Color! Create! Curtains!

Our living room is brown... very brown. Brown walls. Brown ceiling (which is gorgeous redwood). Brown furniture. BROWN. Blegh. Boring. Ok... I think you get it. ;)

When we moved in to our rental they provided us with curtains. Guess what they were... TAN (got ya, not)!

{See what I mean? Brown. And don't judge my un-staged space.}

I couldn't handle the brown anymore and neither could Kristyn (my sister in law). We chose a super fun pattern from JoAnn's (pretty much our only option out here) and got to work! I had fun teaching Kristyn a little and I think she had fun learning and doing. 

FYI, this was done without a pattern and without technical perfection (including my night time photography with yucky lighting). <--- Story of my life right there... 

I calculated the length on the curtains based on the ones that were already there. As far as width, typically when you buy fabric it is doubled on the bolt and I decided it would be wide enough just as it was. If you need it thiner, trim it. Wider, add fabric to one or both sides.

Supplies:

- 5 yards of fabric (liner and main curtain)

- thread that matches

- scissors

- rotary cutter and self healing board *optional*

- sewing machine

- an iron

{necessities}

Step 1: Measure and Cut

Measure the length of your windows then cut the fabric accordingly. Don't feel ridiculous measuring a bunch of times. You would rather be sure! Trust me. :) Keep in mind how you are hanging this will determine length (loops, grommets, pocket). I needed 6 extra inches to create my pocket (scroll down for more details). I chose to have a liner for I had to cut 4 pieces.

Step 2: Pin together.

Lay your fabric right sides together (the sides you want facing out). Then pin the 2 long sides and one of the short sides (you'll deal with the other one later). *Watch for crazy kitties trying to play with your fabric... see below*

{Mitzy, George, and Mojo were loving it! Kristyn and I eventually had to lock them out}

Step 3: Sew!

Sew your three straight lines. I don't have anything technical to say other than I had approx. 1/8-1/4 of an inch seem allowance and I just went straight. Let me know if you need more clarification. 

Step 4: Iron.

Once done, turn inside out so the right side is now out. Iron to make your edges flat and not bubbled. Fold over and iron the unfinished edge to create a clean edge for your pocket.

Step 5: Creating a pocket.

Instead of making loops or grommets to hang the curtains, I chose to make a pocket. To make a pocket, fold over the unfinished edge (that you just ironed). If you have a slick fabric you really should pin it, if it's cotton or something similar I'm going to say the wrong thing which is "You don't have to pin it". In my experience, I can keep it straight enough and the fabric kinda sticks to itself. Anyway, sew your straight line to the end.

Step 6: Hang those suckers up!

Go on... hang them up and enjoy!

{I didn't stage it... again. Welcome to my living room}

{I love this fabric!!!!}

There you have it. The quick, nontechnical way, without a pattern how-to on making curtains! Let me know if you give it a try.

If you need extra direction, I can help! Just let me know. 

What have you created lately?

Other than the curtains? Not much. This needs to change.

What are you looking forward to creating?

I am making a duvet cover out of sheets next!

~Emily~

Pregnancy Observations

Now that we're closing in on week 20 of this pregnancy, I figured it was time for an update.

We are so grateful to be pregnant. Surprised at how quickly it happened, but so incredibly grateful. I would rather it happen quickly than anything else.

I'm going to be real. :)

First trimester:

• Fatigue. Oh my goodness I have never felt so tired for so long in my life. I was a sleeping machine!
• Nausea. I was lucky to really not have much of it. 
• Vomiting. Sweet potatoes and other thick foods however, were not good to me! They are what would send me to the bathroom. Oh, and smelly, old foods. Gag.
• I was (and still am) awe struck that I am pregnant.
• The boobies are really a bit sore.
• Moods. I'm not really sure how my moods have been. Hopefully not crazy.
• Yoga pants. Amen.
• Sports bras. Amen.

Second trimester: 

• Had our first doctors appointment! It was so cool to hear June Bug's heart beat.
• I always know where the nearest bathroom is... I think I've been lucky though with not having to pee a ton even though I'm drinking plenty of water.
• Blessings: A friend of ours received 3 transitional car seats when her son was born. She gave us one of them (never been out of the box). She also sent me home with 2 body pillows and the doughnut. Holy sweetness. Thank you for blessing me!
• Funny (and embarrassing, maybe) story: Mike and I went shooting and we were driving down a logging road to get to our spot. When we got there I was in a sour mood. Mike was leading the way and I grumpily asked, "how far do we have to walk? Can't we just shoot here?" gripe gripe gripe. Then I knew I had to pee soo bad. I was determined I could hold it but while Mike was setting up targets I yelled, "Don't turn around I'm peeing behind this stump!". He of course just laughed and I did my duty. Right after, and I mean right after, I peed I was in SUCH a better mood! Lesson? Don't hold it to long or you get grumpy. I know no shame.
• We have decided on a first name for a boy. We're thinking on girl names.
• I wish I could have a glass of pinot grigio. It's just the taste I miss with some of my dinners. And fake wines might as well be juice...
• I have some round ligament pain.
• My sciatica doesn't like me. No more sitting on the floor (good thing I don't have a toddler).
• Today I had a strong pressure in my pelvis. I'll ask the doctor about it on Friday but from the internet research I did it's all good.
• I asked Mike what is one way I'm different while pregnant (not physically). He said, "You're way more stubborn. Once you have your mind on something, that's how it has to go." Thank you God for a husband who loves me anyway!

Those are my thoughts and updates for now on pregnancy. I probably should do it monthly. My mom got me a journal for June Bug and this pregnancy and I really enjoy writing in it. So cool to have a place for memories!

~Emily~

Ooh yeah!!!

Oh yeah! I have a blog. 

You would think I had forgotten based on how much I HAVEN'T done...

There has been a lot going on around here. 

- We had our first prenatal appointment. Our doctor said I'm healthy and okay'd me for starting prenatal yoga and swim classes. I also LOVE our doctor. He is very supportive of a natural birth.

- The bro-in-law was up here for a while and we explored fern canyon (that gets a whole post in itself). Here's a teaser...

{Fern Canyon. That's the BIL}

- We made another trip down to Southern California. My sister was running in a much bigger community queen pageant (16 or so contestants). She didn't win and she was relieved and happy. BUT she did win the Miss Enterprise award for raising the most money for Saddle Up Ranch (a therapeutic non profit). The town we are from only has about 1500 people and the other communities have 10,000 - 158,000+. This is one reason I love Leona Valley!

{Olivia and I}

- We rearranged the guest/craft room to now include my brother's office (incase you're unaware my hubby and I, and my bro and his wife all live together). The bro's office is now empty so we can create June Bug's space!

- We FINALLY made more laundry soap. Yay for cheap and good cleaning laundry soap!

- Mike and I have both been working lots. 

- I started a new bible study with my instavotion group. I love this group of women and I love that it's an online community who love each other! Most of us have NEVER met.

- I have been sick. This is what I have been carrying around the house with me...

{Water, tissues, coconut oil [for applying essential oils], Lemon/Thieves/Peppermint Essential Oils [they have helped so much with my cold], chap stick [eos], cough drops, a yummy candle.}

I have some stuff I'm itching to blog about I figure if I list it, I'll be more accountable.

1) Show you Fern Canyon. OMG. Gorgeous.

2) I'm making a duvet cover out of sheets I got at Target.

3) I'm making curtains for our living room. It needs some color.

4) We find out (hopefully) June Bug's gender Friday. EEEEEEE.

5) Mike and I are venturing up the coast of Oregon for a little get away, just us. It's wonderful to go see family. We just always feel like we haven't connected at all when we go. This is probably our last little get away, just us, before June Bug comes.

What has been going on in your life?

Can you believe that January is GONE?

I'm going to be 26 in just over a week. Whoa.

~Emily~