More Detail 01/13/2012
So here she is – the partial canoe rescued from certain death by fire. As she presently hangs from the ceiling above me, I have to point out through the details that things weren't always this pretty.  The exterior color is original and every rock she skipped over has left evidence of itself in scratches. To the exterior we did nothing but clean, wax and buff.  I gave her a name. Doing a bit of research I pulled up the names of every shipwreck in the Great Lakes. The smallest vessel to remain underwater is an 8' boat named the "Penelope." Assuming this canoe wasn't much longer than the original Penelope, I adopted her namesake and painted it on the side of our treasure.  While the wood of the seat and handle are original, their luster is not. After a brief sanding we gave them two coats of clear varnish to bring out their age and natural beauty. The brass hardware is new, the black edging is the same webbing I make my guitar straps out of (plus a tube of E6000 adhesive), and the interior of the boat has been spray-painted gold. Needless to say, I am totally in love with canoe restoration. Maybe this will inspire you to look deeper into the banks of your nearest river and dig out a piece of condemned history yourself. PS - If this was your boat: Finders Keepers! (Or pay the escalated price of one-million-dollars.)  The new view from my front door. Also notice the black railing and bit of blue painters tape...an updated photo of our custom staircase to come. Add Comment Axel's Daisy Boutonniere 10/27/2011
When you're child is an exception to nearly every rule, he may want to be a "groom" for Halloween. Forget the popular Disney characters, even something spooky, my little Axel has insisted on being a groom for months now. I've had little success in convincing him otherwise. Savers provided a sweet little suit for my groom and only one detail was left to my creative devices. The boutonniere. Here is a quick tutorial of how to make Axel's Daisy Boutonniere. Materials: 2 - 2"x2" squares of yellow fabric 1 - cotton ball 2 - 5" pieces of wire 1 - roll of floral tape (you'll only need about 2 yards 1 - sheet of tissue paper  To make the stamen of each flower: Take the fabric, half of the cotton ball and one end of the piece of wire and make a little "package." Seal the fabric bundle to the wire and continue to wrap the wire in floral tape.   Fold your piece of tissue paper accordion style (back and forth like you're making paper-dolls). Cut a piece about 3" high. Scallop the top (no need to measure, just make the scallops as small as you can with your scissors) and cut 3/4 of the way to the bottom, at the base of each scallop.  Begin wrapping your loooong strip of petals around your stamen. You will need to pinch the base of the petals in, but just keep rolling it. When you're finished winding it, secure with floral tape, again wrapping the wire stem.    Make two of these. Wrap them together with the floral tape. Trip the wire stems and wrap the tape around the bottom of them. Arrange petals so they look pretty.    Welcome to my first upholstery tutorial. Disclaimer: Do not try this at home.                    Well, there ya go...a photo tutorial on how to change your life and living room. The only step remaining is to enjoy your work of art. Need more photo tutorials? Shop my Etsy store for PDF sewing patterns! Enjoy the rest of your HOW TUESDAY!! Etsy Announcement... 10/02/2009
Thanks to a wonderful Etsy column titled "How Tuesday", I will be featured as the resident "expert" (term used loosely) on furniture upholstery. On October 6th (a Tuesday of course), the feature will be up with a link to my tutorial on "Emergency Upholstery Techniques"...how to not throw up when you look at your hand-me-down furniture. Below is the sofa I have remodeled for the project. I had hoped to post the tutorial this evening...but seeing as it's already 11pm and the wake up call comes at 5am...I will be posting it on Sunday night for a sneak preview to my loyal blog readers. Tuesday of course, the web waves will be filled with Etsy hopefuls looking to upscale their living room. Yes, friends, the photos below are of the same sofa. Stay tuned for details . . . . before after you can find me here 09/19/2009
 Last week, I was sucked into the vacuum that goes by the name of "Thrift Store". This particular store is NEW to Mankato and carries only furniture. Is it just me, or every time you are about to start something new, do you for a brief moment think you will be the best at it in the world? Upholstery was my task last week and although I don't claim to have dominated the sport, I did learn a valuable lesson...you have to be the life of your own party. Bringing a $10 (on sale from $35) davenport home from the thrift store is something of fairy tales...finding fabric I LOVE on clearance leaves me speechless...having my husband simply sigh at the many adventures of the right side of my brain is...typical. Amidst a household of doubt, I started the week by tearing off vomit colored, plastic-like upholstery and found a beautiful diamond in the rough piece of furniture. Not only is this sweet little LoveSeat an antique, it is also a hide-a-bed. Spending countless hours dreaming, shopping and collecting the perfect pieces of textile for my great find, yesterday I started the process of putting it back together. Rockin' out to some of my favorite music, I slowly decided that this couch was just for me. Being my first larger upholstery installation, I figure no one could enjoy it as much as myself...the one who tore it limb from limb, tenderly preserved the old batting and placed many stitches by hand. Each staple, stretch and fold was made by my fingers after dark; all while picturing the great literature I could enjoy atop it's cushion. Perhaps I will share Narnia with Axel on this very seat. Upholstery can be emotional...or was that the Sheryl Crow? Late last night I hammered my last nail and received a not-so-enthusiastic "great" from Jahred. I received a fabric critique from my mother and when I asked Jahred to help me move it upstairs, so I could clean up the staples that had missed the mark, he appeared annoyed and said, "when I'm done". Well, thats when I figured that celebrating yourself may be the only celebration you get. It lost a little of it's magic upon seeing it in the daylight this morning, but I still believe it's more than "great". In the future, you can find me on my davenport...it is uniquely mine and I shall use it as a reminder to sit down and give myself a break. As I cleaned up the kitchen this evening, I saw Jahred looking at my handy-work and then take a seat. In his own time, he always approves.      |  Oldies but Goodies
January 2012 CategoriesAll |
