DIY Decorating: Changing the Fabric in my Bookshelves

We are in the process of many home improvement projects. With twins on the way, we need order and peace in this house of boys. Easier said than done....but you have to start somewhere- so I started by changing my loud fabric on the back of my shelves in the great room.

Here is the new look:

 I put chevron fabric up over 2 years ago. You can see a post about it here. After about 2 1/2 years of staring at so much chevron, it had to go. Personally, I'm getting a little tired of seeing chevron print on everything! It is like- I liked it a lot-- until I saw it everywhere. Now I'm sort of done with it. I had to go for something a little calmer, and brighter. Here is the before:

 The room had a lot of red. About a year ago, I retired my red curtains, for something lighter- which I made....I'll share my curtain story in another post.

 Since this photo was taken- about two years ago- I have also changed my pillow covers, and lamp shades a few times. I liked the bright colors, but it is busy- there is a lot going on in this room. It is a huge room, with the basic tan walls- so added color was nice.

Here are the shelves today:

  I think the shelves feel so much better and lighter! When I changed the curtains- last year- it totally lightened the room and made it feel larger. Now with the fabric change on the shelves, it feels even lighter- not so busy and heavy.

Here is a little of the room after from the same angle as the room photo from before:

 So what do you think? The lighting is different-- in the before photos I used a flash, and in the after photos I used natural light. Here they are side by side:

BIG difference for a very small amount of money. Of course it isn't perfect, and I am constantly changing it....but it feels much more calm now, and calm is what I needed.
I'll share my DIY curtains later. So... if you had this room, what kind of area rug would you do? Solid? Printed? Colored?? Please share! I'd also like to paint the walls a lighter color-more in the grayish family....but there is a lot of walls with this color- so that project may be a few years away...paint color suggestions are welcome too!

Thanks for reading!!

Free Printable: Teacher Thank you In-n-Out Gift Card

I saw a cute idea on pinterest, but there was no link to a printable for it. So I made up my own version.
To thank the teachers this year, we are giving them In-n-Out Hamburger gift cards- with this cute little card I made in photoshop. 

I made it so you can cut off the blog link and for personal use only reminder. Those are just reminders. ☺☺If you use it or share it, please direct people to this little blog-www.allmylittlegems.com


TO PRINT: click on the photo and right click to "save picture as", and save it on your hard drive. This was made in a 3 inch by 5 inch format. When printing select size 3 by 5 or 4 by 6. You should be able to print multiples on one page. Attach gift card with twine or ribbon.

Thanks for reading! Remember to thank those teachers as school ends!

WINNER: Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses Book

Happy Monday!
I don't know about you, but I have such a busy week! Kids finishing school, preschool graduation/celebration, etc. etc.
I am excited for summer! Hoping to finally get some fun summer things posted....

THE WINNER of the Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses Book is....
number ONE- NIKI who said...

What a sweet book! I would make one of every pattern pictured. : )

Niki, you must email me within 48 hours or leave a comment on this post with a way to contact you (I won't publish it) so I can get you your book!
little gems crafts (all one word) at gmail (dot ) com

Thanks everyone for entering!

Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses Book Review and Give-a-way

I have a great give-a-way for you, perfect if you love to sew pretty things for little girls!Today I have a great book just for you!I'm participating in a blog book tour for this great new sewing book.  If you like to sew adorable dresses for your girls, but don't want to deal with the fussiness of a pattern, you will love this new book-Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses. It contains over 25 patterns, all starting with a t-shirt. Most ask for rectangle or square pieces which really makes this book great for easy sewing.

 This book also contains simple illustrations, and instructions. For most dresses, the instructions are only one or two pages. It really couldn't be easier and more user friendly.
Here are a few pages from the book to give you an idea of the cute dresses you can make- all starting with a t-shirt!

I might even make one for me- being that I have all boys.
Would you like to win a copy of this great book? LEAVE A COMMENT-- and let me know why you need to win a copy of Sew Pretty T-Shirt Dresses! Give-a-way ends on Friday, May 17th, at 10 p.m. P.S.T.
Good Luck!

Shabby Apple $50 WINNER

Hi everyone! So thank you for all who entered the give-a-way for $50!
AND thank you for everyone who is still reading this little blog.... I promise I will get back to posting! I'm working 2 jobs right now...on top of being a mom- BUT I have lots in store to share!!

THE WINNER IS....
#23 ERICA!!
Please contact me within 48 hours at little gems crafts (all one word) at (gmail) dot com. CONGRATS!!
And thank you to everyone who entered!!

Happy Spring!

Give-a-way: Shabby Apple $50 gift card

I have a great give-a-way for you today! Shabby Apple is offering one of my readers a $50 gift certificate to their online boutique. If you are not familiar with Shabby Apple, they have vintage dresses, maxi dresses, casual dresses, skirts, and so much more. They even have mater nity dresses.
I love the calliope skirt and this vintage style skirt.

Would you like $50 to spend at Shabby Apple? Here is what you need to do:
1. Like Shabby Apple on Facebook. You must leave a comment telling me you liked Shabby Apple on Facebook.
2. Take a look at the dresses on Shabby Apple (links above) and tell me which dress you like in a comment.
3. All comments must be separate (sorry about that) AND you must leave me a way to contact you or respond if you are the winner within 48 hours.
4. Winner must provide a U.S. mailing address.

Good luck! Contest ends Friday, April 26th, at 10 p.m. Pacific Time.

My Biggest Project Ever {or why the pace of this blog has changed lately}

So I may as well tell you- if anyone still reads this blog- why the past several months, I have s-l-a-c-k-e-d in the blogging department. We are expecting...twins. While we know it will be a challenge, we see this as a blessing! We wanted a #5 so badly, and now we get a #5 AND a #6. While I haven't thrown-up once- and I'm 14 weeks along now- I have felt tired, and a little nauseated at night. I still don't believe it is actually happening, and am in total denial, until I see it on the ultrasound screen. Even then, after I see it, I go on, and still can't believe it.  In the meantime, I  am  teaching preschool, and working another job from home, a seasonal job scoring educational tests from the computer. Sitting on your rear everyday in front of the computer, really makes you not want to sit on it any extra time than necessary- especially when it is growing already on its own due to pregnancy... Oh yeah, and I have 4 crazy energetic boys.  So I've been a little busy. I have big plans to blog about some fun stuff- and hopefully those plans will actually happen!! My energy has started to come back a little, and so that is good! I hope to get some stuff posted! Tomorrow- I actually have a great give-a-way I will be posting!

 In the meantime, just know, I'm growing two people right now and that takes a lot of work!

If you are still reading, thank you! Thank you for supporting me, in my efforts to "find the gems", share joy, and create.