You know how I mention that I am crazy about Fairies? Well, here is one I really love! My Sissy has sprouted wings!! She makes a pretty fairy, doesn’t she?
And we have some similar tastes, don’t we?
More pretties- I have been working on making slipcovers all morning (I do not sew well, this has been rough). I wouldn’t have survived this ordeal with out a blogging break. Glad I took some browsing time, because I saw that my friend, Beth, over at Gathering Dust, is having a blow out of a sale!
I got this pack of collage and scrap booking goods for only $3. Hurry over, I am seeing some sold signs going up. I went back to get the rhinestone pack and they were gone already.
The remarkably warm and summer-like weather is continuing here in Kansas, lucky for me. I was face painting at the 150th anniversary of Eudora, KS yesterday and it was lovely outside.
Here are some of my clients. They are sisters and are expecting a new baby in the family soon. I think they need a redheaded sis to complete the set!
If you hear underground rumblings, it is my mom turning over in her grave. My mother was a perfectionist at the sewing machine. She could make anything and make it spectacular. She used to make slipcovers for me, and they were always so nice.
I DO NOT sew well. I hate to sew. But I love redoing my living room and the cheapest way is garage sale fabric turned into slipcovers. (the old French book will be wallpaper, doesn’t it look good with the fabric?)
I have a good start on it, and am now heading to make the pillows before Sugarwings comes to stay all night and no work gets done at all. Just playing a few hundred games of Peek-a-boo and reading some stories. 
Here are hard learned tips for making slipcovers from a non-sewer:
1. Crying doesn’t help, if you get frustrated, take a break and go read blogs instead
2. It helps to pin things, even if you don’t think you need to
3. Stop and fit the piece to the cushion every once in a while. Don’t just keep going on, assuming it will fit.
4. Fabric stores do not sell bobbins ready to go, you have to spin your own, and clerks will look at you strangely when you ask where full bobbins are.
5. Magic fairies won’t come in and finish the work for you. Although, if you don’t clean the craft table up well before you start laying out fabric, the glitter all over the material makes it look like you had help from some sprites.
I am at 191 entries, 200 is coming up soon! So, I will have a prize on the day I hit 200, I don’t know what the prize will be yet, but I’ll come up with something fun for you.
Thanks to everyone who helped me out with French phrases for my signs. I appreciate it.
And don’t forget, you enter my October giveaway each time you leave a comment. It will be a custom creation this month, just for the winner. I’ll come up with a questionnaire for you to answer so I can custom fit the prize. Hopefully better than I custom fit slipcovers.
Karla,
I love your fabric and look forward to seeing a pic of the finished slipcovers.
~elaine~
Love the picture of your sister. Good luck with the slipcovers.
Alison
Thanks for all the sewing tips! My machine gives me fits when I try to sew on my cards. Stupid thing.
Here’s another tip: It’s always the machine’s fault if something goes wrong!
Adorable fairies!! I do wish they helped but I suspect they have fun after the door is closed!
Hi Karla! I found your site this evening via Heather’s via Lori’s! I am so glad that I did. I love the “Romantic Country” Magazine and luckily, it is available here. I also love “Romantic Homes” Magazine. I love the pictures of your home. It is quite eclectic and quaint. You have a new fan in me…..Cindi 🙂
and sometimes for small projects it pays to put out a plea to sewing fellow artists and who knows what would happen! lol…
hugz
I’m mulling over a slipcover project myself! I’m not a good seamstress and I’m so anxious to see how super wonderful yours come out! I hope you give us blow by blow instructions! (love that you asked the clerk where the full bobbins were! Too funny!)
I didn’t think there was anything that you didn’t do well! And I still don’t believe it!! I loved your list! I sewed a pillow with piping yesterday and was just impressed with myself that the piping ended up on the outside of the pillow cover!! I haven’t blogged yet because I’m trying to think of something unique for 200… we’ll see. I wanted it to be up tomorrow!
I can totally relate on the sewing thing. My mom was an amazing seamstress. A talent that I did not inherit.
I love your ‘new’ fabrics. And the book pages will make amazing wallpaper! Can’t wait to see the finished room.
Good luck with the sewing!!
Love your new slipcover fabric! Be sure and show us the finished product. I love slipcovers, especially with my kids. If they don’t survive the washing machine I can always make new. My only beef is they sometimes live up to their names–and slip alot!
Can’t wait to see the slipcovers finished, they’ll like terrific! You’re sister looks beautiful too!
Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)
http://jacarandacottage.blogspot.com/
I’m with you! I took sewing in home economics in school (didn’t do too well in that class). My mom could sew like it was nothing. My Grandfather sewed…in fact, he made all of my mother’s clothes including her wedding dress and all of her bridesmaid dresses. I guess that the talent has skipped a generation! I had to giggle at the bobbin comment. I think they should sell them all ready to go!
I wish I could sew. I want new slip covers desperately. But, because my couch has T-cushions, I don’t have the variety most have. And they’re expensive! I think so anyway. Good luck in your sewing spree and be sure to post some pictures. (That wasn’t really necessary to mention, was it?)
Love,
Julie
What lovely fairy pictures and I love your Sissy’s smile–she’s an adorable fairy.
I also want to say that I’m enjoying your blog but I’m not commenting because I want my name entered in your contest. I’m commenting because I’m having a good time learning/sharing on your blog. So please don’t worry about adding my name.
I learned to sew 5 years ago, in a antique machine, where I am handmade full bobbins. The Sunday I was finishing a quilt for my bed, and the border with the hourglass was burned.I hope that you make the slipcovers.
I’m sure your slip covers will turn out great. I enjoyed your tips for making them. I look forward to seeing the french pages as wallpaper. And the best your two fairy pictures, Sissy and Sugarwings.
Karen
Bluemuf
I like tip #1 the best ! lol
So funny Karla!! I know your slipcovers are going to be beautiful. I admire you for just jumping right in and doing it!
Heather
Wait – crying really doesn’t help? I always thought it did. Hmm, maybe that is why my projects never come out right! Your list made me laugh. I’m with you on the sewing. I’ve considered taking a class but just don’t have time!
Karla
I’m sorry to hear that crying doesn’t work -darn it! I’m not good a sewing either basically cause I don’t do enough of it. I’m very slow and there’s always alot of ripping apart. But I’m inspired that you’re doing a slipcover. I’m trying to gear up the nerve to tackle a slip for a chair. Hope you post pics of yours.
Manuela
Hi Karla!
Thanks so much for dropping by my 100th Post Giveaway! I love the title of your blog! I can almost read the print without glasses (operative word: almost). And your sissy looks adorable! She either loves dressing up or she is a wonderfully good sport!
I read your comments about your own Giveaway. I don’t see them posted here yet, but if you let me know, I will be happy to give your web site a little plug and provide a link for my blog friends to follow. I love to spread good news– and introduce others to happy places!
Hugs, KJ
I don’t think I’m brave enough to make slip covers now, even though I used to help mom upholster furniture! My pincushion is a Voodoo doll representing my sewing machine. And, it does help to cry. I cried plenty while making the 7 poodle skirts for the girls & their friends.
Thanks for posting my fairy picture – we had a lot of fun at the renaissance faire (don’t tell your friends that I never need a reason or an occasion to “play dress up”).
Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier today. Come back anytime…you’re always welcome. I’m glad you did because it gave me a chance to come visit you and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself!
Hugs!
Kat
You are very brave to make your own slipcovers. I have yet to sit down and tackle such a chore. Please share photos when you are all done! Happy Stitching! Becky
I loved seeing your home in Romantic Country. You are so creative.
This was so cute. It made me giggle!
I’m fascinated by all you accomplish in a day! So inspiring! TFS!