This Week's Crafts

1. Braided Rag Rug

I have been dying for a rug in the guest/office/craft room, but I don't want to spend $100+ on it. So, I found instructions for a DIY (Do It Yourself) rag rug on A Beautiful Mess. I have been buying cheap old sheets from the local thrift stores for fabric and braiding them together. It is extremely time consuming but very rewarding! Now I just need to figure out how to stitch my braids together (without a sewing machine) and how to finish the edges. Any ideas?

2. Painted Mirror

While at the thrift store to get fabric for my rag rug, I found a $15 mirror. In the store it looked pretty nice, but when I got home I started noticing how dirty the frame was. So, I took a toothbrush and scrubbed as much of the dirt away as possible. When I realized that (1) I wouldn't be able to clean it completely, (2) it's damaged corner really stuck out, and (3) the original paint was chipping, I decided to paint it. The end result is a black mirror with gold flecked edges. I love it!

Top part has been scrubbed. Left side still has tons of dirt! 

Filthy water after scrubbing the whole frame.

Damage on bottom left corner.

Hanging up in it's new home!

3. Blanket

I had the wild idea to crochet a blanket. I have never crocheted anything bigger than a scarf or beanie. And, I have never followed a pattern! So, I set off to create a throw blanket for our living room (NOT that we need any more blankets in our house). As I got a couple rows in, I realized that the blanket was going to be way to small for a throw blanket. So, now it's going to be a baby blanket for some lucky baby somewhere. I am also thrifting (almost) all the yarn for the blanket.

4. Curtains

One day I had the great idea to hang up curtains in the guest/office/craft room. But, I don't have a sewing machine. So, I took a sheet that we never use and cut it up. The end result doesn't look too shabby especially considering that no stitching, sewing, etc. were done (just don't look at the raw edges).

By next week, hopefully I will have more crafty things to share with you!