Keep Smiling

Keep Smiling

Sunday, January 15, 2017

"A Banner" and a "Before & After"


Taking a break from quilting.



I just needed to do something different.
So I used some quilting scraps 
and made a banner.









 I was looking at this little foot stool.
I purchased it at Goodwill
last summer, with the intention
of doing something with it.


 
I just wasn't sure what I would do . . .

until today :)



It is always fun . . .

Giving something old a facelift
&
using scraps to make something new.


What did you do this weekend?

Keep Smiling!

Your blogging sister,
Connie :)

40 comments:

  1. I think I'm the first to comment! Yay! I love the banner and the footstool is adorable! The banner reminded me I need to get my Valentine's Day box out of the shed and put up my adorable banner you made me! Maybe tomorrow I can get to it! You are one creative lady Connie! I love ALL your projects. Hope you have a wonderful week.
    Hugs, Vicky

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    1. Hi Vicky, you are so sweet . . . I forgot that I made you a banner, until you said it . . . and now I remember. It was special for my teaching friend. I'm sure that you are thinking up valentine crafts to make with your class. It's always a fun time of the year.

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  2. Oh Connie,,, both your Banner and your step stool turned out 'sew' cute!

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    1. Thank you . . . When I paint furniture that stays in the Art Barn, I go a little bit funky and crazy with color and design. It makes it a fun place to go when you are in a creative mood.

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  3. Hi Connie! Love, love, love that banner! Love the footstool too but the banner is darling. Still trying to get my craft space organized. Nancy

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    1. Hi Nancy, oh, it is going to take a while. When we moved I found things that I had forgotten about. It will be fun starting with a clean slate and making it your own. Have Fun!!!
      Oh, thanks for your sweet words on my banner, I am delighted that you like it :)

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  4. Amazing how you never run our of ideas. Cute little stool. What did you paint it with and did you just paint over the cushion????

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    1. I used a combo of craft acrylics and chalk paint, depending on the color that I wanted . . . I don't over think things I just get into it, get my hand dirty and have fun! This paint does make for a stiffer finish, but it's a stool and not a comfortable chair. You can add a medium to paint to keep it soft and that would be something you would want if you wanted to keep a soft chair or sofa soft and cozy.

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  5. What a sweet banner. I love it! The footstool turned out nice too. I've been working on a sock yarn corner to corner crochet blanket and another crochet doily. Lots of stitchery happening here.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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    1. Stitching and winter just go together perfectly, don't they :)

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  6. It is fun making banners and even more fun to hang them up for any festivity. Yours is so cheerful and creative.

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  7. What a fun piece (and colors) that is. I love that the lid opens.

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    1. It's a nice place to hide a pair of scissors, thread and pin cushion for hand sewing and hemming.

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  8. Love the banner and the lovely quote with the key, a beautiful creation. Impressive stool too, I love the idea of creating something new out of something old. I spent the weekend packing up my craft room, although I have to admit it is slow going. Take care.

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    1. I don't even want to think about the job that would be . . . good luck, LOL.

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  9. Well I loved your banner and then when I saw your footstool makeover I was in awe of your talent. That is fantastic.

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    1. Thank you! They were both fun and whimsy, a good break from the ordinarily. After all the ripping out that I did on the last quilt I needed to do something new and fun, before starting on the next one.

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  10. Your banner is so sweet, Connie. I love it! I wondered what you had up your sleeve when you showed the first photo of the stool. My, you did something really special. I think it's great that you approach color so fearlessly! Great job!

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    1. Fearless with color is easy when it is not for the house. As for the barn, color is just fun and I really don't care how much I splash around. It makes me happy . . . like a country garden filled with colorful blooms, LOL.

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  11. You do make the cutest things! It is fun to do something different for a while. Making a banner sounds like fun. This weekend I spent a day in the kitchen trying to make peanut brittle and spent part of the weekend working in the bunny's lot. :)

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    1. After my session with ripping out stitches, I just had to do something that was more carefree. Quilts can be a bit stressful when things don't line up right. I sew for fun, not stress so these little project kind of were ideal for blowing the cobwebs out of my brain, LOL.

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  12. I can tell you had fun in the Art Barn this last weekend! I wish I could be that "free" with color! My things always have to be matchy matchy and having a place to just go wild would be some awesome. Making a banner has been on my wish list for ages... again.. you inspire me to make one. Love yours. I've made paper banners but not fabric ones. I have so many scraps, though I use up most of them when I make something so my scrap box doesn't have that much in it. (although... I do have a big tub of strips I've saved since the 70's from things I've made... for a future strip quilt!!!!). You certainly do think outside the box. Have a good week coming up and I think our temperatures are going to warm up a little bit for a few days.... I sure hope so... would like to get the snow off our driveway.. it's still there as too solid to shovel! Hugs.. Marilyn

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    1. I can not wait for this snow to melt. We have been driving the pickup and because of that we haven't shoveled anymore of the driveway than what was needed to open the gate and roll the garbage can out. There are some high ruts of frozen icy snow that I don't want to drive my car through. They are up by the road where the snow plow has piled it up. I feel a bit trapped. Steve drives me wherever I want, but I miss driving myself. I don't think that I have ever gone this long since first getting my license way back in the 60's, LOL.

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  13. Wow - that was a lot of work on that banner. Way to go.

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    1. It was fun work . . . time flies when you are having fun :)

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  14. What a delightful banner you made. Really NICE.
    I'm working on another baby blanket.

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    1. This time of year is perfect for staying home and stitching . . . it won't be long before the garden and lawn will take our stitching time away :) Isn't it nice to have four seasons. I don't think that I would like never having a change.

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  15. very sweet banner and love how you freshened up the stool, looks great with your chair. Love that flower!!

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    1. You are so sweet . . . I would never get that crazy with colors in our home, but out in the barn I can go a little bit wild with color and design . . . as long as it makes me smile, it fits the personality of the barn, LOL. Thanks so much for visiting, my welcome mat is always out :)

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  16. Connie!! I love that chair and footstool! So sweet. You inspire me.
    xoxo
    Lynn

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    1. Hello Lynn, thank you so much. That chair was the first time I took paint to upholstery‎, it was so much fun that I had to do it again on this little stool:)

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  17. The banner is sweet and the footstool has a surprising storage area under the lid that you've made so cute. You see potential everywhere!!!

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    1. I just like making things pretty . . . either that or I'm just bored and have a paint brush in my hand. That can be a dangerous duo, LOL

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  18. Variety is the spice of life, Connie dear, and you certainly have lots to choose from on the creative front, you do amazing things! But I do understand you need a break form one thing - I have to have several things on the go, or variations of a thing, to keep my interest fresh. I have a very LOW boredom threshold! LOEV the chair and footstool! L xxx

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    1. I'm with you . . . I can't stand boredom . . . life is just plain too short to give it any room for growth :)

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  19. Love your banner and footstool, crafty Connie! :-)

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  20. Good evening Connie, I love your banner, tell me, is that a little beaded heart that I can see in the centre?I think we must be kindred spirits because I tend not to follow patterns, I like to free think a piece I am working on, whether it is quilting, beadwork or embroidery. I find as I work on the piece my ideas flow.
    I love how you have revamped your foot stool, the colours are so vibrant.
    It is always a pleasure to visit you.
    Best Wishes
    Daphne

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    1. Hi Daphne, it is a pleasure to have you stop by. The little beaded heart is actually a button and the banner flags started out with scraps of fabric from the ends of blocks that I free motion quilted for a quilt that I just finished. After using them, I looked in my scrap pile and quilted a few others to also add. I love taking what would be thrown out by most people and turning it into something new and fresh. My art barn is my place of freedom and the place where anything goes and colors can jump off the walls if they choose to . . . if it isn't fun, then it is not a happy place.

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