This month Ace Hardware is sharing 31 different colors on 31 different days including inspirational projects using that day’s color.

GIVEAWAY

Ace will be giving away free samples of the Color of the Day to the first 1,000 online entrants at ThePaintStudio.com starting at 12pm ET each day.

Plus, enter the 31 Days of Color Sweepstakes daily for a chance to win a $10,000 paint makeover and daily $50 gift cards.

The paint I chose for this challenge is the color Steelhead Redd. I wanted a paint that was great for indoors so I went with Valspar Optimus interior paint and I love how it has primer in it with their OptiColor Pigment Technology. It’s easy to clean and has a low odor which is fabulous for painting inside the house. I was pleased with the vibrant color and the clean, crisp finish I was going for. One gallon of this will cover about 400 sq feet.

I’ve had this computer hutch for about 15 years and it is begging for a colorful update. I actually use my laptop for almost all of my computer needs so it really is taking up un-needed space.

BEFORE

AFTER

My vision for this armoire was to turn it into a much needed craft organization space for my bulky craft items such as my sewing machine and digital craft cutting machine. I also wanted an area to store small items in boxes and a storage crate for my paper and vinyl. Here’s what I came up with…

I am so happy with how the Steelhead Redd goes with the aqua baskets and black chalkboard! It really is the perfect color for my armoire!

Now I have a fun, colorful space that brightens up the room and I can close the doors to hide any craft clutter my heart desires!

I added a simple cork board that I use for inspirational notes and quotes. The chalkboard is my to-do list and reminds me of any craft supplies I’m running out of.

The small photo buckets are the perfect size for my scissors, markers, adhesives, embellishments, and more. I love how the baskets hold my bulkier things like fabric, embroidery hoops, etc.

Storing a large sewing machine can be very tricky and I’m thrilled that it fits into my armoire perfectly!

My husband walked down the stairs and the first thing he said was, ” I love the color!” I’m happy to say the makeover was a huge success.

PAINT TIP: 

I thought it would be fun to share my very favorite paint tip that saves me a lot of time and hassle. It’s so simple. I line my paint trays with tinfoil so I can easily discard of them when I’m finished using that color. Saves time and I don’t need to spend money on those removable tray covers!

Visit ThePaintStudio.com starting at 12pm EST every day in March to uncover the Color of the Day from Ace’s exclusive Valspar® or Clark+Kensington® paint lines, along with expert tips and inspiration.

This is a sponsored post by Valspar, however all opinions and projects are mine.

Post By:

The post 31 Days of Color – Steelhead Redd appeared first on U Create.

So my house is overrun with clutter that needs a home…especially lately.  I found a pretty way to tame the clutter with this hanging organizer.  Basically, you can use it for any room, any home, or any dorm room.  This project is well suited for the intermediate sewist, but I have created a very simple step-by-step tutorial so that even a beginner can make it.  Don’t be scared off because it doesn’t look simple…it’s really not that bad, just lots of little steps.  

SCHOOL SUPPLY ORGANIZER TUTORIAL

For this tutorial you will need the following:

1 Yard main fabric (purple)

1/2 yard accent fabric (green flowers)

1/2 yard 2nd accent fabric (purple, pink, green vines)

1/4 yard of 12 gauge clear vinyl

1 yard medium fusible interfacing

2 large Curtain Grommets

Cut the fabric as follows:

Main Fabric (purple):

33″ x 13.5″ – background of front

34″ x 14.5″ – back of organizer

1st Accent Fabric (green):

21.5″ x 11″ – cut 2

13.5″ x 8.5″ – cut 2

20″ x 1.5″ – to create bias tape

2nd Accent Fabric (colored vines):

13.5″ x 3″ – cut 2

13.5″ x 8.5″ – cut 2

6″ x 3.75″ – cut 2

10″ x 1.5″ – to create bias tape

Clear Vinyl:

3.5″ x 5.5″

3.5″ x 2″ – cut 2

Medium Fusible Interfacing

33″ x 13.5″ – iron to the main background fabric

TOP STRIP:

Step 3: Pin it into place and sew a line 1/8″ inch from the edge of each side of the trim. Like the photo below.

Step 4: Lay the finished strip flush with the top of the background fabric.

DOUBLE POCKETS:

Step 5:  Take the fabric for the double pockets and iron them.

Step 6: Place the fabric right sides together and pin the long sides.  Sew a 1/2″ seam allowance along both long edges.

Step 7: Turn the pieces right side out and iron.

Step 8: Sew 1/8″ top stitch on the right side of the long edges.

Step 9: Lay the pocket fabric 1.5″ from the bottom of the top accent strip.  Lay one short edge of the pocket fabric flush with the raw edge of the main background fabric. Pin it in place.

Step 10: Using a ruler, fold the pocket fabric over an inch toward the edge and pin in place.  Do this all along the side of the pocket…iron flat.

Step 11: Repeat step 10 on the other side of the pockets.

Step 12: You still have some access fabric on top.  Don’t worry…you will create the two pockets.

Step 13:  Lay a ruler on the fabric starting at one edge of the pocket.  Put a pin at the halfway mark…it should be 7.5″.

Step 14:  Fold the fabric in toward the pin and use your judgement as to when you think they are equal…or a ruler if your picky.

Step 15: Iron the middle with a hot iron to create the creases.

Step 17: Sew a straight line along the bottom of the pockets…about 1/4″ from the bottom.

Step 18: Now you have two pockets…well, almost…one side is still pinned for now.

Step 20: Unpin the double pockets so you can sew the vinyl label pockets on.  Again, I eyeballed where I wanted the label pockets and pinned them in place.

Step 21: Sew around the three edges of the label pockets and leaving the top open.

Step 22: Repin the side of the  double pockets.

NOTEBOOK POCKETS:

Step 23:  Take the accent fabric for the notebook pockets and put them right sides together.  Pin one long side and sew with 1/2″ seam allowance. Fold right sides out on the seam and iron.

Step 25: Repeat step 23 to create the second notebook pocket and pin in place.

PENCIL POCKETS

Step 26: Take the 2 fabric pieces for the pencil pockets and place them right sides together.

Step 27: Sew all the way around using 1/4″ seam allowance EXCEPT for a 2 inch opening.

Step 28:  Clip the corners at an angle.

Step 29: Turn it right side out and iron it nice and flat.

Step 30: Fold the open section under 1/4″ and iron it.

Step 31:  Sew a 1/8″ topstitch across the top closing the open section.

Step 32: Lay it flush with the edge of the background fabric in between the double pockets and the notebook pockets. Pin it and sew a topstitch on the left side and the bottom. Leave the other side pinned…it will be secured when you are binding the entire thing.

Step 33:  Using a ruler and pencil, mark 1.5″ in from the left side and draw a straight line.

Step 34:  Draw another line 1.5″ from the last one.  Sew a straight line on your pencil mark.

Step 35: Now you have 3 small pencil/pen pockets.

Step 36:  Place the 3.5″ x 5.5″ into place and sew a topstitch around the edge.

BINDING AROUND THE EDGES:

Step 37:  Make sure every piece is pinned where you want it and everything is straightened.

Step 38:  Grab a lot of pins and head over to the ironing board.  You will be there for a little while.

Fold the binding fabric in until it touches the main background fabric.  Press with a HOT iron.

Step 39:  Fold the binding down again and press with HOT iron.

Step 40:  Pin that edge and head to the next one.

Step 41: Okay, when you get to the double pockets, the binding needs to go under the side of the pocket.  It’s tough to explain, but the pictures are clear.  Basically, I unpicked the stitching about an inch in.

Step 42: Fold the binding in like the steps above and then pin it…you will eventually lay it back down once the binding has been sewn.

Step 43:  Use the pin to hold the side of the pocket out of your way.  You need to sew the binding before you finish the pockets.  Do the same thing to the other side of the pocket and binding.

CORNERS:

Step 45: Making great corners just takes practice.  I have no magic solution for this. I just cut the corner straight across and fold it to the corner of the front background.  Then fold the binding over like I explained above.

Step 46:  Put two pins in the corner once you get it like you want; that way it remains perfect.

Step 46:  Once you are done pinning the binding it should look like this…you’re ready to sew the binding.

Step 48: Lay the bottom corner of the pocket over the finished binding and sew it down like the picture above. Do this on the other side as well.

Step 49: FINISHED!  Now to install the hardware so you can hang it.

Step 50: I got some curtain grommets online and installed them per package instructions.  It took 5 minutes tops!  I put one on each side, but I think three would look cool, too.  Totally a matter of taste on that one.

I used Command strips to hang this awesome organizer to the wall…ya know, because they don’t damage the wall.

I use this awesome organizer to hold my art supplies and keep them out of grabby little hands, but I think it would be perfect for a dorm room or classroom or toy room.

I would love to see pictures of your finished HANGING ORGANIZER when you make one!

The post School Supply Organizer Tutorial appeared first on U Create.

Hello Ucreate readers, thanks so much for having me!

I’m Steph, founder/managing editor of Modern Parents Messy Kids and mom to a 2 year old son and 13 month old daughter.  I started MPMK as a resource for helping parents to engage their kids, organize their life, and add a little style to their home.  In my former life I was a Doctor of Audiology and worked with pediatric patients, now I spend my days racking my brain and scouring the internet for simple ways to connect with my kids.  I gravitate towards anything that’s accessible to all parents (including the crafting-impaired), fosters development, and has a bit of a modern edge. Today I’ve got a super simple project you can get done in 5 minutes flat.  It’s nothing too fancy but you’ll use it everyday.  Hang it in the kitchen or home office and I guarantee you’ll get more stuff done (not to mention a few compliments on your creativity).

That’s it (five minutes was probably and over-estimate).  Just hang it on the wall and feel the weight being lifted off your shoulders as you instantly morph into a more organized, and all-around better, person.  Also, don’t forget to store a small dry erase marker on top for easy access.

Thanks again to Kari for having me!  I hope you’ll all take a moment to stop by MPMK to say hi!

The post Dry Erase Sticky Note Calendar Tutorial appeared first on U Create.

My crafting adventures have taken a hard left the last few years since the Layoff Fairy visited our house–twice.  Not fun. Yet despite all of the financial difficulties that come with an unwelcomed experience like this, I’ve come to believe that a Rock What Ya Got approach to crafting and DIYing without spending a dime can still yield great results.

Case in point:

Recognize these beauties from the Ballard Designs catalog?

I adore them. I need them. I cannot afford them.

So I made my own.

Cardboard + Fabric = Catalog awesomeness for $0!

*Swoon*

And making a sleek, customized organizer for all those homework folders/workbooks/mail/bills/receipts without spending any money makes me feel like Superwoman, even if I’m a week behind on laundry.

Want to make your own?

For the base and pockets you’ll need:

For the covering, you’ll need either paint or fabric. I originally planned on going the paint route, but my cardboard had been manhandled by my kids enough that it ended up looking like a painted, hacked apart diaper box instead of a catalog knock off.

So I went with the fabric.

I didn’t have any plain black fabric in my stash, but I did have this left over $1/yd. Walmart clearance fabric from seven years ago.

No biggie. I just flipped the fabric over and used the back.

Making the Base

Open up two medium sized cardboard boxes and glue them together with a heavy coat of spray adhesive.  Make sure the folds are facing out and offset, otherwise the base will be more likely to bend and fold along those lines.  Trim to 15 3/4” x 49 1/2”.

Fill any gaps along the folds with scrap cardboard and tape in place.  Secure the corners and sides with a few pieces of packing or duct tape to make sure the whole piece is solid.

Cut slits on the base for the pockets to slide into using the dimensions from the pattern. (Download link at end of tutorial).

Mark 1” strips on a few box flaps … cut out …

… and glue along the back edge making a frame all around the base.

Making the Pockets

Trace four pockets pieces on good, thick cardboard …

… then cut out and fold into pockets.

Slide the pockets into the base to make sure the fit is nice and tight.

Once everything looks good, carefully remove the pockets and secure the bottom corners of each one with duct tape.  Set aside.

Covering With Fabric

Coat the front of the base generously with spray adhesive and cover with fabric, smoothing out bubbles and wrinkles until its all smooth.

Flip base over and glue fabric to the back frame using hot glue, making sure fabric is pulled nice and tight for a smooth edge.  Trim away the excess fabric.

Feel along the front of the base for the pocket tab slots and cut a single slit down the middle with an x-acto knife ( kind of like cutting a button hole.)

Your base should look like this on the front and back.

To cover the pockets, spray them liberally with spray adhesive–inside and out–and carefully smooth fabric into place, trimming away the excess material and hot gluing down seems as needed.

Assembling & Decorating ~ The Fun Part!

Insert pockets through the precut slots …

… and glue the tabs towards the middle and top of the base with hot glue.

Touch up any gaps with marker, paint, whatever.

To personalize this design, I purposely left extra room above the top pocket so that I could add a monogram and family motto that were cut on my Silhouette.

The pockets were dressed up with simple cardstock labels cut from scraps using my Silhouette (label_1031).

To hang, I just rested the wall pockets on two existing screws that were left behind from an family chore chart. Worked great, sort of like an impromptu french cleat.

Ahhhh.

No more piles of clutter on the TV/coffee table/counter/shelf/floor/desk. Love it.

Hope you’ll stop by Thrive and check out the rest of my Rock What Ya Got projects, including the challenge this year to see how much no-money remodeling I can do with repurposing, trading, bartering and some mad crafting skills.

Thanks again U Create for letting me spend the weekend chatting on the Ucreate-Oprah couch with you and the amazing crafters who read and contribute to this site. You guys rock and inspire me daily!

(Download the pocket pattern with additional information HERE.)

The post DIY Wall Pockets appeared first on U Create.

Today we will be reupholstering an unsightly office chair! How many of you have one of these floating around your house?! Well, I’m in the process of turning part of my garage (yes garage! only some in California would be doing this!) into a craft room and couldn’t bare the possibility of having to use this office chair in my newly (well we aren’t quite done with it!) decorated craft room. Are you ready? Grab your tools and let’s get to work!

The beauty of this project is I only spent $26.42 on it. I got my fabric over at QuiltHome.com. They have a huge selection of fabrics and if you sign up for their newsletter your sure to catch a sale.

Thanks for allowing me to share this project with you! If you would like to see more tutorials like this, you can always come on over to my blog, To Be Charmed.

Cheers! Elizabeth

The post Office Chair Makeover Tutorial appeared first on U Create.