All They Need Is a Hose, Folks

Wisdom is a fountain of life to him who has it. - Proverbs 16:22

He will fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. - Job 8:21
I came that you may have and enjoy life and have

it in abundance, until it overflows. - John 10:10
Cast your cares upon the Lord, for he cares about you. - I Peter 5:7
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. - Psalms 119:105
The kingdom of God is within you. - Luke 17:21

A merry heart doeth good like medicine. - Proverbs 17:22

The fruit of the spirit is love, joy and peace. Galatians 5:22
Who refreshes others will be refreshed. -Proverbs 11:25

.

.

Easy Project

I finished another project (really, I finished it a few weeks ago and never got around to posting this), and it was so easy I had to share it with you. I consider myself to be an intermediate seamstress, but I had never tried this project before. It is pillow covers with envelope backs (I avoid buttonholes and zippers like the plague).

Here is a picture of the back of the finished product. Remember when I found the custom order fabric samples for 25 cents each? Well, I was waiting for the perfect backing fabric that didn't cost too much. I found a chenille curtain panel for $5, and it was big enough to make the backs of all the pillows. I washed it first so it would pucker a little, and it is sooo soft.

So here is what I did. I already had the pillow forms -- I highly recommend feather pillows. I got mine at Ikea and they didn't cost that much. They were 20-inch squares, so I cut the fabric for the front of the cover in a 21 inch square (I use a 1/2 inch seam allowance, so that is 20" + 1/2" + 1/2+). I made a few pillow covers, so I took brown packing paper and made a pattern that I could use over and over.

For the fabric on the back, you need 2 pieces, and they need to overlap about 3 inches. So, the width of each piece will be half of the pillow size (10") + 3 inch overlap (3") + seam allowance on side hem (1/2") plus hem on other edge (1/2") = 14". The height of these pieces will be simply 21". To make it easier, cut it out as one big piece and then cut it in half, eg, cut a piece that is 28" wide and 21" high. Then cut it in half.

You need to hem one side of each of the backing pieces. Fold it under 1/4" and iron, then fold under another 1/4" and sew.

Next, pin the pieces together right sides together. First pin one of the backing pieces to the front, and then pin the other backing piece over that. Sew 1/2" around the entire pillow. Then to make the seam stronger, sew a zig zag stitch around the entire seam allowance. Clip the corners and turn inside-out. Done. Hope it made sense.

Oooops, I did it again ...

I had just finished up with one of the Kids' baseball picture appointments, and I spotted a garage sale out of the corner of my eye. The same family had a garage sale a month back, and I saw some furniture but didn't have time to stop. This time I had a few minutes. And my love seat was there waiting for me. I really don't need another project. But I had been thinking for a while that a love seat would be perfect in my living room. The price was right. I was still unsure. I was going to walk away and think about it. Then the man said "the cushion is down-filled", and that was all she wrote folks. Sold! I'm thinking about a little bit of gold paint, white paint, stain on the legs, and a slipcover on the top. I will have to visit this talented lady again and take some notes.

I finished a project, la la la la la la ~and~ Back from the Paris Fleamarket

I'm back from The Paris Fleamarket hosted by The Cottage Gals. They have a cute little shop in Leesburg, Virginia, and they invited vendors to set up in their backyard. Everyone was so nice, and the shop is really great. I only had 30 minutes, because I had to get to the bus stop by 11:00. Here's what I got:

Aren't their bags cute! I'm going to save mine and use it again.


I bought a little charm ... here's pictures of front and back.


At the top of my shopping list was a bird for my table and . . .

a blue creamer. They had a bag of little eggs, but I snoozed and someone else snatched them up. Why do I do things like that? I know better.



The latest issue of Romantic Homes was there too. It is a good one this month.

Wouldn't it be fun to go to a real paris fleamarket?

And all these neat little things will go perfectly with my little desk that I just finished. I was going to put it in the living room, but it looks much better in my garden room.

Please excuse all the pictures ... I'm just sooo proud ... that I finally finished a project. I'm good at starting, not so good at finishing.

Here's what it used to look like. I had a picture with the old knobs before I washed and sanded it, but lost it in the bad hard drive incident. You get the idea though.
High-maintenance child is calling ... got to go!



p.s. Does anyone else find this blogger editing to be difficult sometimes? grrrr

Paris Flea Market

Well, I do have 2 baseball games, baseball pictures times two, riding lessons and movie night at the elementary school to attend, but I will give it my best shot to go to the Paris Flea Market this weekend at the Cottage. I know something very special is waiting to go home with me, like these neat things.

Finding The Perfect Gift

A while back, I posted "finding the perfect gift" inspired by my blogger friend Martha. I thought I might share neat little things with you once in a while. This is my latest find . . . gingham dish gloves. Soooo important to keep your hands soft while scrubbing those dishes. Aren't they adorable!?? You can find them here if you are interested.

I also found a great little Mother's Day gift at Target (close your eyes Mom). It is a Shabby Chic pillow and it looks great in my living room. I'm going to have to part with it soon, though. Can't wait to see what my beautiful family is getting me for MD. :-)

I'm a Procrastinator

Yes, people, I waited till the last minute. Which really kills me because I always get things wrapped up in February. My tax prep bill last year was over $800 so I'm doing taxes myself this year. Shockingly easy with ProTax. I will never hire someone again, unless things get complicated with a business or something. Anyway, my kids are home all day because of a teacher work day so this will take 50 times longer than it should. Wish me luck. (p.s. I promise I won't use the library cards too much. They are just so much fun to make!)

I also have a question for all you computer people out there. I'm trying to put my picture on my profile. I copy the url from the server where I have my picture and put it in the setup page but it never shows up. I can't figure out what I'm doing wrong. Thanks!!