Traditional quilting is all about precision — each piece is painstakingly cut and seamed to achieve perfect angles and orderly lines. While the traditional quilt is truly a thing of beauty and impressive to any crafter, many modern quilters are letting their hair down in favor of a wonky, free-form style of quilting that breaks…
I can’t believe 2010 is almost over! This year has been more amazing than I ever could have hoped — full of fun adventures, hard but rewarding work, new friends and team members and more inspiration than I can possibly put into words. And at the core of it all is you: the amazing readers…
We’ve had a lot of requests for urban/apartment friendly tree ideas. I can say from experience that lugging even the smallest of live trees into an apartment can be messy, unwieldy, and inconvenient. But that shouldn’t mean no tree, either. For those who live in a small space but would like to have a tree…
Deck your halls DIY-style this year with an easy handmade tree skirt! In this post, I’ll show you the basics of sewing a simple round skirt, which you can adapt to any custom size to fit your tree — from a majestic 12-foot fir to an NYC-apartment-sized mini-tree like mine. The fabric you choose will…
Good morning guys! I’m a little blurry-eyed this morning because I think just about every inch of my face (and living room) are covered in gold leaf. Last night I participated in an event that Erica from PS I Made This hosted at Kate Spade. Along with six other style/design bloggers I put my crafty…
I have a funny, quiet-before-the-storm feeling because this could be one of the last weeks on the calendar before full-on holiday madness sets in. So why not take advantage of these last, few mellow days to indulge in a little old-fashioned embroidery and get some holiday prep done at the same time? These handmade, hand-embroidered…
A lifelong crafter, I have always loved Halloween. However, as I grow older, I find myself conflicted about how much enthusiasm I can display for this kid-centric holiday. Is it weird to dress up and walk around your neighborhood at 28? The answer is yes. This year, I gave in a little and decided to…
A talented seamstress with a mission, Renske Solkesz decided to create her own wardrobe after finding herself frustrated with high fashion prices. When we saw her chic and modern wardrobe creations, we asked if she’d be willing to create and share a fun accessory tutorial with us. I’m super excited about what she’s come up…
Many of you have noticed the amazing paper taxidermy moose that appears on the wall in some of Barb’s Before & After Basics posts, and we’ve received several requests for a tutorial on how to make one. We asked South Carolina-based artist Mollie Greene — moose creator and woman behind the charming Etsy shop Royal…
Add a little fall flair to your kitchen with these quick and easy wool potholders. They’re super simple to make — just cut out the leaf shapes, add the decorative stitching and you’re done! You can finish one in an hour or less, and they’re a great beginner project for those of you still afraid…
Last month Amy and I hopped in a car and drove out to Montauk to film a DIY video with one of our favorite crafty ladies, Erica Domesek of PS I Made This. Erica’s first book, also called PS I Made This, just launched this month and we wanted to celebrate by trying a project…
I have wanted a vintage chalkboard globe for quite a few school years. Unfortunately, I could never afford one and they are hard to come by. Even these beautiful reproductions are pricey! Today I’m sharing a quick and cheap way to get the look with out the hunt or the price! — Halligan CLICK HERE…
The television tray is a charmingly outdated invention, but it still appeals to me. Ironically, the last thing I want to do with this tray is use it for its main purpose, which is dining. Don’t get me wrong, I can rival any fifties family when it comes to eating meals in front of the…
I have a small entryway that’s been screaming for attention, but I’ve procrastinated fixing it up because frankly, I’m stumped for ideas. This wall design from Laurie has me feeling thankful that I dragged my feet; my sad little entryway is about to experience the magical healing power of herringbone! Every decision Laurie’s made elevates…
We all know that hardware stores can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re an avid DIYer. Every time I pass the rows of gleaming copper pipe, I just know there’s an amazing home decor project hiding in there somewhere, but then my eyes scan to the rope section, the molding section, the brackets, and…
It’s back-to-school time, and it’s hard not to have school supplies on the brain even if school days are nowhere in sight for some of us! Inspired by the good old-fashioned pencil case, I thought it would be fun to sew a lined, zippered pouch that you can use for pencils, makeup, electronics or anything…
I greatly admire Karen’s penchant for discount shopping; it’s particularly awesome when she shares her results with the rest of us. We’ve posted her tutorials before, but this fire pit might be my favorite. And it couldn’t come at a better time — the leaves are falling outside my window and I am desperate to…
in an attempt at minimalism, i decided to sell off my poorly treated, disorganized collection of cds, receiving a mere fraction of what i paid originally. apparently, nobody needs a scratched copy of depeche mode’s violator with a cracked jewel case and SO many memories and feelings attached to it…okay i’ll keep that one! but…
i know ottomans aren’t the most indispensable piece of furniture in the house, but is it criminal to say they bring me the most joy? i think upholstery maven shelly (aka ModHomeEcTeacher) would agree with me; she’s made a whole collection of smart looking ottomans using a range of found fabrics and materials. i am…
i’ve always wanted to live in a loft, not only for their airy spacious qualities, but also because i love industrial style furniture, and hard as i try, i cannot seem to make it work in my 1920′s apartment (blast those crooked lines and over abundant molding!). i love tae’s cup holder coffee table because…
