{simple felt iPad sleeve}

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December 4, 2012 By | 28 Comments

A couple months ago (after dreaming about it for about a year) I finally caved in and bought an iPad. I kind of justified the purchase by getting it as a treat for starting a new job and I have to say: I LOVE it!

All it needed was a little home to live in while I’m not there. So I bought some felt at the craft store and used a doily that I had purchased during one of the visits to the flea market back in summer. All in all it cost me about $2.50 to make. Have I told you that I love nifty & thrifty (and quick & easy!) projects?! ;)

What you’ll need:

  • felt in your choice of color
  • crocheted doily
  • velcro
  • thread
  • sewing machine
  • scissors

How to:

  1. Cut the felt to size.
    Width: 10 1/2 in (26,5 cm); Height: 17 3/4 in (45 cm).
  2. Sew the doily onto the felt (using thread in the color of your doily).
  3. Fold over the felt, leaving 2 in (5 cm) on top for a flap.
  4. Sew the two sides shut. I used a fancy cross stitch, just to make it more sturdy, but you can use any stitch really.
  5. To finish the project, sew velcro on the flap and front of the sleeve.


I’m partying here! ❤

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, flea market, Nifty, Thrifty | 28 Comments
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{DIY cake stand}

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July 10, 2012 By | 79 Comments

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When I found this tart pan (for 50 cents) during our last visit to the flea market, I was instantly reminded by Victorias great tutorial on Vixen Made and it inspired me to make my own cake stand. My mom loved the idea and we got to work right after we carried home our loot. ;)

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My mom had found a pair of candle holders during a previous visit to the flea market, and had already used chalk paint to whiten them for a project.
They were perfect, with just one little flaw: They were too tall. So, we didn’t think about it long, but grabbed a saw and got to work!

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What you’ll need:

  • old tart pan
  • candle holder
  • hot glue gun

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How to:

  1. Use the hot glue gun to attach the candle stick to the tart pan.
  2. Done! ;)

If your candle stick is too tall and is made of wood, like the one we used, you will also need a saw to cut that thing in two.
Pretty easy and straight forward. But with a nice result, I think! ;)

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I’m partying here! ♥

Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, flea market, Nifty, Thrifty | 79 Comments
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{flea market find: type case}

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May 29, 2012 By | 105 Comments

A couple weeks ago I found this amazing type case at the flea market for a steal! 3€ (about $3.75) to be exact. I just couldn’t say no and already had a plan in mind.

I’m in love with those little metal plates that sit on the wooden intersections and the lettering on the bottom of the type case!

A few days prior to finding this treasure, I inherited all of my grandma’s sewing supplies. She doesn’t use them anymore and kindly passed them on to me.
So, I’m now the proud owner of thread in every color imaginable. Well, almost every color.. ;)

I was so lucky to inherit some wooden spools as well (like I used for my DIY washi tape) that go really well with the vintage feel of the type case.

I love my new spool organizer! ;)


I’m partying here! ♥

Filed Under: DIY, flea market, Nifty, Thrifty | 105 Comments
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{last-minute christmas tree}

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December 23, 2011 By | 11 Comments

 

Christmas is just around the corner and everybody’s busy, trying to get everything ready for the big celebrations. Are you all set yet?
If not, I have a nifty, thrifty and quick solution for a Christmas tree for you! ;)
My mom put together this one-of-a-kind Christmas tree with things she found around her home. Her house is really small and it is hard to fit in a nice-sized Christmas tree, so this idea is perfect for her cozy space. Plus, it’s portable, doesn’t shed needles and you don’t have to throw the tree out after Christmas — just find a nook and store it for next year.

 

 

A lot of the the “ornaments” are attached with memories.
. . the postcard was sent to my great-grandma by her mother in 1923
. . the metal drawing doll was my great-granpa’s — he was an illustrator and designer and practiced drawing human motions with its help

 

 

 . . the photograph is of my mom when she was two years old

 

 

 

My mom just recently started writing her own blog, in German — but she says you’re more than welcome to still take a peek and leave a comment, even if you don’t speak the language. :)
If you want to visit her, this is her cute new blog: einfallsreich (meaning inventive)

 

Filed Under: Christmas, Crafts, DIY, flea market, Holiday, Nifty, Thrifty | 11 Comments
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{china cabinet}

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May 31, 2011 By | 30 Comments
A couple of months ago I found this little 50’s/60’s china cabinet on the local eBay classified. I just couldn’t pass up the 20€ (~ $28) deal!
The hubby and I were on the same page about the style and decided to take on the 80km (~50 miles) road trip to pick it up in the little coastal town Bremerhaven.
I liked everything about the cabinet — expect for the back. It’s made of flimsy imitation wood and I just did not like the looks of it at all. So, I searched for cute wrapping paper (for weeks), until I found this pretty pinkish-grey paper a couple weeks back.

I used double-sided tape to adhere it to the back and voilà! — itty bitty makeover that still made for a huge change and improvement! I’m in love with it!

I’m partying here! ♥

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Filed Under: DIY, flea market, Thrifty | 30 Comments
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