Loving My Favorite Chair -- A Makeover Story

There once lived a girl who was oblivious to the world of thrift stores.  She had grown up with mostly hand-me-downs (there's no real choice what you get there), with some new stuff bought at the big-box stores, or sometimes "name brand" stores, but the concept of "one man's trash is another man's treasure" held no value to her.

Until one day, after she and her mom had moved to their new home in a new town, did she venture into a shop boasting thrifty finds.

And her life would never be the same.

Well, I might as well admit.  That girl was me.  hehe  

And it is a true story.  I would know.  (:

I honestly don't remember how I happened upon that little shop.  For years, it was across the street from another shop my mom and I would frequent, so I probably subconsciously remembered it was there.  When my mom and I moved to our new place, we were trying to outfit it very cheaply, and I was hoping to get some new goodies for my very own bedroom.  A first for me.

And if I remember correctly, I drug my brother along with me to this little shop.  I didn't really go in with a purpose or looking for a specific piece, but when I spotted this chair -- and sat in it -- and saw the $15 dollar price tag -- I knew I had to have it.  

Isn't it hideous and awesome at the same time?!  (I wish I had a true true before pic but that was way before the idea of a blog ever entered my mind.)

Strawberry Shortcake Birthday Invites

I have been chomping at the bit to share these invites!  

Since jumping into the graphic design world, the majority of my customers have been of the boy variety.  Not that I have anything against boys, but not being able to do sugar and spice and everything nice has had me itching for some time to have a girl client.

My very dear friend made my wish came true when she welcomed her sweet little daughter to the world.  I can't even begin to tell you how excited I was when she asked if I could do her first birthday invites.

And then how even more excited I was when she told me the party theme was Strawberry Shortcake.

Too cute!  

I loved the color scheme, which was something we had done before when she was born.  Her mom had asked me to make towels for the sweet baby, as well as name art for her room, which was all in the Strawberry Shortcake color arena.

I couldn't resist making a little strawberry onesie, too!

Dressing My Chairs with New Cushions {Inspiration}

My brain is always running, always thinking about 5 steps {projects} ahead of what I am currently working on, which tends to drive me nuts.  My mom told me long ago, while I was still in college and kept getting very overwhelmed with the seemingly endless things to do on my projects, to make a list.  Write down every little thing left to do, then do them one by one, crossing them off as you complete them.  That was the best advice EVER for someone like me.  My mind can focus on just the one thing and get it done, then move onto the next, rather than thinking about everything all at one time.

I still make lists, and they are constantly evolving, crossing things off and adding more to.  My latest list entry is to create cushions for my newly refinished--or rather, de-finished--breakfast table chairs.

Ok, a little history.  My dining chairs used to look like this.  {Pardon the 5-year-old-Thanksgiving-dinner-set table.  This was way before the word "blog" entered my vocabulary so I didn't document every aspect of my house.  O, when things were easy, ha ha ha!}  

My hubby and I totally made hand turkeys for place cards that year.

The table is custom made and the chairs are from Ikea that we stained.  It started to bug me that they perfectly matched the table {which, at the time, thought was SO COOL how we got the finishes just right to look like a set because they were stained at different times with different processes....}, and I wanted a little contrast.  So we painted them.

But then, last Fall, the hubs and I took a trip to Warrenton, and bought these beauties for new dining chairs.

I apparently don't mind the matchy-matchy anymore!

They'll need cushions, too....eventually!

So we borrowed two of the old chairs to use at our breakfast table and got rid of the swivel stools.  But I wasn't feeling the white anymore.  Story of my life.  I can never make my mind up, and I change it probably too often!

What is that saying....the only constant in life is how things change.  Ain't that the truth!!

Anyhoo....
So, I spent an afternoon stripping.  Paint, that is.  :)  And now my chairs are ALMOST like they were when we bought them.  Some of the stain came off too, and some of the white stayed to give it almost a pickled look.  It's pretty cool actually.

But now they are in need of cushions.  A little dressing up.

I actually made these cushions.  It was my first sewing project where I created the pattern, and I was super impressed with myself, ha ha!  They turned out pretty awesome!  But the fabric doesn't work with our getup anymore, so it's on to something new.

But this project is not at the forefront.  I have too many others that NEED to be done, taking priority on "the list."  That won't stop me from "researching" for inspiration, however.  :)

Here's a few ideas I thought were neat.

Patchwork Cushions

Shabby Chic Cushions

Pom-Pom Trim Cushions

Friendship Bracelet Cushions

Ballerina Ties Cushions

Denim Cushions

Burlap & Doily Cushions

French Linen Cushions

Linen Tea Towel Covers

Simple Cover & Cushion

Lots of fun ideas out there, and now my brain is running!!  Maybe "researching" wasn't such a good idea!

Although, I can't decide whether or not I want to just do a removable cushion, or if I want to upholster the seats.  Maybe like this:

via

Or these:

via

Or this:

via

Upholstering would be easier and not necessarily permanent, but maybe harder to clean....Ugh....decisions, decisions.  

I would love to hear from you guys.  

• Which do you prefer:  removable cushions or upholstered seats?  
• Have you recently "cushioned" your chairs?  I'd love to see your projects--just leave a link in the comments.  I'm truly looking for ideas!  And you guys are all so talented!

Well, stay tuned for the finished product...after some other finished products. :)

Have a good one!

TTFN.....



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Sock Monkey for the First

The hardest part about being around kids is how quickly they grow up.  It's so crazy to look at pictures of how little they were thinking that was just last month, when in reality it was like a year or more ago.

Case in point:  my nephew, Zachary, who just turned one!  Didn't I throw a baby shower for his mom just a few months ago?!  And I could swear it was just a few weeks ago when my mom held him at a couple of days old.  But, no, that was a little over a year ago....which means she's been gone almost a year....but this is a happy post, so I move on...

So this precious little thing is now a year old, and with a birthday generally comes a party.  And this one's theme?  Sock monkey!

I feel like my mom was all over this party, even though she was just watching from on high.  At some point in Zachary's infancy, my mom bought him a sock monkey.  And it's not just any sock monkey; this one plays peek-a-boo and giggles.  Omygoodness, it is soooo cute!!  You just can't help but giggle along with it! And Zachary loves that thing.

So sock monkey love has always been in the forefront, and it was only natural that the party would go in that direction.

Again, like with Matthew's party, their mom and I started in Pinterest, gathering ideas for the party.  We soon realized this one wasn't going to be as elaborate as Matthew's, only because it was going to be outdoors at our local park, which wouldn't be a very favorable environment for decorations {lakeside = lots of wind!}, so our focus were the invites and his portrait outfit.

Zachary's mom quickly found an argyle print in light blue, red & chocolate brown that she LOVED and thus our color scheme was born.

I took that idea and ran with it for the invites.

Unlike Matthew's invites, these were about the graphics so I created the argyle print and drew the sock monkey.  There was a special request with the sock monkey that, I admit, had me tearing up a bit as I added it.

See that little detail on the monkey?  The heart with the white ribbon?

That was a special nod to my mom.  Even now thinking about it makes my heart hurt a little.  But I appreciated the thought to have her be apart of this special day, even though she isn't here, physically.

But I think these turned out pretty cute.  I actually did a version with a red & white polka dot background that was also really cute.  Thinking of adding it my shop as a printable.  What do you think?

ANYhoo...

I mentioned a portrait outfit.  We found this on Pinterest:

{So adorable!!}

Source

and their mom fell in love and decided we had to do it.

The hardest part for us was finding the fabric--that classic sock monkey knit.  We don't have as many resources where we live and the time frame didn't allow for online ordering, so it was "make it work" time!

We came across a grey burlap that we thought would work well for a couple of reasons:  first, Zachary's monkey is actually on the grey side, rather than the typical brown, and secondly, I knew the burlap would give us that "frayed" edge look like in the picture.  We grabbed a red & white polka dot fabric, a couple of buttons and the white onesie, then it was time to sew.

I free-handed a vest pattern for the burlap, as well as for the red & white dot tie.  I ironed on some interfacing to help the reinforce the burlap, then traced my pattern and cut it out.  I did the same with the tie.

With my pieces cut, I sewed them on the onesie, then added the buttons.

How cute is this?!

And he looked totally adorable in it!

I also made the hat using the burlap and polka dot fabric.

He wasn't a big fan of the hat, ha ha ha!

I'm pretty much in love with this big brown-eyed boy!

And remember the shirt from Matthew's party?

He loved showing off his mustache!

Yeah I kinda can't say no to these blue eyes either!

{All portraits done by J&C Photography.}

I had more fun planning for these two and it's all the more worth it when I get a big hug and an "i love you" from Matthew, and a big slobbery open-mouth kiss and a hug from Zachary {he's learning how to give kisses now}.  Then Matthew gets jealous and gives me a kiss too!  Love those guys!

Now it's on to the next party.  The hubs is turning 30 and since he never had a true birthday party growing up, he's getting one now!  I'm not doing the favors or all out decor, but we have a theme--Lego Police to be exact--and so I'm hoping for some fun things along that line.  I had lots of fun with these invites and I can't wait to show ya!

I also have a new client--a girl client!!  I can't tell you how excited I am about that, ha ha!  I mean, I love all the guys I've created things for but I have wanted to do girly for so long and I finally get to!!  She's due to be here in September, so that means girly baby things.  Did you know how much super cute girl stuff there is out there?!

O, one more note:  I added a follow-thingy to the sidebar there up near the top {you'll have to view the desktop version if on a mobile device--scroll to the bottom for that link}.  If you click to follow me, you'll be "in the know" when I post new goodies.  Or, if you'd rather, you can just subscribe to my posts and get them delivered right into your email inbox.  If you've been reading with me for a while, you know I don't post very regularly {you can kinda see why here}, so I won't be invading your inbox.  But I love sharing with you guys, and I love hearing from you, so I hope you'll consider me friend enough to follow along with me.  (:

I also post different things on Facebook, so be sure to "like" me there, too!

Ok, enough self-plugging!
Have a great day guys!

ta-ta for now...

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Pinspired: Crochet Art

When I first joined Pinterest, it was a place for me to store all the ideas I saw all over the internet that I wanted to try out.  But soon, it became collections upon collections of things that looked pretty, looked intriguing, things I wanted to make or try, things I wanted to remember, or things that inspired me in some way.  So I feel like it's time to go back and look at those things I first pinned and do some creating.

 

This particular project/pin wasn't one I had thought to complete so soon.  I loved the look of the crocheted doilies simply bound in the embroidery loops, letting the hand-work be the art. 

Seen here

But finding the doilies to create the art would take some time.  Scouting antique stores was deemed necessary.  But before I could even begin to think about starting that adventure, I inherited LOTS of doilies.
 

{Re*Made}: Lil' Blue Dress Makeover

So here it is July, and it seems I've failed to complete my little design resolution.  Well, yes and no.  I started May's project in May, but only just recently completed it.  And I'm calling it a bust.  I'm so displeased with its turnout that I am not going to post pictures.  I attempted the makeover of a little wooden magazine rack that was left in the house.  It had a broken handle and some other minor cosmetic issues.  I painted it, tried to repair the handle, even added our monogram to the sides, but in the end, it just wasn't pretty, and I didn't like it.  I probably wasn't much inspired in May anyways.

May was a wild and difficult month for my husband and I.  It started with my giving notice at my work after making a decision to go back to school and study graphic design. Woo hoo! I am super excited about it and can't wait to learn more about design.   But literally the day after I gave notice, we found out our office will be shutting down due to budget issues.   Crazy!

We also lost my beautiful mother-in-law in mid-May, which was a little unexpected.  It most definitely has been hard to say good-bye and discover life without her.  She is already greatly missed.

On the more positive side of things, my husband was offered a new job towards the end of the month, and gave notice at his current job. We also celebrated my mom passing the one-month mark after being given one month to live. (We are currently going on the three-month mark!) I was also in full party planning mode for the baby shower I gave my sister-in-law this past weekend. My brain was constantly coming up with new ideas so I still have all these little notes and doodles lying around the house with shower ideas.  I'll be posting those pics soon, Woo hoo!

Some of that carried over into June but I was able to complete a project, though not one on my list.  I have actually removed one of those projects because I don't really need it anymore.  You'll see why soon.

(Hopefully I'm leaving you enough in suspense you'll want to come back, he he!)

So, June's *new* {Re*Made}. 

Every now and then, especially when I'm watching Project Runway, I think I could be a clothing designer.  I mean, come on, how hard can it be to pin fabric to a mannequin, right??  I can work a sewing machine, too.  To my credit, I have made myself a few shirts rather successfully, but they were following a pattern, not from scratch.  This project is about one such episode when I thought I could transform a plain-jane dress to something a little more special, and vintagey.  It's certainly no Project Runway winner, but I really like the way it turned out.

I had bought this cute little summer dress thinking it would be easy to wear and would go with anything.  But, I'm pretty particular when it comes to clothes (just ask my hubby!) and everything needs to match or coordinate or sometimes have a little somethin' extra.  And this dress needed a little somethin' extra.  It was just so blah.  Definitely easy-breezy, but boring.

I love, love, love the color though!  Peacock blue!

I actually pulled from a couple of places when I decided the dress needed some embellishment.  First, while baby shower shopping in my local craft store, I found these great little muslin flowers and I thought how cute would they be on the dress.  Then I remembered a while back my mom had shown me a ziploc baggie full of vintage lace she had acquired at an estate sale.  I found some eyelet trimming that I thought would be so cute around the bottom of the dress, and a wider piece of lace that I wanted to somehow use at the top.

First I added the eyelet trim to the bottom of the dress.  I kept the jersey fabric stretched a bit as I sewed so the eyelet would give a slight ruffle.

Then I hand-stitched the muslin flowers on just at the waist under the shirring.

Finally, I played with the wide lace.  First I tried cap sleeves, but I couldn't get it to lay right.  After fiddling with it a while, I decided to do a halter with the lace, and have it come to the front almost where my arm meets my shoulder rather than where a normal bra strap would sit.  It gave it a fun vintage look, but a little elegant too.

All in all, I think it turned out pretty cute.  I actually wore it to the baby shower and it was so comfy and the little halter lace helped keep it up, ha ha.  And even though I used vintage lace, this could easily be done with new stuff.  They actually had some great looking laces in the fabric department of that crafty store.

So, whadya think?

Makes me wanna embellish more stuff! :D
Have a good one!

ttfn...