Easy (free) couch makeover

Proof that I am nuts. So, here's the couch I've had a while. I love the couch, but HATE the back cushions. Since I'm in no position (and don't want to) buy a new couch I sewed them so they actually go with the couch better now. Since the before picture doesn't show the pillows in all their glory, let me tell you how it is. Was.

The couch is pretty modern(ish). The cushions on the back were glorified pillows. You lean on them and the stuffing all goes away. My youngest son's favorite trick was to get on the couch and jump up, lift his feet up in front of him, and plop down in the middle of the cushion. No amount of beating, stomping, or other form of abuse could make these cushions look decent (and this picture was taken when the house went on the market, so it was a particularly brutal day for the cushions ;) This is the before.

 

This is the after. I trimmed the corners, and made the cushions a box shape that actually goes with the bottom cushions. I think I will add some button tufting to the back cushions to help hold the stuffing in place. Ahh...I love my couch again :)   (excuse the fancy night time photos)  I've made new pillows now and recovered a chair in the living room so I will be posting a before and after soon.

Enjoy!

What I have been doing...

Otherwise titled, "why I am a blogger slacker"

I promise I've been busy.  I have a tutorial coming on how to make a fancy schmancy ruffled lampshade without ever sewing a stitch.  I also have a tutorial on my faux mercury glass - it took me about, oh, 3 weeks to find the looking glass spray paint that I needed.

First, let me tell you where I've been.  Back in the middle of September I was involved with decorating for a ministry that saves people, mostly girls, from human trafficking here in the Houston area.  It's real, and it's scary.  If you want to learn more, go here:  Redeemed Ministries.  They call the girls that are saved, 'sparrows' so that was the theme.  There were initially 30 tables to be decorated, and when I got there I found out there were 40 to decorate.  That was, um, challenging.  Senator Dan Patrick attended the dinner, and he bought the centerpiece off his table for $1000!!!  What a donation to the ministry!  Next year all the centerpieces will be up for auction!

Here are a couple pictures from the dinner:

Senator Patrick's centerpiece:

After that I started working on partially redoing my living room.  Here's a quick peek of a chair I recovered and a pillow I made:

And for the last two weeks I've been working on stocking up for a craft show that's this Saturday, the 15th.  I will be selling some small furniture, but also some necklaces, earrings, rings, and small home decor items.  I have been up to my eyeballs in mess craftiness!

Here's a quick preview of some of the jewelry I've made:

I'm thinking of selling my much loved 50s dresser with the burlap stripe (above) any takers?  :)  I'll probably move it up to the shop...eventually...

Ottoman reveal

Here's the ottoman - finished!


In case you've forgotten, here's what it looked like before:


Let's be honest. I didn't really like this ottoman/bench thing. I knew I could recover it, but that didn't help much. It wasn't balanced for me. The legs were too long and the upholstered top too small. It sat in my garage. For almost three months. Then one day while I was working on slipcovering a sofa it occurred to me I should slipcover the ottoman as well!

About an hour later (I had the piping already made) I had this (including paint time):



I painted the legs Rustoleum Annodized Bronze. Slipcovered the top with canvas drop cloth, added a generous ruffle and called it good. Don't mind the fact that it needs to be ironed - it will be a while before that actually happens :) Love it now! It will be going in my shop soon!

Enjoy!




Linking to:

ottoman sneak peek

THIS is how it started:


(come back tomorrow to see how it ends!)