Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Spring Into Action!...The Reveal


Hi Everyone, and thanks for coming back to Spring Into Action.  I have been working on shelving for my basement...along with a dehumidifier. If you are new here, you can start at the beginning of this here.

A quick refresher....this is how my space started


This is how it looks now


I made a few deviations from the original plan. For one, I moved the dehumidifier in between the bookshelves


It just made more sense to use all the shelves for storage


Remember the awkward cleat problem


I replaced it with curve molding to allow for more room and added decorative trim to the face of the shelves and side rails


I also re-sized all the shelves to fit the boxes....exactly (I became rather obsessed at this point)


I would say that the happy accident was finding out that I had room to fit this Ikea table top in-between the shelves


This project went up until the end for me. On Tuesday, I was painting in the garage until midnight. Late last night I was trying to take pictures for you....and the lighting in the basement is not the most desirable. I actually did not complete everything. I still need to add the molding at the top, and an additional shelf in the middle section.


I am not complaining. If it was not for this deadline, this would not be finished! I was able to organize my fabric so well, that on Monday I will be having a FABRIC GIVEAWAY!! Please come back for that.

....and now, let's go see how my DIY virtual partners did

 Kerry - Design Du Monde 
Jean - Flower Hill Design
Becca - From Gardners 2 Bergers
Carrie - Hazardous Design
Sam - The Junk House
Tiffany - Living Savvy
Nancy - Powell & Brower Home
Lisa - A Room With A View
Cathy - Room RX
Suzy - Saved by Suzy
Laurie - Traditional & Modern
Read More
Linda {Calling it Home} Linda {Calling it Home}

Save Your Five Dollars

Many of my friends can't sew. No judgement, they just never cared to learn. In fact, many of the people in my area take garments to the dry cleaners for sewing. This is a great resource for hemming, alterations, and garment repair in general.

When I found out that the dry cleaners charges five dollars to sew on ONE button....I had to share this quick refresher with you. Case in point, my husband's blazer


That has one loose shank button. A shank button is raised with that metal loop under it. It is super easy to sew because....you can't see the stitches when you are done!


Here is what you will need


Scissors, a needle and thread (if you want it to go super fast, use upholstery thread). Cut off the button, remove the old threads, and thread the needle


Here is my time-saving tip, I double the thread BEFORE I thread the needle. That way, there are 4 strands of thread....fewer stitches, extra strength. Don't forget to knot the end of the thread


Starting from the top-side of the garment (everything will be covered by the button when you are finished), Push the needle into and then back out of the small perforated holes from before


Pull the thread all the way through until the knot stops you. Then, slip the needle through the shank (make sure the image on the button, if there is one, is facing the correct direction) and repeat the first step going along side of your previous stitches


Pull the thread to secure


Repeat once or twice more.....now THIS is how you get your button to stand proud and not fall over...wind your thread around your stitches several times...like you were winding a yo-yo...and then lock that in by slipping the needle into the winding threads and back through that huge loop to make a knot...one more knot for good luck!


Your shank button should stand at attention! Now go get a pumpkin spice late with the five dollars you saved!


Read More