umbrella love

I'm almost certain if I were sporting this umbrella the endless days of mist and rain here would seem okay. Almost.

So lovely and girly and perfect.



**from here via here

{made} state pillow

This weekend, after our New Year celebrations, we took it eeeaassssyy. It was completely lovely. I read, drank tea, watched movies and cleaned up all our crazy Christmas messes. Above all, though, I cleaned out my sewing room! It has been a catch-all since I moved into the house more than a year ago. Oy. Now it is clean and organized and everything has its place. So, how could I *not* sew after all that?

One of the weekend sewing projects (oh yes, there were actually a couple) was a new pillow. I have this thing (Chris might say *obsessions*) about pillows. I love them. They add warmth, comfort, and with the right fabric, personality to a room. They're also super easy to mix and match and rotate based on the season or your mood.

So I've been drooling over the pillow below for the last few YEARS. Love it. Don't love the price tag. $150. Yeah. Ouch. I've justified many crazy purchases, but I couldn't bring myself to buy the pillow. For that price. Especially because I couldn't decide if I would still love it next year.

Could a pillow have more personality?

A couple weeks ago at the fabric store, I can across this:

 

Um hello. I immediately thought of my Oregon pillow. It's quirky and bright and fun. Just what I loved about the above pillow.

 

Oh and the best part? It's a $4.99 dishtowel. I didn't think twice. So this weekend I set about turning it into a pillow.

 

I also picked up some super cute fringe. I thought you all might enjoy a quick pillow how-to. Up until a few years ago, pillows made me nervous. How do I close them? Hand sew? Blurgh. Zipper? Really?

Then a friend showed me the greatest way to make a pillow cover. They are so easy to make and can save you so much money on a quick decor change.

 

First, lay the first fabric on a flat surface, right side up. Then pin your trim, if using, on top. Make sure all your trim sits inside the edge of your fabric. It will be in the correct place after you've sewn it all together.

Now for the back.This is where it gets all easy and amazing. Cut two pieces of fabric the width of your fabric. Cut one piece half the length of the pillow. This will be your bottom piece. Cut the other piece a few inches more than half the length of the pillow. This will be your top piece and they will overlap.

 

Lay both pieces face down on your front. Oh and btw, for the back I used scraps from my IKEA curtains. I can't believe how far I've taken this extra footage!

 

Next, make sure all your edges match and pin all three (this includes trim) layers together.

 

Now sew. Straight stitch. Make sure you're sewing all three layers. I stopped to check a few times on each side to make sure I wasn't missing the trim.

 

Once you've sewn all four sides, turn the pillow inside out.

Now, the right sides of the fabric will be facing out and the trim will be secure. Pom pom trim = so cute.

 

Now grab your pillow. Free old pillow = *love*.

 

Stuff your pillow into the pillow case. It's sort of like an envelope.

And, just like that . . . you have a brand new pillow! It adds so much personality to our little living room. The total cost? $8. At that price, I won't feel the least bit guilty if I hate it next year.

i resolve . . .

Happy 2010 to you all!

Something I love about a new year is the hope it seems to inspire in people. Myself included. It seems like a fresh start, that anything is possible. And I am so ready for all the amazing things 2010 has in store. I've been reflecting over the past few months about my life, where I'm at and where I'd like to be. Is this a normal over 30 thing?

In general I like concrete, attainable resolutions. In fact, last year I made a huge list of resolutions. Some I kept. Some, not so much. But this year, I'm feeling like there are broader things I'd like to accomplish.

Without further ado, in 2010 I resolve to:

Learn to accessorize.

I love admiring all the beautiful accessories I see in stores and online. This year I'll spend time on my *style* and how to add lovely accessories.

Craft more.

I have some amazing projects lined up that I'm excited create and share with you all.

Sew more.

I love to sew. And this year I just didn't take the time. That is changing this year.

Practice photography.

I'd love to take better pictures to share with you all here.

Garden better. Waste less.

Last year was my first foray into gardening. I can't wait to expand the garden this year and learn ways to keep veggies in our house all year long.

Organize.

We have so many opportunities to get better organized. And, I'll bring you along for each step of the way.
 

Create an Etsy store.

This is something I've been thinking on for a few months. I have a rough plan and will hopefully have the beginning of a store by this summer.

Be content and at peace.

A constant struggle.

Laugh more.

The older I get the more serious I've been taking my life. It is so.dang.boring. So resolve to laugh and have fun and enjoy this amazing life I've been gifted.

What are some of your resolutions this year?

**Lovely images via here, me, here here, here, here, here, & here**