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Vote for us!! Apartment Therapy “Homies” award

By Alan Polson Tagged: Apartment Therapy , Therapy

25 Jan 2011 0 Comments

If you have not yet visited Apartment Therapy on line then now is the time. Their blog is chock full of decorating ideas, new and affordable home decor items and an occasional picture of a celebrity home. Each year they choose several different blogs to receive the coveted “Homie” award. The winner is chosen based solely on the number of votes received by their readers. If you have enjoyed reading our blog posts on home decor and sewing we would love to have you show your appreciation by casting a vote here. Simply cut and paste this info: Name: Online Fabric Store URL:http://www.onlinefabricstore.net/blog/ and your vote will be cast.

In the meantime, we have a new look on the site so check it out. Great two day deals, beautiful and cozy winter fabrics and wonderful spring and summer items to snap you out of your winter doldrums. Don’ forget, we also carry utilitarian items like foam, webbing, netting etc. Truly one stop shopping for your fabric needs. Okay, enough with the commercials….thanks for voting and for your support.
16 Mirrored Wall Stickers Add Visual Depth to Room Decor

By Alan Polson

22 Jan 2011 0 Comments

OK, some of these may be a bit too kitschy for adults (and others are outright designed for kids), but there is something to be said for reflective surfaces that make a space feel larger and play on surrounding color schemes in natural ways.

This is an old trick in stores and restaurants, but cheap to implement via wall decals in small homes and rooms as well. Manufacturers have long realized that many homeowners would rather apply a removable wall stickers than paint (particularly since the former can accomplish mirrored, frosted, matte and glossy effects more efficiently).

Acte Deco is one such company, carrying a variety of inexpensive decorative solutions that are easy to install (and remove as well).

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Add Your Own Touch to Handbag Patterns

By Alan Polson Tagged: Handbag , Own Touch

20 Jan 2011 0 Comments

Can anyone tell that I simply love to make purses and handbags? One reason handbags are so much fun to make is that they are easy to add your own touch to.

You can mix and match fabrics within the same bag. Beautiful beads and trims look great on both solid color and print bags. Although you are likely making the bag from a ready-made pattern, each bag is your personal masterpiece. Be as creative as you desire. Try a fun novelty print or a formal-looking upholstery fabric. Animal prints can make delightful bags. Make a bag or tote for a special child in your life with beautiful children’s prints

Handbags are also great projects to try out your appliqué and quilting skills on. Make your own appliqués or simply attach some ready-made appliqué to a bag you have made. Many bag patterns feature quilting. Quilted tote bags can range from homespun to exotic. Some handbag patterns are repeats of classic bed quilts, while others have an art quilt or oriental look.

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Baby it’s cold outside—4 items to help build a roaring fire

By Alan Polson Tagged: Fire , It’s Cold

15 Jan 2011 0 Comments

The days are still short and let’s face it….it’s COLD outside; so let’s build a fire together.

I have talked about fireplace safety on this blog before and for a reminder of those safety tips you can go here. Once you have determined your fireplace is safe you will need some tools to build a beautiful, roaring fire that will warm your home.
1. You must begin with a clean fireplace so you will need a small shovel and broom ( a shop vac works just as well but it doesnt look as cute sitting on your hearth) that is part of an attractive hearth tool kit.
2. Check out these cute and functional brooms from broomchick at etsy
  
  2. Now that your firebox is clean and safe you will need some firewood. You may have a gas or electric fireplace in which case you simply turn a key or push a button and, Voila!, you have a fire. If not, you will need a supply of firewood and storage that will keep it close at hand like this cute bin from Plow and Hearth. There are other functional storage racks available but how about just stacking it on the wall? Love this idea!Read more…
Rack & Stack: Page-Saving, House-Shaped Magazine Stand

By Alan Polson Tagged: Houseshaped Magazine , Magazine

11 Jan 2011 1 Comments

Sick of losing your spot when you stop reading halfway through an article? Hate to leave magazines simply strewn about the coffee table? This two-in-one storage solution is a minimalist solution for saving the page and stacking your light reading material.

The angled roof provides a way to make the page without bending or creasing the magazine, while also making it the most accessible of the bunch (sitting on top) for when you want to pick back up where you left off.

The interior area works as a way to keep magazines roughly straight, while still allowing you to grab out another from the pile out either the front or the back.

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Running Late

By Alan Polson

22 Dec 2010 0 Comments

Ah, our good intentions! This year was going to be different. This year you were going to plan ahead and get started on those hand-sewn holiday gifts in plenty of time. If you’re like many of us, your good intentions have once more bit the dust, prey to work, family schedules, and just plain old poor planning.

Don’t despair. Winter has arrived and so it is time to start planning your spring sewing. Spring sewing is generally so much less hectic than trying to sew Christmas gifts, amid parties and shopping and every thing else.

Begin your planning today. Jot down the projects you would like to tackle. Some home décor, new curtains, new pillows, maybe upholstery for that loved arm chair? Maybe spring fashions for yourself or the kids?

Pick your pattern. Then order your fabric; ordering online is much easier than trying to find time to shop at the stores and for a small fee, you can have fabric samples sent to you before you order the actual yardage. Onli

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