RJ Ward Design

I can't believe it! I spent more time staring at those little squares than I did sewing and cutting. I never would have realized how much time can be spent arranging and rearranging those squares. I even changed my mind on the pattern I was going to use. Did I learn anything? You bet I did. For one thing if I'm going to have 2 white items together just make it one large item. I don't like how you can see the seam allowance in the white squares. Another tip I learned  is to write down a plan. I did this without a specific plan in mind. I had this jelly roll that I bought at Joann's just sitting around. I also took 1 large pillow that we didn't think was cushy enough for our heads and split it into 2 pillows. I sort of knew what size I wanted to go with but again not planning didn't make the sewing much easier. Another great tip I learned is to walk away when you have your strips laid out. I looked at these strips until I was blue in the face and I still ended up...

I got a new machine! It is a Husqvarna/Viking Huskylock s15 Overlock/Serger. My reasoning behind this major purchase is so it will make reupholstering our livingroom sofa so much easier. We already reupholstered our two chairs in that room and the fabric threads were all over the place. They were in the diningroom where I cut the fabric, in the livingroom where I measured and then all over the garage where the real work began. I zig zag stitched a lot of it but what a pain that was. To be honest I really know nothing about sergers. I know what kind of stitches that they use but I have no clue as to how to thread, sew and just plain use the darn thing. After I made room for this baby, I studied and read the manual. I finally had to get a piece of paper out just to take notes. I have no clue as to what a stitch finger, thread unreeling disks, thread overlock converter, differential speed and even upper/lower loopers are. Loopers – is that a word? At least I do know where all these thin...

I've finally taken all the fabric off the couch. Luckily there really aren't as many pieces that I thought there would be so I'm hoping the construction will go pretty smoothly. There were so many staples that I think the people who constructed this couch had bets on shooting staples into the different couches that they built to see who would win. I think mine won hands down! I started with the cushions first knowing that this would take the longest and be the hardest part. I learned from experience after doing the chairs that this was really going to be a sew. rip. repeat. process. I'm glad I planned on doing this because I didn't get as frustrated moving the pins around. I also wanted to make sure that I was going to like the color of the new couch. I purchased this fabric from a friend who's daughter works for a design house in Chicago and got it for a steal. I consider it a steal because I purchased 27 yards of fabric for $32.00! WOW! So my theory was that ...

I've been trying to save some moulah for the last year. Trust me I love spending money on all my craftiness projects but since I work part time there are more important things I should be spending money on. I discovered coupons and who'd a thought that I would become addicted. Yesterday I needed wanted to make a fast trip to Riteaid and Meijer. I knew they were both advertising specials that if you bought this item they would return the favor and give you the same amount back. So in my morning of bargains I spent $106 worth of merchandise, I paid $15 in cash out of pocket and then they paid me in their money for use at their store $27. Woolah! I wish I thought of taking a picture but obviously I didn't. Some highlights of what I bought were: 6 Gain Fabric Softeners, 3 Dove Deodorants, 2 Dixie Plates, Shampoo, Hot Dogs, CFL Light Bulbs and more odds and ends. If I didn't save this much money I never would have believed it - do you coupon? Have a great day!

I've been seeing all these amazing towels that great bloggers have done. They've added ruffles and even appliqued on them. It was time I got out of my comfort zone and just tried it. My ruffles are only 4 inches wide and then folded in half making them 2 inches. I used whatever length of fabric I had available and hoped that I had enough to ruffle with. The lace of hearts was something extra that I didn't even know I had. I have a bag (I mean literally a Ziploc bag) full of extra notions. I was so happy when I saw the lace in the bag. To cover the edge I just place a 1/4" grosgrain ribbon on top of it and stitched it down. You can't see the lace very well  at all but it has hearts all over it. Quite Valentiney (is that a word?). Now the applique. I cheated. I've never really done applique so I just embroidered it on there. I wish I could remember where I got the applique heart because when I first got my embroidery machine I was a mean, lean, downloading queen...

Bailey is our 9 (soon to be 10) year old Golden Retriever. She's spoiled - there isn't no ifs, ands, or buts about it. The only furniture Bailey is allowed to sleep on is the couch in the livingroom. Well I have finally started to reupholster the couch since the chairs are finally finished. But . . . Bailey doesn't care! To be continued . . .

Isn't she a beaut? We actually had 2 of these wonderful ladies. Let's face it, times are tough in this economy and these chairs were in some dire need to be redone or donated. The confidence level in my husband was way ahead of mine. So one day I got out the screwdriver, needlenose pliers and started. No going back now! I wish I would have taken pictures of our process of putting the fabric back on her but we didn't. We ran into one hitch and ran out of our 13 yards of fabric when it was time to do the last cushion. Hence the name sew.rip.repeat. Our first project was not only a difficult challenge but we had to put a pattern on the fabric just to spice it up a little. So after 2 months of hemming and hawing, sewing and ripping we accomplished our end goal. Two beautiful chairs to sit in our livingroom. I could have flattend out the cushion before I took the picture but oh well. Now time to start a couch!  I'm going out of my comfort zone and actually putting thes...