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Root for the Home Team

Published on March 5, 2014 by Our Humble Abode14 Comments

Have you seen the Home Team Pennant Pillow at School House Electric?

If you hadn’t already, you just did. Isn’t it cute? Essentially, it’s the pennant pillow version of a high school Letterman jacket. Problem is, only NYC is available for purchase. Seeing as I have no connection to NYC, I decided to make a much cheaper Montana version to represent our state.

Using felt and cotton fabric I already had, I spent exactly zero dollars on this pillow. To make it, I cut two 24 inch by 19 inch rectangles from my cotton. Then marked the center on one side and connected the corners to make my triangle base. For the letters, I free-handed the text.

When I liked my design, I flipped it over and outlined it with a black marker.

With my template ready, I layered the felt over and held it against the window to trace the design to the back of my felt. I didn’t have fusible interface here (I like Wonder Under), but if I did, this would have been easier. So, do as I say, not as I do. Before tracing your lettering, iron Wonder Under to the back side of your felt, leaving the paper backing on. Then trace your letters and cut out. Peel the paper off and iron your freshly cut letters to your front triangle and you could be done. Instead, I hand stitched my felt letters on, which took an episode of Hart of Dixie (no judging, please!) to finish.

With my letters sewn on, I placed my back triangle on top of my front piece, right sides together, and sewed the two long sides. Polyfill stuffing inside, then I sewed along the short side, sealing it all up. For a decorative pennant look, I stitched another piece of felt along the short side, wrapping it around the back. And boom, cute triangle pillow for the couch.

Fauxrarra Marble

Published on March 3, 2014March 3, 2014 by Our Humble Abode13 Comments

Winter is still here in full force, which means I’ve been stuck in the house. A lot. So I’m forced to keep my self entertained, often involving a project. Precisely why I’ve painted this table top for the third time in less than one year. Third time’s the charm, right?

See, as I flipped through the new West Elm catalog, I kept imagining the Reeve Mid-Century Coffee Table in our house.

Then it dawned on me, I already have a similar clean lined, handsome wood, brass footed table. The big difference? It didn’t have the beautiful, sophisticated marble top. Instead it had a bold chevron top. At the time I painted the stripes, I loved the added pattern. Now, I’m kind of over it. Not over it enough to paint over it, oh no, that took too long to do.

Ideally, I’d have a real marble slab, but I’m afraid the folding base design couldn’t handle the added weight.

But the other side, a minty green, was fair game.

I painted three coats of eggshell white latex on it and then started my faux marble paint treatment.

Using a few gray and black craft paints, I watered each color down. I didn’t measure (and don’t have pictures) but I’d guess it was 1 part paint to 2 parts water. Super runny and I barely mixed each color, which helped create a more natural variation. A feather worked best to apply a thin, free-flowing line of watery paint. Immediately after making the line, I used a 2 inch angled craft paint brush to stipple the paint. Just after stippling, I followed up with a damp paper towel, blotting to blend the paint and soften the edges.

Some areas are much lighter and more blended. A few other veins are darker with black patches. If I didn’t like how one area looked, I used my damp cloth to wipe the paint away and start over. Once I finished, I coated the top with satin Polycrylic for a protective finish.

The sides are painted to match. Carrying the marble paint to the sides helps give a more realistic effect.

Maybe I just needed a change, but I’m enjoying the lighter, more subtle top.

I think it balances the base better and lets the interesting leg shape shine.

Not a bad result for a free project and 10 dollar base. What coffee table tops do you like best?

Winner & February Etsy Favs

Published on February 28, 2014 by Our Humble AbodeLeave a comment

Last day of February! Can I get a woot woot?! That means we’re another month closer to spring. And it seems we’re all over winter. But it also means we get to announce the Kilim Decor giveaway winner.

Isis, who’d love to visit Paris, you get to choose your favorite pillow from Kilim Decor!

And I get to share my favorite Etsy items I’ve added over the month. How adorable is this Children’s Hooded Duffle Coat by S n S Babee:

Asphalt Planter Vase from The Good Machinery

The Print Your Own Art option from Clare Elaesser

Dipped White and Natural Wood Tray at The Vintage Vogue

Stag Beetle Pillow Cover by Created By Storm

Soviet Opera Glasses from The Things That Were

MCM Wall Sconce at Theia Luminaries

Large Brass Moravian Star Himmeli from Hruskaa

The Decision Giclee Print by Kai Samuels-Davis

Mountain Home Quote Pillow Cover from My Sweet Reveries

And my Britt Bass Navy Geo print in our hall bathroom.

Off to shovel the walk. Hope you all stay warm if you’re stuck in the dead of winter, too!

Put it on a Pedestal

Published on February 27, 2014February 27, 2014 by Our Humble Abode15 Comments

Sometimes, putting a completely ordinary item on a pedestal transforms it into a sculpture. A shell, log slice, or in this case, a piece of driftwood.

I’ve had a love affair with driftwood for a while now. This fall, I collected several pieces from my father-in-law’s ranch to make something. I drilled several tea light holes in this large piece to create a centerpiece. Usually it stays on the patio table, but I brought it in to take this picture.

After seeing Dr. Vogel’s giant sculpture, I really wish I hadn’t drilled the candle holes in that piece.

It could have looked really neat as a similar large sculpture. Instead, I used a smaller piece from my collection along with a 1/4 inch oak dowel and a scrap of 2 by 4.

After sanding the board, I measured 2 inches from each end and center on the wood before drilling holes. Then, I set the driftwood on the board and made marks to line up with the holes. With the holes drilled, I put the dowel in and made a mark where I wanted each cut.

Wood glue securely holds the dowels in the holes, and then I painted the base white. A little more glue in the driftwood and I’ve got a sweet little sculpture.

It’s interesting and different from all angles, which is really fun.

I thought it would stay in the guest room, but I really like it on the shelf above the bar.

It’s a reminder of a fun day spent with our family. And adds a lighter object to break up the books and picture frames.

I’d love to find another large piece to make an oversized sculpture. Not sure where it’d go right now, but I’d find a place. For items you can’t or don’t want to drill into, epoxy would work well, too. Just be sure your base is heavier than your display item so it won’t tip. Do you have anything on a similar pedestal? What do you think of this easy way to display simple items?

Thrifty Treasures

Published on February 25, 2014February 24, 2014 by Our Humble Abode12 Comments

Can I complain about the weather for a minute? I’m so, so sick of winter. Last week we had decent weather and a teaser of spring. Loved it, so I went thrifting. But yesterday, woke up to 10 inches of fresh powder. To top it off, I wasn’t able to drive up the steep, snow-covered roads to get back home after dropping V off at school. Yes, school. Still in session, haven’t missed a day this year due to weather. Spring, you really can’t get here soon enough. I’m sure I’m not the only one sick of this, so feel free to vent here.

Okay, back to the fun stuff; the thrifty finds during the afore-mentioned nice weather. My black thumb is slowly getting greener by the day, so I’ve been stocking up on cute, cheap planters. I painted this dollar dimpled one white, but it was brown with orange spots. My low light loving Philodendron seems quite content on the bar, sprouting two new leaves.

At another favorite shop I spotted this open sugar bowl. Kind of reminds me of a trophy, and I think it will make a darling vase.

But it also looks cute and happy on the mantel, even without flowers.

As I neared the checkout, I spied this twin sized 100% wool blanket. I debated getting it because really, I need a throw blanket like I need a hole in my head. But, it was discounted by 20% so it cost $30. V and E said we needed it. For now, it’s keeping us warm in the living room, sometimes all four of us at a time.

Based on all the bright green in the room now, you’d think spring was here. Nope, I’m willing it to hurry up.

Once it finally arrives and I swap our bedding, I think the wool blanket will be nice for cooler nights. This eagle blanket was awesome, too, but $50.

I ogle this bison print every time I’m there, but at $220, it’s probably not going to happen.

This giant $45 bowl would be the perfect fruit bowl for us, seeing as we usually have three smaller ones out. Costco quantities.

Cute little wooden bowls, too.

Back at Goodwill I found two more interesting planters. A plastic geometric pot and a short, wider grooved brass one. For three dollars total, they are mine.