PILLOWS

I've been noticing more often than not, lately, that I've been having to dust my sewing machine.

Which translates into: I've not been using it enough!

I had some bare pillow forms and scrap fabric that I like to pick up at yard sales or the craft store when it's on clearance; so in a couple short hours last wednesday night, my bed got a little pillow make over.

Navy and white flowered in the back and light pink in the front are the new additions.

 I love them.

Mainly because they're new and I love a good change of pace in house decorations, but also because they were so cheap! We all know I'm a sucker for a good deal and now I won't feel bad if I get sick of them next season and want to make new ones :)

PROUD NEW OWNER

No, no, it's not a car, don't get too excited. But it is..... (drum roll)

A sewing machine!

Thanks to the mom and dad, I got my very own sewing machine.

Complete with:

First projects? Finish my quilt and fill my very first ORDER (!!!!!)

MOM: SURPRISE!

You're iPad case is waiting for you when you get home.

I've become quite the sewing machine (hah, no pun intended) in my 'in-between-jobs-then-houses-so-i'm-squatting-with-mom-and-dad' days. It's quite neat actually.


My siblings and I all have a quilt that my mom handmade for each of us as babies. Who knows with four kids when she had the time to do this (and be done by the time each of us turned one years old), but she's super mom so I don't ask questions. 


A few months ago when the mom and I were talking about our baby quilts and brainstorming about possible quilts for my niece and nephew, I realized that this is something, a tradition I guess, that I one day want to pass on to my kids, but with absolutely no idea how to use a sewing machine I don't think I'd get too far or my kids would be graduating college by the time I finish hand-sewing the whole thing.


So the mom sat down with me to teach me the lay of the land, everything she knew, and we started my first 'practice' quilt. And so began my love for the sewing machine. It's super easy to use and being able to make your own things rather than buy saves so much money! I've cranked out a couple iPad cases and an iPod pocket (all made from discounted scrap pieces at the fabric store).

Want one? Email me, kara.denholm(at)gmail(dot)com. I'm taking orders! Any excuse to keep sewing :) I can't guarantee that it'll be the exact fabric you want because I get to pick it, but I can guarantee that it'll be cute...(and free!)

HARD AT WORK

Fact: Spray painting furniture is probably not the best long-term idea.

Fact: Moving furniture 3+ times and storing it for 25 months means chipped paint and and scuff marks everywhere.

Fact: I have a lot of work to do.

Every weekend it feels like since I've been back from TX, has been spent fixing up my furniture. I'm thrifty, so instead of buy new I'd rather rehab my old furniture to make it feel new. So far it's working. I'm really excited how everything's turning out.

Here's what I've done so far:

I have a couple teak lounges that look kind of like this one, except they were in bad shape. I sanded them (huge task), stained them and scrubbed the cushions; they look a hundred times better.

My end tables circa Sophmore year of college were in not-so-hot condition, but a quick coat of black spray paint and they look brand new. (Tip: I used Rustoleum Hammered paint and it's the bomb;so easy and it makes the paint not look so flat and boring.)

My kitchen table and chairs,, also from sophomore year of college, needed a good sanding and new coat of paint. I haven't quite finished this one yet. The table and chairs are sanded and painted a vintage cream color, but I want them to look antiqued, so I still have to go back and apply the antiquing glaze. I think I'm subconsciously putting it off because I've never antiqued anything before and I'm afraid I'll mess it up. Any tips?