Bless my Mess Pillow!

I am so proud of myself!  I finally finished my Jute/Burlap pillow!  What - was it -  February when I started it?   Poor baby got put "on the back burner" for a while.  

So here is what I THOUGHT I was using  in my original post , Hey Jute!  And I did use the burlap jute, just not the embroidery thread only because I had a better idea!  You know how projects can evolve and change AND take on a life of their own?   That's what makes them so fun :)

I decided to try to pull out the rusty red thread to use for the embroidery.  Used the needle to pull up the thread into a small loop so I could cut it.  

Then used the needle {on the other end} to lift it up so I could get hold of that thread and pull!  Easy enough!  Threaded my embroidery needle with it {don't ask what size - I have no clue!  But the eye of this needle was large enough to handle the thread. And burlap is such an open weave that most any needle can work} Ha!

Next deal here - I originally was going to use burlap but my daughters said it was too plain.  Thanks girls. I can always count on you!

 So - we I decided to go with denim.  Perfect combination.  

Well, this is going to be an envelope pillow.  And there are pictures somewhere floating all over my computer but I just can't find them. You see, I have a new computer with Windows 7, not my old XP, and I'm having a little trouble finding my downloads to Picasa.  But I know you guys don't need me to show you how to cut out a 12" x 12" square of fabric. {For the front}  Then an 8" x 12" plus a 6" x 12 " panel for the back.  

  I did somehow find the picture of how I double folded each back piece then stitched for a clean edge.

I decided to make my own jute/burlap piping for the pillow.  So I cut the middle out of several pieces of the jute.  

Placed cotton cording in the middle and stitched it up tight using my zipper foot.  Then I pinned the cording front piece (with raw edges together) to the front of the pillow.  

This time I went ahead and stitched the cording onto the front piece first. Then took the two back pieces and, as you know, pinned the pieces together with the right sides (faces) together.  But you can certainly skip this step and just pin all the pieces together then sew away!

Since this is an envelope pillow I could stitch all the way around!  If you make it all enclosed then leave about a 2" opening so you can turn it right side out.  Then stitch the opening closed {But I just bet you already know how to do that!}

Here's my newest pillow - and yea, she is a little messy too!

In the meantime I can't thank you enough for taking the time to be here.   I am so honored to be followed and friended!  You are important to me and just let me know you are following because I will follow you back!  Because I know how special you are!

Linking to these fun and fascinating parties!

MONDAY

DebbieDoos - DebbieDoos Newbie Party

Skip to my Lou-Made by You Mondays

DIY Home Sweet Home Project -  More the Merrier Monday

Keeping it Simple - Motivate Me Monday

Making the World Cuter-Making the World Cuter Monday

The Girl Creative - Just Something I whipped Up

Embellishing Life - Craft Catwalk

TUESDAY

Nothing but Country - Creative Creations Tuesday

Coastal Charm - Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

Sassy Sites - Trash to Treasure Tuesday

Today's Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On

No Minimalist Here - Open House

WEDNESDAY

Night Owl Crafting - Hoo's Got Talent?

Elements Interiors -  Whassup Wednesday

Blue Cricket Design - Show and Tell Wednesday

THURSDAY

Somewhat Simple - Strut Your Stuff

The Shabby Chic Cottage - Transformation Thursday

House of Hepworths - Hookin Up with HoH

Fireflies and Jellybeans - Show off Your Stuff

Paisley Passions - Thrilling Thursday

FRIDAY

At the Picket Fence - Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Fridays

Just a Girl - SAS Day

My Romantic Home- Show and Tell Friday  

Fingerprints on the Fridge - Feature Yourself Friday

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday 

Sassy Sites - Free For All Friday

Mommaskindacrafty   - Fantabulous Friday 

Todays Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On

SATURDAY

Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Nite Special

Wildflowers & Whimsy - Sew Crafty Saturday

SUNDAY

I Heart Naptime - Sundae Scoop

The DIY Showoff - DIY Project Parade

Under the Table and Dreaming - Sunday Showcase

Homemaker on a Dime-Creative Bloggers Party & Hop

Can Garden!

It's a beautiful day here in North Carolina.   I'm feeling the gardening bug this morning.  Just might try this....

Can Garden!

I found this at darling dexter

Enjoy!


And Heck Yea for all the cute Playas hoarders  It is a dream come true

Earthy Essentials and Chalk Talk parties!

If you love burlap, canvas, linen, and twine you need to visit this party!

And for those of you that love some chalkboard paint check out this party!
Actually there is a great party with four (yep 4!) sites. I didn't mention the other two because I don't have projects with decoupage or all white decor {though how I love all white}  These are amazing parties also.  You will love checking these out!Man - I'm about ready to EXPLODE from all the ideas and creations I am trying to cram into my head here!  Hurry up and check it out - ends April 30th!

Moss Cross

There's still some moss hanging around my house.  :) So the other day I decided to cover one of my $1.00 crosses from Michael's.  They are simple wood crosses that you can paint, decoupage, and cover in most anything.  I used seaglass on one for a friend.      

   

 For this Cross I used: Floral Moss from Walmart, wooden Cross from Michael's, and my glue gun.

The moss can get a little messy so I worked on top of a piece of wax paper to keep it from sticking to my table! 

I also used newspaper to help clean it up quick!

I drizzled some glue over a section and then patted the moss in place.  

Keep gluing... We are almost there!

Finished!

Just in time for Easter!

Linking to:

Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Night Special 

Succulent Planter for My beautiful special MIL!

How lucky am I?  To have one of the most wonderful, sweetest, smartest, original and loveliest MILs in the world?  She is pretty darn special.  And she just had a Birthday that we celebrated at my cute sista in laws house.   It was lots of  fun and very special!  I'm so thankful to be a part of this wonderful family!

This is something my daughters and I made for their special  "grandmommy".  I bought a large glass planter.  My daughter, Julia, sketched "grandmommy"  out on the front side of contact paper.  This is where it would be so fun for kids to draw or create designs for their own special grandparents.  Just as long as an adult cuts the stencil out!  My baby girl is 21 (Yep - I'm old but young at heart forever!) so I knew she could handle it!  Plus - and I am proud to say - things look much better when she is involved.  If only you could see my "grandmommy" sketch.  No comaparison!

I covered the whole container with foil and masking tape so only the letters were exposed.  Then sprayed away with the Rustoleum Frosted Glass.  I have used the Armour Glass Etching cream for something like this, but the spray shows up a littler better.  And I have learned through trial and error to remove the contact paper as soon as the last coat dries so the paint won't come off with the paper.  I sprayed 4 coats.

Here she is ready to go to work!   (I know there has to be a better way to photograph glass, but I was running out of time!)

I decided to use small succulents so it wouldn't need to be watered too often.  Bought the small pebble soil cover and plants at Lowe's.  I spread a layer of the pebbles (about 1/2 inch to 3/4 inch) in the bottom for drainage.  Then filled it to the top of the lettering with potting soil.  Planted those little succulents then surrounded them with moss I had leftover from other projects. One that my kids sort of roll their eyes when I mention it.  But I hope to get that one finished this weekend!

Finished!  On to my next creation!  Happy Birthday Grandmommy!

Linking to these awesome parties!

At the Picket Fence - Inspiration Friday

French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Fridays

The DIY Showoff - Project Parade
Fireflies and Jellybeans - Show Your Stuff
My Romantic Home- Show and Tell Friday  

momnivore's dilemna - Creative Juice

DebbieDoos - DebbieDoos Newbie Party
Be Different, Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturdays

Local fun for Kids and Smile Monsters - Fun for Kids Friday

Just a Girl - SAS Day 

The Lettered Cottage - How To's Day
Tatertots & Jello- Weekend Wrap Up

Homemaker on a Dime-Creative Bloggers Party & Hop

Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Night Special     

Fingerprints on the Fridge - Feature Yourself Friday  
Stuff and Nonsense - Fridays Unfolded

Be Different, Act Normal - Show and Tell Saturdays

The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday 

DIY Home Sweet Home Project -  More the Merrier Monday
Redoux - Friday Redouxs

Decore to Adore - Springtime Craft Party

Embellishing Life - Craft Catwalk
Paisley Passions - Thrilling Thursdays

Mommaskindacrafty   - Fantabulous Friday