December, thus far

December is always a busy month, no doubt about it. Here are a few snapshots into this Holiday Season for us:

J's Birthday

My Grandpa turned 90 (circa very late 80's)

J and I celebrated 8 years together.

My parents came over for our annual fudge making... 

the one day of the year my Dad claims that he can cook!

My parent's 2011 Christmas card picture

J hung our collage wall just days prior to our "Home for the Holidays" housewarming party. 

I'm told this project was very difficult and many men at the party commented on 

J's exacting standards and very straight lines. Kudos to you, J!

Of course, no pictures were taken at our party... I was a little busy!

We also had J's company Christmas dinner and his extended-family Christmas dinner this weekend.

Tonight is my older brother's birthday celebration.

On and on it goes! But I wouldn't trade away a minute of it!

May your Christmas be Merry & Bright!

No-Sew Drapes

alternately titled: "Things you can do with your Straight Iron"

Our house has an 8'x5' picture window at the stair landing. For Christmas, I knew it needed to be dressed, so on Black Friday, this crazy lady (pointing finger at self) went to JoAnn and waited in too many long lines for the perfect fabric. (Hey, no judging: 8 yards of quality fabric = $$$).

I should also mention that J's Birthday was soon after my mini-shopping spree and he received a Little Giant. Needless to say he was excited, and my drapes got hung that night....

...before I'd had the chance to hem and press them. Oh well, at least they got hung! There is no way those things are getting pressed now, but I had to figure out how to hem them (the edges were badly frayed). I was NOT going to hand sew them and my machine was out of the question.

Have you all met Sherry? Well, she keeps making curtains and bed skirts that are no-sew. I kept reading her posts and thinking "pshaw! I have a machine, I'll hem the 'right' way." Boy, was I ever wrong! Here's to you Sherry, for showing me the error of my ways!

Gather up your supplies:

You'll need iron-on hem tape, scissors, and an iron. Because my drape was already hung, a standard iron wouldn't work, so I got creative. 

Place hem tape along the edge of your project and fold the fabric and tape up into a hem. Iron with medium heat and NO steam. DO NOT touch the hem tape directly to your iron. The glue will melt onto your iron and ruin it. If you're like me and using a straight iron, be sure to wipe off the plates (once cool) before using in your hair. My iron took on a bit of the red dye in the fabric. 

My finished, clean-line hem!

The final product shown from the top of the stairs.