Yarn wreath

I have been determined to get a wreath for every season for my front door. It really adds to the curb appeal. So, this one is for winter, when it's not Christmas. It was very simple to do and I was able to make it with supplies I already had. I bought a foam wreath. I wrapped it with yarn and decorated it with flowers. I used scraps of an old sweater and felt to make the flowers. I also knitted a flower. I stalked Pinterest to find different tutorials that I felt comfortable doing. If you haven't figured it out by now, my blog doesn't have a lot of tutorials, because I use other people's. I just like to make things myself, and with Pinterest and other online resources, it's pretty darn easy!

One of a kind desk chair

I must get better at taking the BEFORE pictures. Because, this one would have made for a great before and after. I pick up pieces of furniture wherever I come across them. Knowing this, my stepdad unloaded this when he saw the back of my pickup truck already full… I am sure he thought, “what’s one more chair?” A scratchy blue fabric covered the chair and it sat in my basement. I probably could have sold it on Craigslist for $5 or maybe for $2 at a yard sale, but then I came across a tutorial on Pinterest on how to redo an office chair. And what seemed impossible, became very probable.

                Making old items new is really just about taking apart something someone made and making it your own.

Materials:

Old Office Chair

Upholstery Fabric

Padding

Batting

Staple gun and staples

Screwdriver

Pliers

Directions:

1. Remove the back and seat. First you have to inspect the chair and see how it is put together. This chair had something weird going on (the back was fastened with a bolt and a screw).  However, it should be as simple as removing the oval shaped do-dad with a screwdriver. Flip the chair over and remove the seat portion. It might be screwed on or bolted on. If you need help, ask a husband or dad…that’s what I always do when I hit a roadblock. Then, I have learned for the next time.

2. Take off the old fabric. This part can cause damage, to your hands! You just have to tackle the staples. I did this while watching TV and a few times when I wasn’t paying attention, I grazed my hand with the screwdriver and drew blood. I tried to loosen the staple with the screwdriver by wriggling it under, and then pulling it out with the pliers, or some combination of both.

3. Replace the fabric and padding. I cut a piece of fabric and batting about 4 inches around all sides for both the back and seat. I did this to be sure I didn’t mess up and waste this expensive fabric. (Purchased from Fabric.com, because it was MUCH cheaper than the local fabric box store.) I cut a piece of padding to match the one that I took out. You don’t have to replace the padding if you want to save money, but it sure will be more comfortable. Then, you place seat piece down, the padding, the batting and then the fabric and kind of wrap it like a present. If this doesn’t make sense, just pay attention as you are taking apart the chair and it will make sense.

4. Staple the new  pieces to the chair. This part is something I have to practice. It’s very hard to get it very stretched and make the corners right. I just really, really worked with until I felt like it looked good. It still could have been better, but hey…it was my first shot.

5. Reassemble the chair. Voila. It’s your new awesome office chair.

DIY Gallery Wall Obessesion

Ever since I started stalking Pinterest, I have been looking for ways to spruce up my 5-year-old home decor. Enter: The Gallery Wall. I love it! It's busy, random and totally out of my comfort zone. I tried to make it symettrical, but my husband says sometimes you have to be random...I like it! I did measure the spot on the wall where I wanted to put it (about 5 by 5) and used the floor to lay it out.

Of course, as we hung it, it transformed. Well, let's be truthful, I stood back and gave directions while he hung it. I am not the most adept at hammers and nails...and forget screws.

In the process, we added and deleted. And, with another baby on the way...there had to be room to add some more photos. I still want to incorporate a few more funky pieces (we were thinking old saw or shot gun...ha). I also would like to color the "S" a tan to contrast, but that won't take long. I have seen a lot of gallery walls that I love, but of course, when you make your own...it's right at home.