Project Couch: Step 1

I have decided to call my project to change the way my couches look "Project Couch". Today was day one/step one.....dye the slip covers brown. I decided that I wanted to go with the dark brown look. Like I said in the last post the first thing I was going to do was bleach the already blue denim slip covers and then dye them brown. Well let's just say the bleaching step didn't work. NOT at all.

So I'm standing there in this dirty, creepy laundromat with all these semi-scary looking people staring at me because I'm the only white girl in the place, and I am just wanting to get this done. I used three washers and with a gallon of bleach split evenly between the three, I was ready to say good bye to the blue. But I quickly realized the blue was not ready to part with me. I stood there for a while just looking at the now sopping wet blue slip covers trying to decide what I should do next. Desperate to start seeing brown, I poured a bottle of Rit dye in each washer and let it do it's thing.

After the first soak/cycle I realized that one bottle wasn't going to cut it. So I ran to the store, leaving my soaking slip covers in the machines, praying that no one would steal them. I mean really, who'd want them anyways?? To my joy, they were still there waiting for me. So I put another bottle in each washer and let it run it's cycle. Then I rinsed one more time to make sure all the extra dye was gone.

I have to admit when I was leaving the laundromat the slipcovers were looking anything but brown to me. Maybe it was just the harsh sunlight, but I saw a brownish blue and a purple. NOT the look I was going for. By the time I got them back on the couches they looked a lot better.

I don't have any pictures to share yet because I was too lazy to take them today! :) But I promise I will get some tomorrow when the lighting is better and I will post them first thing!

New Project: Quilt

So I made a quilt one time before.....and let's just say it didn't work out. :) But I've decided to give it another shot. So while passing through Walmart the other day I casually looked at the fabrics. To my delight I found a bunch of fabrics on sale for very cheap. I bought a yard of each and decided to figure out a plan when I got home. I will actually be using this fabric for several things, but the quilt if first. Here's a few pics of the beginning of this project....

Wristlet Purse

So last night I decided I was going to try out a purse pattern I'd found online. So I headed over to Hobby Lobby to pick out some cute fabrics. I was pleasantly surprised to find some really super cute fabrics! Here's some pics of the finished product:

Let me know what you think!

Craft Projects

So I can already tell that 2011 is going to be a year of craft projects.....or at least for the first couple of months it is! :) Why you might ask.....because right now I'm in a very crafty mood!

I have always loved doing crafts. Especially crafts that create fun items that you can use or decorate with in your home. I had a friend in high school that nick-named me "Crafty Kate". :) So I guess I'm just living up to my nick-name! Last year I attempted to make a quilt....which I might add was a bit of a flop. I now know what I did wrong though....so it was a learning lesson. About a month ago I found another pattern for a quilt sort of blanket that I LOVED. And even better yet, it seemed pretty easy and do-able. So as soon as we were back in Waco after all the holiday traveling I went to the store to buy some fabric.

The result.....a blanket that I LOVE! I love it so much that I am actually ready to make more. While it does take a lot of time to make because it is very, very, very....I must repeat very repetitive. But, with patience and a little bit of soreness, the end result is a gorgeous blanket.

The first one I made is about the size of a throw blanket. Perfect for curling up on the couch with and watching a good movie. I must say, that there have been a few "fights" between Blake and I over who gets to use the cool new blanket. Guess that just means I will have to make another! :) My goal is actually to figure out how to make one big enough to use as a quilt on a bed. I will update you on that when it happens.

My next big craft project....do something about my couches. Mom and Dad, if you are reading this, I love your couches and am so very grateful that you gave them to us. But I must be honest......I am really sick and tired of the fabric that is on them. :) Thankfully the fabric is a slip cover! So here's the plan....

- bleach the slip covers for the couches themselves
- re-die the slip covers a lovely tanish brown/chocolate brown....haven't decided yet
- sew new pillow covers for the existing pillows with some fun vibrant fabrics....another pattern/color yet to be determined
- make a few smaller throw pillows to add

So I decided to post my progress on our blog. It will keep me accountable to get it done. The only thing that is holding me back is 1) not wanting to destroy our ok couches and 2) money. While it will be cheaper than buying new couches it will still be a little bit of an investment. But if you know me, you know that I will find a good deal. I can't buy anything without knowing I got a good deal. For instance....the other day at Old Navy I got four shirts and a pair of pants for $25. That. is. a. good. deal. :)

Anyways....that's about all for now. I will post pics along the way. And if don't see any updates on the couch situation in the next couple of weeks.....ask me about it. Keep me accountable. :)

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I can hardly believe 2010 is over! I know I say that every year, but this year really went by quickly. They always say that as you get older, time seems to fly by even faster. It's kinda funny because I knew that the year was coming to an end, but it really wasn't until yesterday that it hit me that it was the last day of 2010! I think that was a combination of the year flying by and me being so busy, that I have barely had time to sit down and think about what day it is, let alone what month it is!

2010 was a really great year for the Penfields! Here's a little summary of some of the major events that happened in our lives (this is in no particular order):

- Blake completed his first year of law school! (hooray!)

- we were in 2 car accidents, but walked away without even a scratch or bruise (praise the Lord!)

- I successfully began my own little felt flower headband and hair clip business (abeauideal.etsy.com)

- related to the headband business....I participated in my first 3 craft shows and had a really great time!

- I continued to build my photography business and had an amazingly busy, but great year!

- my family welcomed in my soon-to-be sister Annie (who, if I might add, is the cutest thing ever!)

- Blake began writing for a movie review website and is loving it (themoviepool.com)

- Blake began his second year of law school

- Blake participated in a client counseling competition in school and made it to the semi-finals (I'm very proud:) )

- Blake's brother, Travis, got engaged to an amazing beautiful woman (both inside and out)

That's all I can think of right now, but let me just re-iterate....it was a busy year! We have a lot to look forward to in 2011! We have already booked a trip with Blake's parents to go to Disney World in March! That was our big Christmas present. We are SUPER excited! And of course, as I mentioned before, we will be having a wedding in the family. I really can't wait to see what all the Lord has in store for us.

For now Happy New Year to you all and God bless!