A SLIPCOVER, SOMETHING SILVER, AND SOMETHING GOLD

Hello and thanks for stopping!

Today I've been at my sewing machine . . . a LOT!  I was working on some pillow slipcovers for the living room and another for the ottoman that I made a couple winters ago.  I know, it's only had the original cover for a hair over two years, but I like to change things up.  Two years is an eternity in my mind!  Anyone who knows me, knows that I'm constantly painting walls or rearranging furniture.

But, before I get to that . . . I got some awesome finds at Goodwill to share with you.  One of the first places I look when I get there is the silver section.  There are often other women hovering around the same area and I've considered asking them if they are bloggers.  I read about so many of you that do the same thing and so, I wonder . . . ?  But I found this incredible silver champagne bucket for only $9.99!  I put it in my cart - and guarded it carefully.  They were eyeing it . . .

 It was really tarnished - totally black.  But there was no engraving on it, and no dents anywhere.  I've seen them online for anywhere from $50 - $90, so there was no decision to make!  It took a ton of Tarn-X - but it sparkles!

Then I saw this pretty little antique jelly jar with a scrolly gold leaf design and wording.  It was only a couple dollars, so that came home with me too. 

I'm thinking jelly beans . . .

I think they look great together!  They're on a beautiful silver tray that was only $5.  So, it was a good day at the thrift store!

Which brings me to another project of the day - a new slipcover for my ottoman.  I decided to have my "coffee tables" switch places between the family and living rooms.  More on the one that left the living room another time.  You can find my tutorial for the ottoman here.  It was originally covered in a floral fabric that had the browns and turquoise of the family room as you see here.

But the fabric has faded quite a bit since this picture was taken, and it just looked limp.  So I pulled it into the living room and made a simple little off-white linen slipcover with a pleated skirt.  

Linen and silver . . . I like that combination!

And there's Norma, waiting in the wings!  Isn't she beautiful?
(I wish she sounded as pretty as she looks!)

Some day.

Some day she'll really sing!

-Nan

Sharing on:

Air Your Laundry Friday

Another Horchow piece!

Okay, for a mere $979 you can own this beautiful bench

from Horchow . . . or . . . make a similar one yourself for $50!

All you need is:

-4 table legs from Lowes in the height of your choice

-a piece of plywood

-some upholstery foam

-quilt batting

-your favorite fabric

-some decorative trim

First, stain/paint, and attach the legs to the bottom of the plywood.  There are some square, metal stabilizers you can get at Lowe's or Home Depot that you attach in the desired spot in the corners.  Then you just screw in the legs to the center of the metal stabilizer.  These keep the bench from being wobbly.

Next, you layer everything like a sandwich!  With the plywood base on the bottom, lay the upholstery foam on top, then wrap it with some nice, thick quilt batting using a staple gun to attach it to the bottom of the plywood.  Make nice padded corners so your bench won't be sharp and hard on the corners.  Then put your fabric on top of the batting and staple that underneath the bench also.  Finally, add your ruffle or pleated skirt with the staple gun, and hot glue on some decorative braid over the seam between skirt and topping fabric.  That's it!  You're done!

The end product is not only sturdy and strong - it makes a great footrest,

coffee table, and extra seating - all in one!

SAVINGS - $939.00

I've linked up with Funky Junk Interiors' Saturday Nite Special.

I was featured on "Fabric Fun Thursday" on January 12th.  Here is her post:

Do you want to save $939?!  Nan, at You Could Make That, uses a Horchow bench as inspiration and shows us how we really can make the above bench and save hundreds of dollars.