Favorite new crafting supply...


My favorite new crafting supply is baker's twine. I saw it a while ago at Mike's Pastry in the North End, and I wanted a similar set up in my house...twine that can be pulled from the ceiling, wrapped around cute boxes and torn with my hands. Love it.

I have noticed a lot of cute places are selling it now, but are charging more than I wanted to pay. I got mine here. It was only $8.95 and I will have it forever. I love that it will last so long b/c I am one of those people who hates to use up things that I love. Since there are 3400 yards, I am not worried. (Sidenote: Do you know what I mean about not wanting to use up things you love? One of my 2010 resolutions is to burn good candles more often...I fall into a trap of not wanting to burn them b/c I don't want them to be gone!)

I just used some of my twine for Laurie's shower next weekend. Now that all our guest visits are done, I can focus on shower details. I heart details, so I am happy...pics to come!

Another potential project...canvas bag

So, along with the laundry cart misunderstanding, there was another one. Ryan had mentioned maybe I could attempt making him a canvas bag with a 'stained' M on it. I was thinking he meant a big weekend bag. I was immediately constructing it in my head...

Base it on bags like these...



Get some cool canvas/duck cloth in a neutral color, use some thick rope for handles...like this...


Make stencil out of cool font and do some fabric painting...like this tutorial.

The only question I have would be how to sew the rope on as my sewing machine couldn't go through it, so I guess I could sew on either side of it - similar to the bag above, but then how would I connect/tie the rope?

Anyways, what Ryan was REALLY asking was...if he built a wood frame, could I build a canvas bin (like the ones I want for the other potential project) to go around it. Wow, totally misunderstood. BUT...now we have ideas for new fun projects!

Metal Bins...no more rusty worries!

So, I went to Jo-Ann Fabrics yesterday and decided to make burlap liners. Granted, they may not be the nicest or softest fabric I could have bought, but, it works, and I think it goes well with the bins. I found some great video instructions here, where you only have to cut one piece of fabric and sew away...my kind of sewing!!

They aren't perfect (nothing that I sew ever is), but I am happy to have them done, and for about $20, I was able to make all these, and have enough left to try to make my own table runner like Pottery Barn is selling!



Metal Bins

So, now that I am starting to fill up the metal bins on Sidekick's "dresser", I am not sure if I should leave them as they are or line them with something. They have been sanded/cleaned and painted clear, so I don't think I have to worry about rust; however, they are sort of dingy (although I love them), and I am wondering if I need to make some sort of 'liner' for them.

Options thus far:
1. Line the bottom with some fun oil cloth or contact paper
2. Sew some liners (not very excited about this project, but found some instructions here)

Does anyone have any other ideas?



Metal Bin Sidenote: I also just saw this picture recently in Restoration Hardware, and it gave me another idea for my 2 extra bins!