Drum Roll Please!

Yesterday, I left you in suspense with what I was going to do with my fun new fabric...well, check it out:

Here is my new, reversible, autumn table runner :).  If you're interested in making one yourself, you should TOTALLY do it because it was as easy as could possibly be!  All I did was measure my old table runner to see what my dimensions should be.  I then added 1 inch to those numbers to account for my 1/2" seams that I would be sewing.

What you need: 
2 fabrics (I bought 2.5 yards because I plan on making matching place mats) and thread to match both of your fabrics.  (If you'd like to make matching place mats also, go on ahead and buy interfacing to go in between the fabrics)


What you do: 
1. Cut your fabric so that you have 2 rectangles of the exact same size (I cut mine into 69"x40" rectangles)

2. Iron your fabric and then pin the 2 pieces together right sides facing each other.

3. Using a 1/2" set seam allowance, I sewed the 2 pieces together on all 4 sides leaving an approximate opening of about 3"along one side for turning.

4. I trimmed the seam allowances especially around the corners so that the fabrics would lay flatly on top of each other.

5. I then turned the cloth right side out and then carefully pressed all the seams nice and flat.

6. I pinned the opening close.

7. I made sure that my coordinating thread was the right color based on how I was going to sew my runner (I sewed with the ivory side on top so I made sure my ivory thread was on the top of my machine and my rust threaded bobbin was on the bottom).

8. I then topstitched approximately ¼" from finished edge around all four sides.  When I did this, it closed the opening that was left for turning.

9. I put my new runner on my table and admired it on both sides!  I couldn't be happier with this project - it was EASY!

If you are a visual learner and would like pictures, then I suggest you visit here because I made my runner exactly like I made these.

Are you wondering what I'm going to do with that green fabric from yesterday?  Well, you'll have to come back and see :).  I hope you guys have a fabulous weekend and get out there and get sewing!

I've entered this into the CSI Fall Challenge

And into the Fall Frenzy Party:

I've linked this up to the following:Tools are for Women Too; The DIY Showoff; The Girl Creative; Making the World Cuter; Skip to My Lou; Sumo's Sweet Stuff; Cottage Instincts; Keeping It Simple; Support Blogs for Moms with Boys; Mad in Crafts; The House in the Roses; It's So Very Cheri; Sew Can Do; The Pumpkin Patch; C.R.A.F.T.; Fine Craft Guild; All Thingz Related; Silly Little Sparrow; Today's Creative Blog; My Frugal Family; Sugar Bee; Gypsy's Corner; New Nostalgia; Creative Itch; Lucky Star Lane; Someday Crafts ; We Are That Family; My Backyard Eden; It's So Very Cheri; It's a Very Cherry World; Nikki's Nifty Knacks

Fun Fabric!

Look at what came last week:

I ordered these at one of my favorite places to swoon over fabric; they were here 3 days after I placed the order and I got free shipping - score and score!

I can't wait to show you what I'm going to do with them :)

Busy Labor Day Weekend

I'm horrible at taking pictures - that is definitely something I want to become better at doing!  As a result of me being horrible at taking pictures, I have nothing to show you from this weekend except for maybe some pictures I borrowed off the internet.

We had a jam-packed weekend full of fun, family and driving!  It started off with me picking Stephen up from work at 4 on Friday and we headed out of Chicago.  We arrived at my parents house at 11 and we visited and then headed to bed.  On Saturday morning we woke up early to head out (with my parents) to Johnson City, TN to visit my Aunt Shirley, Uncle Gene, cousin Tressa and her husband Wendell.  We never have a dull moment when we visit these crazy, fun-loving family members!  As soon as we arrived we ate some dinner and then headed out to the back roads of Hiltons, Virginia to enjoy some true Bluegrass music at the Carter Fold.

I know you're probably wondering what this place is, so I'll fill you in.  It is the birthplace of country music - the home of June Carter's family (Mama Maybelle, A.P....have you seen the movie Walk the Line?).  They have this old barn there that they've rigged into a backwoods stage and every Saturday night they have different Bluegrass bands come and play while the locals clog right in front of the stage.  Let me tell you, it is quite the experience!  This was my third or fourth time visiting, but Stephen's first.  When the music started and the cloggers arose, Stephen looked so entertained/amused/confused that I couldn't help but laugh at him!

On Sunday morning we went to church and then off to a Japanese restaurant (my family loves to eat).  After getting nice and full we enjoyed the gorgeous day outside and then drove over to Jonesboro, TN which is known for being the first city in the state.

With the beautiful weather and the quaint town it was an afternoon out of a movie.  There were little shops and restaurants and even an old fashioned candy shop.  Yup!  Stephen was as happy as a little kid!

We topped off our trip to Jonesboro with some yummy ice cream!  If you watch The Great Food Truck Race on the Food Network, check out the episode airing this Sunday night at 9pm to see the cute little ice cream shop where we enjoyed dessert!

On Monday we woke up late and had a lazy morning followed by lunch at a local Mexican restaurant (I'm telling you, my family loves to eat)!  We then hit the road and headed back to Louisville.  When we arrived we ate dinner with my mom and dad and then went over to Stephen's family's house where we hung out with his mom, dad, sister, her husband and his Noni (grandma).  We spent the night there and then woke up on Tuesday morning (Stephen took the day off) to go back to good ol'Chi-town in time for me to get to class!  Luckily for me, there's a Chick'Fil'A in Lafayette, IN which is about 2 hours outside of Chicago that we were able to stop and enjoy a scrumptious lunch on the road.  We arrived back here just in time for Stephen to drop me off at class where I could enjoy 3 hours of grad school fun!
That was our fun weekend - busy but FUN!  What were you up to this weekend???

Magnificent Mondays: Magnificent Blogs 29

Let me tell you, when I first saw this blog, I didn't know what to think; that was until I got a chance to peek around a bit.  Billie has amazing ideas to make practical items that aren't just decorative but functional as well!

For instance, I would LOVE to make one of these to go above our desk in our office.  Not only would it be practical, but it would also add some color and design to our walls.

I love her rendition of the infamous jewelry holder that was popular to make a couple of months ago.  It is pretty and functional and easy to hang on your walls.

Look at how cute this transformed dresser is!

Go check out billie monster for yourself and let me know what you think!

Happy Blogging!