Archive for January 2016

Table It Link Party #81 & Features

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Hi Friends!  Happy Sunday to you!  Last week's link party was a success.  We loved seeing your projects and connecting with new readers.  Thanks for joining in!

Just as a little review, last week I posted about one of my favorite things: my sewing machine!  I love it and I told you all why!  I also showed you some sewing projects I created with my machine.

sewing mending hobby favorites


Now let's get to this week's party!

 

Link Party for Bloggers

Tablescapes |Home Decor | Gardening | Recipes | DIY

All in one place!

THE PARTY GOES LIVES EVERY SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT 4 PM CENTRAL TIME.

This week's host is:


Heather from New House New Home

It's been busy around here at New House New Home with big preparations going on last week for my niece's lamb themed baby shower. She's having a girl so the shower was all pink and lambs. So sweet for my sweet niece.


My favourite thing about the whole shower was making the little lamb shaped sugar cookies. I had a whole lot of trouble finding cookie cutters in a lamb shape here in my small town, so I made my own. 



Now on to this week's party!!!

Last week's features:

Kim from Exquisitely Unremarkable - Puzzle Piece Valentine's Banner


Janet from Sweet Inspirations - Updated Corner Cabinet


Kim from Love My Messy, Messy Mess - Game Time Chili


At Home with Jemma - DIY Spring Twig Planter


Jenna from The Painted Apron - Football Field Table Runner


Our party button. Feel free to add it to your blog's sidebar.

Life and Linda
CHRISTINE - RUSTIC & REFINED






Please go to the source of a photo to pin it to Pinterest so that the owner of the post gets the credit.
Thank you for linking up!

 

My Favorite Sewing Machine

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This is not a sponsored post. All opinions are mine alone. This post may contain affiliate links.


sewing-love

Four, maybe 5 years ago I decided I wanted to teach myself to sew. My mom had been a sewert when we were growing up and I remember standing next her as she was feeding the material through her machine or pinning a pattern.  The trouble was that I had 0 sewing knowledge!

Instead of spending money on a good, high quality machine, not knowing if I would bomb at sewing, I went out and bought a cheapo $80 machine. It was very basic and I started to watch tutorials, etc. And I was THE WORST sewer ever. I spent 90% of my time crying and wrenching knotted thread out of my machine and 10% actually sewing. I thought it was me...that I would never be able to sew something that didn't look like the dog got to it first.

On a whim, I entered a giveaway for a beautiful Singer One sewing machine  and to my great surprise and glee I won!  And to my further surprise and glee I discovered that I wasn't all to blame for my sewing failures. This new machine changed my sewing forever.

sewing-love
Singer One Sewing Machine

It literally purrs as it sews and threading it so simple...no turning the wheel and weaving the thread in and out of secret passageways!  It has all the special stitches you need for basic sewing needs and the bobbin tension is factory set. It never needs to be changed!  Of course you can change the top thread tension if need be. I will honestly say that my thread doesn't get tangled or mashed up in the back and now I spend 90% of my time sewing and 10% watching Murdoch Mysteries repeats while sewing.

Some of the other features I appreciate are the slide out tray which holds notions like my seam ripper (which still gets plenty of use), extra bobbins, and the 2 other feet attachments. I still haven't used those but I know one is a button foot.


This is NOT a sponsored post. I just think that this machine is the perfect tool for  the home sewer/hobbiest.  I would gladly spend the $300 it usually retails for because it is worth it. If you need a great machine that gets the job done then I recommend this one. And today on Amazon it is at its lowest price I've ever seen!  $215!!

If you are thinking of purchasing a Singer One and have any questions about it email me and I'll answer as best I can!  daysofchalkandchocolate@gmail.com.

And here are some projects I have sewn with it:











Don't forget to head over to the Table It Link Party!

Cheers!
Jenny

Table It Link Party #80

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Are you all snowed in?  We are and it is the perfect way to cap off a busy week!  On the blog this week and last, I had some Valentine's Day fun with these free printable bag toppers!



I also showed off some washi tape desk accessories and reviewed Amy Anderson's latest book, Washi Tape Crafts.



You'll remember that I announced I was joining forces with some fabulous bloggers to give you an awesome link party each week, right?  Well here we go!  I can not wait to see what you all link up:  
DIY
home decor
recipes
tablescapes
junking
crafts
vintage
gardening

And I hope you'll visit my co-hosts and follow them on social media so you can stay up to date on their latest and greatest!

This week's Host is:
Linda  from : Life and Linda
Below are this week's features:

Pat & Katie - The Welcomed Guest



Michelle- Our Crafty Mom











Let's Party!

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Life and Linda

CHRISTINE - RUSTIC & REFINED
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LINDA -  LIFE AND LINDA

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Thank you for linking up!


Washi Tape Crafts book review, project, and announcement!

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I received the book, Washi Tape Crafts, in exchange for this review. All opinions are 100% mine. This post may contain affiliate links.


diy-crafts-colorful-kids


I'm sure you are all familiar with washi tape, right?  Paper tape that comes in pretty designs which which you can decorate all sorts of stuff?  As usual, I'm late to the party because wow, I love this stuff now!  I wasn't sure about it though until I was asked to read/review Amy Anderson's book, Washi Tape Crafts.

washi-tape-crafts-book-review






Amy (of Mod Podge Rocks! fame) is a craft guru and I am not surprised that her book rocks, too!  It is filled with fun, sweet projects to jazz up your home, gifts, etc. The pictures are clear and the steps are easy to follow. I love that she includes a section in the beginning where she shares some basic tips, tricks, and techniques. Perfect for a novice taper such as myself!

The paperback edition comes with some cute rolls of coordinating tapes to get you started too.  Bonus!  I used those washi tapes to create some cheap but pretty desk accessories for Ellie. She is always carrying around and misplacing her drawing notebooks and pencils. I used a box and an old tin can, plus washi tape and the ideas I gleaned from Washi Tape Crafts to help her organize her things.


How cute are these?  She loves them too!

diy-desk-upcycle-crafts-art


pencil-cups-crafts-paper-tape


I found it adhered better when I overlapped each layer the slightest bit. Plus, be aware that the light colored tapes may be translucent and the material you are trying to cover may show through. I double wrapped those areas and that worked nicely!

Washi Tape Crafts would be a wonderful gift for a teen, teacher, or just anyone who is crafty.  I also think it is a great addition to your own library if you have kids or enjoy crafting yourself.

Now here is my announcement!  I'm so excited about it too.  I, along with these other amazing bloggers, will be co-hosting a link party!  Join us every Sunday night to link up your latest DIY, craft, recipe, or home project and to browse others' projects for new ideas!


See you on Sunday!
Cheers!
Jenny

Valentine's Day Bag Toppers

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     I know some people are not so in love with Valentine's Day but I admit that I'm NOT one of them. I adore the holiday!  I don't really need a romantic Valentine's Day but I do enjoy a festive one with cute decorations, valentines, and food. So I whipped up some Valentine's Day  printable bag toppers for the neighborhood kids!

holidays-animals-valentine-kids


There are 4 toppers on each printed page.


Here's a little throwback to some 4 more Valentine's Day printables too.
hearts-love-holidays-valentine

Have a great weekend!
Jenny

10 Ideas For Using Plaid In Your Home

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This post may contain affiliate links.
 
plaid flannel pillows table runner tablecloth


I'm obsessed with plaid flannel right now. I think I've always had a thing for plaid flannel but now it has turned into a full fledged love affair!  Maybe it started to grow when all those yummy blanket scarves started to show up or maybe it is because, besides a well cut suit, all men look good in plaid. At any rate, I recently worked up a few pillows to bring a little wintery plaid to our living room. I also found some other ways to add some plaid this winter...because plaid isn't just for Christmas!!

flannel pillows livingroom christmas winter


Winter Living Room



Plaid in the Kitchen



Tablescape with Plaid Scarves


Sur La Table
Shirt Plaid Napkins
Entryway


Plaid Ruffled Table Runner



World Market

Oval Stewart Dress Plaid Upholstered Ottoman

World Market

Oval Ancient Stewart Plaid Upholstered Ottoman


World Market


Oval Blackwatch Plaid Upholstered Ottoman


 Buffalo Plaid Table Runner Tutorial



Joann's Fabric


Moore Olive Plaid Wallpaper 


 Stay warm this week, east coasters!  El Nino is all "Ha! You thought you'd have a 60 degree winter! Not on my watch!"  It is supposed to plunge into, well, seasonal temperatures. So grab a plaid blanket and enjoy!

Oh, one more thing. there is a seriously awesome flash sale on cookware at Sur La Table today.   For example:  Nonstick 12-Piece Set + Bonus Braiser
Now $169.96  
Regularly $640!  73% off!