Easy Placemat Pillow--You CAN Make Some Too!
Spring is the spruce up month, don't you think? It is hard to resist cleaning and shining things up when spring comes and we are working on our backyard a bit.
Showing posts with label pillows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label pillows. Show all posts
Your Favorite Posts! 2013 Top Ten Posts!
2013 was a long, hard year. Granted, we are all healthy, safe, and comfortable and for that we are always grateful. But we tried to get lots of house projects done on a wee budget, I struggled as a stay-at-home mom, and, oh this and that, whine, whine, whine.
One of the bright spots for us was this blog and for me, personally, reaching out to YOU, friend. Connecting with you, enjoying your comments, appreciating your encouragement, and getting to know you is what drives me to continue blogging when I'm tired or burned out.
And so, in honor of my awesome readers, here are the posts that got the most action!
Make The Easiest Pillow Ever!
You all know about my intense love of pillows. I make them constantly and Molly is always complaining about the plethora of pillows around the house. But I can't stop myself! When I see a pretty fabric, towel, napkin, whatever, I immediately think about how I can turn it into a pillow cover. So when I found some winter napkins at Target last year after the season for $2 a piece I knew they'd be mine and I knew they'd become a pillow cover!
I'm in the process of sewing two very sparkly pop star dresses for the girls for Christmas and frankly, I'm a bit burned out on sewing. So these had to come together fast. This is how I made the easiest pillow cover ever.
Iron 2 napkins.
Cut 6-4 inch long lengths of ribbon and pinned them along one edge of each napkin facing in, right sides together. Make sure your ribbons are the same on both napkins. I didn't measure but I did put them on top of each other to make sure the ribbons lined up.
Stitch along each ribbon edge so they were secure. You will do this on each napkin.
Right sides together and ribbons lining up, stitch along the three sides that do not have ribbons.
Clip the corners to get a nicer corner when you turn them right side out.
Turn the pillow cover right side out and insert your pillow form. Tie each ribbon into a double knot.
Done! It took me 15 minutes. And now I have a little winter glam in my living room! Happy!
You can check out some of my other pillows too, if you are interested!
In other news, I tweaked my gallery wall. I didn't do major changes but I added some things and moved some other things around. I am growing it over time as I accumulate things that appeal to me. I like how it's evolving. Ack, the pictures are terrible! Click here for the before image.
I am still trying to get some Christmas pics up on the ole blog. I am in the process of editing the pictures so we'll see if I get them up this week. Hopefully!
Cheers!
Jenny
How I Get Designer Fabric Pillows for $5 or less
I have a secret that I would like to share with you! I love to have expensive, special order designer fabric for my pillow covers but I don't want to have to order a yard of the fabric or pay the designer fabric prices to get them. So how do I get my pillow covers for less than $5 using fabrics that cost $49.99 a yard or more? Sample sales!
Toile Valentine's Day Pillow
Hi Friends! I was inspired this morning to get my Valentine's Day decorations ramped up a bit. Here is a pillow I came up with. It was a quick project with a little sewing and a glue gun, and it was just the right boredom buster for a free Saturday. Hope you likey!
Shabby Chic Pillows (Simple Sewing)
Halloween T Shirt Pillow, Hurricane Sandy
It's been a long few days. Thankfully, we escaped Sandy's wrath with little more than 10 hours without power and some downed or snapped trees. We are so lucky and grateful. In a quick drive around town today I saw homes with trees through the roof and downed wires everywhere. I hope you find yourself safe and dry tonight.
A few weeks ago I was getting some of the girls' old clothes ready to sell or pack away and I came across the sweetest Halloween outfit, shirt and pants, that Molly wore when she was 12 months old. It was given to her by my friend and Molly looked so cute in it! It was one of my favorite pieces of baby clothing for her. Ellie never got a chance to wear it because their seasons and ages are way off. So it was in great condition.
Well, I couldn't bear to get rid of it. I kept putting it in a box and then pulling it out again. How could I give it away? Well, I didn't. I made it into a pillow by using fabric glue to glue it onto some felt and then finished it with some ribbon ruffles. I love it!
Here are some pictures of our backyard after Sandy came to visit. It's hard to see but mainly we have large branches and tops of some trees that we aren't sorry to lose because they were old. My rock star husband was out literally all day with his chain saw taking care of business. Now we have neat and orderly piles according to debris type such as large branches, small branches, pine, etc. Which just shows you that opposites really do attract since I can't keep anything organized let alone the tree rubbish.
And I would like to gush a bit more about Jim right now. He took on the whole hurricane preparations himself since I hurt my back.
He:
And he did all that while he prepared meals for us, changed diapers, put kids to bed, oh yeah, and worked a full time job. And then today he cut wood like a boss.
I've said it before but I'll never stop saying it. Jim is the best person I know. He is so selfless and so supportive and I'm not sure he can ever really understand how grateful I am that he's here with me and going through this whole life thing together. He's a good friend to have and great person to love. I don't mention it here but I have a handicap from a car accident that prevents me from being completely normal and he doesn't care. He never makes me feel less or like I'm a burden. He is exactly the husband I needed and I believe God knew that. This blog is a slice of my life, not just the DIY or crafting slice, but one of my family as well and so if I gush about Jim or the girls now and then I feel like it's ok to do it here!
Cheers!
Jenny
A few weeks ago I was getting some of the girls' old clothes ready to sell or pack away and I came across the sweetest Halloween outfit, shirt and pants, that Molly wore when she was 12 months old. It was given to her by my friend and Molly looked so cute in it! It was one of my favorite pieces of baby clothing for her. Ellie never got a chance to wear it because their seasons and ages are way off. So it was in great condition.
Well, I couldn't bear to get rid of it. I kept putting it in a box and then pulling it out again. How could I give it away? Well, I didn't. I made it into a pillow by using fabric glue to glue it onto some felt and then finished it with some ribbon ruffles. I love it!
Here are some pictures of our backyard after Sandy came to visit. It's hard to see but mainly we have large branches and tops of some trees that we aren't sorry to lose because they were old. My rock star husband was out literally all day with his chain saw taking care of business. Now we have neat and orderly piles according to debris type such as large branches, small branches, pine, etc. Which just shows you that opposites really do attract since I can't keep anything organized let alone the tree rubbish.
And I would like to gush a bit more about Jim right now. He took on the whole hurricane preparations himself since I hurt my back.
He:
- climbed up on our roof multiple times to blow out the gutters of clogging leaves
- rigged tarps in strageic areas around our foundation to keep the deluge away
- added extra length to our downspouts for the same reason
- moved our entire basement of boxes and stored things into the center of the room in case we got seepage
- readied the generator
- moved plants, furniture, etc. to the garage
- and got together all the miscellaneous stuff like flashlights, batteries, water, etc.
 |
| This is half of our basement and our stuff. |
And he did all that while he prepared meals for us, changed diapers, put kids to bed, oh yeah, and worked a full time job. And then today he cut wood like a boss.
I've said it before but I'll never stop saying it. Jim is the best person I know. He is so selfless and so supportive and I'm not sure he can ever really understand how grateful I am that he's here with me and going through this whole life thing together. He's a good friend to have and great person to love. I don't mention it here but I have a handicap from a car accident that prevents me from being completely normal and he doesn't care. He never makes me feel less or like I'm a burden. He is exactly the husband I needed and I believe God knew that. This blog is a slice of my life, not just the DIY or crafting slice, but one of my family as well and so if I gush about Jim or the girls now and then I feel like it's ok to do it here!
Cheers!
Jenny
Halloween Pillow, New Sewing Machine
A couple of week's ago I found out I had won a brand new Singer sewing machine from DIY on the Cheap! It's a great blog, by the way...I hope you'll check it out! Anyway, I was beyond excited as my machine is the cheapest one Singer makes and I've struggled with it from day 1. I figured it was me and I was just destined to be about as good at sewing as I am at saying no to dessert.
But then it arrived (and so quickly too! Go Singer!). I waited a few days before taking it out. I was a tad scared as if it would laugh at me when it realized who would be using it. I could picture it pointing its needle at me and gasping for breath as it choked between laughs, "You? You are going to sew with ME? Oh girl, I think not."
But then it arrived (and so quickly too! Go Singer!). I waited a few days before taking it out. I was a tad scared as if it would laugh at me when it realized who would be using it. I could picture it pointing its needle at me and gasping for breath as it choked between laughs, "You? You are going to sew with ME? Oh girl, I think not."
Fall Pillows
It's time to send summer off for a vacation and to usher in fall! I started by switching up some of our pillows to some DIY fall pillows with the colors and textures of the season. Think nubby fabrics, dark burnt oranges, and tans. Ahhh, I can smell apple cider already!
And yes, that is chevron! I am now officially a DIY/decorating blogger. It's like earning your wings.
Cluck Cluck Sew
Fall Scrap Buster Pillow
Sew Woodsy
Double Sided Fall Pillows
Brassy Apple
DIY Sweater Pillows
UCreate
Burlap Pillow
Refresh Restyle
No Sew Fall Pillow
Dear Lillie
Burlap Ruffled Pillows
Cheers!
Jenny
And yes, that is chevron! I am now officially a DIY/decorating blogger. It's like earning your wings.
Here are some other fall inspired pillows for you to glean some inspiration from! If you pin it, please pin from the original source!
Spray painted Pillows
Cluck Cluck Sew
Fall Scrap Buster Pillow
Sew Woodsy
Double Sided Fall Pillows
Brassy Apple
DIY Sweater Pillows
UCreate
Burlap Pillow
No Sew Fall Pillow
Burlap Ruffled Pillows
Jenny
Ball Fringe Pillow Tutorial
Do you like ball fringe? I love it! I think ball fringe helps stuffy things not take themselves so seriously. It is a bit silly and carefree and I like to use it in drips and drabs around the house.
I used it on Molly's bed crown because it was the same fringe that is on her curtains so it worked. Plus a bed crown can be somewhat stiff and formal looking to me and this little bit of ball fringe makes it softer, sillier, more like my girl.
I was rummaging through my stash and came across some large black ball fringe I've had for probably 8 years or so. Time to get rid of it by sewing it on some pillows! Sewing on ball fringe is a pain but it's not a hard process so go for it!
If you want to add trim to a pillow the important thing to remember is to sew it on the RIGHT side of one your fabric pieces with the trim facing the middle of the fabric. Then sew your right sides together.
It's a little tricky to sew the second piece on because the balls get in the way but just push them to the side and sew slowly.
I did a simple envelope closure. I hemmed two separate pieces and sewed them on so that they overlapped a bit. I just eyeballed it all so I don't have measurements but basically I made one shorter piece and a longer piece.
I love linen and black together. I think I may put a monogram in the middle. Or maybe something for the fall like a pumpkin or leaves? What do you think?
Cheers!
Jenny
I used it on Molly's bed crown because it was the same fringe that is on her curtains so it worked. Plus a bed crown can be somewhat stiff and formal looking to me and this little bit of ball fringe makes it softer, sillier, more like my girl.
I was rummaging through my stash and came across some large black ball fringe I've had for probably 8 years or so. Time to get rid of it by sewing it on some pillows! Sewing on ball fringe is a pain but it's not a hard process so go for it!
If you want to add trim to a pillow the important thing to remember is to sew it on the RIGHT side of one your fabric pieces with the trim facing the middle of the fabric. Then sew your right sides together.
 |
| Right side of one piece of my pillow fabric. See how the fringe is facing toward the middle? |
 |
| Now that it's all on, just put your right sides together as you normally would. |
It's a little tricky to sew the second piece on because the balls get in the way but just push them to the side and sew slowly.
I did a simple envelope closure. I hemmed two separate pieces and sewed them on so that they overlapped a bit. I just eyeballed it all so I don't have measurements but basically I made one shorter piece and a longer piece.
I love linen and black together. I think I may put a monogram in the middle. Or maybe something for the fall like a pumpkin or leaves? What do you think?
Cheers!
Jenny
Spring Pillows
Hey! Wassup?
This post was going to be about some pillows I threw together today with scrap fabric. I made one for the back of this chair.
So I was all set to talk about pillows but I couldn't stop thinking about what a hard mommy day I had today. Ellie is launching head first into the terrible 2s which Molly never seemed to go through. Today was a shopping nightmare. She screamed to get out of the cart, screamed to get into it, screamed while walking, screamed while doing every. single. thing. I'm pretty sure she screamed while screaming to which I do tip my hat to her.
Two employees watched me trying to strap her back in while she was doing The Toddler Back Bend. You know the one...the straight knee-ed, arched back maneuver that every toddler is born gifted at being able to do while you are trying to A) strap them into their car seat, B) change a diaper blow out, and C) trying to get them back into the cart at Walmart. I was sweating, straining, and my glasses slipped all the way down to the tip of my nose. I'd like to say it was a super sucky mothering moment but that wouldn't be accurate. It was a super sucky woman moment. How did I get here? I used to be fly. I used to be all about dancing with my girls and having super bouncy hair and staying out late and stuff. That girl would be all "omg. gross. shoot me if I ever look like that" if she saw me today.
That all being said, tonight Molly, Ellie, and I laid on my bed while Molly watched TV. Ellie was in her soft fleece footy pajamas and she had finally stopped moving (and screaming) and was nestled in the crook of my arm. It was heavenly. It took me back to her newborn days when she would only sleep in the crook of my arm and her wispy hair would tickle my chin. I called her my kitten because that's what her hair resembled--that downy, soft, sweet fur. I secretly hoped she would fall asleep there and I would be forced to keep her tucked into me but alas, the 2 year old doesn't stop for long and she snuggled just long enough to get juiced back up and off she went again. But that snippet of time made the rest of the day blur to a faint memory.
And I realized I'm ok if I'm not fly anymore. Besides, that 22 year old me was always hungry and drank way too much diet coke and never got sweet nuzzles from Crazy Ellie .
Real Housewives of O.C. is on. Gotta go!
Cheers!
Jenny
This post was going to be about some pillows I threw together today with scrap fabric. I made one for the back of this chair.
 |
| I found the gray in the remnant bin at Walmart today. Paid a whopping $0.71. The white was scrap I already had. |
 |
| My sister gave me this pretty bird fabric. It looks blurry in the picture but it really isn't. The pattern has a faint shadow behind it. At least I'm pretty sure it isn't blurry but it was a tough picture day so who knows. |
So I was all set to talk about pillows but I couldn't stop thinking about what a hard mommy day I had today. Ellie is launching head first into the terrible 2s which Molly never seemed to go through. Today was a shopping nightmare. She screamed to get out of the cart, screamed to get into it, screamed while walking, screamed while doing every. single. thing. I'm pretty sure she screamed while screaming to which I do tip my hat to her.
Two employees watched me trying to strap her back in while she was doing The Toddler Back Bend. You know the one...the straight knee-ed, arched back maneuver that every toddler is born gifted at being able to do while you are trying to A) strap them into their car seat, B) change a diaper blow out, and C) trying to get them back into the cart at Walmart. I was sweating, straining, and my glasses slipped all the way down to the tip of my nose. I'd like to say it was a super sucky mothering moment but that wouldn't be accurate. It was a super sucky woman moment. How did I get here? I used to be fly. I used to be all about dancing with my girls and having super bouncy hair and staying out late and stuff. That girl would be all "omg. gross. shoot me if I ever look like that" if she saw me today.
That all being said, tonight Molly, Ellie, and I laid on my bed while Molly watched TV. Ellie was in her soft fleece footy pajamas and she had finally stopped moving (and screaming) and was nestled in the crook of my arm. It was heavenly. It took me back to her newborn days when she would only sleep in the crook of my arm and her wispy hair would tickle my chin. I called her my kitten because that's what her hair resembled--that downy, soft, sweet fur. I secretly hoped she would fall asleep there and I would be forced to keep her tucked into me but alas, the 2 year old doesn't stop for long and she snuggled just long enough to get juiced back up and off she went again. But that snippet of time made the rest of the day blur to a faint memory.
And I realized I'm ok if I'm not fly anymore. Besides, that 22 year old me was always hungry and drank way too much diet coke and never got sweet nuzzles from Crazy Ellie .
Real Housewives of O.C. is on. Gotta go!
Cheers!
Jenny
Quaint and Quirky's Great Idea & PB Knock Off
I just found this on Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrap Up and I had to post about it because I think it's so sweet and adorable. Quaint and Quirky made these cute wrappings using ruffled crepe paper! I ruffled crepe paper to make Molly's fairy party favors but I never thought to use it like this!
I am doing this for sure! People are so so clever. That's what I love about all this blogging business. You really get to sneak peek into other people's imaginations!
So I am in the process of knocking off Pottery Barn's embroidered gold tree pillow. OK, remember you're my friend. Don't laugh at me. Laugh near me. I painted a tree on some leftover cotton duck and this is what I wound up with.
I am doing this for sure! People are so so clever. That's what I love about all this blogging business. You really get to sneak peek into other people's imaginations!
So I am in the process of knocking off Pottery Barn's embroidered gold tree pillow. OK, remember you're my friend. Don't laugh at me. Laugh near me. I painted a tree on some leftover cotton duck and this is what I wound up with.
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| Pottery Barn's loveliness |
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| Waht-wahhhhh |
 |
| Actually when it stuffed and on the couch with other pillows I think it will be fine. Clearly NOT embroidered and shmancy like PB's but then again, I didn't pay $59. |
Have a super weekend!! LINK UP so I can see your awesomeness!
Cheers!
Jenny
About Jenny
If I can create beauty, you can too! Creativity is within your reach, trust me. I believe that you don't need any special talents to be creative and you only need to have a willingness to try. So in addition to being a mom, teacher, wife, and sister, I am also a creative tryer!
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