Give up Silk Flowers?…NEVER! A Tropical Trio

Happy Mid-June…Can you believe Summer is here!

Time for a quick and easy DIY  Tropical Summer Floral Arrangement.

Silk flowers are never “Faux Pas” to me.  For natural realistic looking silks my best advice is to buy as an investment.   Spending a few dollars more on quality silk stems is well worth the extra cost.

My DIY inspiration for a small tropical arrangement came from Petals.com    

Protea & Torch Ginger Accent
Artificial Flower Arrangement

Price: $79.00  This small tropical arrangement is perfect for my small sofa back table.

I gathered the tropical stems I already had: Most stems I purchase from Petals.com, Hobby Lobby,  Michaels and JoAnn’s.

To keep them looking new when not in use I wrap them in cotton pillow cases then store them in plastic to keep out moisture and dust.  Once in an arrangement I dust them weekly with a feather duster.  Wipe, if needed with baby wipes. 🙂  Silk floral spray cleaner is also good to use for a quick fresh clean.

I had to improvise with what I had:

To mimic the black river rocks in the inspiration arrangement I used a small blue glass jar (once a candle) to sit inside a larger glass bowl. 🙂

I wrapped a foam cube with tropical leaves (I did not want any white foam showing).   Then with a drop of hot glue on the bottom of the jar I inserted the wrapped foam into the blue glass jar.

I inserted each stem into the foam with hot glue.  Finished it with a little moss between the stems.  Then placed the arrangement in the glass bowl.  A super fast and simple DIY.   

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A Tropical Trio  

 $79.00 vs. $0.00

Minor change: I switched sides of the Red Ginger and Heliconia (aka: Lobster claw).  I also did not want to cut the stem of the Red Ginger any shorter. (ya never know, I may need to use it again for another seasonal refresh) Who would guess these flowers are more than 10 years old.  In my opinion, silk florals are not faux pas, they are forever lasting beauty.

Great things I love about quality silk florals:

• Silk flowers actually have a polyester blend which helps keep their shape and helps them from fraying
• Real touch silks are made of a liquid polymer soft coating. The look and feel is 100% realistic, high quality and more expensive
• Fill a floral tube with your favorite fragrance and insert it among the leaves
• Mix them with natural/real flowers for an added boost
• They won’t wilt when used for hot weather outdoor events
• No worry for allergies
• Reusable
• No matter what season, they are always in bloom

My other arrangements are still a delight from last year. (for the full post click on the title or picture)

Tropical Leaves and Flowers and A Beautiful Orchid

  

Create a beautiful arrangement for your home that will last all Summer long.

Thanks for stopping by    Enjoy your Summer

Create, and enjoy loving your home

Decorating with mirror panels – Simple changes

Hope all had a wonderful week.

Recently I created a style/board for a dream cocktail parlor shown here  that featured a beautiful large wall mirror. This caused me to re-visit other décor possibilities for the wall of our cocktail parlor.   Although I love large wall mirrors I could not use one because we have a bar cabinet centered on that wall.  The wall décor was a dilemma from the start of the re-do in November until now.  And moving the furniture layout, painting and wall paper was out of the question.  Finally I downloaded the room image onto Houzz.com under their “design dilemma Q and A” board and asked other decorators as well.  I received great suggestions.  But only one suggestion really made sense…

“Since your wall art seems to be unbalanced,  why not use one mirror for each side of the cabinet”

Eureka! Never even considered it!

I went with two mirror wall panels. Placing one on each side of the bar cabinet.   So many pretty ones to choose from and their prices range very high to reasonable, from elaborate designs to basic….  I really could not make up my mind so Ms. Pocket Purse decided for me.    🙂

The winner:  AtHome.com the home décor superstore:   AtHome Barnwood Panel for $79.99  

The design was not too busy and the brown wood inlay coordinated with my furnishings.  The perfect size, nice weight and thickness, made well with sturdy wall hooks. And the right price.

To prepare the room the changes were made:  Replacing, moving, decluttering.  Really simple changes with a big impact.

 AFTER: 

Although the mirror panels has a black frame, the texture has brown accents that pick up the wood tones. 

I did not want a lot of mirror bling, just the right amount to reflect the mood lighting in the evening. 

Up lights on timers creates a nice ambiance.  

I may have sconces installed on this wall, still debating.

 Never considered mirror wall panels before but so glad it came to be.

My decision for mirror panels did not come from Houzz.com but they have great resources.  If you ever have a decorating design dilemma check out Houzz.com .  They have interior designers and decorators (some not) who take the time to help with valid suggestions.  Go to Houzz.com  click Stories and Advice then scroll to Design Dilemma .

Cheers to mirror reflections.

Enjoy the rest of your week-end and have a wonderful week

Thanks for stopping by.

Boho Pillow

Is it time to refresh your pillows for Summer?  Sometimes taking an old pillow you love and dressing it up a bit is all you need.  Plus it’s fun to see how creative you can be.

I saw this fun pom-pom trim at Hobby Lobby, and thought how cute it would be to accent a bohemian pillow I made a while back. I was not quite sure how I was going to put it all together but I loved the colors.   

The large red pillow is what I had in mind to refresh.  This was our Bohemian inspired guest room in 2013.

I have always loved this fabric print by Richloom, called Cornwall Cadmium. 

Before I get into the how… let me just say I was really feeling funky the day I re-made/refreshed this pillow. 

Sometimes we just have bad days and this was one for me. I took my frown and turned it around into the energy of an artist.  I blasted the music, put on my baret and started the madness.  🙂   Let’s start the music……..

I whirled the pillow cover in the air and ripped opened all sides!

Squirted droplets of Gem Tac all over it!

Aimed and threw on the rhinestones!

  Slapped and Splattered  strokes of silver glitter!

Then twirled the fabric in the air and flung it over the easel and waited for the masterpiece to dry!  Whew!  Some days we just have to throw something!!

  

By then I was starting to look and be myself again, the calm was settling in …hmmm, hmmmm, hmmm 

 and creative thoughts began to blossom. 🙂

I had extra scraps leftover from the Boho Curtains (shown above).  I cut strips for side bands, but they still need something to connect to the center.  I attached a 1-1/2″ inset strip to the band and outlined it with the yellow leather studded trim.  The pom-pom trim and bands were then sewn to the pillow sides.

Let’s keep this creative groove going…

Made flange bands for the top and bottom with contrast corner squares. And attached batting to the flange.    

Applied red cord piping all around.  The back is solid red with a hidden velcro closure.  Measures 32″ x 22.” Using the same design it can be made any size you wish by simply framing an existing pillow with additional fabric and trims.  

Next were the tassels. Made with multi color and red sparkle yarn, crystal beads and the yellow trim.

The tassels measure 10″ long and 280 strands each.

 

 

 The Bohemian Pillow Refreshed!

A few days past and I decided to relax under the tree. 

This art print by Jane Evershed called “I would like my bed to be outside under a tree”  Summed up how I was feeling.

Yup, some days you just have to throw something then take a deep breath and relax……..Boho Style!

Hey, enjoy your week-end and Thanks for stopping by

Sew, create and enjoy loving your homeCheck out more bohemian ideas  and creative pillows on my Pinterest boards

Ok, you can turn the music off now if you want …or…. just groove on…

A Dream Room Inspired

How do you refer to the rooms of your home?  We love to style and design rooms, name them specifically for the feeling and purpose we want to convey.  I’m guilty of this.   She Shed, Salon, Dressing Room, Man Cave, Wine Cellar, Library, Meditation room….etc…etc…

Last week  Arhaus.com  a home furnishings company contacted me to see if I would be interested in connecting with them on a project creating a style/mood board of what my dream Living Room would be.   I expressed,  “I remodeled my Living room into a Cocktail Parlor in November 2016”.   However, we all have more than one dream, right?  After visiting Arhaus.com seeing their beautiful home furnishings I was delighted to create a

“Arhaus at home”  Dream Parlor.

Styled for relaxing conversations while sipping evening cocktails.

From it’s tromped wallpaper to exquisite art.  The masterpiece hand carved mahogany console.  The vintage heirloom hand-knotted wool rug. The plush sheepskin fur pillows. 100% Linen lined floor to ceiling draperies.  A 40″ diameter hand crafted iron mirror.  Feast your eyes up to a beautiful antique gold Acanthus leaf swag chandelier.  And to enjoy it all as you soothe your soul relaxing in a vintage chenille luxuriously soft arm-chair.  Style the hand-forged French designed iron bar cart your way with vintage tumblers and mirror trays. OMG… Need I go on.

  I was in dream heaven viewing their unique high-end works of art.

Please take a moment and visit Arhaus.com  you won’t be disappointed.

Thank you Molly Kay of  Arhaus.com for recognizing and wanting me to be apart of your project.

I greatly enjoyed it.

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Having a dream room, cocktail parlor styled as the one above would be a dream come true.

 

Cheers to making your very own dream room a reality!!

Thanks for stopping by.  Enjoy your week-end

Check out my Pinterest page on Parlors for more creative decorating ideas.

What the Heck? Hexagon Pillow Cushion

Hey there!  There is no question, I am a pillow hoarder, creator, sewer-maker, buyer.  Just can’t help myself and not trying to.  I have a pillow closet and proud of it!

Pillow Passion People Unite!  🙂

My last post shown here “The Funky Zebra Print” I made a hexagon floor cushion. And to my surprise I received more emails than I ever expected on better instructions to make it.   So I thought this would be the best way to share in more detail, a tutorial that you can print (3 pages) and a download of the pattern (3 pages). 

Scroll for Pattern at bottom.

 

 

3 pattern pages in a PDF file to Print on 8-1/2 X 11  paper.

HexagonTop Tag

Hexagon Bottom Tag

Curve Side Tag

Hope this helps, If you have any questions you know where to find me:  LindaGlovinghome@comcast.net

Thanks for wanting to share with me in creative ways to sew, make and enjoy pillows and cushions!  It’s just Never Enough. 🙂

Sew, Create and Enjoy Loving Your Home

The Funky Zebra Print…. Fabric Leftovers

I think Zebra Print is….well, Funky.  You either love it or look the other way.

Exotic Animal fabric prints will always be in my fabric collection. But the Zebra print is my favorite.

Last month after finishing the outdoor table runner and a few pillows (See more of that post here)

Spring Outdoor Happy Place

I had more Zebra print fabric left.

Inspired by  Jamala over at VivaLaVintageforyourhome stated if you have left over fabric use it in other areas of your home. She showed ways in which she used her left over fabric.  Which is exactly what I did.  I made another pouf…. Did I really need another pouf..?  No but glad I did.

I placed it in my studio office beneath the credenza. I’m pleased with how it turned out. By adding black piping between each pie shaped panel, around the top center and side skirt made a difference.  25″ Finished diameter X 14″ height.

I felt it needed a coordinating pillow. So back to Hobby Lobby I went hoping they still had more of this fabric.  On sale $4.00 a yard.   They did!   Now, the decision on what type and design of coordinating pillow?   Accent, Floor, Euro…what?   Since the pouf has pie shaped panels…hmmm…..the design I chose was hexagon shaped.

Making the pattern first started out as a circle, then dividing into 6 equal parts.

But you know me, I can’t just have 1 print.  I wanted to add another print.  The best way was to add ellipse shaped  sides.  Shown in the right picture above,  the straight bottom of the hexagon was curved up.  Then I was able to make the ellipse shape pattern for the side panels.

I added piping and soft yarn tassels, a back zipper closure and filled it softly with a combo of down and poly-fill.  The top has the option to be tufted.  After attaching the top and back buttons with a long cord I left the cords unattached on the inside.  Filled the pillow while holding the two cords.  After getting the desired fullness, I  inserted my hands and tied the cords to the desired tufted amount.  It sounds more fussy than it actually is. The finished cushion is 25″ diameter.

 

Making a little seating vignette to kick off those heels and have a champagne cocktail.  The quilt I made years ago.  Quilts are another excellent way to use left over fabric and scrap fabric.

The white pillow was made from a twisted rope shag rug.  Filled with down for extra softness.

Stacking the two looks cute too.  (Idea: Stack two velvet hexagon cushions with long beaded tassels. That would look awesome in a ladies boudoir) 🙂

Did I stop? Oh No……. Still had left over print fabric so it had to be used. 🙂 Made a large rectangle with crescent-shaped ends, piping, back zipper closure and tassels.  35″ long and 25″ wide.

With all the poufs, pillows, and cushions the girls are ready for picnic entertainment.  The wicker bowl  I used in Wok Bowl Planters received the table top from my office table which fit perfectly inside as a tray for a flat surface.

It’s certainly a Funky Zebra Fest…

Now it’s back in my studio office under the credenza…. Makes for a little extra seat.

Other ways I used left over fabric and trims:  The tigers were heavy candle holders great for what are now bookends with burlap tassels glued upside down in the candle cups. The covered book.  For the air freshener I made a fur koozie with the bottom open to slip on and the top open just enough for the spray nozzle. The wood table top is covered with wall paper.

Now that I don’t have any fabric left I guess it’s time to shop for more.

Do share ways you have used your left over fabric from finished projects?  It’s always great to get and give new ideas.  I hope to see you on my next outdoor seating vignette with some fabulous new fabric prints. Thanks again Jamala at VivaLaVintageforyourhome for the inspiration.

Thanks for stopping by. Enjoy your week-end.

Sew, create and enjoy loving your home.

 

 

Sea Shell Wind Chime

Another idea for all the beautiful sea shells you are going to collect this summer at the beach.

Last week at the beach while making my path to and from….

Hubby found driftwood covered in clusters of mussels.  I thought what a beauty… a keeper

Brought it home and first I placed it on a silver platter just to marvel over it with the other shells found. Notice the added two pearls..silly me 🙂

The platter I found at Goodwill for $2.99.  Could not believe it.  A few scratches on the flat tray bottom, but that was it.  17″w X 24″long. (posted on Instagram)

After deciding on the layout for the wind chime

I added a few star fish that I already had.

Drilled holes in each shell   I used .015 Dia. monofilament fishing line to string the shells, leaving space between each shell by knotting then triple knotted and hot glued the ends to eye screw hooks secured into the driftwood.

I just had to put a few pearls in there too.

You can see where most of the mussel shells fell off.       Looks so pretty in the early evening

Now that we brought a little of the seashore home on display….I’m seeing a few sea life and coastal outdoor pillows and accessories in the near future.  Well…maybe….we’ll sea.  🙂

Have a wonderful safe week! Thanks for stopping by.