Monday, March 17, 2014

Pillows, Paint and a Productive Day


While eating breakfast this morning, I made a list of what I needed to do and laughed when I saw that they all involved the letter P.


I used left over fabric to finally paint some pillows for the sofa.


While I was waiting for the paint to dry ( I love Annie Sloan Chalk Paint because it dries quickly) I checked sweeping the patio off my list.


Several windy days had left piles of sand in the yard and Lulu thinks sweeping is a game for her to catch the broom so this task is not easily accomplished, but I got the patio in shape.


I didn't use welting on the pillows so they were quick to make - less than 2 hours from prepping to placing them on the furniture.


I love the yellow stripes, but the red pillow was a failed experiment.


Fortunately, I have tons of the white fabric from making the sofa and chair slipcovers, so I can make another red pillow in a different design.


I love the yellow stripes, the buffalo checks on freshly washed slipcovers, and the polka dot quilt which is to spread over the sofa to keep it white for a little while because,


as soon as I got the slipcovers back on the sofa, Lulu jumped up and took over - at least I had just given her a bath.


I did not get to the Pierpont to swim, but I counted a run/walk with Lulu after her bath and 30 minutes of sweeping the patio as my exercise for the day.


I did get to the post office to mail off a giveaway prize and a pillow I made for Kris of  Junk Chic Cottage and some pillow cases to Jann of Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson.


Tomorrow's project is painting my antique record cabinet so I can finish off the bedroom - I can't wait to show you the vintage bedspread I found in the attic.

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66 comments:

  1. Love the pillows, even the one you don't, I bet if they put it on a high end store it would be so popular! The pillow you made your friend looks to be so pretty,

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  5. Love the painted cushion idea :-) they look lovely, Rannnoch also thinks the sweeping brush is a game as he thinks hovering is too.
    Your yard looks lovely a world away from mine right now. Hope you get for a swim soon, wish it was swimming weather here?
    Annie x

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  6. Sweeping sand? We're still shoveling snow.

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  7. Your pillow is adorable! The blue and yellow combo are so spring looking to me. Very fresh!

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  8. You know Carol, I love housekeeping. I adore organizing, primping, decorating....but while school is in full swing, I find it hard to use my weekends to clean because of my writing passion and obligation. So my lovely home has been neglected a bit.

    However, when I come here to see what you achieve, you make me want to NEST. Those pillows are just BRILLIANT, and evoke the California sun and fun for me. WHAT A SUPER IDEA! That yellow striped one, and that muted red with the dots....you are awesome. KEEP GOING! Anita

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  9. Your 'To Do' list was very appropriate for st. Patrick's day! : ) I love your stripes, checks, and polka dots. They look so pretty on your white sofa!

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  10. I like all the pillows the red one does't look like a mistake, I like it.
    Looks like Lulu is just like my Waldo always wants on the sofa, so I put chair there when I leave the house so he can't get up there. LOL
    Everything looks so fresh and Spring. You have so much energy, wish I had half of that. Patio looks so welcoming. Nice place for a cup of tea and reading a magazine.
    Have a great week.
    Mary

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  11. Love the way that yellow striped one looks with the blue buffalo check pillows!! That first shot looks so pretty looking out to your patio!

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  12. I can't wait either, I always love the treasures found in your attic.

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  13. I love the yellow striped pillow! It's just perfect on your couch. Lulu looks very happy there so just let her stay. OK? You know I'm just saying that because I can't keep Belle off my pillows. :)

    Your creativity always inspires me!

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  14. First of all, your wrought iron chairs on your patio are gorgeous!!! I think I need those. :-)
    Your darling, charming cottage must just put a smile on your face every day!! I just LOVE it!!
    Mary Alice

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  15. Carol,
    Love the yellow pillows and the red polka dot throw. I just want to curl up on that couch and read a nice book and look out into the garden. So tell LuLu to move over I am coming! So pretty. I cannot wait to see the vintage bedspread.
    Kris

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  16. What I truly love is the picture of your sofa and the pillows while having the windows wide open. I love that !!!
    I too like the yellow strips. Your patio is so charming. xoxo,Susie

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  17. Carol,
    Love the white slipcovers you made and the pillow with yellow stripes ... Love. Your beach nest is so inviting and your boundless energy is inspirational to us all.
    XO,
    Vera

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  18. I love the red pillow! I think it looks great. The first photo of your couch with the garden in the background is just beautiful! I'll be glad when the wind goes away for good. Argh... xo Jen

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  19. The pillows came out nice, even the red one :)

    I could sit for hours on your patio...it really came out lovely.

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  20. I like both pillows, but the stripe one a bit better. Just such a nice bright touch. I'm starting to look for some new pillows for spring/summer for my living room. I would love white slipcovers but they would not stay that way long I'm afraid!
    hugs, Linda

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  21. I love those pillows but I must admit the yellow is my favorite. You made your own slip covers from drop cloths? I've been thinking of doing that. Is it difficult? Did you have a book or instructions? I've reupholstered before (I took a class) but never made slip covers. Also, does your cat claw your furniture? Do the drop cloths prevent that at all? Your slipcovers and couch look like out of a magazine. Great job!

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  22. Carol, the pillows look great! I even like the one you don't like. I have been lazy today.

    xo

    Sheila

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  23. Wow, I have never painted fabric before. Who knew you could use regular paint? I think they look great...and I do like the red one, but totally get it. It's got to sit right in your own gut.

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  24. The pillows are really cute! Your patio looks lovely, sun shining & flowers blooming all around. I can't wait to see green again!

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  25. Dear Sweet Carol, your new pillows are wonderful. I agree with the many ladies above that like them both. I wish that I would have seen this post earlier, because just yesterday morning I bought blue striped fabric to cover cushions on my gliders. I never would have though of painting stripes. You are so amazingly clever and everything you touch turns to pure gold. I adore that painted look, it is so soft and homey. Not "cookie cutter" at all, I hate cookie cutter!
    I can't wait to see your finished bedroom and your attic quilt.
    Keep Smiling,
    Connie :)

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  26. Both pillows look great, but for some reason I can imagine you not liking the red one, maybe because you normally do evenly spaced polka dot patterns, not so random.
    I look at my ugly chair almost daily and think of your wonderful slip covers but I'm not ready to try covering it yet.

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  27. I always enjoy visiting your beautiful and colourful and sunny home. It makes me happy. I love the yellow striped pillow with the blue and white ones. They are fun. I would love to slipcover my sofa. It'll never happen as I don't sew. ;) Have a lovely week.

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  28. I love the pillows Carol! The yellow and white stripe is definitely my favorite though...so sunny! It looks right at home in your home. You are so talented to make those slipcovers. I just love the white but I really don't think they would stay clean out here in the woods! I do love them though. I have a mile long list of to do's for spring break. Don't know if I will get them all accomplished or not but I am going to try.

    Blessings, Vicky

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  29. Carol, I do love that yellow pillow and the blue ones remind me of curtains that I had in a former house. I loved that large check. Wonderful job - great projects, as always!!

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  30. I like both pillows. The red one is fun for spring.

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  31. Hi, Carol!
    Your blog is so lovely, as is your cottage, as is Lulu!
    I'll be following. So glad to have found you!

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  32. I love the pillows you made. I don't think the red one looks bad! It's cute. I love your stone patio. So pretty. I'm sure your cat does like to chase the broom. Too funny!

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  33. Your pillows look great, looks like you have been busy again.

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  34. Look at you go! I'm looking forward to seeing the comforter from that magic attic of yours.

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  35. Your sofa looks so nice. I think LuLu likes it, hah. Your patio makes me want spring to hurry. Do you find that blogging has changed how you decorate your home.

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  36. Carol...I like all the pillows that you made!! Your sofa looks great and it looks like LuLu really likes your sofa too.
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  37. Love the yellow-striped pillow! Did you use chalk paint to paint that, also? Want to come over and paint my buffet, drop leaf table, kitchen chairs, and a nightstand for me? ;-)

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  38. It always feels good to check things off a list! It seems you are really good at that! You are so kind to send special gifts to fellow bloggers :) I actually like you red painted pillow! Cute for the patio/porch! Blessings, Cindy

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  39. Well the polka dot pillow does look better without HATE it written across it! How are you liking the white slipcovers? I'm ready to make a new one for my couch and I'm debating using white vs black denim.

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  40. Love the red pillow. It's like me, slightly faded, but spots of clarity.

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  41. What a fun colorful room...I am in love with the yellow pillow!! Great ideas! Please come join us for Centerpiece Wednesday Linky party and share your post with us. Centerpiece Wednesday is live tonight http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/03/centerpiece-wednesday-spring-ideas.html
    Karin

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  42. Your puppy looks so at home on your couch. The newly painted pillow covers are well done. They look great! And I love a clean patio!

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  43. Fun projects! The patio looks inviting :)

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  44. What a very good idea to paint a pillow - never heard before!

    Sigrun

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  45. Oh Carol, coming here again is so good for me; we got more snow last night, and it is a never-ending winter. To see your sunshine and the gardens of other Californians and even Europeans, it makes me so HOPEFUL! Thank you my friend, for coming by. And if there is any natural element that offers wonder every day, it WOULD BE the ocean. The waves are never the same, and can you imagine the number of "permutations" that the waves alone could make? Countless...at least in this life!

    Happy day, Anita

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  46. Hi!

    I love your blog! I subscribe to it via email, and my hearts leaps with joy when I see it in my in-box. Your photos are so cheerful.

    I have quadruplets. They are 25 years old now. When they were little they were color coded - to make my life a little easier - red, blue, yellow and green. When I look at photos of your beautiful home I dream about changing my home decor from Americana to red, blue, yellow and green. Thank you!

    Have a wonderful day!

    Terry

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  47. Painted pillows, how clever! Yours are just fantastic, love the bright colors! Blue checked and yellow stripes, oh my, what's not to love!

    Have fun painting~
    Nancy

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  48. I love to make painted pillows. I use drop cloth fabric of course, and some stencils.. the sky is the limit of what you can create. And, they are custom to your decor. I love the yellow stripe one so bright and cheery... Cathy

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  49. I love the look of those painted pillows, yes the yellow is my fav as well. :-) Thanks for sharing and I will have to try one myself.... well maybe....LOL

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  50. I can't wait to see the bedspread! And I love how you just whip up pillows like that!!! I hope to be there soon with my sewing...I made a pillowcase! And I was laughing when you mentioned that lulu chases the broom when you sweep!! Just like one of my beans!!! Your sofa looks like the perfect place to rest... Lulu has the right idea!!! A lovely week to you friend! Nicole xoxo

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  51. I think these pillows are great. I can't believe you are thinking about sweeping and we still have snow all over the place. It is amazing how tough t his winter has been in Northern NJ.

    Cynthia

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  52. Positively perfect - to use P words to describe your pillows, patio and post office projects. ...can't wait either to see what treasures you found in the attic.

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  53. There's something so happy looking about buffalo checks and your entire couch looks so pretty. Tire always such an inspiration to me with your various lists and projects. Right now I'm typing this comment on my IPhone while it lets me. It's a long story but we get internet finally hooked up today and I can't wait to catch up with you. I just saw your comment and it made me feel so good!!! You are so thoughtful.

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  54. Sounds like you had a very productive day. Love the sweet yellow striped pillow with the polka dots and plaid. So creative and cheerful!!

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  55. I'm green with envy just looking at your patio, but it makes me hopeful that at least SOMEONE has warm weather!

    Maybe you don't like the red pillow because you prefer symmetry? I bet if you made one like the quilt you would love it.

    I can't believe that you made those slipcovers! I know how much work that is. *bowing down in admiration*.

    The yellow pillow is so pretty and cheerful. It goes perfectly with your furnishings Carol!

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  56. Hi Carol, I love the pillows, even the red one. I'm just stopping by to say how delightful your blog is. Thanks so much for sharing. I have recently found your blog and am now following you, and will visit often. Please stop by my blog and perhaps you would like to follow me also. Have a wonderful day. Hugs, Chris
    http://chelencarter-retiredandlovingit.blogspot.ca/

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  57. I love that even with a white slipcover, you managed to have a blue, yellow and red sofa! The red dotted throw is a nice touch of vivid colour! Little Lulu seems to think it's the best place in the world!

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  58. Your pillows turned out so cute! What a great idea to paint them! (I think the red one is fun and quirky :)
    I'm so jealous of your gorgeous weather and patio!
    Susan

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  59. Your project of 'Ps' turned out very PRETTY, and that PIC of your couch, PLUMPED up with your gorgeous PILLOWS is PICTURESQUE and ready for Steve to PAINT!!

    Poppy

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  60. Hi, thank you so much for your kind comment! New followers are always welcomed! You can also follow me on pinterest if you'd like: http://www.pinterest.com/aeathiel/

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  61. Your pillows ate fantastic! I think painting them is a great idea. I also didn't know you made your slipcovers...they are just beautiful. I've never washed mine, I'm afraid I'd never get them back on correctly!

    The pictures of your patio have started me longing for summer again. Our snow has finally melted...one good step.

    XO,
    Jane

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  62. I love your new pillows! Did you make your sofa and chair slips yourself? I'd love to try, but I'm afraid I don't have the patience.

    Thanks for a dose of California sunshine, Carol!

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  63. LOVE your yellow striped pillow - and Carol can I say that any photo of yours where a window is open onto that gorgeous landscape is sheer perfection - it makes me want to be there - laying on that couch - while ocean breezes come in ( I'm always reading a book in this fantasy - and there is ALWAYS a glass of wine on the coffee table )
    XOXOXO

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  64. As I posted above, I just love how it turned out. I just wanted to let you know that I am featuring this post on Tuesdays with a Twist link party, please stop by Tuesday morning to check it out. Thanks again and have a great day.

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