Thursday, February 28, 2008

"Blast-from-the-past-ottoman"



I don't actively go out "garbage picking" - let me say that right off the bat! LOL You know what I'm talking about...those people who drive around in a junky old truck that looks like something right out of "The Beverly Hillbillies" and go searching through neighborhoods for "treasures" :) Uh no, that wouldn't be me, that's for sure...I don't have a truck and I don't drive around neighborhoods LOL However, I have happened upon items sitting on the side of the road practically begging me to take them home to magically transform HA HA HA


Case in point...the very ugly burnt orange, circa 1970s corduroy ottoman. Eeeeeew! Definitely a side-of-the-road special. Not a super busy road, mind you. That's one "rule" I have - or whatever ya wanna say. Nope, I don't ever stop on B-U-S-Y roads, period - only quiet streets. Gotta be able to do a quick grab-and-run LOL OK, well not really run but I sure don't go making a big 'ole spectacle of myself when it comes to - ahem - "curbside shopping" LOL Anyway....


"Plan A" for this dandy little disguise quickly turned to "Plan B" when the stapler just wasn't cooperating and frustration was progressively giving way to anger! (It's always good to have a Plan B LOL) A few measurements, some time at the sewing machine and a lot of pressing ('press, press, press' - my home ec teacher would always say!)....and voila! Here's a little cutie patootie coordinated cover-up for that 1970s ottoman to complement "Old Goldie" :)

10 comments:

  1. You must have had the same sewing teacher I did! ;o)
    Again, your style and talent amazes me. I'm so jealous!!!

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  2. Yes, I agree...you are very talented Shell!
    Love C

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  3. That's awesome! Since I have very little hands on/creative talent - I really admire people who do have this gift! Very awesome job! :)

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  4. Awwww - thanks for your sweet comments, ladies! I appreciate the great feedback :)You guys are just so nice :)

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  5. Oh, I forgot to add this, Karen...my home ec teacher would say that 'press, press, press' in this sing-song kinda voice, too! Plus she was an absolute MANIAC about making sure the pattern pieces were as flat as flat can be when we were cutting something out and if it wasn't done to her standard, she thought nothing of making us start over again...ya know, to this day - I DO NOT like that part of sewing! LOL I find myself re-pinning A LOT!

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  6. Too cool! I love finding sad things and bringing life to them..great job!

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  7. I think that is cool. You did a great job.

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  8. Hey Michelle,
    You crack me up! I can just see you grabbing that ottoman (and hoping no one's looking!)! LOL
    It looks great by the way. I've enjoyed the show around your home and look forward to more!
    Did you get my email this week?

    Have a great day!
    Jennifer

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  9. Michelle,

    I love your chair AND your ottoman. You did a wonderful and incredibly creative job.

    I'm trying to catch up on my computer time. Hopefully, I'll be talking to you soon!

    Gena

    P.S. I, too, am a stickler for straight patterns. My oldest daughter hated it when I made her iron (with a cool iron, of course) the pattern pieces so that they would cut out properly. Oh well... She is a terrific seamstress now!

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  10. I have to ask... what inspires you in picking out your cordinating patterns? I would have never put those patterns together, but they look absolutely amazing together! I just brings such style and character to your room. I love it!

    Ok, so did I understand that right? You used a HOT GLUE GUN on oldie goldie? Is that right?

    I really want to take some sewing lessons. I can do the basics, but I want to really learn so that I can so something other than straight stitches, and ol' I believe I learned something about darts a decade or so ago :o)

    That cute little ruffle around oldie goldie just makes her sing :o)

    a little secret... I have a few things in my house that I got out of the "dumpster trailor" at my old apartment. Those old people used to throw out the best stuff! For over a year, an old savaged piano bench doubled as extra seating in my apartment, and as my tool box.. lol. It still has tools in it (it's my stash), but now it resides on the back porch. I can't seem to part with it.

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