Place Mat Outdoor Throw Pillow

When we moved into this house, we were so excited that there was a little front porch. We have lived in our house almost four years.  First off let me just say that I can't believe we have lived here that long. Technically we have lived here long enough now that this is our second set of cushions/pillows for our white outdoor chairs (from Target).

Previously our chair cushions were gray and the pillows were coral and white. I bought them when those colors were super popular. After some wear and tear, I needed something new. When I was looking at what to get now, I decided to look at not just what was popular color wise, but to also look at what I knew I loved and would always love. That meant blue people.

I am sure you are shocked. Blue and white. I am nothing if not consistent.

I went back and forth on what to do for the throw pillows. Then I remembered a set of gray place mats I had laying around. I had originally bought them for another project, but I changed my mind. I have had them for like two years just waiting to fulfill their design purpose.

That is how the Place Mat Outdoor Throw Pillow was born. Two place mats plus some stuffing equals two perfect lumbar throw pillows for our porch chairs.

I have made throw pillows from place mats before. They are one of the easiest throw pillows you will ever make.

You just need--

a place mat (one that is layered like a quilt, basically not just one piece of fabric)
stuffing
needle/thread

On one of the short sides of the place mat, in the middle, pick the seam and create a 4-5 inch opening.

Stuff, stuff, stuff away. Make sure to really cram it full and get the stuffing into all the corners.

Hand stitch up the opening.

BAM! Done.

The throw pillows were not the only new addition this year. I got this bird cage for 60% off at JoAnn's. I then filled it with an IKEA plant and container that we already had. The wind blows something fierce around here, so something heavy has to anchor it down.

I really, really love IKEA's faux plants. If you were to walk around my house, you would find a lot of them.

Now we have the perfect place to sit and enjoy the delights of Summer. I always like coming home, but driving up to my house and seeing this little porch set up really brings a smile to my face.

Follow along with Just Another Day in Paradise

Instagram        Facebook        Pinterest

Project Master Bedroom: Embroidered Throw Pillow

A small group of people start and finish a room makeover in a small window of time. However, most of us finish a room project in bits and pieces. I won't lie, the impatient, HGTV show lovin' self would like to be able to get my rooms done in a week with all the details just so. Who wouldn't? But that is not a reality for most of us.

Bits and pieces. Save up. Buy a little at a time. That is how most of us make over a room. So no more beating ourselves up or hiding our room projects away because they aren't 100% done. We are all in the same boat. So let us cheer each other on in our various stages of projectness (totally a word).

So here is my Project Master Bedroom update.

As I have said before, in the almost 14 years that we have been married this is the very first time we are getting a lovely master bedroom. We have done all the other bedrooms and have even done a guest bedroom but have yet to even paint our master bedroom.

I have a vision in my head of how I want this room to come together. Now thanks to new white doors and trim, a few coats of paint, and a hard-working husband who put up my board and batten focal wall I am that much closer to having a super lovely and cozy room.

With the big stuff done, it is just time to add here and there. Some of my wishes are things I have to save up for. A reading chair and white bamboo shades are two items on my wish list. So while I save up for a few big wishes I will tackle the bedding.

The main bedding we have had on the bed for over a year. I added the Flour Sack Euro Sham a few months ago. Recently I added just one more pop of blue, because you all know how I love blue, with this throw pillow.

I bought this textile from IKEA and I have been holding on to. I finally deemed it time to make it into a pillow. Instead of simply cutting out the fabric into two pieces and installing a zipper, I decided I wanted to add a little embroidery detail. I cut three separate pieces for the front. I sewed the three pieces together and then hand stitched with embroidery floss on either side of each seam before I sewed together the whole pillow.

Isn't it charming?

I recently had a friend come see my master bedroom progress. When she saw my bed, she said "I bet you love to make your bed every morning." I really do. I really, really do.

Thanks for hanging out with me for my Project Master Bedroom update. There are a few things still left to be done, but no promises on how soon I will get it done. The anticipation will be worth it right? Haha.

Follow along with Just Another Day in Paradise

Instagram        Facebook        Pinterest

Baptism Blanket

This last weekend Middle chose to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This is a very special event, and our family came together to celebrate. Our family has a couple of traditions on the day of a baptism. We of course have friends and family come. We hold a little luncheon. We give him his own set of scriptures.

I also make them a blanket to help remind them of the Holy Ghost. One of the roles of the Holy Ghost in our lives is to provide comfort. So when Oldest was baptized years ago, I decided that I would make them a "comforter" to remind them of the comfort they receive from the Holy Ghost.

I made a very simple blanket, I loosely call it a quilt.

I found a micro fleece in a print of his favorite football team. I got two coordinating colors of cotton for the front. I cut the cotton into 12" strips the width of the the fleece. I sewed them together and then I bound the striped cotton front to the fleece back with premade biased tape.

Since I made a very simple blanket, I added some hand embroidery to the front. First I added a "hand-written" note. I traced on the note, and then I embroidered over it.

I also added in some coordinating hand stitching on each blue stripe.

While it was a pretty simple blanket, hence why I really can't call it a quilt, it conveyed the message we hoped, made a memory for our baptized boy, and has been wrapped around him almost none stop since.

I love family traditions. I love making memories. This Baptism Blanket will definitely be a memory  for Middle of his special day.

Follow along with Just Another Day in Paradise

Instagram        Facebook        Pinterest

Harry Potter Quidditch Costume

Here is the next installment of our Halloween O' Book Characters. I have already shared the Elephant and Piggie Costumes based on Mo Willems delightful children's book series. Now I am sharing this Harry Potter Quidditch costume.

I mean if you are going to do a book character Halloween theme, there has to be a Harry Potter. Oldest loves Harry Potter. The Harry Potter was the first real big series that he read. He actually started the series so early that I had to stop him for a year or so at book four. He has now read them all. He has seen all the movies.

He thinks Harry Potter is pretty awesome. So last year when I promised him that he could choose his costume, he immediately said, "I want to be Harry Potter."

As Halloween finally approached, I talked to him about forgoing the traditional Harry Potter costume and trying to put together the Quidditch Harry Potter.

He was all for it. So I started looking up pictures of Harry Potter in his Quidditch uniform and used that as my guide to creating the costume.

This costume has a lot, like a lot, a lot of pieces.

The Quidditch robe is burgundy cotton lined with yellow cotton. I did alter a robe pattern to make it. I then made a very simple patch out of felt.
 

I used felt for the name and Harry's number.

The Quidditch uniform wouldn't be complete without the leather protective gear. I used boating vinyl and biased tape to imitate the leather gear.

My little Harry Potter proudly sports the traditional Gryffindor colors. The Gryffindor Quidditch uniform sports a burgundy and gold sweater. Since I can't knit AND because I didn't want to spend $40 on a costume sweater, I whipped up this bad boy using fleece.

I paired it with cream pants made from flannel.

Then we added in some store bought Harry Potter glasses.

And you have the perfect Harry Potter Quidditch Halloween costume. Okay, so maybe almost perfect. We decided to forgo adding a broom to the costume. After all, who wants to carry around a broom while trick or treating.

Not this Harry Potter.

He is pretty awesome all by himself.

I have one more costume left. I am excited to show that one to you...I...um...just have to finish it..er..uh start it. Ha!

Follow along with Just Another Day in Paradise

Instagram        Facebook        Pinterest

A Pinteresting Wednesday: Fabric Bow Headband

I have been seriously MIA lately. Like someone should be putting my face on a milk carton. I was looking at my posting history over the last couple of months and I almost couldn't believe how little I have existed on my blog.

Don't worry! I mean I know you are worried and all.

I am existing, I am just existing like a chicken with my head cut off. Running here and there. Running everywhere...wait did this just turn into a Dr. Seuss book? Why yes, yes it did. I have been projecting, cooking, costuming, mommaing, driving, cleaning, oh you know the list goes on.

Amidst of some of my to-doing, another item of my Pinterest board got done. Since you know I used to do that whole A Pinteresting Wednesday thing. This week I am bringing it back. I am bringing it back because this Fabric Bow tutorial from Craftaholics Anonymous is easy and produces the very cutest little bows ever.

Head on over to get her tutorial.To make some fabric bows I just needed was to find some cute scraps and some headband elastic. I whipped these up like super duper fast. They are just the cutest! THE cutest.

Of course I do not currently have a fabric bow headband wearing child at my house, and I am not announcing the arrival of one. So these sweet little gems went straight to my friend's adorable little baby girl.

Just like that I have crossed something off my Pinterest list. About time too. That list is getting out of control.  I just can't seem to help myself from pinning all the fabulousness out there. This recent dive back to A Pinteresting Wednesday has me excited to cross of more projects and harness more inspiration. Woot!

With Christmas coming, I think I am going to be seeing a lot more of my Gifts For Others pin board. Which of your pin boards is you favorite? Do share. I am always looking for more awesome pin boards to follow!

Flour Sack Towel Euro Sham Covers

First off, please excuse that really ugly golden tan wall. In a stupid and vain moment I almost didn't share these adorable Flour Sack Towel Euro Shams all because the color of my room is not my favorite. Basically my room is a constant work in progress and part of me didn't want to share any little project until the whole room is done.

Well, that could take years. I didn't want to wait that long to show you these Euro Shams. They are delightful. I love them and they were so easy to make. So I decided to stop being a cry baby pride bucket and just share this Flour Sack Towel Euro Shams DIY.

I have wanted Euro Shams for awhile. I knew exactly what I wanted. I wanted a vintagey striped pillow. I wanted it white with blue stripes, because I love all things blue. Eh...but...uh...these pillows are red and white.

Yes, well do you see that sweet red lamp in the photo above. That is Hubby's lamp. When we first bought it on clearance we were going to spray paint it. As time went on Hubby decided he wanted it to stay red. I tried to convince him otherwise, but as he pointed out, he probably should get a say from time to time. Haha!

So due to the lamp, a pop of vintage red needed to be added to the room. I searched and searched for the shams I had envisioned. Alas, they were no where to be found.

So when you can't find what you are looking for, you make it baby.

When I found these 28x28 flour sack towels at JoAnn's, I knew I had my answer.
 

Flour sack towels are inexpensive. They are perfectly vintage looking right out of the package. There are two in each pack, so I only had to buy two to make two shams.

Since I wanted my color to be muted and worn looking, I used regular craft acrylic paint. Normally you do not use acrylic paint on fabric without a fabric medium because when you wash it the color fades. Since I wanted my color faded I used acrylic.

I taped of the lines I wanted. I started in the middle and measure out equal distances. I used a wide tape for the first white stripe. Then I taped of another smaller area for the small red stripe. Tape off two of the towels for the two pillow fronts.

With cardboard beneath the towel, start painting with a foam brush. I roughly painted. Basically I didn't want to saturate the fabric. I let it look worn. Once you are done, wait a couple of minutes and then carefully peel back the tape. Allow to dry. Wash and dry each sham front. This will make the painted fabric softer and it will give it the faded worn look perfect for a vintage looking pillow.

I chose to make my shams close with a zipper. You could also hand sew them closed. I used a 24" white zipper. First attach one side of the zipper to the front of one towel, with the zipper tab down.

Then I did the same thing with the other side of the zipper and the back piece of the sham. After the zipper was attached to both sides, sew around the other edges of the towels (right sides facing) to create the pillow sham.

Clip corners. Turn out the sham. Iron. Insert a euro sham insert. I got mine at Ross for really cheap.

I really love the pop of red and I love the look of these Flour Sack Towel Euro Shams. Thanks Hubby for insisting we keep the red lamp.

Follow along with Just Another Day in Paradise

Instagram        Facebook        Pinterest

Little Geranium Dress: Baby Girl Gift

I don't get to sew too many baby girl clothes over here in this house. When I get the chance, I kind of geek out. My friend just had a gloriously delicious little baby girl. I used that as an excuse to get my sewing on.

I chose to center my baby girl gift around the ever popular and always amazing Little Geranium Dress, which is a free teeny version of the Geranium Dress by Made by Rae. Rae is a pattern making genius people.

Some of you that have hung around here a bit know how I struggle with patterns. This is a great pattern. The pattern walks you through the construction and it is so clear. This is the most professional looking garment I have produced to date.

I love this dress.

I chose a heart print light denim for the main dress. The lining is a simple cotton polka dot.

I went back and forth between hot pink buttons to go with the tights or turquoise to go with the lining.

I obviously went with turquoise.

I added hot pink accents other places. How cute are these itty bitty pockets?

I also sneaked in a flash of hot pink on the inside. I used a little lace hem tape to polish off the inside.

The tights were made from one of my old shirts. I used Baby Go To Leggings pattern. This pattern is a free download. However, it only goes as small as 3-6 months, so I just sized the pattern down and made these for a 0-3 month baby. This pattern, too, is fantastic.

I made this felt bow thanks to the free template from Kiki and Company. I am pretty sure I am going make like a million more of these.

Now I just need to find some more baby girls to make outfits for. No, not my own. I guess my friends better start having some little girls.

Oh I love this dress.

Thanks Rae for the amazing pattern.

Follow along with Just Another Day in Paradise

Instagram        Facebook        Pinterest

Easy Pillow Case Superhero Cape

I originally shared this post on Thirty Handmade Days in March.

I am sharing it again here in case you missed it! 

A no-fuss, low-key, easy on the budget project is the best. A project that is all those things AND super fun for the kiddos is the very best. In a houseful of boys, we tend to be a little superhero obsessed.

In one of these superhero moments, I had an "aha!" moment for a quick and easy way to make one of my Superheros In Training his own superpower inducing cape.

This project is SO easy and has minimal sewing and the best part is, it uses a standard pillow case. A pillow case is something we all have laying around. However, even if we don't have an extra pillow case available, you can purchase a set of standard pillow cases at some stores for $5.

Here is what you will need:

standard pillow case

fleece strip measuring 2" by 28"

yellow felt

lightning bolt template

coordinating thread

Here is the easy DIY for making this Easy Pillow Case Superhero Cape.

After you have purchased (or rounded up) a pillow case, iron it out. Especially if it is brand new.

Fold over the top of the pillowcase at the point where the stitching is at. You know the border at the opening. Iron. Zig zag stitch along where the edge meets with the pillowcase. This will make an casing for the piece of fleece.

 

Pin a safety pin to one edge of the fleece strip. Feed the fleece strip through the casing.

One you have the fleece through, make sure that there are equallengths of the fleece are on either side. These will become the ties for the cape. Pin the fleece to the pillowcase at the mid point. Run a zig zag stitch over the fleece and pillowcase for about 1 1/2" in order to secure the fleece in place.

The next step is to sew on the lightning bolt. After the lightning bolt has been cut out, pin it in place to the cape. You want to pin it in the top middle making sure it is centered. You will also want to make sure that your are pinning to side of the pillow case that you folded the top away from, so that edge doesn't show.

Stitch the lightning bolt in place with coordinating thread (yellow). If you use thread the same color as the pillowcase (orange in my case) in the bobbin then the stitching will not be visible on that back side.

Easy as that you have a cape fitting for any Superhero In Training. A mask and some cuffs add just that much more superheroness. I totally just made up that word.

UP, UP, and AWAY.

The world can rest well tonight knowing this Superhero is watching out for them.

World peace all thanks to an Easy Pillow Case Superhero Cape.