Katie from Creatively Living

Hi Pocket Full of Pink Readers!

I'm Katie, and I blog over at Creatively Living.

I'm excited to be guest posting for you today.

I love a good craft or sewing project, but what I really enjoy is renovating houses.

Here is my latest "space" reveal.

My Office Nook.

Awhile back, I blogged about the small office space in our basement that I made for my husband (who never uses it).

These were the before pics...

The way it was when we moved in (arrow is pointing to the area I'm focusing on).

It's almost difficult to see in the picture above, but the little indented space was turned into an office nook for my husband. My dad and I worked on it one summer while he was gone.

I added the black shelf and my dad helped me take a counter that was scratched from Lowes (best way to get a counter discount... find the scratched one and ask for a price reduction) and we cut it to fit the space, then secured it.

Most of the junk here is mine (yes, I'll admit it), the weird hatchet and cross-rifles belong to my husband, who was an Army infantryman for 10 yrs.

For a couple years, this has been one of those "out of control" spaces. A mixture of my husband's school work (he's just about to finish his Masters in Divinity), books, and random DIY stuff.

This pic below is highlighting the missing ceiling, the unfinished trim work and the places where I had to replace tongue and groove paneling.

These are the projects I've showed you thus far, in my attempt to create a "sale-worthy" office space (since we currently have our house on the market).

My Silhouette Wall Art My Desk Skirt

....and here's the after.

Put in flooring, paint and 1/2 the trim/baseboards a couple yrs ago, along with putting in the desk and shelf.

More recently, I hid the crazy bookshelves with the Desk Skirt.

Kept the lamp and added some other simple decor I had on hand.

Books and rocks were easy, available and inexpensive.

My Silhouette Wall Art

Notice I patched over that cut in the paneling with a DIY coat rack....just some putty, boards, and hooks.

I also framed one of my husband's maps from his Iraq tour. I was happy with how well it matched everything.

I've actually been using this space quite a bit lately.

Strangely my husband still doesn't.

Maybe we should just switch office spaces!

Here are some other before and afters you might enjoy...

A bedroom makeover I did for my sister for under $70.

My Kitchen Makeover

My Living Room Makeover

Thanks Karen and Pocket Full of Pink Readers for having me here.

Come visit me sometime at Creatively Living!

Infinity Scarf

Hi Pocket Full of Pink readers! I'm Priscilla and I blog over at Thrifty Crafty Girl.  Karen was nice enough to let me guest post at her place today, so I'm showing you a fun little fall project I made... I hope you like it!

I love this thing.

So, I saw all these people wearing these 'infinity scarves' and I just loved them.  And I thought it would be the perfect project for November, since it's getting frosty outside.  So I went to the fabric store and found some fun flannel.  Yes, flannel can be fun, if you have no other excitement in your life that is.

See? Fun!

I got two yards for this scarf, which is plenty.  I cut the flannel into a strip 18" wide by two yards long.  Once that was done, I pinned up the long end, right sides together.

Next, I sewed up the long end.  I love sewing straight lines. Use whatever seam allowance you like because you're awesome and know what you're doing.

Once that was done, I turned it right side out.  Now most people would stitch up part of the ends before flipping but I hate having to pull fabric through tiny holes.  Since this is an infinity scarf, having a seam would not be such a big deal.  I pulled it right-side-out and sewed the ends together.  This whole thing took about 30 minutes.

I made a scarf! And it's infinity! Infinity times infinity, even!  Oh, that fall were all year round so I could make a hundred of these. :)

Eco-Chic Shopping Tote

Yesterday I got the bug to sew something.  My 17 yr. old wanted to sew (yay!) and we decided to make these cute Shopping totes:

Ooooh, don't you just adore that fabric?  It is my favorite!  

I made this one and I can't wait to use it!  I think I just decided what I am making for Christmas gifts this year!

They are even reversible!  Look at that cuteness:)  My DD whipped out 3 yesterday.  I made 2.  She didn't want to stop!!

I am working on a tutorial for this bag.  I will post it soon.  It seriously took me 30-45 minutes to make.  I love a quick, easy project!

I am linking here:
Sisters stuff
A Little Tipsy
Sew Much Ado
Sassy Sites
The Answer is Chocolate
Craftomaniac
Keeping it Simple
Crafty Confessions

Free Sewing Patterns?

Have you been to this website?? 

I just spent about 1/2 hour looking at all the free patterns!  I downloaded a ton.  I am so excited about this site.  I am not that great at sewing, but there are lots of easy projects there.  Here are some examples:

I LOVE market bags!  These look sooo easy!  Trust me, if I can so can you!!  HERE is the link to the pattern.

These would be so fun for Valentine's day!  HERE is the link to this pattern.  Again....EASY!

I love this classy Romantic Ruffle bracelet.  The gal who designed this is UBER talented!  HERE is the link to the pattern.

I love this corsage necklace!  The fabric is 2 die 4!  HERE are the directions.

This is just a drop in the bucket of what they have.  You have got to go check this site out!  You will be so glad you did:)