10+ DIY Country French Pillows

If you know me, you know that one of my favorite things to do is make pillows! And, as a retired French teacher, I love adding a little frenchiness to them as well. Just a word or two in my favorite language brings a smile to my face. :-) They are all pretty simple to make and include any necessary graphics free of charge. And you know that if I made them, they are inexpensive, too...'cause that's the way I roll! I hope you'll find one or two to try for yourself!

6 Ways to Get Farmhouse Spring Style

I know, I know...it's only March 1st and some of you are still dealing with winter weather...but we've had a few beautiful days in the 60s here in Georgia, the trees are showing tiny leaves and I am dreaming about spring! And you can have spring indoors already if you wish! For me, just give it a little farmhouse spin and it's perfect! Sooo...I thought I would share a few ideas for adding some farmhouse spring touches to your home using what you may already have on hand, some super-easy DIYs and a few inexpensive additions.

8 Ways to Get Farmhouse Summer Style

Summer is definitely here in Georgia and it's time to add those seasonal accents to my home. I love the simplicity of farmhouse style because it just seems to lend itself to the ease and slower pace of our summer lifestyle. And the good news is that you don't have to spend a fortune to do it! I am sharing eight ways to create that look and still go easy on your budget!

6 Ways to Use Seashells in Summer Décor

The official start is still about a week or so away, but here in the South it is already full-on summer! My favorite little people are on the way back from the beach as I write and I am betting that they are bringing  a collection of treasured finds from their beach-combing expeditions. It's time to bring out the seashells! Sooo...I am sharing six of my favorite ways to add  that beachy touch that just says summer!

How to Make Your Own Grain Sack Fabric

I needed a frenchy throw pillow for some changes I'm making in my living room and, since I'm working with a busy schedule, I looked around to see what it would cost to simply buy one. Whaaat? Believe me,  I was quickly inspired to make my own! It was actually super easy and very inexpensive so I wanted to share my method for creating the signature stripe with you.

How to Make a Pillow from a Placemat for Under $5.00

I’ve been eyeing those cute Christmas throw pillows with trees tied to the tops of a vintage truck or car…always red, of course! They remind me of choosing the perfect tree with my Daddy and my sister and then tying it on the roof of the station wagon for the trip home. So as I was passing the holiday placemats in Target, it should come as no surprise that one of them really spoke to me! It said…I need to be a pillow! lol The graphic was perfect and those fringed edges were just so sassy! And all it took was one look and I knew it would be super easy, too! And best of all, it was under $5.00!

How to Make a Pillow Cover from a Tea Towel

If you know me, you know that I love throw pillows! I have them for every season and holiday and even have a collection of them with a French theme. So when I spotted this frenchy tea towel, I knew it was begging to be made into a pillow! And I think I have found an easy way to do just that, so I am going to share it with you!

Pottery Barn Inspired No-Sew Bougainvillea Pillow

Spring is here and it’s time for our no-sew group to share our projects for April! Sooo…in honor of all the pretty weather we have been having here in Georgia, I have created a pillow! Are you surprised? ;-) And once again, I took my inspiration from one of my favorite sources to create this springy bougainvillea motif!

No-Sew Pottery Barn Inspired FA LA LA LA Pillow

Yikes! Have you realized that it’s only five weeks until Christmas? For those of you like me who make many of your decorations, it’s time to get our crafting going! I like simple and easy and no-sew if possible and this pillow fills the bill perfectly!

Pottery Barn Inspired Halloween Crow Pillow

I am excited to share my latest fall project with you…my Pottery Barn inspired Halloween crow pillow! I don’t know about you but I love crows! I think it may be left over from my favorite childhood book Johnny Crow’s Garden. However…this crow has a very different look!

Pottery Barn Inspired No-Sew Fall Wreath Pillow

I’m excited because it’s time for our no-sew group to showcase some fun and easy ideas for you…and this time it’s all about fall! And what says fall more than colorful leaves arranged in a wreath! And…you know me…I decided to put them on a pillow, of course!

Pottery Barn Inspired Stars and Stripes Burlap Pillow

Can you believe that it’s almost the 4th of July? I have been thinking about making a pillow for the occasion but had not been able to find the just-right fabric that I wanted. But then yesterday, when I walked into Walmart, the heavens opened up and a ray of light fell on bolts of burlap in both the stars and the stripes patterns! ♪♫ Ahhhhhhhh! ♪♫ (Cue the choir!) I already knew exactly what I was going to do!

And here is my inspiration…Pottery Barn’s American flag pillow cover! But, as you can see, I made a few changes. I decided to let the stripes run vertically rather than horizontally since I think that did a better job of suggesting the American flag. And I loved the burlap rather than the canvas since it has more of a vintage look.

I simply pieced the stars and stripes together, allowing the stars to cover 1/3 of my pillow cover front and the stripes the other 2/3 of the cover. I allowed a total measurement of the pillow insert plus one inch for the seam.  Since my pillow insert (a $3.00 Goodwill find) was 18 inches, the star portion was approximately 6 1/2 inches wide and the stripes were 12 1/2 inches wide. I was careful to center the stars and the stripes so that they appear in their entirety…no partial stars or stripes showing.

For the pillow back, I used burlap to create an envelope-style pillow closure. You will find a detailed tutorial here.

Then I simply sewed the two sides together, popped in the pillow insert and…taaa daaa! I love it! It’s easy to over-do holiday décor for me and the vintage look is a better fit in my home.

And just in case you are looking for some more fun last-minute ideas for the 4th of July, check out these great projects that were shared at The Scoop by clicking here.

And if you need a super-easy last minute summery dessert, here’s my no-bake strawberry tunnel cake! It’s festive and yummy and will not heat up your kitchen! 

As for the staff, they are very busy checking out Cat TV and the new programming on the Chipmunk Channel!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed seeing my stars and stripes burlap 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. 
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party , Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Tuesday, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays ,  French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday

See you next time! À la prochaine!

Also find me at…

 

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Summery No-Sew Linen and Burlap Starfish Pillow

Summer has definitely arrived here in Georgia with its heat and humidity! So I am taking a break from yard work to share my latest project with you…my no-sew linen and burlap starfish pillow! It’s perfect for summer and it was super easy to make, too!

Here’s what you will need:

• Starfish template found here …print it and cut it out. (The pattern you see in my photos is no longer available so I have substituted a similar one.)
• Pre-made pillow cover (Mine came from the Pottery Barn Outlet…on sale for $9.00 since the button need to be sewn back on. Woo hoo! However, they also have them at Hobby Lobby.)
• Burlap (1/4 yard should be plenty)
• Heat n Bond Ultra Hold or a similar product
• Iron
• Pillow form (Mine is down and came from Goodwill for $3.00)

And here’s what you will do:
1. Cut an 8 1/2 inch square from burlap for each starfish that you plan to make. I made five.


2. Cut an equal number of squares from the Heat n Bond and apply them to the squares of burlap, following the directions on the package.
3. Pin the template to each square and cut out the burlap.

4. Place the cutouts on the pillow cover in a pattern that pleases you. Notice that I cut one of them in half and let it appear in two spots. I later trimmed the arms of the starfish in the bottom right corner as well. Pin them in place.
5. Following package directions, remove the paper backing and iron the starfish in place one by one.
6. Let them cool and then add the pillow insert.

And….taaa daaa!…here it is! I love the little summery touch that it adds to my décor without being too much!

And just in case you need another idea for an easy way to add a little summer, here are my summer Mason jar candles!

And maybe one of my favorite summer projects…my easy and inexpensive sheet music sailboats!

As for the staff, they are really enjoying summer since cat TV has added a new channel…the Chipmunk Channel!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed seeing my no-sew starfish 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. 
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party , Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Tuesday, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays , The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays , No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays ,  French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday
See you next time! À la prochaine!

Also find me at…

 

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Vintage "Bunny Love" Valentine Pillow

I am excited to join 25 talented bloggers for The Scoop’s Valentine Blog Tour…bringing you loads of inspiration just in time for Valentine’s Day! I am sharing my latest project…my bunny love pillow!

Baby kitty is especially excited about this one…inspired by a pillow spotted on Joss and Main…pointing out that it could stay out waaay past Valentine’s Day until Easter! Good idea!


I simply added a pair of bunnies and a heart to a page from a vintage French dictionary…Valentine-y without being too cutesy and the just-right vintage look for me!

Here’s what you will need:

• Iron-on transfer paper (I use Avery brand for light fabrics)
• Pillow insert (Mine is down and came from Goodwill for under $3.00)
• Fabric for the cover…the amount will depend on the size of your insert

And here’s what you will do:

• Print the graphic on iron-on transfer paper at 8 x 10 size. It has already been reversed for you.
• Cut the fabric to fit your pillow cover front one inch wider and longer than the insert.
• Apply the transfer to the pillow front following instructions on the package.

To create the back of the pillow cover, I find that it is much faster and easier to use an envelope closure. You will find a complete tutorial, including tips for measuring your fabric, by clicking here. This allows me to remove the cover for easy storage and re-use the pillow insert for my growing collection of throw pillows! :-)

I decided to take advantage of last week’s rare Georgia snow to show off my bunny pillow outside! It looks just perfect for snuggling with a cozy throw! 

And just in case you need more Valentine inspiration...I've been having fun bringing a bit of a farmhouse twist to Valentine's Day this year...with lots of galvanized goodies and vintage ironstone plus sweaters and burlap to add some texture! Throw in some easy-to-do faux cross-stitch and you have my Farmhouse Valentine's Day! Have a peek at some of my posts to see for yourself:

• A Farmhouse Valentine Wreath with Sweater Hearts
• Vintage Ironstone Valentine Centerpiece
• Farmhouse Valentine Mantel
• Pottery Barn Inspired Valentine Tea Towel
• Valentine Vignettes and a Vintage French Valentine

I am excited to join The Scoop's Valentine tour!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed seeing my Valentine 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!
Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party , Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday , The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday , Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday , A Stroll thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday , My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures, Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays , The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays , No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays, French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday , Common Ground for Be Inspired on Fridays , The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday , Craftberry Bush for the Inspiration Gallery on Friday
See you next time! À la prochaine!

Also find me at…

 

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