FIRST DAY OF FALL! HALLOWEEN WREATH

Around here, the first day of fall feels like the first day of summer.  Hot.  But, it brings hope to Phoenicians.  Hope that, indeed, we don't live in hell.  That in just a few short weeks, we will be able to ride along without a/c.  Hope, that our utility bills will reach a reasonable amount and we will be able to wear our fall boots.

So to heck with 100 degree temps...we are moving forward with fall plans.  We were long overdue for a get together, so we grabbed lunch on the first day of fall and headed to Hobby Lobby.  Stacie had the itch to start a fall decorating project, and as usual, Dana needed a little help in this area.

Half the fun was the time we spent in the store...What do you do with a rose this size? 

"Stacie, will you accept this rose?"

And why, Oh Craft Stores, do you insist on rushing us through each holiday???  Notice the Christmas balls behind Dana?  We just want to concentrate on Fall.  

Stacie, in her high techie ways, impressed Dana with the Hobby Lobby App on her phone.  Saved herself 3 bucks at check out!  Total cost for this project 15$

Grab some Mesh and Pipe cleaners that coordinate. Add your favorite extras.

About Every 12 inches, gather the mesh and attach with a pipe cleaner.  

And when in doubt, "Put a bird on it!"

(Thanks to J, for this one!)

Little Betties and Bros: A Back-to-School Photo Shoot

The start of another school year!  We hope you have a good one!

-The Betties (and Bros)

 

Transforming curtains into valances!

Stacie has been looking for fabric to make new valances for her kitchen for months! She happened to be in her local Walmart looking for kids bedroom curtains when she stumbled on some great patterned curtains, but they didn't make them in a valance. They were what she had been looking for in color and style and the price was right! She decided to buy the curtains and transform them into window valances. With some sewing help from her mom, they created a new look for the kitchen!

This is what they started out like...pretty, but not fitting for a bay window!

So, with a little cutting, hemming and sewing they were able to finish the project in just a couple hours!

They decided to line the fabric with a thin cotton, so they could fold the fabric in half to make the measuring easier. The lining made it so you wouldn't see the pattern through it when the light came through. They turned out really nice and the ladies were pleased with their work! the whole project cost $60.00 for a total of 5 windows! Not bad! Here is the final result!

Thanks! Enjoy! 

Summer Hair

We both have long hair, which we love most of the time.  However, with temps reaching 110 in Phoenix we are always looking for creative ways to get it out of our face.  We will be featuring some  ways to achieve that.  Dana's wearing the waterfall braid below...we could make another cheesy how-to video but youtube already has a million waterfall braid tutorials.

Here is a fun side-braid-twist.

A Fishtail Braid/Tuck below...simply done.  It doesn't have to be perfect.  In fact we do our own braids; so often times it's a messy look:)  

The below style is made with the top layers pulled into a small bun and fastened.   The lower section was french braided under the bun going sideways.  The end of the braid was wrapped around the bun and secured tightly with hair pins.

Now we need to see some ideas from the pretty brunette...what's next Stacie?

-The Betties

Board and Batten

Dana has a long narrow bathroom that all four boys share.  Enough said right?  One thing about boys; they don't care how towels look hanging on the rack.  All wadded up, barely on, hitting the floor, or not used at all.  Instead she finds them damp and in their rooms.

So, new project to help with this dilemma.  For a Mother's Day gift,  CB (the Cute Banker) went to Home Depot for the supplies to create a board and batten with hooks for the boys' towels.  Who can't hang a towel on a hook, right??

The project was completed this weekend, making this mama very happy!   The boys agreed on some vintage dog prints with a sports theme by Stephen Fowler.  We are keeping the buttery yellow for now.  This was the original color when we moved in and too many other projects are screaming our names right now.  But some Seafoam green towels and some earth tone accessories add some contrast. Overall it's a huge improvement to their boring, unorganized feminine space.  Can't wait to find a few more boy items for it and man it up a bit.

We did not attach the decorative ledge  on top of the board like some we've seen on most board and batten projects.  Again the bathroom is narrow and we didn't want little heads getting bumped.  Also, the hooks were the shallowest we could find (at Lowes) so nobody loses an eye. Safety first :)  Some we've seen are large and obtrusive, which works for a wider space; allowing for larger items too be hung.

Total cost for the project 60$ not including art work.

More ideas to add later...

Although we just figured it out on our own.  I came across this great tutorial today.  Thanks Young House Love for a video demonstration.  We actually used a floor board at the top to give it a decorative edge.  Chair rails did not allow enough space to attach the hooks.  And a plain board just looked too plain for our taste.

http://www.younghouselove.com/2013/02/breaking-down-our-57-board-batten/

The Burlap Wreath

We know these burlap wreaths are everywhere, but this one really caught our eye! Saw it at an expensive boutique for over $90.00 and thought... we can make this! Stacie bought 5 yards of burlap at a craft store on sale for $15.00 and a grapevine wreath for $5.00. There is a lot of cutting involved, but with a bowl for a template it was easy. The diameter is about 6 inches (regular cereal bowl will work).  After cutting all your circles you are ready to start gluing! Fold the circles in half and in half again,  glue them to the grapevine wreath. Start in the inner part of the wreath and work your way around to the outer edges. Place the folded burlap as close as you want depending on how full you want it. These are about an inch a part. This process is time consuming and be careful not to burn yourself with the glue, but it sure is cute when it's finished!

Adorn with ribbon or decorate for different occasions and enjoy!

 Happy crafting!
   The Betties!