Not Every Project is Perfect

Well....today is a day for posting projects that don't come out exactly how you pictured. I have had this little sitting bench forever. We got it at an antique shop and I have always been wanting to recover the top. So today I decided to tackle it. I have plenty of fabric and a staple gun which is all you really need. Here is what it looked like:

Instead of me just picking out a fabric I had to make it more difficult and use burlap and wanted to add a strip of linen fabric with zig zag stitching. This is where I should have stopped- and just stuck with what I know.

You can see below I have cut my burlap and white linen to fit the top of the bench.

I then 'wrap' the bench top and pin it into place. Pinning the white linen too- so I know where exactly to sew it on.

And I begin sewing. This kind of a stitch can be difficult since you can see it so well- so one little hiccup can really show. I did the sewing about three times to try and make it perfect.

But in the end, there are imperfections of the stitching and the entire top came out looking a bit 'lumpy' and the linen was tough to keep in a perfect straight line. I fastened the top back on to the bench- and it looks OK. It does not look as perfect and professional as I had hoped- but not every project can come out exactly as you wish.

See- tough to make it perfect horizontal and not lumpy.

Miles was somewhat unimpressed as well- and is ready for a nap.

So anyways, this is just a quick reminder that we are not perfect, and even just trying a project (trial and error) can make you a better. Maybe on the next project-less Sunday I will again, re-do the bench- but for now, it works!

Sewing Kit | How to and Giveaway

I am really excited to be part of a fantastic giveaway over at Cinsarah starting tomorrow! There are tons of great items you can win...so check out all of the great participants and prizes. I decided to make and giveaway a sewing kit idea I found on Pinterest a long time ago...and always wanted to try. So here is how I did it!

I have a ton of mason jars leftover from my sisters Cowgirl Rodeo Bachelorette Party (more on that another day!) So I used one of those, and some great tea stained burlap I got at Marden's for $2.99 a yard (see more I got here). You will also need: hot glue gun, fun sewing notions, sand, nylons (old tights, pantyhose, etc.) ribbon or twine and a cute tag.

To make the pin cushion on the top of the mason jar, I took an old nylon and filled it with about 1/2 cup of sand (from the beach- or you can buy fake sand at Michael's) and tied off the nylon really tight, making a ball of sand in a nylon. Then I placed two layers of burlap over the 'sand ball' and pushed through the top of the mason jar lid so it was very taught. You will have leftover burlap around the edges (see below) so using the hot glue gun, I secured those edges to the lid.

I took another piece of burlap and cut it the same size as the bottom of the lid. I glued this on to make the inside lid look a little neater.

Once I had the lid compete (see in a few of the below pics) I had so much fun finding vintage sewing notions to give this kit a romantic, rustic, antique feel. I had some great vintage bobbins and thread, along with some great buttons and pearl tipped pins.

I wanted to make a cute tag, so I tried a few different ways. I have really small alphabet stamps I got at Michael's for $1 (in the $1 bins in the front of the store) and have a bunch of stickers I collect...so I had a few options.

So I placed all of my sewing notions (also included sewing scissors, thimble, measuring tape, needles, pink and grey embroidery thread) and added my tag (and also a stamp of a bumble bee and an extra piece of burlap for fun) using twine to keep with the rustic romantic look.

I also rolled up some burlap and striped khaki and cream fabric (for the lucky winner!) to create a sewing project of their own.

There you have it! I love sewing (am not very good, but am learning) and think it is such a great skill to have. So hopefully this will inspire you to dust off, or borrow a sewing machine and get sewing!

So don't forget to go over to Cinsarah to enter to win this, along with a huge list of other great items including some of my other favorite blogger and retailers like Southern Lovely and Vintage Printage.

Good luck and enjoy!

Where Do I Begin?

Well, I am kind of at a loss of where to begin for my post on an amazing vacation in Boca Grande, Florida! I have a ton of pics to go through- and am excited to share a few great finds! So, until I get that post up later in the week- I am curious about this thing called 'Hunger Games' I have heard so much about :) Ok, so I started the book on the plane...and am just getting into it. It seems pretty good...have any of you read it? What do you think? Need a copy- get it here. Excited to hear your thoughts!

Airplane Travel- What to Wear?!

You have heard (err, read) me talk a lot about going to Florida on vacation! Well, as Matt and I begin to pack, what am I wearing on the airplane is always the biggest conundrum. Coming from cold to warm climate can be so, difficult. (I feel truly blessed to have this problem as I write) I think I am going to stick with the basics- white jeans (I hope it is OK to pull those off in the south before Memorial Day?!), comfy blue and white top, gold loafers and my gold Sea Bag. What will you be wearing en route on your next get-a-way?

Florida by sarahreaganauer featuring a gold tote

Dress to Impress Wrap Party

You may remember I posted about my friend Suz over at Well To Do, You and her really great project working with Dress for Success of Maine and many many other great sponsors. Well, I finally met Suz today (we have been 'blog' friends for a while, but yet to meet in person!) and went to the 'wrap party' at LL Bean/Coffee by Design in Freeport, Maine. It was so great meeting several people I 'knew virtually' and seeing all of the beautiful pieces donated (here is a full list) including beautiful pearl jewelry from Kate at Intirkate Designs. So here are a few pictures from today!

The beautiful Suz modeling Intrikate pearls and the LL Bean Signature dress she wore for 30 days (pic not from today), you can read more about the cause at this post.

All of the great items donated from around the world!

Suz and some friends! Was a great turn out.

And more donations! (And really cool wooden sunglasses)

I was spotted by Sea Bags (one of my favorites) and posted to there facebook page. Thanks!

Some new friends all featuring our Sea Bags (they were also one of the donators for this great project!) Dress for Success is a great non-profit organization that does great things for women! Have a great long weekend everyone!

Are you in the mood...to craft?

So blogging means sometimes it is OK to share other people's ideas and crafts (thank god because I can not do projects or shop every day!) So in lieu of doing a craft tonight, I am sharing a few good ones that are on my hit list.

Source: designsbymke.blogspot.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I don't know about you, but I bock when I see fabric lined baskets in the big box stores for like $17.99 a piece- ridic! So, above is a very inexpensive way to use an old box, any color spray paint and line with leftover fabric. Simple, great idea.

Source: welltodoyou.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I love bangles and have a million all misplaced in my 'jewelry' drawer in my dresser. I think this is a cute way to keep them organized! I always see boxes like those at flea markets or thrift shops and just buy some Izzy bottles :)

Source: rustoleum.com via Sarah on Pinterest

So you might be wondering why I think this is a crafty fun idea. Well, because my husband has two boxes full of bowling. lacrosse and basketball trophies in our attic. Just spray paint them, and use as book ends or fun little bookshelf doo-dads. You could always 're-give' them to your friends too, for like, 'Best Friend to Drink Wine With' or 'Aah-mahzing Husband Award'...

Source: sherlonkahkai.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

One of my favorite things to do is go to flea markets and yard sales in the summer (Anna Cole) and hit up Goodwill year round. I always end up with at least two books...and they always have some old vintage ones. The library is also a great place to get .50 cent books too. Just rip, cut, and hole punch...so cute (especially the ones with the great pictures). There you have it, gift tags and bookmarks.

Source: marthastewartweddings.com via Sarah on Pinterest

Feeling extra craft this weekend (and have some power tools?) If I was, I would (err, my husband) would make this amazing corn hole game. I was first introduced to this living in Seattle where all of my University of Washington (go Huskies) friends would play (including bright purple ones at tailgates). Well, I fell in love immediately, and now of course I want one- monogrammed. Here is a site to get you started. I told Matt, you make the wood part, and I will sew the bean bags :)

So there are a few ideas for this long, President's Day weekend! Let me know if you end up making anything!

Motivation to hit the gym!

Perfect Summer Night by sarahreaganauer featuring kate spade bangle

I don't know about you, but in the past week I have been craving summer. I typically really like the winter, and although we have not had a tough one at all in the northeast, I cannot wait to pull out the summer clothes. I think I need motivation side note: I have to hit the gym a little more...I think after you turn 30, your metabolism plummets, or maybe it is the chips and M&Ms, anyways, I digress. Starting to think about cute skirts and pastels is wonderful, and motivating me to hit the gym. So, when I see the gym starting to paying off, I am putting together an outfit like this! What would your ideal summer outfit be?!