pillowcases

It's funny how you can put together a room with all kinds of charm and character, to make it feel all you and your family and fall in love with what you've created. You love it and love looking at it and love being in that room. You never want to change anything.

Except, maybe someday you do. If you are anything like me, that happens on a regular basis. I usually still like what I've got going on - it just might be time to perk things up a bit.

Or sometimes, it is time to do an overhaul. I've been there, too.

It's been three (!) years since we ditched the big house and embraced the downsize. So, I was really ready to make a few little, inexpensive changes 

So, pillows are the way to go this time.

We have lots and lots of neutrals going on in our house, and I just love it. But I am a little tiny bit ready to bring in a smidge of color. Pillow cases are a great way to be a little adventurous without any huge commitment.

I found this awesome tutorial - Just what I was looking for. I've made pillow cases before, but I was ready to take it to the next level.

This tri-color cuff pillow case is just enough to be all like, "Yeah, I'm special, but not too showy". Not all pillow cases can get away with that kind of attitude.

Seriously, just follow the instructions on this one. I am the worst with figuring out these kind of projects with turns and strange "burrito methods" (go check the tutorial to see what I'm talking about on that one). But I followed the instructions step by step and it totally worked. Yay!

Oh my goodness. Piece of cake. And so good at looking special, without trying too hard. "No big deal. We're just pillow cases. Oh yeah, and we are tri-colored."

(But even in black and white, looking quite spiffy. I love the simple pattern)

Close-up. Looks so complicated, but it is so not. The tutorial tells you everything you need, including measurements for different size pillows.

Once I get another set done for our bed, I'll show you the whole look. 

I am really super happy about how these turned out. This is another kind of thing that really lends itself to variety (like these signs). Just by using different colors and or patterns, you can create a whole different vibe.

But the vibe will always be, "I'm special."

That's a good vibe.

Tiny Update in the Bathroom

Isn't it terrific how a little, tiny update can make such a big difference? 

I totally love that.

It means you can make a small investment in time and money and accomplish something that makes you feel good all over. Who wouldn't be on board with that?

I sometimes have little projects that I don't get to, for whatever reason, that sit on the list forever. Do you ever have that? Sometimes there is just no good explanation for stalling.

This is one of them.

Remember how we removed a bunch of yuck stuff we didn't like from our blue bathroom? 

We ended up with an open cubbie behind the door that once was hiding behind some very unattractive fake oak doors and molding. We covered it in white paint, tossed in a few cute baskets and a great wood box and called it done. 

For now. 

I mean then.

So although the basket on the bottom is cute, the contents - not so much. Not sure why it took so long to do something about it. Seriously, this is like a 30 minute project.

The bathroom cleaning products need to be there - obviously - but they are just not contributing to the look we are going for.

As I totally love that skirted look, I thought I could just pull it off again. I already had the fabric (meaning free!) and just needed to order a small curtain rod. Once that came, I got right to work measuring, ironing, cutting, sewing and fitting.

And things were going really, really well until the fitting part.

Really?

Ok, so maybe things were going really, really well until the measuring part. I just didn't know it until the fitting part.

Dang.

It looks better than nothing, but I know it will look lots better with no gaps. 

Phase one of this little, tiny update is done. 

If I had measured right, this little, tiny update would have been big enough.

Be back with phase two soon.