Tackle It Tuesday: My Computer Chair

Meet my computer chair:

I bought this computer chair 8 years ago - and have hated it since. The material is kind of like this threaded-together-corduroy and just a few weeks after I bought it I noticed the seat threads began to thread and fray. Not long after that I noticed the right arm rest began to separate and fray also. It was a slow process but it slowly got worse and worse over the years. I don't know what I was thinking when I bought this chair - for one - I HATE the color. It's dark, grey, depressing and it never does your mood good to sit in a torn up, ugly depressing chair everyday.

The past several months has been very frustrating as the arm has gotten so bad I couldn't even stand sitting in the chair. The arm had gotten so bad I little cushion fuzzies kept falling off all over the floor or on my clothes.

So the time had come to where I needed to make a decision. I either needed to pry open my wallet and buy a new one - OR I could MAKE a new one. I wasn't sure if I could or not, but what did I have to loose by trying, right?

So, I went up to my fabric closet and got out all my heavier or thicker fabrics. I didn't really have enough of one fabric to do the entire chair so it was going to be a patchwork deal. I played around and matched some stuff up and here is my rough draft:

On the first day I did the arm rest. I unscrewed them from the chair and had the utmost joy of prying about 500 industrial staples out of the arm rest. I took off the old fabric, measured out my the new fabric and re-stapled it back on.I think the hardest part was figuring out how to do the ends so they would look okay. The fabric was a very thick soft wool so the ends kept coming out bulky from the thickness of the material. In the end, I decided to do it something like this:

I cut the end into a 'T' and then folded them over and stapled. This eliminated all the extra fabric and reduced the bulkiness I was getting on the ends before. I'm not sure if this is a proper upholstery procedure - but it worked great for me.

About a week later I decided to brave the rest of the chair and I took the rest of the chair apart, and prying about A Thousand more staples from under the chair to release the old fabric and here is what I got:

I decided, sense I was being so brave and clever I wanted to add some extra padding to the chair. There was some padding sewn into the old fabric but it had to go when it was removed. So, I kind of, tried, to follow the same guide that was used for the old padding, which basically was just yarn lead down through holes in the bottom of the chair and tied off.

Did that even make any sense? Explain' this stuff in words is painful. Anyways, here is a picture that maybe can explain better of how I added the new extra padding on:

The 2 grey square foam-things where from a package I got in the mail and I had been saving them hoping they would come in handy. They did!

So, anyways, after measuring the fabric for the seat, stapling til my hand was going to fall off, screwing everything back together - here is what I got:

BEFORE:

After:

Overall I think I did a great job for it being my first 'upholstery' project and not having a clue as to what I was doing. I especially love the new fabric on the arm rest - the bright red really brightens things up and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. The seat didn't turn out as well as I would have liked, but I am happy with it and it feels good to sit on something nice, neat and clean.

Tackle It Tuesday ~ My Laundry Room!!!

This is actually more of my husbands tackle than mine, but my laundry room is finished!!!

Let me first explain that my laundry room was my pride and joy. Not only cause it was a happy place I could go to, to do something I hated, ie: laundry, it was were I kept all my stockpile and food storage items. I think anyone who coupons and stockpiles can relate when I say my stockpile is my pride and joy. When we first moved in this house a few years ago, the laundry room in the basement was dirty and dark. I had worked very hard, painting the floor, the walls, stencled and cleaned and making it a nice bright cheery place.

Then the flood happened, and I nearly lost my all of my stockpile. Not only that, but because it was sewer water that came from the heavy rains, the sanitation crew had to rip out the dry wall from about 3 - 4 feet up and some of the framing. There went all my hard work and stenciling that I had done. They also cleaned and sanitized the floor, and in doing so scrapped up all the painting I had done. It was a real mess and really depressing.

So these past few weeks my husband has been working very hard trying to get my laundry room rebuilt. He got all the framing and dry wall put up a few weeks ago, then painted the walls and last weekend he painted the floor. I LOVE IT!!! I love going down and doing my laundry now - it's so pretty and clean! I didn't' get any 'before pics' but trust me - it was a MESS - dirty and dusty and yucky.

Here are my after pics -

Here is a close up of the floor. I loved the little sprinkles he put in the paint!

Now I can really work on rebuilding my stockpile again.

Tackle It Tuesday - My Fabric

On the left side of my closet there is a little cubby hole area where I keep all my fabrics. I've always tried to fold my fabrics up and stack them into neat piles - but this wasn't working too well. For one, anytime I wanted to get fabric out of the pile - I would have to pull half the stack off also. (notice all the ones on the floor in front of the stand) This made it difficult to match fabrics or sometimes even see what I had in the first place.

A few weekends ago I was at a yard sale where a lady was selling some of her fabric. She had each one rolled and tied with a piece of yarn.

What a great idea! Now I wanted to reorganize my fabric area and roll everything up and tie them off with string.

Here is my fabric area - BEFORE -

It dosn't look that bad but take note to all the fabric on the floor in front of the stand. Those are the fabrics that get pulled off and then dumped.

This is The After---

It took me 4 days to go though all the fabric refold them, roll them up and tie them off. Now everything is in tubes and if I want to pull one of the self I can do so (hopefully) without taking everything with it - and also easily put it back.

In the first basket in the front, I organized all my smaller tubes of fabrics. You know the ones that are too small to be scrapes but too little to really make something with. In the second basket I put all my 'special' fabrics like the shinny, smooth, fuzzy or felt ones. In the third orange basket I put any extras I had that didn't fit anywhere else.

I haven't been sewing too much lately but hopefully this will be an incentive to do something.

Sometimes I think I spend more time playing with my fabric than actually sewing. Anyone else like this?

How to Recycle an Old T Shirt Into a Bikini

Too bad I didn't find this article at the beginning of the summer! Oh well, maybe I can practice making these over the winter and be ready for next summer. This is deffently on my Want To Do Someday List.

How to Recycle an Old T Shirt Into a Sexy Bikini

Readers Comments and Answers

A few days ago I was so excited to received such a wonderful comment from Patty over at My Homemade Life. She asked a lot of good questions and thought it would be nice to address them in a new post - in case anyone else had the same questions.

(Pattys comments are highlighted in blue)

Hi, yesterday I found a link to your blog on Money Saving Mom’s blog. I have really enjoyed reading about you and your family. I have a few comments and a few questions for you.

Where do you get multiple coupons?

Hi Patty, thank you for your encouragement.

I get multiple coupons in a few different ways -

1. The older kids great grandma saves the ones she dosn't use and sends them to me.

2. I have a friend who lives about 3 hours away. She will collect coupon inserts from all her friends and neighbors and every few weeks she mails them to me in a priority envelope. In return about once a month I will send her a priority box full of freebies I've gotten - that helps her out.

3. I trade coupons with friends.

4. I also like riding on coupon trains and that is a good way to get some extra coupons.

There are many other ways to get multiple coupons - the possibilities are endless.

You mentioned on you blog about wanting a stand up style freezer in the future instead of a chest freezer so you can organize it better. I wanted to comment on this; I have always been a stock up person and I have had both types of freezers. The chest style holds more than a stand up style. It can be very aggravating to open up a stand up style freezer and have items fall out. The chest freezer holds a lot more and can be packed to the brim.

I guess I will have to sit down and out way the pros and cons with a stand up or chest freezer. I never thought about all my stuff falling out - that would be a pain I wouldn't want to deal with all the time. You have inspired me to investigate this a little more.

Do you ever shop at warehouse stores to save money on your shopping? My family and I have shopped at Sam’s for years. You don’t always get the best deal on everything at a warehouse store but I have found you can save quit a bit on several items such as sugar, spices, honey, hot cocoa, cheese... and non-food items such as movies. I tend to shop the sales at my regular grocery store and use Sam’s for items that do not go on sale very often.

I remember my mom shopping at a warehouse store when I was a kid. They had these huge wheeled-dolly-cart-things that didn't have any sides. She would buy huge boxes of stuff and stack them up on her cart. I don't know if Sam's is like that or not - I've never been to Sam's. I don't even know where one is at - to be honest. I have 4 main stores I shop at that are 5 minutes from my house and practically on the same block. We rarely go anywhere else to shop for groceries or household items cause I don't like driving far away for that stuff. I know we have a Target and a Walmart but they are both about 20 minutes away and I would just rather not take the time to go that far.

However, I know there are some good deals to be had at Sam's Club and other warehouse type stores - a lot of people have had success with that, so thanks for bringing that up and pointing that out. It gives more people options to save money.

Have you heard of The Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn? I used to get her newsletter and really learned a lot from her. She and her husband have 6 kids and at the time she wrote here newsletter they fed the family on $200 a month.

No - I don't' think I have ever heard of her. Wow! 6 kids! I love to meet other big families like mine. Looks like I could use some tips from her. I have 5 kids and I try to keep our budget around $250 a month. That's including groceries, household items, dog and cat food. (I've been overspending though the last few months) Thanks for suggesting her. I will look into her newsletter. There is always more to learn from other people.

On you blog you mentioned getting a used sewing machine for $19.99, what a bargain! I love to sew and at one time I taught young girls how to sew using the older machines similar to the one you purchased. The older machines were built to last and they are so easy to care for as long as you keep them oiled.

Yes! I love that sewing machine. Not only because it reminds me of the one my mom used when I was a kid, but also because it's so simple to use. Your right - they don't make things like they used to. Although I haven't been doing much sewing lately - just haven't had the time. That's great you used to teach young girls how to sew. It's a valuable lesson you can use your whole life and do anything with. I noticed you have sewn some beautiful quilts - Ohhhh you must have some steel plated patients!

Have you considered using your sewing skills to make extra money? Have you heard of etsy? This site is similar to e-bay except all things sold on etsy are handmade or vintage. All items are sold at a set price and it is so cheap to sell items on etsy. I used to sell handmade doll clothes on e-bay and did very well, but e-bay kept going up on their prices and their fees so I decided to give etsy a try last year. So far I am very pleased with etsy and I try to tell everyone about etsy, I think they will soon become e-bays competition.

I have heard of etsy before - and have come across a few people selling stuff on there. I haven't really looked into it though. I've got so many things I want to make for the kids - and it's sometimes hard to find the time to do those things. It would be nice thought to be able to make some extra money selling things you have made. I'm wondering if it was ever heard for you to part with any of your doll cloths. I know sometimes I feel attached to something I have worked hard to make and I don't want to let it go.

Once again I enjoyed your blog,

Patty

Thanks for your wonderful comments and suggestions, Patty!

My First Picture Applique

In the past I have done small shape applique, but nothing major. I was inspired to do the major when my daughter spilt some grape juice all over the front of these cute jammies.

I found a Sun Bonnet Sue pattern at the library and cut out the pieces from some scraps I had. I did it all by hand and was so impressed at how well it all came out! Now, I've got a few other shirts around here with stains on them... This may be the start of something.

Vintage Fabric Meet Vintage Pattern

At the beginning of the summer when yard sales started I found this fun vintage fabric:

I just love the those umbrella's with little bows!

A few weeks ago I found a dream yard sale where they had tons of vintage patterns. Since my sewing adventure started I hadn't yet owned a pattern but had heard them calling to me several times. She was selling them for $1 a piece - I picked out these:
My absolute favorite:

And finally, when you combine the two - get ready for the grand finale--!

Isn't she a ham! This was my first outfit made from a pattern and I was so proud of myself! It turned out very well - and only took about 10 hours. Not bad for my first one!

I attempted to make some bloomers for her but those turned out to be a wee bit too small. Will have to try again.

Stockpile Renovation

In the basement, my stockpile shares the same room as my laundry room. It was a nice, big room, but very dark and dungeon - like. My stockpile is my pride and joy - so I just couldn't have it subject to those conditions.

Here is the before:

And the after:

My Very Own Sewing Machine!

I love it! I remember my mother sewing a lot when I was little. She had a sewing machine like this where the sewing machine folded into the table - except hers was white. I had always wanted one like this and could not believe it when I walked into the thrift shop one day and saw this sitting there with a price tag of $19.99!

SOLD!

It works perfectly! And it's so simple. The only complaint I have now is that it sits in my dinning room - and my dinning room will never be the same.

It even came with the original hand book:

Simple Fix

I found this shirt for my daughter at a yard sale. I thought it was cute, but then what do I know. She didn't like the wide sleeves around her wrist.

Fine.

Problem Solved?

Table Cloth for the Kiddy's Table

Over the summer I found this fabric at a yard sale:

What did the future of this fun - kid friendly fabric hold?

A darling table cloth for the kid-o's!

This is a table in the kitchen where my two babies eat. I thought this fabric would add some color and matched the chairs nicely.

I sewed elastic around the edges so they wouldn't keep pulling it off.

Discovering Scarves

Towards the beginning of the summer, around the time I discovered Thrift Shops, I also discovered scarves. Had no idea what to do with them - but for some reason was intrigued by them. There had to -- just had to - be some useful cool thing to do with them. I was thinking the easiest thing would be to make a skirt, but after hours of playing with different scarfs, shapes and ways making a skirt would be possible, something awesome finally came of it - the scarf skirt became a dress!



Thinking back after it was all done - it seems very simple. It's funny that it took me so long to figure out this simple idea. She wears this dress under jeans, shorts or with leggings.