DIY geometric pillow

I've been obsessed with geometric prints for awhile now and finally decided to try my hand at DIYing a pillow like this that i've had my eye on. It was really easy and took me less than an hour. AND.. i happened to have everything i needed on hand so essentially it was free! Although it would still be SO cheap to buy all the items you need.

Note: This isn't a super in depth tutorial. I didn't take step by step pictures of how to sew the pillow or how to insert a zipper. I didn't think it was necessary since there are quite a few other tutorials for those parts of it (hint: look on pinterest!).

You'll need:
White canvas fabric (like this)
3 squares of black felt
20in black zipper
fabric glue
Polyfill or pillow form

*I attached the triangle i used as my pattern at the bottom of the page. Save the picture and scale it to the size you want.



1. Trace your triangle to make your pattern triangle piece
2. Figure out what size you want your pillow to be and cut the canvas accordingly, i wanted mine to be a 17" square so I  added 1/2" to all sides for seam allowance and cut 2 pieces that were 17.5" on all sides
3. Cut all the felt triangles. I needed about 43, plus some halves for each side. (see above photo)
4. Position all the felt onto the canvas to make sure your design is good, then start glueing away.
5. Once the glue is dry, grab the other half of the pillow and sew the zipper on and sew all the sides together. (This is a great tutorial if you've never sewn a pillow before)
6. Stuff your pillow with the poly fill or a pillow form, making sure it gets into all the corners.
7. Once the pillow is stuffed, it'll be easy to spot any triangle points that may have been missed (see where arrow is pointing in photo below)

And you're done!




I'm really happy with how it turned out! And I hope you'll be inspired to make one too!

restyled lace top

In the midst of all the sewing thats been going on around here lately, I've been trying to squeeze in at least one project a week that is for me (or the house, a friend, ect). I have a ginormous pile of clothes that i've thrifted that could use some sewing magic, pillows that are in need of new covers.. and the list goes on. Those are the projects where I feel like I can unwind at the machine (it doesn't have to be as perfect as the dress I know someone ELSE will be wearing).

This was just a VERY large and old lace top I found at a thrift store for a $1. I took in the sides, took in the sleeves and also shortened the sleeves. It took less than 10 minutes. And now I love it.
Every time I wear it atleast one stranger has asked where I got it.. Nice!

and my favorite way to wear it is with a pair of high-waisted shorts i have.

Hope this inspires someone to make something awesome out of something that was previously unwearable.

huge sidenote: I am in absolute awe of the response to the dresses. Whether you bought one or told your friends about it or gave me a compliment on them, I appreciate it more than I could ever express on here. I am still up in the clouds!

DIY camera purse/bag

Hi friends! After a few days of being really sick i finally feel good enough to stare at the computer again and share this DIY.

Somewhat recently my camera bag was stolen (luckily JUST the bag, not my camera) and I was bummed since I would have to re-buy but I also saw it as an opportunity to get a better (read: cuter) one. I often would not bring my camera places because I didn't want to carry around a camera bag with my purse and whatever else.. Either that or wrap egg crate or scarfs around my camera and stuff it in my purse. Neither were cutting it for me. I looked online and i found some good non-traditional camera bags that look like purses, but all of them were well over $100 and up to $300.. (if you put all the purses i've ever bought in my life together it still wouldn't come close to that total). Procrastination eventually lead to an idea in the back of my head of just making one myself. And after christmas I found the ideal shape/size purse at target on clearance. I got the rest of the supplies at joann fabric and made it in a night, while watching the beauty and the beast blu-ray. This purse probably wouldnt have been my first choice if I were just picking it out as a purse, but it looks a million times better than any plain camera bag so i'm very pleased! And it all cost less than $20.

(Edited to add updated pictures and note: December 2011

p.s. This has held up surprisingly well.. i've been using it for exactly a year now. I use it daily and have also taken it on MANY trips and its still in great condition.. no wear on the padding, no tears or anything. easily one of the most useful and fun projects i've done!)

a better picture of the inserts out of the purse ^

---------------------------------

and a photobooth picture to show my camera inside

Here we go, I'll try to explain this the best i can..

You'll need:

a purse/bag - i wanted something very specific..ie: just tall enough for a DSLR, just wide enough for the camera to sit flat, a tapered top so its easy to carry, zipper closure, room to fit other lenses and camera equipment and also room for a small wallet and other everyday things.

3/4 inch foam - 1/4 yard
1/2 inch foam - 1/4 - 1/3 yard, depending on how many inserts you want.
1 yard of fabric to cover foam - you might not need a whole yard, but i wanted to make a whole bunch of extra inserts just in case some get lost.
Velcro - one package should do

Opt: velcro glue

I measured the inside of my bag, and decided i wanted foam on all sides (bottom, both long sides and both short sides).
These are the measurements i used for my foam, yours will probably be different but overall it should be around the same size.
Bottom pad: 13 1/2" x 4 3/8" using 3/4" foam
Short sides: 4 1/2" x 4 3/8" (make 2)
Lens dividers: 7 1/2" x 3" (make atleast 3)
Straight divider: 4 1/2" x 3 1/2" (make 2)
Long side pads: 10" x 4 1/2" (make 2)

Now, use all these foam pieces as a pattern for the fabric, adding about an inch to all sides for seam allowance. Cut two pieces of fabric for each foam insert (obviously!)..
Note: For the lens divider, add 2 inches to the short ends so you have little flaps to sew velcro onto.

Decide where you want your velcro and cut to size and sew onto right side of fabric.
Now, sew three sides of the fabric, and stick the foam in, making a pillowcase type thing for the foam, then fold in and pin the opening closed and sew shut.

(Alternately, you could use velcro glue to glue the velcro anywhere you wanted to save you some trouble.. but i opted to sew my velcro on)

When you are done sewing all your pieces together use velcro glue to put velcro on the inside and bottom of the purse to keep your main foam pieces in place. Add your dividers and you're set.

If you have ANY experience sewing you can definitely do this, and even you don't, i bet you could. I just made it up as i went along and made it work and it turned out extremely well!

There are so many little parts to it, it can seem overwhelming but it was actually super easy and quick. I have a hard time explaining things like this all at once, so if you have any questions, feel free to email them to me. vanillaandlace@gmail.com

brrr...

It's 24 degrees right now!

It's been really cold the past few days and its supposed to keep up for awhile. And its about time! I've been staying cuddled up on the couch (where a hot cup of tea is always within reach) whenever i'm not doing projects that involve the sewing machine. I've been busting my butt to get christmas gifts made and so far i'm on schedule.. deadline is the 12th.

some snapshots of the day:

morning tea in my (new!) favorite mug


some cuddly knit gifts i wish i could keep for myself


i've had a mini obsession with matryoshka dolls lately, so i decided i better make some felt ones. these are unfinished..


pretty colorful felt


a print from black apple (the first of many i plan on collecting), a gift from vanessa.


pretty ribbon i picked up on black friday.



i got this poster sized street map of Paris in the mail from a friend. I'm so in love with it, I cannot wait to frame it and put it up in our new place. Thanks Kim!!




Stay warm!

. . .

This week I..

finished sewing a vintage inspired apron
bought a pumpkin (!!)
made a pumpkin spice latte
hung new bunting above our bed
cross-stitched a bicycle
and made the most delicious soft pretzels.. twice. (recipe below)












The most delicious soft pretzels
(wetzel and auntie annes who?)
Makes 8

(Note: Once you've shaped each pretzel you can then put them in the freezer. When you're ready to bake, just add 10-15 seconds to the boil time and a few minutes to bake time.)

• 1 1/2 cups warm (110 to 115 degrees F) water
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 package active dry yeast (2 1/2 teaspoons)
  
• 22 ounces all-purpose flour, approximately 4 1/2 cups
• 2 ounces unsalted butter, melted
• Vegetable oil, for pan
• 10 cups water
• 2/3 cup baking soda

Combine the water, sugar and kosher salt in the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Allow to sit for 5 minutes or until the mixture begins to foam. Add the flour and butter and, using the dough hook attachment, mix on low speed until well combined. Change to medium speed and knead until the dough is smooth and pulls away from the side of the bowl, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove the dough from the bowl, clean the bowl and then oil it well with vegetable oil. Return the dough to the bowl, cover with plastic wrap and sit in a warm place for approximately 50 to 55 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Line 2 half-sheet pans with parchment paper and lightly brush with the vegetable oil. Set aside.

Bring the 10 cups of water and the baking soda to a rolling boil in an 8-quart saucepan or roasting pan.

In the meantime, turn the dough out onto a slightly oiled work surface and divide into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 24-inch rope. Make a U-shape with the rope, holding the ends of the rope, cross them over each other and press onto the bottom of the U in order to form the shape of a pretzel. Place onto the parchment-lined half sheet pan.

Place the pretzels into the boiling water, 1 by 1, for 30 seconds. Remove them from the water using a large flat spatula. Return to the half sheet pan, sprinkle with kosher salt. Bake until dark golden brown in color, approximately 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer to a cooling rack for at least 5 minutes before serving.

Source: Alton brown

nephew on the way

After many years of trying, plenty of heartache and lots of prayer, my oldest sister and her husband are expecting their first child in January. I couldn't be more excited for them.

As soon as they found out the sex, i couldn't resist picking out a little onsie to send.
And since baby things are the most fun to make, i whipped up a little bib too. which was so cute i almost wanted to keep it for myself.. ha!

xo.

tuesday

Just another start to the work week.

sewed up a pretty case for my "pearl"



my husband and his brother have been working on a comic book. the first printing arrived today, along with a bunch of paper strips. Mosey had a blast hiding in it, and pouncing on it.
(info about the comic book here, it's really neat)





i consumed plenty of these no-bake cookies today. i had almost forgot about a childhood favorite of mine, until sheena posted about them a bit ago.
they are too easy and i spruced mine up to be healthy (somewhat??)
she called them gorilla poops, and i liked that so thats what i'm calling them now.


makes about 20

1/2 cup pure agave (you can sub sugar if you must!)
1/4 cup baking cocoa
1/4 cup milk (almond milk was great)
1/4 cup extra virgin coconut oil
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt


In a medium sauce pan mix agave nectar and baking cocoa. Add milk and coconut oil. Stir over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Boil for one minute. Remove from heat. Stir in peanut butter, vanilla, salt and oats. Drop by spoonfuls onto lined cookie sheets. Stick the pan into the refrigerator until the mounds are set, then eat away.

boredom = productivity

We're having a slow week here at the Porter household. But I'm trying to make the best of it by being extra productive.

I finished sewing up the new large dress/nightgown/shirt thing, started and (almost) finished another dress that just might be my new favorite dress, and finished sewing up a romper that I successfully knocked off from one I saw at target. All of which I'll be showing here soon, no doubt.


I've made two loaves of the master recipe in Healthy bread in five minutes a day. Those books are amazing.


Then I was craving something sweet, and since i'm still avoiding sugar I came up with this sugar free chocolate chip cookie dough (surprise surprise) . I took an eggless cookie dough, added agave in place of sugar and lowered the fat a bit. These little frozen dough balls are now my favorite sugar-free dessert. I don't remember the measurements I used but I'll be making them again very soon and I'll post the recipe as soon as I do so you may enjoy them too. (It looks like there is dirt on them, but really I was just out of vanilla extract so I scraped a teeny tiny bit of vanilla bean in there.)



Another breakfast smoothie.. This time with frozen bananas and strawberries, chunks of mango, blueberries and yogurt. Mango = such a good smoothie.


Other than that we've been relaxing like this. Watching the world cup, of all things. Just a few weeks ago I had never seen a soccer game. Now i'm sort of hooked, they are so intense!