Fabric Sling Bookshelf

I've been an avid fan of Pinterest for some time now.  I've pinned many things & just haven't had the time to make them.....but there was 1 pin that I just kept coming back to & that one was by TipJunkie.com.  She posted a pin that was titled How to Make a Fabric Sling Bookshelf & it was soooo cute, that I've been itching to try it!

My little 3 year old loves to be read to (most 3 year olds do)!!  Anyway, she has a bookcase that is full & now that she is in a "big girl bed", I'm finding that lazy mom (that would be me)....  reads a bunch of stories, & then tosses them gently over the side of the bed when I'm finished (instead of walking over to the bookcase to put them away.....if you know me, this doesn't surprise you)!!!

How to Make a Fabric Sling Bookshelf via TipJunkie.com (this is the picture from the website that sold me on making one for my daughter)

When I saw the fabric sling bookshelf mounted on the wall right next to the bed, I knew this was a project I NEEDED to do!  TipJunkie.com has a great tutorial on how to make this if you want to check out her website.  I will attempt to show you how I used my very minimal sewing ability to make one for my daughter....(P.S.  if I can do this, ANYONE can do this ~ trust me)!

Step 1:  Go & find yourself some fun fabric (you'll need 1 1/3 yard), bring it home & wash it!

Step 2:  Go to Lowes or wherever you prefer & buy (2) double brackets (I found them in the drapery section)

Step 3:  Buy (2) 48" long round dowels (5/8" diameter)

Sew right sides together... sew short side, long side, and half way up the other short...

turn your fabric right sides out & then sew up the half that you left open to turn fabric through...

I just used my sewing machine to stitch up the half side...

measure 2" up and pin the first long side...

sew the first long side... then, repeat on the second long side..

when your finished, it will look like this...place your dowels in & your done with the sewing...pretty easy!

just another picture of your finished sling

This is a picture of the brackets I bought (about $5 each)

I definitely recommend that you try this project if you have an avid reader or a little one who likes to pick out his/her own books & has their favorites that they like to read on a daily basis!  I'm going to switch out the books in the sling once a week to mix it up a little!! 

My 11 year old daughter saw this completed & thought maybe she would like to have one....  you could make this for any age group (doesn't just have to be for little ones)

Thanks to TipJunkie.com for this awesome project (which by the way cost $20 total for everything...sweet)!

Happy Reading,

Heather

Distressed White

I picked this dresser up at an old farmstead near Fort Lincoln.  

It's top was a mess and it was filthy...but, it had some great character.  

So I snatched it up, cleaned it and painted it pure white.  

Dresser. Before.  

Dresser. After. 

Love the legs and the curve at the bottom. 

Pure White. Heavy Distressing. Perfect. 

36" wide, 17" deep and 35" high.

SOLD

Contact us at greenbriargoods@hotmail.com

Thanks for visiting.

Renae

Bookshelf in Orange

On Friday, I visited an old farmstead in search of a replacement mirror for an old vanity and ended up coming home with the pickup full of "treasures"...

and one of them found its home in Casey's room. 

I recently showed pictures from the room makeover that we did for 

our son Casey.  We had used a unique old bookshelf next to his bed...

it worked, but I was searching for a better one:)  

This is the original one.  

I bought this for $5.  

Ugly. Dirty. Gross. 

Soap. Water. Bleach. Paint.  

Perfect.  

The entire piece is painted Barcelona Orange, distressed and waxed.  I used scrapbook papers and Modge Podge on the back panel to add interest.  

Now Casey has the perfect spot for his "treasures."

Renae

A New Room for Casey

 It's time for Casey to have a real room...

not just legos and clothes. A room with a bed.

After the Missouri River flood in 2011, I did some re-organizing.  We sold his twin bed and moved the Legos into his room.  That is where it ended. 

So we have revamped his room and gave it a BED...

and some different furniture and decor. 

Old dresser and the drapes I took out of Thomas' room.  

Both will be for sale on Bisman.  

New dresser.  Before.  

New Dresser. After.  

We painted it Old White and Barcelona Orange.  Its distressed a little and waxed, of course.  The handles were painted an antique bronze.  

Legos.  Before.  Ugh.  

Legos. After.  

We moved the Lego table into the nook in front of his window and all of the bins of sorted lego pieces went into this great cabinet that we have had for years. 

New Headboard, bedding and pillows.  

We made the headboard from pieces wood, painted them Old White, distressed and added some dark wax to age it.  Click here to see the tutorial.  

I wasn't sure if I loved it or not when it was sitting in my garage...but once it was in the room I knew it was perfect.  

The other day I had 10 minutes to pop into TJ Maxx and see if they had 

any new bedding that would coordinate with his room.  I had ordered 

two sets online, but they were not quite right.  So, I dashed in and 

I found the PERFECT quilt, shams and coordinating pillows!  I didn't have 

a cart so my arms were filled and the checkout line was long...and I was 

running late. Oh well, I made it and I had exactly what we were looking for.  

Do you ever notice that when you don't grab a cart at Target, 

the grocery store or TJ Maxx that you find tons of stuff?  

The Headboard.  

We had the nightstand and decided that it worked perfectly 

with his new dresser and headboard.  

Casey spent a little time last night cleaning out his "junk" drawer and placed his slippers that Grandma Kathy brought back from China beside his bed. When he came down for breakfast this morning, he had them on. Too cute.  

Beside the Lego table, we added a piece of metal for pictures, 

awards and artwork.  The clipboards make changing pictures a breeze and the metal bins will be perfect for Lego magazines.  

Casey's room turned out great and he loves it.  He and Thomas have been sleeping together forever and they both slept in their own rooms last night.  They looked like Kings tucked into the middle of their big beds. 

Thanks for visiting.  

Renae

Homemade Headboard

Meet Casey.  He's Cool.

We are working on redecorating his room and we found a 

headboard on Pinterest that he liked.  So, after three hockey games 

and a hockey party...we headed to Lowe's to pick up some wood.  

Before we left for the day, I spent a little time measuring so I could have Aaron at Lowe's cut the wood and save my husband a little time (so he can prep the taxes).  He thought I was a little nutty, but appreciated how prepared I was.  

Here it is laid out...oops, back to Lowe's for another brace 

and shorter nails for the nail gun.  

I softened the edges with my palm sander and removed the rough spots.  

Now we wait.  For Mike.  Taxes.  

He helped me get it level, square and nailed together.  

I filled the holes and sanded it down.  Then I gave it a couple thin coats of ASCP in Old White, distressed and waxed it with both clear and dark wax.  

Here it is!  In the garage.  

Tomorrow I will buff it and attach it to the wall.  I like it so far...I wish I would have stained the wood, then painted it.  I couldn't tell what was sanded between the white wood and the light paint.  Oh well, I added some dark wax to age it. 

I'll share the final product once the room is all pulled together. 

Renae