how can i make that...

For some reason, my brain works in taking things apart and trying to reassemble them. Anytime I find myself looking at some housework or decor item that I like in a magazine or store, instead of about purchasing the item my brain is asking, how can I make that? Exhibit A, B and C with all the furniture projects I have currently. 

Most recently I have been loving the table settings for Thanksgiving and the Holiday Preview for Pottery Barn. One of the best days of the year is when the Holiday Catalogue comes out from that store.

Currently, our refurbished table has a table runner and one complete chair. The other 5 are waiting to be painted and waxed until I can maintain a squatting position without popping out a baby.

What I have found recently is that Brett enjoys using the table runner for a placemat. Of course after living as a bachelor, why would he feel the need to put anything under his plate...so I'll give him credit for adding something. Needless to say the runner got splattered and I end up washing it all the time.

While I was spending a rainy day not hunting our to my current condition, I spent my time walking around stores hoping to move a baby along to delivery. {To my dismay that did not happen.} One of my favorite new stores is Home Goods in Holland. Seriously, so much inspiration there! That is where we landed Bert the Moose that was installed in the nursery, along with the super fluffy fur rug.

Since I was not there for a particular item, I like to roam the aisles and look for clearance finds or inspiration. When I got to the placemat and table covering aisle, I broke down and decided it was probably time to purchase some in order to protect the table top and the runner from Brett's ceaseless red sauce splatters. Most came in 4 packs of $14.99 in different designs. Nothing seemed to be the right look - who knew I would be picky about placemats. I would need at least two packs since we have 8 seats; $30 for 8 placemats I did not really care for did not sound like a great deal to me.

Lately I saw some mats in Anthropologie's fall catalogue that I really had my heart set on, but the price at $28 a piece was not urging me to buy them. I loved the hand woven look with the fringes on the edges. The fact that no two are alike makes them eclectic and handmade. Also, the red wasn't really fitting with my decor scheme.

Low and behold when I turned around to depart the placemat aisle feeling defeated, I spotted some hand towels that had that same hand woven look with fringes on the edges. How can I make that into a placemat? is immediately where my mind went. There were two great neutral designs with two kitchen hand towels in each pack for between $2-$3 each. This was going to be a cinch, and way better than some plastic woven thing I didn't like.

This project is so easy! It might be something you could pick up kitchen towels from after holidays when they are clearance items to add to your holiday table.

To start, one of my favorite things to do - iron! You will need to fold each towel in hand and iron out the creases and create a straight center fold to cut the towels in half.

Once the towel is cut, you can then create the seam with one of my all time favorite quick craft fixes - no-sew seam glue. I pick up a packet overtime I go to Ikea for about $1. Saves time from having to break out the sewing machine. First, fold over the edge and iron the seam to match the size of the seams on the outside edges. Then add the no-sew tape under the folded edge and iron over to melt the tape.

Wah-lah! You have yourself an artisan hand made placemat. Total cost of this project for me was $5.45 for the towels and it yielded 8 mats. Not to mention, I love how they have a little sparkle woven in...it will be perfect for Christmas!