Make Your Own Throw Rug

I gave up my search for a beautiful natural linen throw blanket a while back now. It wasn't because I couldn't find one for a reasonable price mind you, it was cause I couldn't find one at ALL (though if I had I'm sure it would have cost a pretty penny anyways).

From the get-go I have wanted to include a linen throw in my bedroom make-over.
Soooo, what does one do when said desired item seems only to live in one's own mind?

Answer: one makes said item themselves (and no doubt saves some cashola in the process).

 Step one; find some gorgeous linen you can't resist rubbing on your cheek with a price tag that doesn't make you sigh in resignation.

I searched high and low until one day, whilst not even looking, I stumbled upon some (if you're in Australia, I found it at Spotlight, yes people...Spotlight!).

Even though no-one else in the store seemed too interested in my linen, I must admit that when I first spied the bolt I looked around kinda nervously, made sure the coast was clear then casually moseyed on over, so as not to drawer attention, before greedily snatching it up before anyone else could.

A little crazy, huh?

Step two; buy some snug backing so your throw will feel and look all nice and cozy. I was lucky enough to pick up some beautiful cashmere on clearance for $8 a meter.

Step three; cut your linen and backing to the size you want then sew them, right sides together, like a giant cushion cover leaving a small pocket so you can turn it in the right way.

Step four; Carefully hand-stitch the pocket up (or, if you're lazy and impatient like me, just cheat and use iron-bond hemming tape) then run a stitch line around the whole blanket one or two inches in from the edge to give a nice professional-like finish.

There was enough remaining linen to make a cushion for my bed too. I decided to paint some subtle grainsack inspired stripes on it.

I applied some charcoal craft paint with an almost dry brush to create a slightly faded effect.

I love it!

And guess what? I still have some linen left. 'Why should I care' I hear you say. Well....I recently skipped over to 1000 followers and as a big...

...am gonna create something (hopefully fabtabulous!) from the last of my linen to offer as a GIVEAWAY to all my wonderful readers.

Now I can't wait to actually get this linen goodness on the bed (as opposed to the guest room floor where it's currently patiently waiting alongside all my other bedroom stuff!).
I truly promise I'm nearly finished. Just a few finishing touches and I can show you guys already. Thanks so much for being patient :-)

 

Typographic Cushions

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Alright, I'll admit it, I'm in love with typography and would marry it if I could....

Apartment Therapy

....you know what they say though - too much of a good thing is never a good thing....

Pottery Barn

....though does it really have to be so?....

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....I mean, surely a letter here and a number there can't really hurt...can it?

Real Simple

It's lucky for me and my temporary obsession then that these duck-egg blue babies are destined for my parent's beach house. One for each of the single beds in the twin guest room - so cute!

They were a sinch to make. I just designed some artwork in Paint.Net (if you don't have an editing program and haven't heard of Paint.Net I highly recommend checking it out. It's free to download) then printed it onto iron-on transfer paper, cut closely around each separate component (using a craft knife), positioned them where I wanted on some fabric then ironed away. The fabric was then made into cushions.

If you'd like to try creating something similar I've attached my artwork above. Feel free to use it. Just click on the template to enlarge it then save it to your computer.

I'm keeping this newly embellished ampersand cushion though. I made it using the same method (already had the cushion though). Here it is in my living room.

Have a great day everyone!

Rocking Chair for the Nursery

I have a confession to make; I'm not really much of a sewer.

There, I've said it, and the truth is, I don't even own a machine!

I mean, I can do basic straight lines - like pillows and the like (as you may have seen in previous posts) - though ask me about slip covers and you'll probably receive a look like this:

Yeah, when it comes to making friends with the sewing machine I pretty much always need a re-introduction by my Mum.

She's an awesome sewer. She even made my wedding dress from scratch:

Well, she didn't weave the fabric or applique the lace though you know what I mean.

I do truly hope to increase my sewing skills and confidence one day and it's little projects like this one that help me take the steps needed - hopefully!

I recently found this pre-loved wicker rocking chair on eBay:

BEFORE

(I usually get a few questions when I mention buying furniture off eBay. I know many of my readers don't realise I'm based in Australia where we don't have Craigslist - well, technically we do though there are only about three things on it - so eBay is by far the biggest and best resource for picking up inexpensive second-hand furniture).

It was just what I was after; comfy, neutral, generously proportioned (perhaps a little too much so for my teeny nursery :-) and just that bit different. Though as with most second-hand finds there’s always something I gotta change - I wasn’t too keen on the shape and style of the back cushion so decided to replace it with a standard european pillow instead.

AFTER

I sewed the simple envelope cover from drop cloth fabric to closely match the existing seat cushion and attached four timber buttons to give it some extra character.

I’m contemplating painting grain sack stripes on it though think I’ll wait til the nursery comes together before deciding for sure – it’ll probably happen though (I’m a sucker for those stripes!).

Linking this project with some of these parties.