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    Decorative Painted Pillows

    By Stacy 53 Comments

    I am sharing the decorative painted pillows from  my family room reveal. When decorating a space I can usually visualize it down to the last detail before I even start, including the pillows. If I can't find exactly what I want, I make it.  I not only sewed these, but painted them as well!

     

     

     Photobucket

    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.

    little houses

    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 (affiliate link) 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 watered down 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 hounds tooth. So I new I wanted a pillow with that pattern.

    I couldn't find a graphic yellow hounds tooth fabric so I again turned to my Silhouette machine.

    It was obviously more work to make all these custom decorative painted 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 :)

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    Filed Under: DIY & Tutorials, Home Decor, Painted Fabric, Painting 53 Comments

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tia

      January 11, 2013 at 3:13 pm

      Beautiful! Love the colors!!

      Reply
    2. Gracie

      January 11, 2013 at 3:15 pm

      Omgoodness, I'm in love with the Little Houses pillow! I need one for my little home.

      Reply
    3. Gaby@GabHousewifeChronicles

      January 11, 2013 at 3:16 pm

      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

      Reply
    4. Angie

      January 11, 2013 at 3:28 pm

      Love, love, love the Little Houses pillow! Really wish I had a silhouette to make one!! Great job! Your space is beautiful!

      Reply
    5. katie

      January 11, 2013 at 3:48 pm

      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!

      Reply
    6. kelly thompson

      January 11, 2013 at 4:01 pm

      ummm...sooo cute- I will be attempting this at some point in my life with my Silhouette! thanks for tute~!

      Reply
    7. Kelly

      January 11, 2013 at 4:24 pm

      That little house pillow is amazing! They are all really cute! Very talented! Just made my first pillows, ill get better as I learn!

      Reply
    8. chelsea @ Making Home Base

      January 11, 2013 at 4:52 pm

      I gasped when I saw the yellow houndstooth...ADORE! They are all lovely, Stacey! You did a fab job!

      Reply
    9. Lauren from MomHomeGuide

      January 11, 2013 at 4:53 pm

      I love the yellow in your pillows. All the pillows look so beautiful! :)

      Reply
    10. Heart and Haven

      January 11, 2013 at 6:04 pm

      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!

      Reply
    11. Janet

      January 11, 2013 at 7:20 pm

      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

      Reply
    12. Samantha @ Reineke Ramblings

      January 11, 2013 at 7:50 pm

      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!

      Reply
    13. Lisa

      January 11, 2013 at 9:15 pm

      All your pillows just make the room, but I love the one you put the quote on!!

      Reply
    14. April

      January 11, 2013 at 11:28 pm

      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!

      Reply
    15. Cynthia

      January 12, 2013 at 2:41 am

      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).

      Reply
    16. Cath

      January 12, 2013 at 2:33 pm

      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.

      Reply
    17. Elizabeth H

      January 12, 2013 at 5:46 pm

      I love all the pillows and love that you did them yourself. You are awesome!

      Reply
    18. Katie B. of HousewifeHowTos.com

      January 12, 2013 at 5:48 pm

      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!

      Reply
    19. Jill

      January 12, 2013 at 9:30 pm

      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.

      Reply
    20. Lena at OnMySideoftheWorld

      January 13, 2013 at 2:37 pm

      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 :)

      Reply
    21. Jess

      January 15, 2013 at 9:17 am

      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.

      Reply
    22. Jess

      January 15, 2013 at 9:20 am

      Ok...and I just went and found the lyrics for that song and it made me cry :-D

      Reply
    23. Paola Segnini

      January 17, 2013 at 12:50 pm

      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

      Reply
    24. Kirsten

      January 17, 2013 at 9:11 pm

      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!!!

      Reply
    25. Nicole

      February 02, 2013 at 10:18 am

      Would you ever consider making and selling one of the pillows with the song chorus on it?

      Reply
    26. Kristi Lewis

      February 04, 2013 at 10:40 pm

      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 jkmhlewis@hotmail.com

      Reply
    27. Laurissa

      February 12, 2013 at 10:52 am

      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 lwells729@yahoo.com

      Reply
    28. Nicole

      February 12, 2013 at 4:57 pm

      I very much love the love grows best pillow, could I buy it from you?

      Reply
    29. Vanessa Frida

      February 14, 2013 at 11:22 pm

      I LOVE your love grows best pillow! Can I also buy one from you please? Actually two! Please say yes!

      Reply
    30. jessica

      February 25, 2013 at 12:40 am

      what font did you use for your pillow?

      Reply
    31. Crystal

      February 26, 2013 at 2:18 pm

      I LOOOVVEEEE the "love grows best" pillow, too! Can I buy one from you as well? Pretty please?! :-)

      Reply
    32. Chelsea Alexander

      March 01, 2013 at 8:48 am

      Are you selling the pillows about the little house? I would love to have one.

      Reply
    33. Katie H

      March 03, 2013 at 8:25 pm

      I, too, LOVE the Little House pillow and am wondering if you'd consider selling them? I'd love one for my tiny house!

      Reply
    34. Allison

      March 05, 2013 at 1:43 am

      Hello,
      I desperatly would love the love grows pillow. Do you sell them? Ooo please say yes!!

      Reply
    35. Elizabeth

      March 07, 2013 at 7:49 am

      I love the love grows pillow! I would love to buy one if you're selling them!

      Reply
    36. April

      March 11, 2013 at 8:21 pm

      count me in on the pillows if you ever sell. my family of 5 is in a 900 square foot house!

      Reply
    37. taylore

      March 26, 2013 at 10:02 pm

      I Love The Little houses Pillow! Please Email Me At Tay.Brynick@Gmail.ComIf YoU Could Sell Me One!

      Reply
    38. Carol

      April 06, 2013 at 7:30 am

      I Love LOVE the little house pillow! Would love to purchase! Please email me at cjm1985@icloud.com

      Reply
    39. Dustin

      April 10, 2013 at 2:59 pm

      I also love the "Little House" pillow! Do you have any for sale? Or an etsy store? dcolle2@gmail.com

      Reply
    40. Stacy

      April 10, 2013 at 3:07 pm

      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!!!

      Reply
    41. Sydney

      April 18, 2013 at 10:05 am

      Would you ever make this pillow for sale? I'd love to buy one!

      Reply
    42. Samantha

      May 04, 2013 at 10:59 am

      I do not have a Silhouette machine like you. Would you be willing to make one of the words and sell it?

      Reply
      • Natalie Ann

        March 19, 2014 at 10:20 pm

        I AGREE! my parents would love that pillow- any way we can purchase it from you? you're much more crafty than I am, it looks like a very high end pillow, I love it! :) Please let me know!!

        Reply
    43. StephanieB

      September 11, 2013 at 8:03 pm

      Was wondering if you could tell me the brand of the Walmart pillow? I've been looking for something like this forever! Probably won't have them there anymore but if I can look it up it might help. Thank you!!!

      Reply
    44. jen

      October 07, 2013 at 1:23 pm

      Hi I love this and I have been searching for something like this. I was wondering can you tell me if you took off the fabric from the pillow before you stenciled it? I want to use a poem and transfer it onto a pillow for my aunt's Birthday...If you could let me know you would save me so much!

      Love your site

      Thanks

      Reply
    45. big trucks

      February 11, 2014 at 6:29 am

      Wonderful work! That is the type of information that should
      be shared around the net. Disgrace on Google for no longer
      positioning this put up upper! Come on over and consult with my website .

      Thank you =)

      Reply
    46. Jordan

      April 04, 2014 at 12:52 pm

      Hi,

      Would you be interested in making and selling me one of the pillows with the little house quote?

      Reply
    47. Casey

      April 05, 2014 at 4:40 pm

      Where did you purchase your leather nailhead armchair? Ps. Love the song pillow!

      Reply
    48. Amos

      June 24, 2014 at 10:35 am

      Your style is unique compared to other people I've read stuff from.
      Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I'll just bookmark this page.

      Look at my website ... credit card generator (Amos)

      Reply
    49. Phillipp

      July 02, 2014 at 9:09 pm

      I almost never leave a response, however i did a few searching and wound up here Details
      about all the Pillows in my Family Room :) | Not JUST A Housewife.
      And I actually do have a few questions for you if it's allright.
      Could it be just me or does it appear like a few of
      the responses look like written by brain dead folks?
      :-P And, if you are posting on other sites, I would like to keep up with everything new you have to post.
      Would you list of the complete urls of your social sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or
      linkedin profile?

      Reply
    50. Lisa

      August 25, 2019 at 4:48 pm

      I know this was like a million years ago but, I love it! Made me ? must make! Thank you!!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. buddies, bunks, and staying put | tend the farm says:
      April 6, 2014 at 1:41 pm

      […] like to track down or make something like this pillow as a reminder, on the moments when I feel like we “need” more space. […]

      Reply
    2. Whose Life is it Anyway? | Loving Mountain Life says:
      September 13, 2014 at 8:15 pm

      […] a family and make wonderful memories within its walls.  I find this pillow on Pinterest from Not Just a Housewife and vow to make […]

      Reply

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    stacyHey! I'm Stacy and am a DIY addict. I love to get my hands dirty, whether it's sawdust, paint, or dirt. My goal is to help YOU learn to fix up your home and yard. No matter the style or size, I think everyone should love their home. And it doesn't takes a big budget to get there. Let's DIY together!

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