Ottoman Cover

I found this ottoman at Target for 14 dollars years ago and it has served us well.  But the color of it is a little tiring after a few years, so I decided to make a cover for it.

I once made a cushion cover for a friend, so there is fabric leftover.  I decided to pair the leftover fabric with some new ones that I bought.

I then used some other leftover fabric to make the other side of the cover.

In Car Trash Bag

I have already made a few things for my Nissan Cube to make it pretty

 I figured I would make a pretty trash bag.  :)

Upcycled Military Uniform Easy Water Bottle Bag

I have recently started walking my dog twice a day, but since it is summer and hydration is very important, I needed something to carry my water bottle, so I made a very simple little bag for my water bottle, phone and  keys.

Let's check out how to make this easy bag!

DIY Chair Runners

What are Chair Runners?  They are just like Table Runners but for chairs and couches.  

Ever wanted to reupholster a chair but do not know how or think it's too expensive?  Well consider making just a "runner".   All the material only cost me 10 bucks!!!!

So let's see if the covers can revive my chairs.  ^__^

Let's Get Social Sunday Linky Party (I am co-hosting)

Hello, my LOVELY readers, I am SOOOOO excited to tell you that I am co-hosting Let's Get Social Sunday Linky Party with 8 other great ladies!!!!  
Big Thank You to Paula, Wanda, Diane, Evelyn, Jamie, Joy and Linda!!!
So let's PARTY!!!!!

Pinaholics Anonymous Meeting #10

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

I just want to take a moment to thank my DAD for raising me with so much love and patience.  He is my hero.  (sorry hubby, my dad is my number one man, always has been, always will be)   Since I have moved to the USA and my parents are in Hong Kong, I miss them soooooooo much that it hurts.  

I hope you all have a wonderful Father's Day.  Treasure your time with your dad no matter good or bad, don't wait till it's too late.  

Today's Theme:  Denim {part 2}

I have posted some Denim Upcycling Ideas in PA meeting #8. Let's recap a little bit.

Want to check them out again? Click here for Pinaholics Anonymous Meeting #8

Today's post will be all about making old jeans into something wearable again! 

Hello my name is Mandy, and I am a Pinaholic! ^__^

If this is your first time here, let me briefly explain to you what this is all about.  This is a series I  started to share what I have pinned to my boards on Pinterest that I find interesting and inspiring.  I will feature pins that may be tutorials, tips, tricks, or ideas (but I am partial to sewing tutorials!)

So without further ado, let's begin our Tenth PA Meeting!

Pinaholics Anonymous Meeting #9

Yippee! Summer is here (at least for most of us).  You know what that means right?  BBQ!!!!!  We are organizing a BBQ party for Father's Day, so I am in serious search for some great but easy DIY ideas for a backyard BBQ party!  

Today's Theme:  Summer BBQ DIY

Hello my name is Mandy, and I am a Pinaholic! ^__^

If this is your first time here, let me briefly explain to you what this is all about.  This is a new series I am starting to share what I have pinned to my boards on Pinterest that I find interesting and inspiring.  I will feature sewing related pins that may be tutorials, tips, tricks, or ideas (but I am partial to tutorials!)

So without further ado, let's begin our Ninth PA Meeting!

Blogging Tips: Google Services Shut-Down: GFC? Google Reader?

So I am sure many of you Blogger users have heard that Google is "retiring" Google Friend Connect.  

Well that's NOT true. 

I am going to explain this to you all in details in this post, hoping to make it easier for you to understand.

Blogging Tips: Are you a "noreply" blogger?

Do you feel like no one ever replies to your comments/questions?

You do not receive any emails from your blogger friends, do you?

Do you always have to go back to the same blog posts to check if others have responded to you?

If you answer to the above questions is YES, you might be a "noreply" blogger. And you might want to fix that.

Blogging Tips: Fake Referral Sites

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Tornado break

Dear lovely readers:

Due to massive tornado/storm we had last night, we have lost power along with 60,000 other homes, so I regret to tell you all that I will be delaying my posting until further notice. I doubt ihop appreciates all of our town going there and using their wifi lol. Please do know that I have all of you in my heart and will post as soon as I can. In the mean time, do enjoy my other projects to ease the longing hehehehehe:


Updates:  As of June 2, 2013

We got our power back this afternoon! yay!!!

No damage to the house, just a bunch of trash and tree branches!

The food in the freezer did not even thaw (i was smart enough not to even open the freezer door)

My baby veggies (still at the seeding stage) survived!!! I left them outside and with all the craziness going on, I forgot to move them in the garage, but they are still intact and growing fast!!!

My parents's tree (the dead one) is still standing (thank God), only a few branches fell, onto the yard, not the house (thank God again)

We are thankful!!!!

Pinaholics Anonymous Meeting #8

By now, you might have noticed that I am a bit of a up-cycling nut!  Especially DENIM! I love denim.  So I am constantly thinking of ways to upcycle my endless amount of jeans.  I am determined to list denim upcycling tutorials.  Since there are just soooooooooooo many denim ideas out there, I will be writing several PA posts to share with you all.  

If you would like to see certain ideas, tutorials, tips, or tricks in the future PA meetings, shoot me an E-mail 

Or go to my Contact Me Page

If this is your first time here, let me briefly explain to you what this is all about.  This is a new series I am starting to share what I have pinned to my boards on Pinterest that I find interesting and inspiring.  I will feature sewing related pins that may be tutorials, tips, tricks, or ideas (but I am partial to tutorials!)

So without further ado, let's begin our Eighth PA Meeting!

Today's Theme: Denim {Part 1}

Pinaholics Anonymous Meeting #7

Happy Memorial Day my lovely readers!  Let me thank all those who made freedom possible for all of us to enjoy our lives without worries.  Thank you so very much from the bottom of my heart!

If you would like to see certain ideas, tutorials, tips, or tricks in the future PA meetings, shoot me an E-mail 

Or go to my Contact Me Page

If this is your first time here, let me briefly explain to you what this is all about.  This is a new series I am starting to share what I have pinned to my boards on Pinterest that I find interesting and inspiring.  I will feature sewing related pins that may be tutorials, tips, tricks, or ideas (but I am partial to tutorials!)

So without further ado, let's begin our Seventh PA Meeting!

Today's Theme: Quilts

I am not a quilter because I am ADD about my projects, quilting takes too long and I can't stand not having something done.  But I LOVE looking at quilts because I am always amazed at how talented those quilters are!

20,000 Views Achievement

Not very long ago, I started blogging more seriously and linking my projects with lots of link parties, and that earned me more traffic and followers.  About 5 weeks ago, my little humble sewing blog hit the 10,000 views mark.  I was ecstatic!  Last week, my blog hit the 20,000 views mark! 

So in other words, I have gained 10,000 views in about one month! That's quite the achievement for me!  

So I THANK YOU!  YES, YOU who followed me, read my posts, commented on my projects, emailed me..etc I cannot thank you enough! 

Just like my first 10,000 views achievement post, I will be listing the top 10 referral sites that brought me the most traffic!

So read on to see if you are also on those sites and if not, what you are missing out on.

Pinaholics Anonymous Meeting # 6

Hello my lovely readers,  I am really sorry about skipping the last two meetings! With the Mother's Day celebration, vegetable planting, and garage organizing, I barely had time to cook. But I am going to post two more PA meetings in the next week to catch up.


If you would like to see certain ideas, tutorials, tips, or tricks in the future PA meetings, shoot me an E-mail 

Or go to my Contact Me Page

If this is your first time here, let me briefly explain to you what this is all about.  This is a new series I am starting to share what I have pinned to my boards on Pinterest that I find interesting and inspiring.  I will feature sewing related pins that may be tutorials, tips, tricks, or ideas (but I am partial to tutorials!)

So without further ado, let's begin our Sixth PA Meeting!

Today's Theme: Father's Day

Please Keep Oklahoma in your prayers

On May 3 1999, more than 70 tornadoes passed through Oklahoma and Kansas, killing more than 40 people, injuring more than 800 people, damaging and destroying more than 8000 homes, causing more than 1.5 billion dollars. On May 20th 2013, a massive tornado, stretching more than a mile wide, passed through Oklahoma with almost the same path, destroying homes and schools, trapping grade schoolers and breaking parents' hearts! Rescue is still in process.  So I urge you to keep all those affected in your prayers, every bit helps.  

For news updates, check out our local news station News 9 

To search for missing relatives, go to Red Cross Safe and Well

To help Oklahomans:

1. Red Cross Disaster Relief 
2. Oklahoma Baptist Disaster Relief
3. Salvation Army
4. United Way of Central Oklahoma
5. Feed America
6. Operation USA

Texting to donate

1. AID to 50555 to donate $10 Operation USA
2. STORM to 80888 to donate $10 Salvation Army
3. REDCROSS to 90999 to donate $10 Red Cross
4. FOOD to 30333 to donate $10

Thank you for your prayers!

Curling Iron Holders

After making the In Car Trash Bag for my friend's mom, I also made her a few curling iron holders for her to store her curling irons either in her bathroom or to pack them for traveling.

Upcycled Denim In Car Trash Bag

How was your mother's day?  

Mine was ok, just a bunch of housework, yardwork, organizing, and gardening, while the Mister took naps.  HAHA

I did, however, hang out with a friend's mom last weekend.  She has been a mom away from mom for me, since my own mother is more than 8000 miles away.

I have already made her a Duffle Bag, Shoe Bags, Travel First Aid Case, Receipts Pocket for Notebook/Binder, Valentine's Day gifts, Denim Tote, Kitchen Accessories, so WHAT ELSE TO MAKE for her?  She works two jobs and they are both far away from home, so she basically lives in her car.  So I knew I had to make her something for her car.  A Trash Bag!

This is so easy to make, you have to read how to make one.

Link Parties Link-up

Last night, I spent HOURS staring at the computer screen, fingers clicking the mouse over and over.  PHEW! WHY? oh Yea, I reorganized my Link Parties page.  

So NOW, I present to you the all NEW and IMPROVED Link Parties Directory.

Simply click on the Link Parties Directory tab

Browse the link parties under each category

If you do not see your link party, use the inLinkz tool to LINK UP.

SO Hop over now for new link parties to join or to add your own.

Upcycled Military Uniform Purse {Part 2}

This is a part two of a WIP I started last year.  Read the first half here: WIP Upcycled Military Uniform Purse {Part 1}

I finally got it finished and shipped.

Let's get to the tutorial

I am a Featured Blogger at NanaHood

I AM SO EXCITED TO TELL YOU ALL THAT I HAVE BEEN FEATURED AT NANAHOOD.  

Teresa over at NanaHood has a Bloggers From Around The World series on her blog, and so far, she featured bloggers from Australia, Singapore and now, Hong Kong (me).  So I am super duper excited!

This series is all about bloggers that are from other countries to tell their story with a few pictures, some facts about their countries, the blogging communities in those countries.  It's very interesting! So don't delay, hop on over to NanaHood to check out the posts!!!!

Nice to meet you all!!!!

Upcycled Military Uniform Reversible Tote

I don't know about you, but I am a little bit ADD when it comes to my creativity.  When an idea pops into my head, I will immediately go search for fabrics and have them out and start cutting, but then another idea would pop into my head and I start the process again, so I end up having a few WIPs (work in progress) lying around.  This was one of them. 

September of last year, I started cutting out some old military waterproof  pants, and then I stopped.  Then when Mother's Day approaching so quickly, I dug it out and started working on it again.  

Upcycled Denim Purse

My mom is not a big purse lady, she prefers small, light weight purses.  I have made a handbag for her before, but the fabric is too casual for her to carry to a more serious gathering.

So I decided to make her a fancier but not too fancy purse.

Let's see how I made it.

Upcycled Denim Apron

Mother's day is around the corner, and I have been a busy bee all week making gifts for my mom.  After a few late late nights, I finally got everything made and shipped them off to mom.  I will post each gift with tutorial throughout this week, so do keep checking in for easy projects to make.

Today, I am going to show you how I made this easy apron made from a denim shirt.   This apron is light and simple, for those moms that love to cook, this will be perfect!

Don't stop now, read on for the tutorial.