Couch Picker-upper

[cupofpoison.livejournal.com]

Hey craftgrrls!

This time I'm asking for your help and your ideas. My parents just brought us an old couch to replace our even older one. It's either leather or fake leather (high quality, if it is fake), and the cushions are all worn out. That is, they are ripped and fraying all along the sides. Now, it's an odd color for a couch... like a reddish brown, rather dark, almost maroon. I was thinking of maybe cushion covers, but face it, I'm pretty lazy and don't want to do all the necessary measuring to make a snug-fitting cover for each cushion. So I was thinking maybe a runner that I could wrap around all three cushions? Has anyone ever heard of that? Does anyone maybe have a link to a site that might have a helpful diy tutorial, maybe?? XD I have some vague ideas about what I'd like that include vintage looking linen or burlap and some fabric paints and a homemade stencil... There were some lovely ideas for stuff in the Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection "100 Decorating Ideas Under $100" magazine that lent me some inspiration.

Also, for pillows/embellishments, I found this site: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts/no-sew-fleece-pillow-669763/ Has anyone ever made these sorts of things before? Are they as easy as they look? Do they hold together well?

Well, I hope to hear from yas soon. :D I'm eager to get this thing nice looking. Hahaa! And of course, I'll post pictures of the finished thing when I'm done.

( And just so it's not all text... )

Happy crafting! <3 - jams

Last pages in Birthday Album finished!

[phylsfrills.livejournal.com]

Hooray, I got the last five pages done in the Birthday album today.
( ”pages” )

I shall call it squishy

[distorted-eyes.livejournal.com]

I had some handspun that I really wanted to weave into a scarf, but I had to be realistic when I started winding the skein into a ball and saw that sections of it were way too thick to be used as a warp yarn. The yarn screamed to be something simple, and I had been craving garter stitch, so...squishy cowl was born! It's squishy because the garter stitch and the thick n' thin yarn make it, well, squishy. Even though it's super simple and I don't know if it can be qualified as a true pattern, I posted a pattern write-up of how I made it on my blog, Nikki's Notebook.

Without further ado, ( pictures! )

Making your own clothes : sewing patterns

[samanthajanex.livejournal.com]

Hello!

I'm hoping to have a go at making my own clothing for this summer because if you find gorgeous fabric you've got a wonderful dress for pennies!

Anyway, I was hoping to follow a pattern as I don't really trust myself to just make it up but my search didn't go very well so I was hoping you lovely ladies could help me out!!

I'm hoping to make dresses like the following - any patterns you could recommend or any tips would be wonderful! The only one I came up with was to buy the dress, measure all the panels, create my own version of the dress and return the bought one! haha

( All three are from Topshop if anyone is interested! )

Thank you so so much if anyone can help!! :)

Couch Picker-upper, pt. 2

[cupofpoison.livejournal.com]

So yesterday I asked for ideas, and I did some more research and hit the shops today and you wouldn't believe what you can find on clearance! Anyway, so here's the pictures I promised.

This is what we had to work with:


( Some Bohemian and autumn magic later... )

I really love it! Next up, I'm going to be making some pillows to go with it...

Thanks for the tips, ladies. :D Happy crafting!

<3 - jams