What's Up Wednesday's {Link Party} & Features

Cheers! To the last Wednesday in June. I know I've mentioned it before, but it honestly feels like this month has flown by! 4th of July is literally right around the corner! Mr. Woodsy and I will be spending our Independence day up north visiting family. How will you spend your Independence day? With that being said don't expect too many blog post from us! 

Here are the top 5 features (+ the new readers choice) from last week. If you were one of the lucky 6 please make sure you grab a featured button and display it proudly (somewhere) on your blog! Make sure you stop by our Facebook page because we've started highlighting a few of the featured projects on there too!

Patriotic Ruffle Pillow from Dragonfly Designs

I absolutely LOVE this pillow. 

Evolution of a {Lamp Shade} from A Little of This, A Little of That

I adore this lamp shade and know that this would look fabulous in our bedroom. I think I might have to make 2 during our bedroom revamp project this summer. 

Kids Beach Bag w/ Matching Towel from Leidi Bird Designs

I want to make one of these for me! Forget having an excuse to make them for kids! :) 

Baby to Potter from Shelstring Blog

This is beyond amazing. I can't stop reading the post and "oohing and ahhing" over this amazing gardening stand. I want to make one, now! 

Custom Kindle Cases from Pink Stitches

I don't own a kindle, but this blog post makes me want to own one! I'm inspired to try and make my own for my iPad! 

Reader's Choice 

(most clicked on link last week)

Summer Dress from While They Snooze

I could not agree more with the readers. This dress is awesome! I'm so inspired by Sarah's creation! 

Rules for the link party:

-We would like it if you followed us on the blog (whether it's through blogger or via email subscription) !

-PLEASE display our party button somewhere on your blog.

-Make sure your link is to your specific post and not your main URL & add a short description.

-Please try to view and/or follow at least two other participants. That's what makes link parties work! 

-You can enter as many craft projects as you'd like. (No recipes!)

-No advertising please (that means Etsy). 

-Entering into this party gives us the rights to blog about and feature your blog post. 

4th of July Word Cloud {How to make}

I love the varieties of subway art that all the crafters in the world make; however, lately I've had very little time to make anything. I recently started using a very cool and free word cloud generator; Wordle. 

I decided to give this free program a try in hopes I could make some cool word art for the Fourth of July. A lot of teachers use this program to make classroom decor or even assign projects to students. You can either type in words to create your word cloud or type in a URL. I choose to copy and paste the first paragraph about Independence Day in Wikipedia. Then I multiplied words to make them stand out more. Once I hit the generate button. Once you've generated your word cloud you can delete words by selecting a "right click". Wordle provides the user with a variety of fonts along with color schemes to choose from. You can also decide whether or not you want it vertical or horizontal or a mixture of both! I choose to make mine fully horizontal, I added in custom patriotic colors and used the "Loved By The King" font. 

I also looked on the forum board to see what other tips and tricks I could learn. 

If you want one word to stand out more than others you want to repeat it more times than the rest of the words. 

Here is an example of what I copied and pasted and manipulated in the generator box:

fireworks IndependenceDay fireworks IndependenceDay fireworks IndependenceDay fireworks IndependenceDay fireworks IndependenceDay fireworks IndependenceDay,  JulyFourth JulyFourth JulyFourth JulyFourth  JulyFourth JulyFourth July federal holiday federal holiday in the UnitedStates commemorating of the DeclarationOfIndependence DeclarationOfIndependence on July 4, 1776  July 4, 1776  July 4, 1776  July 4, 1776  July 4, 1776, declaring independence  IndependenceDay is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches  ceremonies, and various other public and private events celebrating history, government, celebrating history, government, and traditions of the UnitedStates. IndependenceDay is the national day of the United States UnitedStates UnitedStates UnitedStates UnitedStates UnitedStates United States

I had some difficulties trying to post my wordle into my blog post. You will want to select "print" at the bottom of the screen, and then click on "PDF". Save the wordle as a PDF, and then re-open the PDF and do a "save as" to make it a JPG. This will allow you to post it on your blog or on a public site.  

Just think of the creative possibilities you can do with this awesome free program! Baby shower gifts, birthday/anniversary gifts, home decor, and holiday inspired themes just to name a few.  


Now, that I've introduced you to Wordle, I'd love to see you come up with your own! You can link your Wordle examples below, and share with others! I'll keep this link open for the next month!

Wordle link up ONLY! :) 

What's Up Wednesday's {Link Party} & Features

First off, Happy Anniversary to Mr. Woodsy and I! Three years ago (June 21st) we got married on a hot {first day of summer} evening in Florida. We went out to dinner, and will be vacationing next week. We typically don't exchange gifts since we tend to always go away around our anniversary to celebrate another year together. We do make each other cards. Yes, hand made cards, and yes, Mr. Woodsy even makes one. it's the reason why he even knows how to use the cricut. For each major gift giving holiday we make each other cards. Since I have more than enough supplies on hand he has absolutely no excuse to not make a card. 


On a crafty note: We are still working on our chair for the craft room, and I'm almost done with my ruffled linen throw pillow for our bed. Like everyone else I have tons of ideas and no time to get any crafting done. Fingers crossed I can make some of the projects I've been wanting to in the next month or two. 


Here are the top 5 features (+ the new readers choice) from last week. If you were one of the lucky 6 please make sure you grab a featured button and display it proudly (somewhere) on your blog! Make sure you stop by our Facebook page because we've started highlighting a few of the featured projects (and other's) on there, too!

We're THAT House from Busily Spinning Momma

I love this Pottery Barn inspired pillow that Dorian made! Get this, she spent only about $1 to make this awesome pillow. She used her cricut, an old bed sheet, and some paint!

No Sew Modest Skirt from A Couple of Craft Addicts

$16 short skirt, Heat-n-bond, and lace = classy skirt! I love this idea and have never thought to add to a store-bought skirt before. I will keep this in mind in case I ever fall in love with a short skirt! 

Wood Turning from I Design 

Although she didn't make it (bragging about her uncle), Mr. Woodsy loves this. Some of you might know he is a wood turner, so anytime he see's wood turning on blogs he get's a bit excited! 

Stars & Stripes Pillows from Stubbornly Crafty

I absolutely love these pillow coverings. Not only are they uber patriotic they are amazing! It makes me want to go make some pillow coverings right now! 

Key and Coat Hook Design Tutorial from Laugh, Love, and Craft

Laura did an amazing job using some items on hand to create this key/coat hook shelf! It's simple but yet makes a huge impact and I love the colors! 

Reader's Choice 

(most clicked on link last week)

How to Create a Closet from Morning by Morning Productions

Rules for the link party:

-We would like it if you followed us on the blog (whether it's through blogger or via email subscription) !

-PLEASE display our party button somewhere on your blog.

-Make sure your link is to your specific post and not your main URL & add a short description.

-Please try to view and/or follow at least two other participants. That's what makes link parties work! 

-You can enter as many craft projects as you'd like. (No recipes!)

-No advertising please (that means Etsy). 

-Entering into this party gives us the rights to blog about and feature your blog post. 

{Tutorial} Yoga Skirt

A few years back I bought a cotton knit skirt from Old Navy called a "yoga skirt". I believe it's called a yoga skirt because (in my mind) the fabric is made from the same fabric you'd typically find yoga pants made of. For the past few years I have worn my black yoga skirt time-and-time again. Probably at least once a week, and a year or two ago I realized that the fold from the skirt could be pulled up and I could wear it as a strapless dress. With that being said I knew I could make one, and wanted a new dress/skirt in my wardrobe. I studied my Old Navy yoga skirt and how it was constructed and then found a tutorial by Sew Mama Sew to give me a better idea of what I was doing! I had over 2 yards of a purple knit fabric, and decided to use that instead of spending more money on fabric. 

On a flat surface, I laid out the knit fabric in half, so that when I'd trace the dress I would have two pieces already cut out in the exact same shape. I laid my existing yoga skirt onto the knit fabric. *If you don't have a yoga skirt to trace measure from your hip to the length of where you would like the skirt to fall. Then to measure the band/top portion measure roughly 6inches. 

I then took my chalk pen and traced around the edge of the skirt. 

Before I cut the fabric I pinned around the chalk line ensuring that the two pieces would match perfectly.  *Remember, you will need two double sided pieces for the band (top portion). After cutting the first band I then traced around that band onto another portion of the fabric, pinned, and cut it out. 

Using a zig zag stich I sewed the the sides of the yoga skirts together (giving about 1/2 inch seam allowance). 

This is what the skirt will look like once it's sewn on each side. 

Once the sides are sewn together, lay the skirt flat and cut a straight line along the bottom of the skirt prior to sewing the seam. 

Pin a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch of fabric to create your seam allowance and sew your hem. I used the zig zag stitch which gave the bottom a little flair at the ends. I will tell you that in no stretch of my imagination was this hem straight--it was all over the place. Sewing on knit fabric is not fun! Because it's a hem and it's knee length very few people are going to stair at your non-straight line. Don't be afraid if you don't get the stitch straight. I remind myself often that's how we learn from mistakes. No one is perfect!  

For the band/top portion I placed the two folded over strips of fabric together and sewed each side. You will want to have the top portion folded (you'll have no seam on the top just on the sides and the bottom portion will be open. Essentially you'll have three openings. The center opening is where your body will go. The other two openings will be sewn to the skirt portion. *If you are confused with my directions look at Sew Mama Sew's sketch to get a better idea of what I'm talking about. 

Next you will want to attach the band to the skirt (inside out) and sew the band around the skirt.

Here is what the skirt looks like inside out. *this is where I failed...  In my mind I thought it would like identical to my Old Navy skirt. I don't have a professional machine nor am I a professional, so I'm not sure I expected it to look like a manufactured version. Essentially I would have had an exposed seam showing for the top band. The goal was to have the exposed seam for when I folded over the band as a skirt (since no one would see the seam as long as I had a t-shirt covering it. Instead I had the finished seam exposed when I folded the band over for the skirt which means I am unable to wear this as a dress. I can only where it as a skirt. Oh well. I like it as a skirt, and I learned a lot and can't wait to make a dress version with my leftover fabric! 

Because I used a zig-zag stitch the bottom of the skirt has some body to it. 

I love this look and am so glad I accidentally used this stitch! I wouldn't want it any other way! 

Here is a full view of the skirt. 

Here is what the band looks like. 

How do you like my new skirt? 

{Tutorial} Modular Shelves

Here is the third blog post from the construction of the craft room! Mr. Woodsy has written a tutorial on how to make modular shelves for just about any space. These just happened to be made for my craft room! 

Without further ado... here is Mr. Woodsy to walk you through building modular shelves.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Measure the area where you will be installing the shelving. Next, get an inventory of materials or products that you will be storing on the shelves. Draw up plans of how you want it to look.

For the shelves I glued and then nailed all joints. I only glued the vertical dividers that lined up on the top shelves with the other vertical dividers. Make sure you clamp all joints and all of you corners are square. 

Once the glue is dry remove clamps and use wood filler to fill nail holes or other imperfections in the wood. Typically, I wait a day until the wood filler is dry. Then I'll start sanding all the shelves with 150 grit sand paper. After I've sanded with the 150 grit sand paper I'll run the sander over the shelves again with at least 250 grit to get a smooth finish. 

 For the backing of the shelving make sure all joints and boards sit flat, so once you install the bead board you don't have gaps between the shelving and the bead board. This will help with the instillation of the shelving and it will sit flat to the wall. Because I don't own a jointer I used a rasp and a hand planer to fix the uneven sections of the shelves.

If you want to paint your shelves, do it now before the backing is installed. I used two coats of flat white pant followed by two coats of Poly-Acrylic (painted on with a brush and not a roller).  

Prior to hanging the shelves I installed a ¾ by ¾ inch wood brace to the top and bottom of the shelves that I glued and nailed directly onto them. (*After hanging the shelves I wish I would have cut to the inside dimension then nailed and glued the braces on the inside of the shelving unit.) 

Locate and mark your studs for a secure fix to the wall.

Figure out the best placement and height for your new shelving. Standard height is 16 inches (I'm thinking that's the magic number).

That's right... Mrs. Woodsy helped out.  She had to help hold up the shelves while I decided whether or not I liked the distance from the desk to the shelves! 

Once you decide on your height all you have left is to drill your holes, install anchors, and screw it to the wall. 

(Ribbon rack to the left and stamp rack to the right.) 

For my stamp shelves, I needed the shelves to be only a few inches apart. I also set it up, so the spacing would get larger toward the top (for larger items). I measured the space of my area, and cut strips of ¾ inch pine to 3-1/2 inches two for my vertical sides and two for my horizontal pieces top and bottom. Once I had the rectangle box shape, I took the inside dimension and divided that by the spacing I wanted of 3 inch shelves. This gave my spacing for how many shelves I would need to cut.

Remember to subtract the 3/8 inch thickness for each shelf that you install. I cut my 3/8 inch BC plywood shelves (8) @ 3-1/2 inch depth and the width, whatever the size of your box and 3/4 inch to the length of the shelf (3/8" each side) if you want them to be removable. If not just cut it to the inside dimensional width and glue and nail.

Next take the vertical pieces mark out the spacing of the shelves then take those boards either to the router table or the table saw with a 3/8 inch bit or dado blade, and cut the shelving slots. Now check your slots for easy install and removal. Your almost done; just glue and nail the sides and the top, and the bottom using a butt joint, and install a backing if desired. Always paint the shelves prior to installing backing. I used bead board measured to the exterior dimensions of the rectangle box and pin nailed to the back of the shelf.

 Hang the shelf on the wall, and fill it with stamps. 

When Mrs. Woodsy wasn't taking pictures she was sitting in the chair with Lola, comforting her, and (pretending to) manage the project. 

Here is what the finished shelves look like. 

And a few month's later... the shelves are all filled up! 

What's Up Wednesday's {Link Party} & Features

Wowza's! We are now in mid-June. Where has the month gone? I'd like to first take a minute to speak on a personal note. 9 years ago today, Mr. Woodsy and I started dating. Yes, 9 years (and it's flown by). Next week we will celebrate our 3rd wedding anniversary. 


Now back to the regularly scheduled link party and features... 


I'm loving the new analytics that Linky Tools has available! With that being said here are the top 5 features (+ the new readers choice) from last week. If you were one of the lucky 6 please make sure you grab a featured button and display it proudly (somewhere) on your blog! Make sure you stop by our Facebook page because we've started highlighting a few of the featured projects on there too!

 DIY Mirror from Team Southards

I absolutely can not get enough of this mirror. It's beyond amazing. No, it's brilliant! I'm ready to recreate it... like today! 


Dress Refashion from Suburbs Mama
First off, congratulations for being featured two week's in a row! This dress revamp is amazing! You did a phenomenal job, and it makes me want to go scour the clearance racks to find a dress that I can revamp! ;) 


Is There Anything Mod Podge Can't Do? from Closet Crafter

I would have never known that you used mod podge to adhere the poster to a canvas (until I read the post). I'm very inspired to give this a try! Great job on saving money and making this amazing!


My Sister's Chandelier from JandJHome

Wow, this is amazing. Especially when you look at the original picture from Goodwill. Good for you for not passing it up. I would have passed it up given my lack of confidence in my revamping skills.


 I Made Shorts! from McCoyalicious 

Yes, that's right. This momma made her own shorts! No pattern... she made her own. I am beyond inspired and proud for you! I would have never guessed that these were an elastic waistband! 

Reader's Choice 

(most clicked on link last week)

Home Office Organizing Tips and DIY Projects from Rebecca's Soap Deli News

Rebecca talks about getting a new job and ways to keep your home office organized. 

Rules for the link party:

-We would like it if you followed us on the blog (whether it's through blogger or via email subscription) !

-PLEASE display our party button somewhere on your blog.

-Make sure your link is to your specific post and not your main URL & add a short description.

-Please try to view and/or follow at least two other participants. That's what makes link parties work! 

-You can enter as many craft projects as you'd like. (No recipes!)

-No advertising please (that means Etsy). 

-Entering into this party gives us the rights to blog about and feature your blog post.