Outdoor furniture transformation

So a while ago I was perusing thru Facebook Marketplace, my favorite thing to do, and found an old dated 1970’s or 80’s wooden furniture set.  I had been looking on Pinterest and was dreaming of a nice, chic & relaxing setup for my unfortunate and forgettable deck.  It had been raining cats and dogs for what seemed like weeks but couldn’t let this pass me by. So for $50, I took one of the teenagers and we hiked it up to Asheville NC in the truck. Tucked away in someone’s house was this old ugly set, but I knew it had potential to be what I had been wanting.

After sanding and sanding, for what felt like weeks, I was finally done and ready to wipe it all down with tack cloth.  And after waiting for more rain to pass and weather to finally clearup enough to paint, I went to work.
I have a paint sprayer that I absolutely love to use when I can remember how to use it, loaded $30 gallon of white high gloss outdoor paint and went to town.  I was able to paint everything in about an hour. Sure beats a brush, it would have taken me days and I would have lost interest, because I get like that sometimes.

 I then began to look for fabrics to cover the ugly brown plaid tweed cushions. They were in remarkable shape so I decided to use them and just go for a neutral color. I will change my mind 100 times in the process, so I knew to stick with something interchangeable. I had some turquoise side table from BigLots. The had a cool geometric shape and would pretty much  stay in fashion for a while. I used that color as an inspiration and bought a few yards of fabric for new throw pillows, but unfortunately I was tired of the color from last year. See I told you I change my mind a lot. So with my new ideas rolling around I waited for something else to hit me over the head for inspiration.

Last year at Bargain Hunt I had found 2 black and cream poufs for $7 each. SCORE!! Also in the bins were black and white outdoor pillows for $2.50. I grabbed 5 pillows, I mean who could pass that deal up??  About a month ago I found the matching outdoor rug for $10. SCORE AGAIN!! Side note...if you have a Bargain Hunt nearby, you have to go and check out the deals there! The look was still up in the air and I knew I needed more color. I’m all for neutrals, but it is so much better with some pops of color here and there, and I was looking for something soft to balance the stark contrast of black and white.  I went to Walmart and got 6 yards of plain twill cloth for $5 a yard, which is all my store had, I was going to make that stretch because I didn't want to have to match dye lots, ugh.. I already had threads and velcro, so I took 2 couch cushion covers apart and made the pattern.  Because I like to work assembly style, I cut out all the pieces, sewed all the velcro onto my closure patterns, pinned the side gussets and started sewing. I love using velcro instead of zippers, I hate having to change feet, because I'm a lazy sewer, LOL!

At Home has aisles and aisles of cushions, and after searching I found what I wanted. Soft pink & coral colors and 3 of them were on clearance for $7. It makes me happy when I get a deal! The bolster was $17 I told myself as long as it was under $20 I was OK. Now I knew what to do with the rest of the look. The lady I bought the furniture from threw in a small table with drop leafs, can’t get better than free!  The table top was worn but that wasn't a problem.  I took some gold paint and started to work. I tried to use the rest of the gold spray paint but had to work quick but ultimately I didn’t like the look, so I added some gold acrylic paint and did a dry brush and then softly wiped it down. Then I painted the legs white and added a gold trim. Remember the turquoise tables, I spray painted those gold too! I used about $15 worth of spray paint.

Ok, so I am stoked that everything turned about so amazing!! And for anyone keeping count, I have spent $162.50, not bad & although it took me a while to get it together, all good things happen to those who wait!!

And Kelly Approves

Hello Again, I'm Back!

Hello.. it's me...

I'm back from an unintentional hiatus, it seems life gets in my way and I sometimes have to remind myself to comeback.  So many things have gone on in my world and so many things that I have started and yet to finish, so I am hoping this will keep me going and culpable to my many irons in the fire.

The past few months I have been busy crafting some mad, crazy and absolutely ridiculous fascinators and hats for some outings with friends.

First was Christmas and the Second Annual 12 Pubs of Christmas in Matthews NC was underway & we managed to raise funds for the Matthews Helping Center while having an absolute blast.  I do believe next year I will make some more & donate more $$ to the next charity

Then fast forward to St Patrick's Day when I made some hats for the Charlotte NC Parade. I picked up some hats from the Dollar Tree Store and started adding ribbons, mesh, flowers, wire & of course shamrocks and came up with some really cute hats for the celebrations.

I loved using deco mesh and left over ribbons from Christmas to ad that extra bit of pop to the hats.  The hats were a huge hit and I already have a few extra orders for next year

Antonette added her flair of purple, because she is a purple girl and it's her signature color.  I have been thinking that maybe I should have a signature color, we will have to see

I'm back to work on my embroidery for a new skirt on a dance dress, next blog in the works!

The Best Little Thread Shop

So...earlier I had mentioned in a post about our great thread shop.  Apparently it is a secret, but I am happy to let everyone know about this jewel of a place.  Tucked away in Gastonia, NC is a thread, accessories & craft shop named Long Creek Mills.  Charlie Rector has been in the business for over 55 years.  If sewing or embroidery and even perhaps knitting is what you are into, then search no further.

  

Are you looking for thread?  Check out the aisles of  shelving.  Rayon, Polyester, Cotton, Poly-cotton the selections are fabulous...

Aisles of threads!!

Beautiful colors!

 Looking for Neons...I love Neons 

Neons

On top of the abundance of colors & threads....have I mentioned the pricing?

Ok, wait for it.....$4.00 a king cone for Polys & Rayons. $2.00 for the minis.   Oooh & I love the specials that they will run, buy 3 get one free....amazing!!!

Need Sprays, bobbins, needles, just about anything else, they have it too.  Now I am not here to do a sponsored ad for them, no payment is involved at all.  A dear friend told me about this special place & I am merely passing this on to anyone who loves textiles like myself.

Didn't mention Stabilizers did I....yep they have those too!

Stabilizers

More ribbons!!!

Ribbons!!

Hanks of Yarns

Love the old Singer

        

They are worth a call and even a visit if you find yourself in this area.  Can't make it...give them a call or email through their website.  I will have to say not the best site but at least it will put you in touch with them.   

Map of their customers

My Mother loves this place 

                                   

Just about 25 minutes from Charlotte, definitely worth the trip.

Happy Shopping Ya'll

Sporting the Split Anchor

In between my dressmaking, which I will show pics in a bit for those, I also do a bit of digitizing for myself.  Because of  my "that's easy, I can do it by myself" mantra,  I decided to digitize a split anchor for monograms.  They are very popular right now, so off to the drawing software I went and digitized an anchor!!  It seems so easy...not!!!  Well I guess it is, it's just that I have done it enough that it is patience that you are working with and not the degree of difficulty.  After further editing, adding, deleting... I transfered it to stitching & then imported it to my layout.

 Again more editing & adjusting, stitching out, back to editing & adjusting, oh well you see where the patience comes in play right?  I don't normally get this far so quickly, usually I leave it for the next day, again patience.  However I was so excited I needed to put it on something.  

After I did I realized there still needs a bit more editing, before it is 100% ready, but thought it was worth sharing just the same. So if you are into the preppy look, or the sailing look, or just love monograms the way I do, I think you might like the finished project.  I went to good old Walmart & bought a navy sweatshirt & shorts to match. 

Here are the supplies I started with.

I have a 5x7 frame for the sweatshirt, & a 4x4 for the shorts.  I had this great Robison Anton magenta pink & white thread from Long Creek Mills, perhaps the best thread shop in the South!  I don't think I could have some any closer to matching the pinks.  Also I love to use heavyweight stabilizer for just about everything. I'm sure I am not supposed to, but because I do alot of embroidery on satins & velvets, and I am too cheap to buy the other, it goes for everything!

Here I have floated my fabric onto the frame. Hoop the stabilizer, give it a quick shot of sticky spray, then lay it down & pin it on.  This is a great way to avoid the headaches of trying to hoop something that is already sewn or fabric that is too small or cumbersome. I did the same for the sweatshirt, easy peasy, it really takes no time at all.

Again the fancy circle was used, I bought mine from The Itch 2 Stitch. 

Yay, Finished items!!!!

Monogram Madness

I love the power of a monogram... don't we all.  Maybe it's a southern "thang", but I believe that we all have a bit of the south in us somewhere!  So when I am not making Irish dance dresses ( have I not mentioned that yet,) I love to monogram just about everything I can get my hands on.  I actually think since I did this great pullover and vests for myself I haven't taken in them off, maybe time to wash them, lol!

Here are some pullovers that I made for my daughter's dance friends.... funny enough I had made one for a dirty Santa gift for their dance class party.  I had made one with the dance school's initials with the interlocking vine embroidery, pictured below.  The amount of girls wanting to "steal" the pullover was hilarious.  I felt a little bad because they all wanted it & then was like eh...they all love it, perfect maybe the saddened girls who were not able to grab it would order one. 

 Lo and behold I had 4 orders by the time classes were over! 

You know when you get in that mode, you think to yourself ...what else could I do.  Hence Gracie's shorts,  time to try the circle monogram... I got them from the dryer, took them to the embroidery machine & voila!!! I loved them, too bad they are too small for her.  I guess I will check with her before I race off with her clothes!!

Time to feed the creative monster & off to sew I go. 

Laters

After years of crafting, sewing & creating, the bug has hit to start a blog of my ideas, projects and generally my overall life.  I am sure this will be another interesting way for me to spend my multiple amounts of time, not, to share my musings & thoughts!

So I have been into crafting for years, and now after buying an embroidery machine, 7 years ago, I am now looking to brand myself outside of my circle and into the web.  My promise to you is to update at least once a week & perhaps more if my life doesn't get in the way:)

Still new to the blogging arena, I am sure the site will change here & there until, I find something I like.  And then again, I am always looking for that new next thing, so I am positive it will change again, but no worries, it's still me & my ramblings.

You can follow me on facebook at SewCheekyChic