We’re carving up some pumpkins for Halloween and I can’t decide which ones to mimic – these are all so inspirational. 

From Country Living From Martha Stewart

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Yesterday I had the immense pleasure of meeting a very popular blogger who happens to also live in my hometown!  I’m pleased to introduce you to another blog that I know you’ll absolutely love:  Just Something I Made.  Cathe Holden is a graphic artist and master crafter and her skills are so amazing !  Pop on over and say “Hi” to Cathe. 

Bring a beverage – you’re going to want to stay awhile when you witness her creativity.

One of my most favorite things about blogging is the friendships made online with other fantastically creative people.  One of my many blogger friends is Kim over at Newly Woodwards.  Kim doesn’t really have fingers.  No, in fact she has ten green thumbs.  Don’t believe me?  Check this out.  And this.  And she’s kind of famous in her hometown.  I truly envy her gardening skills.   But Kim doesn’t just garden, she cooks, she decorates, and she does it with style.  She’s my kind of gal.  So when Kim wrote up this post about her desire to sew a retro apron, I leapt at the chance to join her in her endeavor.  And today we’re both featuring our apron projects. 

Off to visit my friends at the Material Girl fabric store I went, to select my fabric.  Which designer should I choose?  Heather Bailey ?  Amy Butler?  How about both ?!  Today, I came up with my own version of a reversible apron – just for futzing around the kitchen.   No pattern at all – just a series of simple steps and straight stitches on my sewing machine.   

Here’s a peek at the final apron, and my step by step.

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I’ve been “hired” by my younger brother Nate to upgrade his bedroom in his bachelor pad that he shares with his roommates in San Francisco.   One of the projects I’m working on is a fabric covered headboard.  When I was at Joann’s Fabrics over the weekend, something in the clearance rack popped right out at me: some suit fabric on sale for $5 dollars a yard.  Score !  What better way to cover a headboard for a man’s bedroom than with material designed for a suit ?

Well of course the handsome lad must have a proper complimentary bolster to go with it.  Is there a better way to impress the ladies ?   So I whipped up a little accent pillow to compliment his future fabric covered headboard.  I was a little envious that he was getting a special pillow of his own.  After all, we gals love our stylish suits too.  I couldn’t help but select another suit fabric to create a decorative pillow for myself.  Equal rights !

Here is brother’s:

Here is mine:

Here’s the skinny on how I made them.

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I recently browsed through the latest Garnet Hill and couldn’t be more smitten with these:

Buckets of Joy Advent Calendar, $48

Hats and Mittens Advent Calendar, $78

I’ve always wanted an Advent Calendar, and I am thinking of creating one in the upcoming weeks.  Do you follow this tradition ?  Have you ever made an Advent Calendar ?  Know of any other great DIY links to get me inspired ?

Finally, I give you permission to slap me for discussing Advent before Halloween has come and gone.  I’m officially as guilty as the retail stores.  But CG is known to plan ahead . . .