Never Again-Again! Chair Reupholstered

I have done many DIY projects trying to save money, only to meet with serious challenges.  I have vowed "NEVER AGAIN" too many times.   This time-I mean it!

Many months ago I purchased five old, worn out chairs form a place called Provisons Thrift Store.  These chairs came from a retirement home, and they were pretty gross.  This was my first time attempting to recover more than just a cushion, and it was challenging.  Mainly because of the awful staplers I used at first, and the fact that I relied on YouTube videos for all my -how to- knowledge.  I was clueless, but willing-at first.

The finished product is not great, but it will do-for now.

We moved into a new house that is twice the size as our starter home.  We have a lot of space to furnish and a tiny budget. So I can't help but try to make something out of nothing.

I started by cleaning the chairs.  Then I chalked painted the wood pieces a Colonial White.

The arms were pretty beat up.  I didn't sand them or anything.  I just prayed to the chalk paint gods to fulfill the no prep promises!

I had to give the wooden pieces three coat.

But it looks good.  So good in fact, that I reconsidered distressing it.

I did not remove the old fabric on the seat or the front of the backrest.  I did have to remove the panel from the back of the chair.

I did cover the seats in batting.  I'm not sure I'd do it that way if I had it to do again.

This was the state they stayed in for nearly two months! My husband was ready to put them on the curb, and I objected only very little, but we settled for the garage.

I finally dug them out of the garage to finish what I started.  I hate when a project beats me, so I refused to give up.

I traced the back panel-not that it did me much good.  The backs panel is the reason I will never reupholster again.  Aye yie yie!  I can't even talk about it.  

I do like the finished product, but I don't love it.  However, it will have to do until we can find the perfect fit.  

Kick Your Feet Up and Have a Cup of Coffee

Our coffee maker broke recently, and we decided to get a Keurig.  The box it was shipped in is pretty sturdy. It's a box inside a box really.  So that got me to thinking.  We can always use another footstool.  I decided to use some rope that had been sitting around the garage since April to wrap around the box. Rope footstools are durable and match any decor.

I just used the box, some rope (Blue Hawk, 122lb) and a hot glue gun.

The hot glue worked like a charm.  The extra rope from the garage was used up pretty quickly.  I had to run to Lowes and purchase three more packs of rope.  

It took nearly 100 glue sticks, 250 feet of rope, three hours, and I can't forget, 1 pink glue gun.  I am so proud of my little $5 glue gun.  She was a real trooper.  

It was a bit tricky at times, and the rope lines are a little wavy, but all in all, I'm pleased with the result.

It's strong enough for me to sit on but too itchy to sit for long. The rope on top is level, except for the very center where I had to squish the rope tightly for full coverage. It's just a little more raised.  It will easily hold a glass.  

If you can find one for $30 or less, buy it!  This one required about $40 of rope.  I could have just covered it in fabric.  That would have cost a lot less.  But fabric shows dirt and wear quicker than rope.  This little treasure will last.

Reversible Wrap Skirt

I decided to make a reversible wrap skirt using continous fabric instead of the three panel version from the pattern in the previous post.  I have had this really cute yellow, gray and black fabric for many years and this project was a perfect opportunity to use it.

I used my previously made skirt as a pattern.  I added 5/8 seams allowance to each side but not to the hem.  I wanted this skirt to be a little shorter.

First I used a black band to make the tie.  I just didn't like it. So, I ripped it all out and made a gray tie instead.

I like the gray much better.

The floral side is my favorite, but the dots side is cute too.

As Good As It Gets

The gate is as good as it gets.  I worked on it from Wednesday to Saturday, and then waited through numerous summer showers to get it painted.  I like it, but I loved our old gate. It was a home for moss, ivy, and loads of colorful lizards.  

Like this little guy.

 All the beautiful ivy and moss.

 Whatever small but mighty beast formed that gossamer web.

 But as much as we loved the old gate it just didn't function.  We tried repairing it many times.  In the in we were resorting to zip ties and plastic nuts fabricated for old coffee containers to keep it together.  So, it had to be replaced to keep our sweet Maggie Mae safe!  

It was a lot of work, and I'm glade it's over. 

Digging 2 feet holes through a multitude of roots.

 Getting the post set.

 Hinging the gates was a two person job, and I needed to go to confession after all the flowered language I used in the process.

The finishing touches....Hardware!

 "Now it just needs paint," say the little supervisor in the window.

  DONE!!!