Tuesday, July 9, 2019

Curtains Around the Bin for the Win - Conduit and Curtains


This post is all about re-purposing and rethinking to complete the project and remodel goals you have for less money and more style!


Recently, Workshop Tools completed some aesthetic updates to their retail locations bringing a sense of warmth and style, fitting to its atmosphere, to their displays. Keep in mind this project was applied to retail displays, but the concept translates into so many other spaces for both the home and workplace! It is a project based on re-purposed, industrial, and price conscious details which is the foundation of what we want to offer every customer!


Workshop Tools has displays in all locations showcasing a large selection of high-quality bits and other drill attachments along with a huge selection of router bits! The bin looks very nice on top, but the back-stock is all stored below. Curtains were sewn and installed on these wood display bins to cover the back-stock and storage underneath. The bins were up to 12’ in length. These measurements present a challenge when pricing rods and other hardware. We found a way around the cost and each issue was tackled with style and cost efficiency.


Fabric Preparation

  • Clean all fabric in cold water and dry prior to cutting or sewing anything
  • Iron
  • Measure panels and cut remembering to measure the panels to the projects needs while adding the measurement needed for the seams
  • Measure, iron, and pin seams prior to sewing
  • The key to all the prep is to ensure when you wash the curtains sometime in the future after the initial installation they were pre-shrunk allowing for them to clean and hang again with the desired fit and appearance


Fabric and Sewing


We chose shirting fabric in flannel red and black. It was the fabric in the style and pattern we wanted that offered the most durability. They will be moved often and need to last through the constant use. A warm pattern that complements our store concept hid the storage and tied in our existing color themes.



  • Key points to remember when sewing curtains is to measure the top seams of the curtain to fit your rods and measure the lower seams with a width at least two inches more than the top. Honestly, I would go as far as doubling the measurement for the bottom seam in relation to the top, at the very least… The entire purpose of this is to add weight to your curtains base which helps to keep them smooth and neat. They will maintain a “just ironed” look more easily this way with little effort! I am not a fan of ironing so bring on the wider seam at the base!!





  • Top seam for our curtain was 3”
  • The base measurements varied from 5” to 6” depending on the bin and scenario.
  • Seams on the sides of the curtains were just an inch to secure all lose ends and avoid fraying
  • We chose to make 4-6 panels (depending on the bins length) for each side of the displays to allow for less sliding back and forth of the curtain, easier access to back stock, creating less wear and tear in general.





3” measurement



3” top seam and pin



1” side seam


Curtain Rods and Installation



  • Rods for the length we needed were hard to find and a higher price than the goal for the project, so we researched other options and decided on metal conduit. This product was available in the lengths we needed for less than $5.00 a rod! We chose ¾ “ as a minimum width because it was the thinnest option that did not show signs of sagging when installed at full length.
  • If we had chosen a traditional curtain rod at the same length the cost was at least $80.00 for something durable! Plus, this look really suites our store.
  • Hardware to keep the rods up was another thing to consider as well. One of our managers and long-time valued members of the WST team, Steve, figured out the solution! He simply cut wooden blocks to fit the install spaces we were working with and drilled holes to allow the rods to set in either side. Cost for hardware…….. $0.00! We just used what we had on hand. 😊




Bin prior to curtain installation




During installation one side of the finished product!! One of the owners, Will Swann, and a member of our valued staff, Nathan, working to install all the new curtains.


Again, one of the main keys to this project is the versatility of application! Consider the other items you know about or may see while perusing the isles of your favorite local tool store 😊. You could apply the same concepts from this specific project to curtains, room dividers in a small apartment, dressing rooms, closets, children’s playhouses, and so much more. You can find so many options to substitute the traditional items marketed for their purpose at high prices. Another important value to this approach is in using common fabrics, textures, and decorative elements you effectively create a cohesive theme. Your home or store will gain a sense of flow from one space to another and in our case a look that we hope you warmly recognize with each visit to our retail locations.


Thanks for stopping by and please leave your thoughts below! Also, feel free to note some other DIY topics you may like to see with future postings, and we will do our best to make it happen!


Posting Originally Written For Workshop Tools INC and link to the direct site and their products is below! Enjoyed being a blog featured on their site and enjoy shopping in their stores! :) 

Happy DIY!!!! 
Momma Mia :) 







Sunday, November 19, 2017

Sunroom Makeover: Part 2!

   Well, with life’s chaos this second part of the makeover took a touch longer than planned! :) Since our third little ones arrival we have found our new normal and it makes me smile. My oldest little guy helped me with this final project and all of the kids just love the end results!!! It’s a wonderful extension of our house that kids enjoy no matter what the weather outside. It’s just perfect for them!!!
   The initial project started with pieces of rug remnants on the floor and those great plastic curtain things that rolled down over the windows, you know the ones I referenced loving so much in my first post! Not actually... Anyway, part one removed all of the window coverings and I put curtains on roping around the entire room. The rope just has a really neat look I think and it’s very cost efficient. Rods can become so expensive and I’m also limited in actual sturdy space to mount something to in the portion of the wall I was working with so this concept was best for my space limitations as well. Anyway, moving on, part two gets rid of all of the ugly carpet remnants!!!!! Yes!!!!!
   The new floor is an excellent option for the kiddos right now and it looks great as well! It actually insulates the room a bit more too! I can pull up a piece if it gets messed up and it’s a cushioned space so it’s safe for my sweet babies and their heads if they take a tumble! Also, easy cleanup as I can just sweep or wipe down the floor!!!! Can you tell I love it?! Before and after a below. It only took a few hours total to pull up the old carpet and cut the mats to fit the space!

NOW, the final product!!! Whew! Much better!





The less than attractive before photo of the flooring! :)




So excited about this room now! The flooring is also amazing because it makes for easy clean up when the kids and I are planting things! :)

I hope you enjoyed being a part of this makeover and that this space inspired you as well!

~~ Momma Mia :)

Thursday, September 7, 2017

Hindsight is Always 20/20

So many times in my life have i stopped and looked at all that lies before me with total overwhelming emotion weither it be joy, peace, stress, sadness, or an unknown emotion where I am just stricken still in my steps and without knowledge of my next step to take. It is amazing in each instance how moments, hours, days, months, or years pass and all of the sudden you flash back to the moment you stood still. Suddenly you realize how if you had never stood in that one place you would never have walked so far as you have now and what a blessing those steps have been. These reflections just constantly remind me when I doubt how I should instead trust, when I cry how I should instead pray, and when I lose control how I should know there is a bigger picture I do not know controlled by a higher power I know so well that holds us in His arms and surrounds us with His angels.
One moment I recall as a standing still in tears moment is now something that basically smacks me in the face because of how beautifully it all turned out. I wanted to share and hope it encourages someone that needs it today.
Five years ago I ended a phone call that was so important to me and started to bawl. I had built up so much anxiety about it, planned the conversation so extensively, made notes, and prayed, but the call did not go as I planned and hoped for. I had just given birth to our first little one. He was all I wanted to focus on. I asked if I could work at least part of the time from my home office. Understandibly, the response was no to keep things fair among co-workers, but i knew then for me I had to make a change. Five years later I am a full time at home mom working part time from my home office. Homeschooling my sweet five year old and feeling so blessed beyond words. I did not know God's plan, but i can say His plan was more perfect than I ever dreamed in my mind when I made my own plans.

I pray that your hearts desires are answered and you hear His voice when He directs you in His path. He always has His arms around us and knows more perfectly than us what is best. I thank Him for that beyond any words I can say that do it justice.

Sweet dreams and blessings to you and your families.

~Momma Mia

Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Backyard Whimsy ~ Outdoor Lighting and Decor for Parties or Every Day ~ 30th Birthday Celebration!

   Have you ever watched one of those great make you happy movies where they are in a garden or some outdoor space and all of the sudden the entire landscape starts to sparkle with glittering lights? I always see those scenes and have wanted to achieve that look in some outdoor space I can enjoy in person!

   Glittering string lights among so many other things can just be so simple, but add so much to a special moment or make a simple normal space for every day use so much more special for all of your moments spent in it. Well, we finally set this special space up for my sister's 30th birthday! She has a wonderful space behind her home with trees, a pergola, and some other lovely outdoor elements that we were really able to highlight with glittering outdoor solar lights!

   Below you can see columns wrapped in glitter lights and lights wrapped around many of her trees. It was lovely because the party started during daylight and as the evening went on everything lit up with glittering lights all around.

  I included a picture of the twine wrapped number 30 with little flowers on it that was mounted at the top of the pergola. Canning jars were wrapped with twine and hung in various places with a votive in them and they were also added to the tables. It was just a nice transition from day to evening light with all of the lovely various glowing pieces around!! :)






   We so enjoyed the party! She is a special part of our lives and it was so much to put something together to celebrate her being a blessing in so many ways to all of us! Love my sister! :)

Thanks so much for stopping in to read my post. Please stay tuned for more!

~~Momma Mia~~

Sunday, April 23, 2017

Sunroom Makeover Part 1 !!

   So it has been awhile since my last blog and I have missed this!!!!! There has been so much going on that time has run short. Our oldest is now almost five, our littlest guy is now a year and a half, and we have a little girl on the way! We bought our first home and have taken on several projects since moving in about nine months ago at this point. We have felt so blessed with so many wonderful new and precious gifts in our lives!

   I wanted to note many of the projects as we go along to share ideas and cost efficient makeovers for new homeowners that we have come across.

   One project I was very eager to do was our sunroom. I want to redo the flooring and window covers, along with changing general décor and layout. For now my first projects are the windows!!!

   There were roll up vinyl shades varying in colors of cream and tan when we moved in. They were difficult and aged. Apparently they were a little brittle from excess heat and sun exposure as well. Anyway, I didn't love them at all and wanted to make a change.

Instead of spending a fortune on curtain rods, curtains, and patterns I wanted to find another way. The exciting second option is a basic flat sheet, rope, and some metal hooks. Just select the least expensive flat sheet in the color you prefer and there you have it. I wanted a no-sew option as well so I just picked up curtain clips with rings and attached to my sheets. The sheet length was longer than the window length so I just folded the excess over on the front top of the sheet and made that a bit of a ruffle for extra detail. I got a solid piece of rope that exceeded the length I needed for all three walls to keep a continuous run of rope with no cutting or potential fraying that way. I also selected open hooks that were substantial enough to support the weight times three for each wall (so 9 total in my case). Select the distance between hooks that you feel good about to keep the curtains straight but with a slight sag is fine. Pre-drill your holes with a bit slightly smaller then the hook you chose and then screw in your hooks. In my case a 5/32 drill bit was perfect to create the pilot hole for my hook. To insert the hooks, if you can get a wing nut bit to attach to your drill it makes putting these hooks in so much easier. If your hook exceeds the size wing nut you can find then a short metal rod or bar of some sort used to turn the hook manually adds a lot of leverage and makes the task much faster.
 
   My new flooring is next, but here is a picture just after changing the curtains!!!

I feel like it's much cozier. I'll be changing the layout of my plant tables that my sweet kiddos and I plant succulents and other various favorites on as well, but this is the update so far. I'm excited to get this project complete!!!

Thank you for stopping by and stay tuned for more on this and many other projects!!!!
Happy Spring Project Time!
Momma Mia

Friday, May 6, 2016

My Prayer Each Day and I Want My Boys to Always Know This

Dear Lord I pray for guidance in all the things I do. For peace, and faith to have the trust to simply lean on you.

I pray for every heart I know and each I pray is with you. I pray for every move I make to teach my sweet ones of You.

I pray for every thing I do to touch their hearts for good. I pray that every time I speak I say it as You would.

The sad thing is I fail on these and each day make mistakes, but I pray for constant guidance and far better the next day.

My prayer most every moment is to grow in you each day and for my family's focus to always do the same.

I simply just have peace in knowing You are always near and always with Your angels placed around us far or near.

I pray for long and happy lives with my family in your presence and then for thankful togetherness always forever in Heaven.

In Jesus Christ Precious Name Amen


This is my nightly prayer, but noted in a poem. It's what I always pray. I want my boys and my entire wonderful family to know my love for them and how hard I try though I make so many mistakes. I pray their hearts reflect my prayers as answered always with a strong Christian Faith and heart that shows it. I felt the need to share.



Sweet dreams,

Momma Mia





Thursday, May 5, 2016

Mother's Day Gifts or Any Day Gifts That Make Memories

   Over the years we have created and found some wonderful projects for Mother's Day that have made some of my favorite gifts and memories! These are perfect for special days and any day you want to give a special gift honestly. 
   I wanted to share several wonderful projects you can do with your children as fun DIY crafts at home that make the very best times with them and just the most precious keepsakes. 
   These all only require time and a few basic things such as paint, paper, and your kiddos! Perfect gifts for Mom's Day! 
   My very first to show you and the largest piece I have and LOVE is the outdoor scene made with only the kids hands, feet, and arms covered in paint! Your kids will enjoy and you get a beautiful memory with the size of their sweet feet and hands all over it! This was my Mom's idea and I just love, love, love it! Notice they used handprints for the clouds and sun, foot prints for the green tree tops, arms for the tree trunk, feet for the grass, and the side of their little fists for the flowers. :) 

Another one I love so much that I came across with an example of hand prints and changed to foot prints just because it was the most likely success with my little boy. He was just a few months at the time I first did one and not terribly fond of paint on his fingers. :) A foot print bouquet for Mother's Day! My favorite bouquet to date :)


If you have just recently had a special new addition to your family a keepsake shadow box is always special too! Include things you know held special value and add a few pictures if there is room. I have hospital bonnet, first little bottle, come home outfits, a blue pacifier used with our family to announce it was a boy, measurement tape, foot prints, and a tiny precious little blood pressure cuff. :) 


Have your kids make their own cards with their own art work. If they cannot spell yet take note of what they say they are writing while they make their lines and artistic touches and then include that note with the card! 

A photo shoot is another precious idea. You do not have to go to a professional photographer even. Just take them to a favorite spot and get pictures of them in their own natural setting smiling and playing and print these off and frame as a gift! 

All of these are priceless and the actual price is very low as well. They are made with love and memories which is the most wonderful gift you can give! 

Happy Mother's Day Weekend to all of the wonderful mothers out there with their lovely little blessings! 

Lots of Love,
Momma Mia