Customize Ready-Made

This is a picture of the window treatments I have up in my dining room during the Fall and Winter months.  The coppery orange sheers are usually closed over and I love my victory valances that I found on eBay {I think they are Waverly}. 

However, with the warmer weather coming, this gets a bit “heavy” feeling and while I could open the sheers like I did for the photo above, the walkway to my front door is right there.  I hate the idea of it being so visually open.  So, last year I bought these linen drapes and sheers from Target.

The linen panels were a great size {and $24.99 a panel} and I figured by the time I got done making my own or doing the dropcloth drapes, it would be about the same money, except I would have put more time into them.  While it was a lighter feel, it was a bit bland for me.

This year, as I took them out of storage, I decided to fix that.  After reading Sonya at Beyond the Screen Door’s blog since that time, I’ve become enamored of her window treatments and, specifically, her café style treatments.  I decided to dress up the sheers that I keep mainly for privacy.

You remember I bought this fabric above and decided I’d like to get more and use it on a screen in my living room.  Meanwhile, I still had the two yards I originally bought.  I decided that the colors worked with both these treatments and I used it for this project.  I also used another fabric I had {the Osnaberg} that matches the linen drapes and used that to make a sleeve for the tension rods that I have to use on these windows.

One of the best things I did was the sleeve for the tension rod!  Let’s face it ~ these things are ugly, but sometimes certain windows call for them when a regular rod can’t be used.  

I used my living room windows {which are the same as the dining room windows} as my “mannequin” and put the panel I was experimenting on up so I could see how it would look.  I liked it okay, but wanted to add a little more "oomph” and whimsy; you know, make it a little more fun.

I wanted to incorporate another fabric into this mix and none of the fabric in my stash either worked or I didn’t have enough.   I decided to go with an animal print I found at Joann’s.  This must be from a zeraffapard {a mix between a zebra, giraffe and leopard}!  It has all three in the fabric and I used just a bit of this to make a ruffle. 

I also bought some new trim because what I had on hand just didn’t work with these colors, although I could have left it off altogether.  I pinned the trim pieces to two of the panels to see which I liked better.  I do like them both, but I think the wider trim hides more of my sins, so to speak.

This one {below} is actually two trims ~ a small pompom and a flat trim.

I used this fabric glue to adhere the trim.

Here is my finished look!  Sorry about the sun ~ it makes taking pictures of the window very difficult.

I’m so glad there were only three!  But now I’m wondering about those linen panels . . .

Linking up with:

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps On The Porch

Make It Yours Day at My Backyard Eden

All Things Inspired at All Things Heart and Home

Frugalicious Friday at Finding Fabulous

Kathy

The Fabric.com Winner is . . .

What a fantastic turn out for the fabric.com giveaway!  I have loved reading how much others love fabric as much as I do, and thank you for sharing your favorites and plans for your projects.  I want to thank fabric.com for doing this giveaway and it’s great to see they have so many fans like me.

This is even more difficult than past giveaways as there were so many entries; I know it sounds cliché to say I wish I could give out more than one, but I truly wish I could.  However, there can be only one winner and after punching the numbers into random.org, the winner is . . .

#29 SheilaG

Sheila doesn’t have a blog, but does have a profile and follows lots of blogs!

Sheila, I have emailed you and if you could just respond with your full name, I will send that right onto fabric.com.

Kathy

Some Randomness & A Sneak Peek

Just some random pictures from last weekend and yesterday.    I got this great tassel from Kristen of Kristen’s Creations.  A nice coincidence is that the tassel colors match my foyer lamp!

I got a set of nests and eggs from Target and I stuck one in my dining room centerpiece.   Thanks to Kristi at The Speckled Dog for that tip on where to find the nests and eggs set!

I showed you what my daughter got at our trip to the thrift store last week.  This is the only thing I came away with that day.  I was happy enough for $2.99.

Yesterday morning I woke up to this.  I’m sure you know my feelings about it.  The early hour and the cloudiness makes these pictures look this way.

The only good thing is that by the time I got home after 5:00, it was basically gone.

Here is a sneak peek of what I’m hoping to finish up this weekend.

Finally, my fabric.com giveaway ends tonight, so if you haven’t entered yet, make sure you get your name in the hat before 11:00 p.m. EST.  I’ll be announcing the winner either Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Kathy

Bunny Parade

I think I did a post last year {or the year before} where I shared some of my bunnies.  I am a bunny nut and have them throughout my house.  As other bunny connoisseurs know, your bunnies have to have a certain look about them.   I think I have some I haven’t shown you before, so here is my bunny parade!

This little guy sits on my desk and holds my pens at the ready!  I love this bunny; he has a basket on each side and I keep my highlighters and pencils on the other side.

My bunny tray over my desk.

This is a bunny I keep out all year round.  He just moves between the living room and dining room depending on my mood.

This bunny is out for Easter.

My bunny bookends.

I’ve shown this off before ~ this is on my entry chest.  A reading bunny and a bunny print I got and framed.

Bunnies on fabric . . .

which is on a pillow that I bought from Rhonda at Blue Creek Home.

Another bunny that’s come out for Easter.

One of three stuffed bunnies I have.  She needs a new dress {something more 2011}  and I don’t think I’ll be able to do it, so I’m considering my options. 

A notepad bunny {which actually hangs on our old phone jack}.  The last time I showed this I think a lot of you thought it was a toilet paper holder!

My scissor bunny in my craft area.

Our bunny key holder.  I’ll bet I forgot one or two, but those are my bunnies on parade!

Don’t forget to enter my fabric.com giveaway!  It ends Friday night!

Kathy

proof whisky, lights out, Vol. 26

In honor of both David Suzuki’s (www.davidsuzuki.org) 75th Birthday and this weekend’s Earth Hour event, (www.earthhour.org) we are offering some lights out dinner party tips and a refreshing cocktail to match. We hope that you too will stock up on candles and participate in Saturday’s awesome global movement. To learn more about our brand visit www.proofbrands.com. Become a friend on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/pages/Proof-Brands/181641835185326 and Twitter http://twitter.com/proofbrands to get last minute updates on all of our tastings, parties and events.

the blackout-berry

2 oz proof whisky

2 oz Chambord Royale
(or Eduardo Ferreira Licor de Amora Blackberry Liquor)

2 tsp simple syrup

1 oz lemon juice

garnish with blackberries

Pour 2 oz proof whisky, 2 oz Chambord Royale, 2 tsp simple syrup, and 1 oz lemon juice into an ice-filled shaker. Shake well and strain into a tumbler glass filled with cubed ice. Garnish with blackberries. 

(If you would like to keep things local, omit the blackberries for garnish – they are obviously not in season yet. hmmm... Or you can garnish with an icycle)

* Who needs an energy-sucking freezer with this spring weather? Put some water-filled ice-cube trays outside – they’ll freeze. Or you can purchase ice and store it in a cooler or bucket outside.

Earth Hour is almost here. A great way to enjoy this event is to be with friends, so why not throw an Earth Hour dinner party! 

Create a meal that reflects the occasion, by using recipes that you can enjoy by candlelight and where no cooking is required. 

Here is our suggested 3-course vegan raw menu (warning: blender power is necessary):

Tahini Dressing

½ cup raw tahini (specialty food shops, some grocery stores, bulk barn)

6 tbsp filtered water

4 tsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tbsp nama shoyu (Specialty food shops, t&t, bulk barn and some grocery stores)

1 tbsp green onion, diced

1 tsp raw apple cider (may have to use normal cider vinegar)

¼ garlic or ginger, minced

pinch cayenne

Place all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until well incorporated. Drizzle over mixed greens and shredded vegetables. 

Garnish with black sesame seeds.

Live Lasagna

¾ cup fresh basil, tightly packed

3 ½ cups macadamia nuts

1 ¾ tsp. salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

4 tsp, plus ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. fresh oregano, minced

¼ cup plus, 2 tbsps olive oil

6 tbsp filtered water

1 tbsp fresh rosemary

1 large zucchini, thinly sliced lengthwise

1 bunch chard or rainbow chard, stems removed

4 large tomatoes, sliced

Place ½ c. basil, 3 cups macadamia nuts, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, and 4 teaspoons vinegar in a food processor. Process for 20 second on low speed, adding 1 ½ c. water as necessary through the top. You might not need all the water. You want a lightly textured, ricotta-like consistency with a semisweet and basil taste. Over-blending causes a pâté consistency. Add tomatoes to blender and blend (should have 2 cups worth once blended), add remaining nuts, basil, oregano, vinegar, ¼ olive oil, 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp pepper, 6 tbsp water, rosemary and blend on high speed for 30 seconds, or until smooth. Toss zucchini and squash strips in remaining 2 tbsp olive oil and ¼ tsp salt. Allow to marinate for 1 hour. Lightly oil bottom of 13 x 9” pan. Place a layer of chard on bottom. Add a layer of zucchini, then tomato, then basil mixture, then tomato mixture. Repeat and top with final layer of zucchini. Serve immediately or wrap in refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.

Pecan Pie

3 ½ cups pecans

3 ½ cups pitted dates

½ cup raisins, soaked

2 cups water

¼ cup date/raisin soak water

1 tsp vanilla extract

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

¼ cup agave nectar

Place 3 cups pecans and 1 ½ cups dates in a food processor. Blend on high speed for 30 to 40 seconds or until mixture sticks together and runs up the sides without falling into the center. You may need to add more dates. Press crust into a pie pan, making a layer around the bottom and sides at least ½” thick. Place 1 cup dates and raisins in a small bowl with water. Allow to soak for 20 minutes. Place remaining 1 cup dates, soaked dates, raisins, ¼ cup soak water, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and agave nectar in a blender and blend on high speed until a thick, relatively smooth mixture forms. Pour mixture into the piecrust, and layer the top with remaining ½ cup pecans. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. You want pie chilled to keep its form while slicing. (all recipes by Mark Reinfeld, Bo Rinaldi and Jennifer Murray)

If this menu is too ‘earthy’ for you – try serving fondues, local cheeses, charcuterie plates made of local meats, breads or thermos’ filled with soups and stews – anything that does not require power during the lights out. If you really do want to serve a vegan meal, without the hassle, pick up some yummy vegan take-out at The Big Carrot (348 Danforth Avenue, www.thebigcarrot.ca) The Carrot specializes in organically-grown, GMO-free and Environmentally-safe products.

In order to achieve the perfect mood lighting be sure to stock the following items: beeswax candles, hand-crank flashlights, lanterns and if you are lucky you will have access to a wood-burning fireplace or wood-stove.

For a great selection of beeswax candles, visit Grassroots. They carry Pheylonian Beeswax Candles in many different sizes. (www.philoxia.com)

Grassroots has two locations: (east) 372 Danforth Ave. or (west) 408 Bloor Street W. (www.grassrootsstore.com) They offer “environmentally-friendly products that allow people to make positive choices for themselves, their communities and the earth.”

Grassroots also carries these beautiful serving trays made by Urban Tree Salvage. UTS uses wood from trees, cut down by the city, in the GTA. (http://urbantreesalvage.com)

What’s a party without music? Rather than firing up your ipod, crank-up your crank-up radio, strum your guitar or gather around the piano for a show-tune sing-along. After dinner, bundle up and walk the streets. You will get a whole new perspective on things. You may even see a star or two – or better still, catch the neighbours NOT participating in Earth Hour – tsk! tsk!

Take advantage of the dusky mood by telling ghost stories or dust off the Ouija board for a good old-fashioned séance. 

Just remember – your blackout party does not have to end at 9:31 pm – keep the power off for the rest of the night. Lights Out!

Weekend Forecast:

Saturday: Sunny with cloudy periods and a high of 0 degrees

Sunday: Sunny with cloudy periods and a high of 0 degrees