Well…I’m pretty much done with my dining room. I just need to tweak the accessories/art and I need to paint the trim and door and then I’m totally done! We added french doors last year when we screened in our deck so that wall is new and I had to prime and paint it, also the adjacent walls needed to be painted because outlets were moved etc.
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I’m very proud of my curtains! I added that red gingham and black pom pom bit. Which is a major deal for me! I got a really great deal on these Waverly curtains – they were used and have a little area where there was a snag (you can’t tell unless you’re really scrutinizing them) but they were too short. I like my curtains long I usually buy at least 96″. But these were so inexpensive I couldn’t pass them up. So I added that bit and used the curtain rings that I was using in the living room to make them a bit longer.
I’d just like to say that I am not a sewer. I don’t usually sew. Normally I would have just bought curtains or had them made, but since that’s not an option I decided to give it a try. It was hard…all you sewers are probably chuckling! But I ran out of bobbin thread and it took me about 45 min to figure out how to wind the bobbin! I’ve got to get a handbook for my machine! I didn’t know if the pom pom fringe was suppose to go on the curtain first or on the fabric I was adding. What I’m saying is that it was a learning experience. Don’t be afraid to try something new for fear of failing! Learning new skills so you can do things yourself is a good way to save money!
I love how spacious it feels now that I took out that other china cabinet! I have just a little bit more to show you and I’ll do that next week.
For other Show and Tell Friday posts please visit Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home
P.S. Dear Anonymous – The way I have time to do the things that I do is because I only have one child AND she’s 16 AND in school during the day. I do not work outside my home at this point, although I have had part-time jobs in the past. I’m really sorry I don’t have any suggestions as to how you can make time to create as I have no idea what it’s like to have 7 kids, work PT and try to do projects! I can only imagine that it’s challenging. There were times in my life when I had very little time to myself (we homeschooled for 5 years). Everyone is at a different stage in their lives – right now I can spend more time concentrating on what I want to do. Maybe someone could offer her some suggestions?
Those curtains…the textures, colors, and everything about them, I LOVE!!! Great work…for the whole, entire room.
My show n tell is Halloween, solar lights since most all my visitors have been asking for some of my halloween decorations I’ve been setting up…and a set of kitchen linens that match my blog’s header that I found! Come on by if you can find time…Happy Friday!
I love the curtains, You did a great job on making every thing your own Home. It is always a joy to make everything in your home something to bring happiness to you. A place of calm and happiness is to be cherished.
I LOVE the whole dining room. My kind of colors, patterns and textures. The curtains look fabulous, you did a great job and who cares what should go on first? They turned out great! I so agree with you on learning new skills. I have always been the kind of person who looks at something and says,”I can do that!” Sometimes it takes a few tries, but most things aren’t that hard. The more you sew the more natural it will become. Advice for Anonymous? I only had 2 kids, and when I was homeschooling I wasn’t crafting, the kids were my #1 priority. “A time for everything” When I did a craft i tried to get my kids to sit down and do one with me and called it Art 101.
I love how the whole room has come together. You’ve done a wonderful job on everything. I can sew, but I’m not what I would consider a “sewer” my any means so I applaud your efforts! I am about to begin tackling some curtains and other projects around here that involve sewing and it will be a challenge. I love the gingham and the black trim you added to the curtains – great ideas!
I all looks very nice and you should be proud.
You know your drapes are even more smashing now. Clarice
love the richness of all of it….
Your dining room looks lovely and I’m sure you feel a real sense of accomplishment every time you look at your curtains! You did a terrific job.
You rock! I love those sweet curtains! 🙂
Wow, wonderful dining room transformation. Love it all!
Blessings,
Sher
Everything Looks great! and you did a great job on the curtains I do sew and curtains are the one thing and I really dont like to do they seem like a simple task but I always seem to screw them up.
Maneula!!! OHMIGOSH! I love it! Absolutely love it! You did a great job! I hope you don’t mine, but I printed out the pics you posted the other day (for my inspiration file only) of the things you’d framed. I love the idea of framing toile and am on the look-out for some to frame. I want to look at the bosporous toile and see if it would be appropriate for framing. I also contacted Miz Shabby (love her blog!) and ordered a paper flower from her. Come to find out, we are not that far from each other.
So thank you for sharing your beautiful home and decorating ideas, along with your thrifty ideas with all of us. You are really rubbing off on me!
tina
[email protected]
Youu have gotten me hooked on browsing the Show/Tell Fridays….
your curtains look beautiful!! WOW!
All the details you’ve added to the room are SO homey! LOVE.IT!
LOVE those curtains! Your note to anonymous was sweet too. You are right about life’s phases. Sometimes we are very busy with little ones, sometimes we are not and wish we were. We have to treasure each phase.
Oh how beautiful!! I LOVE it!
You did a fantiastic job on the curtains. I am a sewer, and I must say that the adding on of the fabric actually made the curtains *more* beautiful than if they were just plain. Well done!
Thanks for visiting my blog as well.:) Happy Friday!
Looks great Manuela!! I love the curtains!! There’s no way I could’ve passed those curtains up either;)
Oh, those new curtains are so pretty. You did a great job! I'm not a sewer either, but just dropped my mom's old Singer off to get it serviced & I'm gonna get busy & try to teach myself some things with it. I'm going to tackle a slipcover for my chair & ottoman. Wish me luck! ha-ha
Your DR looks so pretty. I think that's a new checked chair too? Looks great. You are really refining your space so well.
You did a great job on those curtains! The pom pom fringe just makes them! I have a story about bobbin winding….years ago I had an old sewing machine and the bobbin winder was broken …but I was so determined to make my little daughter a sun dress that I wound the thread on the bobbin BY HAND! It took forever and after that I had a new appreciation for modern convienences.
Gosh I just love your dining room with the black and white. You really have a great eye. Great job!
Beautiful! I love the curtains I had to lengthen my curtains in my den because I went up so high. I think you did a fantastic job. I also love your kitchen floors. Deb
I love, love, love your curtains!
June
Manuela, it all looks so very nice and you did a great job on the paint and curtains. I have to give a stab at sewing as well. After this semester is over, I intend on taking fun classes and sewing is one of them. I will have more time then. Thank you for sharing.
Your room is beautiful. You have done a great job. Congratulations on your sewing success. I am proud of you for sticking with it. Take care.
Love it! I also can’t sew and the whole bobbin thing is over my head for some reason.
One of your readers wanted a flower like I sent you …so they are in my Etsy now and I wanted to thank you again!
Those curtains are GORGEOUS! I absolutely LOVE Toile!!
I love how your dining room has turned out!!! My hats off to you for making those fabulous curtains. You did a very very good job – you ought to be very proud of yourself!
Manuela…this is why I {heart} you! I love your style…You have to tune in to my blog Monday to see how my sewing experience goes….a friend gave me her sewing machine…I have sewed before but my grandma has always been there as my Wing gal….this weekend should be interesting…By the way, great minds think alike…I am doing red toile with black and white checked fabric in my dinning room….I just have to find enough red toile cheap!!!
Love your dinning room!
The whole dining room looks great! I’m so glad you went out of your comfort zone to work on your curtains. It was well worth the effort. AND, your next sewing project will be easier because of the experience. Have a great weekend. Sally
Manuela, it looks so beautiful! You are very, very talented. I love the curtains. Yay for trying new things!
Beautiful! I’m highly impressed with your sewing ability.
Marianna
Lovely! Thank you for sharing!
I love how you added to the curtians, the colors are fantastic. Can I borrow you for a little while, My home needs some tender loving care too.
Your dining room is gorgeous! Love those curtains. BTW, I can barely sew on a button let alone tackle a machine:)
Love your curtains, Manuela, good job! I think I like them better because of what you added.
I love your dining room…it’s painted the same color as mine too. It’s so cheery and you did a great job on your beautiful artwork! Have a good weekend.
~Kelli
Manuela, Your my Hero of the Week! Great Job! My mother is a Fantastic sewer and I promised myself that someday Im going to learn to sew. I love the addition to the curtains and the fact that you sat down and sewed them yourself learning as you go is Great. You also answered the Commentor perfectly, we all go thru phases in our lives when we have more or less time. Have a good weekend, Jamie
Beautiful room – beautiful curtains. You certainly did a fine job for a “non sewer”.
Hi Manuela!
Thank you for the welcome to Show and Tell and OH MY GOODNESS what LOVELY, LOVELY art you’ve done! It is so my style!! You are very talented. Thank you for sharing!
Michelle 🙂
You did a great job on the curtains. I used to have wallpaper with that design on it and I loved it. That was in 1980. I wonder if these curtains were purchased at that time. I’m glad you were able to get a great deal and then put the red gingham and pom poms on them. Very pretty. It’s all coming together and looks great.
Blessings,
Mary
VERY VERY nice! Love your color choices. Im inspired!
Manuela, you did a fantastic job. Good for you!!!!!
Oh Manuela, I just found out you were blogging on blogger…I’m so happy that I’ve found you again! Your home is always so lovely and you have the greatest ideas.
You did a beautiful job on the drapes. I just love them. The wall art is great too!
Gorgeous!
I love the look.
You did a very good job ! the curtains look lovely !
The dining room looks fantastic!! I really cannot believe you are not a sewer but great job for being willing to learn – and a fast learner you must be!! I love the entire room – thanks for the inspiration.
Jennifer
Your art work turned out nicely, and I lobe those curtains!! What a chic way to add length! Everything coordinates so nicely!
Hi Manuela! The dining room looks so nice! I love the gingham and trim on the curtains. And your budget art is a great touch.
As to the working mom of 7, I have no advice other than to just accept that she’s not going to be able to accomplish all the projects that other people can. I have 3 kids and work part time and it takes almost all my free time to just get the basics done. I have very little time for those extra things. Someday my kids will be older and I’ll have more time. And sleep more too.
Those are stunning curtains, and the whole room comes together beautifully.
Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.
Have a lovely weekend.
I’m not sure I’ve been here before but it’s been so nice stopping by…
I am so impressed at the curtains you made! I admire you for doing it even though it didn’t come easy…when I pregnant with my oldest, I decided to take a sewing class and make a baby blanket and a maternity sun dress…but learning how to work a sewing machine and making it do what I wanted was so hard for me, I remember! Needless to say, I don’t currently sew! 😉
Your whole dining room is beautiful!
Blessings~
~Tammy @ Lattes and Lollipops
You are a genius! What a natural talent you have for creating such a lovely home! I love the black pom pom trim… perfect touch!!! Thank you so much for sharing with us!
You did a wonderful job with your curtains. I am not a seamstress either. For some reason, sewing stresses me out so much that I am not a nice person when I sew. Thus, I rarely sew! 🙂
I love all the colors and textures that you brought together in your decorating. Lovely!
Thank you for visiting my little cottage blog.
Blessings,
Gina
Oh, I love your curtains and the whole dining room! I am enjoying looking at your blog too! I ‘ll be back! Nancy
Manuela!! Imagine my delight when I saw a link saying you were back at a new blog now!! Welcome back, I am excited to go through this new home of yours and check out your inspiration!
Love the Dining Room! The curtains are so pretty and I especially love the pom poms and the colors. Your home always looks so warm & cozy.
I wanted to agree with what you told "anonymous". We are all at different stages of life. My kids are now 30 and 29 yo. But I homeschooled my two kids for 7 years, then worked outside the home. It's not easy to find time to do the things we love, let alone start new hobbies but when they grow up and have their own interests then it's time for "Mom" and that's why I'm finally doing the things I enjoy, too.
Thanks for the inspiration, Manuela!
Marilyn in NM
What a beautiful room!!!! I just LOVE the curtains!!! They look fantastic!!!! 🙂
Hi Manuela –
Your dining room is fantastic! You did a wonderful job with your curtains. What a great way to make ‘used’ curtains work for you. I love the touch of red gingham and the little trim you added. Just right! I hope to get my curtains done soon for my dining room. We just had a new double sliding door installed to replace the really old ones that weren’t very good. Maybe I can get to them soon. First I have to paint the new trim pieces around the new doors. First things first!
~Adrienne~
I love your curtains. You did a beautiful job on the room!
I did not even know you were blogging again, but am happy you are. I will be adding you to my list of faves, after I get home from a football game. Gotta go! BTW–love the budget art!
The curtains are beautiful, Manuela. Well done!!! The dining room is lovely. You must love standing back, admiring it and enjoying the fruit of your labors.
I love your colors, its timeless. I’m not a seamstress and I understand your ‘adventure’, and those curtains are perfect!
well! i certainly agree with everyone, you did such a great job of matching and decorating. all looks very nice and homey and elegant!
Curtains are beautiful. First time out they came out wonderful!
PS – you might be able to find your sewing machine manual here http://www.sewingmanuals.com/
Thanks for visiting my blog as well. Are your Johnson Bros. the old original pieces or are they newly made like mine?
I think you made the curtains a lot prettier!! It just kind of added some pizzass to it!! I think the red and white and the black pom poms really bring out the curtain!! How pretty!!
Thanks for coming by to see me. I love new visitors and hopefully you will stop back again..
Sandy
Beautiful!!! I’m appreciative that your project ideas are not only stylish, but affordable and do-able. ThanX for generously sharing your creativity!
I came over by way of “There is no place like home” and I’m sure glad I did. I love to see all these talented people out there and what they make.
You have a beautiful house.
I’ll be back for another visit.
Thanks for sharing.
Your dining room window treatment is very nicely done. Using the red and white fabric with the black and white toile makes a wonderful contrast.
Your dinning room is so beautiful! I think I am going to steal your curtain idea and make (well my mom will) some similar curtains for my living room.
I love your dining room. It turned out so great. I’m a reluctant sewer myself but I’ll do it if I have to. The curtains are fantastic. You did good, girl. Also, love your parson’s chair. Is that a slipcover or did it come that way? Mimi
The curtains turned out beautiful! I actually have these same curtains although I am not using them right now. I will have to add the checked fabric and trim because those details made them look awesome! Your dining room looks so cute and french country – my favorite look!
Manuela, your dining room is gorgeous! I love the curtains you made – the trim makes them look very professional. Great job!
Kathy
I had the same problem with my bobbin to, so now i buy the already threaded bobbins from Joanne’s. They only come in a few colors, but i basically only use black or white, so I am ok. Love everything you have done. very good job girl! mishelle
The dining room looks great! and very spacious. Wonderful job on those curtains too!
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
M ^..^
Dear Manuela,
Your dining room is so beautiful!!! I love to sew and let me tell you I am impressed with your curtains!!! You did a wonderful job and they look so pretty! I love the extra fabric you added to the top and the pom-poms add the perfect touch! I am currently making curtains for our library and it really does save a lot to sew them yourself. I am proud of you! Everything is just lovely.
Blessings, Paula
I love this room. The colors are awesome and what you did with the curtain was just beautiful! I don’t sew either but I have tried fiddling with my mom’s sewing machine. It’s been years though.
Your diningroom looks sooo lovely! I really like what you did to the curtains…who would have thunk eh?
The little pictures you made beside them fit in perfectly..everything is simply lovely!
Enjoy your new room.
Judi