Furniture fixes with fabric

I went fabric shopping the other day,

for the first time in I can't tell you how long.

My sewing machine broke a year ago and

I've been destashing fabrics for a few months now.

With two very specific projects in mind --

one for Red Hen Studios and one for our home --

I felt justified in getting more.

Helps that they were at great prices!

The apple and owl prints were in the clearance remnant bin.

My plan is to paint both chairs a cheery red

and make removable cushions for the backs and seats.

I've made seats for these folding chairs before.

This time I bought outdoor fabric

so they don't get moldy from being wet.

My husband can't wait for them to be done

so we can once again enjoy our back porch.

Time to get sewing and painting!

New life for old things

Now that I have more room in my workspace,

after destashing quite a bit,

my eyes are on refinishing things I have collected.

I plan to use Krylon Fusion paint for plastic

on these two preschool-size chairs.

It will also work on the rusty metal legs.

 

This sled will look great with all the metal painted glossy red

and with refinished and stained wood.

Not sure how to get the stain off the logo though...

 

These sweet rocking chairs need new fabric for cushions

and a fresh coat of bright paint.

 

The base of this globe is broken

so it will be turned into two lamps --

one uplight and the other a hanging pendant.

Time to go to the hardware and fabric stores

for color inspiration and supplies.

A reason to declutter

This furniture has sent me on a cleaning spree

for the last few weeks.

I visited the thrift store on a Saturday.

The set was then marked 25% off.

I went back the following Tuesday

and it was marked 50% off.

Even though I didn't have a place for it

I knew I just had to have it.

Who could pass up vintage toile for $90?

Not me, especially when I saw that the grimy surfaces

were actually custom-made slipcovers.

A quick run through the washer with a bit of bleach

and they now look perfectly shabby chic.

They just needed to come in from the driveway.

That was when my cleaning spree started.

My plan was to remove the dining room table and chairs

and move them in. Which I did.

But what about all the bins of fabric, trims, supplies, etc

that were taking up so much room in my work space?

I've been methodically moving things out.

Donating bags-full back to the thrift store, 

listing things on online crafters and garage sale sites

and getting rid of paperwork we no longer need.

I'm almost done.

Amazingly, I've made back more than enough

to cover the cost of my new seating arrangement.

And I am almost ready to enjoy the room again.

Granny's homespun blanket

Hubby and I had a date night last week -- to the craft store!

Some women might wonder how I convinced him to go.

He was the one who need to go and I tagged along.

He needed some illustration board for a project,

and I got some to help with my company rebranding.

(More on that at a later date.)

While there, of course I had to look at the yarn aisle.

Not that my yarn stash needed any new additions.

Really couldn't resist these bright jewel tones

in Lion Brand Homespun Yarn though.

They were at a great sale price after all.

Having used the turquoise one for a hat in the past,

I was drawn to that colored yarn first.

The others fell into place after pulling out hue after hue

to see what would work best with each other.

Feeling its super-soft texture I knew I would make

a thick and comfy granny square afghan from it all.

Loving it so far!

This pattern works up so easily and quickly

and the bright colors are so yummy.

A taste of the East

I spent my first day with my new camera at my sister-in-law's.

Not only did I get to capture my kids and their cousin
building and decorating a gingerbread house,
 I also got to have dinner with old family friends.

It was very enlightening to meet people
who knew my husband as a kid --
and to see our own children get along
like they are long-lost friends themselves.

My husband's sister, her husband and their two daughters
have spent the last eight years living in Asia.
First in my bro-in-law's home country of India then in China.
They have moved back here within the past year
and filled their home with all sorts of treasures.
No better place to play with my camera and natural light.

(Click the photos for a larger view.)

Crochet stacking bowls-- with free directions

Most of my crochet projects aren't done from a pattern.

I find stitches I like and experiment.

My project from yesterday is one such example.

While in bed watching a "Law & Order"marathon, 

I hooked these three little stacking bowls.

Below, I am sharing my directions with you.

 

CROCHET STACKING BOWLS

I used bulky wool yarn recycled from an old sweater and an I-hook. You can use whatever you have on hand and adjust the size hook for your yarn, no need to check gauge. For a tighter weave, you can substitute sc or hdc for dc.

ROUND 1: Ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to create a ring; ch 2 (counts as 1st dc now and throughout), 11 dc in ring; join with sl st in 1st dc. (Join all rounds this way and do not turn at the end of the rounds.) (12 dc)

ROUND 2: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around; join. (24 dc) 

[STOP INCREASING HERE FOR SMALL BOWL. SKIP TO ROUND 5.]

ROUND 3: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next dc (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) 11 times; join. (36 dc)

[STOP INCREASING HERE FOR MEDIUM BOWL. SKIP TO ROUND 5.] 

ROUND 4: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 2 dc (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc) 11 times; join. (48 dc)

[STOP INCREASING HERE FOR LARGE BOWL. CONTINUE WITH ROUND 5.]

ROUND 5: Ch 2, sk st with ch 2, sc around; join.

ROUND 6: Repeat round 5.

[STOP HERE FOR SMALL BOWL.]

ROUNDS 7-8: Repeat round 5.

[STOP HERE FOR MEDIUM BOWL.]

ROUNDS 9-10: Repeat round 5.

[STOP HERE FOR LARGE BOWL.] 

After you get the bowl as wide and as tall as you want it, weave in ends and turn right-side out, so the pretty stitches show on the outside of the bowl.

I prefer the textured look of these, but bowls crocheted with wool can be felted by running them repeatedly in the washer and dryer until they are your desired sizes.

You can also make them any size you want. Continue following the pattern increases for a wider base [ROUND A: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 3 dc (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 3 dc), then ROUND B: Ch 2, dc in same st as ch 2, dc in next 4 dc (2 dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc), ETC.] and make more rounds up for a taller bowl.

You can do what you wish with your finished pieces, but I'd appreciate credit for the pattern and a link back here. Share your photos too!!!

Vintage linen goodness with handmade details

I've had a very success fall garage sale season,

including a huge box of handmade linens.

Most are now available in my Etsy shop.
Here is a sneak peek! (click for larger images)

Like my new "model?"

She is a bisque penny doll and so adorable.

Many pieces of waffle weave and damask tea towels in all white.

A few are embroidered and monogrammed like this one.

A lot of doilies with a variety of needlework techniques.

Not in perfect condition but still very usable.

Just fell in love with these sweet tatted pansies.
Other pieces have just as gorgeous trim.

Two of these beauties available!

And many other embroidered table runners there too.

Large round embroidered tablecloth with lacy trim.

Lot of hand-crocheted doily "seconds."

Slight imperfections, still perfect for use or reuse.

Plenty of filet crochet furniture sets for the backs and arms of chairs.

Two "kittens in a basket" sets available.

Boxed set of unsed Irish linen tablecloth and napkins.

Come back to see the other home decor goodies I will be adding soon!

Inexpensive decorating

It's spring and we have caught the new furniture bug.

We haven't gone to the big furniture warehouse

or even to any of the many local antique stores.

Think of much cheaper sources --

like a thrift store and even curb crawling.

It was the price and potential that drew me to these two.

Octagonal end tables with coveted storage space underneath.

Oooh, they will be perfect for our living room,

after getting a layer of bright white paint and new hardware.

They came from the Salvation Army thrift store,

where my son and I were looking for vintage prom wear.

Besides these $6-each pieces I hit the motherlode
also finding quite a bit for my Etsy shop.

This bentwood rocker, probably 70s vintage,

was the contribution of my three younger boys.

During a walk, they found it in a neighbor's yard,

with a sign that said "Free, Broken Seat."

They carried it home all by themselves

for their older brother to do the minor repair.

After getting cleaned up it will be ready to use.

I loved some photographs of similar rocking chairs

painted white, so it may get that treatment too.

This furniture has inspired me to redo our living room.

Might have to butter my husband up with first.

Maybe something newer, like a flat-screen tv, will do it.

We've certainly saved enough on the furniture purchases.

Three sheets to the wind

I just adore vintage sheets and

while I loved creating things from my finds

-- like this dress and this apron --

I'm listing many sweet prints on Etsy

as part of my recent destash.

Pretty pillowcase pairs.

Striped and floral zippered cases.

And a quartet of mismatched prints.

Plus many individual flat sheets.

Check out my Etsy linens and  fabric section
for these pieces and many others I listed earlier.
Will you use them as bedding or create something new?