Just Because

In case I haven't told you...I have the best sister ever!

She bought me this cute tablecloth...for no reason!

You already know, of course, that I love embroidery!!!

What you might not know is that I also love chickens!

This has it's original tag Handarbeit (handmade)

100% Baumwolle (100% cotton)

It doesn't say made in Germany...but the words are clues!

It fits perfectly with my new embroidered pillows!  (AND the chicken plates in the background...my sister also gave me those!)  Isn't she the best?

Till tomorrow...

debi

Another Lamp Re-do

 I love Friday's...it's my "free" day to do whatever.  I had a doctor's appointment early this morning and another one late this afternoon...but in the meanwhile I was able to get my second lamp shade recovered.  I bought this several months back at Heirloom's (here in McKinney).  As soon as I saw it I knew I wanted it for the guest room.

I began by removing all the pleated material and the trim along the edge that held it all in place.  The shell is actually made of plastic and has a tacky surface which should help hold the new material in place.

My sweet friend Miss Carolyn gave me an arm load of vintage pillowcases that belonged to her mother.  Some of them are beautifully embroidered.  I chose a pillowcase that was a single, rather than use one from a matched set. 

I love the colors and this one is perfect for the guest room.

I began by cutting down the pillowcase so it would be easier to work with on the lamp shade.

I placed the pillowcase on the shade backwards and pinned down the sides first.  Because the shade is tapered at the top I also created two pleats along each side to narrow the band at the top.

I angled the pleats so they would be less obvious along the front lines of the lamp.

Once the sides and pleats were sewn, I placed the cover on the lampshade right side up. I folded under the fabric to create a hem along the top edge.  I wanted to finish off the top edge with some vintage lace and a small pink trim...so to the lace drawer to shop for just the perfect piece of lace!

I found a small piece of white that I tacked down along the edge first.  I then ran a small pink trim on top of the white lace.  I used hot glue for this process.

I tacked down the sides along the bottom and the front edge of the flowers, also with hot glue.

Here is the finished piece.

Perfect in the guest room for a little late night reading.

Here's the lamp I finished earlier this week...just need to get it in place and plug it in.

I'm ready for guests to arrive...

till tomorrow...

debi

Lamp Shade Re-do

I'm finally getting a few projects ticked off my list!  I've been wanting to re-do this lampshade for awhile.  It feels outdated and too "plain" for where I want to put it.

And...up until a week ago, I didn't have a base for the shade.  (Thank you Elaine!)  There was a pile of stuff left in a closet from the tennants that moved out at my office...and this small lamp base was in a box.  I rescued it before it moved on to Re-Store!

I pulled all the trim off the edges and surface of the shade, but left the shade in tact.  I had a small collar my grandmother made for one of my daughters, so I began by sewing it around the top.  It was a PERFECT fit and I love the little button my grandmother sewed on as a closure.

I decided to hand stitch it down so it would lay nicely (and if I decide I want to pull it off at a later date...it won't have all kinds of glue on the backside.)

I went to my lace stash and found some an old looking piece of lace that I used to cover the rest of the lamp (under the collar).  I also found some cream lace that was already gathered around the bottom edge, so I made a small flower to sew near the top.

I also added some vintage seam binding behind the flower,

and a small piece of green seam binding in the center of the flower, just for a little color.

I like the look of the mixture of laces.

Instead of cutting the lace and sewing the two ends together, I  folded under each side so it created a little bit of cover for the seam (where the two pieces came together.) It sort of looks like a shirt front.

 

I think it's a nice addition to the guest room.

I have another lamp shade torn apart...maybe I can finish it by the end of the week.

Till tomorrow...

debi

 

Sunday Thoughts - Happy Easter!

Luke 24:1-6

On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. They found the stone rolled away from the tomb,  but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them.  In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; he has risen!"

Pillows and decks

I went to IKEA last week, the first time I've ever been.

There certainly was a LOT of stuff.  I get their catalog, but it's a whole 'nuther experience to be in the store.

I went with a girlfriend, and she was looking for something specific, so we did have a mission to accomplish.  She found what she was looking for, but I found this pillow.

I love the handcrafted look of this pillow.  The embroidery is beautiful.  The back is made with a stripped fabric and has buttons so you can remove the cover to wash.

I did notice it was on sale, regular $24.99...but as cute as it was... it was still $19.99.  I would need a whole couch full...they were that cute!

As we left IKEA and drove home I remembered some embroidered fabric I had at home....

I purchased this piece at Canton at the "by the pound" booth.  It has a number stamped on the edge and says it's a 'bedroom set'.

All the pieces are attached in one long piece and it's been completed by someone who knew how to embroidery.

Even the backside of the fabric is beautiful!

Someone knew how to finish off their work well.

I cut the pieces I wanted to use and again "shopped" in my garage sale pile of fabric. (I keep going back to the discard pile!)

I found the Matelassé pieces in my cupboard and the striped background fabric in the discard pile! 

I also went to my stash and gathered my feather pillows. 

 I love to buy old feather pillows at garage sales.  For those of you who are afraid of "old pillows"...don't be!  You can wash them.  (Ducks get wet, silly!)

My grandmother always washed hers in the spring.  You throw them in the wash...hot water.  Once you have them clean put them in the dryer with an old tennis shoe (this will beat the matted feathers loose.)  When it has completely dried, place it outside in the sun and the feather will expand and fluff up.  This was how our grandmother's recycled pillows. 

One small piece of advice...make sure all the seems are secure before you wash them.  You don't want ANY surprises!!!

The IKEA pillow had buttons, but I opted for zippers so I can remove the covers to wash them.

Each pillow front was finished just a bit differently.

I took them all outside to the glider...I'm thinking a nice Sunday nap might be in order.

Of course, while I was upstairs sewing...activity was happening in the back yard.

Peter and Jared were hard at work putting a roof over the deck.

There is still work to do...and the final decision hasn't been made as to whether the table and chairs will stay on the deck or if we move the glider and swing out there...time will tell.  I'm ready to get some work done in the back yard so we can start to enjoy doing nothing back there!

Till tomorrow...

debi

Bluebonnet Time in Texas

Spring...my FAVORITE time of year in Texas...(but, I also love Summer, Fall and Winter in TEXAS!)

Hope you enjoyed...

till tomorrow,

debi