Homemade Printed Pillows

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Fabric, pictures and pillows.  That is something I have been working with lately.  Being just a tad bit behind on my homemade Christmas gifts, I started with the easiest of them all.  

I have been checking out Pinterest and other blogs that have been using the trick of printing pictures on fabric.  There are a gazillion tutorials out there and trying to find just one that was easy to follow and cost effective was an enormous task.

All I wanted was to make a pillow out of this picture ...

I had taken it this summer when I was visiting with Lucas and Sarah.  It was Sarah's first time in a lake and she was quite apprehensive.  I think the shot is quite touching. 

So I continued with the hunt and found a tutorial that Monique posted over at Pocketful of Whimsy a year ago!  Here directions were clear and simple and the best part was the only item I needed to buy was the freezer paper.  Therefore it was quite frugal. 

First I searched through my stash for some plain white cotton fabric ... found some.  Then for a suitable homespun fabric that would match their decor ... found it.  Now for the scary part.

Ripping off a piece of freezer paper .....

 

I then ironed my piece of freezer paper to the back of my white cotton fabric.  The fabric was roughly 10 inches by 12 inches.  I didn't measure it but made sure it was larger than 8 1/2 by 11 inches.

After the freezer paper was ironed onto the fabric, I then trimmed them to fit into my printer.  8 1/2 by 11 inches .... a standard size piece of printer paper.  Taking a deep breath I placed it face up in my printer so the picture would be printed onto the FABRIC, not the freezer paper.  After two tries ( the printer did not seem to want to grab the fabric ), I gently guided the fabric through and it then worked great.

Watching the fabric come through the printer and looking good was exciting.  It actually turned out better than I expected!

Peeling off the freezer paper was easy and I had my picture for the pillow printed on fabric! 

Cutting the homespun cotton I had chosen to a generous size of 15 by 18 inches, I carefully trimmed the photo portion and sewed it all together.  

Being short of time, I didn't piece the fabrics together, instead I ironed over the edges of the picture and sewed the picture to the center of the front piece of fabric.

Adding a blanket stitch to the edges of the photo fabric in a coordinating thread color and choosing a vintage button, finished the pillow off nicely.  

I think it will be cute addition to their little living room.

I enjoyed doing this project and can see limitless possibilities that I will be playing around with in the future.  If you like sewing, give this a try.  You won't be disappointed.  Remember to give your loved ones a hug!

For Those Grieving with the Loss of the Little Ones

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My Mom is a survivor, 

or so I've heard it said.

But I can hear her crying,

when all others are in bed.

I watch her lay awake at night,

and go to hold her hand.

She doesn't know I am with her,

to help her understand.

But like the sands upon a beach,

that never wash away.

I watch over my surviving Mom,

who thinks of me each day.

She wears a smile for others,

a smile of disguise.

But through Heaven's open door,

I see tears flowing from her eyes.

My Mom tries to cope with my death,

to keep my memory alive.

But anyone who knows her,

know it' her only way to survive.

As I watch over my surviving Mom,

through Heaven's open door.

I try to tell her that,

Angel protects me forevermore.

I know that doesn't help her,

or ease the burdens she bears.

So if you get a chance, call to her,

and show her that you care.

For no matter what she feels,

my surviving Mom has a broken heart,

that time won't ever heal.

K  O'rmeaux

My heart goes out to the parents of the lost little children in the Connecticut tragedy.  May it be possible that you can find comfort one day knowing that they are your little angels in heaven.

Please remember to give your loved ones a hug!

Saturday's Snaps

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Have a wonderful Saturday and remember to give your loved ones a hug!

Happy Birthday Mom!

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You've helped me enrich my life

with your love, care, guidance

and support!

You are not just my 

MOM

but my best friend too!

Thank you for everything .....

and a very Happy Birthday to you!

I love you!!!

photo credit

Thrifty Thursday

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It's Thrifty Thursday once again!  First up is something I saw on someone's blog and pardon me but I don't remember who it was!!!  Sharon, was it you?  For some reason I thought it was ... so if one of my readers posted a set they found a while back, please leave a comment and tell me who you are.  Anyhoo, I had seen these and since I had fallen in love with theirs,  I just had to grab this set.  Silverware trays!  The set of three was only $1.00.  There is a small chip on the largest tray but I don't mind.  I was ecstatic to find them!

and then, just in time for decorating ... this little trio.  Cost .25 cents.

Now is the time to hit the thrift stores if you need Christmas decorations.  I always find a ton of them this time of year ... better yet, wait until after Christmas and pick them up even cheaper!  Happy thrifting and remember to give your loved ones a hug!