DIY Life

Etsy is a great source for handmade goods (but steer clear if you're trying to limit your spending--- whew!), and every now and then I come across a tutorial for a product that is so perfect I can't believe it's handmade. Such is the case with Etsy seller Michelle (mtraub) and her felt rosette pillows. Luckily, she shows us how to create our own rosettes with this easy tutorial!

The materials are simple enough:

• felt fabric
  
• feather pillow insert
• zipper
• sewing kit
• sewing machine

My favorite part about her tutorial is the fact that the rosette can carry over into any craft you'd like, whether it be a hat, cardigan, tablecloth or even a paper product. I'd love to use a few rosettes in a table setting, perhaps as a napkin ring or a sweet decoration to brighten up the mood.

Whatever craft you decide to make, your rosette will surely be the talk of the town! Enjoy!

I love to cuddle, so I can usually be found hugging a pillow if my 3-year-old or my husband are unavailable to be squeezed. Pillows are so comforting, and I just can't own enough of them.

Any project that requires time sitting at the sewing machine gets put on the back burner for me, especially in Summer. I found the perfect no-sew pillow project over at Craft Bits. All that is needed to make the pillow is fabric, filling, scissors, and plenty of patience.

You can use down feathers or other loose filling to plump up your pillow. Polar fleece is a soft, super cuddly material that doesn't fray. Lycra and knit fabrics do not fray, either. Young kids who know how to make knots would be helpful for this project; keeping them occupied on a rainy day.

In a world of larks, I have the misfortune of being an extreme owl; if it were really true that the early bird catches the worm, I would probably have starved a long time ago. So on days when I have to get up at the crack of dawn, I usually find myself needing a nap... even if I've had a full night's sleep.

With the recent news that a 20-minute nap appears to help people stay alert for the rest of the day better than caffeine or extra sleep at night, it seems I'm not alone. So it stands to reason that an article that was in the Boston Globe this week, "How to nap," has been making the blog rounds for the last few days -- it explains all the most vital information on the topic in a small, visually-appealing package.

For example, it tells us that there are certain lengths of time that are better for napping than others; morning people (the aforementioned larks) will probably need a nap earlier than night people might; a light blanket and an eye shade can be extremely helpful in getting the most restful sleep, and so on.

While the Boston Globe article lays out all the basic details you should know about napping in a handy info-graphic format, you may also be interested to read a similar great post that Francesca wrote here last year: Power Napping Made Simple.

[via both BoingBoing and Lifehacker.]

Sleep is one of the most important parts of our day, so why do we take our pillows for granted?

You may say that it doesn't matter, that you can sleep on any old pillow, be it fluffy, flat, firm, or mushy. However, your pillow can -- and usually does -- affect your sleep quality. In this busy time, don't we want to get the most renewal points possible out of our night's rest?

Believe it or not, there is a method to choosing the perfect pillow for yourself: Web MD says you can alleviate headaches, neck and back pain, and even allergies by taking the time to learn how. I'll share some guidelines after the break.

Are you heading off to college in the fall? The dorms are a great place to live. It's been a few years since I was there, but I'm still in touch with many of my college friends. I'll never forget the late-night Euchre games, parties, reluctant study sessions, and (unfortunately) the complete lack of space.

Even though dorm rooms are usually off-white, bland spaces roughly the size of a shoe box, you can still make them your own. In addition to posters, photographs, and other wall art, decorate your room with items that do double-duty by looking great and serving a purpose.

Storage and other multi-use items are important for your dorm room. You're not limited to milk crates "borrowed" from a local restaurant (not that I know anyone who did that... ahem). I'll share some fun, decorative, and useful dorm room ideas after the break.

Trying to find the perfect going-away gift for someone? Something that says you'll never forget me, and I'll always be with you? Maybe a friend who's relocating, or a high school graduate that is college bound? Make them a throw pillow from a photo!

All you will need for this project is thin fabric (white works best, and makes the image more crisp, but you can use regular muslin for an antiqued look), freezer paper, interfacing, needle, thread, and stuffing. You will also need a computer, scanner or digital camera, printer, iron, sewing machine, scissors, and pins.

After choosing and arranging your photo how you would like it, you may want to do a quick print out on regular paper, just to see how your photo will turn out. (Keep in mind the image needs to fit onto your fabric and through the printer, and most printers will only allow for 8 1/2" x 11" )

Last year, my neighbor bought a new patio set, and I inherited their rusty, out-of-style set. Now that summer is near, it's time to spruce up that patio set and breathe some new life into it. I've purchased new seat covers and will start sanding and painting soon. But to really give it some flair, I want to add some colorful pillows.

Obviously, being made for the outdoors, the fabric needs to be water-safe. Martha Stewart Living recommends using inexpensive vinyl tablecloths. I think it's a great idea. A reader also suggested using shower curtains. So this weekend, I'm on the hunt for a cute vinyl tablecloth or shower curtain that will make my patio set pop with color.

The instructions for this quilting project say that "there is no wrong way to put the fabric together". This is my kind of project. You can use scraps of fabric that are left over from other crafts, or head out in search of the right pieces to compliment you room. Either way, you'll just love to get creative, mixing and matching your own crazy quilt pillow.

You can use a machine or hand stitch it, but bright colored thread and contrasting seams will add to the funky look. Along with a creative eye, here's what you'll need for the quilted pillow:

• Fabrics of choice
• Colored thread
• Needle
• Stuffing

This would be a great first sewing project for your teen who is decorating their own room. You could personalize it even further by adding patches and decals. Ultimate authority over the design and simple sewing instructions make this crazy quilt pillow a simple project with a funky result.

I tend to be a pack rat. I save everything. Well, of course I will use that someday. My husband always asks what I am going to do with that. Lately, when he asks if I can use something, the word yes always come out of my mouth, even when I mean no.

For years, I have been saving all my old bed sheets. I have quite the pile stacked up in my linen closet. I decided to do some searching to see if I could come up with some ways to reduce my pile and I found a list of 20 things to do with old bed sheets at Simply Thrifty. I knew of some of the ideas from my childhood and have used many of them as an adult. My parents used to cover all our garden plants and our grape vines with old sheets. My mom would take old bedsheets and the clothes we had outgrown and make rag rugs. I used to use them as a ground cover when I wanted to tan, as grease rags, cleaning cloths, dust rags as curtains and valances. At this very moment, I have a folded sheet hanging from Savana's window over the blinds so that I don't get woke up at 5 am just because the sun shine woke her up.

Join me after the break to see the list of bed sheet uses.