It was nice to take a break. I really needed it. It wasn't as restful as I'd hoped for but it was a break nonetheless. I was able to get a few projects done and a few projects started. My new curtains might just be my favorite because I get to enjoy them as I'm walking around the house all day. I also didn't make them (which is very nice) but just spruced them up a bit. I got them at IKEA for 25.00 a pair. I really wanted to make curtains with this fabric but it was sold out (days before Christmas so no shock there). I just had to shorten them about 8" (I'm going to add tie backs when I'm done sprucing those up too).
I added this cute trim to make them look more finished (and I'm leaning more Scandinavian this year). I stitched them 3" from the sides and 10" from the bottom. My first try put the trim 10" from the side and it didn't look right at all. I was glad I'd put the first one up to look at it "in action" so I didn't have to change all 4 of them after the fact. As you can see our floors are stripped bare. We're planning on staining them sometime this year so I'll share that adventure as soon as we work up the nerve to do it (not looking forward to moving all the furniture and appliances).
I knew I was cutting it close with the length of trim I had and, sure enough, I fell about 5" short on the last one. I decided to not freak out and instead fudged it with some other trim and fancy stitches from my machine. It's okay but not great. I'm just glad I've learned to relax and embrace my mistakes (usually).
Besides, I hid the messed up one back in the corner where nobody sees it. The red doesn't match my brick red couch but honestly, I don't care. It still looks like somebody cared enough to spruce things up and some days that's all I can hope for.
I've been stuck to my sewing machine making these iPad covers out of my Hipster Haberdasher store. I'm glad they are popular (they paid for all the Christmas shopping this year!) but my eyes are starting to blur. On the plus side, I'm completely falling in love with linen and have lots of plans to incorporate it in my decorating this year.
Last year I made my goal (not resolution!) to add lots more color to my home and I really nailed it (pictures coming soon). I accomplished a major professional goal (working on that now, will share when I can), and got in better shape physically. This years goal is to add more fabric/patchwork to my decorating and to finally learn more than one crochet stitch (granny squares please!). I want to finish my floors and paint my kitchen cabinets. I also want to get better at focusing more on the blessings in my life and less on the chaos going on in the world. Fingers crossed. Onward and upward!
