How to Make Pleated Drapes


Don’t turn away assuming you would never be capable of such a feat as sewing professional quality pleated curtains. If you can sew a straight line, you can make pleats!

All it takes is pleat tape.

I showed you the Hidden Workstation I made for the Craft Room Redesign Project. Now I will show you how to sew pleated drapes to turn any corner of your home into a studio, or just to use as regular old curtains. You’re going to be shocked by how simple it really is. This was one of the most rewarding projects I’ve done so I’m really hoping you’ll give it a shot and feel the warmth of crafty satisfaction with me.

Learn How to Make Pleated Drapes after the jump…
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The Craft Room Redesign Project: Hidden Workstation

Before:

After:

The Craft Room Redesign Project is in full swing, thanks to all of your great advice. I’ve installed new flooring all by myself, thrifted some furniture, repainted a brass table, and upholstered a chair I found on the street. But the eyesore of my crazy workstation overflowing with supplies was making it feel more like a garage and less like a room. So here is my solution.

What do you think? Is it weird, or do you think it works? Is there a corner of your house you might try to turn into your own workstation? Let us know in the comments and you could win that Kokka fat quarter. Check out more pics of the Hidden Workstation after the jump…
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The Sewing Machine Shop Experience


If you “like” us, you know that Jaime and I have been hanging out in local sewing machine shops, asking a million questions, learning a ton and basically becoming total groupies in awe of these experts!

I found myself in Arlington Sewing Machine Supply because I needed an introduction to the line of Brother Embroidery/Sewing Machines (if that perks up your ears, you are a clever kitty) but I learned so much more. That got me thinking, besides the opportunity to hang out with these insanely fun experts in all things machine sewing/embroidery/quilting, what are the reasons to do your shopping at a small business sewing machine dealer?
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GIVEAWAY: The Best One-Dish Suppers

Spring is here and Summer is just around the corner. The last thing we want to do during these lingering hours of daylight is wash a pile of gnarly pans, yet our families still demand meals. Sigh. The Best One-Dish Suppers by the editors of Cook’s Illustrated is here to save us from dish-pan hands with a collection of more than 175 recipes that you make in one pot/dish/wok! Yummy! Easy!


Would you like to win a copy? Read on to see more of this great cookbook and find out how to enter to win.
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GLORIOUS FLEA MARKET HOW YOU TORTURE ME SO!


Sunday was a spectacular day of sun and beauty and grandma offering to babysit so I could thrift in peace at the World’s Greatest Flea Market. Jacinda and I have dueling flea market scores and regrets from our visits to Canton (for her) and the Rose Bowl (for me).

My flea market strategy is to take a picture of whatever I like, then sit down with a diet coke and review the pics when I’m done browsing. If I still like it and it’s still there, I figure it was meant to be and I’ll get it.

Well I was TIRED AS HECK after 5 hours stomping about the furniture and doo-dad section of the flea market, so I ended up letting a lot of stuff go and only taking home a few treats. Good for the wallet, but now I have regrets. I did get business cards though, most of them are local, and they’ll be back next month. Take a look at what I left behind and tell me what to try to hunt down next time. PLEASE!

Check out many weird and wonderful flea market finds after the jump…
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How to Make Cascarones (Confetti Eggs)


Cascarones are a Mexican Easter tradition and a great alternative to plastic eggs for your hunting pleasure.

Kids LOVE them as much (if not more) than any candy-filled egg. We had them at the Third Birthday Fiesta and they were the hit of the party.

Many, many were smashed over my head.

AND they are super-easy to make. Find out How to Make Cascarones after the jump…
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Random Thoughts on Party Food


Some lessons learned at the Third Birthday Fiesta: If you are serving both lemonade and margaritas, it would behoove you to label them as such, especially at a children’s party. Luckily my mother was the first to mistakenly drink too much margarita thinking it was juice, and not a child (sorry  mom).

Bacon wrapped anything is a good idea.

More fiesta party food after the jump…
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Crochet Party Chain


Back in February, Cornflower Blue’s Rachel Hunnicut, a talented knitter, crocheter and embroider-er-errrrr, created a beginner embroidery tutorial for Prudent Baby. We were so blown away by it’s AWESOME that we forgot that we had originally asked her to guest-post this fabulous Crochet Party Chain. We love it as party decor but even more-so for it’s long life in your home after the cake is cut and the guests go home. Take it away Rachel!
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