Guest Post: From Placemats to Pillows

My lovely, creative mother was kind enough to submit a guest post on a project that she recently completed for our company, Chapin Group Interiors. I think that you are going to like this! Thanks, mom!

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From Placemats to Pillows...

Looking for that perfect accent pillow? Check out the placemats at your local home store. A client found these great block print placemats on the clearance rack at Pottery Barn and knew the fabric was the perfect complement for her sofa.

She already had a pillow of the same size she no longer wanted, so we didnt even have to buy a pillow form.

Because I wanted to preserve the border on the edges, I did some experimentation. I tried adding flanges to the sides, but I didn't love the look. (Sorry, I forgot to take a picture!)

In the end, I topstitched close to the finished edges of the placemat on the ends, so the whole border was preserved. I think Jill will be thrilled with her new pillow! The materials were less than $5!

Happy Decorating!

Wendy

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Thanks, mom! I may or may not be on my way to raid the nearest Homegoods!

Best,

Ashley

Quilting Bee: My First Project!

Remember how I got that sewing machine for Christmas? (Yes, four months ago.) I finally broke open the box and put it to good use! My first project? A baby quilt for my sister-in-law Tammy made with love by me, my Aunt Lynne, my mom, and my cousin Lauren. It was "sew" much fun that I cannot wait to get started on another project! (Yes, I am a dork.)

My cousin Lauren preps the fabric with a little bit of ironing.

My mom and I focus intently on how to get the bobbin going...

Sewing triangles into squares...and enjoying a little brew and wine... (Alcohol makes sewing even MORE fun!)

Aunt Lynne irons the new squares to make sure they are flat.

Sewing square into rectangles.

Finally, one big rectangle! Now all we need is the border.

Ta da! We finished! (Well sort of...Aunt Lynne took it home to finish the edges and backing...)

The mom-to-be displaying the finished quilt at her shower. Success.

What do you think?

Ashley

Birthday Weekend

I had a wonderful birthday weekend. The presence of my family and friends was enough to make the weekend great-- but I want to mention a few of the gifts I received that I thought would be interesting to my readers.

First, my husband bought me a tripod for camera. I hope that this results in better photography for the blog. You can be the judge of that!

My parents gave me a great book on gardening in the Southeast. (I am going to do a future post on this topic-- stay tuned.) They also gave me the gourd lamps for my bedroom project. Yay! The lamps are not in yet, but I will post photos of the bedroom transformation as soon as they arrive.


Finally, my sister-in-law Paige made me an AMAZING clutch on her new sewing machine. Please note, we have the same sewing machine. I got mine for Christmas. She got hers for her birthday in mid-January. Mine came out of the box this weekend. She has already taken classes and produced creations. Not just any creations-- but fabulous, wearable items. I am a little behind to say the least.

How great is this clutch? Notice the yellow lining peeking out...


The clutch closes with this button. Isn't the tapestry fabric beautiful?


Here it is opened up...


Up close shot of the lining. I LOVE this fabric!


She said that she got the idea from this book by Amy Karol, who writes the blog Angry Chicken. I flipped through the book over the weekend and I just might have to add this to my collection. Maybe I will actually start sewing?


Thanks for a great birthday weekend!

Ashley

New Hobby: Sewing

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to learn to sew. My mother, aunts, grandmother, and middle school home economics teacher each individually taught me at different points in my life, but it never seemed to stick.

I made a sweet (by sweet I mean awesome) teal skirt and reversible vest for myself when I was approximately nine years old(I will try and find a picture...), a drawstring gym bag in seventh grade home ec, and a super cute reversible beach bag in college. However, that is the extent of my sewing repertoire.

Now that I have my own home, I really want to learn so that I can make drapes, pillows, shower curtains, duvet covers, etc. Knowing this, my mom surprised me with a sewing machine for Christmas, and I am ecstatic! (Admission: Said sewing machine is still in the box for two reasons: (a) We are waiting for a sewing machine table from Target to arrive that is NOT broken. and (b) My Corporate Finance and Managerial Accounting courses I am taking this term are kicking my butt.)

That being said-- stay tuned for future creations via this beauty:

[My machine]

The desk is scheduled to arrive today, so tomorrow night, my husband and I are going to set up the new desk/sewing table in hopes that I can test it out this weekend. The machine is going in what was lovingly referred to as "the wedding room" (aka, extra bedroom used for storage). I decided that it's time to move on. The wedding was eight months ago. I am trying to think up a new name...craft room? sewing room?

Help me out here by giving suggestions below in the comments section. I am really stuck...