Welcome and thanks for party-hopping over to see my "It's all about me" creation!
First, I want to thank party hostess with the mostest and superartist Natasha for coming up with such an inspiring idea:
Create something for yourself!
I used the party date as a deadline to face my fear of my sewing machine and make something already!
I decided to make a cover for the chair pad at my desk.
When some blogger friends (including Natasha) left me the advice to ditch the pattern, I felt an immediate sense of relief. No pattern!
I practiced and hit many, many snags (Oh yeah -- lower the presser foot!) but the party made me move forward.
And here it is! It's not "perfect" but that's what is so wonderful about cottage and shabby style: it doesn't need to be. I used the reverse side of the fabric for the worn and soft, faded look it gives.
Corners weren't looking so tidy so I covered them with appliques purchased from Brandywine Boutique. There are other "little secrets" but I'm glad I finally sewed something. I told my youngest I would make pillows out of his outgrown Star Wars T-shirts. He thinks that's way cool. (Not too shabby! LOL)
Thanks again for stopping by and for your encouragement! I'm so looking forward to seeing what everyone made. Party on!
xo
YAY!!!! you go girl!!! Your chairpad turned out fabulous! Love how you used the back side of the fabric too, it's the same as your background on your blog right? See how it wasn't as hard as you thought?! Now that monkey's off your back! Thanks so much for joining in, I'm so glad you did!
ReplyDeleteWell done!!! It looks gorgeous and I love how you did the corners! So pretty! Rachael
ReplyDeleteSo cute, Elyse! And bravo for you! I also love the pastel braided rug in the pic! ☺
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit confused about when to post for the party. Mine is set to post at midnight...
YAY ELYSE!!! I am so excited for you, you did it!! GREAT JOB! The chair pad is so darling! You may have to start selling those :):)
ReplyDeleteLove ya,
Amy
You did it! Those patterns just frustrated the heck out of me. Might as well have been reading a foreign language. Once I tossed them aside and just went forward in my own way, I was able to make pretty much whatever I wanted! Congratulations, Elyse!
ReplyDeleteBrenda
Great job on your chair pad. Aren't we lucky super creative Natasha gave us the chance to do something for ourselves ?????
ReplyDeleteThe chair paid turned out so cute! great job elyse!
ReplyDeleteSheryn xox
i didn't know that it was thursday in new england...LOL...your chair pad turned out SO cute Elyse!!! i love the fabric that you used...i do better without a pattern too...patterns and instructions in general give me the hives!!!
ReplyDeletelove it.....so sweet!! now your on to lots of sewing projects
ReplyDeleteWow, what a great birthday swap! Get ready for another package to arrive soon. . . from me. Sent it 2 days ago. Mine isn't as extravagant, but hope you like it, Elyse!
ReplyDeleteI am proud of you for giving it a try and your chairpad is just perfect! Creative thinking to put the appliques on the corners! Have a blessed day and congrats!
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT, EXCELLENT Job!!!...I KNEW you could do it!...and it's absolutely PERFECT!!!...LOVE the fabric and the appliques!...Also love that you have conquered your fear!!!...WAHOOOO!!!....Hey!...See you this weekend!!!...I told the construction guys to get the lead out and get the road finished already!...Elyse is coming!...they said No Prob!...It'll be done!...for you!...GIGGLE!!!...see you soon!!! Hugs!
ReplyDeleteElyse,
ReplyDeleteThis is so lovely, and I think you did an amazing job. I still can't figure out how to thread my sewing machine. I love that Natasha gave us permission to create something for ourselves. Wasn't it fun? Congratulations on your new Lollishop. I have one too, and I saw you there and I was so thrilled.
Karen
I must say that seat cover looks amazing not bad for free hand work. Baby I think you have some hidden sewing talents. oxox, Diane
ReplyDeleteI have to admit to you that I had a fear of my sewing machine also hehe! I have since conquered it, but still have a lot of improvement to do : ) Good job on your chair pad, it is lovely! I hope you have many more happy sewing experiences!
ReplyDeleteHugs ~ Nichole
So cute...I may be able to do that.... I am not that handy at the sewing machine!!!! You inspire me! I need to do many many for my chairs and benches...thanks for the idea!
ReplyDeleteElyse! I'm soooo PROUD of you!! You did a great job...your chair pad turned out beautifully! And your bum will love it too. hehe!
ReplyDeleteYou faced your fear and conquered it. I knew you could do it.
So, what are you going to sew next?
Hugs, Debi
Yeah! You did it and it looks great! I have a similar fear of sewing machines:) Why are they so intimidating? I'm glad you did something just for You! Have a nice day! Twyla
ReplyDeleteHOORAY FOR YOU! It looks great. You did a beautiful job. I love the little flower applique, so sweet.
ReplyDeleteVery sweet, Elyse! I love the material you used and the way you tied the pad with pink ribbons and appliques. Vicki
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I couldn't live without my sewing machine. I hope your pretty chair pad has inspired you to do lots more projects. It really is fun to sew!
ReplyDeleteHi Elyse,
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job. You should be very proud of your accomplishment. I believe that now that you have faced your fear of the sewing machine and conquered it the possibilities are endless. Way to go. Woo Hoo! Have a wonderful evening.
Hugs,
♥Ana
I love the sweet little pink roses againt that blue background!
ReplyDeleteA job well done.
Nancy
Simply lovely! I can just imagine a nice sit down with tea and cookies!
ReplyDeleteBravo Elyse!! Stepping over your fear for the sewing machine was a big leap, but making that beautiful chairpad is something else, well done! I think you were so smart to use that appliques on the corners, started as hiders, but now are the eye catchers and very creative! I love that you used the reversed side of the fabric! Come on now hit those Star War t-shirts, and keep us posted please! Have fun seeing the other projects!
ReplyDeleteSew pretty!! ;) Love the pattern of the fabric- it goes perfectly with your little blue wooden table!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful seat cushion! You did a great job! I'm pround of you. I am still afraid of the sewing machine! hehe
ReplyDeleteHugs, Lisa
Isn't it wonderful that natashas party has inspired us all to do something for ourselves. Great job on the chair pad
ReplyDeleteAlison
Pretty cushion Elyse and you did a great job!! Happy sewing!
ReplyDeleteBlessings~
Oh boy, Elyse - yippee! You did it! And beautifully, too, I might add. Love the fabric and love what you did with the corners. There will be no stopping you now, my friend!
ReplyDeleteYes, I do get a per diem...although I haven't received it yet. But it sure comes in handy!
I'm going to try to visit that shop - I remember when you blogged about it.I will get the directions from Mapquest, and hopefullly, stop by on my way home tomorrow.
xo
Claudia
Way to go, Idaho!!!! Now...skirts! Frocks! A slip cover for your sofa! ;}
ReplyDeletem ^..^
Elyse that is gorgeous, you did a wonderful job! I'm so proud of you for having the courage to ditch the pattern lol, that is something I have a great fear of - working without instructions :)
ReplyDeleteLove the star wars pillow idea too, your son will love them I bet!
Facing our fears is never easy, is it?! So glad you did, and with such success! Your chair pad is simply darling ♥
ReplyDeleteHope you're enjoying the
swap as much as I am!
~ blessings ~
Pearl
please stop by for
a visit, and enter to
win one of my give~aways!
Yeah for you!! Duvet cover is not far behind!!
ReplyDeleteVery nice!
ReplyDeleteI love the fabric...
hugs from Argentina!
It´s terrific!
ReplyDeleteI love it!
soooo cuteeeeee!!!
xoxo
Your chair pad is wonderful! Great fabric. I'm so glad you overcame your fear. Sewing is, well it's fun and creative (and frustrating) and great. And as long as you have a really good seam ripper (and you're not working with velvet) everything can be fixed!
ReplyDeletehugs,
~Marilee
Yay!!! You made it Elyse. I am so proud of you and the chair pad looks lovely. Love the colors you chose. Very shabby!! You go girl!!!
ReplyDeleteHugs!!
Sonia
Oooooh, Elyse, it's adorable and I just love chair pads like that, sweetpea!
ReplyDeletexoxo,
Connie
You were right in accepting their advice - it is always better to test things out on your own. Using a pattern can be rewarding though so give one a try for the next project.
ReplyDeleteSoon, you will wonder how you ever got along with out your machine!
Your cushion looks fantastic!
Cheers,
Maggie
How cute is that!?! I ♥ your darling chairpad! It's PURRRRRRfect for your darling studio! The photos look so perfect with your blog background, too!
ReplyDeleteYour seat cushion turned out adorable!! You made me LOL with the comment you left me about me and cottage 8 !
ReplyDeleteHugs~Kelly
Beautiful! I love the fabric! Nice job overcoming your fear!
ReplyDeletePink...sweet pink with lovely tiny flowers. I love what you did to that cute chair. Nice gift to yourself. Have a nice time enjoying your project.
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by my blog via Claudia and sharing your lovely comments. I love your blog and I think the chair cover is wonderful. It is nice to know Claudia has such lovely friends.
ReplyDeleteLOL, I think the floral appliques are too cute and they do belong in those corners. And using the backside of a fabric - - nice!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your sewing project! It looks great to me, and I would never have known that the cute appliques were covering up a problem. laurie
ReplyDeleteElyse, your chair pad turned out great! Love the fabric you chose and that little decal on the back of the chair is adorable too!
ReplyDeletexo
jeanne
Fabulous do over, the colours are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI think you did a wonderful job.Its very pretty.XXOO Marie Antionette
ReplyDeleteSEW cute...and looks SEW easy..think I may try it! The material matches your back ground...how did that happen?! Very cool~
ReplyDeleteCome say hi :D
Your ideas are amazing! I love your blog! So much creativity. I am following you now and can't wait to see what's next. Have a great weekend! Kathie <3
ReplyDeleteCute! good for you! I HATE patterns. Something just turns up that anxiety! Hope you keep sewing.
ReplyDeleteWow, good on you and well done! See, wasn't that hard was it...
ReplyDeleteOh, now you've done it! You see what fun it is to use the machine. ;0) I love machine and hand sewing..it's great therapy..hehe
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job and I love the fabrics that give the perfect shabby look using the wrong side.
If you haven't dropped by my place yet..please do!
Hugs,
Stephanie
Yay Elyse, great little pad!
ReplyDeleteHi Elyse!
ReplyDeletewow!! they turned out gorgeous! I love that fabric too! Sooo sweet!You do such beautiful work Elyse!
Hugs, Cyn xox
Whoooppeee! Isn't it fun to stand back and say "I made it myself"??? I LOVE that fabric...is it the same as your background for your blog? Too darn cute.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Spencer
The chair pad is marvelous!Great job.8~)
ReplyDelete~Myrna lee
how superbly fantastic, Yeeeaaaaah you did it!
ReplyDelete