Placemat Tutorial

I have been on a placemat making kick.  They are fun and easy to make.
Once we refinished the top of the dining room table, I didn't want to cover it up with a tablecloth.
The wood is beautiful.

Last Saturday we had a very belated Christmas lunch.
I put together a black and white tablescape after stitching up some striped placemats.

I sewed two 14 x 18 inch rectangles right side together leaving a 3 inch opening on one side.
Once they were turned inside out, a top stitch was sewn all around the edge.

It took about three yards of fabric to make 8 placemats.
We had the remnant of fabric, so this project didn't cost any new money.

The silver plate is Queen Bess by Community.
The chargers or "big plates" are from Hobby Lobby. The china is Florentine by Crown Ducal.
The glassware is June by Fostoria.
Winter decor graces the center of the table.

It was cute, sparkly and fun for a January get together.

I've also made some placemats out of drop cloths.

These are used almost every day and are nearly indestructible.

I've also made some out of ticking stripe which creates a darling farmhouse style table setting.

I used our Empress China by Adams and Mason jars on the deck last summer.
Queen Bess is also on this table.

These were also the base for a lemon infused tablescape.

  

The plates are Delamere by Spode, English Gadroon Sterling by Gorham and distressed chargers from Hobby Lobby.

My husband's family was teasing me about the chargers.
They started throwing what they thought were outlandish ideas for placemats and chargers.
They had some good ideas - I found all of them on Pinterest.
I challenged them to find me something that isn't already on Pinterest!

That is all for now.
If you like it - Pin it. Every pin helps.
Come back tomorrow for Keep In Touch.
Katie

Here is where I party:

Worthing Court

Savvy Southern Style

The Red Painted Cottage 

Ms. Toody Goo Shoes
Have a Daily Cup
A Stroll Thru Life 

How To Make A Shamrock Pillow

I've been working on a few fun things for St. Patrick's Day.
I thought I'd share how I made some shamrock pillows so that you can make some too. 

I thought drawing a shamrock might be a little intimidating until I realized that it is just three hearts together.

I drew the three hearts with the points on the bottom touching in the center. Then I drew the stem. 

The cut out pattern was then traced onto my fabric. 

This green gingham came from the thrift store and I just love it. 

Sewing around all the corners was a challenge. 

Snipping the corners and curves makes it smoother once it is turned right side out. 

A paint brush helped to get the stem turned completely. 

It was stuffed and then embellished. 

A vintage seam binding bow is attached with a vintage rhinestone pin. 

Adore!
I love attaching pins to pumpkins, hearts, and shamrocks to add a shabby chic touch. 

It came out so well that I had to give it another try. 

I made it a little bigger and used drop cloth material left over from the couch and love seat. 

It was easier to sew, turn and stuff.

This one is dressed up with three types of ribbon and Nana's pin. 

For some reason I was afraid I'd given this pin away because it wasn't with my pin collection. 

I don't wear pins anymore so that is why it's fun to use them in this way. 

It took some hunting to figure out where I'd put my St. Patrick's Day pin but it was tangled in some necklaces at the bottom of my jewelry box. 

The stones look like jade. Isn't it gorgeous? 

There is something about the patina on a vintage, gold filled jewelry piece. 

The velveteen rick rack came from Tuesday Morning. 

Would you please pin this for me? 

There was not a plethora of St. Patrick's Day pins in a shabby, farmhouse style. 

Thanks for coming by. Stitch one up for yourself. So fun.

Come back this afternoon for Monday Social #25.  

Katie

Linking with,
Julies Creative Lifestyle

Another Slipcover Done

I told you a few months ago that I needed to slipcover our sofa and loveseat.
We got this set at Freed's about 4 years ago.
The fabric reminded me a little of burlap which was all the rage at the time.
It was adorable but it was an utter magnet for dog hair.

This set was supposed to go in the living room but it was just too much furniture. 

I moved the loveseat into the sun room.

A quick repose beacons now that the new doors open outward into the room.

 Dog hair detracts from the relaxing atmosphere.

I'm thrilled to say that there are no more slipcovers in my immediate future.
I will be back to show off this room with its Christmas decor.
Don't forget about our Cozy At Christmas Blog Tour starting Monday the 5th.
I'll have a list of blog participants this week sometime.
Blessings,
Katie

Five Minute Velvet Pumpkins

Little velvet pumpkins are all the rage. 

They have some in the floral department at our Tom Thumb Grocery Store but they didn't have black and I really wanted a black one. 
I literally made this velvet pumpkin in under 5 minutes. 
I think this fabric is really velveteen but both fabrics have the same look and feel. 
The process is the same. 

You will need 3/8th yards of velveteen,
 a dinner plate,
quilt batting,

needle and thread,
and some kind of stick or an old pumpkin stem.
You will need hot glue gun and assorted trimmings if desired. 

I got this velveteen at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store. 
It was on sale and I got three pumpkins out of the yardage. 

Use the plate as a template and cut out a circle of fabric. 

Thread your needle and sew a running stitch around the outer edge of the circle. I folded an 1/4 inch seam as I stitched.

 Gather the thread a little and stuff the pumpkin before closing the gather and tying off the thread. 
You might like to put a small rock in the bottom of the pumpkin. 

Hot glue a stem or stick into the small opening. 

Decorate near where the stick and the stitching join with ribbon of your choice. 

I love attaching a small brooch into the pumpkin near the bow. 

  

I'm in love with a little fabric pumpkin. 

This was a quick and easy project.

Make one today!  Thank you so much for your response to my last post.
You all are too sweet. 
Thanks for stopping by. 
Katie