DIY Minimalist Window Treatment

This is our Living Room, and yes, our windows have been waiting to be dressed for like ages already!

The Hubby turns Handy Manny

Handy Manny in action

Cousin Ariel was an able assistant. 

The shades half rolled

A closer view..

These window treatment are so easy to make.  They may not be the best looking ones, but I am pretty satisfied with the way those have transformed my windows.  I like the clean lines, the privacy and the protection from the sun those shades offer.

Tutorial:

Materials needed- canvas cloth, curtain rods, clip rings 

measure your window, cut your canvas according to your preference (I opted to have my finished shades same width and about 3 inches longer vs window)

Make sure to make allowances on the sides for trimming, a little more on the top to make way for your rod. 

Now, you are ready to sew!

Ever wonder what mechanism I use to make the shades half rolled or folded? I will show you how on my next post... 

DIY Roman Shades- No Strings Attached

I love our big wide windows.  Our house feels airy  and light because of those.  However, when the sun is up shining, my house screams of PROTECTION.  You see, my living room windows remain undressed since their birth.  Truth is, I am still deeply thinking what kind of treatment those beautiful windows deserve.  Should I opt for draperies? Nah, heavy fabrics are a no no.  Roman Shades would be best, but are so expensive!

I browsed and looked for inspirations to D. I. M- (Do It Myself ).  But before I embark on this big task, I decided to make a sample-  roman shades for our bathrooms (Masters' & Guest Room's).

By the way, I am getting inspirations from the ff links:
The Chaseys
33 Shades Of Green

So here's what I have accomplished:

                                         Polka Dots Fabric from Pasig Market

                                         Master Bathroom window prior treatment

                                        Pop helping out with the hardware fixtures

                                         Tadah! Faux Roman shades! Why faux?

                                         Look closely...

No strings attached!  Instead, the folds are kept in place by "hooks" like the ones at The Chaseys


Next time, I will try to follow the tutorials  found  at   33 Shades Of Green.

Wish me luck!

Antique Set turned Shabby Chic- The Great Reveal

Tadah!  

After a month long or maybe even more, the whole ensemble is finally ready for the great reveal!

 For sure a lot of visitors will be drawn to relax in this cozy nook.  I look forward to serving refreshments, coffee and whatever here ;-)

                                                                             Up close

 

                                                             View from the formal dining area

                                                            One last look at the before...

It took me much time than I expected finishing this project, but it sure is worth all the efforts.  What about you?  Are you up to the challenge of doing a furniture makeover?

Antique Chair Turned Shabby Chic

I have been putting off this project for quite a while.  The whole set were already sanded.  The gallon of paint I bought many weeks before was already beginning to harden (initially, I tried using spray paint but was not happy to realize, I might consume more and spend more).  That's when I knew, I have to DO IT ...

I failed to use primer on the first piece, so here's the second one about to be completely "primed".  Notice how old looking the chair is? My eldest nephew is in his teens already- about 14, this chair together with the rest of the set (2 single seater, 1 center table and 1 two seater) is much much older than him.

This is the end result of the first piece done without primer.  The rest of the set, I plan to prime for smoother and better paint finish.

Upclose

What do you think of the color?  This is my sister's choice.  Mine too.

Do you like the AFTER or the BEFORE better? Wait till I am done with the rest of the ensemble.  Hopefully, they will all turn out to be picture perfect.

Baked Spaghetti Ala Jen

               

                                                                                                           
 Spaghetti noodles, mushrooms, pepper & salt to taste, cheese, hotdogs,ground beef, tomato sauce, some secret herbs...PLUS a lot of LOVE...   

                                            My very first attempt to make baked spaghetti

                               Basil leaves straight from my herb garden used for the very first time
                                         

                               OK OK...I know right? Im just trying to show you a better shot

                                                                          Delicious!?

                                                          That's for my critic to decide....
                                               (Oh sorry, I forgot to make it picture perfect)

                                                                  So what d'ya think?
                                                         

                              I tricked him into eating vegetables- Mushroom in Baked Spaghetti?
                                                         Are mushrooms vegetables?

                                                              "YUM YUM Mommy!"

                                                                                               
                                                                                                                           

PROJECT ONE STOREY COMPACT HOUSE - For Our Parents

I have been meaning to record the progress of the construction here but it took me only now to finally share these pictures...

Construction started middle of November last year.  It's been taking a long while because we had several issues against the contractor.  Dad was particulary not very pleased.

Meantime, here are the latest pics of the soon to be abode of our parents- Boy & Carol.

Construction is now in full swing, so they say...

                                                A view of the lanai from the side of the lot

                                                                     The Dining Area

                                                                     Shared Bathroom
                                                 ( I know, one may be not enough right?)

                                                                     Counter Top
                      ( I guess a nice mosaic back splash would be perfect, plus of course some                                                              built in cabinets)

                                                                  Flooring preparation
( Flooring would be "mimicry" by APO. I don't exactly know what these are made of.  I will just add the pics later.  Those are supposed to be low/easy maintenance, and non-skid which are great for senior citizens )

                                                                        Living Room

                                                    
                                                  Another View of the Living Room

                                                                 House Front View
                                                                ( Who's that cute-y?)




(I don't have the latest pics yet of the bedrooms, the painters are currently working double time, I could not get in to take pictures.  Maybe tomorrow...)


There you have it, the parents' house under construction...

DIY Decorative Balls

I have seen many a version of these decorative balls on the net that I got inspired to have my very own.  So off I went to buy my glue gun, glue sticks and styroballs from National Bookstore, and Beans from the grocery.

Materials:

Glue Gun

Glue Sticks

Styro Balls

Red, White & Mongo Beans

I started attaching the beans one at a time in circular fashion from the center, working my way through the top & bottom of the ball.

Warning:  Melted Glue Stick can be very HOT!

I lost count of the number of times I got mild burns from the exercise.

A smaller styro ball for variety

Tadah! Aren't they gorgeous ?! I simply love the texture.

Now, all I need is a really nice bowl to display my work of art.

Twigs For Fixings

Sister got me these vases from Dapitan Arcade. For many a months, I was thinking of sprucing up this corner of the house by putting these vases to good use.  

I found these twigs scattered around the neighborhood and instantly gave me this idea.  Not bad huh!

Homemade Organic Soaps-M&P

                               My very first attempt on soap making,  shown here still on curing stage

                               I will try new batch soonest I find time
                              And when perfected, only then will I post the "How(s)" ;-)