Thrifty Finds Friday #3

Well, maybe that title is a stretch. Both of my "finds" were at regular stores (vs. thrift stores or yard sales). However, both were on sale and discounted and I think I got a good deal. Does that work?!

My first find is from Tuesday Mornings. I have not been in this store for at least a year, but there is one close to where we are temporarily living and it happens to be near the Dollar Store, which I love. So I went to the dollar store for bubble wrap and then walked to Tuesday Mornings (and had to pass the Fresh Market to get there, how cruel is that? But so proud of myself that I was not sucked in the doors!). I found two items at TM. This awesome jute rug (see photo below). It was so awesome that I just carried it around until I got a carriage, even though I was not sure if I was going to get it or not. Then another shopper looked at it, commented how cool it was, and asked where I found it. I did not tell her that it was the only one that I saw! Yikes.... maybe they had some more in the back....... Anyways, it is 3 ft x 5 ft and is perfect. It may go in front of the slider to the patio, or the front door. Not sure yet.

I am just sure that at $29 I LOVE IT!!!!!






I also found this adorable little spoon rest at TM for $2.99. I can't pass up anything lobstery or new englandly, (those are words by the way) because it is in my blood.



My next TF was from JC Penney . They were having a sale on curtains and I had a 20% off coupon! I am planning on using these in our Master Bedroom, and using a Pottery Barn comforter. I bought three and they were $28 per panel. Of course, I can not (and have never) bought curtains and hung them without fiddling with, or changing them some. These are no exception. I bought ONE curtain panel from PB that matches the duvet cover I bought (also from PB) and I will cut it up - Yes, I said CUT it up! I want the fabric to use to add to my JCP curtains. And use on the small windows where I will most likely use both fabrics to make roman shades. And will have some left over for pillows.........I miss my sewing machine.....guess where it is? Yup, in a POD.

**Update: Click here to see a photo of the master bedroom in the model home to see a side view of the window (you can just see the drapes hanging on the left) and the two small windows I will make a roman shade for with a mix of my two fabrics



Here to can see the print of the PB fabric better. It is so pretty. I love that is had red and rust in it because I have a lot of items with that color, but overall it is light. It also has yellow/gold, blue and green. Love, love, love it. I have big plans for new items in our Master Bedroom.



Thank you for reading and make sure to come back. Someday you will see how these look in our new house!

Monogrammed Napkins

Wow! It has been way too long. I have been busy with our new routine, which will be changed again as soon as our new home is built and ready to move in to. I have also been training hard for another Triathlon. Nothing to big, just a sprint, but the training tires me out and gives me little energy for anything else. My race was last weekend so I am now getting all caught up!

So, I am finally back today to share a project that I have been working on for a while. Monogrammed hotel napkins using fabric paint. In the spirit of full disclosure, this was not my original idea. It was my sister's idea and she gave us some napkins a while back with our initial monogrammed on them using fabric paint. That girl is queen of fabric paint and uses it on everything, and it all looks great! The napkins she made for us have been used many times, and washed many times, and still look great. She got the inspiration from - where else - Pottery Barn!

Here is Pottery Barns Version:


Here is my version:


I bought 12 white napkins at Home Goods, brought them home and washed them. About 2 days later I ironed them. About 4 days later I bought fabric paint and finally painted them........about 2 days later! A project that could have taken and afternoon took me over 1 week to complete. *sigh*

Do you want to see how I did this? Keep Reading!

This is from the package of napkins



After washing and ironing them all I printed out a letter using MS Word. I chose the font Big Caslon and the size 150 pt.

I gathered my supplies including:



Next I put my freezer paper over my printed out letter and traced it onto the freezer paper - making sure the shiny side was facing down. I removed the paper from underneath and cut out the freezer paper letter with an exacto knife. Tip: I had 12 napkins but actually cut out about 8 letters. When the paint was dry, I removed the freezer paper letter so I could reuse it on another napkin. I just used a piece of wax paper between the iron and the freezer paper because it now had paint dried on it.



Next I ironed the freezer paper (shiny side DOWN) onto the napkins. Use an iron with steam on, moving slightly so you don't burn fabric, and apply pressure. Usually about 30 seconds will do it. I check after about 10 - 15 seconds. Just make certain all the edges of the freezer paper are secured to the fabric.



The next part is the fun part. Adding the paint. Any brush will do, and I usually paint from the outer edge in to the center so as to not get any bleeding around the edge. You really don't need to do that if the freezer paper is ironed down good, I just don't like to re-do anything! I also pounce the brush a little, like you do with stenciling. The hard part is next. Waiting until the paint is dry before peeling the freezer paper off. That involves patience - NOT my virtue!



I placed the letter in the same place on every napkin, using the tag to keep it all the same. I had pre-folded them to make sure the monogram was going where it would look the best folded and with the tag at the bottom.



Voila! You are done! Twelve napkins in not too much time (once you omit all my little "breaks")!
Look how pretty these turned out. I just love this metallic paint. I think it adds a nice little sparkle. Won't it look pretty around a holiday table with lights bouncing off it?







I would love to hear about or see any fabric paint projects you have done recently!

Thanks for visiting!!!!


I am linking up today with:
Obsessive and Creative, The Pin Junkie, Be Different....Act Normal, Thrifty Decor Chick, Between Naps on the Porch,