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So You Think You Can Decorate – Week 2

Thanks so much to everyone who voted for my antique sign accessory last week.  My entry came in second!  Make sure you vote for your favorites this week as well.  The theme is Catalog Hacks and here is my entry…

Confession time.  I’m not much of a catalog or mall shopper.  I only own a few things from Pottery Barn – their decorating books and some sconces my mom gave me.   I’ve never even seen a Ballard Design catalog and the only thing in my house from Restoration Hardware is a pair of candlesticks I bought at a yard sale for $2.00.  Despite those facts, I knew immediately what I was going to do.

On a rare mall visit in November, I had the chance to roam around in Restoration Hardware for a while and fell in love with their linen pillows.  The smallest one was $35, which is not that bad, but I usually spend less than that on a piece of furniture.  So, I looked longingly at them and walked away.
After months of pining for these pillows and similar ones made out of vintage grain sacks, I took matters into my own hands.  I know I can paint these designs…will it work on fabric?  With acrylic paint?  Could it be that simple?  It was!
I pulled some natural linen  ($12/yard) out of my fabric stash and cut it to fit a down pillow that was on my bed.  It was an old bed pillow that I split to make two smaller pillows, so that was free.  Feathers were flying, but it was free!  I mixed pewter gray and burnt umber acrylic paints to make a soft brown color to paint the address.  My blog friend in France, Bird from Bird Crafts, helped me out by giving me the address of the Eiffel Tower.
I typed up the address on MS Word and printed it up in the desired size.  Fortunately, the linen fabric was see-through enough to place the printed paper underneath and lightly trace it in pencil.  I then painted the letters.  Once the paint was fully dry, I made a simple pillow with a piping edge. 
Here’s the bottom line:
Restoration Hardware Paris Address Pillow – $35.00
My Hand Painted Pillow – Less than $5.00

Miss Mustard Seed

Now, go visit So You Think You Can Decorate and vote for your top two favorites.

I’ve posted this to Make It For Monday at Cottage Instincts, We Can Do it Cheaper at The Virginia House, DIY Day and Make It For Monday

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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42 Responses

  3. Oh girlfriend, you must get a Ballards catalog. There is no telling what you could be inspired to do!

    Love your blog!

    Frannycakes

  19. I am happy to have found my way here from Kim at My Domestic Bliss! Don't know how I haven't have found your site earlier! I love those pillows! Great job in the decorating challenge 🙂
    Wendy

  24. This is perfect for my "We Can Do It Cheaper" link up. I love it!! Check out my blog to see what I'm talking about. I love your stuff by the way and am so excited to see all the things you make. You have given me so many good idea's!

  26. I am voting painting lady! Yes, I will be at Lucketts in May. Our gang occpies the inside gym. Think about grabbibg a friend and coming to Chartreuse and Co. this month. It is going to be a good spring time treat. Thanks for coming by!

  35. Marian,

    How gorgeous it turned out!!

    I'm feeling inspired by it too! Love, love, love it!!

    Voting for you my darling! Oh, and thanks for the mention..although not necessary, very much appreciated!! 🙂

    You have magical hands…

  38. Hm hm.. that's interessting but actually i have a hard time understanding it… I'm wondering what others have to say….

  39. I was just telling my husband, that as soon as my room is done, I am going to try and make these pillows. They surely can't be that expensive to make?
    You just proved to my husband that it should not be toooo difficult and cheaper to make.
    We shall see? Thanks for your great tutorial.

    Have a wonderful week.

  40. What a terrific idea! I love it how pillows can change the look of a room!
    We have a friday fun find party (that's still going)- if you're interested, we'd love it if you'd link up!

  42. THANKS! I have been dying to make some of these and wondered how – now I know! I LOVE the French words design etc. but I wanted to custom mine to family sayings, addresses etc. This will enable me to do it.

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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