Stencil "C" Pillow

Hello Friends,

Earlier this week, I shared with you my three-year chair project that I finished last Saturday Morning.  Today, I would like to share with you how I made the initial "C" pillow to go on the chair. 

Also, I used Microsoft Windows Live Writer for the first time to write this post, (I know I am a little late to the game, but I liked it). I accidently published the post instead of moving it to blogger prior to it being finished.  If you saw the first post, ignore it, although I understand it is on the internet FOREVER!

Since the chair was going to Tom’s house, I had to make sure the pillow was masculine. Tom HATES decorative pillows!  So, the only thing I could thing of was a monogram “C” using the popular “Stencil” font . 

I decided I would use the pillow form from one of the old pillows I had purchased at “Target”. (I know all of you know how to pronounce “Tar-Zhay” the French Way.)

Pretty Darn Simple! Right? WRONG!  When I opened one side of the pillow to pull the form out, I realized the casing for the pillow stuffing was attached to the pillow.  (Maybe, all of you knew this, but not me!)

See! Then, I proceeded to open all four sides.  When I finally opened the pillow, this is what I found!

A little stuffing had been sewn into the seam line. I put aside all the stuffing and used the pillow as a pattern.  I used  painter drop cloth (left over from another project) for the pillow.

I thought the pillow was too large for the chair.  So, I measured 1 1/2”  around and marked the casing to cut the casing for the smaller pillow. Then I used the smaller casing as a pattern and cut the drop cloth material (already cut out) smaller.  I sewed the casing and put all the stuffing inside and sewed up the casing.

Now, Finally, I had to figure out the size of the Stencil to go on the pillow.  I went to the “Word” program and opened a blank document.  I typed a capital ‘C” on the page.  Next I highlighted the “C” and chose the “Stencil Font”.  I clicked the the font increase size button to make the “C” as large as I needed and then printed the pattern out on the computer. (you can always take your chosen letter and increase the size with a copier, our copier is on the blink!)

I realized I was out of Freezer Paper.  Mr. C, being the sweet man that he is, went to the store and picked up freezer paper for me.

While Mr. C was at the store, I taped the "C" onto a card board box lid.  When he returned with the freezer paper, I taped the freezer paper (wax side down) on top of the "C".  (you can see my tape came undone.)

I used a mechanical pencil (you can use the old fashion type pencil) to trace the “C” on to the freezer paper. Guess where the cardboard box lid came from? (By the way, I am not being paid to promote “Office Depot”…it is what I had in the garage.

After tracing the “C”, I used an exacta knife to cut the stencil.

Now, here comes the fun part.  I ironed the stencil (wax side down) onto the front pillow side.  The wax side of the freezer paper really sticks to the cloth!

I pulled out my almost 20 year old black acrylic paint and started sponging on the paint.

I hung the stencil pillow front outside to dry. With our weather in Oklahoma, it dried pretty quick!  I sewed the front and back sides together, leaving an opening for the pillow form on one side.  I turned the pillow inside out, put the form inside the pillow, and hand-sewed the open end (you can use a sewing machine to close the pillow).

Here is the PILLOW sitting on the chair at Tom’s Front Porch.  The freezer paper kept the outline of the “C” crisp.

I had never used Freezer Paper for a stencil.  There are plenty of tutorials on stencil making in Blog land.  I just wanted to try this thrifty idea! This project would have been faster,  had I used the copy machine to increase the font size or ventured to Hobby Lobby to purchase a stencil, but then I would not have had as much fun as I did on Saturday!

Have you used any kind of stencil around your house?  I know wall Stencils are famous right now!

This week I am going to party at the following places:

Saturday Nite Special - Funky Junk Interiors

Saturday Spotlight - Crafty Envy

Weekend Wrap up Party - Tatertots and Jello

Show and Tell Saturday - Be Different Act Normal

Once again, I want to say a “BIG” Thank you for following my adventures!  I love LOVE your comments on the post directly and on Face book. 

Wishing you a great weekend!

Wanda

Breaking out a Fall Table Vignette

On Saturday, I pulled out a scarf  with beautiful fall colors that I used as table runner for the dining room table last year. The scarf was purchased at "Trade Days" in Canton, Texas.

I love the butterflies on the scarf.

Each butterfly is on each end and corner of the scarf.

Many years ago, I purchased the gold-leaf plates from Big Lots.

The fall gourds, leaves and pine cones were purchased on sale at Crackle Barrel

The small pumpkin in the middle of the table was purchased at Goodwill for $1.99 this summer. (I found the small pumpkin, while I was on one of my treasure hunt trips.)

Thirteen years ago, I purchased the hurricane lamps from the now defunct Bombay Store

.

Here is a final look at the dining room decorated for fall.

I like to pull a Holiday Decor together without breaking the bank!


In November, I will replace the small pumpkin with a turkey tureen. 


I am looking forward to linking up with some parties this week:


Amaze Me Monday #41

82nd Table Top Tuesday



Stay tuned!!  you know I will be heading out or creating a new adventure, soon.


I love your comments!

Wanda

Bedside Tables from Bookcases

Last month, Mr C and I went to an estate sale and found several great items that would work in our son's house.  As you know, I have been working on Tom's bedroom.  We found two bookcases and the tops could be removed. The lower part of the bookcases are the perfect height for bedside tables.  Here is a "before" photo of the bedside tables and their tops.

Mr C and I love the design on the drawers.

So, I went to work on the bedside tables.  I did the usual sanding, priming, and painting two coats of base paint on the body and the drawers of the tables.  I used a walnut stain on the top of the tables.

Then, I proceeded to distress the drawers with the electric sander and with "Old School" hand sanding.  I added glaze and finished with a semi-gloss polycrylic top coat on the body and the drawers and a satin finish of  polyurethane on the top of the bedside tables.  I sprayed "ORB" on the hardware.

Here is peak.

Another close look.

A final close up look.

Now a look at one of the finished tables.

After noticing how several people in blog land uses drop cloths for curtains, I thought, what a great price for a great look! So, I used drop cloths for curtains in Tom's bedroom. I bleached, washed, and ironed the drop cloths.  I spayed painted the existing curtain hardware with "ORB".  I purchased curtain clip rings from Lowes. Mr C hung the hardware at the top of the ceiling. I love the look of curtains hanging from the ceiling.  I think it adds great eye design to a room.

I found lamps for the bedside tables at the Homegoods Store in Dallas.  Do I Love and I mean LOVE the Homegoods Store? (wish OKC would get one)  Great price for the lamps.  In fact, while I was in the checkout line, I was wondering if Tom would like the lamps. A young man Tom's age asked the price of the lamps and said he like them.  Hoo Woo!! (The young man made my day by easing my doubts.)

Without further delay, here is a full look of  the bedside tables.

A look at the table on the other side of the bed.

The photos do not show the true color of the tables.

Now, a look at the whole bed side of the room.

What do you think of the room, so far?

I have some more ideas for the bedroom. There is a corner that needs two chairs and a small table. (I have to paint the table. It is sitting in the garage) Also, more accessories are needed for this room.  I have been searching different blogs for wall covering ideas! You, Bloggers are so talented!

I love your comments!  Please share your thoughts with me:) I look forward to having you follow me on my journey!

Have a great week!

Wanda

New/Used Bed Bench

Years ago, Tom, my oldest son, had a bench in his small apartment, which he used as a coffee table. 


He brought it over to my house so I could paint the bench.  After I had lightly sanded the bench and glued four molding pieces to it (to hide the cut out hearts on the legs), I happened to remember that I needed to take photos to share with you.

Here is a look of the top of the bench

Since, the bench is going to be used at the end of his bed, I painted the bench and distressed it with the same colors I used on the headboard (Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint in Powder Snow, Ralph Lauren Tea Stained Glaze, and Minwax Polycrylic Clear Satin)

Here is a look at one of the molding pieces hiding the hearts.

Here is a peek at the lower left corner of the bench

Here is the bench's new look.

Finally, this is how the bench and the headboard looks together.  Drum Roll, Please!

(shadow in the room makes the bench look darker)

I am not finished in this room.  I am currently bleaching Drop Cloths for curtains, and I am cruising new and used sales, Goodwill, Craiglist and other local shops for bedside tables, chairs and accessories that could be worthy of a "THUMBS UP" from Tom.

Hopefully, I will have a complete look for this room, soon.

Enjoy this beautiful spring season!

Wanda

Frugal Weekend Project

Over the weekend, I made a simple bulletin board without spending any money. WOO! HOO! Many of you will be familiar with the bulletin board look I chose to make.

I found an empty picture frame in the attic and stapled the chicken wire to the frame and painted it black.

I had leftover scrapbook paper.

I had clothes pins left-over from a project many moons, ago.

I had Mod Podge in the cabinet.

I cut the scrapbook paper into strips to fit the clothes pins.  I used the Mod Podge to attach the strips to the clothes pins.

Here is a close-up of one of the clothes pins after it had dried on the bulletin board.

Here is the completed project hanging above my oldest son's office desk area.

This was a great EASY Frugal Project, which did not take too much time!!

Enjoy your week!  

Wanda

Is it a Door or a HeadBoard?

I have been working on a couple of projects for my oldest son's house.  How did I get permission to work on any projects for his home?  I did like all good moms do... I said PLEASE and kindly asked, "Is it Okay if I...?  Only after I hear a " yes", do I go forward with any projects.

First, I want to give a Shout Out to my neighbor (right across the street), Allison.  She has  "Refunk my Junk" located at http://www.refunkmyjunk.blogspot.com/.  Please check out her blog.  She has a gifted talent of painting furniture and a great interior design eye.  Allison encouraged me to download the ebooks available by Colby and Mandie Morris.  Most of you will be familiar with their blog Altar'd located at http://www.altard.com/. I purchased both ebooks and used all of their suggestions in products.

The first project began when Mr C and I went to Habitat for Humanity in downtown Oklahoma City. We purchased an old wooden door for $25.00.  Mr C. measured twice and cut once the door to fit as a headboard for our son's bedroom.

Here is a picture of the door after it had been cut and the empty door knob area  filled with wood filler..

We went to Home Depot and found baseboard to use as molding for the top of the headboard.  Mr. C. used the miter box to cut the sides of the molding.  We used wood glue and staples to attach the molding to the door.

After the molding was attached, I used wood filler to fill the molding corners.  I lightly sanded the door and primed it with Kiltz.  After the Kiltz, I applied two coats of Behr Premium Plus Ultra paint in Powdered Snow. 

.  After the paint had dried, I distressed the door using the electric sander

and "Old School" sanding method

I applied Ralph Lauren Tea Stained Glaze to the distressed door and two coats of Minwax Polycrylic Clear Satin.

Here is a close-up photo of the headboard.

Here is the finish project hanging in Tom's room.

Guess who loves the headboard the best?

Jack! (Tom's Dog)  He LOVES the HeadBoard!!!

Thank you for stopping by! I love to read all of your comments!

Have a Great Week!

Wanda