DIY burlap pillow case

Today, I hung up a new painting I'm the living room and it inspired me to get crafty!

I had some burlap fabric that I purchased a while ago and never got around to using, so I decided to make a new pillow!

- SUPPLIES -

•burlap fabric

•sharp scissors

•extra strong upholstery thread

•thick upholstery needle (curved)

•an old pillow OR stuffing 

I chose to use an old pillow to cover, rather than using stuffing. Essentially I'm making a burlap pillow case..

First, I made a template of the pillow as if I were wrapping a present. I left 2-3 inches of excess burlap on both sides, just to have a little wiggle room. 

**I cut only ONE side of the burlap to fit. If you cut more, it will fray. 

Then, I threaded my needle with the extra string upholstery thread. 

Now, I flipped the pillow case inside out in order to sew up both sides of the pillow case. By flipping it inside out, the seams will look flawless on the finished product. I didn't sew up the side that I cut yet though, because I need an opening to get the pillow in through. 

 

So next, after the 2 unfrayed sides were sewn, I flipped the pillow case back right-side-out and stuffed the old pillow into the new burlap pillow case. 

At this point, I hand stiched the opening carefully, securing the loose frayed edge tightly with knots.

  

And there's the finished product! :)

Updates

Today, I went to Home Goods to grab a few more pieces for the living room. I wanted something for the fireplace hearth to add more texture and warmth to the room!

 

After bringing them home, I couldn't decide if the teal candles were too much... 

On the left, I put the white scentless candles. On the right, the new teal ones.

I really love adding little pops of color here and there, what do you guys think? 

Still waiting on the new floors, but once they are in, we will add a rug to match the color of the wicker baskets! :)

It's Beginning to Feel Like a Home

It's spring time. Time for flowers to bloom, gardens to be planted, and fruit to be eaten ;) 

But first, before all this begins, I want make our house feel like a home. I've been seeing a lot of front entryways and porches on Pinterest that I am absolutely in love with. As everyone knows, I am obsessed with the rustic-modern style. So... I took it upon myself to research the porches of rustic style homes and I came up with an idea!!!

I dug up the flowers that were popping up in the corner of our yard... 

And replanted them in a huge, wooden bin from Hobby Lobby for $8!

Now, everything I walk up to our front door, it just seems so much more inviting:) 

Also, I've been moving plants indoors too! Succulents, aloe, and small bushes are growing all over our yard like weeds. When they are in random patches, it's not the cutest. However, when you plant them in a super cute pot and give them a purpose, they're great decor! 

^^I transplanted that aloe plant into a silver, rustic pot, to add a little rustic vibe.

Outside, most of our flowers are in bloom, including this gorgeous tree! Since it's right after valentine's day, there's a ton of flowers in our house anyways, so I picked a few of these and added them to one of the bouquets that was dying..

^^aren't they beautiful inside??

Also, Brad got me this bouquet for valentine's day, which is making a great centerpiece for our table! In the background you can still see the unfinished crownmolding, backsplash, and floors. We are starting them in probably about another week!

I love lillies..

Today, Brad and I also went to IKEA to FINALLY get the mirror I've been wanting so badly. If you can recall, I originally wanted 3, but right now, that's just not in our budget. Soooooo, we got only one for now. 

It is going to go on the wall right behind the table, horizontally. I think it will really tie in the whole rustic-modern theme:)

Once those hideous carpets are out, it's going to be AMAZING !! !/$&^@$&#&!!! I can't wait! 

Then we will plan our housewarming party! 

The floors came!

Today, Brad went and picked up the materials for the floors from the warehouse they were shipped to, and they are B-E-A-UTIFUL!!! 

Hopefully we can get enough time to put them in this next week. Either we will do them little by little any chance we get, OR we will have to wait until Spring Break in March. I hope we can start ASAP, but I'm not the one doing most of the work...

We will see! I will keep updating!