DIY Luggage Tags

It's summer (yes September is still summer!) and that means travel!  Whether you're a globe-trotter or a weekend-getaway type there's not a more perfect time to be out-and-about than now.  So pack your bags and get out and see the world but don't forget your luggage tag...and I'm not talking about that plain, boring one from the airline counter.

It seems that every good vacation has its moments of chaos and nothing is more stressful than losing your bags.  Luckily, a fresh update on an ordinary travel staple will save that favorite item of yours from being lost forever and look good in the process.  Here's a quick and simple way to make your own stylish luggage tags using stunning fabric and a little sewing - even a beginner can handle.

Houzz: Sew A Pair of Easy Sag-Top Curtains

I teased you guys earlier this week when I shared my new living room curtains with you.  Well, as promised, here's the tutorial for all of you who want to make your own or are just curious how it was done.  By no means am I a skilled seamstress....more of a fly by the seat of my pants and hope things work out type.  Luckily I have my Nana to help me wrap my head around projects.  Skills or not, these curtains are sooo easy to make.  And for all of those "I like the curtains better longer" folks:  Yes, I know that these are rocking the high-water style, but I'd rather have a set of curtains than a pile of threads.  For some reason our cat won't mess with them at this length, but when they are to the floor they get destroyed. 

Other design by Other Metro Media And Blogs Meg Padgett

For all the tips and tricks for making your own, check out the full tutorial on my latest Houzz Ideabook.

Sew a Pair of Easy Sag-Top Curtains

I'm still in awe how much these curtains transformed our living room.  It feels like a different space altogether and all it took me was an hour's time, tops!

So what do you use to transform a space?  Paint, textiles or both?

DIY: Sew Your Own Simple Pillow Cover

Creating a room that feels put together and cohesive is every homeowner's dream. Paint, drapery and decor are each important to the overall design and feeling in a space. Throw pillows - a great accessory to achieving this well-rounded look - can add a burst of color, texture and personality and are a great way to play with patterns and colors. Beautifully covered pillows are easy on the eyes, but perhaps not so much on your pocketbook.


Using leftover Covington Wilmington Multi fabric from my drapery panels, I made two envelope-style throw pillows. These envelope-style pillow covers are the perfect use of leftover fabric giving my simple navy sofa a boost of color and pattern. They can easily be removed for cleaning or just to change-up the decor.

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Saggy Never Looked So Good

With the living room looking so lovely and organized I finally got motivated to break out the sewing machine and check off a fun project off my ever-lengthening to-do list.  I've been on the hunt for some fabric to make roman shades for the kitchen and breakfast nook and have been having one hell of a time finding the perfect fabric.  I thought I had found just what I was looking for - white or off-white linen fabric with a colorful floral design - and picked up the Covington Wilmington Multi fabric, which is a vibrant paisley linen blend from Online Fabric Store during their Cyber Monday sale for $13.99/yard and free shipping (it's currently selling for $17.95/yard.) 

Four yards of fabric arrived at our doorstep a week or so later.  I was so excited to get started on the roman shades so I ripped open the package and pulled out the fabric.  In the five seconds that it took to take it in I knew that it would be perfect for the living room.  Yes, that's right.  The living room.  So, I guess it's back to the grind on finding fabric for the kitchen, but at least I found the perfect fabric for one room in our house.  The full DIY on how I made these simple sag-top drapery panels is on its way via Houzz, but I couldn't help but share a few photos with all of you....and if you're following me on Instagram, you probably already saw the sneak peek.

Here's what the room looked like after it got an organization overhaul.  Pretty organized, but definitely lacking in personality.

And here's what it looks like with a pair of beautiful sag-top drapes flanking the window.

DIY // How To Make a Felt Owl Beanbag

Are you all crazy about owls like the rest of the design world?  I know I am, but then again, I've always loved those curious creatures.

My first owl project was designing a baby announcement for my friend.  And then I was hooked.  I was searching out owl projects like they were going out of style.  Wait, are they going out of style?!

My Owl Barn, "for all owlovers," has oodles and oodles of owl goods & projects, like their uber-popular Owlovers Calendar, and my next victim project was just sitting there staring me in the face, an owl bean bag.  The perfect little stocking stuffer for the little guy who loves to test out his pitching arm.  I'd much prefer a soft bean bag being fired at my head as opposed to blocks.

DIY // How To Make Fabric Coffee Sleeves {Tutorial}

Stop using those wasteful cardboard coffee sleeves, break out that sewing machine and make your own reusable and stylish fabric coffee sleeves in just six easy steps.

My fabric sleeves came out to under $.25.  I used fabric remnants bought from a quilting shop.  A large ziploc bag cost $1, plus I got to pick and choose the pieces.  I also found a bag of binding at Goodwill ~ 10 unused packs for $1.99.  ALWAYS check their craft isle.  The only item that I purchased for full price was the 1/4 yard of ironing board fabric which ran $5.99/yard.

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