Ballard Knock-Off "Hollywood" Pillows

We're halfway through Spring Break! My mom, the girls, and I are headed back to Virginia today. This means several hours of requests for "If You're Happy and You Know It" on CD which I will pretend I don't hear and multiple acrobatic moves in which I go halfway into the backseat to replace headphones on Michaela Byrd's ears so she can hear the movie too. Because I'll be busy doing these things, my sweet friend Pam has a FAB project to share with you guys today. Enjoy!

Hi Everyone! I’m Pam from Bibbidi Bobbidi Beautiful.  

I love decorating on a shoestring and sewing and crafting stuff for my home with cheap or free supplies.  I’m so excited to be guest posting for Amanda. She is one of the sweetest, most genuine, not to mention hilarious, bloggers I have met in the blogoshere.

I saw these cutie-pie pillows on the Ballard Designs website recently and had to have them.

 

I thought they would look great on my new leather sofa. Then I looked at the price- $75?!! Ouch! That’s when I decided to make them myself with stuff I had on hand. For free!! Here’s my free version:

Whatcha think?  Cute, right?

I used fabric I had left over from this project, so it was free for me. The fabric is called osnaburg and it’s with the natural fabrics (like burlap) in the fabric store. It costs 2-3 dollars per yard, so it’s really cheap. It’s heavier and less wrinkle prone than linen, and it has a nice nubby texture and natural color like burlap, but it’s nice and soft.

I also had 2 sheets of iron-on transfer paper leftover from the same project. I found the images online through Google images (the ticket image is identical to the Ballard ticket pillow!), and followed the directions on the paper package to transfer the images on the fabric. I used Word for the “Enjoy the Show” lettering on the larger pillow in the PT Barnum font.

I was having printer issues and couldn’t get a good print-out of a film reel image. The image was the right size though, so I used it as a pattern and cut out my film reel from some black felt. Then I hot-glued my film reel and some black grosgrain ribbon (I had just enough on hand!) in place as the film.

My last step was to sew the pillows together. This is a super simple sewing job and would be a perfect first sewing project. If you are intimidated by the thought of a sewing machine, please read this!!  I decided to make really simple envelope style pillow covers so that I could fill them with pillows I already have and change them out seasonally.  

My larger pillow is an 18” square, and I left a ½ inch seam allowance, so my fabric was 39” by 19”.  

First I made a hem on each short end by pressing in ½ inch and then turning the raw edge under again. Then I stitched the seam in place. Next, I overlapped these two seams in the back of the pillow with the right (printed) side in. I pinned the overlapped edges in place and stitched the top and bottom of the pillow closed ½” inch in from the raw edge.

There you have it! A remarkably similar knockoff of $75 pillows that cost me nothing!

I hope you liked my post and I would love it if you would stop by to say hello sometime!

I love posts like this! I always smile when a blogger is inspired by (an expensive) a store-bought product and finds a way to replicate the idea while still making it her own. Thank you so much, Pam, for being willing to share how you created your own fab version of Ballard's designs. Please go browse Bibbidi Bobbidi Beautiful when you have a chance. Pam is a talented seamstress, and her blog is full of beautiful thrifty home projects. I envy her gorgeous craft table!

Thoughts on "Love" with Imparting Grace

Happy Tuesday, friends! With any luck, we made it safely to North Carolina yesterday, and I am currently following my girls around Nannie's house trying to keep them from playing tea party with her 1936 wedding china. I was lucky enough to have several fabulous bloggers offer to write guest posts for me this week, and my friend Richella was one of them. I love what Richella has to say today!

Hello, all you friends of Amanda's! I was so excited when Amanda asked me to write a guest post for her.

I'm Richella from Imparting Grace, and I love it here at Serenity Now. 


To begin with, I love Amanda: she's fun; she's funny; she's smart; she's honest. And she's such a wonderful member of the blogging community. I first got to know her from the encouraging comments she left for me at my blog. Since I've gotten to know her better, I've liked her more and more.The other reason I love it here is that Amanda is a member of one of my favorite groups of people: she's a young mom. 


I am a real fan of young moms. They're my heroines. In fact, I think they're some of the most wonderful people in the world, and I like to hang out with them.

Recently I hosted a baby shower for two young moms, and I was reminded of a gift given to me by the wonderful lady who hosted my very first baby shower, 19 years ago:

The artwork just screams 1991, doesn't it? But the message is timeless. The writer of these words is not identified, although some of you will recognize them as having been inspired by I Corinthians 13. I want to share them with you.

If I live in a house of spotless beauty with everything in its place, but have not love--I am a housekeeper, not a homemaker.

If I have time for waxing, polishing, and decorative achievements but have not love, my children learn of cleanliness--not godliness.

Love leaves the dust in search of a child's laugh.

Love smiles at the tiny fingerprints on a newly cleaned window.

Love wipes away the tears before it wipes up the spilled milk.

Love picks up the child before it picks up the toys.

Love is present through the trials.

Love reprimands, reproves, and is responsive.

Love crawls with the baby, walks with the toddler, runs with the child, then stands aside to let the youth walk into adulthood.

As a mother there is much I must teach my child, but the greatest of all is love.

I don't know about you, but this really touched my heart. I think it could be applied to many different kinds of relationships: husband and wife, friend, sister, daughter. Richella's blog, Imparting Grace, is full of inspiring thoughts and beautiful posts about her faith, family, and (gorgeous!) home. Stop by and tell her I sent you. Thank you for sharing today, Richella!

"Centsational" Simple Paper Butterflies

It's Monday, which means the girls, my mom, and I have loaded up the car and are heading down to North Carolina to have a little visit with my Nannie. My friend Kate, the creative genius behind the Centsational Girl blog, graciously offered to share a fun Spring project with you today. Take it away, Kate!

My friend Amanda is going on va-cay so I'm here to completely take over.  Today 'Serenity Now', tomorrow the world, mooo hooo haaaaw haaaw!"  Kidding.

I created these simple paper butterflies out of tissue paper and scrapbook paper, paired with some floral sprays, available in the wedding aisle at a craft store.

I used a butterfly template I found online and printed it out on my home printer.  (Just Google 'butterfly template' to find one in a shape you like).  Using the template, cut out all of your butterflies on your scrap book paper.  For the tissue paper version, fold up your tissue into a square with about 6 or 8 layers and use the template to cut out the shape of a butterfly with a fluttery effect.

Wrap your floral spray around your paper butterfly, then clip off the extra sparkly sprigs so you only have two for the antennae.

Attach to branches for a whimsical effect or tape across your wall in a large pattern.  Use the end of the floral spray to secure to the branch, or suspend with fishing line.

Thanks Amanda for letting me take over your blog today - hope you are having a lovely time on holiday!

I want to say a big "thank you" to Kate for being willing to help me out this week! I love stopping at Centsational Girl because not only does Kate have exquisite taste, her fun sense of humor is woven into well-crafted posts about design, home life, thrifting, and what it's like to live near San Francisco. Wish me luck while I'm in "the land of no internet and dozens of breakable knick-knacks"...it's a toddler's dream come true and a mom's worst nightmare!

Good News!

He is Risen!

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We're enjoying our baskets and candy and egg hunts today, but we're also celebrating The Good News!


Happy Easter!

Saturday Stop and Shop

If you need a little bit more Weekend Bloggy Reading, I thought I'd share some fun links and specials from some of my sponsors today!

~The Peacock Shop

I dream in pink and green come Spring! How much fun is the Paula Peacock Preppy Pink Teacup? The Peacock Shop is offering 20% off of orders placed now through the 15th of April. Just type "Amanda" in the message at checkout.

~Completely Coastal
Shopping for some more good reading this weekend? If you're not already visiting the beach for Spring Break, then visit the Completely Coastal blog to get your beachy fix for the week! Maya featured a fabulous post this week on Seashell Garden Ideas...now I have some ideas for all those seashells beyond using them as the standard summer apothecary jar filler.

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~Mississippi Mud

Visit the Mississippi Mud shop or blog to find out about the current Baby Momma Necklace Giveaway. Inspired by the Lanvin collection, Mississippi Mud's version is both fashion forward and kid friendly!

~Cutie Pants

Now through April 15th, Cutie Pants is offering FREE shipping! These apple bottom pink yoga pants have me wishing pink for my sister's baby.

~The Tattered Flower

Linda's Yellow Flower pin with tulle accent looks like the perfect, sunny start to Spring to me!

~Designer Blogs
Visit Designer Blogs for a chance to win a Pre-made blog design. I love working with these ladies!

~Ribbon Blossoms Chic Boutique

It's time to start thinking Spring accessories! You won't get "stung" if you check out Ribbon Blossoms' affordable prices on bows, headbands, and tutus. I'm glad I have girls, because if I didn't, I'd find an excuse to wear this Bumblebee Clippie Set.

{Enjoy your weekend, and Happy Shopping!}

Friday Favorites Feature ::Weekend Bloggy Reading::

Happy Friday! Does today mark the first day of Spring Break for you? Even if you only have the weekend off, I have some great links to share with you today. These are some of my favorite posts I found in Blogland this week:


~Fell in love with Southern Fried Gal's Spring Dessert Centerpiece. I am powerless to resist the Peeps.

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~Michela's craft in honor of Spring


~Finding Your Style post at Rhoda's. An excellent article about our evolving tastes, embracing what you have, and being yourself.


~Laurel's Housewife Apron is "sew" cute!

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~Please take a moment to read this thought-provoking post about autism over at FrouFrouBritches. I don't know much about autism, and Tanya really enlightened me!


~I got to visit the coast of California with Kate. Okay, maybe it was just a blog post, but Kate's traveling posts always make me feel like I'm experiencing the fun too!


~The cutest stinkin' Spring topiaries I think I've ever seen from Tatertots and Jello.

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~I wanted to say a big "thank you" to Randee and Tausha. Each of those ladies hosted a fab Giveaway on their blogs, and I won! I was so excited to receive two Easter boxes this week, and each lady included a little something extra for me. Randee, I was so surprised to see the sweet little birdie and the neat "entertaining notes" booklet. Tausha, I just squealed when I saw those adorable crafty carrots. Thanks, girls!

{What are your plans for this Easter weekend?} 

We're going to hit Kohl's this morning, have dinner with Mimi, and I have got to do a little Easter basket shopping! Church, lunch, and an egg hunt on Sunday. I also have some packing to do. We'll be visiting my Nannie early next week...no internet, tiny town in North Carolina, 99 year old woman with lots of breakable knick knacks, two little kids. Ummmm....??

Enjoy your Easter!

Out of Pure Curiosity...

...what is your favorite Easter candy?


If T the Easter Bunny read my letter yesterday, he saw that there are a few things I'm wishing for in an Easter basket. Some of my favorite Easter candies are:


Peeps: I can't eat a whole package of them, but one or two just seem like Easter to me.

Starburst Jelly Beans: so much fruitier and delicious than regular old jelly beans

Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs:

Good Old Fashioned Chocolate Bunny:

I am nosy and I want to know...what's your fave?