A Few Handmade Pillows

Today I'm sharing a few pictures of the pillows I have made recently. I am always attracted to the linen and grain sack material so I used similar fabric and design for that look. 

 I purchased the 18x18 pillows at Jo-anns for half off. I later found feather pillows on clearance at TJ Maxx Home Goods for just $12! I just take the cover off and use the insert. Also, Ikea has 20x20 feather inserts for $7. Needless to say, I have at least 8 pillows sitting around ready for makeovers!

This striped fabric is so similar to a grain sack! The buttons are the perfect detail to give it some character. The only problem I have is this fabric wrinkles as you can see! 

I found this vintage salt sack at an antique store and immediately pictured it as a pillow. I love the worn look and it is a very soft material.

I had to show you my new Ikea couch with all of my fun pillows!

I have always loved the look of the Ektorp couch at Ikea. I always wanted one and when I found this one on Craigslist for $200 I couldn't pass it up! It was also nice I could give it a try with the white cover before spending the full amount. After having it a few months... I'm still in love with the look, but I do have to admit it isn't the best for entertaining. The depth is a little small for men and can't fit very many people. So, I might have to look for a similar version... just larger!

I have to mention that I am just thrilled I have 50 followers! Thank you all so much for your support. I hope I can just keep growing and inspiring.

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Chalk Paint Fun

Last weekend I finally used my sample pots of ASCP. I found a pedestal and salt and pepper shakers at Goodwill in need of a little makeover.

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AFTER

I used the Duck Egg Blue for the pedestal. I love how the paint went on with an immediate texture to it. I painted this with the wood showing through in places so sanding was not even needed. You will be seeing this in my spring decor in April with a few colorful eggs in it!

The shakers I used two coats of Old White. I sanded them and then used a dark wax to give an aged look. I can't believe how quickly this paint dries! I had these two things done in just a couple of hours.

I have to say I know this paint isn't cheap, but I had fun just using sample pots to try it out. Although, I haven't decided whether I will be purchasing larger portions yet. I have tried to be very picky about what I use it on because it is so precious! Just be sure when reading instructions on the pot, you don't tilt the jar enough to spill this gold on the floor (ask me how I know)!! I think I almost cried!

I have to thank you for the wonderful comments on my pink vanity! I can't wait to share another furniture makeover later this week!

Some Valentine's Love

I can't say I have ever decorated for Valentine's day, but was inspired by Pinterest to surround myself with some lovin!

After seeing this idea on Pinterest, I couldn't wait to make one for myself! I went to Goodwill and found a gold frame for $2 and used my new chalk paint to give it a fresh look. After it was dry, I sanded it in places to reveal the gold. I printed the "I love you because.." on some fun scrapbook paper and it was finished! It was nice to do an easy and fun project in just one evening!

I just had to take some close-up pictures!

Have you been doing any Valentine's Day decorating?!

A Prayer Shawl

Last week my sister's employer found out she has breast cancer and informed her staff that she would be taking a leave of absence for a few weeks. My Mom came up with the idea to make a prayer shawl for her. We all decided to work on it together through this next week.

I have knitted many scarves and blankets before and it's always just to keep busy while sitting in front of the television. Although, Sunday evening I just sat there in the silence, by myself, with the thunder rolling outside...putting prayer and thought and love into what I was knitting. It was such a good feeling to reflect on what this woman was going to be going through and what I could do with my hands to possibly bring her comfort during that time. I also took the time to be grateful to God for what I have and how fortunate I am for my good health. This is another way of staying close to God. I want to stay focused on using the abilities God gave me to serve others.

I also have to mention that I was struggling with a few mistakes at first and became frustrated. I was praying for the focus on why I was knitting this and that it didn't need to be perfect. My little sister encouraged me later with a quote she found. "As I knit through the creation of the shawl, I gratefully acknowledge the imperfections, weaving them into my prayers and intentions for the one who will be wrapped in and blessed."

Hopefully we can finish it in a week! Thanks for visiting!

Gathered Truths

I'm so excited to finally share this project today. This one took a lot of perseverance. I'm so glad I stuck with it because I love the final product!

I am a quote hoarder. I can't read a book or watch a movie without writing something down that relates to my life. The problem is I always keep them on sticky notes. I have many unorganized piles of notes full of thoughts and quotes I have gathered over the years. I have never found a way to have all of them in one spot that inspires me until I saw this in the Sundance Catalog. How lovely!

365 Gathered Truths

This box is full of 365 quotes printed on handmade paper. I felt this was the perfect way to organize my quotes, have them easily accessible, and have a great display item all in one! I knew this was something I could make. It would also be more personal considering I would use the quotes I had gathered! Added bonus... I'm saving myself $98! Yes, you heard me right, that's what this costs! Here is my version finally finished.

This project ended up being a lot more trouble than I thought it would be. I began by hunting for the perfect handmade paper. This was not an easy task for the price, but I ended up finding 140lb. watercolor paper on sale at Michaels. I love the texture and the thickness.

After purchasing my paper, it occurred to me that the thick paper wouldn't feed through a normal at-home printer. I began to visit every copy/office shop I could find. This paper would not feed through the machines! I began to give up on this fantastic idea of mine. After a few weeks of stewing about my failed project, my little sister mentioned trying the copy machine they have at the school where she teaches. Sure enough, the paper fed through and I couldn't have been more excited and grateful for her help!

I typed about 65 quotes using different fonts that resembled a typewriter. Each card was cut at 3 1/2in by 2 1/2in and I tore one edge with a Paper Tear Edger. My Mom helped with painting the cheese box with red craft paint leaving some of the wood exposed for an older, distressed look. I found the metal label at Jo-ann Fabrics and held it in place with two tacks.

I can keep adding to my box as I gather future quotes. The whole project was worth the hassle. I'm so happy with having my quotes all organized in one place. I also love having them on display to share inspiration with others!

I think this calls for a quote.

 "There is always a way, even if it seems impossible.

In the face of impossible become inspired."

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A Linen Wreath

I fell in love with this wreath at Beautiful Nest and decided to head off to the fabric store for some linen! She gives a wonderful tutorial here on how to make it so I won't go into too much detail. I do want to add that I used 4 1/2 yards of fabric. I felt it needed to be full. I also tore my strips at 4 1/2 wide and then folded them at 4 inches.

I added a bit of personal touch with the fabric flowers. I love how each one turned out and the colors go nicely with my bookends in the living room!

I'm hoping of hanging this in an old window frame (which I don't own yet)... Guess I will need to do some antique shopping to find one!

Enjoy your weekend!

A Sneak Peek

I have been so busy with a couple of different projects going. I thought I would show just a sneak peek of what I have been working on!

One includes quotes I have gathered over the years and a cheese box...

This one is made up of folded linen and a wire hanger!

I have been a little under the weather from getting a Tetanus shot yesterday. I had a side effect of a full blown fever with cold and hot flashes and achiness all over! I feel much better today and hopefully will finish up these projects soon so I can share! Thank you for the patience this week.

In Different Light

While searching for inspiration, this Pottery Barn lamp caught my eye. I loved the lamp, but definitely not the price tag! So I began the search for a more affordable way to achieve this farmhouse chic look.

While wandering through Hobby Lobby, I found a pair of candle holders on sale for $8. They were the perfect pair to transform into PB knockoffs!

BEFORE

AFTER

First, The Hunny drilled a hole down the middle of both bases (he discovered they were ceramic). With the help from my Mom, I began the painting process using a textured spray paint. We used Rust-oleum Multicolor Textured Paint in Autumn Brown for the base. Layers of white paint, crackle paint, and a brown glaze were then added to achieve the distressed look. It took some time and patience to get the look I wanted.

I bought lamp kits to transform the bases. The kit fixtures were painted with a bronze spray paint. The Hunny helped me feed the cord through and attach the fixture.

I bought natural color lampshades at Wal-mart and covered them in burlap fabric purchased at Jo-Ann Fabrics. We made a pattern from craft paper that was used to cut the fabric. We used Mod Podge to adhere the fabric to the lampshade and left it to dry over night. I used twill tape to finish the edges.

I love how they turned out...It was fun to find inspiration and make it for less! The overall project cost more than I hoped but still less than PB! What do you think of my candle holder lamps?!

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Lean on Me

I found a fun and quick project to make bookends in this issue of Better Homes and Gardens Do It Yourself Magazine. The only materials needed for this project is fun fabric and decorative sand, which I found in the silk flowers aisle at Joanne Fabrics.

First, I cut inexpensive muslin 9 inches by 11 inches for the interior bag that holds the sand. I folded the 11 inch width in half and sewed the side and bottom. I repeated those steps with the decorative fabric I chose. Make sure you put the right sides together when sewing the two sides for the finished bag. I then poured the sand in the interior muslin bag, folded the unfinished edge, and stitched it closed (this doesn't need to be perfect since it's unseen). I turned the finished bag right side out and put the sand-filled muslin bag inside. I folded the unfinished edges to the inside and top stitched along the edge to finish my bookend! SO SIMPLE and CUTE!

I love that you can make different patterns and colors depending on your decor or books you want to display!

The magazine suggested using a plastic bag to hold the sand inside and also instructed to top stitch around all edges of the bag to finish it. I tweaked the process a little and found it was pretty quick and painless! I hope this gives you some inspiration!

Have a wonderful weekend!

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A Baby Girl Quilt

My friend and co-worker at the salon is having a baby girl in September. She and her husband are so very deserving and I couldn't be happier for them!

I decided early on that I wanted to make her a baby quilt. I have made quite a few quilts for myself, but sewing for someone else adds a whole new level of pressure. I am somewhat of a perfectionist!

I have learned everything I know about sewing from my Mom, who is a quilter. My sisters and I also had some good practice by participating in 4-H while growing up. I am truly blessed that Mom has passed on her knowledge and still helps me with all of my sewing projects...I'm still learning!

I asked my friend a few questions about how she planned to decorate her nursery. She is keeping the overall scheme of the room neutral and bringing in accent colors of pinks and reds. She also decided to paint an accent wall in aqua. I started with fabrics in the Bliss collection by Moda and then added a few extra fabrics from my stash. They were the perfect combination of colors including aqua, red, and pink. I also love how the patterns have a vintage feel.

I pieced the quilt using a neutral center square and a log cabin style on only three sides to make a rectangular block. The unfinished block is 5 inches by 7 inches. I quilted it with a double straight line on the vertical and horizontal. Each line was sewn a quarter inch from the pieced seams. I then quilted around the perimeter of the center square which made it stand out. I just love how it turned out!

I used a Bliss fabric in flannel for the back!

The binding really accented this quilt!

I surprised my friend with her new quilt last Friday when all of the stylists went to lunch to celebrate her pregnancy. She absolutely loved it and said it will go perfectly in the room! I'm glad I got it finished and that she will enjoy and appreciate it! 

The Hunny and I are working on finishing up the barn today so I will be back to painting furniture soon! Thank goodness, because the furniture is starting to pile up! Hope you enjoy your Tuesday!

Rocking Chair Makeover

I found this rocking chair at an antique store a few months ago. I loved the style of it, but that fabric had to go! The 70's look just isn't what I was looking for.

BEFORE

 

AFTER

I decided I want her to sit in the corner of the Master Bedroom where the windows are (which makes for difficult pictures :/). I found this simple geometric pattern that worked perfectly with the curtain fabric!

BEFORE



AFTER

After removing the hundreds of staples (which oddly, I don't mind) I was surprised to reveal the past owner had used a sample of carpet for padding! I used some foam I had on hand and cut it to size. I used the piece of board from before as a template for the foam and fabric. I allowed a few more inches around the edge to fold over when cutting the fabric.

I then layered all three with the front of the fabric face down and the board on top. I began to pull tight on one edge and using a staple gun, secured it with just three staples. I then moved to the opposite side to secure it with three additional staples. Afterward, I moved to the other two sides and repeated this process until finished. This method allows you to get the fabric very taut. I had so much fun working with the staple gun! I screwed the board back in place and am now enjoying a brand new (more comfortable) chair!

I did this project before I had my blog so I apologize for not having pictures of the process! It truly is an easy project to recover a cushion and can make such a huge difference! Hope this inspires you to try a quick furniture makeover with fabric and a staple gun! 

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