Thursday

PillowPalooza Party



Isn't that just the coolest name for a link party?  Pillowpaaalooooozaaa.  It has to be cool to get me to attempt pillows.  If you've been around for a while you know I don't sew, but hey a couple months ago I told you I can't paint either and no one believes that anymore, not even me!  But really, I can't sew.  It involves math, and accurate measuring and if your me, seam ripping.  Burlap is very forgiving in two of those areas.

So Linda at ItAllStartedWithPaint along with Kari at ThistlewoodFarm are hosting this Pillowpalooza party.  I wanted to make some pillows to jazz up the joint before my son's grad party.  I fully expected I might be linking some pillow flops, but I LOVE my pillows. I Love them!  L.O.V.E. them I tell 'ya.  My mom might even be smiling down thinking there is hope for me and my sewing abilities yet.  Ummm probably not mom, were you watching when not once but twice I tripped over the cord and then tried to sew with the pillow already IN the burlap?

First thing I had to do was borrow a sewing machine.  This one worked like a charm even though it clearly isn't a new model.  I got out the directions to thread it, and it was like reading Greek to me, but it was sort of like riding a bike.... I got right on and went back to home-ec class 40 years ago.  I also prayed the already loaded bobbin held out.  It did.  The lady who sold the machine to my daughter in law had her name on the instructions.  Florence.  Florence also had her name on the foot pedal and machine. 




I had all those burlap sacks left from my breakfast nook valance making task, and I have seen all those amazing pillows you ladies make from burlap.   I was fairly confident I could sew a straight line.  I took some teal paisley pillows, (don't be jealous) and just cut the burlap bigger than them and stuck it inside, paisley and all.
You know you want this fabric, admit it















At the beginning of the week I glued them, but it wasn't working and that's when I borrowed the sewing machine.  I stitched all the way around them and just frayed the burlap when I was done for a fringe.  I was actually amazed at how I was able to get the pillow in nice and snug.  I thought they needed something so I went through some jars of buttons that I've had for 25 years.  I bought them in plastic bags at a garage sale from an old lady who saved them for years, so some could be I don't know how old!


Found the perfect buttons, and also a key so I sewed that on one too.  I cut the bottom of a coffee sack off to make a lumbar pillow.  Only had to sew the top as the other three sides were already stitched.  But I guess you're not suppose to stitch the whole thing shut otherwise how the hell do you get the stuffing in?  So I ripped a corner back out and stuffed a bunch of pillow fluff in that I took out of an old pillow.  Then I glued the buttons on with the wrong side showing (on purpose) because I liked the vintage writing on that side of the metal buttons.


These sacks are the softer burlap not like the ones I used on the valances.  I also sat outside on the porch to fray the edges so I didn't make a mess inside this time.  But I was in my jammies.  I looked up a couple times surrounded by coffee sacks thinking maybe Juan Valdez and his donkey would show up. 

Tonight I went grocery shopping and stopped at the farm store just to see if there were still some coffee sacks left.  I bought 8 more.  They cost a whole $1.28 each.




This one is my favorite.


Linking up to Pillowpalooza @ItAllStartedWithPaint 
Cow Girl UP Party @ CedarHillRanch
Restyled Sundays @StylishOnceAgain
Stinky Linky Thursday @HatingMartha 
Friday Free for All @ FiveDays5Ways 
Tuesday Link Party @ TalesOfATrophyWife 
Saturday Link & Greet @ CountryMommaCooks


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52 comments :

  1. Oh Bliss...I laughed so hard! (How the hell are you supposed to get the stuffing in there?) What a great way to start the day--thanks!

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  2. Oh my those are adorable. Love the little embellishments too Bliss. You done good girl!

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  3. these are so cute! the center button really adds to them!

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  4. how cute are these! Love the bolster pillow! Great job...no more whining that you can't sew :)

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  5. Oh Bliss, your pillows are adorable! You are on a roll with all this creativity.

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  6. You are blowing me out of the water! I am so proud of you...they are marvelous...fantastic job...so creative..good for you!

    You are on a roll!

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  7. You keep coming up with the cutest things! I love the pillows and now have to find a farm store here. The buttons are just the right accent for all that cuteness :)

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  8. The pillows are adorable. I want to find some sacks like that--and especially at that price! I'm so jealous. They turned out great!!

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  9. You should love them - they are phenomenal! I especially love the key detail. Awesome job!

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  10. Your pillows are awesome! Love the embellishments especially the button with key. I'm with Janel you can no longer claim you cannot sew!

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  11. Sewing is the least of the problem...good design is the key {smirk} and THAT is what you have! Great design talent!!
    Blessings, Lorraine

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  12. You are too funny! And so happy to see you at the party ...

    ... for someone who doesn't sew you did an amazing job (okay, the stuffing part cracked me up) ...

    So when will you be opening your painted furniture and coffee sack pillow Etsy shop?

    :)

    Linda

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  13. Now the next time to head over to the farm store, you can pick me up some of these thrifty bags...awesome price my friend. They look so cute...love how you fringed them (is that a word...fringed?)

    Blessings,
    Linda

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  14. Those are fantastic!! Wish I "couldn't sew". :) I need to find a farm store.

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  15. Great pillows. You've been holding out on us again. "I can't paint" "I can't sew." Show us what else you can't do. Seriously - great job on the pillows. They look as good as the store bought ones.

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  16. oh my ...crazy for the long skinny one..that shape is one of my favorites!
    And those buttons in the middle ..great idea! I like how they give the pillow movement along with the edging!

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  17. So you now sew as well !
    They look great - are you going to buy yourself a sewing machine ?

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  18. Adorable. Can't believe you found such a steal on all of these!

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  19. p.s. CRAZY about your sons dresser & the kodak one..amazing job!

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  20. OMG Bliss, love love love them!!

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  21. Love the pillows ... Me? I would rather build something Hee Hee.

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  22. Yay!! You did it! I have a sewing machine and I haven't gotten past threading it. It's HARD!! But your pillows turned out fabulous and you learned a few things along the way! I love them!

    XO,
    Jane

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  23. I cannot get over how much I love your work on these pillows. The keys were a great touch, too. If these are softer than ordinary sacks, that makes it even better. I especially love the lumbar pillows. Just...wow!

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  24. I am SO proud of you girlfriend. A sewing machine and all. I'm blown over!!! And your pillows look terrific. It is going to go so nicely with all the fun burlap stuff in your room. Love it!!! Why girl I think you just might be gettin' domesticated!! LOL

    Nann

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  25. loving these pillows! darling!!! xoox, tracie

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  26. Well, you look like a pro to me! I'm going to pin a few for future reference. Love them all!

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  27. You are officially a pillow-sewing rock star. :) These are amazing, Bliss! Is there anything you can't do? :)
    xo Heidi

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  28. For a gal that can't sew, these are pretty fabulous! Love the little key! Rock on sista!
    Kelly

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  29. These are so sweet! How do you keep the burlap from fraying at the edges?

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  30. OK, hand 'em over! They are so dang cute! Man those buttons are old!!
    I love everything you do,
    Debbie

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  31. Bliss, you are my hero! I can't sew a lick, and yet you are inspiring me to give it a go! These are just gorgeous, and I can see like potato chips, you can't stop at just one! Fabulous!
    Hugs,
    Patti

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  32. Bliss,

    Your favorite is my favorite! I love your pillows and I NEED to find some sacks and some backwards buttons :)

    Have an awesome weekend!
    karianne

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  33. Hello? I would like to be linked up to too you know :o)
    I love these ...... really love them.
    So cool.
    Just like you!
    Stacey :o)

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  34. First, let me say that these pillows are beautiful! I was intrigued by your blog name. My maiden name was "Bliss", so I had to check out your blog. I am so glad I did! You are very talented!! I'm your newest follower.

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  35. Wow, your pillows are beautiful and the backwards buttons are genius!

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  36. You've been so productive and creative with some awesome projects, busy Bliss! I love your pillows and don't believe for a minute that you lack sewing skills. You're a natural! And I LOVE.LOVE.LOVE the dresser makeover. Wrong post, I know - but wanted to tell ya! ;) You're DIY super woman!

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  37. I am allergic to sewing.Just look I made a Miss Mustard Seed No sew Tree skirt a ruffled dream and all hot glue...o my fingers,I did a lamp and the shade I did the ruffle effect again. yeap sold both.....I did a big pillow and hand sewed the one end..but again inspiration. Really the farm store is where you can find some of these sacks. YOU need more followers and I need to tell my fellow vendor pals about your blog...lov'n it

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  38. Hey Bliss, I hope you are sharing this at Cowgirl Up, cuz I love these pillows!! I am amazed at how just fraying the edges added so much to the pillows, and how the button added so much to it's umph! If this is you no sewing, I can't imagine what you could do if you knew how to sew!

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  39. I adore the pillows ADORE! I also adore your comment on Mr. Sailor Boy's Birthday. I shared your cute comment and link to your blog on my COM-FB page. Have a lovely week. winks, jen

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  40. Hi Bliss,

    Your pillows are gorgeous!!! I'm going to have to copy :)

    Dee

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  41. Sewing makes me nervous (and crazy)! Great job!! Do they still shed after they're done? I've worked w/ burlap and it's such a mess!! These pillows look incredible!

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  42. You are so hilarious and lack guile. Your honesty is so refreshing and warming to the heart.
    Hey at least you try and you'll know better next time. Doggone it I want some of those coffee sacks but have no idea where to get any.
    That sewing machine looks my old Kenmore that is at least 42 years old, the book is the same as mine. My husband bought it for me at Sears awhile after we were married and it's still my favorite machine. I have a newer one that is a booger for me to thread and too many naughty words are said and feelings of wanting to throw the blasted thing out the window but it's too heavy. My eyes aren't what they used to be (worse) and my hands are arthritic. Excuses, excuses huh? lol Keep up the good work.

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  43. Great pillows...Anthropologie is currently selling them for, get this...$140.00 each. Yep.

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  44. Thanks for linking up @CountryMommaCooks link and great party. Hope to see you again tomorrow:)

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  45. Okay... So... Can you like send me DETAILED, STEP BY STEP instructions (like more so than you already did) on how to do that. I don't sew. I failed that portion of Home Ec because my bag straps were twisted. I know, right? Who the heck fails Home Ec? Yeah. Me. Totally ruined my grades for that 9 weeks. Darn it. Anyhoo... I've got three grain sacks that I want to turn into pillows and I have NO idea where to start. I was thinking about stuffing in all that fluffy stuff and hot gluing the end closed. LOL! See? And you said you couldn't sew. Yeah. Whatever. They are FABULOUS... Just like you! ;)

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  46. These have always been one of my favorites Bliss..thanks for linking up to the blitz!

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  47. Bliss, these are fabulous!!! I'm really impressed at your sewing skills! I've had a machine for years that is collecting dust cause I don't know how to use it!! You're my hero! Also, I wish I lived by you cause for the life of me, I can't find coffee sacks where I live! LOL!! I popped over from Blitzed on Pinterest!! Off to pin! Have a great weekend!!~~Angela

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  48. I love these pillows!!! What a fabulous idea! http://www.lovesthefind.com/

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  49. Love these! Question: do you wash the coffee sacks? Thanks.

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    1. If you put them in the wash they will come out a mangled mess. I did that one time. Hand wash, lay flat - real coffee sacks are not really made to be washed so no guarantee on how they come out hand washed either.

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  50. Just found this post don't know how I missed it, been following you faithfully. Please let me know if I could purchase those feed sacks from that farm store. I tried finding one on line but to no avail. I would more than appreciate any help. I love, love, love your blogspot, you are so gifted and you make me happy and are an inspiration. Thanks for your time, Respectfully, Alice

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