Smooch has claimed the sunroom as her own.
I can't blame her.
It's my favorite place in the house, too...
...minus the inevitable accumulation of dirt and dog hair
that comes with sharing one's favorite spot
with one's favorite indoor/outdoor dog.
with one's favorite indoor/outdoor dog.
And then there's the matter of what the New Mexico sun has done to
the once-vibrant and colorful quilt and pillow covers that adorn our shared favorite spot.
Determined to find a workable solution to the dirt, dog hair
and faded fabric dilemma, I went on a quest to find more suitable daybed coverings,
which turned up nothing in the ready-made category...
...so I decided to make my own out of indoor/outdoor fade- and soil- and stain-resistant fabric.
There will be a cushion cover and a dust ruffle and pillows...lots and lots of pillows.
Just as I was shopping online for all this colorful fabric,
a surprise package from a friend arrived with this note:
a surprise package from a friend arrived with this note:
I bought a few of these in the early '70s at a feed store on Central Ave. in Albuquerque.
I made some into big pillows and put some away – which I just found. I thought you might like them.
Like them? Are you kidding me? I love them, and I will turn them
into the finest pillows in the land – to place on my bed, not Smooch's!
So if I go missing now and then over the next couple of weeks,
look for me behind my sewing maching...
...which is parked next to my laptop, which is tuned into any one of a number of D-I-Y tutorials
on how to make all this stuff. Have I mentioned lately how much I love the internet?
OMG...Love those feed store bags! The colors for the porch bed are awesome and the yellow is just the "pop" you needed. Can't wait to see it in person
ReplyDeleteI didn't know you had a sewing machine. I love the fabrics and can't wait to see the results. Keep your model, she's perfect.
ReplyDeleteFABULOUS! What perfect fabric & definitely you deserve it on YOUR bed. Smooch can go get her own! I can't wait to see it all sewn up. I love the other fabrics too; yellow & blue is a great combination of colors. Snazzy sewing machine you have there -- unfortunately I wouldn't know which end of it to start with. Have always envied people who can sew.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you're embarking on some impressive endeavors. Go for it!
ReplyDeleteMaggy
Same song here! I can learn what I want, when I want. BTW, you will love the sun resistant fabric.
ReplyDeleteSmooch you are priceless with all these 'expressions' and made me smile every time i scrolled down... i love the internet, there is nothing that can't be found for info or tutorials... i lived in tutorial land with each of my camera purchases. my friends email me their problems with computer/smart phone etc and i look up the fix for them
ReplyDeleteI love feed sacks. How is feed packaged now? I wish we could go back to the 50's way of packaging...glass milk bottles, recyclable soda bottles, etc. I think plastic is a dirty word, and is ruining the planet and our health...but that's a soapbox of mine. Sorry to ramble. I LOVE your idea to use the feed sacks for pillows........can't wait to see the finished products. I have to say I love the faded quilt, too, though. It's that shabby chic look that people spend their dollars for. Charming, lived in/on, loved. Good luck with your sewing! :)
ReplyDeleteWow, you lucky dog. such great feed sacks. Why or why don't the companies do this anymore?
ReplyDeleteSigh. I loved your faded quilt. So much I bought the same. It never did look the same 'cause mine is not faded at all lol. But I'm sad to see it go from your pics.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to seeing the results!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Laurie
Your list of "what I can do" continues to amaze me! I would never have thought that sewing was on your list. I know everything will turn out wonderfully and what an amazing gift to find in your mailbox!
ReplyDeleteWhat happened to Fish?
ReplyDeleteHow did I not know that you could sew?!
ReplyDeleteYour bucket of talents is truly bottomless. Can't wait to see the end result!
Can't wait to see the finished product! Love the feed bag look. I saw a big area rug made out of burlap sacks and I thought that looked cool too. Betsy
ReplyDeleteYou got skillz! Love the colors! Aunt Jean
ReplyDeleteOMG! Those are going to be the most awesome pillows ever! How perfect are those "feed bags"? Love the other colors, too. Smooh will definitely approve.
ReplyDeleteLove the picnic table as sewing center. I need to purchase a sewing machine. Passed my so simple one on to daughter several years ago. Now and again would like to have one. Looking forward to the new brights and the pillows.
ReplyDeleteThose feed bags are to DIE for. Yes, I am shouting! TO DIE FOR. I can't wait to see all of it sewn. Happy learning on the internet. I learn embroidery stitches on youtube. Have a wonderful Monday.
ReplyDeleteOK, I've got a really unique connection to this post...see what you think...No, I don't have a sunroom (but would LOVE one), no I don't have a Smooch (best guard doggie, ever), yes I do have sun faded pillows (from the sun in Arizona, where I lived for most of my life).......But no, my connection is that I now live in a small town in Mississippi that is about 100 miles from KOSCIOSKO, where one of your grain bags was made!! How about some pronunciation fun...do ya know how ta say that name?? Well when I moved here 6 years ago I had to learn how and I learned by listening to the local weather broadcasters, ha!! For Kosciosko, say Koz-ee-es-ko! I live near a little community named Keownville....say Can-vull! I can say Y'all pretty well now, too!!
ReplyDeleteHow very cool, getting my question answered just by *thinking* it! Koz-ee-es-ko, who would ever guess this? I also wondered about that milling co., Thibault. Teebó would probably be too easy, no?
DeleteI'm looking forward to the big reveal! I love all the information that's available at our fingertips on the internet.
ReplyDeletelike Sigrid, I loved your faded quilt. THe new version will look great although quite intense on the eyes! Does Smooch allows you in the sun room? That means poor Johnny wont enjoy this room.
ReplyDeleteoh and I forgot: Smooch, I love your facial expression in the 3rd picture!! lol!
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! Those mule feed bags are the cutest things ever!!!
ReplyDeleteI would be happy just to frame them and put them on the wall. =)
Cutie Smoochie-poo and new coverings! Can't wait to see the sunroom when everything is finished!
Hey Carson, if you need help, give me a shout. I do that stuff every day professionally... Great fabric choices.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to the end product!
ReplyDeleteOur dogs always seek out slivers of sunshine in the house. It's a great place.
ReplyDeleteSmooch is such a ham. So many faces. So cute
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what the sunporch looks when done