Sweet Sundress

WeAllSew reader Christine Fuller shares photos of her adorable dress:

This is a dress I recently made for my granddaughters 2nd birthday. I used a Project Runway pattern from Simplicity, then added machine-embroidered detail to the midriff and lace/ribbon on the skirt. All the sewing and serging was done on my BERNINA sewing and serger machines. I used Edgestitch Foot 10 and Rufffler 86 at different times during construction.

The fabric was from the Lisette collection at Joann Fabricsand it seems to be exceptional quality cotton. The pattern was interesting Sometimes there were too many details, then the instructions became elusive and encouraged the seamstress to be creative!

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The Art of Hanging Art: Tips for Hanging Art and Pictures

Ive written quite a few posts about hanging art, but when a friend recently moved into a new house and asked me what is appropriate to go where I decided to revisit the must-know tips to hanging art! Hanging pictures and artwork can be tricky and intimidating, and often result in bare walls, so dont let that happen to you! Here are a few helpful and foolproof tips for having beautifully designed walls!

Never have a tall (or short) person hang photos, as itll result in pictures being hung too high (or too low). The center of a larger photo /artwork (or the center of a grouping of photos) should (typically) be hung at an average persons eye level, which is between 5-3 and 5-6.

When laying out a grouping of photos, lay your arrangement on the floor and make a template of each photo using newspaper or brown craft paper. Make a tracing and cut them out. Then position and lightly tape the paper onto the wall. Move them around until your design and layout is perfect! Lastly, measure where the nail would be installed (the hanging hardware on every frame is different) and put the nail through the newspaper or craft paper. This will result in a perfectly hung photo.

When laying out a grouping of pictures on a wall, think of them as one unit. Use a continuous thread between the pictures, ie: different frames with all black and white photos, the same frame with all color photos, all black frames, all brown frames, all white framesyou get the idea. Even though the pictures are different and separate, this similar thread will allow them to relate and read like one. Try this same effect up the stairs = beautiful! Start something that you can continually expand on. You and your family are continually growing, and so should your pictures!

For narrow walls, choose one small picture or grouping of smaller photos. You should follow the same rule of thumb for larger walls. Choose a larger piece of artwork or grouping of larger photos for a wide wall. When hanging art/photos (or a grouping of pictures) over a piece of furniture, it (they) should not be longer than the width of the furniture. For example, the artwork shown in the photo below is in proportion with the size of the sofa, and keeps to the principle of being about 75% of the sofas overall width and equal to the ottoman width. Too many or too large of pictures / artwork will overpower the wall.

When all else fails, using symmetry, both horizontally and vertically, is always a safe bet for a good designyou cant go wrong.

Try something unexpected and differenthave fun with your artwork and the way you display it! Use a combination of photos, artwork, and pieces youve collected. Make a statement!!

For a fun effect, just fill your ENTIRE WALL with photos!!

Its Summer, Get Organized Now and Have More Fun Later!

With the arrival of Summer comes a plethora of swim gear, sandals, and beach bags. Its the time of year when the kids are out of school and us moms are on the go 24-7. Theres no time to stay organized with the pitter-patter of kids running through the house, so instead of straightening the stuff every evening, do it once and be done.

The most important part of the home thats a-must to stay organized is the entry / mudroom. No matter the size, using a few smart organizing solutions will create for a pleasant hub of the home to enter and exit.

My motto is if you havent used it in a year, give, toss, donate, or sell. When trying to clean out and get organized, its best to start by removing everything, even if you plan on keeping it. Starting with a clean palette will allow you to see the space better and determine the best way to use it. No matter if you have one small entry closet or a large mudroom space, clearing out is the right way to a fresh start.

This idea by the Red Chair Blog is great. Keep bins handy (maybe in the garage) so items can easily be donated, sold, tossed, or given away.

Once youve determined whats going and whats staying, its time to get organized. Introducing baskets and bins will help keep the various items in an entry / mudroom organized. You can either layout your space where every member of the family has a specific basket, or you can have specific baskets/bins for specific items, or a combination of both. Then add a fun and useful organizational label to help even more so the kids (and parents) know right where to go. During the Summer months, having the sunblock, bugspray, and hats in one designated spot for easy reach, keeps the kids covered and the moms happy.

This smaller entry featured at Better Homes and Gardens is filled with shelving for shoes, hooks for coats, and baskets for storage. Theres even a comfy spot to sit. No matter your size entry, work with the size of your space to create a functional entry hub.

One of my favorite ways to stay organized is to add hooks which are perfect for coats, bookbags, towels, and more. Hooks can also be placed at various heights to accommodate everyone in the family lower hooks are perfect for the kids while higher hooks are at the right height for adults. Along with adding hooks behind my front door, I also add hooks behind the door in my kids bedrooms which are perfect for hats, bathrobes, and light jackets.

This 2 wide wall is the area behind my front entry door. Even though its small, it is the perfect place for our everyday wares and I was able to fit 10 hooks, 5 at two different heights. If you want to see how I made this, you may want to check out my DIY: Built-in Wall Coat Rack.

Seating is another must-have in an entryway and can easily and inexpensively be introduced to provide a place to sit, put on your shoes, or gather your goods as you enter and exit the home. From a small garden stool to a large upholstered bench, any type of seating as you enter and exit is functional and adds an inviting touch. If youre tight on space, look for a dual functioning seat which could offer a space to sit, but also storage underneath for shoes or a spot to tuck away a basket.

This mudroom entry featured on Houzz has a beautiful built-in which includes cubbies for baskets, space for shoes, and a long nice bench for multiple people to sit.

Designating a spot with a family calendar, bulletin board, and shelves for important papers, is helpful for everyone in the family to stay on schedule. Even though Summer is all about fun, there are also lots of playdates, weekend BBQs, and sleepovers. Instead of wondering who is where or forgetting afternoon soccer practice, a central place near the entry or kitchen can be quite helpful and reduce the stress.

Central Command Center by Candice Stringham

This central command center by The Handmade Home will keep the whole family on schedule.

Two Toned Mirror with Faux Silver Leaf Detail

Another summer week is underway. I cant believe how fast its flying by, but Im excited to be sharing a new DIY project with you lets get started

Sometimes a small added detail truly makes a piece look completely new again. While updating the buffet in my dining room with the new lamps and sunburst mirror, I moved the dark wood mirror that was once over the mantel to this revamped area. Ive had the mirror for about 9 years and it was beautiful, but I felt like it needed a little pick-me-up and decided adding a little something around the inner rim would be the perfect update.

The mirror has been seen in many of my mantel makeovers, like this one decorated for Spring 2012. Since it was in fine condition, I was weary about messing-it-up, but I took the leap of faith anyway. Silver leaf detail was the first thought that came to mind.

The addition of silver leaf, like in the dresser below by Jenny of Little Green Notebook, adds a beautiful and sophisticated accent, but since I was hesitant about how much detail would be appropriate for this mirror, I decided to use another method to get the silver leaf look, but make it totally faux.

Beautiful and Id love to give silver leafing a try one day, but for my mirror, the faux way was alot easier and less time consuming.

To achieve the silver leaf look, I used Krylon Spray Paint in Caramel Latte, which is the same color used for my lamp revamp yes the lamps that now site right next to the mirror. LOVE this color. The cap shows it has more of a gold hue than silver, but the result on the mirror edge and the lamps is a more silver / gold combo.

Instead of the traditional way of using spray paint is there a traditional way? I, sprayed a small amount into the cap (in a ventilated space, of course)

then using a small paint sponge, I dipped the edge into the paint.

Then I lightly dabbed the sponge onto the leaf detail of the mirror edge. I went slowly at first not sure of how much would be appropriate.

Well, hello there camera lense staring at me ;)

After I knew the look I liked, then I continued around the entire mirror, and this is the result

The edge detail around the mirror can be seen more now with the newly added faux silver leaf touch, and the mirror is updated enough to look like new. Within 5 minutes this mirror got a complete makeover and it was really easy! Hanging the mirror wasnt difficult either with a method Ive been using for years AND Im going to spill the beans tomorrow dont miss it.

Have you ever used spray paint in a different or unconventional way? Have you ever updated a piece of furniture with silver leaf? Its surely something Id love to try!

The Best Tip to Hang a Picture

Yesterday I shared my newly updated two toned mirror with silver leaf detail and today Im sharing the 411 on how I hung it on the wall. Ive been using this tip for years (well maybe not that long, but its been a while), yet never shared it forgive me please. This easy-peasy -picture-hanging-tip will knock your socks off make your life so much easier, plus youll get to ditch the typical results (and headaches) of having too many holes in the wall.

Are you ready??

1. Lay the picture / mirror face down on its front. Using painters tape (its better than masking tape because its not too sticky), cut a piece long enough and align each end so its centered on the hooks.

2. Then lift the piece of tape off of the picture and position it on the wall at the desired height. Then to make sure the picture / mirror is hung straight, place a level on the tape, so you know your screw positioning is just right.

Perfecto!

3. If youre not screwing into a stud (which seems impossible for me 99% of the time), an anchor (or other picture screw/nail) is a must unless you want a broken picture on the floor within 5 minutes anchors always give a secure base for screws.

Once both screws are in, the picture, mirror, or wall decor is ready to hang!

And this is what I hung on the wall

This tip can be used for anything you need to hang a picture, mirror, wall decor, a shelf, hmmm what else??

Lantern Love

Im finishing up a kitchen renovation for a local client (which looks amazing and I cant wait to share pictures) and were at the point of choosing light fixtures. Most have already been selected and some already installed, but we wanted to find something extra special for the foyer light as you enter into the home.

The tricky part of the equation? The Ceiling Height!

An average home usually has an 8-0 ceiling height, but some have cathedral ceilings in the foyer so a grand and beautiful chandelier can be admired. Not this house. But thats okay because with a little hunting I was able to find quite a few attractive pendant style lantern fixtures that would compliment the aesthetic of the design.

Check them some of my favorite lantern choices

Whats your favorite? Its so difficult to choose, right?!

Useful Ideas and Layouts to Create a Photo Gallery Wall

My most popular post to date that you, my awesome readers, just swoon over is how to create a photo wall display. This post alone has received well over 70,000 views and today Im sharing even more great ideas and layouts to create your own photo gallery wall.

Knowing where to begin when creating a montage of photos can often be intimidating, so Ive gathered some handy examples on how to find the right balance and layout for various sized photos in all the different areas of the home.

Here comes a long post with alot pictures, but itll be worth scrolling all the way through

Staircase, gallery wall, and ledge display ideas by Brenda Knight Photography

Gallery wall ideas via Pottery Barn

Photo and wall decor ideas via One Click Design Studio

I really like the asymmetrical foyer photo layout.

Room vignettes with photo gallery ideas via RobinWood Photography

Wall Display Templates by Gradybug Designs

Lots of display ideas source unknownGallery Wall idea by Jen of World of Dennifer

Layouts for photo gallery walls by Ann Beck Photograpghy

All in one system by The Picture Wall Company. You choose the frame style and color, the matting, and images, and the rest is up to them. What a great concept the hardwork is taken out of the equation and a beautiful gallery wall is created in no time.

Creative layouts for different areas of the house by Brand Sushi

Creating a template with craft paper is a helpful way to layout your gallery wall BEFORE even picking up a hammer and nail source unknown

Before committing to a layout, take a picture of the blank wall and if there will be a piece of furniture on the wall, have it in the pic. Then using a free graphic program like picmonkey, start creating different picture layouts. Idea via 7th House on the Left

Gallery Walls dont always have to be just pictures.

Im loving how these yellow distressed mirrors make a beautiful collage.

Another idea is to mix picture frames (sans the pictures) with mirrors. What a fun and eclectic idea via