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27 June, 2012

Pottery Barn Inspired...A Frenchy Beach Postcard Pillow

I’m at it again…making another pillow! I wanted something summery and vintage French, but not too cutesy…a pretty tall order when it comes to summer decor!


pb postcard pillowBut when I saw these vintage postcard pillow covers at Pottery Barn, I knew I had found my inspiration!

pillow 3 I had to make a few adjustments for it to work for me. First, I knew I would be using a rectangular shaped pillow because lumbar pillows just don’t work at my house for some reason.

sur la plage postcard transferAnd I knew I wanted to use the new craft scissors feature at Picmonkey. Sooo…when I found this fabulous painting by Édouard Manet…Sur la plage de Boulogne…I knew what I would do!  I simply added my frame, printed the painting on iron-on transfer paper and followed the directions to apply it to a scrap of white cotton duck fabric.

postcard back graphics fairy transferThen I used a vintage French postcard graphic to create the back of the card with the same process. Mine came from Graphique so I can’t share it with you. I liked mine because the postage mark came from the Meurthe et Moselle region where I lived. But I did find this one at The Graphics Fairy that you can use for free! I tweaked the message a little so that it fits with summer. And…I’ve already made both graphics backwards for the transfer.

pillow 4Once both transfers were ironed on to the fabric, I simply cut them out and stitched them to my pillow cover one at a time. Their cover is linen, but I used Osnaburg for mine…a much cheaper and more user-friendly linen look-alike. I used an envelope closure (tutorial here) since I need to reuse my pillow forms due to storage issues! I’m loving the way it looks…just the perfect amount of summer and frenchiness without being cutesy! And…it was free since I already had everything! Woo hoo!
NOTE: For a no-sew version of the cover, use a purchased pillow cover like the one found here at Hobby Lobby. However, the postcards will still need to be stitched.

kitty Oooh noo!…Miss Kitty seems to have decided to mail herself to the beach since we are in a beachy mood and our trip is nowhere in sight! I’d better get out the sand box and the wading pool so the staff and I can have a little mini vacation! Are you feeling the need for a little beach trip, too?

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my vintage French beach postcard pillow! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
 Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month)
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Beth at The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Anita at Cedar Hill Ranch for Cowgirl Up on Tuesdays

Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Judy at DIY by Design for Sizzle into Summer

Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays

Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday
Heather and Vanessa at At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday

Amanda at Serenity Now for the Weekend Bloggy Reading party 
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

See you next time! A la prochaine!

66 comments:

  1. Super Cute! I like your shaped pillow as opposed to the lumbar! :)

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  2. Just fabulous! I love your image selection. I knew you would do this, and was trying to beat you to the punch! Your pillow is so wonderful, I may not complete mine now. Debbie, you are the knock-off queen! I love you and your work!

    I'm back from an extended blog break and look forward to seeing you for Potpourri Friday!

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  3. You haven't made a pillow that I haven't liked!

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  4. What a perfect summer pillow!
    Don't you just love PicMonkey?

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  5. You just keep churning them out and I love each one a little more. How cute, cute, cute is this? I can see this at Carol's beach house, too. Can't you? You are definitely the transfer Queen. I gotta find you a crown.
    xxoo, Barb

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  6. I think we should dub you the Queen of Pillow making! This one is so wonderfully fun!

    I wish I could get in the box with kitty to get mailed to the beach! I need some water! We are having such dry and windy weather here in Colorado and though we don't have any fires in our area- the haze is all around.

    bee blessed
    mary

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  7. Love the postcard pic you chose for the pillow.....the colors are so antique looking and pretty. Another good idea! Linda

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  8. LOVE this, Frenchy AND Beachy! Miss Kitty can come to my house for a vacation!

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  9. Love the pillow! I've never seen a box that a cat wouldn't jump into!

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  10. I love this pillow! The postcard is fabulous!

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  11. Debbie, each new project just gets better and better. There's no stopping you! I adore these post card pillows. Great choice of art.

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  12. That is so darn cute. I love the way you framed the picture and graphic. Y'all go enjoy the sand and surf now.

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  13. The cat is wise, and the pillows are adorable.

    ~Bliss~

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  14. Debbie you are gooood!! Love your new pillow and LOVE that pic Miss Kitty:)

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  15. What a great expression. Love the pillow. Deb

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  16. LOVE that pillow. You did a fabulous job with it. Perfect for summer. Ummm..you are getting a SANDBOX for yu and the staff? Ummm...just as a word of caution- DON'T tell Kittyface. xo Diana

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  17. LOVE THIS! I am a genealogist and always looking to combine my love of crafting with my love of researching my family histories. I can see incorporating an old family postcard or greeting card with this idea! Thanks so much! I can't wait to try this!

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  18. Great summer look Debbie, you sure have a winner with this pillow and like Kim I love the framing of the prints that you added. Thanks for sharing and stay cool this weekend.

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  19. Beautiful, Debbie! I love your version, which really looks just like the PB one, except I like your Picmonkey craft scissors feature look better. I love reading when you say you use Osnaberg, too! It really is such a versatile fabric. I always keep some on hand now. I have to try the envelope closure. I usually just close up my pillows, but I think being able to change out the cover as the mood strikes is an option I'd like. Plus, like you, I don't have any extra storage since we've downsized and I'd like to just reuse the same pillow forms.

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  20. I too admired that pillow at Pottery Barn and your inspirational pillow looks fabulous. Even prettier than PB's!

    Love that Miss Kitty is ready to go to the beach. Can't wait to see her in a bikini.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  21. Very cute! I just finished a knock-off pillow with an envelope closure as well. Too expensive at the store! But I love the idea of postcards.
    Becca
    diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com

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  22. When will you rename your blog "Cofessions of a Pillow Addict? I am a nut for pillows too. Still need to try the transfer process! Looking good!
    Enjoy the "beach"!,
    Barbara

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  23. Love the pillow! Kwitty Kwat used to jump in our suitcases and look at us as if to say, "Don't forget to pack me and my things, too."

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  24. Clever woman! I think I am going to join the cat in the hopes of getting back to the beach soon!

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  25. I love your pillow! Thanks for sharing. Now I have something else on my list to make! :) Oh, and I just took a pic of my kitty in the empty Dr. Pepper box with just his head sticking out. LOL

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  26. Debbie, you need to open an Etsy. You come up with the best creations, and they all look so professionally done. Love the pillow! laurie

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  27. Wonderful pillow....YOU are such an inspiration to us.

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  28. I LOVE this! It's just what I need in my 'beach' room. If you sold it on Etsy I would buy it this minute!

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  29. What a clever and beautiful idea--I will have to try this out! Thank you for sharing all the steps for putting it together--I appreciate it.

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  30. You amaze me with your sewing talent and how you add all of these special touches to everything, no plain-jane pillow for you!!

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  31. I bow to the "Queen of Amazing Pillows"....wonderful pillow and great tutorial as usual...You inspire me every day!!....

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  32. Back again to say thanks, Debbie, for sharing you creativity at Potpourri Friday!

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  33. What a cute pillow! You know I am about everything French these days! I may just try to make one of these pillows one day. Oh and yes I am ready for a beach trip! hugs, Linda

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  34. It's beautiful! I love all your pillows and wish I were so ambitious.

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  35. Wow! Your pillows are great and many thanks for all the work you did for us to make it easy to try to make some too! I have not tried the transfer, etc. but you have done so much of the work already, I just might give it a whorl! I saw your post over at "Weekend Bloggy Reading".

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  36. Love, love the new pillow.
    I really love the summer image you used and the postcard goes great, too.
    Thanks for sharing.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Michele

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  37. Debbie,
    Oh~la~la...I thought you'd bought the Pottery Barn pillow...these are so fabulous! You can ship Baby Kitty here on the Praire! No beach...but she'd be pampered just the same!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  38. It's absolutely beautiful. I have pinned and possibly going to attempt to make.

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  39. I loved this pillow when i saw it to i made the one with the beach sign but this one was on my list. yours looks so amazing i love it i have a linky party on tonight it would be great if you get the time to come and link up at http://www.twiggstudios.com/
    thankyou aimee xxxx

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  40. I continue to love everything you do!
    Karee

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  41. Fabulous! Love the postcard theme and France!!

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  42. LOVE it! Turned out beautifully.
    <3 Christina,

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  43. French beach chic! Love it!...as a matter of fact, I love all art/craft projects.
    Stay cool.

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  44. Awesome Pillow, your inspiration was great, it turned out even better than the original, very artistic, I love it.

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  45. Beautiful! Great work! I love this painting too.Joann

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  46. This is a fabulous pillow! Thank you for sharing the graphics! You amaze me with your pillows! I love them all!

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  47. I just stopped in to check on you and your fabulous creations and of course, the Staff! LOVE the pillow and please give kisses to the kitties!

    Happy 4th of July!

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  48. love this pillow, I have always loved that painting!
    Your Miss Kitty could be my Maggie's sister!

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  49. Pottery Barn must be fuming because your pillow is SO much cuter than theirs! Love, love, love it!

    Jeanine

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  50. Love it! I love PB but they can be pricey. This is a great "knock off". I have a patio set that is in need of some pillows. I will have to remember this one!

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  51. i love it! this looks even better than the original! silly kitty, mine does the same thing, no matter how small the box!

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  52. I love this so much, and I agree, it looks better than the PB one. I like the fact that you sewed your postcards on separately - way better.
    Thanks for the inspiration !

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  53. You are so hands-on and "just do it" and clever and everything! I love this. Can you tell me if you used an ink jet printer or laser? Is it colorfast? Worth pinning and saving when I can get to such a project, for sure!
    Liz

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  54. Hi Liz...I used an ink jet printer and yes, it's colorfast. So glad you like it! Happy 4th!...hugs...Debbie

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  55. Beautiful! Thank you for joining me at Home Sweet Home!
    Sherry

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  56. Hi Debbie, You are so creative and I love all your projects. The pillow is fabulous! Thanks for sharing this at the Open House party.

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  57. This is really gorgeous and I have to say, I think I prefer your version to the PB original!

    Emily
    emilysummers-designer.blogspot.com

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  58. lOVE LOVE LOVE! Thanks so much for sharing! Heather

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  59. Way to go! Love your pillow, thanks for sharing. : -)
    Barbe

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  60. This is so cute! I've made some French graphic pillows just recently, too, but ran mine through my printer using freezer paper. I'm so glad you shared the name of your fabric, because I've been using that same fabric but didn't know what it was called. It's my "go-to" fabric for tons of projects lately. I prefer it over burlap for most things, because burlap makes sneeze....lol! So thank you so much for sharing!
    CAS

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  61. Great pillow, can't find the sailboat tutorial to print out. Keeps going back to the frenchy beach scene

    Jaf

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    Replies
    1. So glad you like it, Joyce! The tutorial and graphic for the sailboat pillow is here: http://confessionsofaplateaddict.blogspot.com/2013/06/summery-burlap-and-canvas-sailboat.html

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  62. Debbie,
    Another fabulous French pillow! My Pinterest board called Design Ideas is filled with your inspiration. When will I ever find enough time to recreate all your lovelies?

    Judith

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  63. Love the pillows. My cat Tuxy likes to sit in a box like Miss Kitty, they could be twins.

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  64. Love the pillows! SO MANY OF YOUR IDEAS speak to me!

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie