Felting? Weird? Fun? Cute?

It's ridiculous hot, so I'm thinking about Fall!

I'm also thinking about these fabulous felted acorns =>>

I don't know how to felt (ok, I do but it's tedious). So I have no instructions or tips. I know you can always buy these things on Etsy. Seems like they would be more special if I made them myself, though.

I'm thinking interestingly shaped glass vases of them on the mantle or as tie-ons for super adorable presents (because I totally don't just hand over presents in whatever bag I find first in my attic that doesn't have spiders in it). They would look great scattered around candle bases or in little bowls but I have a cat that steals things so I'll let someone else try that one.

They question: to felt or not to felt? Felting requires so much specialized stuff (ok, just colored loose wool) and I don't like touching wet wool. But have you seen the adorable felting project out there?

From here!!

Look at this little owl! Look at him!

I've also found adorable flowers, sushi, and a light-up toaster!

This may be a hobby I have to consider.

Tool Spotlight: Scissors!

Scissors are a must have for a crafter. They are the leader of the team, the Leonardo to all the other turtles. You cannot go low end on good scissors.

You should have at least two pair of crafting scissors: fabric only and general craft (aka paper). The cardinal sin in crafting is using your fabric scissors on paper. I know, the temptation is often great. Those days happen, you can't find the general scissors but you know those fabric scissors are sitting right at the top of your sewing basket. DON'T GIVE IN! Don't do it!!

Ok, I hear you asking. Why? Paper dulls scissors. Dull scissors make nasty, ragged cuts in thick fabric and pulls, runs, and holes in fine ones. Sure, you can probably get through your cotton calicoes just fine with just about any old scissors without much trouble even if the cut edges look like you chewed on them. Have you ever tried to cut silk with dull scissors? How about a nice thick brocade? If you haven't just trust me that it's awful and I don't wish the experience on anyone.

BTW, the NO PAPER rule also applies to your pinks and your thread nippers. You do have pinks and thread nippers, right?

Ok, I have a pair of these. These are Singer Shear Perfection sewing scissors. They are pretty nice, keep a decent edge, and are not terribly expensive. The only issue I have had is that the tips on my pair do not close completely. I think this is my fault (don't ask), though, so I'm not considering this an issue of the manufacturing. Other options you can find in fabric shears include offset ones like these that make cutting large patterns on top of a table easier and there are left handed shears for the lefties out there (though most seamstresses I know always use right handed tools because they are easier to find and offer more options than the left-centric tools. Kind of like left handed guitarists).

My general crafting scissors are these. Besides having the alluring brand name "Acme United", the blades of these scissors are titanium. They stay incredibly sharp (I have a scar if you want to see), are affordable, and any sticky tape/glue/whatever residue that gets on them wipes off easily. Whatever you do, wipe them carefully. Scar, remember?

Now, pinks. Pinking shears (or "pinks") are fabric scissors that cut the edge into a nice little zigzag pattern. Why? Because, when cutting a woven fabric, the edges are prone to fray. The zigzag pattern does not eliminate this issue but it does cut down on it. Pinks should never be used on paper despite the fun zigzaggy pattern. There are cheaper scrapbook scissors you should be using for that. I don't actually own a pair of pinking shears. I used to, but they have been lost to the ether. The pair I had were ancient and dull (because someone used them on paper!) Should you want/need a pair, I've heard Fiskars makes a decent set. Should you want to buy me a pair, I am partial to anything made by Singer.

Thread nippers are little tiny scissors used to clean up loose threads on hemlines, darts, etc. Honestly, I don't know what brand my nips are. I've had them forever and there's no name on them. Any mid range nippers should be fine. You do not want dull nippers as they will catch and pull on threads right at the finishing stage. I have heard that surgical thread scissors are also perfect for this but they are more expensive.

The only thing left are the fun scissors. You can get scrapbooking scissors with a crazy variety of edges. These things can run high, so I suggest looking for sales, checking at places like Big Lots and Essex, and going online. You don't NEED these but they can add a fun option to your paper crafts. One note in case if you were wondering: scrapbook scissors will not be sharp enough to cut edges into fabric. Avoid the heartache, don't arrange an entire craft around this idea.

If you want to upgrade any of these tools, check out Gingher. Gingher makes the classic knife edge sewing shears you remember in your grandmother's sewing box as well as an awesome rotary cutter. Gingher scissors will run roughly $40 a pair. The Gingher company will sharpen and repair any any of their own products for a small shipping fee. Basically, Gingher scissors rocks, you should buy them if you have the money!

Now go, scissor-enlightened one, and procure scissors!

Splurge Site: PlushPod

PlushPod Modern Decor

This place is kind of expensive,

But! It is a great place to get inspiration!

Check out this incredible light fixture!! It looks like you murdered a large dove and hung its remains from the ceiling as a warning to any others that may cross you - but in a good way!

Other things you shouldn't miss:
A table that holds magazines!
A nifty sofa with "finished wood portals"!
A dresser with fat birds on it!

I think I need it all.

This House is Made of Nightmares

This house torturous terror chamber is horrifying.

Look at it.

Think about being inside there. You could reach your arms out and touch both walls.

There's one window and one skylight. Did you click that link above? Did you see where they are putting this thing? In between two much larger buildings. How much sky will that skylight ever see?

Those stairs there? Those are the only access to the place. They are also electrically powered. Power outage? You are trapped in the torturous terror chamber until the electricity deems you worthy to reenter the light.

It's also all white. Like the labs in Portal. Do you know what happens in Portal? This is probably* not a coincidence.

I have to stop thinking about this, I feel all confined.

*It is totally a coincidence.

Website you should see: Plasticland

My latest home decor (and other things, too) website obsession: Plasticland!!

Go there and drool with me.

Idea Starter: Clever Uses for Electrical Tape

Short explanation: This is an "Idea Starter". It's a small idea that I think has bigger applications. The point is to get you involved. I know you must have great ideas worth sharing, so take this and run (and then comment on the running outcome).

Electrical tape is amazing.

It comes in tons of colors, it's slightly stretchy, water resistant, does not damage most surfaces, and can be bought for $5 or less a roll.

My first adventures into electrical tape started close to its intended use - covering the old, ugly switch plates in my house.To do this, first remove the plate from the wall. Cut strips of tape about an inch longer than the switch plate. Starting on one edge and with a half inch overlap on both sides, slowly smooth the tape over the cover. Fold the ends over the edges on onto the back of the switch plate. Slightly overlap each previous tape strip and be sure to stay as straight and even as possible, use a metal edged ruler if you need it. When you get to the holes, smooth the tape right over them. For the switch holes, use an Xacto knife to cut a line from the top right to the bottom left, then from the top left to the bottom right (AKA make an X). Smooth the each little triangle flap over and to the underside of the plate. Just poke a little hole on each screw hole, the screws themselves will take care of those. For the left and right edges, let the tape have about half an inch extra space on the edge, top, and bottom. Cut small slits from the outer corner of the tape to the corner of the plate. Cut off the slit flaps (oh, that sounds so dirty!), and fold the overlapping tapes onto the back of the plate. When you put the plate back up, do not screw it too tight or the tape will twist and wrinkle (trust me on this one, it's impossible to re-smooth, just don't do it!)

This is super handy if you are living in a rental place with ugly switch covers because it won't damage the plates at all and the tape is cheaper than all new plates. You could probably use this trick on plug covers as well but I haven't ever tried. Did you try? Let me know how it went in the comments!

Other things I considered but did not take the time to do:
Alternating colors!
Varnish over the top to make it permanent!
Painting the screw tops to hide them!

What non switch plate related options are out there? Surely the magic of electrical tape is applicable in other areas of life.

Do you have an idea? Put it in the comments!

Ribbon Wall

My camera's quality is questionable. Sorry.

If you're like me (and I assume you are), you hate boring wall decor. You also hate spending a lot of money on picture holding equipment. You should totally make a ribbon wall!

Materials:
At least two differently patterned grosgrain ribbons
Colorful paper clips
Command Strips
Eclectic crap to go on the wall (we'll discuss this more in a minute)

Tools:
Good fabric scissors
Needle and thread that reasonably matches your ribbon
Possibly a ruler or other measuring tool

Instructions:
Prep:
1. Decide a basic design for the wall. This is the point where you are creative! Lay out the design, call your friends/family/cat over for their opinions, move it around until you feel it in you heart (or until you are sick of it and it's good enough). Once you know how many ribbons and where, you can move on to step two.
2. I don't really do anything that requires a lot of exact measuring but if you are the type who will not be able to sleep if everything isn't exact, measure out and mark (with a pencil!) where everything will be going.

Make the Ribbons:
1. Using your good scissors (I'm serious on this one, you don't want frayed ends on the ribbons) cut the ribbon to differing lengths. Longer is better, you can always cut them down a bit once the ribbons are on the wall.
2. Sew a double hem* on one end of each ribbon. You can use a machine for this if you really want, but it's honestly not that big of a deal.
3. Now you're going to sew the paper clips to the ribbon. Again, I'm not a stickler for measuring so I just eyeball it but by all means feel free to measure. Starting about an inch from the hem end of the ribbon, sew one end of a paperclip to the ribbon so that the clipping part is pointed down (look at the picture, it will make more sense). Repeat this every inch and a half or so until you are about four inches from the end of the ribbon. Do this to all the ribbons.

Like this.

4. Cut the non-hem end of the ribbon into a chevron shape (think the ends of a blue ribbon type medal). This is optional but it makes the whole thing fancier.

Wall Installation:
1. Without removing any of the paper linings, lay a Command Strip on top of a ribbon. Does it fit or does it stick out some? If it fits, you're gold! If it sticks out, you have to trim it down. Don't worry about exacts, as long as none of the strip is any wider than the ribbon you've done it right.
2. Stick a Command Strip on the back of the hem end of reach ribbon with the pull tab part pointing towards the fancy chevron end.
3. Stick the ribbons to the walls wherever you planned for a ribbon. PRESS HARD!! Wait the full hour that the 3M corporation suggests. I'm serious, otherwise anything heavy you decide to clip to the ribbon may pull it and your paint off the walls.
4. Install anything else you want. My ribbon wall includes a fancy multi-frame I was given as a wedding gift and one of those wooden letters you can buy at a hobby store (or some Wal Marts) painted black. Look at the things you already have, this project looks better if it's a bit eclectic.
5. Once the Command Strips have had time to bond, you are ready to clip pictures, drawing, cards, and whatever other light-ish, clip-able objects you want to the ribbons. I went with a more minimalist look but feel free to go for the mom's fridge look! It's a canvas that's incredibly easy to redo, have no fear! You're done!

The best part about a ribbon wall? Ignoring anything else you have on the wall (like my photo frame and letter) it's super easy to change your look up. At Christmas, I take all the photos down and clip up cards instead. It's also incredibly cheap. The cost of a simple one like mine was the Command Strips (roughly $8 for a big pack, you won't use all of them either) and two spools of ribbon ($2 each). About $12 for a versatile, interesting wall.

*Double hem??!! Calm down, it's just some sewing jargon. Check out this wikihow article about it for instructions. I didn't bother ironing the ribbon, but you can if you find it tricky to hold. Be careful not to use too hot of an iron, grosgrain ribbon is usually at least a blend if not fully acrylic, it will melt!

Introductions are so awkward

I'm Heather and this is a blog mostly about home decor and crafting with an emphasis on thrift, recycling, and a modern aesthetic. It will also include links to interesting decor related sites and a good bit of humor.

What makes me think I'm qualified to tell anyone how to decorate?

I have a degree in Interior Design (and Marketing! Someone hire me!). I also have impeccable tastes, am generally a clever bitch, and I am remarkably humble.

So get excited, find your good scissors (they're probably in the kitchen drawer because some heartless person used them to open a clamshell package), and get ready to decorate!