DIY: Recycled Sweater "Valentine" Wine Bag

 Everyone has an old sweater....whether it's red, pink, cream or white, here is a great project for recycling those old sweaters into a "Valentine" wine bag!  Using the sleeve of an old sweater, you can create this adorable wine bag that anyone would love to receive.  Like I mentioned in an earlier post, I love receiving home made gifts!  This one can easily be customized for the recipient by changing the words you use to embroider, Valentine themed of course!  Like the conversation heart candies....I love you...be mine...xoxo....I'm yours.....  You get the point!!

You will need:

-the sleeve of an old sweater

-red felt

-red yarn

-"embroidery" thread + embroidery needle

(I have red pictured here but used white...you can use whatever color you like)

-white thread + sewing needle

-fabric glue

-chalk pencil for marking letters (optional)

-first cut the sleeve to the length of a your wine bottle

-turn the sleeve inside out, and sew the opening that you cut (not the cuff!) closed

-turn right side out, and sew your thread around the cuff to create a "draw string"

-trace a heart on your red felt and cut out

-using your embroidery thread, embroider whatever words you choose.  You can mark this first with the chalk pencil if you would like or you can do it freehand

-once you finish embroidering the heart, affix it to the center of the bag with fabric glue

CHEERS!

Outfit to Room

What's your inspiration? As mentioned in the last 'Outfit To Room' posted last week, all well designed rooms start with a form of inspiration. Without it, the room often feels (and looks) disconnected. Inspiration can come from anywhere. I once had a client bring me a set of her grandmothers dishes. They were actually only 2 colors, blue and cream, but the pattern suggested the style of the room and the rest of the space fell into place.

This weeks J.Crew ad invites viewers into their glossy pages by using soft, summery hues, pretty flowers and a dainty, romantic, feminine whimsy:

I pulled this bedroom, designed by Charlotte Moss, because it conveys everything the J.Crew ad portrays. I love the way the floral curtains and the chair cushions pull the flowers out of her hair. The pretty pink toile bed skirt and canopy have the same light-hearted feel as the girl in the picture's make-up. The ruffle atop the canopy mimicks the soft, fluttery wave in her hair. The tiny flowers which make up her shirt convey a garden-like feeling---found in the botanical prints hung on the walls. Lastly, the ribbon and netting woven in her hair has a natural, organic feel---much like the texture of the natural sisal carpet on the bedroom's floor.