outside awesomeness...and more pillows

Happy First Day of Spring!  We played out on the porch--lots--this week.

I'm so glad we re-did this porch last fall, it is soooo nice to be out here now.

So I sewed more pillow covers for the couch pillows.  I used only fabric I had in my stash, so I didn't have to buy anything but 3 zippers.  Now it's a hodge podge of fabrics, but a cozy hodge podge I think!  I definitely prefer this to the previous look.

Scenes from our nature shelf-the springtime birdies and eggs and butterflies are out! 

more on pillows (and some photos)

These couch throw pillow covers were pretty much shot and I was ready for a change anyway, so I ripped out the old zippers to re-use and got some fabric out of my stash.  I finished one pillow Saturday and was ready to finish the second pillow when I couldn't find the second zipper.  I looked everywhere and nada.  Then this morning as I was emptying the laundry hamper, there it was (Calvin!).  So I finished the second pillow.  Aside from the zipper ripping-out and the missing zipper for 2 days, these were quick and easy.

Now I'm thinking about re-covering the larger pillows that came with the couch, they're pretty blah.

Rob took some pics last week--mostly black and white--see the set here.

morning sky & easy pillow slipcover

This was my view out of my front door this morning.  So peaceful and beautiful.  Makes me want to freeze time and live in this light for always.

Last night I sewed a super easy square pillow slipcover for Grace's other twin bed.  Long ago I had sewn her an exact same one (back when she only had one twin bed in her room).  So here we go.  I used 2 cotton hankerchiefs, though any fabric will work.  A 20" zipper fits perfectly on it.  Sew one side of the zipper on.

Then the other side (sorry for the inconsistent lighting.  Yeah, haven't got this camera thing down yet).

Now you've got a big rectangle with a zipper in the middle.  Fold fabric in half, right sides together.  Be sure to open the zipper halfway.  Very important.

Sew up all 3 sides and turn rightside out.

That's it!  Slip over your pillow and zip.  Throw on the bed, couch, floor.  Easy to remove & toss in the wash.  Note that you don't really need to buy a pillow form at the craft store, either.  Goodwill has lots of throw pillows that could be easily recovered with this method.  Just adjust for the size.  Oh, and I picked up some bamboo fiber stuffing at Joann's yesterday.  I have gotten wool before (online) and loved it, I always prefer the natural fibers over the polyfill.  It costs more (twice as much) but with a 40% off coupon at Joann's, it was only $1 more.

Happy Weekend!

another one bites the dust, and a copycat pillow

I forget about wool sweaters + warm/hot water washes.  This is the third sweater I have accidentally felted.  Oops.  Thankfully it was a $3.99 Goodwill buy and I will sew it up into something (maybe a bag).

I bought this cat pillow (possibly vintage, on the right) for $1 at a farmers market linens booth and tried to 'copycat' it (on the left).  It turned out 'ok', though aside from the ears which don't look like cat ears--a bit too narrow-- I think it looks like a bunny (though the ears don't look bunny-ish either).  The other side of each of these is a print fabric.  Fun to make!  I want to make dog ones, too.

This weekend my goal is to make and tape FIVE hoops.  Maybe six.  I have sold three in a week and am having a fabulous time with my hoop group pals.  Then in 2 weeks I have a demo at a weight loss group and will be selling bunches I hope.  Hooping is so fun and addictive, I want to spread the hoopin' love to the whole wide world!!!!  Wheeeee-- I love my life!