Wednesday on Wednesday

I hope both your weather and your holiday (For my Canadian readers) weekend have been amazing where you are as they have been here. Temperatures in the high twenties have been keeping me from blogging. After an amazing dinner with family and friends on Sunday, we went on day trip to check out the fall foliage. Living in South eastern Ontario is really quite a treat this time of year. Cheers.

Wednesday on Wednesday

How To: Harry Potter Text Book Covers

I have created a lot of things in my time, some amazing, some big fat fails, some with a sewing machine and every now and again I am able to create something with the computer that just makes my heart happy. Right now the combination of Halloween decoration and harry Potter inspiration has me just tickled pink (or a festive orange and black).

The original inspiration for this project came from a ceramic set of books from Michaels Halloween deco section. I have a picture somewhere just a sec...here is a clearer one then my horrible cell phone pic.

Original pieces are titled: Hexes & Curses, Essential Potions, Rituals and Charms.

Source

With some recycled paper shopping bags and Photoshop, this is what I came up with.....

 In case you are wondering about the absolutely amazing Nightmare before Christmas mugs, my sister and her husband bought them for me for Christmas from last year's Tim Burton exhibit at the Royal Ontario Museum.

At first, when I started designing the book covers I went with the titles in the original photo. But it then occured to me that these were very similar to subjects the Hogwarts taught. I was then inspired further to make textbooks from the actual books and movies. To keep the Halloween theme the spines have a sinister feel them while the front of the jacket is titled and authored just as it was in the books (and movies.)

Each book cover is inspired by the actual book but none are identical. I have neither talent or the time but I am incredibly happy with each and ever book. (Did you notice there were seven books?)

How about a look see at each cover.

Left book: On the spine this one says BEASTS, but the front cover is the first year textbook Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them by Newt Seamander.
Right book: On the spine is DIVINATION, on the front is the third year text Unfogging The Future by Cassandra Vablatsky.

Left Book: The spine reads HERBOLOGY, the cover is Magical Water Plants of The Highland Lochs by Hadrian Whittle. This was the book Neville learned about gillyweed which Harry used to compete in the Tri-Wizard tournament.
Right book: The spine reads HORCRUXES, the is Secrets of the Darkets Art by Owle Bullock, This was the book that Tom Riddle would have gleaned his initial knowledge of horcruxes from.

Left book: Spine reads POTIONS, front is the sixth year potions text, Advanced Potion Making by Libatius Borage. (Half blood prince would have used this same book.)
Right: Spine reads SPELLS, front is first year text Standard Book of Spells by Miranda Goshank.

 Left book: Spine reads VAMPYRE, cover is perhaps my favourite just for the cheekiness factor. It is second year text Gilderoy Lockhart's Voyages With Vampires. 
Right book: The back of each book cover reads Happy Halloween!

Pretty amazing right? Seriously, I am in love. They were worth every single second they took to make. And they took awhile let me tell you. They won't take you any time though because I have made a handy dandy zip folder of the finished covers for printable just for you to download!

All I did was cut the paper bags to fit the book and then feed it through the printer.
Do you see how each book is a little different in size? I did that on purpose. I did not want them to like a Harry Potter box set.
♥ Every cover is designed to print out onto paper no wider than an regular sized printer allows. So when cutting your pages from paper shopping bags just remember to never make them taller than 8.5" and no longer than 16".
♥ The height of each book varies from 7" to 8.5". Please take note of the image size when you are printing and adjust your print settings accordingly.
♥ The width of each book cover also varies from 14" to 16". Please check each document and adjust your print settings accordingly.
♥ Each cover is set up to give approximately 1" of cover inside each book. If you would rather a more snug fit you can always use low tack painters masking tape.
♥ And just in case you're wondering:
-Horcruxes is a hundred year old Latin Dictionary
-Beasts is an electrical wiring handbook
-Herbology is Clan of the Cave bear
-Potions is Douglas Adams' Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy (A trilogy in five parts) 
-Divination is Anne Rice's Pandora
-Spells is Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix
-Vampyre is Book Thirteen of Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events

Notes about the graphics & fonts:

♥ I could not have made any of these book covers without the graphics from a couple great websites: The Graphics Fairy and Vintage Feed Sacks were easily the biggest help.
♥ I downloaded almost every font from fontspace.com that link is a great list of Harry Potter related and/or themed fonts. Some mimic the fonts used in the movies.

A few notes before I give up the link though, if you wouldn't mind reading them.
♥ So as not to detract from the sheer awesomeness of the graphics I have not added a watermark anywhere to the covers. That being said, I would appreciate it you do not share these files via email. Please, link back to this page whenever you would like to share the files. Which I encourage you to do. Go forth, make the world a little more spooky!
♥ I have never shared files before so if for some reason you cannot access the files, or have trouble using them PLEASE leave a description of the issue in the comment section and I promise to notify you as soon as it has been remedied.

Finally, HERE is the link for download. There is seven book covers in a zipped folder. Click the link, it will bring you to a Googledoc page in the upper left corner click on file>download original.You will need a program to unzip it. If you do not have one, I recommend Winrar.
 

If you have any issues please do not hesitate to leave a comment with your issue, I will help you out in any way I can. Happy crafting and happy haunting!

How To: Felt Ghost Bunting

When I first started this blog, my intention was only share tidbits of my family life, with a side of eco-conciousness. Soon the sewing bug bit me and I was sharing what I created and then not long after that I was creating my own tutorials. Not many at first but then Valentine's Day came along and I was so inspired that I went a little mad with the tutorials. Well, that same spirit has inspired me two years later for Halloween and again I cannot wait to share with you what I have created/am creating.

I absolutely adore this felt ghost bunting. It came together in just a couple hours. Cutting out the ghosts took the longest. I hung it up to see if it worked for me and it looked so good I left it up waiting for Halloween. 

Materials

White felt (Enough for nine ghosts)

Stuffing

9 eyeets (I used back and metal finish)

Sharpie marker (Black)

Jute twine

Orange ribbon
Embroidery thread

Modus Operandi

Step 1: Cut pieces. I traced a Wilton cookie cutter as a pattern.

Step 2: Set eyelet in front piece of felt.

Step 3: Sew around perimeter of ghost, leave opening for stuffing. Stuff and sew closed.

Step 4: Add eyes with Sharpie marker.

Step 5: Braid three pieces of twine either with the orange ribbon, or wrap ribbon around the braided twine like I did.

Step 6: Use coordinating embroidery thread to attach ghosts to twine at fairly equal intervals. Make sure to thread through just the back piece of ghost.

And voila! You have the most adorable bunting with just a side of spooky!

I hope you enjoyed this little mini-tutorial. If you have any questions please feel free to ask me and I promise to answer as soon as possible! I have plenty more Halloween projects, but the weather has turned wet and dreary these past couple days, so photos are on hold.  But, until then you can always check out my Halloween tag for past posts about Wednesday's costumes and delicious baking. And here is a vinatge-esque Halloween garland with printable sheets to keep your hands busy.

Wednesday on Wednesday

The joys of a dress up chest are just as great for a mama watching as they are for a little girl imagining.

Long Time No Blog!

Wow! It sure has been awhile! Big changes have been going on in The Sweet Home.

 

This little girl started school! This is Wednesday waiting for the bus on her first day. I cried on and off all day, it was a roller coaster of a day. I have since found a nice balance of homemaking and housework that changes depending on Wednesday's attendance.

Serious homemaking has been happening. Expect some fabulous Halloween tutorials and printables over the next couple weeks.

My Storage Geek blog hit 12,000 followers yesterday! Pretty amazing so I'm working on how to develop a website with a way or three to generate some income. But for now it is an ad free, amazing collection of DIY, design and storage with a side of gardening. If you would like to view it in your Google Reader this is the link to add.

 

 Finally, sometime over the next couple months (Depending on how busy I get with the holidays.) Until Wednesday calls will become The Sweet Home Companion. I am so excited about the changes. I think it will really help me streamline the momma-crafter-entrepreneur in me. So stick around and wish me luck!

Wednesday on Wednesday

 On a Don-Keh!

 Mother Bear and Little Bear

 My cutie patootie tree hugger.

Father Bear & Little Bear.
I hope your Canada Day and Independence Day were as wonderful as ours! (Canada Day)

Wednesday on Wednesday

I cannot believe my little girl is turning four! We're celebrating with lots of bubbles! Last year's Mad Hatter Tea Party was such a hit, I worry I set the bar too high for any parties since. Ahh well, at least Captain Awesome can't call me a party mom this year...I hope.

Reader Question : Simple and Inexpensive Dorm Storage Ideas

musicxmylove asked:
So happy I found this blog! I am going to be studying abroad soon and cannot bring a lot with me and won't have any extra furniture except for what is included in my room. Do you have any easy and inexpensive do it yourself storage ideas for dorm rooms? If it's something that can be recycled later when I fly home or takes up very little room in a suitcase would be great. Maybe something reusing cardboard or other recycled materials that I could get for free? 

Hey there! Sorry this took awhile to answer but there are a lot of photos and posts to sift through. I really wanted to give you some super practical ideas.
 Below are some ideas made with recycled and/or super cheap materials. While I am not sure how many you could pack back up, given the relative cheapness of materials you could give them away and people would be happy to use them likewise, you can recycle a lot of the materials as well. So, that being said let's see what I found!

First storage option: string. String is cheap (You can almost always find a handful somewhere free.) and fits any sized room. Create a gorgeous photo banner wherever you room and room mate will let you. Found via Dorm Design.

Cearal box magazine (Notebook, binder) holders. Grab a cereal box and cover with pretty paper or fabric. Although this won't fit in your suitcase I bet someone would be happy to have them when you're done. Full how to at The Wicker House.

This was one of the very first DIYs I posted here at Storage geek and I still love the idea. Add some cardboard dividers to some cookie tines (You know your Mom has at least three kicking around.) and voila, instant (stack-able) desk caddy! Full how to at Design Sponge.

Have some chain and a few hangers? Now you have an instant mud room or extra closet. Chain is cheap you can buy it in plastic or metal at hardware stores but you could also probably find some on freecycle.org  if you asked nice enough. Hangers well, I am sure you can put a few of those in your suitcase when you head over. Found via Apartment Therapy.

Another fabulous bit of recycling here. Can cubbies make great storage because they are free and come in a variety of sizes from the small tomato paste size to the giant tomato ketchup size. Ask a local restaurant to sort through their recyclables, you'd be amazed at how many cans and glass jars you will find! The how to on this pretty system can be found at Leethel.

Have cork and pushpins? You now have necklace storage. Bonus, you can bring this with you or back with you since they pack up so nice and flat in your suitcase. Photo from Pretty in the Desert.
If you sew I found two great projects that could come in super handy and fold up nicely.

These denim wall pockets made by Flickr member Made by Beag would be invaluable as an organizer for everything from desk supplies to toiletries. Made out of recycled denim makes this project cost a whopping zero dollars.

I love this laundry bag. While you don't have to make one this elaborate (But if you do you can find the tutorial here at Sew 4 Home.) But a sturdy laundry bag will be invaluable to you in your student living.
How awesome are these projects? I know! But, while Storage Geek is my name, and DIYs are my game decorating is a very personal (and uysually drawn out process for me) so if you would like to see some great dorm deco may I direct your attention to a couple Tumblr blogs I found? Dorm Design and EFFyeahcooldormrooms Both of these blogs have pages and pages of great dorm rooms.
Well, I hope you enjoyed this post and I hope it inspired you. Thanks for asking such a fantastic question and I would love to see photos of what you make! Cheers,M.

Wednesday on Wednesday

 

Wednesday helping her daddy in the garden like only a garden fairy can.