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It has taken me awhile to wake-up this morning. I suppose that my grogginess could be due to the usual Monday malaise. Or perhaps residual fatigue from a weekend afternoon of yardwork. Or maybe...just maybe...
...it's because I completely redecorated my office in 48 hours.
Do you remember this? I posted this "before" photo this past winter as part of my "winter renovation" project. However, as I confessed last Friday, my winter renovation turned into a spring affair. A spring affair that started and ended (well, mainly ended) during the past three days. (translation: I've been busy!)
I won't go into the whole makeover this morning, but I definitely will start with the pillows. Though they were not the first project in the renovation, they are the most colorful.
Now, like with most of the designing I do, I tried to stick as much as possible to repurposing things I already had. And these pillows were no exception. A good friend of mine handed these pillow forms off to me at least a year ago, where they've been quietly collecting dust in the basement since.
Though neglected, I knew that the pillows would come in handy eventually--and Friday was the day.
Now, my top choice for a renovation would be to completely reupholster the sofa, which, unfortunately, is a task that far exceeds my skill level. Therefore, Plan B was to ditch the back-rest cushions that came with the sofa (furniture we inherited from my hub's parents) and replace them with these hand-me-down pillows.
But first I had to cover them.
Since it is spring, I wanted something that was fresh and light. And something that I could create from my box of fabric scraps. So after some cutting and stitching, I came up with these covers.
At least half of the fabric you see is actually from my old clothing--a pair of khaki trousers that never fit, for instance, and some old shirts in coral and blue. The other half come mainly from fabric remnants I've collected from the craft store over the years for pennies on the dollar.
The final result, I think, turned out better than I planned. The cushions are extremely comfy, and the colors and design are perfect for the warm months that stretch ahead. Best of all, I got a totally new look for a bargain!
What do you think of my renovation so far?
This week I'm posting on some of my favorite things from the past year. And if you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that one of my favorite things is to (re)decorate my home compulsively.
Now, before you start to judge me for over consuming, let me at least say that almost all of the images you see above and below are from items that have been handmade by myself or my very handy husband. Furthermore, the majority of them come from materials recycled from thrift stores, old clothing, and pieces of nature.
Part of my compulsion for redesign is to match the interior of my home with the changing seasons. For instance, right now I still have pinecones and cable-knit pillows lying around, which isn't very spring-like.
What would be more spring-like would be to swap out those items for some of the ones shown just below--like the lime green pillow covers I made last May to mimic the colors of budding Aspen trees and gray, rainy skies.
Of course, once spring passes I'll probably pull out some of the items you see in the first collage, like my great-grandmother's quilt and my patchwork pillow shams in red, white and blue (I get a little country-cottage in the summer...). And then I'll move onto the theme below. The smoky tones and woodsy textures always remind me of autumn.
And finally, a year from now, I'll once again be pulling out my faux fur throws and sheepskin and cable-knit pillows. You know--the ones I need to start putting away now that the weather is getting warmer.
Some people ask me if I'll ever get to the point when my designing is finished and I'm content with things the way they are.
These people obviously don't know me very well...
Do you do any seasonal redesigning? Share your favorite spring decorating tip below!
When it comes to home design, I have to admit that I'm not partial to the "country" style. I don't love gingham or wicker or needlepoint art.
I do, however, love patchwork.
Patchwork appeals to me for a number of reasons. First, it gives me a chance to play with color, pattern and texture all in one design. And second, it is a great way for me to use up some of my fabric remnants and scraps.
Personally I like to pair patchwork with unexpected accessories, like a sheepskin throw or a braided jute rug. And even though these pillows include very traditional patterns (ticking stripe, checks, etc.), you could apply this design to something a lot more modern, like retro polka dots or asian batiks.
For instance, I recently made this collection of pillows for my mom to enjoy this holiday season. And even though they look complicated, I promise that it only took me two afternoons to make four pillows!
Basically the design possibilities are endless! And with the right combination of colors and patterns, these pillows would fit in almost any home!
Of course it wouldn't be nice of me to not share how I made these pretty pillows, so I've created a pattern that you can follow along if you feel inspired. The best part is that I included a "paint-by-number" design template so that all you have to do is plug your favorite fabrics into the scheme and skip all the hassle of trying to piece them fashionably together.
You can find the pattern for sale now in my online store!
Happy Patching!
I was at the craft store the other day picking up a few odds and ends, and I just happened to notice the Christmas display.
Okay...so maybe it didn’t “just happen” to notice it. Maybe it ambushed me from the store threshold. Maybe it managed to devour at least half of the aisles. Maybe I never want to see red and green again.
Ahem...I digress. My point in bringing up this little story is that it confirmed to me that my holiday taste in decorating is decidedly less...um...holiday. I don’t want Santas and reindeer. I don’t want little tiny houses all lit up in a row. I don’t want red and green lights and peppermint pillows. Of course my husband does...but that is another story.
Basically I don’t want my home to look like a craft store threw up in it. 
Instead, I want decorations that are comfortable and cozy. Things I can leave out from Halloween through Valentines Day. Timeless. Classic. And easy.
Like these pillow covers, for instance. I designed these specifically with the holiday season in mind. Don’t they make you want to curl up on my sofa? Wouldn’t you like to have a pair for yourself? Or perhaps gift a set to a friend or relative?
Then please let me tell you that if you have an old cardigan in your home that you never wear (or that your husband/sister/father/etc. doesn’t wear), you are already halfway there! These, for instance, were stitched from one sweater I owned, and one I bought from the thrift store for under $5.00. That’s four covers for a little over a buck a piece. Affordable, right?
As for the assembly, if you can sew a straight line, you can do this project. It’s that simple, and a great task for beginner crafters.
And I even suppose that if you wanted to, you could make them in red and green. Just don’t expect me to be happy about it. 
Now if you’ll excuse me, I have a sofa to curl up on.
To learn more about this pattern, please click here!
I opened my email yesterday and was delighted to find a quick message from a friend. She had been reading my blog, and it reminded her of an old Depression-era saying: use it up, wear it out, make do or do without. (This friend, by the way, also writes “Scratch That!”--a blog about making things from scratch.)
It is true that I spend a lot of time talking up the benefits of repurposing, recycling, upcycling, and cutting back. And of course I laud these practices because they are friendly to the community, the environment, and my pocketbook. But they also help me in my quest for originality--and that is what I want to talk about today.
Now many of you already know that I’m a magazine junkie. I love the glossies--love them. Consequently I’m regularly exposed to a vast array of tantalizing images, from fashion to home design to shoes (oh the shoes...so many shoes...). And though I would happily skip to the stores to snatch up armfuls of merchandize, a) I don’t have the cash, and b) I’m burdened by a well-developed consumer conscience that persistently reminds me of the houseful of stuff I already own.
Furthermore, to pursue the acquisition of a glossy spread is essentially to be a drone. Or a clone. Or a scone. (okay...not that last one. I got carried away with the rhyming.) In other words, it isn’t very original.
What is original, however, is lifting ideas from my surroundings, and trying to envision them reborn from my belongings. Not only does limiting myself to “making do” and “using up” energize my creativity, but more often than not, I end up with designs and innovations that are better than a perfectly staged magazine page. Better because they are a) unique, and b) fashioned by my own hand. 
Of course it’s very selfish of me to have all the upcycling fun, so I am happy to announce that I will be launching a new venture shortly that will bring my DIY upcycling ideas to you--right in time for the holidays. I can’t wait to share more, so stay tuned!
Until then--happy making do!
Since the summer is formally wrapping up, I am preparing for my seasonal home design swap and project list.
Here are a few things I'll be working on to ease myself (and my home/wardrobe) into cooler days:
I'll be using these fabrics to change all of the throw pillows and blankets in my main living room. I love the varied patterns (houndstooth, plaid, lattice, lace) and seasonal colors. I'll make sure to post photos of the finished projects once they're complete!
This is the basket next to my bed. I have, for the record, three other baskets around the house that look similar to this, but that's another story. This basket contains some of my fall "yarns in waiting" and half-finished sock projects. I have my work cut out for me...
I'm also planning on undertaking the rather ambitious challenge of sewing a new quilted coverlet for my king-size bed. I'll be using these fabric swatches (and many, many others), in shades of rust and smoke. Seems fall appropriate, doesn't it?
All of the patching together will probably take me a lifetime, but maybe some caffeine and sewing-while-movie-viewing will speed the process.
Speaking of sewing, I need to make a dress for a fall wedding, and am trying to decide on the color... Steel gray? Rose petal pink? Smoky charcoal? The debate continues...
I've also been making a lot of jewelry lately, but have definitely started moving more toward earthy fall tones, like these espresso wooden beaded earrings I made this week.
They'll be raffled off tomorrow, so soon they'll adorn someone else's fall ensemble.
Finally, I've got yarn plans, people. Yarn plans. I want to knit a few pillows shams because it seems like a fabulously comfy texture for fall. And I've started yet another cardigan, only this time in tweedy dusty rose.
As you can see, I am going to be very busy as the sun sets on summer and autumn rolls in.
Just the way I like it.
What projects are you planning for the fall? Share your comments here!
PS: like my photography? You can check out more photos by visiting me on Flickr. Click here!
Previous Related Posts:
A Knitting Binge
Is It Fall Yet?
I Swore Never Again, part 2
It happens every year, ever since I was a kid. The weather is still blazing hot, with blue skies and warm nights. It's shorts and sandals weather for at least another 6 weeks. But do I want to wear shorts and sandals? No. I most certainly do not.
Tempted by all the back-to-school fall merchandise, I want to wear jeans and cute chunky sweaters and jackets and boots. I want scarves and hats and plaid and argyle. And I want to wear them Now!
Of course that would just be plain silly because it's 80 degrees outside. So instead I'll have to make my back-to-school fashion list (I know I'm not still in school, but does the shopping have to end? I think not!) and wait for the weather to cool.
So here are the fall fashion and home designs I'm currently craving:
Like these knit sweaters from the Fall 09 issue of Interweave's Knits magazine.
I saw the magazine when I was hanging out in the grocery store waiting for the pharmacy, and knew that I had to buy it. Don't you LOVE the back of this tunic? I want it. I want it now.
And how about this cabled cardigan? Something tells me that I might be making a trip to the yarn store very soon...
Speaking of cables, don't you think this knit pillow from Simplemente Blanco would look perfect on your bed--all cozy and warm during a crisp fall night? 
As would this fleecy throw, also from Simplemente Blanco.
I couldn't resist adding this photo, even though it is technically a ring pillow from the summer issue of Weddings magazine. I think the structured ruffles remind me of silk corn husks, and somehow I'm going to figure out a way to apply this idea to a handmade fall handbag. I'll do it--you just wait and see!
Finally, no fall cravings are complete without leather boots. I'm currently coveting the knee length flat styles coupled with tights and skirts. Very soon, friends...very soon.
Of course, some of you might consider it sacrilege to pine away for the Fall when summer still lingers. And yes--it is true that I am trying to soak up as much summer as possible before the season ends. But that doesn't mean I can't be ready for a new season. An extremely fashionable one, I might add.
Previous Related Posts:
Soaking up to the End
Dress Me Up
Ode to Pillows
