CREATE52- #52!!!! Cards (to sell)

I decided to start selling my cards on Etsy. Everyone has been telling me forever to do it and I just love making them so much. So why not? My shop is just Crafts by Sharele. You can find it by just typing in "Sharele" once you get to Etsy. I am working on getting a lot more listed. Let me know if you need something specific!

So that's it!! 52 CREATE Projects..one every week for 2013! Feels great to have gone through with my New Year's Resolution. FYI I will probably keep using this blog to post future creations...just for fun. Thanks everyone who followed and supported CREATE52!! XO

CREATE52- #51 Loom Scarfs and Hats

Well I had to get a little thrifty this Christmas on gifts. So I had Pete teach me to loom knit hats. I made one for each of the boys I nanny. I also made a circle scarf for Amber, my BFF. I made a practice one (in the pic) for me. It's a very easy and cheap...just takes a little time. I watched a YouTube video to learn how to "Cast Off" or finish the ends. 

CREATE52- #50 Christmas Tree Skirt

Holy cow! I can't believe I made it to 50-- 2 more and my resolution will be complete. This week I made the tree skirt. It is just red burlap ($2.50 at Wal-mart actually). A very simple pattern I found online. Fold the fabric into quarters and cut the whole for the middle--a small arch in the corner without ends. And cut a larger arch to round it off. I then did about 5 rows of stitching around and around- so the burlap wouldn't unravel. Next year I may sew on white bias tape around the edges...idk.

CREATE52- #49 Elder Calendar

My little brother Mark is in Edmonton, Canada serving an LDS mission. I made him this calendar for Christmas to remind him of home. It's filled with pictures, memories, and thoughts from my whole family. I guess it's sort of a tradition now...I made one for my other brother Adam a few years ago as well. He said he loved it- hopefully Mark does too. XOXO miss him

CREATE52- #48 Trans-Plants

I have become a real houseplant lover...can't get enough of them. These beauties came from cut offs from a few plants that had become over grown. I cut them and let the roots grow just siting in water for several weeks. They had a successful transplant and are doing great :)

CREATE52- #47 Geometric Painting Set

More art for our apartment. The idea came from Pinterest...so I can't take full credit. Pete helped out too. We are planning to add 1 more to it. A larger one that will sit above these 2. It's gonna be so cute in our bedroom. Look for that photo in a few weeks :)

CREATE52- #46 Fall Wreath

It's crazy how each holiday we come to this year, I realize how few decorations we have for them. Fall/Thanksgiving--None. So I brought out my flower arranging tote and pulled out anything fall colors and arranged them into a wreath for our front door. The wreath base was $1 from the dollar store. The rest was all from either craft sales or Good Will random finds. So this was very cheap to do. (I am considering adding a little sign that says "Happy Harvest" next year. )

CREATE52- #45 Anniversary Gift- Photo Book

7 Years! For our anniversary, I made this photo book (on Shutterfly) for Pete. Well for me too actually! It's a montage of random pictures of us over the years. It turned out really cute and a nice way to scrapbook the best pic-And was very inexpensive and easy! Perfect

CREATE52- #44 Loft Kitchen Remodel

BEFORE

AFTER

(Coming Soon)

Part 2 of the Loft remodel this summer was the kitchen. The cabinets and appliances were very outdated, and the layout was not working for the client. So all new everything- wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, lighting, paint, marble backsplash, etc. I maximized the space available and had appliances all "built-in" for a more luxurious feel. The backsplash adds a nice texture and pulls out the darkest tone from the existing brick. Lighting was added under the cabinets. The hood provides a dramatic focal point and additional task lighting. Every detail was carefully thought out to match the needs of the client. He is very happy with the result- As am I!

CREATE52- #43 Loft Bathroom Remodel

BEFORE

AFTER

(Coming Soon)

Another of my design projects this summer...

Again, time to update everything. The previous vanity cabinet was a massive block that took up too much space. The shower with the curtain always closed, also made this bathroom look small. Additionally, my client want a tub instead of a shower- since there was not one in the loft before. So all new tile and fixtures, with a neutral pallet to match the existing brick and the rest of the loft.

Gorgeous! 

CREATE52- #42 Bathroom Remodel

BEFORE

AFTER

(Coming soon)

This is another one of my summer projects...definitely has to count as a CREATE project. There was water damage in the foundation of this apartment and the back rooms were effected. So my client saw it as a perfect time to remodel this bathroom. We updated everything! I did a custom walk-in shower and took advantage of all the space that was previously wasted. All new tile and fixtures. Neutral colors. Turned out beautiful! 

CREATE52- #41 Mini-Makeover on Melrose

AFTER

This was one of my smaller Design projects, but sooo much fun. A mini-makeover for a little Studio apartment. It was similar to HGTV's "Design On A Dime". I was given a small budget and shopped for 2 weeks, installed in 2 days. ( with a little help :) The client left and came home to the surprise with his son. I love how BIG of a difference a little bit of time and money can make...I was very happy with the way it turned out.

CREATE52- #40 String Bottles

Just more homemade decor- Since our new place is so much bigger...we need more decorations. Another cheap/nearly free project. 1st one- just spray painted a Skinny Girl bottle, wrapped that with string. 2nd- An jar (was peppercorn refill), and used a "Demijohn" tutorial from Homeroad.net via Pinterest for the tying pattern. Easy and fun to do..

CREATE52- #39 Spooky Wreath

I guess this isn't that spooky...but I made it for Halloween. We literally had no decorations for Halloween. I took at Dollar Store wreath start- spray painted it black. Then I hot glued the black feathers in a circle until I was happy with the thickness. I used scrap tassels and beads I had to add another element. I was hoping add a bat or something more halloweeny but I never found something. O well maybe I can add to it next year.

CREATE52- #38 Large Painting

Pete and I have been saying we would paint something someday- for a long time. Well, we finally found a large canvas on sale and had an afternoon off together. The craziest thing is that this creation- inspired by a real artist- was done by both of us... Like we did it at the same time and just moved around and switched places here and there until it was done. I would say that takes a lot for a couple to do that. I was very proud of us, and it turned out well I think. It is on our dining room wall now.

CREATE52- #37 Decorative Shelves

Now this one was easy to do. I wanted skinny shelves to set frames and stuff on...but buying them was like too much money. So I bought wood and paint and decorative brackets at Home Depot- for less than $10. Had them cut me 2 5' pieces- of finished wood. Spray painted them glossy black and then screwed on the brackets...voila! Done.

CREATE52- #36 Photography Framed

This doesn't look like much I guess...but it took quite a bit of time finding 3 photographs I liked that worked together. Then editing the photos to match- black and white with a bit of warmth. Cute little art for the kitchen in our new place.

CREATE52- #35 Office Pieces

Another 2 pieces to makeover. These I did glossy white- to go in my new craft room/office :) Stay tuned for pics of the new space. I am very excited to have a functional place to create and work and sew etc. 

CREATE52- #34 Warranties and Manuals Binder

I just had to get organized with this...I like to keep the owners manuals and all the warranty stuff. I organized it by type with tabs. Then I just slid them into sheet protectors. Easy to find now!

CREATE52- #33 Little Succulent

Every time I go to Home Depot I wanna buy so many plants. I fell in love with this little Zebra Plant, so I let myself get it. Ha. I planted it into a little square glass vase. It's surrounded with rocks, moss, and bark chips and very loose soil. So cute!

CREATE52- #32 Little Shelves

Makeover Time...I had to redo several pieces of furniture for our new place. I used spray paint for the silver one and hand  painted the gold one. I think the metallic finishes is so fun. And match everything :) 

CREATE52- #31 Thai Coconut Curry Soup

This is a soup I found at Butterfly Sushi in Chicago- I Love it! I have been trying to recreate the recipe by taste and I think this was my closest attempt. It turned out very tasty and pretty. Ha  

Let me know if you would like my recipe!

CREATE52- #30 80's Open Back Shirt

I found this pattern in my mom's collection- I thought it was awesome, and would be an easy project.

Well it took longer than I had thought, but I learned a lot of sewing terms and techniques. The size didn't turn out to fit me right...so if anyone wants it let me know!

CREATE52- #29 Planter

This planter has three different plants in it- 2 were dying in their separate pots, and the vines are clippings from another that got too long. I set them in water for a long time and they eventually grew roots. Then I transplanted them into this one planter. They are very happy together now :)

CREATE52- #28 Tomato Garden

Now I can't take 100% credit for this one- The garden box was built by the Konow guys- My design tho! Intended for various veggies and herbs, but this year we didn't plant anything...the tomatoes came back. I had to do a ton of weeding and replanting so they were somewhat evenly spaced. I love to garden- and I especially love the smell of tomato plants. 

CREATE52- #27 Cards

Cards are such a fun hobby for me. And my supply is always a little short. Plus I got some new stickers to use, so I couldn't help myself. If anyone ever wants to buy a pack of 10 or 20 let me know!

CREATE52- #26 Kitchen Layout and Design

Juggling 3 clients at one has been pretty challenging...but I am constantly creating :) This weeks' focus is on a different kitchen and working with the cabinet makers. This is the rough sketch of it- Soon there will be shop drawings!

CREATE52- #25 Dog Bed

This one was for Sunny. We just had several blankets laying around for his beds, because he never would lay on a bed from the store. But I thought maybe if it was one of his blankets first, he would try it out.  So I took this snap-able Snuggie and turned it into a bed- with a zipper. There is an inside "pillow" I also made- Stuffed it with the inside of pillows I already had (Pete can't stand all the pillows I had before we moved in together). That way I can wash it separately. 

CREATE52- #24 Patio Elevation

My client asked for different view as they are not the best at reading floor plans- Totally normal and OK. So here is a little rough draft elevation. It does take more time, but it's worth it. 

CREATE52- #23 Patio Plan

I have a new client! I'm really excited for this project because....it's an outdoor one. I haven't done any outdoor design work, but I did work for a landscape company for many years and have worked with landscape architects. So I decided to take this one on. Originally it was to be a 4-seasons patio, which is why they contacted me (indoor/outdoor). But they decided to just do a nice patio. This is my rough draft (space) plan. 

CREATE52- #22 Hair Towel

When I dry my hair with regular towels, it breaks my hair and makes it frizzy. So I am partial to these small ones. I just took the pattern from one I had bought at Bed, Bath and Beyond. They are way easier to make and cheaper!

CREATE52- #21 Kitchen Design- Installation

I have been working like crazy on several design projects. This week was all about the kitchen install. I only have a construction pic. Sorry I still don't have finished pictures...soon tho!