Sew Mama Sew

Have you ever noticed that stores like Anthropologie use the funnest, most unique fabrics? And that those bold, colorful patterns are almost impossible to find in the retail sector? Why is it that stores like Joann's only seem to cater to the stodgy quilters and scrapbookers of the world? No offense to my stodgy quilting / scrapbooking readership, but I am about 30 years too young for the Christopher Lowell Collection.

For those who are looking for a place to buy unique fabrics at a reasonable price, I suggest SewMamaSew.com. Check out the kitchen valance I made from this fun Mendocino squid fabric by Heather for Free Spirit.




I also just ordered five yards of Sprays by Kaffe Fassett to make new living room curtains.



I'm thoroughly addicted! Anyone else have a hot fabric shop to share?

Nightstand Before & After

Okay, don't judge me too harshly, as I bought this bedroom set more than 10 yrs ago. Rattan was big back then! It was from Pier One! The height of sophistication!

Before: A rattan monstrosity



After: A decoupage dream!



The hardest part of this project was prying off that darn rattan -- each piece was individually stapled down! But once I got it all off, all I had to do was cut pieces of fabric about an inch and a half bigger than the drawer fronts, and apply them with (what else?) Mod Podge. Then sand, prime, and paint the rest of the nightstand with white flat paint. Once that was dry, I decoupaged the fabric on to the top and side panels. After adding a couple of pretty drawer pulls (from Anthropologie, naturally), and a piece of custom-cut plexi for the top, I was done!

Looking back, I would have used a semi gloss paint for the night stand. It makes dusting so much easier (not that I do a lot of dusting, mind you). But overall, I love the splash of color this lends to my bedroom. Next project: making over the matching dresser!