Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Gotcha Covered!

Trying to remember to take a moment now and then to smell the roses -- this was a beautiful rose, wasn't it! Even so, it feels like I've had so much going on lately that blogging is taking a bit of a back seat. Speaking of seats, I finished re-covering my dining room chairs -- part of the dining room update project that has been going on for months! Oh my goodness -- what a project! I've seen all those bloggers that make it look easy, and maybe it was easy . . . for them! It took me a LOT longer than an hour or two!

First, I removed over 130 (I kid you not, I counted) staples from each chair -- that took a weekend at least. Then I had to find some fabric. Score - found a lovely neutral that will go with the new rug and also had a little other fabric to play with and use too. Then the cutting began!


Did you know that I failed cutting with a scissors in kindergarten? Yes, I did and so did my twin. My Mom said to the teacher-- "What -- there are two of them, why would I be crazy enough to give them scissors???" And we both did poorly in beginning sewing when we took it one summer (make that two summers in a row)-- again, still can't cut a straight line!

Finished chairs!

Anyway, the first chair took days and days! And then I dawdled some just thinking about it all. Finally, last weekend I swore I would finish the rest of the chairs! And I did! Doing the corners was way harder than I thought it might be, but I persevered. And now look -- do you love them? The stripe fabric was a remnant and just happened to match my neutral fabric. My plan was to make two chairs striped -- you know, the Mom & Dad chairs. But somebody (Maddy) got a really sad face and also wanted a striped chair, so we have three striped chairs and three plain. Works for me! The dining room is really coming together. More photos when it is done -- which I hope is soon!

30 comments:

Kim said...

I love the chairs! Your hardwork and time paid off. I have to agree with Maddy, I like the stripes. I can almost smell the rose too, it is beautiful!

Rachel said...

The chairs look great! I'm impressed - if you can't cut a straight line at least you can put on a chair seat cover straight!

Congratulations on finishing your DIY project!

Lindy D. said...

I'm here from Marla's blog. Love the chairs. You did a great job!!

TanyaLea said...

GREAT job!! ;) For someone who can't cut a straight line...you did a good job lining up the stripes on the seat covers! I embarked on that last spring... for the second time!! Hey, I get bored easy and like to redecorate. If it wasn't so much work, I'd do it more often!! LOL! Can't wait to see more pics... I love these posts!

BEAUTIFUL rose, BTW!!

Kim and Dennis said...

A twin huh? How about some twin stories in the future?

Maree said...

Over the years I've recovered seems like hundreds of chairs...loved the fresh new look you could get quickly.

Love the stripes...fun mixing the patterns.

I'm off to smell some roses!!

Kim said...

Great job girly...they look fabulous! Love the stripes!

Kim

Jodee said...

Holy cow! Your chair covers rock! You are becoming sooooo crafty! I am so glad you are taking time to smell the roses too!

Gail said...

Oh my gosh...Janet I LOVE the chairs!!!! Wow, I am very impressed and congrats for your perserverance and finishing them! I really like how you did 3 and 3...how cute.

Also happy you are taking some time to smell the roses. And I vote yes on hearing some more twin stories...lol.

Kerry said...

Wow, Janet. Lots of work- but well worth it- they are beautiful.

Nothing like the feeling of a finished project! Nice! Now smell your roses.

Laura L. said...

The chairs look great! Congratulations on a job well done. I'm glad you shared.

How cool that you have a twin. :)

Anonymous said...

I like have 3 striped chairs and 3 solid ones. works for me too.

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

I love these!! I'm a stripes girl, so I think these are just dreamy... good job!

Lucy said...

OMG that is the cutest thing that you have 3 "mom and dad" chairs. That just melted my heart...I would have done the same thing. :)
They look great! Awesome job, those darn corners will make you crazy!!! And pulling those staples can make your arms and hands sore for days. I can't wait to see your whole dining room!
Take care, Lucy
P.S. That is a beautiful pic of the rose!

Michelle R Photography said...

Way to go on the chairs!!

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

Hi Jan,

You did a FAB job on those chairs girl!! I love them.....all your hardwork definitely paid off:)

I think we have the same dining room rug....if not the exact, it is very similar!!

Have a great day!

Lisa

Super Mommy said...

Awesome job Janet! I can't cut a straight line either!!

Teresa said...

Your chairs look fabulous! Couldn't have done it better, myself. Great job.

Lisa said...

looks fab! great job!!

Farmgirl Paints said...

Looks fabulous. Three and three works great.

Kasey said...

they look GREAT.
xo

Bridget said...

Your chairs look great!!! I love the fabric! I did the same thing a couple of years ago and can still feel how sore my hands were! the outcome outweighed the pain and time!

Hope all's well!

~Bridget

a Tonggu Momma said...

Your chairs look wonderful! But I have to say that your momma was brilliant... because three of the five sets of twins we know cut each others' hair. No scissors? VERY wise.

Jean said...

I love it!! Love the fabrics!! So funny that Maddy now has a stripped chair too!!

Your mother was a very wise woman!! Of course you don't give twins scissors... at the same time... what was that teacher thinking!

You are reminding me of a project I need to get done!!

Lisa said...

The chairs are gorgeous! I'm so impressed! : )

Casey said...

They look great!!! It is never easy doing projects... things always seem like it will take a few hours and a month later, I am always still thinking about the next step!! haha!!

What a beautiful picture of a rose... it looks velvet!! Love it.

The Byrd's Nest said...

Oh my goodness....you are just so talented...I LOVE them! Very very impressive....

Steffie B. said...

Bravo on the chairs....so it took a while....they look fabulous! ;)

Jill and Rick said...

Oh Janet, you do GOOD work! GORGEOUS! (& why do I love the fact that Maddy has a striped chair too?!)

Jill (a fellow crooked-cutter)

Donna said...

The chairs look amazing - great job!