RH trunk copy cat

I have always loved the Aviator coffee table trunk from Restoration Hardware. I thought this piece would be perfect for an interior design project that I am working on, but with a price tag of over $1000 and the fact that it is no longer available, it wasn't an option. Instead I decided to try my hand at a DIY replica. I found an old foot locker at the thrift store for $9.99. The hardware was already a gold that was very similar to my Restoration Hardware inspiration. I taped over it so that it wouldn't be covered with paint. I used metallic silver spray paint to cover the rest of it (it was green before). When I removed the tape, I was so surprised at how similar it looked to the RH trunk. It is much smaller and is being used on the hearth, not as a coffee table, but I absolutely loved the end results. Now I want to do one for my own house but I get bored doing the same projects again and again, so we'll just have to see about that.

Restoration Hardware Aviator Coffee Table compared to DIY foot locker

Painted Sunflower Pillow

I love most of the pillows in Pottery Barn, but the painted sunflower pillow really caught my eye. I came very close to making the purchase, but then I decided it would be pretty easy to make myself. Although it doesn't look identical, I was pretty happy with my copy-cat version. I just love sunflowers in the fall.

Pottery Barn

Lab Silhouette Pillow

This is my first post in a while that has absolutely nothing to do with weddings. I finally bought a silhouette machine a couple months ago and I absolutely love it. I bought the black lab download to create this pillow for a gift. I placed the outline on the material, and filled it in with black acrylic paint. I chose a linen colored, thick fabric for a simple, clean design. I was a little disappointed that there wasn't a yorkie silhouette but I loved the look the finished lab.

Floral Design

I admit that I don't know very much about flowers in general. I can only name the most common plants or my favorite flowers. Although I am no florist, I still love putting together beautiful, fresh arrangements. I recently visited a wholesale flower shop for the first time and was completely overwhelmed, not to mention, half frozen from shopping in enormous refrigerated rooms. Since I am doing the centerpieces for my best friend's wedding the end of the month, I figured I would put something together for a trial run. 

I really liked the overall look of the arrangement. I love the funky appeal added by the curly willow and hanging amaranthus. This is just one of the many designs I am using but I'm still working on some other ideas. 

Flower Girls & Ring Bearers

Since I began planning my bff's wedding, I started a list of all related projects on a huge chalkboard in my craft room. Maybe I am a bit OCD with my list making, but for me, it feels incredible to draw a line through a finished project to mark its completion. I have been known to add stuff to my "to-do" list that I have already finished, just for the sake of crossing it out. Anyways, over the weekend I finished the moss balls for the flower girls and the pillows for the ring bearers.

The bride wanted the flower girls to carry something simple and unique, not the typical basket of petals. Since we are using moss in some of the other wedding decor and the ceremony will take place outside, I decided to make these moss balls. Because one of the three flower girls is younger, I made her ball smaller so that it wouldn't overwhelm her tiny body. I added a burlap hanger with a matching burlap bow. Now, these are completely ready for the wedding and they were much cheaper than using fresh flowers.

There are two ring bearers in the wedding and like the flower girls, one of the them is smaller than the other. Actually, the bride's adorable nephew is only about 7 months old. We are thinking he might make his entrance down the aisle in a white wagon. Taking their size size into account, one of the pillows is larger than the other. They are both covered in burlap and finished with a lace-like trim and a white shear bow. The pillows go perfectly with the moss balls.
Now, I am off to finish one of the bride's shoes. Yes I am making her shoes and they are the total definition of glamour-just like my amazing best friend. I can't wait for the much anticipated reveal!

Copycat Pottery Barn cube

Pottery Barn twill cube $99

Around Christmas time last year, I came across a twill cube ottoman in Pottery Barn. It wasn't anything eccentric or gorgeous, but its simplicity won me over and I almost bought the thing more than once. Thankfully I came to the conclusion that I didn't need to spend $100 on an oversized cube that I had no place for. 

Pottery Barn outdoor cube $159 $125

Over time, the perfect cube slipped my mind. That is until its outdoor twin debuted in the Spring Pottery Barn catalog. This one costing $159. I knew I wasn't going to make the purchase but that didn't stop me from dreaming about it. 

plush baby blocks

I'm usually always thinking of ways to make a copy-cat version of expensive items that I yearn for, but for some reason, it never crossed my mind that I could easily create a replica of the PB cushion. Then it hit me. When I was making the plush baby blocks for one of my friends who is expecting, I realized the blocks were tiny versions of my beloved cube. 

my copy-cat cube

A friend had given me a huge roll of canvas material, which happened to be the perfect color and texture. I wanted my cube to be pretty large so I cut six (20") squares of material, and six (20") squares of fusible interfacing material. I ironed a square of the interfacing material to each square of canvas to make the sides sturdy and give it a perfect cubed shape. Next I lined up the edges and sewed the right sides of the material together, until I had a cube with one side left unstitched. I stuffed it with tons and tons of polyfil. I'm really not sure how much it took because I used what I had around the house and then bought a 50 oz. bag to finish it off. Afterwards, I kind of wished I had monogrammed an "M" on one side and at some point I might un-stuff the thing and do that. Overall, it ended up costing me about $8 for the polyfil and I think it looks pretty similar to the Pottery Barn version. Now, I'm thinking about making one out of burlap.

my cube in the living room

Wedding Garters

With the wedding that I am planning for my best friend just short of 2 months away, things are finally starting to come together. Now I am trying to prioritize my list based on which things are needed first. One major thing that I have finished is the design for her invitations. They are now in the printing process so I will post pictures as soon as I get a hard copy. Even though the garters are probably one of the last things that need to be done, I finished them yesterday while we were chatting about the bachelorette party (which I am planning too). We decided to make her first garter from a scalloped lace, trimmed with pearl beading. I added a tiny fuschia bow to tie in her main wedding color. For the throw garter, I used the same initial design but instead of a bow, I added an embroidered Alabama "A" for the University of Alabama. The groom is a UA alumni and a huge fan. While he has spent many tailgates and football games trying to make her a fan as well, I think this makes it official. I can't wait to finish some more wedding projects so that I can share them with you!

Monogram burlap pillow

If you haven't picked up on it yet from my other posts, I am pretty much obsessed with monograms. I feel that a set of monogrammed initials portrays a sense of neat, preppy style. It can add an interest to the simplest of things. And, of course, it lets others know that your stuff belongs to you. 

The summer weather has motivated us to begin decorating our back deck and pergola, in hopes of some late afternoon al fresco dining. We haven't officially decided on a color scheme for throw pillows, rugs, etc, but I had an idea for a pillow that I wanted to make. I decided since I was making it out of burlap, it would go with anything. I started with a 14x20 outdoor pillow form, cut 2 pieces of burlap to fit accordingly, and sewed it together. Next, I created a circular monogram of my initials using Adobe Illustrator, printed it to make a stencil, and cut the letters out with an xacto knife. I placed the stencil in the middle of the pillow cover, and painted it with "antique white" acrylic paint. I sealed the painted monogram with a sprayed coat of polyurethane to protect it from moisture. Finally, I sewed the bottom side of the pillow cover closed and took the pillow outside to see it in its new surroundings. I am thinking we will end up with a few more like this in with our backyard decor.