Not the best picture but here is a jewelry organizer I made for my sister for Christmas. Based off of this tutorial from Queen of DIY.

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I’m sharing this post at: Creation Corner * Remodelaholic

My first craft show

This past Saturday I took part in my first ever craft show. I decided to sell key fobs, checkbook covers and chocolate covered oreos. I spent the whole week sewing and wondering if anyone would buy anything. To my surprise I did sell a decent amount, although after paying to rent the table, parking, and supplies I'm not sure I came out ahead. The checkbook covers weren't very popular, I guess no one writes checks anymore? But the key fobs and oreos were well received. I will be adding the leftover inventory to my shop so make sure to check it out.

Orange Scarf

Orange scarf from Anthropologie and oooh it's cashmere. $98

Make your own chocolate covered oreos

I have been craving chocolate covered oreos and couldn't find them in the store anywhere. I could have taken the easy way out and just melted some chocolate and dipped a few oreos, but after discovering spinningleaf I had to make things harder on myself. They sell molds for soap and oreo making and I had to try them out. There is definitely a learning curve, as you can see mine are far from perfect but hey, you're going to eat them anyway, right? Instructions can be found here.

Make it! Hardware Store Decor

Curbly has done it again releasing the third book in their Make it! series, this time focusing on home decor pieces you can create from stuff purchased at any hardware store. Intriguing projects include the posh pipe desk and an exposed bulb chandelier. Click here to download the PDF for $9.99 or have a printed version delivered to your door for $22.

Daybed Chair

While browsing the internet for the perfect daybed I came across this beauty. Not exactly the kind of daybed I was browsing for but I'll take it. It looks incredibly comfortable and is what I've been looking for without even knowing. I'm not sure if you can actually buy it, or if it's just one of those concept pieces. If it is for sale it's probably crazy expensive. But I can dream.

–via

Tutorial: Dog Bed

Here is the giant dog bed (30" x 45" x 3") that I slaved over for the huskies and they don't appreciate it in the least! Contrary to what the above pictures may have you believe, it is rarely used. Both pictures were posed and after it was over they got up and went about their business. It has a batting wrapped foam insert and zippered cover for easy washing. I used fabric from Joel Dewberry's ginseng line.

If you want to make one for your own dog there are tutorials for something similar at Sew4Home and Sew Mama Sew.

This is by far the best tutorial I could find on making your own bias tape (piping).

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I'm sharing this post at: Remodelaholic

Lasso Lamp

Orange lasso desk lamp on sale at Crate&Barrel for $29.95!

Your Blogger Has Been Confiscated!

But only temporarily...not to worry! I will return her in one piece, safe and sound in just a bit. For now you can find her over at my site sharing a fabulous Guest Post with my readers. I hope you will visit her and say a little hello. She will want to know that you are well cared for while she is gone...

Click on the banner below to see what She's up to! Xx Rayan - The Design Confidential

Free patterns

Find a good selection of free seamless patterns at pattern8.

Design Confidential Logo Voting Starts Today

Hi friends! Rayan from The Design Confidential here....I am borrowing your blogger for a just a bit while we vote on my new Identity. I am so thankful that your Blogger has decided to contribute to my cause and I hope you will too! We need you to head over to my site and cast your vote for the Logo that will become my new Identity.

I recently made the transition from The Frugal Designer to The Design Confidential because it fit my content a bit better...now I need a new button for all of you fabulous peeps to admire while perusing my site, and perhaps to wear proudly after entering your tutorials in my DIY Collective or tackling one of my Build It! Plans...Please help me decide...see you soon, thank you for lending your Blogger's talents and for participating.. Xx Rayan

Click the tab below to...

Design Confidential Logo Submissions

The Design Confidential formerly the Frugal Designer is having a logo contest for her new name/site. Winner gets a $40 gift card to the store of their choice.

Voting starts on July 7th. Please vote for me!

Here are my entries:

And here is one quick last minute entry....

Tutorial: Minky Blanket

Part II of my baby gift tutorials.

Tutorial: Burp Cloths

Part I of my baby gift tutorials. This tutorial will make two burp cloths.

Baby Gifts

I attended my cousin's baby shower a couple months ago and took that as an opportunity to make some cute baby gifts.

Minky blanket.

Burp cloths.

Custom onesies using freezer paper, my Cricut,
Sure Cuts a Lot and fabric paint.

I even made a card and envelope. The Cricut is amazing!

Tutorials will follow.

Win an epiphanie

Beyond Snapshots and Epiphanie Bags are hosting a giveaway for the gorgeous Lola bag. With a price tag of $164.99 the only way I am getting one is to win it. Get your entries in by April 2nd.

Here's mine:

Best I could come up with on such short notice.

Win a Canon 5D Mark II

Epiphanie bags is giving away your choice of a Canon 5D Mark II or a $2,500 gift certificate to Southwest Airlines.

Details are here.
Deadline is March 31 at midnight.

Another reason to love Target

Ever since seeing this picture on flickr I have been on the lookout for that lamp. What do I find the other day at Target? This vase, which is very similar, for $20. Works well as a vase or I could turn it into a lamp. What do you think?

Tutorial: Lined Grommet Top Curtains

Modified tutorial from about.com

Who needs Pottery Barn? Build your own furniture!

My new favorite blog is Knock off Wood. I stumbled across it yesterday and two hours later found myself still browsing. To say that I was inspired and amazed is a severe understatement. I love to look at furniture from Pottery Barn, West Elm, Restoration Hardware etc... but it is usually way out of my price range. Ana found herself in the same predicament but didn't let it stop her from creating a stylish home by building her own furniture. She takes inspiration from places like Pottery Barn, figures out how to make the piece for a lot cheaper and puts together plans, diagrams and shopping lists that she is generous enough to share for free. All that she asks in return is that you add comments on your building experience to assist others and post finished projects on her bragging board. Thanks Ana!

Update: Ana's site can now be found at ana-white.com

What day is it, again?

I don't know about you, but I have a hard time keeping track of the day and date. Thanks to my new clock from Kohl's I won't have that problem any more. Isn't it cute!

To die for Tiramisu

I love Tiramisu. It is amazing and I recently discovered that it isn't too complicated to make.

Tiramisu
Modified from allrecipes

6 egg yolks
3/4 cup white sugar
2/3 cup milk
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
1 tablespoon of confectioners sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pound mascarpone cheese
3/4 cup strong brewed coffee, room temperature
3 tablespoons Kahlua
2 (3 ounce) packages ladyfinger cookies
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder

In a medium saucepan, whisk together egg yolks and sugar until well blended. Whisk in milk and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture boils. Boil gently for 1 minute, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Cover tightly and chill in refrigerator 1 hour.

In a medium bowl, beat heavy cream with confectioners sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form.

Whisk mascarpone into yolk mixture until smooth.

In a small bowl, combine coffee and kahlua. Split ladyfingers in half lengthwise and brush with coffee mixture.

Arrange half of soaked ladyfingers in bottom of a 7x11 inch dish. Spread half of mascarpone mixture over ladyfingers, then half of whipped cream over that. Repeat layers and sprinkle with cocoa. Cover and refrigerate 4 to 6 hours, until set.

Tip: Make sure you use mascarpone cheese. Substitutions don't compare.

How to enter the world of textiles

I have always wanted to be the next Amy Butler. I know. I know. I probably have a better chance of being kidnapped by aliens, but a girl can dream, right? The only problem is, how does one break into the fabric industry? Lizzy House hopes to clear this complicated process up with her new book, How to Enter the World of Textiles: for the Quilting Industry. The e-book releases today for $25!

Buy it here.

Another wood cutout

When I found this image I knew I had to make something for my aunt. She owns donkeys and so I made her this cutout for her garden. See how I made this cute little burro here.

Tutorial: Embroidery Hoop Corkboard

I have seen these adorable embroidery hoop corkboards on etsy before and thought that they can't be too hard to make. Turns out I'm right. Check out this tutorial from sweetjessie.

Rant: Duvet Covers

I love my down comforter. I will never go back to using one of those bed in a bag comforters ever again. It's hard to explain, just something you have to experience for yourself. What I don't understand is why duvet covers are so expensive? They are essentially an oversized pillowcase for my comforter. Yet stores have the audacity to charge $100 and up for what is basically a comforter without the stuffing. And typically the comforter in the same line costs less than the duvet, if they even offer a duvet to begin with. I don't understand the logic behind that at all. I know how to sew and was contemplating buying a comforter, gutting it, and turning it into my own custom duvet cover until I went to HomeGoods. So until I tire of this one my rant is temporarily quelled.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year! Look at the cute Scooby lawn decoration I made. A little late for Christmas, but there's always next year.

See how I made Scooby here.