If you are wondering about if I sell the “Little Houses” pillow, please read this updated post (click on the highlighted text link).
I think it is ironic that the things I put off until last (the pillows) are the first thing I am sharing from my family room reveal. I do not enjoy sewing as much as I do using power tools. In fact, the only way I survive without yelling at the sewing machine is I pretend it is just another power tool. Because really, it is.
I have a problem. I envision a room before I even start and I know exactly how I want the room to look right down to the fabric. Problem is, most of the fabrics I have invented in my head and then I can’t find it in real life. I have been painting fabric for about 8 years now. If I can’t find what I want, I create it myself!
The pillow in the back came from ……… Walmart! I know, I am still shocked too. I have never bought a pillow from there before but I was walking by I saw this one and it was the perfect color and had great texture. The one with words on it, I made. It is kind of my favorite :)
When I was growing up my dad listened to country music. I still love it. There are so many memories of bouncing around in his dusty old truck listening to the old songs like Statler Brothers, Oak Ridge Boys, George Straight, and Randy Travis. I remember one song that stuck with me. Remember I have said many times in the past that I was an odd child. I was, even at a young age, always thinking about my future house. I REALLY wanted to live in a small cottage style home. The song that I loved was called Little Houses by Doug Stone. I painted the words to the chorus on to a pillow because it is how I feel about my little house.
I used my Silhouette machine to cut out the words in vinyl. The vinyl is sticky on the back so it sticks to the fabric while I paint. Picking off all the “insides” of the letter took what seemed like forever. But it was worth it :)
I used fabric ink because I had some on hand from another past project. But paint with fabric paint medium works well too. The ink takes longer to dry so make sure it is really dry before taking the vinyl off or it will smudge.
Moving on the the couch pillows……You would think that a bold yellow striped fabric would be easy to find. But it wasn’t. I used painters tape, paint, and fabric paint medium (you can buy it at crafts stores by all the other craft paint).
I wanted to find a canvas that was a color close to the wall color. That was nearly impossible too. So I bought white canvas fabric and soaked it in very watered down paint (the same paint I painted the walls with). I squeezed the water paint out, laid them flat on a tarp, and after they dried I washed them in the washing machine. Unlike with dyes, you don’t have to wash it all by itself. If the paint is all dry it won’t bleed on to anything else in the wash. I have done this before and talked about it when I did my office pillows. I love how it looks faded on some spots where the paint didn’t absorbs as much. It looks worn, which for me is perfect!
I added a wood button (one on each side) to the canvas pillow. We had a tree fall down in a giant wind storm this past summer and it broke my heart. I vowed to use as much of it as I could so it wouldn’t go to waste.
I cut a tree branch on my miter saw. I drilled two holes and then soaked it in polyurethane. It was very porous so I knew that brushing it on wouldn’t be enough. Then after it soaked for a few minutes I dabbed off any excess polyurethane and let it dry.
The pillow in the middle is made out of yellow ticking fabric. I was able to find it online. I used the same fabric to cover the bench on the opposite side of the room.
The pillows on the crate I adore! The Moroccan patterned pillow came from Pottery Barn. You know when all the stars align and you find exactly what you want AND it is on mega clearance? THAT is what happened with this awesome pillow.
The key pillow I also make using my Silhouette and fabric ink.
I LOVE a big houndstooth. So I new I wanted a pillow with that pattern.
I couldn’t find a graphic yellow houndstooth fabric so I again turned to my Silhouette machine.
It was obviously more work to make all these custom pillows. I would have rather just bought all of them instead of just two of them. But I am picky and I know what I want. Even though I dislike sewing, I am glad I did it because the pillows are exactly what I wanted :)
Linked up at Skip to my Lou
Beautiful! Love the colors!!
Omgoodness, I’m in love with the Little Houses pillow! I need one for my little home.
It all looks fantastic!!!! You are so talented!! I wish my homemade stuff looked like that. When I do DIY projects that I can’t find in stores, they usually look like “made by me”. Congratulations°!!!!!
I remember something about the key. You told us a story about the big key on another past post, didn’t you? Some emotional value it has for you, I don’t remember if it’s something about your father or your childhood, but I have the feeling that I remember something about the antique key… =D anyways, congratulations, it looks beautiful
Love, love, love the Little Houses pillow! Really wish I had a silhouette to make one!! Great job! Your space is beautiful!
First, you’re awesome–seriously! I love that you made all of the pillows! Second, this post helped me realize that I really, really NEED a silhouette. My 1st generation cricut is no longer cutting it. Great job!
ummm…sooo cute- I will be attempting this at some point in my life with my Silhouette! thanks for tute~!
That little house pillow is amazing! They are all really cute! Very talented! Just made my first pillows, ill get better as I learn!
I gasped when I saw the yellow houndstooth…ADORE! They are all lovely, Stacey! You did a fab job!
I love the yellow in your pillows. All the pillows look so beautiful! :)
Wow, those were a lot of work but turned out beautifully! I would not have guessed half the pillows were hand-painted. And the little wooden buttons, so sweet. Your family room is very photogenic with the new colors!
I, too, love your pillow from the song lyrics about little houses and love. One of few times I wish I had a silhouette. Actually, that applies to all your pillows you showed today you “silhouetted”. Thanks for a lovely show of a great space.’
Janet
I love all of these pillows! I do the same thing with inventing fabrics in my head. Good to know I can start painting my own!
All your pillows just make the room, but I love the one you put the quote on!!
Wow! I think I’m going have to turn to my silhouette for some pillow makage. That was one of my favorite parts of your room when I saw it. Thanks for the awesome idea!
I love it! I haven’t tried painting on fabric but I did cut geometric prints out of solid fabric then ironed them on burlap for the kids’ Christmas stockings this year. Must try with paint! The quote you used is awesome and a sentiment shared by many (including me).
Love everything! The song lyrics are perfect for you and your house. Thanks for all the ideas on painting designs on cloth. Love those buttons, too.
I love all the pillows and love that you did them yourself. You are awesome!
Stacy, I just love how the brown leather pops against the yellow, which is the PERFECT shade. Not too lemony and not too pale. Pulling it together with those pillows gives the room such a light yet grounded feel. Well done!
Love all of them! I am having the same pillow/curtain/fabric dilemma right now. I have a picture in my head of what I want, but I can’t find it anywhere. And if I can find it, it’s a bajillion dollars.
These turned out great!! I don’t know how far you are located but in West Jordan they have my favorite fabric store Hancock. I love them because they have the best prices in town plus awesome clearance area. Just FYI if you ever need cheaper fabric :)
I’m so loving it…and you are giving me MAJOR reno fever {which we don’t have the money for right now}!
I love that pillow…I think I might attempt it with printable fabric, then making something for it, rather than fabric paint.
Ok…and I just went and found the lyrics for that song and it made me cry :-D
You missy are a GENIUS! I have the same problem with pillows. I can never find in real life what I have floating around in my head, but never in a million years would I’ve imagined you did this yourself! AMAZING! I absolutely love all of them. Makes me want to try it, but I have a feeling I will fail miserably hahaha
Hello Stacy! I have been a big fan for the LONGEST time! I love your home – it is so beautiful and as my daughter would say “comfy” :) Today I signed my life away and became a homeowner!!! I have TONS of repairs to do and your blog and given me so much inspiration! Love the pillows by the way :)
QUESTION: I love your laminate pergo flooring – you said in your kitchen post that it was called Pergo Cross Swan from Home Depot. I looked it up online and the only one is a Pergo Cross Swan – Chestnut which looks so much lighter to me than what you have. Is that the right one? Thanks in advance!!!
Would you ever consider making and selling one of the pillows with the song chorus on it?
I agree with Nicole. I am moving into a little house 1200 sq ft from 3600 sq ft. I really want a pillow like this one. Would you make a couple and sell them to me?? Please email me at [email protected]
I love all your ideas! Your house is gorgeous! I am also interested in a few pillows with the lyics on them. Would you please contact me with further information about them at [email protected]
I very much love the love grows best pillow, could I buy it from you?
I LOVE your love grows best pillow! Can I also buy one from you please? Actually two! Please say yes!
what font did you use for your pillow?
I LOOOVVEEEE the “love grows best” pillow, too! Can I buy one from you as well? Pretty please?! :-)
Are you selling the pillows about the little house? I would love to have one.
I, too, LOVE the Little House pillow and am wondering if you’d consider selling them? I’d love one for my tiny house!
Hello,
I desperatly would love the love grows pillow. Do you sell them? Ooo please say yes!!
I love the love grows pillow! I would love to buy one if you’re selling them!
count me in on the pillows if you ever sell. my family of 5 is in a 900 square foot house!
I Love The Little houses Pillow! Please Email Me At [email protected] YoU Could Sell Me One!
I Love LOVE the little house pillow! Would love to purchase! Please email me at [email protected]
I also love the “Little House” pillow! Do you have any for sale? Or an etsy store? [email protected]
I do not sell these pillows. For other options please read this update: http://www.notjustahousewife.net/2013/04/update-little-houses-pillow.html
THANKS!!!
Would you ever make this pillow for sale? I’d love to buy one!
I do not have a Silhouette machine like you. Would you be willing to make one of the words and sell it?