2012 June

One Project Closer – Before & After Weekly Winner

There was some tough competition in this week’s One Project Closer Before & After competition. I read through every single entry and tried to leave a comment on as many as I could. (Psssst: Several of you still had word verification turned on. This made it harder for me to get through the security codes. If you are on blogger, this setting is defaulted to ON. Please double check your settings. I promise you’ll get more comments and won’t get more spam.)

It was such a bummer that I had to choose just one winner, but I promised to be a fair judge and stick to the rules (picking half a dozen winners was not in the Tightly Wound White Wig rule book.)

No Sew Patio Tablecloth with Umbrella Hole

29 Jun posted by Brittany Bailey

This is one of the easiest tutorials I’ve every written. As a bonus, it is a no sew table cloth perfect for updating your outdoor table that has an umbrella.

While shopping at Target I stumbled across beautiful green link patterned table cloths. But, the sizes wouldn’t fit our square patio table. I was hanging my head in clear disappointment when I walked through the bath aisle and spotted the same pattern on a shower curtain! After using a shower curtain for a tablecloth on our screen porch, I knew this would be a great option for the patio table. I grabbed the shower curtain, did a fist pump, and sprinted to the register. As I neared the cashier, I wondered if I would finally beat the impossible game of “Can you buy less than $100 at Target?” (coming to a store near you.) [Read more...]

11 Comments
Filed Under: Bistro table, decor, Sewing, slipcover

Haven 2012 and my trip to Atlanta

27 Jun posted by Brittany Bailey

Top Row left to right: Kate, Diane, Erin, Rhoda, Sandra, Carrie, Jessica and Me
Second Row: Sherry & John from Young House Love, Ana White

Remember when I told you how much I liked the SNAP Conference because it was more intimate and I felt like I belonged? Well, the same can be said for Haven! At just over 250 attendees it was easy to network and not feel frantic trying to find bloggers in your niche. I was overwhelmed by how many bloggers I knew once we did actually meet (Twitter and Instagram are great for pre-conference networking.) It truly is nice to finally put a real face with a blog.

Not only were the bloggers all in the same niche, but the sponsors were tailored to DIY blogs as well. No more walking around searching for a sponsor that I think I could work with. The sponsors at Haven were so generous for helping make the conference happen and for providing some really fabulous swag! A BIG thank you to: [Read more...]

36 Comments
Filed Under: bloggers, Blogging Tips, conference

Link Up Your Best Before & After Projects to One Project Closer

26 Jun posted by Brittany Bailey

Jolly good day to you. This week I will be judging the One Project Closer Before & After series. (I’m not sure why I’ve adopted the British accent and the wig. Maybe to make me look more honorable?) Anyway, consider this your official reminder to link up your best before and after projects to One Project Closer before Friday!!!

You could win a $50 gift card to Lowe’s, Home Depot or Amazon. Plus, a $100 donation will be made to Habitat for Humanity in your honor from One Project Closer.

AND, if that wasn’t fabulous enough, I’m going to match OPC’s donation to Habitat for Humanity. So, if you are chosen as the winner THIS week, $200 will be donated in your name to Habitat! As of Monday afternoon there were less than 50 entries, so your chances of winning are really good.

I’m encouraging you to limber up your mouse and head over to One Project Closer to link up your greatest transformations!

Last Week’s Winner:

A big “Hip Hip Hooray” to Kelly at View Along the Way who won last week’s Before & After series! Kelly shared her beautiful nursery makeover. You have to see the nursery transformation for yourself! I had the privilege of meeting Kelly at Haven. I wish we had more time to talk, but it was a frantic two days.

I can’t wait to see your transformations! Until then, I’m off to grab a spot of tea.

(aka Pretty Goofy Girl)

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Outdoor Patio Table Planter, Vase and Serving Station – a #LowesCreator Idea

25 Jun posted by Brittany Bailey

Wanted: A better name for this invention I created!

What is it? I consider it a multi-purpose centerpiece for your umbrella-shaded patio table. But, it can also be a serving station for utensils and napkins. Add some water and it becomes a vase for the table. When the flowers wilt, plant some shade loving flowers into it and you have a living centerpiece! So, my working title was: Plant-a-ma-bo-a-ma-holdey-flowers-n-stuffin-vase. But, I don’t think that anyone would be able to pronounce that. (Nor would that be very SEO friendly.)

Whatever the name, I’d love to share how easy it is to make this outdoor living table centerpiece. [Read more...]