Handmade Diaper Bag to Fit Your Sense of Style

Diaper Bags don’t always have to scream wipes, bottles, and diapers within; but instead can fit your sense of style. Nothing like a sexy mama J . 

I designed a handmade diaper bag using a free pattern I found on http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/free-diaper-bag-pattern.html   ; my design fits my personal style. There are a few variations I made to my bag in comparison to the step by step instructions on www.make-baby-stuff.com .  

For instance, instead of using a magnetic snap for the closure tab I decided to add a button and buttonhole. I made the bag strap a bit more slender than the measurements given and opted for an open interior pocket verses a zipper pocket. See my variations below: 

FINISHED PRODUCT:

Front of Bag 

Back of Bag

FREE PATTERN:

Free diaper bag pattern and step by step instructions found on
http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/free-diaper-bag-pattern.html

FABRIC SELECTION OF CHOICE:

Patterned Flannel Fabric, Burlap, Muslin for Interfacing, and Cotton Fabric for Lining 

FRONT OF BAG:

Decorative stitch work creates four individual front 

pockets for bottles, Sippy cups, etc. 

BACK OF BAG:

Sewing the right and left sides of the solid fabric to the patterned fabric creates a 

large back pocket; Velcro closure is added for security. 

INTERIOR LINING:

Interior pocket sewn to interior lining 

Interior lining sewn together, front, back, and bottom then turned inside out 

STRAPS AND CLOSURE: 

BAG BOTTOM:

PIECES SEWN TOGETHER:

DIY Wall Art for Nursery: Fabric Covered Canvas

Fabric covered canvas are easy unique ways to add a personalized touch to any nursery. Below are step by step instructions on how you can create your very own personalized fabric covered wall art canvas for baby. 

FINISHED PRODUCT: 

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

• Artist Canvas – size is completely up to you – I used a 11” x 14” canvas for this project
• Fabric – select fabric to match décor of nursery ( patterned, solid color, and scrap fabric)
• Staple Gun
• Hot Glue Gun
• Scissors
• Sewing Pins
• Needle & Thread
• A Button
• Sewing Machine 

SELECT IMAGE FOR FOCAL POINT OF ARTWORK:

I selected and sketched an elephant for my focal point; well suited for the décor and theme of my nursery. (See sketch below). One can be creative and select various options based on your décor and theme, for instance perhaps a sketch of a boat, rose, car, or bear would be appropriate for you. 

PATCHWORK:

• Cut out selected focal point image and glue to solid color fabric
• Randomly glue scraps of fabric to image creating a patchwork design

• Utilize needle and thread by hand sewing around the contour of focal point image. This creates definition and a fasten reinforcement to solid color fabric
• Sew on button in place of the eye 
• Pin patchwork design to patterned fabric

• Using a sewing machine, select a stitch design of your choice and adhere patchwork to patterned fabric by sewing around its board.

( Janome sewing machines are by far a one of the best in the market. As you can see to the right of the machine are a variety of stitch selections you can choice from. If you don’t have access to a sewing machine, hand stitch patchwork to patterned fabric ) 

• Once patchwork is secured to patterned fabric, wrap fabric around canvas, and staple down using staple gun.

VOILA! THERE YOU GO: 

Completed wall art for your Nursery! Enjoy! 

By Valene Warren

Veluxe Interiors Inc.

www.veluxeinteriors.com 

A Healthy Home

Eco Custom Homes : 1890 House in Decatur, GA  

Achoo, cough, ahem,…..As you clear your throat and blow your nose, try to understand that your symptoms could be very well caused by possible hidden dangers that lurk throughout your home.  Toxicants found within a home are by far more hazardous than those found outdoors. People spend much more time indoors within confined spaces where high levels of toxicants can be found.


Synthetic materials and household cleaning products can contribute to the release of toxic fumes and poor air quality in a home.  Most people are not aware of this fact and are unable to recognize the link to asthma, other respiratory issues,  fatigue, headaches, allergies, etc. to one’s home.

Below are a few facts and tips to help create a healthy home and provide insight on living a more natural, nontoxic lifestyle. 

Flooring

Most carpets found in homes are made of synthetic materials thus contain toxicants such as petrochemicals and VOCs, volatile organic compounds. Petrochemicals are derivatives of petroleum and VOCs are toxic carbon based compounds.  Carpets can be known to off gas these toxicants in a home up to five years. Carpet also absorbs dust and dirt becoming the perfect environment for mold and fungus. Vinyl and certain types of linoleum flooring can also be considered to be toxic; they are also known to off gas volumes of VOCs.

Healthy flooring choice for a home to consider are stones, porcelain, ceramics, sustainably harvested wood flooring (finished in environmentally friendly stains and finishes) such as maple, fir, oak, or cherry, and also carpets made from organic materials; such as wool, hemp, and sisal.   Always consider the purpose of a space in which flooring will be used rather than aesthetic appeal, in other words health over beauty. For instance, basement applications tend to experience dampness, carpet installation could foster mold growth if moisture is a known issue in the basement.

If you are unable to change your flooring to a healthy choice, try shampooing your carpet with a Nontoxic Carpet Shampoo or covering vinyl and linoleum with a Natural Fiber Rug to reduce contact with floor.

Apartment Therapy: Reclaimed Wood Flooring – Flooring made from recycled wood found in landfills, old buildings, barns, etc.  

Fabric

Many fabrics for the home are man-made in fiber and process, and during process are likely chemically treated for stain resistance and fire retardants. To accomplish those "desired" results, formaldehyde and petrochemical products are typically used in process. Formaldehyde is a carbon compound that is known to be a human carcinogen, cancerous; creating deficiency in healthy home environments.

Organically grown cotton, linen, silk, and hemp are known fabrics that are produced with low impact dyes and no fire retardants or stain resistant treatments; great fabrics for a healthy home.

Amenity Home: 100% organically grown and organically pressed cotton duvet 

Paint

Conventional paints, especially synthetic oil based paints, are a major contributor to air quality in the home. They tend to be extremely high in VOCs. These known traditional paints off gas creating pollutants; they also contain fungicides as well as mold inhibitors.

When buying paint choose paint with low VOC’s, or even better ZERO VOCs.  Try to consider using paints made from tree / plant oils, herbal extracts, and or mineral / vegetable pigments.

Benjamin Moore: Zero-VOC Interior Paint 

Cleaning Products

Check this out …. Common chemical based cleaning products attribute to symptoms ranging from respiratory problems to skin discoloration and associations to cancer! Always read the ingredients on the back of cleaning products. Don’t be surprised to find health warnings on the back as well!

Nontoxic cleaning products can be found in local health food stores, online, or already in your pantry! Healthy choices for cleaning products are Borax, lemon juice, steel wool, and vinegar.

Melaleuca Cleaning Products are made up of naturally derived  ingredients with no chlorine bleach , ammonia, or  formaldehyde. 

Explore further topics for A Healthy Home and consider other changes that can be implemented in your home. Please feel free to comment and share your findings below. 

By Valene Greene

Veluxe Interiors

www.veluxeinteriors.com

Sources:

The Healthy Home Workbook by Kimberly Rider

Karen Raymer (Eco-Design Consultant) from SutainATL, Eco Custom Homes and Waldenour 

 

The Psychology of Color

Have you seen the Clear Eye commercials? Ben Stein, actor, plays a character whose delivery is the most lethargic and monotone; very much resembling of rooms absent of color conveying dreadful presences. ABSOLUTELY BORING! Spice up your space with splashes of color, don’t be afraid to experiment. However, be aware that colors have psychological effects. Color should be chosen based on one’s personal taste as well as the purpose of a space.

RED

Red is often used as an accent color, adding excitement and drama to a space. Red is also known for conveying passion, love, and energy.

Traditional Home 

BLUE

Blue represents tranquility, calmness, and peace; a great color choice for bedrooms. 

HGTV

GREEN

Green is easy on the eye, simply due to the vast amounts of green seen in nature. It’s also soothing and alleviates depression, nervousness, and anxiety.

Traditional Home

PURPLE

Purple is associated with royalty, luxury, and sophistication. It is romantic and offers a sense of spirituality.

Hub Pages 

ORANGE

Orange is an energetic color. It is typically used as signage due to its attention grabbing characteristics. It promotes happiness as well as stimulates appetite.

HGTV

YELLOW

Yellow leaves a satisfying impression of cheerfulness.  The eye catching color is known to speed metabolism and stimulate the mind.

House & Home

The emotional response that color can evoke is exceptional. Hopefully this snip of information on color psychology will help with future color choices.

By Valene Greene

www.veluxeinteriors.com

Furniture Arrangements

Bedroom Sketch by Valene Greene 

Understanding a few basic concepts about furniture arrangements will have you right on your way to a more efficient living space.  Effective furniture arrangement ensures appropriate traffic flow and increased emphasis on focal points.

Traffic flow allows individuals to maneuver safety throughout a space. Stepping into a room only to be blocked by furniture is awkward, accident prone, and an insufficient means of egress!

Never block doorways and entryways. Furniture pieces should be sized relative to one another as well as the room in which they are placed. Always check the dimensions of hallways, stairs, and door widths to make certain furniture pieces will fit when moving them into their designated space.

Decide the intent of the room; will it be used for entertainment, a study, or T.V. viewing?  Build around the focal point of a room, whether it is an architectural feature or piece of furniture. For a cozy atmosphere arrange furniture close to one another. For a more spacious feel, place furniture farther apart from one another. Place the largest piece of furniture on the longest wall. Try not to group too many large pieces of furniture together; it can at times upset the balance and harmony.

AutoCAD Drawing created  by Valene Greene 

Furniture is arranged to fit the odd shaped floor plan. The entertainment center has been custom built to fit the angular shaped wall. Doorways are unblocked and furniture is spaced apart establishing a spacious mood. 

AutoCAD Drawing created by Valene Greene 

Above is a home office which resembles the work place; ample storage, book shelves, a desk /return, and comfortable seating. 

AutoCAD Drawing created by Valene Greene 

This large open space is divided into two spaces, a gathering room and dining room. Four plush arm chairs surround the fireplace, the focal point, creating an intimate setting. An area rug defines the dining room. Traffic flows smoothly through the open space.

AutoCAD Drawing created by Valene Greene 

The bed above is flanked with bed side tables on either side creating balance. The dresser at the opposite end fills the empty wall. Doorways are free of obstruction inviting safe movement throughout the room.  

Interior Design is not solely the enjoyment of choosing décor but also the practice of safety and effective traffic flow.

By Valene Greene 

www.veluxeinteriors.com 

Window Treatments

Swag & Valance 

Window treatments are in fact the icing on the cake, the jewelry to dress the gown, and the spice in the soup. Enjoy the fun details of dressing a window by aiding in its purpose and accentuating the decor.

Options for window coverings are vast and at times make the process overwhelming.  On that account, begin by first deciding the type of window treatment needed based on the intent, and then choose the style based on the décor. 

BLINDS & SHUTTERS: SKYLIGHT – An easy treatment for skylights are roller shades as shown in the photo above.  

BETTER HOME & GARDEN: ARCHED WINDOW – In this photo the arch is left exposed while the French doors are cloaked with flowing curtains. 

HGTV: BAY WINDOW - Ceiling to floor length curtains encompass the bay windows creating a secluded seating area suitable for reading or an afternoon nap.

Window Treatments are needed for a variety of reasons, for instance; privacy, noise absorption, sunlight control, heat loss prevention, connection to the outdoors, and resolving architectural issues.  

VOGUE: Vertically stacked windows are covered with floor to ceiling curtains, creating architectural emphasis.

SOUTHERN LIVING:  Café curtains are used to control glare on the computer while still allowing sunlight to flood the room. 

TRADITIONAL HOME:  A Shoji Screen is used as a form of window treatment and accent to the eclectic décor.

Hard window treatments consist of blinds, shutters, and shades. Soft window treatments are draperies, curtains and layered treatments such as swags & cascades or valences & draperies. Traditional window treatments emphasis on pleating and embellishments where contemporary window treatments show case fabric choices while maintaining simplicity.

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST: Thick floor to ceiling velvet draperies (Traditional)

ARCHITECTURAL DIGEST:  Stripe pattern Roman Shades (Contemporary)

HOME INTERIOR DESIGN: Swag 

HOME&HOUSE: Cornice

Window treatments are worth the extra attention needed.  Not only do they make a space attractive, they also execute their intended purpose.

By Valene Greene 

www.veluxeinteriors.com 

Nurseries & Kids Rooms

A new addition to your family will arrive in just a few months and you’re now scrambling to get a nursery together; but where in the world do you begin? Begin by determining what furniture pieces will be needed for a nursery suitable for both parents and baby. Basic Furniture necessities for a nursery include a crib, changing table, seating, dresser, and storage units.

Consider thinking ahead and choosing furniture and themes that will transition easily out of babyhood. Fortunately, nursery furniture is designed to convert for growing babies.  For instance, most cribs convert into toddler beds and some changing tables convert into dressers.

Oeuf Conversion Crib 

CSN Baby Changing Table 

Add charm and personality to the space with thrift antiques, vintage fabrics, homemade art work, & creative storage ideas. Tie the design together with secondary necessities: lamps, bedding, window treatments, paint and rugs.

Nursery 

Design Board by Valene Greene

This conceptual nursery is a great unisex design where you’re not inclined to think pink or blue.  When the baby arrives and time goes on, pink and blue can be added as you wish.

Girls Room

Design Board by Valene Greene

Most little girls want to be princesses. What better way to make them feel like a princess than creating a princess themed room. Lilac, pinks, greens, light fabrics, and crystal chandeliers will most definitely do the trick.

As the child gets older give them a sense of pride and ownership by allowing them to participate in the evolving décor and layout of the space. Have fun and enjoy the bonding that will come out of the collaboration. 

Below are a few awesome examples I found of teen boy and girl rooms

Teen Boy’s Room -HGTV

This Hunting Themed boy’s room is a great pick for a nature loving adventurous teen. From the camouflage bedding to the animal trophy, vivid imagery of the outdoors is successfully executed.

Teen Girl’s Room -HGTV

This teen’s room has matured significantly from the typical pink and lilac for little girl’s rooms, but still holds true to youth by using bright splashes of color and bold flowing patterns.

By Valene Greene

www.veluxeinteriors.com

This Blog Entry is dedicated to my nieces and nephew!