THE PORCH FOR THE IN BETWEEN TIME!

Since I was changing out my wreath for the in between time the bench and flowers and the item hanging on the Black Arrow Holder needed to be changed too.

First things first, besides giving the bench a good dusting after a hot summer in the elements it was time to go over the entire bench with a soft rag and some teak oil. You can also use tung oil as both of these will make your outdoor furniture more water resistant and extend the life of the furniture.

 I wanted to continue using my $1.49's worth of burlap (it is really fading now).  I just taped around the red star.

 Then using a foam sponger and acrylic paint gently tamped on the paint until I saw no more red - it looks better if  you put a little more paint in some areas and less than others.

I don't even take the pillow out because it is much easier if you put cardboard under the front of the case to protect the pillow and that give you a nice firm under laying to tamp on the paint. Just be sure to let it dry completely before removing the paper - it may stick a little but it will be easy to separate from the fabric.

Now I got to use my noggin a little because I did not use it when I bought the sunflower towels.  The package looked just like the patriotic towels that I used for the 4th. so being in a hurry I brought them home and they were NOT the right size.  Easy fix I found some leftover upholstery fabric and cut strips to sew on the side and then a piece for more length - then I just turned them out (right sides together) leaving a piece about 6" inches or so for the envelope, sew along the sides and then turn it right side out and you have an envelope pillow.

 Here is a diagram for making a pillow envelope from http://thesewingloftblog.com/ Sewing Loft.com. I do mine a little different, because I was making it up as I went along but I like the diagram and hope it might be helpful. Check out her wonderful blog.

 For years I put out flags and garden flags for the seasons but when I moved to Idaho I saw The Black Arrow at a local store (Kneader's) and just loved the look and have started collecting the hanging pieces for the different seasons and holidays.  I keep thinking that I should do a design and have my sweetie cut them out in his shop - might be a blog post one day!

 I am happy with the way these turned out and it is always a good feeling to sweep out one season and freshen up to welcome the new season. Making envelope pillow covers whether inside or out is such a simple and inexpensive way to change a look and freshen things up.  Purchasing new pillows can be so expensive and when I get bored with the look of my pillows I love to shop for some great fabric and take a little time and make covers.  Every time that darned catalog comes, you know the  one I am talking about, the PB catalog, I see all these wonderful pillows I would love but then I love the challenge of getting the look for the price of some sale fabric.

Resource

Sunflower Kitchen Towels, Hobby Lobby
Foam spongers, Michael's
Teak or Tung oil, Home Depot, hardware stores and online
Liquitex Acrylic Color paint, Yellow Oxide, Michael's
The Black Arrow and hanging pieces can be found on Ebay, other stores online and gift stores.
Envelope Pillow diagram, Link

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