Magnetic Curtain for Front Door

We put a new front door on our house a few years ago and have needed a curtain ever since.  We went a year or so with just a wreath on the outside, hoping that would act as some kind of privacy.  It didn't.  People peeked in.

How was I supposed to hang a curtain without a curtain rod? I didn't want to drill into the door.  For the next couple years I had a scrap piece of lace fabric held up by several refrigerator magnets.  Yep.  Classy.  I took it down when I knew guests were coming over.

I couldn't find material I thought went well with our living room curtains.  Then we got new curtains, and I still couldn't decide on fabric.  Guess what, people?  I finally took care of the problem!

Colin and I ran to Walmart to pick up a couple things, and there was a huge box of marked down fabric.  Since Hancock Fabrics has closed, I have been in mourning and haven't gone fabric shopping.  And it's best for our bank account if I don't.  I like fabric.  Back to the story...I saw some fabric that I thought would actually work and not clash with the rest of the curtains in the living room.  And it was on sale!

We now have a curtain on our front door, and it only took a little fabric, a little time, and a little ingenuity.

Here's what I did:

1. Wash and dry fabric.  It's better for it to shrink before you cut and sew it.
2. Iron the fabric.
3. Measure your window and how big you want the curtain.  I added an inch to the height and an inch to the width for the hems.  Measure and measure before you cut.  I wanted my finished curtain to be 20x31''.  I cut the fabric 42 inches (doubled the height so it would fold over and be pretty on the side that faced out as well) by 32 inches.
4. I folded the fabric in half height-wise with right sides together.
5. Pin around all four sides.  Fabric can shift.
6. Sew an 1/2 inch hem (or 5/8 or whatever you want, being sure to measure for the size hem you want) around the three open sides, being sure to leave an opening at the top side.  SEE IMAGE 1
7. Turn the fabric inside out through the opening.
8. Iron the fabric to get out wrinkles and flatten the hems.
9. Pin around all four sides.  You can get a sewing machine foot that keeps your bottom fabric from shifting from the top, but I'm going to assume we're working with a standard foot.
10. Top stitch around all four sides with a 3/8 inch hem, being sure to leave the opening.  SEE IMAGE 2
11. Create a "pocket" at the top, measuring 1 1/2 inches from the top, sewing all the way across.  SEE IMAGE 2
12. Insert magnets into the opening, storing them in the pocket.  Be sure to use heavy duty magnets.  You can find small ones at a craft or office supply store.  SEE IMAGE 3
13. Sew the opening closed.
14. Hang!

click to enlarge images

This is just a simple curtain, no frills, but exactly what we needed.  Hooray for privacy that looks good!

Before & After:

FREE BOOKS: Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Did you know that you can get FREE books for your pre-school child?  Dolly Parton's Imagination Library offers a free book a month for your child.  Click here to sign up for free!  Absolutely free!

I signed Harlow up when she was a few months old, and she started getting books when she was 19 months old.  The three books pictured are the ones she has received so far.

I just wanted to pass on the great news!

Summer Reading Selections

August is here, so the end of summer is just around the corner.  If you have kids in school, or you work at a school, you only have a couple weeks of summer break left.  When I was in school, I remember the final days being bittersweet.  I was sad to say goodbye to the late nights, flexible days, and no homework.

If you're looking for a few books to squeeze in before your break ends, I have a few suggestions.  The books I picked are good to take on a plane or on a road trip.  They're light reads that are good for the beach or pool.  You can also easily read them in bed or on the couch if you're finishing your break at home!

None of them are new releases, but if you're like me, you like to search thrift shops and eBay for hidden gems or books you just hadn't gotten around to reading yet.  I'm sure your local library has most of these or can get them for you from a library in their system, so you're not out any money!

Let's get started!

• Alice in Zombieland
• Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

I have read both of these books on planes.  They're humorous twists on classic books.  If you only have time for one, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is my top book.  There is a movie adaptation, but I haven't seen it yet.

• My Life in France
• Judgment of Paris

If you're a Francophile like me, you'll like these books.  I read My Life in France after seeing Julie & Julia.  If you've ever wanted to visit France, this will only intensify that feeling.

Judgement of Paris will interest you if you like wine and like the idea that Californians made better wine than the French.  The movie Bottle Shock is based on this book, and it's a good movie to check out.

• Bossypants
• The Nanny Diaries
• The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I read The Nanny Diaries on the beach, so I know for a fact it's a good beach read!  I had seen the movie and picked up this book at a thrift shop.  If you don't mind predictable and want something lighthearted and a quick read, this is a good choice.

Can you tell I like watching the movies that go along with the books? :)

I also read The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society on the beach a few years ago.  I was looking for a good beach read and came across this.  It's a story told through a collection of letters.  It's set after WWII and focuses on the people of Guernsey Island.  This is a charming book, and I couldn't put it down.

I'm sure Tina Fey's Bossypants is a book you've heard about or have at least seen sitting on store shelves.  I put it here to encourage you to pick it up if you haven't yet.  The stories of her childhood are hilarious, and it's an encouraging book to fellow ambitious females.

• Along the Edge of America
• Looking for Alaska
• Across China
• A Walk Across America
• The Walk West: A Walk Across America 2

If you like to travel or like to read about others' travels, check out Peter Jenkins.  My dad found A Walk Across America in a thrift shop and passed it along to me.  After that, I tracked down the rest of the books.  I was hooked!  Jenkins takes you into his travels and gives you the urge to see the world.  If you don't have time to read them all, my top two picks are A Walk Across America and Along the Edge of America.  But I really like all of them, so they're all good picks!

• It's Not About Me: Rescue From the Life We Thought Would Make Us Happy

This is the only Christian book in my list, because I usually read Christian literature when I'm alone and can focus and have room to spread out notebooks and my Bible for reference.  That's not usually conducive to a sandy beach or a small airplane tray.  It's Not About Me by Max Lucado is a quick read and perfect for travel.  It's thought provoking and convicting, so it's not shallow or fluff, but it lends to any interruptions you may have and will fit in a beach bag.  I made my notes in the book rather than in a journal, and if I wanted to reference anything in my Bible, I could make a note of it.

I hope this gave you some ideas for a book or two to check out to help round out the summer.

I'd love to hear your summer recommendations!

Bee's Wrap Food Storage (for only $3)

I have wanted to try Bee's Wrap for years.  The only thing that has been holding me back has been the price.  I was reluctant to spend the money without seeing them in person or knowing anyone else who had tried them.

I thought I'd pass along the good news that you can get two wraps for $3.  That includes shipping.  I couldn't pass it up!

Go to Reading My Tea Leaves for more information and to catch the deal!

So far I really like the wraps.  I don't think they will completely replace my storage containers or plastic wrap at this point.   That would be a big investment, and some dishes would be too large for the wraps to cover.  I like the concept and think they will come in handy for small dishes or for wrapping up cut produce.  While they would be handy for taking your lunch to work, I don't think I would do a lot of traveling with them, because I'd have to make sure they got back home with me.

If you use Bee's Wraps, I'd like to hear how you use them and any tips you may have.

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Embroidered Monogram Hanging Banner

I sewed and embroidered this little banner for my nephew that was born last week.  Colin's sister had a baby boy, and I just had to make him something for the hospital!

The upholstery fabric in the woodgrain pattern was picked up from Hancock Fabrics right before they closed.

The monogram is Victorian Monogram Font from Boutique Fonts.

I had a small metal rod, and Colin trimmed it to the right length for me.  I used twine for the hanger.

If you're interested in getting started in machine embroidery, the machine I use is a good place to start.  The exact model number was sold at Hancocks, but the two models below look to be exact to what I have.  I see one has a foot pedal, which mine doesn't have, but I'm not sure why it's needed.  My machine will embroider a 4x4 space.  Before you invest in a machine, be sure to do your research and watch videos.  You need a computer and embroidery software if you want to use your machine to its fullest potential.  It's one of the most fun hobbies for me!