My Personal Top Audrey Hepburn movies to watch:
Love in the Afternoon
Roman Holiday
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Funny Face
How to Steal a Million

Hmmm, makes me want to go someplace just so I can use them.

Following the Leader – $50
Sky High – $40
Make a Wish – $55

Aren’t they lovely? And affordable too…

Yup, there’s always dishes on my table. I don’t know why. Maybe I go through too many model homes… It just gives a lived in and welcoming feel (at least for me). Anyway, I just wanted to share some table settings with you. They can both be done without costing a lot of money.

The first table setting was ours for Mother’s Day. For family get-tos it’s always better to have a more relaxing atmosphere. So you’ll want more neutral colors, but not dark. Keep it light and airy. Think: Fresh Air, a Bright Sunny Day…
 
If you sew. You can make your own linens, which is awesome. Otherwise you’ll need to buy them. But seriously, making your own table cloths and runners is super easy!

On this table everything is mix-matched (glasses and chairs) but still in a set pattern. Vases can be purchased cheap at a dollar store. And while you’re there pick up candles, napkins, water pitchers, and little touches like gift boxes (filled with chocolate) for your guests.

For the vases, just be ghetto and go cut a couple twigs/branches from outside (after checking for bugs). 

Have ugly rented chairs? Take any left over fabric from your runner and make a half moon shaped slip cover (just for the top back piece). It’ll help blend them in.

IKEA has the coolest decorative paper napkins ($1.49-1.99 for 30) that can be mixed with your cheaper dollar store ones.

This is my setting at my home right now. My house (work in progress) is super small (under 1000 SQ FT!!!) and being done in a mix of traditional and modern with black, whites, beiges and hints of red and green. I didn’t catch it in the picture but I have this chandelier hanging over it.

(Bummer that I didn’t open the blinds…sorry about the pics! They suck)

The dishes, glasses, and center piece (including most of the goodies inside) were purchased at Tai Pan. The distressed bowl was $4, feather balls $2, plastic green bushes $3. The realistic apples were purchased at Target. I found these in a pack of six on clearance for $3.42! The white table and bamboo place mats were at IKEA. The Sake can be purchased at any grocery store. I bought these because they come with little white cups (good for serving dipping sauce).

How to Plan a setting on a budget:
1. What are you working with? Gather the chairs, glasses, dishes, and everything else you have. From there you can make a list of what you’ll need.
2. Get Inspired! Look around online or get home magazines (I like a few of Better Homes). TRY TO FIND IDEAS THAT WILL MATCH WITH THE THINGS YOU ALREADY OWN!
3. Go shopping! I take the mags to the stores with me. And be very picky about the cost! You don’t need to pay a lot. Most everything you need can be found for less than $5.
4. Have a friend (preferably with similar or good taste) help.  That second opinion helps every time.

Happy Dining!

I’m in love with these Michael Miller prints. I just haven’t had the heart to cut into them yet.  The little darlings are just too sweet.

I’m still toying with different ideas to control my fabrics. I currently have plastic storage bins and I still don’t like it. I have some things I’m working on building though…

I do, however, feel pretty satisfied with my buttons and overlock/serger/cone threads.

JoAnne’s has Cone Thread Organizers like this for around $10 each:

I would’ve needed at least five of them so I went to Walmart instead and got this large 3 drawer for $16 (is $18 online, but cheaper in the actual store):

I also have another for my shipping supplies, which works great. The wheels come with it but they are optional to put on. 

For my buttons I like to use fishing tackle boxes. Be sure to get the adjustable ones.  They can be a bit of a rip off so save yourself the trouble and the dough. Steal them from your boyfriend like I did (NEW ones not USED for crying out loud!!!) or just go to Amazon and get these for less than $6:


As soon as I work out the rest of my sewing room I’ll post pics. It’ll be cute when it’s finally done.

I’m curious what other crafters do to keep organized. Some times it seems so overwhelming. What do you guys do?

Poppy Floral Dress with Waist Cincher
Leopard Tube top Sundress
Purple Oriental Bow Bubble Dress
Black and White Japanese School Girl Anchor Dress

pretty raccoon
shagpile
sewmoe
ROOM18
label of hope