Oh yeah, HGTV should’ve been here…

So, if you know me you know I like to do things around the house. I like to paint, clean & remodel.  Well, I got a bee in my bonnet about finally finishing up some stuff in my daughter’s playroom (which is also my office – you won’t be seeing the side of the room that is my office -sorry). So, I hatched a plan, and I was off.

The big rule of the day was I was not allowed to buy one thing to finish this off. Now, of course I have a sewing room/studio FULL of fabric and supplies, so it wasn’t as hard as it might sound.

The biggest and ugliest thing that needed to be fixed: THE FIREPLACE BLACK HOLE

We moved in and had the old Taylor Burner removed, and well, um then did nothing. While the plastic was lovely, I thought it was time for a change. Up until this point, I was stacking pillows in front of this eyesore.

I decided to cover it up with a piece of cardboard covered in fabric. So, first  I got the cardboard. I found a piece big enough in the basement. (Oh yeah, we never throw things away. This can be a problem, or it can come in handy depending on the situation.) I cut it to size.

I added a bit of padding to the cardboard by stapling some fleece to it. I had just obtained said fleece from my mother who had it from a sewing kit that she decided not to finish. Then, I covered the padded cardboard with the fabric I chose from my stash. I used a stapler – no sewing required!

This fabric is from Claire Murray. If you’ve ever been to Cape Cod, you’ve undoubtedly seen one of her shops.  I got the end of the bolt of this one year during the Memorial Day Sale, so I have loads of it.

When I pulled it out, I realized that I could make a border with it….

Then, with lots of double-sided tape, I put it up. Seriously better, don’t ya think?

I wasn’t done yet. Now to put some art above the fire place….hmmmm. I like fabric, I like heat ‘n bond. I make appliques. So, I made some for the walls! Yippee.

I love the pink Kleo fabric from Alexander Henry – it’s what the curtains in my daughters room are made of. I also use it a lot for my messenger bags. So, I always have some laying around.  I pulled some out, applied heat ‘n bond and cut out some flowers and shapes. Then using my new best friend double sided tape, put them up on the wall. Sweet.