DIY Country Pillow and Front Porch Mini-Makeover Has Begun

While we completed many of our home improvement goals last year, tackling
much of anything outside just did not get accomplished.
With a broken foot and two kiddos in diapers, I spent half the summer last
year hobbling around with ice wishing I had not tripped in my kitchen
and was perhaps a bit more graceful.

But, this year the pressure is on.
Our daughter is getting married in our backyard in less than 4 weeks, and
while we are working hard on cleaning it up and making it pretty, the front
porch could use a little freshening up too.

Sometimes that all that’s needed to make you feel really good when you pull
into your driveway and the first thing that greets you is a welcoming porch.

A new pot or two (or fifteen) with some pretty summer flowers.
A new doormat.
And a few lovely things to make it homey and you.

Initially I saw a similar pillow by Joss And Main and saved the picture for
what would eventually be the inspiration to get the ball rolling on my
porch mini-makeover.

Here is what I used to make a sweet little country pillow…
Canvas fabric from JoAnn’s (about 1/2 yard depending on pillow form)
Stencil from Hobby Lobby
Plaid acrylic craft paint & sponge pouncer
pillow form, scissors, thread, needle and sewing machine if available
Iron on steam setting to smooth out wrinkles in canvas before cutting
Plain white sheets of paper, pen

I measured the pillow form and stayed well within those measurements 
while I traced my wording out before I began to stencil.
Next I used my sponge paint pouncer to apply black acrylic paint to stencil
on the letters. As I moved from letter to letter, I placed a few sheets of blank
copy paper over each area I had just stenciled to protect it from smearing.
Once I was done I let the paint dry and stitched together the front and back 
of my pillow with a 1/2 inch seam allowance.  Turning the cover right side out
and putting the pillow form in was next.  The last step was to simply whip stitch 
the last seam across the bottom shut and my y’all pillow was complete!

Having family in the South, I understand that I am only addressing a small 
group of people when I refer to them as y’all.
If addressing a larger group (3+ people) I would then have referred to them
as all y’all.  If I am mistaken on this, forgive me as I am from the North.
That may be my next pillow for larger functions.
For now y’all seems more personal.
I just ran out of iced tea and my flowers are wilting in the heat so it looks 
like it’s time to get out there and do some damage control.
And when I am done I plan on sitting a spell and putting my feet up.
To enjoy my gazillion little flower pots and new pillow.
Do y’all like it too? 
Are you working on the exterior of your home right now too on maybe a 
large or small DIY project?
Until next time,


 

{fabulous places I party}

Monday
The DIY Showoff
Craft O Maniac,
Skip To My Lou
Alderberry Hill 
The Scoop @ The Farmhouse Porch 
Mod Vintage Life

Tuesday
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 
A Diamond In The Stuff 
Home Stories A to Z 
The DIY Dreamer 
The Winthrop Chronicles 
Today’s Creative Blog 
House On The Way
Clean And Scentsible-The Inspiration Exchange

Wednesday
Ginger Snap Crafts 
Southern Lovely 
Lil’ Luna  
Vintage Gwen
 http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/06/wow-us-wednesdays-122.html 
From My Front Porch To Yours

Thursday
Live Laugh Linky Thursday 
The Shabby Creek Cottage  
House Of Hepworths 
52 Mantels 
Beyond The Picket Fence 
The 36th Avenue 
Stone Gable

Friday 

53 Responses

  1. So cute Tanya! I love the stenciled pillow- have been thinking of doing something similar for our dining room. May have to try it now that I see it turned out so well for you! I love the flower pots come later spring, so exciting to get them all planted and growing. (not quite as fun to water them…)
    Krista

  2. This the perfect little touch for your front porch! And the sentiment – heartwarming! You'll be ready for the wedding – I have no fear. One step at a time and don't forget to show us pictures along the way!! 🙂

  3. Love your pillow! I saw those on Joss & Main, as well. It inspired me to do something very similar, and I'm planning on sharing the project on Friday. 🙂 Maybe great minds think alike.

    Have a great day!
    -Kenzie @ orchardgirls.blogspot.com

  4. Okay, I completely need one of these pillows! We lived in the south when we were first married (22yrs. ago), so this saying has sentimental significance. How truly fun!! 😉

  5. Love your pillow gal, great job. Looks like a nice quick project, my kind. You got the wording perfect.
    I always make envelope closure then I stencil or put transfer on with towels and cardboard inside while painting. I'll have to check out Jo-Ann's for that canvas. Happy days

  6. your pillow is very, very pretty Tanya and very welcoming! 🙂
    Love how you did it!
    our plans to work outdoors has failed for now, we started working on our yard but the weather has not helped and this weekend it will rain! hope we will be able to start working soon! 🙂
    thanks for the inspiration with your beautiful pillow!

  7. Lol Tanya. I also copy things I see on Joss and Main and save them in my DIY Folder. I love the pillow and will follow your directions on making it. We live in Texas so the saying is right on. Thanks so much for sharing the steps.

  8. Lol Tanya. I also copy things I see on Joss and Main and save them in my DIY Folder. I love the pillow and will follow your directions on making it. We live in Texas so the saying is right on. Thanks so much for sharing the steps.

  9. Really cute pillow, Tanya! I NEED some flowers for my tiny front porch! I think I'll have to hit up a couple of friends with abundant gardens to see what they can share 🙂 Wedding is getting close!

    Jeanette

  10. I adore this pillow! Perfect for my family's ranch! Pinned.

    Pretty please share this on a link party that I host with 4 other blogs called Moonlight & Mason Jars (live Monday at 5pm EST thru Sunday at midnight). We feature 5 blogs who link up every week.

    Xo,
    Jenn Pilgrim
    The Newlywed Pilgrimage

  11. This is being added to my diy Christmas presents list. I can think of at least three people this would make a perfect gift for!

    Visiting from the Dream to Reality Link Up!

  12. I enjoy what you guys are usually up too. This kind of clever
    work and reporting! Keep up the amazing works
    guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.

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hi there !!

Welcome to twelveOeight! I’m Tanya and I am so glad you are here. If you are ready to start loving the home you have now, then join me on my mission. One thrifty project at a time we can make our today homes our dream homes.

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