DIY Bench Cushion

I don't like to walk out of the thrift store empty-handed. It's always a disappointment when it happens, but to be expected when you want to save money on whatever you are looking for. A few weeks ago the same disappointment dawned on me until something caught my eye as I was leaving. There was a piece of furniture that looked like it had lots of potential sitting in the donation cage outside of the store. I snuck in to get a better look. It was a vintage, wooden filing cabinet. I fell in love. The only problem was that it wasn't for sale yet (and some places are very strict on stuff like that) and even if it were, I would need to think of a way to justify it to Ethan. I asked a worker and she told me they normally don't sell on the spot like that, buuuuut it would help them from having to haul it into the store. The damage? 10 bucks! We put it in the back of my truck and I realized it would make a perfect bench for our entry way :) All it needed was a bench cushion... the only problem was that 1) They are so expensive and 2) It would be hard to find one that fit the exact dimensions. I searched the internet and found this amazingly simple tutorial!

Skill Level:

Beginner/Easy

Time:

It took me 1.5 hours :)

Total Cost:

$15.00 (with leftover fabric and polyfill)

I got my fabric from Wal-mart. It was on clearance for $1.50 a yard. I didn't have a certain motif in mind...I just wanted to find the most inexpensive alternative to a cushion. I bought two yards but one yard was more than enough. I forgot that the width is doubled since they fold it over!

Based off the tutorial and my dimensions, I started to cut my fabric to size.

And then I pinned the edges so that it would be easy to sew with my machine.

After the sewing was finished, I had to sew in the corners a certain way (extremely easy) to ensure clean edges all around.

 The most time consuming part was filling with polyfill. This was also the most expensive material too. $8.97 for a bag at Walmart! The small bag sure wouldn't have been enough but at least I have some left over for future projects.

I sewed the buttons on to balance out the fluff and voila! It was finished.

I should have combed through the fluff better so it wouldn't be so lumpy when I put it in...I recommend you do that if you take on this project!

Here is the tutorial link again --> http://jadeflower.wordpress.com/2010/01/20/diy-sewn-bench-cushion/

PS. Ethan loves it. No justification needed :)

Our New Jaipur Quilt and the Giveaway Winner Announced!

I'm so excited for our new blanket! It's called the Jaipur Quilt and I ordered it from West Elm (which is normally a store I cannot afford but they were having a sale with an extra 20% off all clearance prices!) We have a King sized bed and so it's awfully hard to find bedspreads and comforters that 1) I actually like and 2) I actually can afford. The part that I love about this quilt is the fact that it is handmade in India by a non-profit organization working with West Elm. The entire design is hand-blocked, meaning they stamp the design on by hand over and over and over again. Not one blanket is the same. It's been a slow process turning our house into a home and unfortunately our bedroom has taken the slack for it. I want our room to be a places of rest and comfort and now that I have a motif to base our room off of, I will be doing a lot more decorating in it.

Here is a video about how it is made. I find it so interesting! I may have to hand-block something of my own :)


And before I forget, the winner for the Kara Headband giveaway is.... Caitlin from Newbie Housewife! I'll be contacting you Caitlin with all the details for your custom-made headband :) Thank you to all the ladies who entered the contest. Please stay tuned on the facebook fanpage for more contests and giveaways.

31Woman Series: Stephanie Nunes

It's easy to look at the Proverbs 31 woman and get intimidated. When I first started reading about her, I quickly realized I fall short of a lot of her characteristics. I most definitely do not "get up while it is still night" (hey - I like the snooze button!) but the more I studied it, the more I realized this poetic figure was just an example. It is not expected that all of us "plant a vineyard" and make "linens and garments" but her devotion to God is something we should strive for. There is definitely more detail I would like to share about this particular chapter, but I will get more into it as I continue this series.

So what is this series about? It's about honoring different women that I know who are incredibly talented and are blessed with many of the characteristics the Proverbs 31 woman has. Each woman I've picked is incredibly unique. They all have different talents which deserved to be displayed for all to see. Their love for the Lord is obvious and they know how to balance their home life and their work life.

So without further adeiu...meet Stephanie. She is a youth pastor's wife, a teacher and an extremely creative homemaker! She has such a knack for re-purposing furniture and treasure-hunting at thrift stores. She can take an old window (that I would completely overlook) and turn it into something beautiful. Wait until you see the pictures I took of her sweet, sweet home...but read the interview first! There are many helpful tips on home decor ;)

Also, please take a look at Stephanie's blog. They are adopting a boy from Ethiopia and recording their journey in this sweet journal.

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Stephanie. I love many things, my Lord, my husband, creating, baking, riding my bike, traveling, garage sales, flea markets antique stores, farmers markets, music the list goes on. I enjoy the hunt for “junk”. My husband and I are in the process of adopting our first child, a son, from Ethiopia. 


What's your favorite verse?
hmm...so many. One of my favorites is Luke 1:37 "For nothing is impossible with God." 


How would you describe the style of your home?
I would say the easiest way to describe my style is an eclectic blend of chic junk. 

When did you start repurposingfurniture/thrifting/decorating? How did you learn?
My introduction to antique stores and thrifting started young. My grandparents would take to me antique stores and I would wander for hours looking at everything and wondering its story. I started repurposing in high school. I found a very cool looking dresser, but hated the color-so I painted it! I’ve taught myself through trial and error (many, many errors).

What or who inspired you to start your hobby?
My grandma inspired me to start my hobby. She always used to say “Girl, you’ve got wine taste on a beer budget!” Which is totally true. I love stores like Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware, but I definitely don’t have that kind of money-so I’ve learned along the way how to make my own version of some of the things I love from those stores. I’m also inspired by design magazines, they are my guilty pleasure. I keep them for YEARS and save pictures and ideas in a binder, I’ve been saving pictures forever, and even if I don’t create every style I see, it’s fun to look back and see how my tastes have changed and developed. 

When you’re at a thrift store, how can you tell which piece has potential?
When out thrifting, I always try to find pieces that can serve many different purposes. Like being able to stay out year round through the holidays (for example I love cake plates, they can serve as 1. a place to serve cake, 2. a stand for pumpkins in the fall 3. a place for small Christmas pieces to be displayed) I try to look for multi-use items.

Do you have any rules for yourself when hunting for new pieces?
I don’t have many rules. It has to be cheap, not just inexpensive but cheap. And it also has to be unique. 

What is your go to tool? 
Paint. Definitely paint. It can drastically change a piece and once you get more comfortable with it, you can play with color palates and blending colors. Paint is a miracle worker when repurposing. 

Who inspires you?
I’m not inspired by one particular person, when I can share my ideas and passion with others I get inspired.

What inspires you most about the Proverbs 31 woman?
There are SO many things that inspire me about the Proverbs 31 woman, but for me, the most inspiring at this season in my life is “She can laugh at the days to come” (vs. 25). I believe that the Proverbs 31 woman trusts Christ fully and has no fear of the future and what’s to come. There are times, many times, where I question the future. Many times where I look at the future with fear instead of with laughter. I strive to be a woman who can laugh at the days to come. 



How do you think decorating your home relates to the Proverbs 31 women?
As a follower of Christ, I believe that God gives each of us different talents and abilities. I believe God has given me the ability to create. I am thankful that God gifts us all with different abilities and talents. I believe that decorating your home can not only be a reflection of the gifts and talents God has given you, but it also can be a chance for your gifts to glorify God, which is what I believe is the root of the Proverbs 31 woman, not only does she use her gifts and abilities to glorify God, she also uses the situations that God has placed her in to glorify Him. 

What advice do you have for new wives/moms trying to make their house a home?
Be patient. Don’t expect your house to become your dream home overnight. The hunt for the perfect piece is the fun part. The story behind how you got certain items, the stories you’ll take from trying to get those items home. I have so many stories about having to take doors off the hinges because I found something so unique and my husband and I standing in the rain outside trying to figure out how we’ll get it in the house, those are the best parts, the memories that come with creating a home. Be patient it’ll come. Make a “dream” book. I took a design class in college and my professor told us to always be saving pictures in binders of styles we like and designs we wanted to accomplish, it will help you when searching for pieces.

Do you have any future plans/goals/dreams to turn this hobby into something more?
I would love love LOVE to have some kind of a store or maybe host some kind of class on repurposing. My dream would definitely be to have a store somewhere and sell my items. 

Where can we find you? 
You can find out more about me and read about our adoption journey at www.nunespartyofthree.blogspot.com