Just A Little Something On Sunday

I've been looking for an affordable crewel pillow for some time now and I finally found one at TJMax.  I just couldn't resist it, especially at $24.99.  The design and colors were perfect for my family room.



However, it really didn't work on my dark sofa.



I have been planning on slipcovering the sofa for some time now but just haven't gotten around to it.  My temporary fix was to lighten the overall look with brighter pillows.  I used Graphics Fairy clipart on painters cloth pillows that I whipped up.  Here is the clipart I chose.  I love the soft colors and I thought the eggs complimented my new bird crewel pillow nicely.

I removed the current pillow forms and reused them.  NOW, I can't stress this enough.....make sure when using artwork with words that you print the downloaded artwork in the reverse.  I wasted two pieces of transfer paper printing the artwork backwards.....FRUSTRATING!



It then dawned on me that I could extend the use of these summer themed pillows by printing a fall themed print on the reverse. I can't wait to show you the completed Thanksgiving themed pillows closer to the holidays.

In the meantime, take a look at my sofa transformation....

Voila!!! Let me know what you think....

Monday's Market and Giveaway

I am launching Monday's Market and Giveaway today which will introduce you to Esty designers and their items.

So, here it goes....

ESTY, ESTY, ESTY...need I say more.

Decorative accent pillows add the final touch to a room.  You can mix and match designs and fabrics to create the perfect decorative mix.  Lately, french inspired and printed pillows are all the rage.  We've seen similar pillows featured in magazines, catalogs and online recently.  Most recently, I found these pillows on One Kings Lane priced from $49 - $69.



                                               

I stumbled upon these gorgeous one-of-a-kind pillow covers from Jolie Marche Inspired Vintage over the weekend on Etsy!!



 

Jolie Marche pillows are detailed and unique designs.  These vintage inspired pillows will add a pop of color, pattern and style to any room.  The pillow covers feature designs on burlap, grain sacks and linen and incorporate whimsical chandeliers, french script, birds, flowers...the list goes on. 


I am excited to announce that Jolie Marche is offering a gorgeous pillow cover as Monday Market's Giveaway.  Please visit  Kristi at http://simpleeverydayglamour.blogspot.com/ and post a comment on her blog.  Remember to leave a comment here to participate in the Jolie Marche Giveaway!!!  You must be a subscriber to participate. The winner will be announced on Saturday, September 10th.

Also venture over to her Etsy site and take a look around.  You'll fall in love with her designs, I guarantee it!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/JolieMarche 

Inspired by Jolie Marche designs, I thought I would try to reproduce similar pillows.

I used painters drop cloth that I washed, dried and ironed, ironed and ironed. I then copied two delightful pieces of calendar artwork from Flora & Fauna 2010 calendar onto Jolee's Easy Image transfer sheets.

I ironed the transfers onto the painters cloth and I sewed the pillows together.  Voila!!!

Let me know what you think....

Come back and see what I feature on next week's Monday's Market...



Vintage Bassinet Makeover

A few weeks ago, my dear friend, Lynn asked me to recover a bassinet that had been used by her family for 3 generations and her daughter is now expecting her own daughter.  I was honored and of course, a bit nervous. 

We decided on a flax colored linen as her daughter wanted a non gender specific color.  I struck pay dirt stumbling upon a delicate pleated linen curtain at Bed Bath and Beyond for the coordinating fabric.  The already pleated curtain saved me tons of time from having to sew pleats.   Repurposing is one of my favorite things to do!

Believe it or not the inspiration for the design came from a linen tea towel by Two Girls in Avignon http://twogirlsinavignon.com/

You can find inspiration just about anywhere at anytime.

I struggled initially putting the piece together as I wanted the interior to be removable for washing. 

Here it is prior to the slipcover...

I lined the inside with batting and then used the pleated curtain to finish of the liner.  You can see the detail in this photo.  I trimmed the removable liner and covered the buttons with the flax linen.  It is removable for washing.

Take a peek inside to see the pillow I made awaiting a monogram for her expected arrival.



The flax linen skirt was designed with deep reverse pleats and a touch of green with a grosgrain ribbon.

Here is the beautiful expectant Mom and 1st time Grandma with the bassinet. 

Let me know what you think....

Slipcover Stools

I often find myself perusing the clearance aisles of TJMax and Marshals and every now and then, I score a great find.

Well, one day last summer, I stumbled upon two stools that were priced just right ($20/stool) so I put them into my cart and took them home.

They sat in my basement for some time until I found an amazing P Kaufmann wheat, tan and taupe animal print ribbed cotton. 

So, I tackled my first slipcover project and with some help from Miss Mustard Seed's custom piping and cutting fabric tutorials.  http://missmustardseed.blogspot.com/2011/03/video-slipcover-tutorial-series-part-3.html  With her assistance, I was able to complete my first slipcover project and voila...

Let me know what your think!

Baby Olivia Pillow

So many of my friends are having their first grandchildren and Amy is no different. Baby Olivia's birth was the muse for the pillow that I gave Amy in celebration of this blessed event.

Aunt Anne sent me a beautiful photo of Baby Olivia and I used it as my inspiration.

I used Photoshop to convert it to black and white and then added her name.

I then used directions from Between Naps on A Porch http://betweennapsontheporch.blogspot.com/2011/08/how-to-make-piping-for-pillow-cushion.html to make the piping.  Susan's directions are detailed and easy to follow.  I made a small pillow insert and 3 hand sewn flowers from the remaining linen fabric.

Here are all the pieces waiting to be sewn together.



Voila....here is Baby Olivia's pillow!

Let me know what you think....