Blackout curtains

Above is a photograph of the curtains that I made for my sister. She recently had a baby and wanted to have some curtains up in the new nursery to block out the sunlight so the baby could have a nice sleep!

She lives abroad on an island where there is not much choice in curtains so she asked me to make some for her.  She forwarded on the fabric she chose for her curtains and arranged to collect them when she next visited the UK.  She has constant sun where she lives so I told her it was a must to have blackout lining on the curtains, which she agreed.

I have made many curtains for my own home but never for anyone else so I was a little apprehensive!  This time I made sure that I was cutting everything correctly and pinning and sewing more accurately than I normally do for myself.

She originally only had some blinds at the window which didn't block the light out at all. She had a small valance at the window so she decided to buy fabric with a matching colour which was a 'wine' colour. Below is a photograph of the original window feature.

When my sister returned to her home she took these photos of her new curtains and immediately emailed me them. She guessed I might want to show them on my blog, she guessed right!  Below is another photograph of the curtains with them opened this time.

She had sent me plenty of fabric for these curtains which meant I had plenty remaining, so I also made her a couple of cushion covers too! Below is the photograph of the matching cushion covers.

My sister is so happy with her new curtains, which makes me a very happy sister too!

I just had to share a photo of my gorgeous niece who is the one these curtains were really made for, isn't she just adorable, its such a shame they live so far away, thank goodness for skype and the internet!

This week I am linking this post with the following link parties / blog hops:
  

I received a Butterfly Award

Yeah, I have just received a 'Butterfly Award' from the amazing blog meijosjoy blog She is a thrifty mom sharing the joy of parenthood, crafting, home decorating...  Please pop over to see what she is sharing this week.

To receive this award, I need to: answer several questions, award this 'Butterfly Award' to 10 other bloggers, contact the 10 bloggers to let them know they have been given this award, and  I also need to show a link to the person who gave me the 'Butterfly Award'.  So here goes...

Q1) Name your favorite colour? Red
Q2) Name your favorite song? Any song by Enrique!
Q3) Name your favorite dessert? Apple Crumble
Q4) What wizzes you off at the moment? Facebook being facebook!
Q5) Your favorite pet? I don't have any pets and never have.
Q6) Black or White? Black for me.
Q7) Your biggest fear? I don't like heights.
Q8) Best Feature? I am a good listener.
Q9) Everyday attitude?  Live each day fully.
Q10) What is perfection? Having a loving supporting family.
Q11) Guilty Pleasure? Sneakily eating my husband's chocolate!
Q12) When you're upset you? Try to focus on positive things.

Below are the 10 Blogs I am nominating this award to:

http://www.dubaicraftermom.blogspot.com/
http://www.bresbaubles.blogspot.com/
http://www.modernwivelyhood.blogspot.com/
http://www.renoandreorginization.blogspot.com/
http://www.suchakingdom.blogspot.com/
http://www.repeartreedesign.blogspot.com/
http://www.delicateconstruction.blogspot.com/
http://www.howtonestforless.com/
http://www.lilgerhardts.blogspot.com/
http://www.lotsofjewels.blogspot.com/

Plug Organizer Tutorial

I saw a photograph on pinterest that showed a hand made plug organizer, using toilet roll tubes. I automatically thought what a great idea that was. I actually wanted to have my plugs organized where they were also easy to plug into the socket too!  Here is the link of where I originally saw the idea: citygirlgonecoastal By chance, I already follow this blogger, she has some wonderful craft ideas, well worth giving her a visit. Below is her photograph that inspired me.

Now that I have given credit for my project I will show you how I did this.  I will give a step by step guide with some photos also thrown in. Firstly my list of materials needed: Empty container, sticky back plastic, stickers, pen and scissors/scalpel.

Step 1: Find empty tube container (any kind of container could do really!) make sure that it is cleaned out.

Step 2: Measure your container and cut out some sticky Back Plastic (or other alternative covering) to cover the container.

Step 3: Cover the box with your sticky back Plastic.
Step 4: Cut some holes ( I cut a cross shape) so that the wires can easily slide through the container. You need to have matching holes on the opposite side of the container so the wire comes out of the other side. The amount of holes depends on how many plugs and the size of your container.
Step 5: Place the end of the first plug through the bottom hole and then through to the next hole opposite, scrunch the remaining part of the wire into the hole until the plug is touching the container. Repeat with each plug. All the lengths of the wire end up scrunched inside the container (unseen).
Step 6: Write on the stickers which plug is which if you don't already know, I often know the plug but not which end, that is why it is great that each end is opposite the plug so you don't get them mixed up! Place the sticker onto the correct plug.

Step 7: Attach the lid to the container to keep all those wires under control. Finished!

I have been using this system for a few weeks now and it is brilliant! I was so tired of all the plugs and wires getting tangled up. These are the plugs from the kids phones and nintendo ds games which were constantly being untangled every few days. This is a great upcycling craft too, less for the rubbish bin! Below is another close-up photo of my plug organizer.

This week I am linking this post with the following link parties / blog hops: