Finally! The New Sewing Project Revealed!

~ DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE IMAGES FOR LARGER VIEWS~

We use our back patio so much, it is really an extension of our home. We're either sitting out by the pool, in the pool, watching tv, eating, you name it. It was time to make a beautiful area fresh again but with no funds allocated...a brainstorm! What about cheap canvas paint cloths? I'd seen people use them for curtains outside, so why not for cushion covers?

First I bought two packages of the largest size drop cloths. They come in long lengths with about a good width. I ended up needing one more so this photo is of the smaller size. The 8 oz. weight is perfect and very easy to work with.

Here is one of the sad faded cushions before being covered. The cushion behind it was measured, cut and sewn like a pillow case on three sides.

This photo shows how to make the box corner on the two top already sewn corners. Just pull up the corners with the seams together and sew a little triangle across.

Turn the cover right side out. Slip the cushion inside like a pillow, then fold and tuck the corners of the unsewn bottom to make the box corners and pin. Then just sew a slip stitch across the bottom length of the pillow.

Here are three of the bottom pillows for the two chairs and settee. Almost there!

Before

After!

Lexie couldn't wait to get out there on the settee and chill! (The little footrest is still to be given a fresh face.)

View to the rest of the patio (still in progress).

A new rug from Target and we're looking good. Everything for under $100. Now the pool ...

Black Kitchen Cabinets Inspiration

These photos are from one of my favorite decorating blogs, The Lettered Cottage. Go here to see the process.

The Lake House

Here are some photos from our Lake House in Missouri. We are so looking forward to going again this July. It is a wonderful little house with lots of projects for me and hubby. I load up the van with items from the great stores around here and the attic and lots of ideas to make the house a home.


Here are Maia and Lexie having fun in their front porch craft room. I wish you could see the "before" of this little porch. My Dad helped me paint the walls and floor. From the porch is the front door that opens into a colorful dining room.



This is the dining room, already painted such a great deep coral red. The table and chairs were left from the owners but hubby and I bought the baker's rack to create a bar. We hung the hanging light that has hung in every home we've lived in since the boys were little. What you don't see in this picture is the great big window that looks out into the craft porch. We do everything at the table: computers, sewing, and lots of eating.

Off the dining/kitchen is the master, guest and bathroom.


This is the master bedroom decorated in light green and blue with the bedding and curtains from Walmart. (the only department store in miles and miles.) This room was the only one not painted so I went the the same light green as the living room.


Here is the other wall display. Everything is from Michaels or our attic. This photo was taken with the previous owner's bedding. There are also photos of the bathroom and the guest room that I'll post later.

The dining room is open to the kitchen.

This is the only photo of the kitchen that I have right now. Hubby was organizing for me (he's into that stuff !!). The "island" is a desk from Walmart that I painted to match the dining room table and chairs. We plan to paint the cabinets black this summer and take the doors off the top cabinets. I'll add photos of our inspiration kitchen soon.

From the kitchen is the living room. The couches and chair were already there. I made the throw pillows and bought some from the Dollar Store. It is fun trying to find things in the little stores in the neighboring towns. I love the paint color for the walls. We were so lucky that the previous owner did such a good job choosing paint colors. There is a patio sliding door that we don't use. I'm hoping to change it to french doors one day.


This is my next project: the back porch and patio. We hope to change the sliding doors to new french doors (maybe still sliding though.) I want to plant roses and make more flower gardens. Since this picture was taken I put more chairs on the porch.


Here is the reason I fell in love with this little house! The backyard!! Look at the trees and all the shade. I had new rock put in for the driveway and walkways. Just give me a few years to get it looking just right. (that is hubby's Dad's cabin across the road.)

come back soon for Lake House updates.

La Dolce Vita: Domino's Greatest Hits: Katie Lee Joel

La Dolce Vita: Domino's Greatest Hits: Katie Lee Joel

Photos From the Final Frontier - ABC News

Photos From the Final Frontier - ABC News

My previous Garden

The front sitting area with pretty pansies.

The lovely side garden. It is just beautiful this time of year.

The walkway to the pool area. The arbor is just barely upright from the roses.

More Ladybanks roses in bloom. This area is where my sister was married.

I just had to share the flowers. Enjoy!

More After Photos From Dr Lee's Office

After Photos From Drs Office

Click on the photos to see larger views.

These are from the drs own office. I wish the pictures were better but the light walls made the items seem to float. The plantation drawing is Nottaway Plantation in Louisiana. It was mine and I sold it to her as she loves all things New Orleans. It needs a picture light so I'm getting that.

You can see from the top photo able we changed the floral accent on the wall to a beautiful arrangement in the metal wall container but I wanted to show the lovely wooden desk Sherry found at Sam's. We did chocolate brown curtains that have the same color mossy green design as the velvet chairs. I plan to add another panel at the top, swagged.

The velvet chairs and drapes from Pier One. The little metal table and lamps are from Kirklands.



The botanicals are from World Market and put into frames the Dr. already had.

The cute shelves are made from bookends under flat shelves from Target. The big black chair is for the dr.s bad back. The fleur de lis is from Pier One and the courtyard print is from Kirklands. We had a blast finding each element that would represent New Orleans decor without being a theme room.

More...

This is the nurses station. The little ceramic squares are from World Market and the accessories on top of the cabinets are from Ross.

Above is the check out area. The Dr. already had these items so we just moved them into a small area to showcase them. (Accessories from Michaels and Ross)

These are from one of the business people's office. She has red hair like my sister so I did it in red. I had a wonderful time doing this office.

Inspiration Plans for Dr. Lee

I've put together the plans for most of the rooms in Dr. Lee's charming home.


Below are my inspiration pages for her to review. I've selected a modern country french look for all the rooms. Note the sexy master bedroom. I've reconfigured so many areas so help her get around better and for better overall function. She loves to entertain so opening the house room to room and to the outdoors will make her very happy, I hope!

After Inspirations:

Please give me feedback!!

DC