Mixing a Pair of Vintage Armchairs

Vintage chairs...not perfectly refinished, but perfectly suited to mix and use in a casual setting using coordinating fabrics. Maybe you would not want to use this pair of chairs in a formal room...but I love using "not- so- perfectly finished" pieces throughout a home. To me, it adds charm for a piece of furniture to show its age...and, it definitely makes it easier to have a "pet friendly" and "child friendly" home.

These chairs are searching for the perfect cottage-for sturdy seating in your dining or breakfast room, or to accent an existing space on your sunporch.

I made fitted slipcovers with ties for the backs and seats using a cottage floral cotton fabric. As an accent, I added bias cording using a terra cotta plaid. And, of course, mix and match pillows complete the set.

Make-overs, Do-overs

Bobby and I were working in our booth at Old South Antique Mall in Dothan, Alabama just a couple of weeks ago. And, you know how you get tired of looking at the same thing...and you are just ready for a change? Sometimes, all it takes is to change the way you are looking...or change your point of view.

We had a few great vintage oak dining chairs that we were trying to sell in our booth....kind of scruffy from years of use, and, or abuse. You have probably seen them or some like them...the seats (that used to be woven cane bottoms) are busted out-but still, we thought, someone would love to have these re-finished and re-caned to make perfect seating for their oak pedestal table. Well, for months, absolutely no one saw the potential in these chairs.

So, what to do but make a change. Somehow, in moving some things around, the chairs landed side by side...and I saw it--a bench...made from a few chairs put together. And, what a great idea...I could use fabric (my favorite collectible) to cover the bench seat. There...an antique chair "make-over" and booth piece "do-over".

We used the stained chairs together to make a three-chair bench. I used a fruit and floral fabric with a soft yellow background for the upholstered bench...and added detail with a small check bias cording. I also made a lumbar pillow using the same mix and match fabrics to accent the chair backs...great "cottage-y" look-and, perfect for a covered porch, hallway, sunroom, mudroom-or any other space you have to show off this cute piece.

The two black chairs worked out to make an adorable smaller bench. I used different fabrics-still mixing a vibrant floral print with a color coordinated stripe for cording detail. And, again, using the same fabrics, I added a pillow for the back.

These benches will become part of our booth "do-over" in Dothan on Thursday.

New Year, New Slipcovers...

Happy New Year everyone! A little late with my wishes, but as usual, we have had many busy days~at work and at home. I am sure many of you know that my precious little Grandson, Grayson, was hospitalized for several days at the beginning of the new year with RSV. (Lauren blogged about Grayson's hospital visit~ www.gracethroughourworld.blogspot.com.) This was not the best of beginnings for this year, but-we praise God for his recovery!!!! And, I am so thankful to have him home and happy....so, we are truly blessed and, with the new year, we will now proceed.
I am now playing "catch up" with my sewing projects, but have managed to add a few new pieces to "my booth" at OLD SOUTH ANTIQUE MALL in Dothan and to "the nook under the stairs" at Troy Antiques. I will post some other items over the next few days, but for now-a sofa with a natural cotton slipcover. This piece is 90" long and 36" deep- oversized and comfy-with 5" boxed seat cushions and traditional rolled arms. The slipcover has a tailored skirt that falls from the cushion deck and all pieces are self-corded. The cushions have zippered closures. This 100% cotton has a small pattern that gives the fabric great texture. The fabric has been prewashed and dried, taking care of all shrinkage issues. Delivery is available-free of charge-for the Dothan or Troy area.

Talk about "Merry and Bright"!!!!

I know you have all been so very busy with Christmas decorating and parties and shopping...and, if you are in my world...working!!! Trying to mix it all in when you have 7 balloon shades to make, 4 roman shades to finish, 2 sweet little girl dresses to fit in before the wedding, kids still in college, and a partridge in a pear tree-well, it all seems to get a little or a lot overwhelming....and then...I like to take a step back and put it all in perspective.

I am so thankful for all the jobs, friendships, family matters, and sewing "emergencies" that come my way. I know that I am never given more than I can handle, though at times, I wonder. And, I hope that I have been able to help make your home a little happier or a little more like you want it-that is my wish. You have certainly been a blessing to me, whatever the part. I wish you the Merriest Christmas ever!!!

And, I look forward to the New Year with lots of new ideas to "make and do".

I wanted to share a few pictures of my latest projects....and my "partridge in a pear tree!"~Debbie

The Stockings are Hung....it's Christmas time soon!!!

This is the time of year that your sewing speed determines your income....well, sort of. Decorators are calling, individual clients are calling....people are getting their homes ready for entertaining...it is really a fun time...and, then, the week before Christmas, Bobby and I push everything out of the way and hide our "work stuff" so that we can host a little family meal for a few of us...and...boy, would I love to be getting my house ready, too!

Bobby and I are planning some ideas for our house-and I hope maybe next year will be the year....our family is growing and I want to be able to host a family gathering or two....so, that is our plan...could there possibly be enough time to get it done before next year? But, for now....I will do my best to finish the dining rooms and family rooms and bedrooms I have promised...and, really, the weeks get faster and faster the closer it gets to Thanksgiving and Christmas.

I've included some photos of our "nook" space at "On the Square Antiques" in Troy. We have added a few vintage Christmas decorations to go along with the club chair and ottoman that I slipcovered in a cottage style floral Waverly fabric, prewashed and dried...also a valance in matching and coordinating fabrics-great for a home office or craft room. A few black painted side tables and a black cupboard with hand painted detail on the doors are also included in our Cottage and Cabin booth in Troy.

I have added some cabin style Christmas stockings to our spot inside Old South Antique Mall in Dothan...these are made from a charming tattered vintage quilt and burlap, and backed with cream homespun. I will take special orders on stockings using your quilt or fabrics of your choice...call soon!! And, Happy Decorating!!!

A Special Song...

A great beginning to my day...a friend with a delivery of "wine ice" and gifts wrapped in vintage wrap-and inside, vintage Holly Hobbie Christmas glasses, a Mary Engelbreit sewing caddy with a vintage needle card tucked inside...later in the morning, calls from my daughters...and late in the afternoon, a visit from my son who surprised me with a bouquet of fall colored daisy mums and a card...what a great visit, and we ate cake!!!!

But just after noon....I had not heard from Mom or Dad-I thought perhaps they were being sweet and letting this day pass quietly-as I wished. My Mom had asked to take me to lunch, but I had some deadlines of course with this date being so close to Thanksgiving...so, we celebrated instead at their home with a super meal last week-with gifts and all, so it was not really a big deal about today...although, Mom had mentioned that Dad had called my sister and sang "Happy Birthday" to her the week before..........well, was I jealous??? Maybe....but, I really am so happy that Dad is doing so well without his oxygen...his health has improved and all seems good. So, call it "jealousy" or "just glad to have him here to talk to", I wanted my song, too...

Anyway, I called Mom (to ask for my song)...and, she immediately put Dad on the phone-

He sang! I cried...it was perfect!

I have another friend who perfectly described my "bubble"...she said that I loved life in my "bubble world", and she is right...God has truly blessed me with a wonderful husband and children, a brand new grandson, a super terrific family, the best of friends, and a life that I love living and look forward to each day. I thank Him for the continuous work and jobs he provides for me and my family...and for blessing us with talents and artistic abilities that we use to support ourselves. In today's world, with so many people without jobs and hurting in other ways...I know that I am truly blessed...and I have truly lived a charmed life. And, for this, I am thankful. And thanks, Daddy, for singing for me...

Happy Halloween and Other Issues...

It's been a busy October in my world...and, obviously the blog has gone by the wayside-but sometimes, just sometimes, you have to cry "calf-rope" and realize you just can't do it all!! Our "St. Louis" daughter came for a visit and brought her boyfriend-and, it was great!!!! All except the part where I tripped over the electrical cord and flew through the hallway only to land on my arms-full force!! OWWWWWW!!!! And, I mean that. This accident happened the day before Allie and Chris were to arrive-so, as you can imagine, I was cleaning the house and preparing partial meals (so I would not have to spend their entire visit in the kitchen). I was finishing making a chocolate cake (Allie loves chocolate...and, don't we all!!) when I remembered that I wanted to give Bobby the necessary measurements to cut boards for the roman shades that I was trying to complete-so, you see, I was cleaning and cooking and working when I remembered that I must then run to my workroom to get information...keyword (run)...So, as I hurried around the corner, I forgot that I had moved the fan, and...that's when it happened-always in a hurry to do one more thing.

Bobby just happened to be inside...and he called out "can you get up?"...and I called back..."NO"...I think I knew I could get up, but I could not hurry....So, he has offered to get me "Life Alert" so I can be safe-"ain't it great"!! Anyway, Bobby finished making the chocolate icing for the chocolate cake-and, he loved every minute of "what do I do with the rest of the icing left in the bowl? Eat it?". The rest of the day I spent moaning and groaning, but assuring myself that since I could move my arm, it must not be broken. But not only did I injure my left arm, but also my right pinkie finger-so you see, both arms-kind of hard to do any kind of sewing or cooking or... tie your shoes...

Anyway, Bobby helped me finish the roman shades that night. Allie and Chris arrived and we had a great visit! I just moved extra slowly. And, do you know it is difficult to do anything...and I mean anything, without full use of your arms-left or right.

And, two weeks later, I have been working ever so carefully and slowly-but making accomplishments-and, that's a very good thing. I don't think I have that insurance that pays when you can't work...you know, the duck.

My biggest accomplishment since "the accident" has been the eight- one and one half width drapery panels- lined and interlined-with a fabric tape sewn down the lead edges...the fabric was a beautiful green herringbone stitched silk. Bobby and I installed these panels in a master bedroom in a home in the Garden District in Dothan.

Since then, I have been making dust ruffles, tailored bedskirts and all sorts of down filled pillows and shams. I will try to take new photos soon to share.

And, Happy Halloween...from the baby....and Honey...have you ever seen a cuter "pooh"? That's another thing-there is not enough time in the world-I certainly misplanned my timing to retire...???? Can I ever??? But, I wish I was-retired- so that I could spend my days playing with this sweet pumpkin.

Speaking of Grandmothers...I found these vintage cross-stitched "Grandmother" poems...and, added new fabrics to make pillows-perfect "conversation" pillows for a rocker or sunporch swing. These pillows and lots of other new finds are available for sale at On the Square Antiques in Troy.

I enjoy blogging when I get a chance...hopefully it won't be so long before my next. Be careful out there and don't rush...you can accomplish more if you take it slower sometimes...

~Debbie