DIY Part Two: Outdoor Swing Canopy Sewing Project

closeupcushionDo-it-yourself…This is the second part of the project — I recovered the torn cushion — click HERE for that DIY post.

After that refurbishment, it was clear that I needed to find a way to create a matching canopy. There was no way I could be satisfied with two different patterns and color schemes.

There are tons of online tutorials, but I decided to freestyle it — I took a bunch of measurements and went back to JoAnn‘s Fabrics.

For the top of the canopy, my tugboat man suggested a solid color — lime green — that would coordinate with the stripes, which I thought was a surprisingly good idea because, well, because he’s a man and is marginally color blind, or at least color apathetic.

First I cut and pinned the striped material to the top; then I hemmed all the raw edges; repinned, and sewed it all together. It was sooo difficult to work with that much canvas material, especially the way it bunched up on the sewing machine, but I persevered because I’m stubborn that way.

It feels good to try new things, but I’ll definitely NOT take on this project again!

The corners were tricky…but from far away it looks fine!
swingcanopycloseup

Under the shade of a non-fruiting mulberry tree…with an orange orchid photobombing the picture.

swing canopy

It looks great if you don’t get too close…matching up the stripes is always a challenge; one side’s perfect — the other not so much. Oh well…

swingcanopy2

What do you think? Have you ever tackled a job or a project even though it’s incredibly difficult? Were you proud of yourself for meeting the challenge or did you give up before it was completed?

About these ads

Recycled, Repurposed, Reborn, and Reformed

It’s not always about Chanel.

Yes it is — well,  I say yes, our bank account says no.

Whatev.

Moving on.

As much as I loves me some designer fashion — especially Chanel –  I really don’t like to throw anything away ‘cos I think I’ll always find a use for everything if I save it long enough.

No need to toss out those nasty old cracked and faded Crocs,
merely fill with a little soil and some succulents!
Voila!

crocs

Crack a wineglass when you partied too much???
Fill with a little soil and more succulents.
Just don’t try and drink out of it again…

wineglassplanter

Chipped a dish?
Once again, fill with rocks and soil — and more succulents!
These need a little water; looking kinda sad…

dishgarden

Yeah, I break a lot of things.
More broken coffee cups, more succulents.
This is the desert, after all.
And yes, that’s a broken tile, too!

coffeecups

Repurposed fruit basket stand.
I painted it black ‘cos it was all rusty, lined the baskets with black plastic, filled with soil and planted begonias on the bottom and fuchsias on top.
Did you notice that the basin beneath it is not very 
photogenic?
It will have to go.
I found the Trix rabbit whilst digging. No one knows where it came from!
No, I’m not from the UK, but sometimes “whilst” is a great word.

fruitplant

Tell me about anything you’ve recycled, repurposed, reborn, or reformed.

Best Christmas Decorations EVER-Haters, line up! Yoo hoo, Pinterest, I’m calling you!

I was inspired by other topnotch decorators who so kindly blogged about their DIY Christmas tree masterpieces. In fact, I was so inspired and so thrilled to be stuck here all alone for the millionth time during the holidays that I created a masterpiece of my own, just for you, my loving internet family. So, Cousin Fur and Aunt Cheeky and Second Cousin Far Removed Tracy F for Fantastic, this one’s especially for you guys. As I looked around my house, the elliptical seemed like it had the best “bones” to adorn. Plus, it had a ready-made beverage holder! I didn’t have any Maxi-pads or other feminine hygiene products–’cos THAT ship has sailed–if you know what I mean. {Hey cool, a nautical reference jauntily tossed in. Damn, I’m good!} I added a toilet paper garland, a couple of Sophie Kinsella novels, two glittery seashell ornaments, a bottle of wine in the beverage holder, a white plastic poinsettia, a few EMPTY gift bags, and a festive plush Hello Kitty toy. You can’t really see it very good, but there’s a chocolate bar too, which I luckily don’t have to share with anyone! I’m such a lucky girl! This is the best use I’ve found for the elliptical. Hanging freshly ironed shirts on it is a close second.

Carry on with your day; just take a moment to let it all sink in. Don’t HATE…Emulate.

Decorated for Christmas elliptical decorated elliptical

Tying up the boat, tying up loose ends on Friday

Cleaning house today:

1. The ants seem to be gone, at least for now. Thanks to everyone who kindly offered elimination suggestions.

2. My squirrel friends: real, ghost, spirit–have all disappeared. No more visits of any kind from any animals but for the scrub jays, who are always welcome!

3. I am very grateful for your likes and follows on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest. I am still not sure why I can’t like anyone back on FB; it’s going to take a better mind than mine to figure it out! I’ve stopped stressing on it; I know the glitch’ll get straightened out at some point. I think the open letter to Mark Zuckerberg was cathartic.

4. I recently learned how to read/respond to comments on my blog and other blogs I comment on. Please don’t think I’m rude for not responding; I just figured it out!

5. We’re finally getting an iPhone, well, as soon as the captain gets back, ‘cos it’s finally time. We can’t deny that this is the way the world is now. You’re in or you’re out.

6. The captain says they’re “making good time”.  That’s something most people don’t hear every day, I bet. It’s something that is very “merchant marine-y” and could have just as easily been heard in 1850 or 1950. The only difference is that up until a few years ago, the only communication to home and hearth would have been through infrequent letters sent from faraway ports. We are very lucky to have email and cell (sometimes) and sat phones for an emergency (or my birthday!).

7. I’ll end the day with a new addition to our seashell family of home decor. I saw a set of these online somewhere and thought I could do it myself, so I bought a few sets of inexpensive drapery holdbacks and just glued scallop shells over the ends.

The captain installed them for me before he left. I have a feeling he might be overwhelmed by the amount of seashell decor around here, but he’s pretty tolerant of my collections, especially since he brings rocks and shells and driftwood from his travels around the world and then builds shelves to accommodate them.

Seashells and Toilets

I’ve been asked what I use to perfume my sheets with, and I’ve used lavender linen spray, but this time I sprayed orange blossom while ironing, and misted Chance by Chanel on his pillow, my favorite fragrance.

I was thinking about posting this picture on Pinterest.

Image

I hate hate hate the little plastic things that conceal toilet bolts; I can’t explain it, but they really bug me, and one day I took the plastic off while I was cleaning, and came up with the brilliant idea of replacing it with a seashell, which fit perfectly, and I think it’s a great improvement! I daubed a bit of Museum Putty on the underside to hold it in place. I use QuakeHold or Museum Putty to secure lots of things that I don’t want to glue or hot glue. It works great and doesn’t leave a mark.