Nesting with a Sweater Pillow

While shopping a few weeks ago...sorry, don't remember where...I came across a gorgeous pillow that looked like it was made from a knitted panel. It was gorgeous and oh so cozy, but the price? $35 was way too rich for my blood. And then I thought...I can MAKE that.

Since I didn't own a sweater that I just wanted to chop up, off I went to a nearby thrift store. Now you know what I decided to do with one of those sweaters I bought the other day, the beautiful cotton knit one. I'm sure the employees were wondering why I was browsing through every single size they had! It really doesn't matter what size you buy. I ended up with an adult small that I picked up for $6. It was in great condition with no pilling. I love cotton and that is a good fibre to buy as it holds up well and works well for all seasons. Wool or wool blends would also be lovely. I'd probably stay away from acrylic though unless it's really not going to be used much as acrylic tends to pill. Here it is...

Sweater Pillow Tutorial



To create the "fabric" for my pillow cover, I trimmed off the bottom of the sweater just below the armpit of the top. This gave me a nice rectangular piece the perfect size for a lumbar style pillow. If you have a longer sweater you may be able to make a larger square pillow. Work around your particular material.


After turning the panel inside out, I stitched one seam with a straight stitch and then again along the seam edges with a zig zag to make it secure and prevent raveling. Turn back right side out and insert your pillow form. I was lucky to get a nice edge on this sweater and so I just hand stitched it closed.


Here it is...the quick project that took half an hour to do and the hand stitching was done in front of the tv. I love fun quick projects and I love how cozy this pillow is. The solid neutral color just highlights it's beautiful texture. Doesn't it look great on this chair? Leather can be a little cool sometimes and I love how it cozied it up.


If this post inspires you to try out a sweater pillow, leave me a link and a comment. I'd love to see what you've created!

This post links up with Kimba's DIY day...



Have a beautifully creative day!

Julia

The Painted Dresser

I have to tell you, I am so excited with how this project turned out! I think I'm going to be totally addicted to painting old furniture and giving it new life in my home. Yes, it was a lot of work and yes I learned a lot but it was a labour of love and so worth it. Do you ever finish a project you are just thrilled with and keep going into that room just to look at it?

So here's the dresser in the state I brought it home in. Chips and worn off finish on the top, both drawers had major chips where they meet but all in all....beautiful lines and sound frame and the drawers worked well.



First a little repair and then a whole lot of sanding. As I got to work, I was so excited to see my vision taking shape and it looking better and better with each coat of primer and then paint. I sanded in the shop out back but freezing temperatures made me haul the dresser inside. Paint needs to dry not freeze. I pushed the kitchen table off to the side and worked right in the kitchen. A plastic drop cloth protected the floor and it actually worked well as the little boys were able to chat with me and do their own crafting as I worked.


After two coats of primer that was slightly tinted with black to a grey tone, I was excited to get up the next day and start on the black paint. I used the Behr Black Suede paint. Being inspired by Sarah from Thrifty Decor Chick, I followed her advice on painting furniture and it worked out well.


Five coats of paint later, I put the original hardware back on and called it finished. I'm still trying to decide about distressing the edges. I may just leave it for now and then, when it starts to get distressed with wear, make it look like it's supposed to be that way. Hubby's not too into the distressed look so we'll see.

I love how the light from the window highlights the details on the dresser.



Finally decorating the dresser. I must admit I kind of just threw some of my favorite things together on it that I'd been collecting around my kitchen. It's a little country looking here but I think if I took of the red gingham and that metal star, the "sideboard" would look lovely and elegant in style as well. The red gingham is just using what I have on hand. It's a table cloth that I've just folded up. I think it will add a fun touch of red for the upcoming Christmas season and it cost me nothing. Use what you have!


Totally copied this sweet scrabble tiles idea from Tiffany at {happy day}. I just thought it was the coolest idea for a shop your house decoration and you can change the word each season. Fun! And whimsical too.


I'm thrilled with this project. It fills an empty hole, warms up the room, gives me a table to decorate and look at those huge drawers! You can never have enough storage can you?!

This project links up to...







Have a beautiful day!

Julia

Thrift Store Thursday

OK, OK...it's really not Thursday but the title worked and I DID do my thrift store shopping yesterday which was THURSDAY. When my older kids were small, I used to shop at thrift stores & garage sales all the time. I totally got out of the habit but now I'm finding some fun things can be found there at some great deals and they also provide some great inexpensive supplies for crafting projects. There's beauty in finding new uses for things! Want to see my latest goodies?



I'm loving the black metal star I picked up for $4. It's either going in the back entranceway or my kitchen or hmmm....perhaps even outside. I wish there had been more and then I wouldn't have to decide! When I do, I'll show you a photo.

Yes, those are second hand sweaters and no, I'm not going to wear them. It's been a long time since I was size small. They are crafting material! I can't wait to get started but you'll have to wait to see what I do with them. Hopefully I'll have a project or two to share with them next week. Until then, I'm still working on that dresser/sideboard. It now has four coats of paint, the last of which is drying nicely. I'm going to take a really fine sandpaper to it and then do one last coat. I'm thrilled with how it's shaping up and can't wait to share! Maybe tomorrow?


Have a beautiful day! Julia

Jumping in with Both Feet

Whenever I get excited about a creative project, I jump in with both feet. When I first discovered DIY home blogs a couple months ago, it was so inspiring. I needed a new creative project and my home needed a lot of help. I started off with a can of spray paint and went to town. I subscribed to many blogs and spent a lot of time drooling on my keyboard. Wouldn't it be cool if my home looked like that? And then reality hit. My home is NEVER going to look like that. Really truly when I think about it, I wouldn't want it to. My home needs to reflect me and my family's needs. I need to be real, love my home warts and all, and make a commitment to small changes as time and budget allows.

I've started making a few of those changes as the weeks go by. They may be small but I'm happy to see a little improvement each week that I can squeeze out some time. I'm hoping to find a large amount of time this week though as I'm jumping in with both feet to repurpose a piece of vintage furniture I found the other day. I've been madly searching Kijiji.ca for some great finds in my area and yesterday, finally brought one home. This project fits my budget, my need to be creative, my excitement over trying something new and it's going to be a great piece to make my kitchen eating area a bit homier. Here's what I found...



This vintage dresser has seen some better days. I love the concept of finding the beauty and giving it new life. The dresser came with a mirror that I'm saving in case I can think of another project to use it for. I'll be using this as a sideboard though. I'm thinking with some black paint, distressed edges and a nice tablescape on top it will look great. The drawers are sturdy and slide well and I'll be able to use them for storing candles, table linens and perhaps even homework.


I love the beautiful front raised detailing. Isn't that oval unique and cool?


I'm even liking the hardware and I just love that angled corner.



It even has nice legs!


And yes...that white stuff is hail. Can you tell I'm so anxious to get started I'm outside taking pics in this crazy weather?! I just knew I'd never be able to get a good photo once I got it as far as the shop.

I've given myself until the weekend to make some great progress. Do you think I can do it? Once this hail stops I'm off to buy some more sandpaper, some primer and some black paint.

Have a beautiful day!
Julia