DIY: Pocket-T Quilt

This cool project is from Martha Stewart website.   You can hang it in your child's room to organize his/her small toys and trinkets.

http://www.marthstewart.com

This pocketed quilt is made from recycled shirts.
1. Start by cutting nine 11-inch squares from the front portions of shirts, keeping pockets in the centers of the squares; or trim the pockets off shirts or jeans, and mix and match with different materials (below, left). To create the quilt's top row, pin two of the squares together, right sides facing, and sew with a 1/2-inch seam allowance; add a third square to complete the row (below, right). Press the seams open. Repeat to make the middle and bottom rows. Sew the three rows together to form a square, and press seams open.
2. To make the quilt's border, cut four strips of fabric to the following dimensions: For the bottom, one 2-1/2-by-34-inch piece of fabric; for the sides, two 2 1/2-by-31-inch pieces; and for the top, one 3-by-34-inch piece. If you wish, add four buttonholes to the top piece, and sew buttons on top of them -- they're just decorative, so you don't need to open the buttonholes. Pin the two side-border pieces to the quilt, right sides facing, and sew them together using a 1/2-inch seam allowance; then pin and sew the top and bottom borders. Press all seams open.
3. Add four tabs at the top of the quilt for hanging: Cut four 5-by-4-inch strips of fabric. Fold strips in half lengthwise, right sides facing, and stitch the long edges together to form tubes. Turn tubes right side out, press flat, and fold in the middle to form tabs. Pin tabs along the top of the quilt, directly on top of buttons (if you didn't sew on buttons, space tabs evenly). Baste tabs to quilt, and remove pins.
4. To fill the quilt, cut one piece of fusible interfacing and one piece of fabric, each measuring 34 by 34 1/2 inches. Iron the interfacing to the back of the quilt. Next, pin the fabric to the quilt with the right sides facing, and sew around the perimeter with a 1/2-inch seam allowance, leaving a 24-inch-wide opening at the bottom of the quilt. Turn the quilt right side out, and insert a piece of 1/4-inch thick batting measuring 33 by 33 1/2 inches. Tack the batting in place at the intersections of the squares, and slip-stitch the opening closed by hand. Hang quilt from a dowel.

DIY: Vacation Memory Jars

As I was browsing through the web for ideas to show off some travel souvenirs I have stored in a storage box, I came across an art project called Vacation Memory Jars on Martha Stewart's website.  I thought it was a creative way to display souvenirs collected on trips as well as pictures.  You may be taking a Summer vacation soon so keep this project in mind!  This can also be a fun project to do with kids.   Kids can add to them or rearrange them anytime they like.  To add items or rearrange them you just need a bent wire which can be used to lower and position objects in a thin-necked jar.

http://www.marthastewart.com

Dalidecals

Want another alternative to staying organized besides using the standard white board?  How about a  Chalkboard Calendar Wall Decal from Dali Wall Decals!  Yes a Wall Decal!!  This calendar wall decal is 32.4 inches wide x 22 inches high.  If you need a different size no worries, Dalidecals also does custom calendar wall decals.  It comes in one piece so it’s ready and easy to apply.

You can post important upcoming events on the calendar, so no one in your household can use the excuse they didn't know about it or they forgot.  There is also a space for you to write important notes to your hubby, kids, or a quick reminder to yourself.