BekahJan's Whimsical Ventures

Guest Bathroom facelift

2010-09-01T23:51:36Z

My Guest Bathroom was in such need of a facelift. Because we rent, there is not much I can do except a quick fix. So I ended up giving my sink a facelift and my floor some covering. I am very happy with the results. With a yard of 56" wide decorator fabric (for only 12 bucks at Home Fabrics) and a little Velcro and elastic, I created a little skirt for my sink. Perfect for hiding a little garbage underneath. Then I laid down a very cute bath matt with a crocheted edge that I found at T.J.Maxx. Walla! An instant Facelift!

Check out my before and after photos.

Before

After

a Pleasant 4th

2010-07-06T11:44:15Z

The 4th of July came very fast and I quickly realized that I had nothing to wear patriotic for church. Of course, when did I realize this?.... 1 am to be exact... the night before!

So Heather Bailey came to my rescue! :) I remembered a video and blog entry of her showing how to make these fabric flowers. I even made one for my craft room curtains a while ago which remains to be unblogged for the moment.

Thankfully, I had some left over patriotic fabric from my husband's in progress quilt. To save time, instead of the hand sewing, I used my machine to sew using very wide stitches so I could gather the fabric. A great time saver for sure. Instead of felt for the center, I hot glued a wooden button to finish off the look.

In order to attach it to my hair, I hot glued a felt circle and then attached a hair clip. This project was just what I needed to add to my vintage inspired hair-do. I just love it when things work out, even if it is at 1am. :)

It turned out to be a fun patriotic day with church in the morning, a potluck, church in the evening, and then time with my husbands family setting off fireworks and enjoying each others company.

Did I mention the pie? :)

Book Reviews

2010-07-02T19:53:51Z

My "Book Reviews" page is finally up and running. Check out my newest 2 book reviews by clicking on the "Book Reviews" banner in the left sidebar or you can subscribe to my "Book Reviews" RSS feed. Link is at the bottom of the left sidebar.

Each review will include the positive and negative aspects of the book along with a Showcased project taken out of the book handmade by me.

My rating system is as follows:

1 out of 5: The worst rating possible. Not even worth a skim through and wanting my money back.

2 out of 5: Worth checking out of the library but not worth the money.

3 out of 5: A decent book with a few good projects but a little hard to figure out some of the instructions.

4 out of 5: Great book. Definitely worth the buy. Very few negative comments.

5 out of 5: The best rating around. Amazing book with easy understanding instructions and visual appeal. Is only allowed to have 1 small negative comment that doesn't affect the quality of the book.

Flag Tutorial

2010-07-01T20:05:34Z

Looking for a fun project for the 4th of July?

This is a great kids project to keep them busy this holiday.

Just click on the "Safety Pin Flag" button on the sidebar for a fun PDF tutorial. Dont forget to print an extra to share with a friend.

Happy Birthday America!

Blossom Pincushion

2010-06-30T07:26:10Z

I found this awesome craft book for my library. "I Love Patchwork", authored by Rashida Coleman-Hale, is a great book chalked full of great projects. She even has a blog titled: I Heart Linen where she posts fun tutorials.

This book is full of so many creative and crafty photos. You are even provided with all the templates you need along with a great resource page to help you find your supplies.

If you are new to crafting, there is even help in the beginning of the book from Tools and Materials to technique tips.

With so many projects to chose from in this book, I decided on her Blossom Pincushion. I have been eyeing this pattern for a while and was very excited when I found her book in my local book store. Of course, the fabric I had to use for this project was Heather Bailey prints. I just adore this little flower pincushion. So fun!

Birdcage Sidetable

2010-06-23T19:02:29Z

I won this very awesome vintage birdcage back in 2008 from my favorite shop: Room With A Past. Sadly, I could never find a great place to feature this until now! I decided it would make a great end table but it just didn't feel quite right. Soooo.... I did a little tweaking.

I added a shelf to make it feel more like an end table. Super easy. I went to my local hardware store picked up some waynes coating and cut it down to the size I wanted. Then with a little spray paint job and some distressing, I laid it on top of the bird cage. I am thrilled with the results.

Before

After

Secret Shop Project

2010-06-13T02:45:20Z

Today was spent doing some much needed gardening with the hubby. This is my very first rose and sadly I will have to leave it behind whenever we move, which hopefully wont be for a long, long time.

Yesterday I had a fun time working on a new project that I am very excited to sell in my shop. Want an in progress photo? Here goes....

Patriotic Promises....

2010-05-28T23:17:22Z

When I first started quilting 2 years ago, my husband requested of me One Patriotic Quilt made for him. Excited he wanted me to make him something, I said yes. We picked out some of the fabric and stashed it away....

2 years later, I am making him his quilt! Granted it has taken forever, but in the end it is for the best. Top 3 reasons are: I have had lots of practice, I now know what I am doing (sort of, hehe), and I even have a new machine that is made for quilting.

We both agree it is good it has taken this long. He is very anxious to have this quilt finished as am I. It has been hanging over my head long enough. :P

I was busy cutting fabric out for the quilt when I turned my head and saw this: my 3 birds huddled together watching me cut fabric. Arent they cute? :)

Crafty Beginnings

2010-05-17T22:06:58Z

I just started working on finishing the quilt that started it all. My crafting addiction started with my first quilt top. Notice, I said that is when my addiction to crafting started. It was, however, not the first exposure to crafting. My first exposure happened so early in life, I don't even remember what it was. I do however know who gave me my first exposure.

That would be my mother. She has always been a very talented and crafty woman. She has done so many wonderful things. She is one of the most talented women I know and I am thankful to her for everything she has taught me. Without her crafty influence, I don't think I would have succeeded in crafting. I love you Mommy! :)

Mother's Day Presents: Sachets - Part 3

2010-05-12T20:33:19Z

To wrap up my Mother's Day presents, I ended with a handmade Sachet. I found this very cool Sachet Tutorial from Checkout Girl. She shows step by step instructions packed with photos. These sachets are so easy and fun. I am always trying to find new ways to use felt. You can fill the sachet with anything you want. I ended up going to my local Whole Foods store to get what I need for filling.

Lavender is always great choice, just make sure whoever you are giving it to is not allergic. :)

I even was able to tie in the whole package with a handmade card, thanks to my involvement in my new Stampin-Up group. :)

see Part 1 and Part 2 for info on the other crafts in this photo.