Sweetwater Style: pillows

Showing posts with label pillows. Show all posts

Sunday, October 8, 2017

Quick and Easy Halloween Decor Ideas!

What is your Halloween decor style?
Do you go all out Haunted House....?
Or
Do you settle for a simple Jack-O-Lantern or two?

I like to find a middle ground....that pretty much eliminates the "haunted" stuff.

Here is a round up of some simple decor ideas that have a Halloween feel with a bit of elegance and/or whimsy.

Display old and new photos of Halloween's of the past!

I have so many fun photos of the Sweetwater kids in costume. It is simple to have prints made and then find a fun way to display them. I have framed them and clustered them around the house. This year the display is a simple "gallery" of the photos matted and mounted to the big chalkboard in the stairwell. There are some spaces left for some new photos I need to get printed....but I wanted to get the post done!

Get Your Pumpkins ON!

Simply placing these interesting pumpkins in odd spots through the house makes a Halloween statement with out SHOUTING! The thrift store is a wonderful source for interesting Halloween themed decor.

Keep those Real Pumpkins Looking Good!

This trick will keep your real pumpkins and gourds from getting rotten. If you follow this "recipe", you may still have usable gourds at Thanksgiving!

TIPS TO MAKE PUMPKINS LAST

Inject some Humor!

These little plaques are easy to make....but would also be simple to print and frame.

Check out the tutorial here or take a few minutes to browse for some funny quotes to use on a chalkboard.

A trip to the craft store is the start of this craft project. These little books tucked on a shelf or set on a table are a subtle seasonal touch. TUTORIAL HERE

Don't Forget Accent Pillows!

A few whimsical pillows can add a touch of seasonal decor too. If you have never tried printing images on canvas using your inkjet printer...you really should check out these directions. The possibilities are really endless.

How to print images on fabric. #1

How to print images on fabric #2

So there you have it....a few little ideas that might inspire you to get your Halloween on in a tasteful way!

Have a Wonderful Day! It is gorgeous outside today....maybe a trip to a pumpkin patch is in order...oh wait...I seem to have ENOUGH pumpkins!

Sunday, June 12, 2016

Pillow Knock-Offs Summer Edition

One of my favorite ways to give a quick fresh look to a room is with new decorator pillows.

I must not be the only one....just take a look at HomeGoods or Target and you will see bunches and bunches of pillows that have fun seasonal motifs.

Now....I guess giving a fresh look to a room for around $30 seems like a deal.
But if you follow this blog....you know I think that is WAY too MUCH $$$ to spend.

Come along and I will show you my inspirations from the stores....
and then....
My KNOCK OFF versions of the same pillows.

source

This nautical inspiration is really fun. But it made me "Crabby" to think about hand painting something like this.

Source

I love this simple burlap pillow and it is definitely on my to do list....


Target.com

But this charmer from Target is the one that really caught my eye!

Who doesn't like lobster?

The red color is perfect for the blue and white decor in the lower level.

I used my Cri-Cut and Sure-Cuts-A-lot program to create a lobster stencil!

The stencil is done on canvas with red acrylic paint.

I went all fancy and did red cording around the edge.

The navy and white stripe fabric is left from my DIY Ironing Board Cover.
And....oh my....I actually put a zipper in the back....wasn't I ambitious?

Since everything I used was already in my "stash"...this cost me nothing. If you started from scratch, you could probably do this for under $10.

Zazzle.com

I have always loved those vintage postcards that say "GREETINGS FROM...."

Zazzle has done a pillow with this theme.

HMMMMM

I decided to commemorate our fun trip to Savannah, Georgia this past winter.
Some simple Google Image Browsing and I found this great vintage poster.
My apologies....I didn't save the source....!!!

I used the "Print on Fabric Using Your Printer" technique to create this fun pillow.
Using an machine applique stitch around the print is a clean way to attach the printed fabric.

This next Knock-Off isn't exactly a Summer theme....
I am continuing to work on the Kate Spade Inspired Guest Bedroom.

source

I came across this pillow when I was looking for ideas.

I had the green and white striped fabric.

It was pretty darn simple to create this knock off.

It has a bed pillow for a form so that it is bigger and fluffier than the inspiration.

The better for cuddling a Grandboy!!!

So the next time you are in a store with a big display of accent pillows.....
Pause....say HMMMMM....and go home and create something!

Have a Wonderful Day!