Getting Crafty

I was looking at new beds at Crate and Barrel a few weeks ago with my Mom and fell in love with one that had a fabric headboard.  I decided that it was exactly what I wanted, until I looked at the price!  My Mom looked at it and said that it didn't look that hard to make and suggested I make one myself.  So I did.  Check it out...

Step One

We measured my current bed and decided how long and wide the bed frame should be.

Step Two

We took the measurements to Home Depot and got someone to help us pick out the right wood.  He said that for the size we wanted we'd have to cut two pieces of wood and connect the two pieces somehow.  There was an extra piece of wood so I got him to cut it into four smaller pieces for a separate art project I've been wanting to do.

Thanks for the help!

Cutting the wood

Finished product

At Home Depot we found metal pieces and screws to connect the smaller piece of wood to the larger one.  We already had a drill, so we bought a drill bit in the correct size for the new screws.  

Step Three

Next we headed to the fabric store to pick out the fabric for the bed.  Luckily there were three fabric stores located in Seven Corners next to Home Depot.  I picked out some mustard yellow fabric to match my bedding.  

Step Four

After purchasing the fabric, we needed some foam backing.  We found some foam that was $30/yard.  With the bed frame being a little under three yards, I thought $90 for foam was a little outrageous.  So what did I do instead?  I bought a foam mattress topper at the fabric store for only $30.  

Thrifty foam replacement

Step Five

Now it was time to assemble the headboard.  We measured where we wanted to attach the wood and drilled holes into the two pieces of wood.  Then we attached the metal pieces with screws.  

The drill and metal connector pieces

Drilling the holes to attach the metal pieces

Step Six

The next step was to attach the foam backing with a staple gun.  We wrapped the foam around the top and sides of the board and stapled it securely.

Step Seven

Next we used a steamer to get the wrinkles out of the fabric.  Then we stretched the fabric around the foam backing and used a staple gun to attach it to the wood as well.

Finished headboard

DIY fabric headboard:  $80

And now for the results...

Fabric headboard from Crate and Barrel:  $800

Want to see what I did with the extra piece of wood that I had cut into four smaller pieces?  I turned it into the DC flag for an interesting piece of artwork.  

Eastern Market

The Eastern Market is one of my favorite places in DC.  If you know me, you know that I love filling my home with original artwork and fresh flowers, sorting through vintage pieces, eating unique foods and hunting for a bargain.  What better place to do all of that than at Eastern Market on Sundays?

The Eastern Market is open every day except Monday and has every meat, fish, cheese, dessert, ethnic food and prepared food you can imagine.  It also has a small eatery where you can find their famous crab cake sandwiches.  The eatery has been featured in many newspaper and magazine articles, including one in Southern Living.

View from the market

Mom and Kevin enjoying their crab cake sandwich and fish sandwich.

   

Menu

Meats

   Cupcakes

Fish

Prepared dips and olives for sale

My favorite flowers :)

Lots of flowers 

Outside of the market there are various tents with people selling jewelry, paintings, crafts, organic fruits and veggies, clothes and photography on the street.  

Street vendors

Lots of people bring their dogs-- like this cute little guy.

Jams for sale

Local veggies

View of the outside of Eastern Market and the street

On Sundays there is also something called The Flea Market at Eastern Market that is held in the schoolyard beside Eastern Market.  They have vendors selling secondhand and restored furniture, handmade jewelry, vintage magazine advertisements and signs, t-shirts, candles, plants, vintage clothing and accessories and other unique handcrafted items.  

Entrance to the Flea Market

I have a small tin tile similar to the edges of these mirrors that I bought from another vendor, but I can't wait to purchase one of these gorgeous tin mirrors.  

This is what I ended up purchasing--  a handmade shelf made from scrap wood.  It has a mirror, rustic door handle and key hooks.  Can't wait to hang it!  :)