I’m participating in a “Flea Market Fixer Challenge” that includes a trip to the thrift store and amazing, brand-spankin’ new Valspar chalky finish paint that launches March 1st at Lowe’s!

I’m so excited to play with this paint because it’s low odor (which is fabulous because I love to paint indoors), no stripping or priming needed, available in many different finishes, and comes in 40 amazing colors!

I headed over to my local thrift store (Deseret Industries) and found so many different items that needed some love and attention like chairs, armoires, shelves, and more!

It was very difficult to narrow it down to just one – okay, I couldn’t help myself I narrowed it down to two!

The winner…

…this gorgeous jewelry armoire! Amazing right?!

I’m excited to add it to my master bedroom makeover I did a while back. My goal for this paint project is to add more minty green color (to match my pillows) to my bedroom while giving it a vintage look!

I’ll also be using this bathroom hutch for inspiration…

(via Liz Marie Blog)

During my shopping adventure this little clock was begging me to bring it home so I’ll be painting it to match the armoire for my bedroom!

Stay tuned for the final “Flea Market Fixer Challenge” reveal!!

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

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I started U Create in 2008 when most people didn’t even know what the word “blog” meant. I wanted a place where I could bookmark ideas I found around the web – much like my own personal Pinterest because sadly there was no Pinterest a few short years back. I’m passionate about blogging and publishing creative projects.

What will you find at U Create?

• thousands of free tutorials, recipes and projects that inspire “YOU” to create
• the latest craft trends and projects in the craft industry
• free printables and downloads for holidays, home decor, and simple gifts
• tips and tricks to make creating fun
• occasional guest posts from creative people all around the world

I get asked “what is your favorite thing you’ve created?” quite a bit.

My answer to this question is constantly changing but here are a few of my favorite creations…

Master Bedroom Reveal – a campaign I did for HGTV HOME and Joann Fabric and Craft Stores.

Houndstooth Quilt – my very first quilt!

Peppermint and Snow Christmas Tree – my first dream tree! The campaign I did for Michaels Craft Stores (I’ve done 7 trees total for the dream tree challenge)!

Random Facts:

• I love to read and I’m always looking for great books to read – feel free to send over your favorite suggestions!
• I found a new passion for drawing small, simple images about 1 year ago. It’s never too late to learn something new!
• I have 4 amazing children and a crazy awesome husband – we’ve been married 16 years.
• I detest cantaloupe. I could eat M&M’s and peanuts every day.
• I have another blog where I share religious-themed crafts and ideas called Latterday Lane.
• I LOVE to travel.
• The best part about blogging is being inspired by creative people around the world and being able to share it with YOU!

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Many of you emailed me and asked where the tufted headboard tutorial was and I’m sorry for the delay but here it is!! You might remember that I participated in an HGTV HOME fabric challenge and remodeled my bedroom last month, well my new headboard was my very favorite project in this challenge.

I can’t take full credit for this project because my husband is amazing with his shop tools and did the building part. I asked him to take pics of the process and tell us about it. Here we go…

We started with a large piece of plywood and cut it to 48” x 68” to fit our queen bed. I wanted a very tall headboard so that’s why it will seem so long.

Next we took wood pieces that are 4”x1” and cut the following:

• Two 69” pieces
• Two 6 Ft pieces

Then we cut a peace of foam – we actually used a eggshell foam pad from Walmart and flipped it over.

Cut to size 62” x 42”…

Draw your grid onto the foam. We did ours 10” apart but depending on the texture and poofy-ness you want you can do them closer or farther apart.

Then you are going to lay your fabric out (we used size 70” x50” so we would have plenty of room for tufting)…

Next you’ll follow these 4 steps. Now, you don’t have to do your tufting using this technique, I know some people will use a staple gun and glue to covered buttons on, but my husband is a perfectionist (which I love!) and wanted something that would last for years! Here’s how Michael did this…

1. Cut a piece of wire about 6 inches and threaded the covered button.

2. Poke the wire through the fabric.

3. Poke the wire through the wood (he pre-drilled holes)

4. Tighten and twist and you have your first tuft. Repeat steps 1-4 until you have desired look.

It will start to look like this…

Next we tightened the fabric to the edges and stapled with our staple gun. Cut off excess fabric about 1-4” away from staples.

Next we painted the long wooden pieces and used our nail gun to frame it in! We also painted it with Annie Sloan chalk paint in color Old White and finished it off with the soft wax in the same brand.

We are so happy with the finished headboard!! It makes our room look larger with the 6 foot high headboard and we no longer have a bare wall!

To see the rest of our room remodel with HGTV Home fabrics you’ll want to check out the following posts…

Master Bedroom Reveal

Reversible Throw Pillow Tutorial

European Pillow Sham Tutorial

Pintucked Throw Pillow Tutorial

How to Use Chalk Paint

How to Create a Duvet Cover

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First, I want to say this is NOT a sponsored post and I wasn’t paid to say anything or use Annie Sloan chalk paint. I just LOVE it and want to share it with you.

I recently partnered with HGTV HOME and Joann Fabric and Craft Stores in a room remodel challenge and I chose my master bedroom. My old dresser needed instant help! I knew I had to paint it…

I knew I wanted the dresser to be an antique white color with gray drawers. This project took me a couple of hours from start to finish using chalk paint!!

What is chalk paint?

Chalk paint is a very popular paint used for furniture….it doesn’t stop there though you can use it on almost anything!

Why I love it…

It doesn’t stink – water based

NO sanding

NO stripping

NO priming

NO JOKE!

Let me show you how easy it was to update my dresser…

1. Wipe down your furniture with a wash rag to remove dirt, sticky residue, etc.

2. Grab your roller or brush and apply your first coat – you’ll be surprised how nice it covers with one coat.

3. let dry for at least 30 minutes – yes it dries insanely fast!

4. Add second coat.

5. Let dry for at least 30 minutes.

6. Last step – apply wax!

Tips – I used a wax brush in the pic above and it was so nice! Super easy to get inside of detailed places.

I added some new hardware and voila – I had a new dresser!

Products Used:

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Grey

Annie Sloan Clear Soft Wax

POST BY: Kari Sweeten

The post How To Use Chalk Paint – Dresser Makeover appeared first on U Create.

I made a pintucked duvet cover for my daughters bedroom last year and thought I would use the same concept for a pillow cover to add texture to my room.

Here are the simple details…

First we’re going to start on the front piece of the pillow. My throw pillow is a 12×12, so I cute it size 18×18 so I would have room to sew after I did my pin tucks.

Now I eyeballed my pintucks but if you’re afraid they won’t be precise you can draw a diagram like this. Put the dots on the wrong side (back side) of the fabric.

Step 1. Grab a small piece of fabric where you drew your dot.

Step 2. Twist about one 1/2” inch.

Step 3. Pin to hold and you’ll sew a straight line right where the pin is.

Step 4. Repeat steps in a diamond pattern and you will start to see beautiful pin tucks!

Now you are ready to put your pillow cover together!

Cut your pintucked piece you just worked on size 14×14 inches for your front piece and two back pieces each 14×9 inches.

1. Grab one of the back pieces and fold & iron 1/2 inch down on one of the 28” sides.

2. Fold over another 1/2 inch and iron down.

3. Pin your iron fold to make it secure.

4. Sew a 1/4” inseam down the side.

Repeat steps 1-4 on the other back piece.

Next you will lay your back piece right side or also called patterned side facing up on your table.

Then you will lay your back pieces right side facing down like the picture above.

Pin all 4 outer sides and sew a 1/4” inseam on all 4 outer sides.

Flip right side out and stuff with your pillow and you’re finished!!

I love throw pillows and if you’re interested in more tutorials check out my European Sham Tutorial and my Reversible Throw Pillow Tutorial!

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During this bedroom makeover competition I knew I wanted big square European pillows and I can’t wait to show you how easy they are to create!

The dimensions of a European pillow sham or usually 26×26 or 28×28. I purchased a size 26×26 at my Kohl’s store and got to work making two shams.

Here are the simple steps…

You’ll need the three fabric pieces above.

*TIP* These dimensions are for a 26×26 European pillow, if you are using a 28×28 size you would just add two inches to the above dimensions.

1. Grab one of the back pieces and fold & iron 1/2 inch down on one of the 28” sides.

2. Fold over another 1/2 inch and iron down.

3. Pin your iron fold to make it secure.

4. Sew a 1/4” inseam down the side.

Repeat steps 1-4 on the other back piece.

Next you will lay your back piece right side or also called patterned side facing up on your table.

Then you will lay your back pieces right side facing down like the picture above.

Pin all 4 outer sides and sew a 1/4” inseam on all 4 outer sides.

Flip right side out and stuff with your pillow and you’re finished!!

Interested in making a reversible throw pillow?

The top left corner pictured is just that – reversible. Click HERE to see the other side! The pin tucked pillow and standard sham tutorials coming this week!

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Have fun mixing up patterns and solids! Many people also use sheets to save a buck!!

For those interested, the fabrics I used (all available at JoAnn)…

HGTV HOME Chevron Chic in the color Quartz

HGTV HOME On The Web in the color Glacier

HGTV HOME Orbit in the color Quartz

Pre-ruffled Trim: HGTV HOME 1” Pleat Twill in color Grain

1. Place the middle and one side with right sides together. Pin to secure.

2. Sew 1/2” inseam and iron seams open.

3. This is what it should look like when your finished. Repeat #1 for the other side.

4. Add some fun trim over the seam. You can also leave off the trim, whichever you prefer!

5. I pinned the pre-ruffled trim along both seams of the duvet cover.

6. I attached the trim by sewing directly down the center. So easy right?!

Next, you will attach the back of the duvet cover to the front of the duvet by placing right sides together and sewing on all sides except the top!

The last step is adding the closure to the top. There are so many ways you can do this! You can add buttons, zipper, snaps, etc.
Stuff with a comforter and you are finished!!
Enjoy your new duvet cover!


Want to learn how to make the pillows? Here are a couple of tutorials you might be interested in…

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One of the most rewarding remodels I’ve ever participated in! Not because of money or exposure as much as transforming a whole entire room and getting that feeling of accomplishment when I finish a large project. Also, it’s a double whammy because I was able to create with my friends! Are you kidding me? Life is good.

My sewing machine has been on overdrive and can I just tell you how wonderful it was to be sewing?!!! Honestly, I don’t have much time to sew lately and a huge thank you to JoAnn Craft Stores and HGTV Home Fabric for reminding me how much I love to sew!!

Alright, lets get down to it. Let’s start with some pillows…

My personal style includes LOTS of pillows on the bed!! You can find the tutorial for my Reversible Throw Pillow Tutorial, and the European, standard, and pin tuck pillow are in the works and will be coming soon!

Are you ready for some BEFORE and AFTER photos?!!

I’m so excited to show you my newly built and tufted headboard!! My fabulous husband, Michael did the building part and I did the button covers and tufting. So much fun and we love how it makes our smallish bedroom look larger!

Many of you have already asked what fabric I used for my headboard. It’s the HGTV HOME Orbit in color Quartz design. I am so in love with this solid fabric with a zig-zaggy texture!

Holy Moly draperies make such a HUGE difference!! Your probably saying “duh, Kari. You should know this being a DIY/Craft Blogger!” Okay, so I did know this, but I didn’t realize how the curtains would make the whole room look brand new!

This was my very first project in this challenge and I decided I love making draperies. My house is about to get a whole drapery makeover!! So fun!

Next, I lined my lamps with the same fabric I used for my draperies. I love the loopy look and the thick, quality of this home décor!

For those interested, I used HGTV HOME Looped in the color Fog for the draperies and the lamps.

Remember this “blah” area where I had a blank wall and a filing cabinet?! I’ve always wanted a sitting area in my bedroom so we moved the filing cabinet in the basement and found an old chair at a thrift store for only 4 bucks! It’s a steal right?

I used that minty green fabric (that I’m in love with by the way!) It’s the same as the headboard fabric but in color Glacier! I love it so much that I’ll definitely be using more of it in other areas of my home!

Oh, and let me give you a close up of the ottoman! A gal needs somewhere to rest her feet after a long day…

The fabric I used for this is called HGTV HOME Chevron Chic in color Glacier.

Here’s a shot of the old quilt I had and one pillow. I knew instantly that my new bedroom needed a duvet!

The pillows add so much!!! I definitely wasn’t afraid to go nuts with lots of patterns! You won’t believe how easy my new duvet was to create, too! I’ll share the tutorial with you soon and show you how super, simple it is to use that ruffle trim!

Next up? Remember this old pine dresser?! I wanted to paint it for awhile and decided to use Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Old White and Grey. I topped it with a coat of clear wax…

…added some new knobs and I had a brand new dresser! The mirror? It’s the same mirror with the top cut off – I wanted the straight edge to be like the headboard.

I hope the photos give you a feel of warmth and peace when you look at them. It’s my new favorite room and I’m always hanging out in there, too!  If you have any questions on this makeover process please feel free to email me and I’ll get back to you ASAP.

Again, a HUGE thank you to JoAnn Craft Stores and HGTVHOME for giving me this opportunity to create my dream bedroom.

Post By…

This post sponsored by Joann Craft Stores and HGTVHOME. All opinions are 100% mine.

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This past week I have been sewing every day and loving it! I don’t get the chance to sew as much as I’d like, but playing in the HGTV Home Magic Challenge with Jo-Ann has motivated me to sew my little heart out!

Let me show you one of my finished projects.

I’m crazy about throw pillows and for this bedroom remodel you will see lots of them! They’re going to be “easy to sew”, too. This pillow took me a total of 15 minutes!

I love how I can turn it over and have a “two-in-one” pillow instantly!

Here are the simple steps…

Supplies:

Two pieces of fabric (cut one inch longer than your throw pillow on all sides.

Ex. I used a 14×10 throw pillow so I cut both pieces of my fabric 16×12)

Throw pillow form

Trim or any embellishments

Needle and matching thread.

Instructions:

After your pillow pieces are cut you will want to embellish your pillow.

I chose to use the new HGTV Home pre-ruffled trim – yes it’s already ruffled for you! Huge time saver right? It comes in many different colors, too.

It’s a piece of cake to sew with. I just laid the trim and pinned it in three inch stripes. Place your sewing machine in the center of the ruffle and sew onto fabric. Trim off the excess.

1. Sew right sides (the patterned sides) together down THREE sides. Leave one side open so you can insert the pillow.

2. Cut off the corners without cutting the x. You don’t want the pillow to come apart. Doing this makes the corners pointier.

3. Flip the pillow cover right side out.

4. Insert throw pillow.

5. Hand sew the bottom of the pillow shut with needle and a thread.

Enjoy your new throw pillow!!

Make sure to follow the HGTV Home Magic with Fabric & Trim challenge. How lucky am I? I get to redo my master bedroom and play in this challenge with 3 of my crafty friends!

Product Details:

HGTV Home Fabric #590262 Color: Quartz

Chevron Chic Fabric #5907273 Color: Glacier

Beige Ruffled Trim #12250700

The following review is part of the Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores and HGTV HOME Magic with Fabric & Trim challenge. I received compensation for this review, however this is my personal, honest opinion based on my experience.

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OK, would it be appropriate for me to tell you that I almost wet myself when Kari responded to my email and said she’d like to feature one of my ideas? No? Well then, I’ll leave it at “I was really super duper extraordinarily excited”.

I’m Charlie (pink…not blue), and I started my blog Attempting Aloha last October after purchasing our first home here on Oahu. I know you’re a little jealous that it’s 80 degrees and lovely today, and we’re heading to the beach this weekend, but can we still be friends?   Anyway, I’m a crazy crafter and DIY’er with a ginormous “honey-can’t-do” list (the hubs is in residency right now, so we rarely see him), so I’m learning to get it done myself! But I’m trying to relax a bit and learning to live the Aloha life.

This tutorial will be featuring the first pillow, though. Here’s what you’ll need to make an 17″ square pillow: * 1  yard of fabric – at least 45″ width * 17″ square pillow form * Sewing needle and thread * Sewing machine for pillow form * Scissors *Chick flick Optional: * Button or other embellishment for center Step 1)  Cut out the pieces for your pillow form. I used a tutorial from Brooke from All Things Thrifty to make my pillow form. For our 17″ pillows, we will need one 18″x18″ piece and two 18″x12.5″ pieces. Step 2) Tear your strips of fabric for the flower. I did mine up the 36″ side, and if you’ve never torn fabric, it’s typically easy depending on the fabric you’ve chosen (the satin fabric I had on my wedding dress pillow was MUCH too strong to tear, so I had to cut that one and then fray the edges by taking out strings from the edge).  For regular cotton fabrics, cut a small snip at 3″, and just go ahead and rip straight up the fabric! I ended up with 6 strips were 3″x36″.

I hold on to the rosette and the fabric and flip it over to stitch it with my right hand. Here’s a pic of the reverse side:

Mine looked quite messy from the back once finished:

But no worries…she’s just lovely on the front! Step 6) Add your center embellishment. I used three small buttons for this one.

Step 7) Use Brooke’s tutorial to finish the rest of the pillow, and BE SURE to tuck in your flower edges when you’re sewing, so you don’t accidentally sew the “petal” into your seam! Since my flower was a slightly imperfect, my pillow ended up being more of a rectangle than a square. I stitched up the side of my pillow form and cut the excess right off. Not bad for a tester project! I thought she might want to live in the master bedroom with our wrought iron headboard:

But she asked if she could chill in my Mom Cave, so I let her stay in there instead.

Thanks for spending a few minutes with me (or an hour or so if you’re making your own!). And a ginormous MAHALO to Kari for letting me spend the day here on her blog. She’s a supah star. If you’re freezing your buns off and need to spend a day in Hawaii, you now know where to find me! Stop by Attempting Aloha and soak up some sunshine!! Aloha, Charlie

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