Sore back and half finished project November 15, 2009

Since our kitchen table had dinner smeared all over it and a pile of books occupying the middle, I decided to work on my couch slipcover project on the floor in my bedroom. I could barely stand up after being crouched over the sewing machine for so long. But I did manage to get some of this project going! I’m not surfing for compliments here, but, I have surprised myself on this one. I thought it was going to look like some kind of Island of Misfit Toys screw-up, but it is actually looking pretty darn good. Several people have wondered why I didn’t just buy a slipcover. Well, I didn’t want one that looked like a fratboy tossed an old sheet over the living room beast. I wanted something pretty and tailored and CHEAP. I still have work to do, but at least I know what is involved now. Basically, I need to encase enough cotton piping to circle the earth three times, then I can finish sewing the rest of the cushions.

Back cushions are not sewed. I just wrapped some fabric around them to give you the idea. Obviously, no skirt either.

 

Close up of the arm

 

The room it's going in.

 

Walk the Plank November 15, 2009

We will be walking the plank for the next few days as we work on the floors in the foyer. Right now, as I type, I hear the pounding of the hammer building the plank taht will go from the bottom stair into the dining room. Believe me, I know that in reality, there are still going to be footprints on the new finish. Anyway, the simple project has been turned into a Cubscout activity for #1. He likes sawing and measuring. Good thing, too. Because apparently, that is what we are all about.

 

 

 

I also realized that I never posted any pictures of our fall season! It is gorgeous here in the fall. About half of the leaves have already fallen, but it is still a beautiful display of God’s amazing art.

 

The Longest Summer That Ever Was July 25, 2009

Well, there has been a whole lot of nothing going on around here. We didn’t go on a beach vacation. We didn’t spend a week in NY. We didn’t visit relatives out in LA (because we don’t have any relatives in LA…). You get the point. So our whole summer has been scrounging for cheap things to do. Thought you might like to see.

Popsicle stick houses! Remember those? This one was designed AND built by #1 and #2 working together for days.

 

Artwork by #3. This is very avant garde. She really likes drawing circles.

 

#1 and #2 and the neighbor's grandson playing some Gameboy. Wow, fun...three kids gathered around a 2 inch screen...

 

Now if you are really bored, you can always go pick bugs off the plants...

 

Or you could watch a movie on a travel size tv- naked. (well, that's what #3 was doing, anyway)

 

Or create a masterpiece from 100's of scrapbooking stickers...

 

If none of those ideas have you jumping with excitement, then why don't you just rip up a floor. That's what we do. This was the foyer floor.

 

Happy summer days. There are only a few left. The kids go back to school in early August so I’m savoring the moments.

Pillow Talk June 13, 2009

Whew! What a busy week it was. Last night, I finished up a calligraphy job so that I would have some time this weekend to get crafty. I purchased some fabric online a couple of weeks ago so that I could make some new pillows for the living room. (This is what poor people do when they want a make-over.) Anyway, after pricing the pillows I wanted at $65 a pop, I decided to make them.

There are going to be two white ones and two aqua ones- and then a white lumbar pillow for the chair.

 

I could only finish three today because I busted the needle on my sewing machine trying to sew that thick piping on.

 

Oh, there was also another little project that I did on a whim. I was picking up junk material in the backyard- since the kids love dragging demo leftovers all over the place. I found pieces of fence from an old project and brought it in, sanded it a little on the surface and then painted some words on it.

I was trying to think of a word that would apply to everyone in the house. "Fresh" milk was my first choice, but hey, our milk is from the grocery- not the backyard cow. I am planning to hang this over the french doors in the kitchen that lead to the back deck.

Lazy Summer Kids June 10, 2009

With summer officially here, I am always racking my brain to think of free things to do with the kids. No matter how I try though, it seems like everything falls in the same week. This last week has been a birthday party, swim lessons, gym sessions and vacation bible school. Go figure. Here are some of things that we have been doing.

Doesn't everyone watch a portable DVD player on a big box next to the front door? Bizarre, huh?

 

Since I was totally broke last week and needed to buy a little girl's birthday present, it was time to get crafty. I took some fabric, ribbon and paint I had laying around and made her a purse with her initial on it. She loved it!

 

Here's a close-up

 

The kids decided on their own accord to eat breakfast outside the other day. This is pretty funny, because the glare on #3 makes her look like angel baby.

 

Hair is an issue with #3, because we want her bangs to grow out. In the meantime, she hates barretts and rips them out immediately, but she seems to be ok with the pigtails or front pony tail. Little lopsided...

 

A little friend that husband must have found while burning the midnight oil.

My inner Martha February 20, 2009

I have been feeling very crafty lately and needing to express my creativity in a hands-on way. So I called my neighbor over yesterday for some chatting and crafting. This is what we came up with.

kitchen handtowel made of muslin

Earlier this week, I was in the problem-solving mood. I need a way to store things in my kitchen. I wanted to add a piece of furniture on the little wall opposite the cabinetry to put pots and pans and some linens in. After scouring Craigslist ads, I discovered that the perfect item was already in my foyer. It’s an antique armoire with some small drawers and a big cabinet. I think I saw two of them on Craigslist and then a lightbulb went off in my head. Oh, I already have one of those! So I thought about what would then take it’s place in the foyer, since now that room would be empty (and we have a pretty good-sized foyer). Alas! I have a useless item in my garage closet that would be perfect. The armoire had been housing my calligraphy and craft supplies, but this dresser would be better suited since it was all drawers. However, it is pretty damaged because of all the missing veneer. For a quick fix, I decided to take off the veneer on the most damaged parts and paint the whole thing cottage white. I figure if I ever wanted to really invest in the piece, I could strip the paint and have it re-veneered later. Well, that is all my crafting for the time-being, as calligraphy season is ramping up this month and soon I will be burning the midnight oil writing out endless envelopes. I plan to post some of my latest invitation designs for those of you who are interested in where my business has been headed. I actually have a nice little thing going now!

A before picture

 

Some up-close ugliness.

 

Fresh and clean, ready for a new home in the foyer:)