Happy At Home: October 2013

October 31, 2013

October 30, 2013

For some reason I've had great luck finding vintage Halloween candy totes the past couple weeks.
Truthfully, I didn't even know I was looking for them. Somehow or another every trip to the thrift store produced one or two that came home with me.

For now, I have them all stacked up on a bench in the dinning room but for Halloween night I plan to throw a glow stick in each one and scatter them around my front lawn. I really don't know what else to do with them or what I was thinking to bring them all home.

Have you ever had an overwhelming urge to forget about all the work your supposed to be doing and go to the thrift store instead?

That is exactly what happened this past Tuesday. As I wondered up and down the isles playing hooky I found this delightful ironstone serving piece.

It was the perfect for my collection as I had nothing that size and shape before. I promptly added it to my hutch display as soon as I got home.

The last fun find of the week was this counter chair for a whopping three dollars.

I couldn't believe my luck.

I foresee a paint makeover taking place with it soon.

Have you found any great items for your home lately?

Robin

October 27, 2013

Simple Basket Update

I recently found a nice sized basket at the thrift store that I thought would work wonderful by the fireplace in the family room. It's a plain, simple basket, but I liked it's shape.

Originally, I planned to stencil some numbers to the front to give it a little personality but I quickly gave up on that idea. Apparently, my stenciling skills need some work since my so-called quick project turned into hot mess.

To salvage the project, and cover the smeared paint, I dug into my scrap fabric to make a band to go around the basket.

I cut a piece of drop cloth fabric long enough to go around the basket. Finished the raw edges with a quick zig-zag stitch and then added a some Velcro to the ends to hold the whole thing onto the basket nice and tight.

Once that was done I stenciled the numbers on with basic craft paint, let that dry.

This project sure didn't turn out like the image in my head, but that's the way it goes sometimes.

I like the finished result so I guess I can't complain.

Hope you all have a great day,

Robin

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October 25, 2013

Farewell My Sweet Friend

I have been putting off writing this post for three weeks. . . It's been too painful to write.

Even now as I write with tears streaming down my face I wonder if it is too soon for me to share my sorrow.

For the past fifteen years, this adorable furry friend has been my constant companion.

Sadly, I had to make the painful decision to say goodbye.

He was my first baby . . .

My walking companion . . .

My snuggle bunny . . .

My garden helper . . .

My errand shotgun rider . . .

My snack gobbler . . .

My foot warmer on chilly nights . . .

My backyard patrol guard . . .

My afternoon reading companion . . .

My friend . . .

He will always hold a special place in my heart.

Zebby Baby, I love you.

Today, Tomorrow,
Forever

Robin

October 24, 2013

Quick and Easy Pillow Slipcover Tutorial

Good Morning!

I haven't done a tutorial in a while so I thought it might be fun to show you how I sewed the floral slipcover you saw in my pillow slipcover post from earlier in the week.

It's ridiculously easy.

Before we get started let me just say this is by no means the correct way to sew a slipcover - - I'ts just the way I do it since I'm not a big fan complicated things. I like to wing it, and get it done as soon as possible.

Ok, here goes. . .

First thing you need to do is cut three pieces of fabric to your desired size.

To determine the size, simple take the fabric that you plan to use on the front of your slipcover and lay it over the pillow you will be covering. I normally make sure to lay the fabric right side down.

Next, starting at the middle on the top of the pillow, smooth the fabric over the top and down the side of the pillow until you determine you have reach the middle point of the pillow (most often there will be a seam). Using a pencil, make a mark slightly lower than the middle spot you've found directly onto your fabric. Repeat on the remaining three sides of the pillow.

Cut out the shape and use it was a pattern for your two remaining pieces of fabric.

In the end you will have three pieces of fabric all cut to the same size.

Next, take one of your back pieces of fabric and sew a finished hem down one of the short sides of the fabric. Repeat with the other back piece.

The next step is to simple lay the front piece down on a work surface right side up.

Then taking one of the back pieces lay it down on top of the front piece, right side down. Making sure to line the finished seam side a couple inches past where you determine the middle of the pillow will be.

Once that is done, take your final back piece and lay it down, right sides down, over the other two pieces making sure your finished seam side is overlapping the previous back piece by up to four inches.

You should then have a fabric sandwich which looks like this.

After making sure all the pillow layers are laying nice and smooth start pinning all three layers together. I like to start in the middle and move outward from there. Just make sure you have at least three pins down the middle and then a whole bunch around the outside.

Once all the layers are pinned together, flip the whole thing over and trim any access fabric.

Then simply sew around the whole outside with a straight stitch.

I normally place the sewing foot right along the outside edge of the fabric and follow it all the way around.

Once your finished sewing around the outside, remove all the pins, and test the fit by inserting the pillow. If the fit is to your liking, finish the raw edges around the outside with a quick zigzag stitch to prevent fraying.

Then turn the pillow case right side out, insert pillow and your done!

Simple right?

Now go sew some pillow covers,

Robin

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October 23, 2013

A Hankering For . . . Flannel

It's flannel time here in Minnesota and I couldn't be happier.

The days are cool, almost chilly, the leaves are still falling and I'm happily digging out my flannel.

Flannel shirts,

Flannel scarves,

Flannel blankets,

You name it, if it's flannel . . . I want it.

I do draw the line at flannel sheets however, can't stand them, they are like a torture device to a flopping sleeper like myself.

In case you haven't caught the flannel bug quite yet here's some pretty inspiration photos to get you craving the warm, cozy, soft fabric that is flannel.

Are you hankering for some flannel yet?

How about now?

I am.

Robin

October 22, 2013

Painted Red Chairs

Have you ever debated with yourself for weeks on end about a possible project. Never quite being able to make up your mind until finally you just decided to go ahead and give it a try in order to move on to something else?

That's exactly where I've been the last couple weeks in regards to my kitchen chairs.

When I originally gave the kitchen a makeover I thought I wanted to have a simple black and white color theme with just a hint of red thrown in here and there to keep things feeling colorful.

Originally, the kitchen chairs were to be repainted in black. But then, the thought of red chairs jumped into my mind and I couldn't shake it.

After debating with myself, way too long, I pulled out my can of red spray paint and started painting away.

I like the change!

How about you?

Would you have painted them red or black?

Robin

October 21, 2013

The Begining of a Project - Pillow Slipcovers

Our family room is in a sorry state.

It's not a room I normally give much attention to other than a quick cleaning now and again. Not much has changed in the room since I decorated it a few year back. I've added a little here and there but truth be told, it's a room that I don't use often at all. It's were we watch TV/movies and the kids have their computer, games and toys. Now that the kids are getting older and toys aren't such a big space eater I feel it's time to update the room and give it a more put-together look.

I haven't quite figured out the direction I'm going in yet. However I do know that I want the room to be a cozy, organized space for the kids to be able to hang out in. It will still need to function as it does now, but I think it can be so much better.

Although I don't yet have a plan, I do have a color scheme picked out. Eager to get started I decided to dress up a chase lounge we have in the corner of the room.

Years ago I sewed a white slipcover for the chaise out of cotton duck and it's held up beautifully.

Using leftover fabric from various past projects I sewed three new slipcovers for the pillows.

One in leftover white cotton duck. One red stripe. And one red floral.

The striped slipcover has simple ribbon ties along the side which is a look I've always thought I'd like to try.

The floral cover is a simple envelope style slipcover that is so simple to sew together.

Altogether the new slipcovers make the chaise lounge look very cozy and inviting.

The perfect place to curl up with a good book.

And the perfect project to get myself motivated for the rest of the room.

Have a great day,

Robin

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October 17, 2013

Autumn House Tour

Now that I'm finished with all my autumn decorating I thought it would be fun to highlight some of my favorite displays throughout the house.

Sorry for repeating myself with this post. I just couldn't help myself. All the decorations this year turn out so pretty and have really put me in the mood to enjoy the season.

The Entry: