Porch Transformation

I am so sorry I have been away for over a week! We have had family in town, and lets just say it has been crazy around here. Today I am finally getting a chance to sit down, and show you a space I updated last week.   We have dinner outside on the deck most summer nights, and it really needed a little updating.  As always I was on a really tight budget.  I had about $250 to make over my entire space.   I had the table, and chairs, but I needed new cushions, pillows, table placemats & napkins.  Here is my new tablescape....

My starting point was the orange cushions on my outdoor lounge chairs...

Goodness, look at that sun!  These chairs sit in full sun all day long, and I am thrilled the fabric is sunbrella!  It holds up beautifully to sun and storms.  Anyway, they are orange, so that was my jumping off point.

I found closeout Sunbrella seat cushions at my local Tuesday Morning for $19.99.  I was lucky, they only had four matching chair cushions, and one bench cushion.  Truth be told I am not crazy about the pattern, but the price had me...besides, I knew I would be adding pillows.

I had the orange pillows (they came with my orange Sam's Club chairs.  At TJ Maxx my cousin and I stumbled upon the great floral pattern pillows. (Can you see them peaking from behind the table?) These were a real bargain at $16.99.  I was only going to buy 2, but Krista talked me into buying all 4. If you knew us, you would know that that was not much of a challenge!  My poor husband he does not stand a chance against the two of us! I put two on the bench, and two on my lounge chairs (pictured a couple pictures above).

With all this color, I needed a little bit of neutral...so the placemats and napkins were a perfect find.  TJ Maxx $4.99 for a set of four napkins...same price for four placemats.

I thought the napkins needed a little personality.  So of course I added my family's monogram with my embroidery machine.

I love using flowers from my garden to create informal arrangements.  Pictured above is just a simple arrangement of Crape Myrtle and Honeysuckle.

My favorite part of this entire transformation are the monogrammed pillows at the heads of the table. 

My Hubby's

Mine

These were simple sunbrella pillows I bought at TJ Maxx for $19.99. 

Before...

I ripped the pillows apart, monogrammed each, and then added brush trim.  Voila!

Thanks for joining me today!  As always I love to read your comments!  And as always, I went a little over budget...

Rebekah

I linked up to these amazing blog parties.

Motivate Me Monday The Cure for the Common Monday Just Something I Whipped Up Polly Want a Crafter Sew Can Do Boogieboard Cottage DIY Home Sweet Home Brassy Apple Polish the Stars Serendipity and Spice Destination CraftMrs Happy Homemaker Made for You Monday Make it Yourself Monday Ask AnnaC.R.A.F.T.The Southern Institute The DIY ShowoffCraftomaniacRaising 4 Princesses Between Naps on the Porch Bedazzle Me Monday The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife Make Something Monday * A Diamond in the Stuff Stringtown HomeOrganizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials Giggles Glitz and Glam Be Inspired Tuesday Time OutA to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite FindsEye HeartOur Delightful Home The Inspiration Board Frugal Treasures Tuesday Too Cute TuesdaySugar and DotsTopsy Turvy Tuesdays Trick or Treat Tuesday Chef in TrainingSugar Bee CraftsHope Studios Tell it to me Tuesday Your Cozy Home Party Turquoise Lovin’Tuesday To Do Party Cherished BlissAnti-Procrastination Tuesdays Type A Adventures of a DIY Mom Show Me What Ya Got Get Your Craft OnNifty Thrifty Tuesday Tuesday Confessional Teagan Travels How to Nest for Less A Bowl Full of Lemons Tuesday Trade OffTip JunkieT2T TuesdayTuesday TreasuresLadybug BlessingsCreative ItchToot your Horn Tuesday Jillify It Tutorial Tuesday Pin Cushion Creations Junk in their Trunk Polkadots on Parade * Laugh Love and Craft Rock N ShareClean & Scentsible The Trendy Treehouse Beyond the Picket Fence School House Scraps The Thrifty Home Sew Woodsy Savvy Southern Style Your Whims Wednesday Wow me Wednesday A Little TipsyWomen Living WellPrimp your Stuff Wednesday Show and Share Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party Whatever goes Wednesday Live.Laugh.RoweAdventures in Dinner Easy Digital Scrapbooking Mom on Timeout The CSI Project Share Your Cup Thursday Fabulously FlawedIt’s Sew Stinking Cute The Shabby Creek Cottage The Crafty Blog Stalker Christina’s Adventures Crafty Scrappy Happy Embracing Change52 Mantels Bear Rabbit Bear The Vintage Farmhouse Bloom DesignsA Turtles Life for Me The Taylor House Rhinestone BeagleSchoolhouse Scraps The Brambleberry Cottage * The Shabby NestTidy MomJoyful StamperMy Simple Home Life RemodelaholicDelicate Construction Happy Hour Projects Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 504 Main Hating Martha The Creative Paige Here Comes the Sun Cookie Nut Creations Bacon TimeJoy in the JumbleThe Grant LifeDotted Line Crafts Love Notes by Lauren Raising OrangesMaking LemonadeRedoux InteriorsSassy SitesOne Artsy MommaMy Romantic HomePetals to PicotsPandoras Craft Box My Repurposed Life French Country Cottage At the Picket Fence Just Us FourMommas Kinda Crafty CraftionaryKitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Just Us 4Sweet Tooth Friday 30 Handmade Days Lovely Crafty Home Mama Mias Heart to Heart Homemaker in Heels Family Ever After Lady Bird LaneSerenity You The Gingerbread Blog Cherished Treasures Re-made Just Right Under the Table & Dreaming The Sweet talk Shop Sassafrass Salvation Simple as That My 1929 Charmer Heatherly Loves The Sasse Life Joy 2 Journey The Foley

Entry Closet Makeover Part 2: The Soft Stuff

ENTRY CLOSET MAKEOVER

PART 2: THE SOFT STUFF

 

Our finished built in entry bench obviously has a cushion and loads of pillows (duh!). And if Will is figuring out how to make it as he goes without enlisting help then so am I (competative much?) Guess what... I'm not an expert sewer!  That is Rebekah!  I sew pillows and the occassional curtain panel.  Squares and rectanges... very straight forward, and both of those need not be perfect to look perfect.  A cushion cover on the other hand must be perfect to look perfect.  Your measurements and cuts must be exact in size and exactly square.  YIKES!  Hard for a self proclaimed "non-perfectionist". 

So, I set out for the perfect tutorial in blogland.  I read tons of great ones but there was one AMAZING tutorial out there.  Pictures of every single step and very detailed.  Since I was completely clueless this is what I needed. 

Perfectly Portable Cushion Tutorial

The only step I modified was not adding the handles since I didnt need my cushion to be portable.  I honestly can't say enough good things not only about this tutorial but also about the entire Sew, Mama, Sew! empire.  Have you ever ordered fabric from them?  Great customer service, prices and turn around time.  Sign up for their emails and coupons come through frequently.  I'm a fan (can ya tell?)

For my foam insert I went to the Foam and Fabric Outlet in Fletcher, NC.  They cut me a perfect 53" x 22" x 3" insert and it only cost $22 which I thought was great!

So, just yesterday I said I would reveal tomorrow but, imagine this, we've had a change of plans.  I simply cannot find baskets I like so I am heading down to visit my sister in Charlotte tomorrow and we are going to hit the Pottery Barn Outlet, Ikea, the worlds largest TJ Maxx, and the bar.  If I can't find what I need between all those places then I just need to give up.  I will find them though!

Here is a sneak peak of how it's coming along.  I ADORE it!!!

Check out the piping!  I did that!

My lovely "gusset".  I learned that word in her awesome tutorial as well as how to do that perfectly hidden zipper.

View ENTRY CLOSET MAKEOVER PART 1: THE INSPRIATION here. 

 

Kandi

Hydrangeas: How to Make Cut Blooms Last

I am super thankful that the person who owned this house before me loved hydrangeas as much as I do.  She planted about 15 different bushes with at least 4 different varieties.  They line my driveway and make my heart happy every time I pull in.  Along with that goes threats from me every time someone is backing out of my driveway..."you hit my hydrangeas and I may literally kill you!!"  I'm only partially kidding :-)

The best part for me is having more to cut than I know what to do with!  Back before the days of Pinterest I actually pulled an article out of Southern Living written by the Grumpy Gardener on how to make your hydrangea blooms last.  It is old and wrinkly and I still refer to it to refresh my memory at the beginning of every season. 

1.  Plunge stems in cool water immediately after cutting
2. Pour about 1 inch of boiling water into a container and let it cool for a few minutes.
3. Cut the stems at an angle at the length you want for your arrangement.
4.Hold the bottom 1 inch of the stems in the hot water for about 30 seconds.
5. Transfer the stems to cool water for your arrangement.

Do not ask me the reason behind this method because I can honestly say I do not know why... but it works!

I love these blue hydrangeas in a simple white pitcher.

The arrangement on the left is in my dining room.  It has been on this table with only one water change and stem trim for over two weeks now and is still looking amazing!  The one on the right I cut and brought in yesterday without going through the above steps and as you can see it is already more wilted than the other.  It is worth the extra time to have your arrangement last literally weeks longer!  These little arrangements are my go to hostess gift all summer.  You can pick up a cute vase at a thrift store, add hydrangeas and have a gift most anyone would love. 

Here are a couple other varieties from my yard.

Nightingale Lace Cap Hydrangea

Oak Leaf Hydrangea

For all other cut flowers refer to Rebekah's post from last week.
For tips on drying hydrangeas refer to this post on our dried hydrangea wreath.

Coming up Wednesday will be the Entry Closet Makeover reveal! I just have to find a few baskets I like and do some touch up painting.  See here for the inspiration and before pictures.  Also, and recap of the greatest weekend ever with the Hendricks and Moody's including lots of pictures of muddy husbands and kids from the Mad Mountain Mud Run. 

Last but not least Rebekah and I are planning a series on getting balance is all aspects of our (your) life because we have decided we both are in serious need.  We are going to figure out how to get our bodies, parenting, homes, and work lives more balanced, organized and healthy.  Stay tuned.  We have a lot of work to do in a lot of areas and we want you to follow along, help us out, and join in with us!

Kandi

Partying at some of these awesome places!

Motivate Me Monday  Polly Want a Crafter Sew Can Do Boogieboard Cottage DIY Home Sweet Home Brassy Apple Serendipity and Spice Destination Craft Mrs Happy Homemaker Make it Yourself Monday Ask Anna C.R.A.F.T. The Southern Institute The DIY Showoff Craftomaniac Raising 4 Princesses Between Naps on the Porch Bedazzle Me Monday The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife Make Something Monday

A Diamond in the Stuff Stringtown Home Organizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials  Be Inspired Tuesday Time Out A to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite Finds Eye Heart Our Delightful Home The Inspiration Board Too Cute Tuesday Trick or Treat Tuesday Chef in Training Sugar Bee Crafts Hope Studios Tell it to me Tuesday Your Cozy Home Party Turquoise Lovin’ Tuesday To Do Party Cherished Bliss Anti-Procrastination Tuesdays Type A Adventures of a DIY Mom Show Me What Ya Got Get Your Craft On Nifty Thrifty Tuesday Tuesday Confessional Teagan Travels How to Nest for Less A Bowl Full of Lemons Tuesday Trade Off Tip Junkie T2T Tuesday Tuesday Treasures Ladybug Blessings Creative Itch Toot your Horn Tuesday Jillify It Tutorial Tuesday Pin Cushion Creations Spicy Link Up

Junk in their Trunk  Polkadots on Parade Sugar and Dots Rock N Share Clean & Scentsible The Trendy Treehouse Beyond the Picket Fence School House Scraps The Thrifty Home Sew Woodsy Savvy Southern Style Your Whims Wednesday Wow me Wednesday A Little Tipsy Women Living Well Primp your Stuff Wednesday Show and Share Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party Whatever goes Wednesday

  Live.Laugh.Rowe Adventures in Dinner Mom on Timeout The CSI Project Share Your Cup Thursday Fabulously Flawed It’s Sew Stinking Cute The Shabby Creek Cottage The Crafty Blog Stalker Christina’s Adventures Crafty Scrappy Happy Embracing Change 52 Mantels Bear Rabbit Bear The Vintage Farmhouse Bloom Designs A Turtles Life for Me The Taylor House Rhinestone Beagle The Brambleberry Cottage

 The Shabby Nest Tidy Mom Joyful Stamper My Simple Home Life Remodelaholic Delicate Construction Happy Hour Projects Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 504 Main Hating Martha The Creative Paige Here Comes the Sun Cookie Nut Creations Bacon Time Joy in the Jumble The Grant Life Dotted Line Crafts Love Notes by Lauren Raising Oranges Making Lemonade Redoux Interiors Sassy Sites One Artsy Momma My Romantic Home Petals to Picots Pandoras Craft Box My Repurposed Life French Country Cottage At the Picket Fence Just Us Four Mommas Kinda Crafty Craftionary Kitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Just Us 4 Sweet Tooth Friday 30 Handmade Days Lovely Crafty Home

Mama Mias Heart to Heart Homemaker in Heels Family Ever After Lady Bird Lane Serenity You The Gingerbread Blog

Cherished Treasures Re-made Just Right Under the Table & Dreaming The Sweet talk Shop Sassafrass Salvation Simple as That My 1929 Charmer Heatherly Loves The Sasse Life Joy 2 Journey The Foley

Monogrammed J.Crew Tote

Can you believe the school year is almost over?  For some of you it may already be over! (Poor Kandi!) C finished up over a week ago, but this is J's last week of school.  I am such a procrastinator when it comes to getting a teacher appreciation gift.  Usually I run into whatever store is on the way to my child's school, and grab a gift card.  But this year while out shopping at our local J.Crew store, I came across these fabulous totes, and I knew exactly what I wanted to do....

 

Jacob's teacher is young, so I decided to monogram her first name on the bag.  I can see her using this tote at the beach or  pool this summer, or to help carry books and her lunch back and forth to school next year.  These totes are sturdy enough to be great for a quick trip to the grocery store.

I could not resist making a bag for myself!

I love picking up scarves at the J. Crew outlet.  I had to include these with their gifts. 

 

If you don't own an embroidery machine, but you like this look, look up your local embroidery shop, most shops are willing to do custom work for a small fee.

These bright totes are so fun!  Thank you J. Crew!  Here is a link to this fabulous bag....Boardwalk Tote

thanks for joining me today!

Rebekah

I linked this project up to a few of these amazing blogs!

Motivate Me Monday The Cure for the Common Monday Just Something I Whipped Up Polly Want a Crafter Sew Can Do Boogieboard Cottage DIY Home Sweet Home Brassy Apple Polish the Stars Serendipity and Spice Destination CraftMrs Happy Homemaker Made for You Monday Make it Yourself Monday Ask AnnaC.R.A.F.T.The Southern Institute The DIY ShowoffCraftomaniacRaising 4 Princesses Between Naps on the Porch Bedazzle Me Monday The Life of a Not So Ordinary Wife Make Something Monday * A Diamond in the Stuff Stringtown HomeOrganizing Home Life Tuesday Tutorials Giggles Glitz and Glam Be Inspired Tuesday Time OutA to Zebra Celebrations My Favorite FindsEye HeartOur Delightful Home The Inspiration Board Frugal Treasures Tuesday Too Cute TuesdaySugar and DotsTopsy Turvy Tuesdays Trick or Treat Tuesday Chef in TrainingSugar Bee CraftsHope Studios Tell it to me Tuesday Your Cozy Home Party Turquoise Lovin’Tuesday To Do Party Cherished BlissAnti-Procrastination Tuesdays Type A Adventures of a DIY Mom Show Me What Ya Got Get Your Craft OnNifty Thrifty Tuesday Tuesday Confessional Teagan Travels How to Nest for Less A Bowl Full of Lemons Tuesday Trade OffTip JunkieT2T TuesdayTuesday TreasuresLadybug BlessingsCreative ItchToot your Horn Tuesday Jillify It Tutorial Tuesday Pin Cushion Creations Junk in their Trunk Polkadots on Parade * Laugh Love and Craft Rock N ShareClean & Scentsible The Trendy Treehouse Beyond the Picket Fence School House Scraps The Thrifty Home Sew Woodsy Savvy Southern Style Your Whims Wednesday Wow me Wednesday A Little TipsyWomen Living WellPrimp your Stuff Wednesday Show and Share Mrs. Fox’s Sweet Party Whatever goes Wednesday Live.Laugh.RoweAdventures in Dinner Easy Digital Scrapbooking Mom on Timeout The CSI Project Share Your Cup Thursday Fabulously FlawedIt’s Sew Stinking Cute The Shabby Creek Cottage The Crafty Blog Stalker Christina’s Adventures Crafty Scrappy Happy Embracing Change52 Mantels Bear Rabbit Bear The Vintage Farmhouse Bloom DesignsA Turtles Life for Me The Taylor House Rhinestone BeagleSchoolhouse Scraps The Brambleberry Cottage * The Shabby NestTidy MomJoyful StamperMy Simple Home Life RemodelaholicDelicate Construction Happy Hour Projects Chic on a Shoestring Decorating 504 Main Hating Martha The Creative Paige Here Comes the Sun Cookie Nut Creations Bacon TimeJoy in the JumbleThe Grant LifeDotted Line Crafts Love Notes by Lauren Raising OrangesMaking LemonadeRedoux InteriorsSassy SitesOne Artsy MommaMy Romantic HomePetals to PicotsPandoras Craft Box My Repurposed Life French Country Cottage At the Picket Fence Just Us FourMommas Kinda Crafty CraftionaryKitchen Fun With My 3 Sons Just Us 4Sweet Tooth Friday 30 Handmade Days Lovely Crafty Home Mama Mias Heart to Heart Homemaker in Heels Family Ever After Lady Bird LaneSerenity You The Gingerbread Blog Cherished Treasures Re-made Just Right Under the Table & Dreaming The Sweet talk Shop Sassafrass Salvation Simple as That My 1929 Charmer Heatherly Loves The Sasse Life Joy 2 Journey The Foley