My apologies for the cheesy alliteration post title. I started to think about what I could write about this week, and thought…hummmm…I made a pretty pillow I’ve yet to show you, and we’ve made some progress with the yard, but that’s only two words. We all know alliteration sounds so much better with three, right? Wouldn’t you know it, my klutzy nature came through.
More on that later.
Several months ago I purchased some fabric for a steal. It’s a very pretty crewel design that was originally $40 a yard. But it was a remnant and even though it was marked $20, I got it for $10 because the ‘2’ wasn’t clear on the tag so the sales associate said she would sell it for $10, and who was I to argue?
In my quest to simplify, I wanted to replace the pillows on my bed with a bolster. I’ve always loved the look of bolsters, plus the shape of a bolster was perfect to highlight the beautiful designs on this fabric. The only problem was I couldn’t find the length I wanted in a ready made bolster and even if I could, they’re pretty expensive. I came up with a solution but before I tell you what it was here’s a few pics of the finished product.
Because of the fringe, you can’t see the sides but I wanted to show you anyway so I squished it out of the way :).
It’s about 40″ long and most bolsters that you might find at fabric stores are around 24″. So…we happened to have a ‘draft dodger’. You know, the flexible long squishy items you use on a windowsill or bottom of a door to prevent drafts? Sorta like this except mine wasn’t as pretty (or as clean!).
I wrapped it in batting until I got the thickness I wanted and that was it!
I found instructions on how to make a bolster pillow in a sewing book I’ve had forever, and I was going to give you a step-by-step tutorial, but then I figured there are enough of those on-line and you didn’t need me to reinvent the wheel. Besides, I think most of you reading aren’t really sewers anyway, but just in case you want to know how to make one, I found a tutorial that is pretty much identical to the instructions I used and you can find it here.
Of course, the absolute easiest way to ‘sew’ a bolster is simply wrap fabric around the pillow, leaving extra fabric at the ends and tie with ribbon, but I wanted a pillow that was a little more finished looking, plus I wanted to make use of the fringe which I’ve had forever. I think it makes it look a little classy ;).
Now here is the ‘progress’ part. All the topsoil and pea gravel were delivered and spread, so things are starting to take shape.
We had a little bump in the road though. Actually two bumps.
We have a high water table, so we have a foundation drain. Usually, there’s always a little bit of water that comes out, but we noticed there was nothing coming out, and of course we noticed it AFTER all the topsoil and fill were done. The guys dug it up and did whatever it is they do in those circumstances so it should be fine.
As for that second bump, it rained the night the contractors were finished with their part, and we realized that water was going where it shouldn’t from the gutter. Not their fault, but this was what we saw the next morning.
We spent the better part of Friday digging a ditch to redirect the water. I guess I should have titled this post ‘my achy breaky back‘, but I’ve kinda btdt, just with a different body part.
Now about those puddles…
A few days ago while turning the Lazy Susan in a corner shelf, an almost full bottle of liquid smoke fell off and broke. Of course, everything went under the bottom of the Lazy Susan, making it difficult to wipe up the spill. Fisherman took everything out and pulled up the shelf and cleaned it as best he could, but that stuff is stinky! In the meantime I went to a hardware store and picked up something that absorbs odors which seems to have done the trick.
So yesterday I made a big smoothie for lunch and went to the porch to drink it. I placed it on the cocktail table but didn’t notice there were coasters there and the glass tipped over and soaked the rug and even splashed on the sofa.
I got a bucket with water and spent the next fifteen minutes cleaning it up and vacuuming. After I was finished I put the bucket near the top of the stairs leading to the basement and figured as long as I had the vacuum out I’d give the living room rug a quick once over.
You guessed it. The cord for the vacuum knocked over the bucket and it went tumbling down the stairs, splashing water everywhere.
I guess it’s true that things happen in threes.
In other news…
Last weekend we brought the RV to our community and a few of our friends got a tour, and I drove it a bit too. We sorta decided on a name. The acronym is BAM, which stands for BIG ASS MAMA.
And that’s for the RV, not me, although I can have the same acronym, only it would stand for BAD ASS MAMA ;).
We also hitched our car to it to get a feel for how it handles on hills (our area is very hilly). We made it, but let me just say right now we’re gonna have to get used to being the couple that has 50 cars behind them with every one of the drivers giving us the birdy. That’s all I’m gonna say about that.
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Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
That bolster is gorgeous! I am quite impressed! Fringe and all!
Ok by the time you knocked the bucket down the stairs I had to laugh, sorry. It was one of those days, huh? 🙂
Al says
First, never apologize for alliteration! Second, while reading this I couldn’t help thinking “If it wasn’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all”. Hopefully this week is a better one.
Dewena says
Doreen, I’m trying not to laugh because I do hate that all these things happened to you, but it could easily be the plot for a sitcom, couldn’t it? And men would laugh their heads off watching but we women would empathize, and maybe giggle a little.
You earned the right to the alliterated title, my dear!
The bolster is a knockout! You know, I was a crewel maniac in my early married days because it was so popular and so classy. I remember a wing chair covered in gorgeous crewel work that I had to pass up in an antique store, due to price, that I’ve always regretted not buying. And I’ve been noticing that it is still popular in ads. And bolsters are romantic, I think. I remember seeing a beautiful long one on the Parisienne Farmgirl’s blog and she simply stuffed fabric in hers, as I remember, and it was pretty.
Love the RV’s name!
Dewena
Doreen says
Lol yup, that last spill was definitely something out of an I Love Lucy episode 🙂
I think crewel is classic and super elegant. That chair must have been beautiful, because here you are years later still remembering it. Who knows…maybe it will end up in an estate or tag sale that you happen to be at one day!
Cathy, 1929 Charmer Cottage says
You sure did a good job on that bolster! I’ve been bitten with the sewing bug again and am working on my craft room since hubs kicked me out of the other one ;-{. Gosh, it does seem like you guys are running into a lot of stumbles with the back yard. But when its done it will be well worth it. Gosh, when crab happens it does seem to happen in 3’s? Hope this changes…we’ve been working on our vintage trailer to hit the road soon!
Julie says
Wow Doreen, what a week you’ve had! I do love the bolster you made and looks pretty on your bed! I hope this week is better for you! Take care and hugs.
Julie xo
Amy @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes says
You are HILARIOUS, Doreen! The pillow is beautiful, and what a bummer about the “puddles” part. That’s how I roll all the time, so know how it feels!
Cecilia says
Oh Doreen! It seems like when I am accident prone, it’s always like yours – in multiples. I think I would of cried by the time the bucket spilled. 🙁
Glad to see the yard progressing, it will be so nice when all done! I’m slowly getting my side yard whipped into shape but it’s slow going in this heat.
Love the pillow! It’s gorgeous with the trim and all. I what a steal on the fabric. I would have bought it too!
Love the RV name. As for the birdies, i think people just don’t know what it’s like. Better safe than sorry! Have a wonderful day, my friend!
kim says
BAM, you are so funny! My goodness, Doreen, I think I would have been tempted to hop in that RV and leave those messes behind! I’m hoping all of that bad luck is over with for you now. Enough is enough!
kim says
Doreen
Forgot to tell you how nicely I think your bolster turned out.
Very classy!
Pinky at Designs by Pinky says
I wish so much I could sew, your bolster is beautiful!! They are such a pretty finishing touch on a bed. As for the puddles: UGH! Why can things never go smoothly? Enjoy your Sunday!
Brenda Kula-Pruitt says
I’d say you made that bolster look “really” elegant! I love the fringe and the ends. I thought that clumsy stuff was reserved under my name? Oh well, I always say a mess just means I needed to clean there anyway. The glass half-full mentality…
Brenda
Doreen says
That’s what I said Brenda. The lazy susan,the rug and the stairs haven’t been this clean in a while ;).
tammy j says
well hello there bam.
it’s the full moon you know. i am always a klutz during the full moon.
have you seen that insurance commercial where the woman is watering her front garden. she YANKS the hose…
it is wrapped around the rain pipe which comes loose and pulls off the rain gutter and then crashes through a plate glass window.
her husband just looks at her and continues to shear the hedge. LOLOLOL!!!!
thought of that when reading your ongoing catastrophes.
i LOVE that pillow. such beautiful craftsmanship. oh my goodness girl. you can do it all.
just stick your hand out the rv window and wave them on. trying to avoid the use of certain fingers.
XOXOXO♥
Doreen says
Yes, I’ve seen that commercial Tammy, and that pretty much describes my life lol.
I’ll take your advise about waving drivers on, but I can’t promise certain fingers won’t be involved. 😉
Miss you, but hope you’re enjoying your blog break.
xxx
Vickie says
I like your attitude! You don’t let small bumps get you down and just keep plugging along. Your bolster turned out beautifully! Isn’t it amazing how one pillow can totally change the look of a room!
I’m laughing at the thought of the 2 of you with a line of cars waiting to pass. hehe
Marilyn @ Pink Paper Cottage says
Had to laugh (just a little) about all of your mishaps…. it does usually seem to happen in 2’s or 3’s or 4’s? That’s what’s nice about having a blog… by the time you get it done and posted, you can finally laugh about it (maybe?). That being said, your bolster pillow is beautiful and I love the fringe. I have fringe that has been laying around for years… I love it but never know quite what to do with it. I like to use it on the bottom edge of my canvas wall art. Hope this week goes better for you and your yard is really shaping up!
Benita says
Doreen, I would so be grieving that bottle of liquid smoke! I use it in just about everything…LOL. I’m so sorry about the mishaps, but if it makes you feel any better, we go through those at home also. When one thing happens it seems like 7 more fall right behind it! 🙂
Patti says
So funny! I can just imagine you Miss BAM, driving that BAM with all those folk behind you honking and waving (with one finger!)
How elegant your pillows, love them!
Hugs,
Patti
Kelly says
I love your homemade bolster pillow! It’s so professionally done that I thought you bought it that way. what a great idea to use a door draft dodger for the insert! Looks like you’re making some progress outside. That’s always good to hear. Now after all that commotion about the mess down the stairs, I’m disappointed not to see any pics of it! LOL! If you’re like me you go into full panic mode when something like that happens and you just hope it never happens again.
Sue says
I’m so late getting here and it’s been on my mind. Hysterical on all the spilling over and over. As I saw the big ass bolster and was scrolling I was saying oh WOW, good idea. I need to make a bow window pad and am fretting about it. I’m going to go back track to see what’s been happening in opposite order.
rue says
HA! I snorted at that last part. Trailers are really tricky, but you’ll get used to it. Just don’t try to cook in it like Lucy when you’re on the road 😉
I feel your pain with the puddles. I do stuff like that ALL the time.
The bolster is darling. I think you should sell them on Etsy…. hint… hint 😉
xo,
rue
Amy @ StowandTellU says
BAM!! I love the name, and the fact that you named it at all, rather than just saying “RV”. Giving our items a nick name just makes life more fun! As far as your pillow goes, it’s gorgeous, great job. Will the pillow get a nick name, lol?? Okay I’l stop there. As far as your puddles goes, thank goodness that doesn’t happen all the time for you, but gosh it’s funny how you just have those days where the law of physics seems to play with our patience. I have days where I keep dropping things, days where I can’t type correctly to save my life. I often wonder, is it the placement of the stars or what?? Lot’s of fun going on for you Doreen, and it’s a good thing you and fisherman are practicing with BAM before you take to the open road.
Jemma says
Doreen,
This bolster is AMAZING! You have a real sewing talent, and like Rue, I’d like to know when will you be selling these- a hint from me as well.
A great project for when you are in your RV-don’t you think? Speaking of the RV-you have painted a great picture of your upcoming journey’s,hehehe. I also must say what savvy souls you are to do some practice runs.
I am sorry to hear about the spills, but you seemed to take it all in your stride and moved on.
Hope you are having a great Monday!
xoxo
Jemma
Doreen says
Looks like we were commenting on each other’s blogs at the same time ;).
As for the bolster, if you would like me to make you one, I’d be happy to! Just supply the fabric and we are good to go.
(You’ve got mail)
xxx
Jess says
How neat! You’re super busy, that’s for sure! 🙂
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Jane says
Lost my comment. 🙁
LOVE the bolster
Keep up the good work on your land
Have fun with BAM, Ms BAM!
I’d rather have spills than broken glass.
My hand sucks more without the cast. :(((
Jane x
Carrie@northwoods scrapbook says
I so LOVE that pillow!! What gorgeous fabric, and you did an excellent job on Lady!!
Well progress is progress, right? Even when it feels like 1 step forward and 2 back. Looks like you’re doing everything the right way in the back so you won’t need to revisit it again!!
I laughed at the visual about being in BAM with the line up behind you. 😉 You just keep up the good work & they can all learn some patience. Xoxo
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
The bolster turned out lovely, Doreen. The fabric is beautiful. I love the name of your RV B.A.M.-Big Ass Mama! Love it! Who thought of the name? You or Fisherman? 😀
Doreen says
Me 😉
xxx
Vashti Quiroz-Vega says
I figured that. Ha, ha! 😉
Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouse says
The new pillow looks great, you were so lucky to find such a beautiful fabric for that price!
linda says
Hi Doreen,
Stopped by to visit your blog, began with this post. I love that fabric! I have always loved crewel, in fact i used to do crewel work years ago.The bolster pillow turned out beautifully and looks so nice on the bed.
Your post gave me a chuckle. Things like that always happen to me but usually at the worst possible moment. Recently I was whipping cream in my kitchen aid mixer (I was expecting company for dinner) I turned the mixer on not realizing it was on the high setting. My kitchen and I were covered in cream. What a mess!
So happy to meet you and I will be back! Thank you again for stopping by!
Linda
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