Hi!.  You're comments make my day, I love to know if you're reading!

XxOo~ Melissa

Gust Posting for Bubblewrapp'd [Chalkboard-Makeover DIY]

I'm visiting my friend Andrea's Blog today [Bubblewrapp'd] and telling you all about my Chalkboard-Makeover DIY Project... go check it out.

Also worth checking out is the celebratory GiveAway that I'm having over on my SoChick! Facebook Page!  


Happy Wednesday!!


XxOo~ Melissa

New Shades! [My Completed Pinterest-Inspired DIY]

Finally! Finally, finally, finally...I have finished the Roman Shades that I talked about doing, what seems like, forever ago.  And let me tell you... it feels Soooo grand to have this checked off of my DIY to-do list.  


What started as an idea to fix what my pup started turned into a necessity once we met with certain misfortune... throw in the holidays, and this project seemed it may never happen.


You can read about my original inspiration, and view the Pin, HERE.


The basic idea was to create custom Roman Shade-styled window treatments using fabric I love and mini-blinds.  The original idea is a no-sew, meaning you can just use good craft glue and make some blinds... easy peasy, right? Right... unless you are me and need to complicate your life.  Which, to me, isn't complicating, really... I think of it more as the "finishing touches"... or Icing on the cake?  I just like to have a more tailored look.


Anyway, here's what I changed from the original Pin:


I pressed and hemmed my fabric to be 1/2in wider than my blinds.  I'm not crazy about folding the fabric to the back of the blinds to glue, mostly because I'm one of those people who think about what the folks walking past my house may think.  (Note: I do not think there is a problem with folding the fabric to the back, it is just not my preference... don't judge me *wink*)

I then glued the top of my fabric to the top rail** of the mini blinds and marked for the slats every 9inches all the way down the fabric.  (This means I only needed 5 slats plus the bottom bar.)

**I glued to the back side of the top rail, meaning once my shades are mounted, the cord and little hook for the turning rod (that you don't need) will be on the window side.  This makes for a smooth finish to the front of my blinds.

Then, using fabric glue, and my trusty pointer finger, I smeared glue all along the convex side of the mini-blind slats, working with one at a time and keeping clear of the space the cord passes through. (I'd say I left 1/2in to either side of the cord, free of glue.)

I then aligned the edge of the slat with the 9inch marks and carefully rolled them onto the flat, smooth fabric.

I pressed the slat to the fabric then gently rolled up my fabric and slats so that I could smooth and press (with my hands, not an iron) the fabric on the front side of the slat as well.

Once I got to the bottom bar, I smeared the glue along the underside and short side of it and smoothed my fabric again... I trimmed off any remaining fabric.


I mounted them as I would normally install mini-blinds and here they are:

Aww, hi Marilyn! I mean, who? what? No, hunny, I don't see Marilyn on the couch! *wink* 

You must know by now that I loooove Amy Butler's Daisy Chain line and I looooove these shades.  They filter the light just enough, and the colors, the pattern... L-O-V-E.


I'm considering making a small valance to go across the top of them... what do you think?


I'm excited for the living room to be 100% finished, but that won't be until I get the sectional slip-covered... and that may take a while. *wink* 


Have you completed a Pinterest-Inspired DIY? Have you made your own version of these Roman Shades? Please tell me in the comments!



XxOo~ Melissa

Weekend Wrap-Up [DIY's & Sew Along Progress]

  One of my personal goals for 2012 is to enjoy more time with my family and to keep weekends as work-free as possible.  Being that I work from home this isn't always going to be the case, but it's so important to have set work-time and off-time.  This weekend was off-time, for the most part, and it felt great... I am now ready to take the productivity from the past two days and put it into my new inventory for The Shop! (I can't wait to re-open at the end of the month so you can see the pretty fabrics!)


So, what was I productive at you ask? 


[Let me tell you!]


For Starters, on Saturday the Hubby and I completed Stage One of Operation: Organize Our Kids' Room!  This project has been a long time coming and I'm so happy we have finally started!  Let's hope the whole deal goes smoothly... I'll tell you more about it tomorrow, sneaky, I know! *wink*


[Now, Let me show you!]

I am finally getting around to finishing the roman shades that I wanted to do months ago.  I am happy to say that I have one shade complete and mounted! *happy dance*  I am planning to mount the second today... I'm in Loooove.

This is just a sneak peek... look for a post about these blinds later in the week. *wink*

I also made progress on the quilt I am making for the After Christmas Sew Along I talked about last week.  This weekend I joined the charm pairs with the setting rectangles to make strips that I then pressed.  Next weekend I will join the strips to complete the quilt top... things are coming along nicely!  

The pressed strips will live on the corner of my sewing table for now; I'm excited to finish this quilt by the end of January!  Click on the After Christmas Sew Along button in my right side bar to learn more, and join in!

Like I said... Productive!  Now let's hope it lasts the week!

Have a fabulous Monday...

XxOo~ Melissa

Meet My New Sewing Friend [Craftsy.com]

Yesterday I mentioned that I am participating in an After Christmas Sew Along. That will get me through my project in four weeks.  Today, however, I'm introducing you to a fabulous opportunity to sew something for yourself in 2012!


Meet my new sewing friend, Craftsy.com.


I received a nice little e-mail the other day from Quilters Club of America which told me about Craftsy.com and their Free Block of the Month Lesson!  Eeeek!


Craftsy is a great site with loads of Online Classes and Workshops for a variety of crafts, from knitting and crochet to sewing and quilting.

Source: blog.craftsy.com via Melissa on Pinterest

I have signed up for the Free Block of the Month Lesson, where we will make 20 blocks through the year and learn some great techniques as well as brush up on skills.  I have been told, via our Intro video, that I will have a completed lap quilt by the end of the class.  We will learn new takes on traditional blocks as well as some brand new block patterns.


I can participate in discussions and have already had a question answered in the discussion forum.  What a great way to 'meet' others who are working on the same project while getting personalized help from the instructor!!


The videos will be opened monthly and I can go back as needed... this is key for me since I am also running a business and this is merely a personal agenda... or is it?


Please go check it out... if you have wanted to try a quilt for yourself but never seem to find time to learn or fit a class into your schedule, this is totally something for you!


Enjoy and let me know if you sign up so we can chat about our progress!! Of course I'll share here, as well!


XxOo~ Melissa

Machine Embroidery Makes me Happy

If you follow me on Twitter then you have to have seen at least one of my many machine embroidery-related photos or Tweets over the Holiday season.


Not to mention embroidery-related posts here on the blog:
~Happy New Year Tumblers
~Holiday Handtowels

Meet my lovely Singer, my partner in crime stitches.

(If you do a search (to the right) you can come up with some other stitchy-related posts.)


Today I want to share one of my favorite sites for Embroidery downloads, Urban Threads.


Here are some designs I've used from their site:

Aaaand, I have like a ton more that I will stitch, one day.


So you see, in the middle of making pretty bags and accessories, I'm completely hooked on stitching fun and funky stuff, too.


Here is a project I'm dying to try...

Source: urbanthreads.com via Melissa on Pinterest

Embroidered Winged Drape Cardigan


... I'm adding as my 1st crafty goal of 2012. 


Check out their site at UrbanThreads.com. It's sew fun!




XxOo~ Melissa

Weekend Wrap-Up [A Trunk Show, A Photoshoot and A Fall Wreath]

Whew!  What a super busy weekend it has been!  But, it was the good kind of fun-busy, where it didn't really feel like busy, and not nearly as exhausting as busy-busy.


Good thing I picked this up during the week:

Yes, Margaritaville Coffee, fo' sho!

The weekend kicked-off with SoChick's first ever Trunk Show/Home Party on Saturday.  A few weeks ago at the Mum Fest I had a sweet customer ask if I did home shows... of course my answer was "Not yet!", *wink*.  We chatted about it and scheduled the show.


For my first-ever home party type thing, the show went really well. My hostess was super wonderful and sweet, plus all of her guests were super great gals, too.  I was also happy to share the time with a lovely Scentsy rep (I may or may not have become addicted to Scentsy at this party) who really helped calm any anxiety I had about the event... whether she knew that or not!

This was a super fun way of getting to talk about my items and fabrics (which I loooove talking about!).  Between the Farmer's Market and everything else, I think adding regular home parties would overwhelm me, so I didn't schedule future shows, but I am open to the possibility... maybe doing them as a quarterly thing?  It's a great way to get feedback, which I love, too!


After the Trunk Show I came back to town to meet up with Keri, of K.Shaw Photography, for a product photo shoot, which was loads of fun, too!  I felt a little awkward not really knowing what to do, but Keri knows her stuff and our model, Sara, was great, so no worries.  I'm pretty excited to see the photos... eeeeep! <- That's me being uber excited... {f~y~i}


Saturday was a great start to the weekend!


Sunday didn't really start as planned, mostly because I had a brain-burp and totally forgot that "Fall Back" doesn't apply to toddlers.  I was really anticipating gaining an hour of sleep, but littlest chickie decided that since the sun was up, she should be, too... we had an early start, to say the least.... {double back to first photo, ha!}


The rest of the day went well, mostly hanging at home and tidying up.  Things have really come along since the fire and we are close to being finished with the house.  I will share photos once we are all done, maybe in a "home tour" post... because I enjoy reading them, so I imagine you might, too. In the meantime... here's a tease:

I'm trying my best to use things we already have, like these shelves, to get the look I want.

And finally, I made my Fall Wreath today!

I love it, don't you?

I used these free Printables from Pinterest:

Source: bethproudfoot.blogspot.com via Melissa on Pinterest

They come out square so I used a wine-glass to trace my circle; then, cut out, punch with a hole puncher and string along some twine.  Add some ribbon and dollar store decor and  Viola!




Have a Happy Monday!! 




XxOo~ Melissa