"J" is for Jute

Jute covered pears.

Jute ranks right up there with drop cloths, distressed white paint, burlap and rope - love.

A little knock off of Ballard's giant jute pears.

image from Ballard

And how about some jute eggs for Easter?

Here's how I made the pears:

(I used the same method for the eggs.)

1. I used newspaper mache pears from Michaels ($1.50 each) but regular plastic pears would do and standard jute string.

2. Start at top, glue near stem and wind jute adding glue every few inches.

Too easy.  So why pay $25 for Ballard's giant pear when you can have a whole vase full for a fraction of the cost?

Let's see what else I can wrap in jute.

I'm linking up to:

                   

"A" is for Armchair

An armchair makeover.

Curious about the before shot?

This little lady just needed some love.

I scored this gem for $20.  It was in great condition, the fabric was a bit worn but otherwise almost perfect.
(This is the Fiorita chair by Thomasville, I did some research.)

The details are so pretty but we can hardly see them.

But I fixed her all up and now she's gorgeous.

Here's how I did it:

For the frame:

1. Remove upholstery and staples.  Sand wood with 120 grit.

2. Apply one coat BM buxton blue.

3. Apply one coat Behr off white.

4. Distress with 220 grit sandpaper.
5. Stain with Minwax special walnut.

6. Seal with one coat clear satin poly.

For the upholstery:

1. Using drop cloths, staple back piece in first, then filler, then front piece.

2. Glue trim on to hide staples.

3. Staple on seat piece.  (You could stop here and apply trim for a finished look but I opted to make a removable slipcover for easy washing.)

4. Make slipcover using seat as template, add pleated trim and ties.

Now she's ready for the runway!

Back details:

Front ties:

Back ties:

Cost breakdown:

chair $20

drop cloth $10 (only used 3/4)

Total = $30

I already had all the other supplies, trim fabric, staples, glue, paint.

She's so pretty and feminine now.

I'm linking up to: