Shabby Chic Tote Bags

I have finally mastered the shabby chic fabric rose/flower that everyone has been making.  I have tried to make them a million times and I just couldn't get it .  . .  I think it was because I wasn't following directions & there is more than one way to make them! LOL  I figured the fabric rose would look great on these tote bags that I made for another wedding party.  If you are looking for a personalized easy gift, these tote bags are the way to go!!  I picked up the totes at HL, ironed on the initital, and then sewed around it.  The sewing around the initial doesn't have to be perfect & if you do not have a monogramming machine then you could always use the freezer paper stencil.  I think they turned out fabulous! I hope the girls like them as much as I do.

American Honey

So I feel like a total "unpatriotic American"! I didn't make not ONE piece of 4th of July decor!!  What's wrong with me?! However, I've never really decorated for the 4th.  After seeing some of the super fabulous things that all of the bloggers have shared, I will definitly be making a few things for next year.  My friend, Mrs. Bluegrass, made a super cute wreath for her front door out of a green foam wreath and some ribbon.  It think it looks very American.  Looks really great with her blue door too!!  Fireworks! Here I come!!!  Oh I {heart} sparklers!

Flower Pot Sauer Coasters

I saw these super snazzy coasters over at Sweet Charli and I knew that I had to make me some! Mainly because King never gets the coaster out of the remote control caddy.  Besides I am tired of the bulky remote caddy on the end table.  The jazzy coaster looks fabulous on the end table & it can stay there 24/7 with out looking cheesy and cluttered.  Anyone got any ideas for the remote caddy?  Made several of these, one for my nightstand and one for my desk.  Mrs. Rooster got one for her desk too!  I didn't make a full matching set because we do not need that many coasters in our house.  It's only me and King.

So there's a typo!! "BOTTOM" not botom!! LOL

I used fabric on mine but I have also seen paper being used too.  The best paper ones that I saw where pictures of the Beatles made for her husband for Father's Day.  Darn it, I can't remember where I saw them.

Apron Winner!!

Thanks to everyone who entered and to everyone who follows my blog! The support is greatly appreciated and I love following all of you too!!





The winner is:
Jennifer from over at
All that Glitters

Contact me so you can recive the apron.  Thanks again, everyone!

100 Follower Apron GIVE-A-WAY (and why "The Autocrat")

Okay in honor of getting 100 followers I decided on giving a giveaway (made by me!).  .  . wow, it happened way faster than what I assumed from when I first decided.  Yesterday, I had to run to Joann's during lunch to purchase  fabric and then come home to whip up this apron.  Thank goodness I already had the pattern.  I {heart} this fabric!! I love the vintage-y feel it gives off!  If you're the winner, keep it for yourself, or give it as a gift. :)

HOW TO ENTER:

1) Have to be a follower or become one.

2) Leave a comment on this post.

**I will announce the winner on Thursday morning before 8AM. **

Why did I choose "The Autocrat" as my blog name?  I have been thinking about blogging for the whole year of 2009 and finally when it came 2010, I told myself I was going to do it!  As I was discussing a blog name with one of my coworkers, we where going through all of my hobbies and things about me.  My hobbies include sewing, paper crafting and all things DIY.  I love my English Bull Terriers, and my chi-wow-wow, Ginger.  I love shoes but dress overly conservative.  I own atleast 50 button up the front collard shirts with different sleeve lengths.  Yes, I like to iron!  I live in Texas and I am an Aggie, both of which I am proud of.  Then we go onto my personality qualities such as I am a very particular person and VERY obsessive compulsive.  Very organized and clutter gives me anxiety; my house is always clean.  I like things done a certain way and usually in a certain order too.  I like to have plans, hardly ever spontaneous.  Constant list making in my mini spiral that I take everywhere with me.  Very routine and yes, I admit it, I am kinda controlling, but in a loving way.  (Crap, What am I going to do whenever I have kids.  I hear all of these obsessive compulsive traits end up going out the window!)  On this flip side, I do understand that everyone is not like me.  So if I come to your house and it's dirty with dishes in the sink, I don't judge.  I read self help books on relationships & I'm obsessed with how the male brain doesn't work like the female brain. Addicted to Diet Coke & Starbucks.  Always a bridesmaid, never a bride.  Very frugal and have no shame in shopping at WalMart or throwing a clothing item in my buggy while I am there.  So the list goes on and on . . . . .We bounced a few names back and fourth based on my hobbies but none of them were jazzy enough for me.  I wanted something original because I like to think of myself as a pretty original person.  I am pretty outgoing and tend to talk VERY loud.  We kept circling back to the word "Dictator" due to my obsessive compulsiveness. However, every time I hear that word, I think of Hitler, which is not a happy thought for me.  Thus, "The Autocrat" being born, which means the same thing as dictator but doesn't sound as harsh.  It kinda works out, cause King already had the nickname King.  Therefore, we live together in our Fortress of Crafts (not a castle) with King's girlfriend being an Autocrat not a Queen.  That's the story! I always wonder why others choose the blog name that they did.  There are some pretty snazzy ones out there.

Soap Dispenser Re-Do's

A while back King was flipping through the Cabela's catalog and thought this soap dispenser was pretty cool.  I was thinking thier price was a little steap for a soap dispenser and besides it looked like a regular 'ol jar with a lid.  My mind went spinning on how I could make one but it went into the "make it later" category of my brain.  Since I have entered into the blogging world recently, I have seen a few and finally decided to make one for our guest bathroom.  Also, I saw the revamped soap dispenser over at House of Hepworths. Don't you just love hers! Brilliant! Here are my versions of the two!

Summertime Koozies!

I was invited over to Mrs. Rooster's house to meet her parents.  Of course, I had to bring something crafty since they are followers of my blog. (Thank you!)  This is one of my favorite ideas!  I live in Texas and people in Texas love their Dr. Pepper (I prefer Diet Coke) and their beer! With it being so flippin' hot here, you gotta keep your beer cold!!   I love making these koozies!!  Everyone loves them! Check 'em out . .  .  They would be great for a themed party. (Yeah, and then I left them at the house!! I wasn't even able to give them out!! LOL)

Fabulous Serving Tray!

I have another super crafty friend that I have told you all about before, Mrs D!  Her and her husband, purchased their first home at the beginning of the year and boy had she been busy with a ton of DYI projects.  Check em in this post.  Due to all of her craftyness, she decided to start a blog too, Lifes' A Dance! Which I am super excited about since we do not live in the same town, I love seeing what she does!  Check out this tray that she purchased at GW.  She got a little inspiration from everyone's favorite place, Pottery Barn!  Also check out this fabulous cross!!  I am jealous!!  I totally want to make one of these crosses!!