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 August Blues

sherri@augustblues.com
Denton, TX
940.597.0208

 August Blues

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Blog

This Little Light of Mine

March 27, 2013 Sherri Rice
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August Blues - Alphabet Lamp from Joss & Main
August Blues - Alphabet Lamp from Joss & Main

We have been slowly working on making the boys' rooms more reflective of their distinct personalities. For our oldest's room, I found inspiration in this lamp...

Source

He has always loved all things to do with letters, numbers, and books. I try to keep his room calm and uncomplicated, but I thought something like this would bring a little of his personality into the room.

So, today I thought I would share a REALLY complicated project, so pay close attention ;)

Step 1: Gather your materials. My lamp was on clearance at Target forever ago. The shade was a Christmas shade from Lowes - I just removed the sparkly green and red ribbon trim (it was half the price of a plain shade!). I also used scrapbooking alphabet stickers, a wide Sharpie, Mod Podge, and a foam brush. Can you see where this is going?

August Blues - Materials
August Blues - Materials

Step 2: Add your trim color to the shade. I just used a black Sharpie because I was tired of looking for plain black Washi tape. The Sharpie works fine if you keep it on the trim - it tends to bleed a little on the fabric, so I wouldn't use it on the main shade fabric. And, obviously, use whatever color coordinates with your stickers.

August Blues - Sharpie Trim
August Blues - Sharpie Trim

Step 3: Put stickers on the shade. Do it however you want! I started with his name, and then filled the rest of the shade with random letters. IDHTBPTBB!

August Blues - Alphabet Stickers
August Blues - Alphabet Stickers

Aren't those stickers great?

August Blues - Finished Lamp
August Blues - Finished Lamp

Step 4: Brush on a thin layer of Mod Podge. I just wanted to make sure the stickers stayed stuck.

Step 5: Put the shade back on the lamp and you are done!

And here is how it looks in his room...

August Blues - Alphabet Lamp
August Blues - Alphabet Lamp

Just a little something that is just for him. And here is is brother's version...

August Blues - Sticker Lamp
August Blues - Sticker Lamp

He got tired of waiting for me to do his, so he did it himself! He had picked race car stickers, so he created a racing scene on his lamp. His stickers were more stiff than the alphabet ones, to it was a little harder to get them to lie flat on the curved shade. But a little extra Mod Podge helped. And now it's all his!

So, did I stress you out with all those tricky instructions? Happy crafting!

Sherri

In DIY Tags alphabet, boys, DIY, lamp, mod podge, personality, shade, stickers
2 Comments

I'm Back!

March 24, 2013 Sherri Rice
bonus-pillow.jpg

Wow, I did not intend to stay away so long! But, all three boys were sick (yep, hubby, too, and not all at the same time) and then we had Spring Break and this week I had a project I just had to finish. And so here I am :) This latest project started with 4 of these...

August Blues - Vintage Cushions Before
August Blues - Vintage Cushions Before

I saved the covers to send back to the 80's ;)  These cushions belong to a vintage settee that is going to reside here. And this is what those lovely cushions looked like inside...

August Blues - Vintage Cushions Inside
August Blues - Vintage Cushions Inside

Inside all that cotton batting was what felt like an insert with springs - never worked with that before! I replaced the outer layer of batting with new and gave them inner covers (to make the slipcovers easier to put on and take off).

August Blues - Cushion Under Covers
August Blues - Cushion Under Covers

Nice to have a fresh start! And this is the fabulous fabric that my client chose...

August Blues - Cushion Fabric
August Blues - Cushion Fabric

Isn't that amazing, quilted and all! But it had a huge pattern repeat; fortunately my client was not concerned about the pattern matching from cushions to cushion. Since there were two seat cushions and two back cushions, I just cut the pieces so that the pattern would run all the same direction when the cushions were in place. Here they are, completed...

August Blues - Cushions After
August Blues - Cushions After
August Blues - Cushions After
August Blues - Cushions After

Much better!

If you are local, you can see these cushions in action at the new DIME Store opening in Denton. Their grand opening is April 5 and 6 and it's going to be great! I had a sneak peak when I delivered the cushions and I know I will be back to check out the finished store - they are going to have some great handmade wares :)

Have a wonderful week!

Sherri

In Slipcovers Tags cushions, slipcovers, vintage
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Sick Days

March 7, 2013 Sherri Rice
August Blues - Pantry Before
August Blues - Pantry Before

Some weeks just go like this one - calls from the school nurse, doctors' visits, medication, kids filling time at home, etc. So, I took some time in between to tackle an area of life that needed a little re-organization.

Our pantry needed some help - it wasn't terrible, but there was just not enough room for some stuff and not the right storage space for other stuff. And I hadn't done a good reorganization in a while. My initial plan was to make a plan - you know, make a list of the things that need to go in there, decide how to best store it, figure out what I had for storage supplies, and get what I didn't have to make it better. Well, I had the time and decided to go ahead without the plan. Then Nester posted this today and I'm glad I did! (Btw, do you follow her? Always a breath of fresh air :) ).

August Blues - Pantry After
August Blues - Pantry After

Ahhh, that's better - breathing room! I thought I would share a few tricks that help this space work better for us.

First, since we have fixed wooden shelving that isn't going anywhere soon, I have added hanging wire shelves and stackable wire shelving units. They are flexible and I move them around as our storage needs change.

I like to use shallow plastic bins, trays, old pans to corral like things together. So, cooking oils and vinegars are together, extra baking supplies are together, opened bags of chips, etc. are together. I have not purchased items for this purpose, they are just containers that have lost lids, pans I no longer use, etc. Use what you have!

August Blues - Dishes and Chalkboard Labels
August Blues - Dishes and Chalkboard Labels

I moved all the dishes we use less regularly to the top shelf - they look pretty and are still accessible. If I had room for a proper china cabinet (in the dining room that is now my sewing room :) ), they would live there.

I store some things in glass containers which looks good and is functional. And the chalkboard labels? Cut from a roll of chalkboard contact paper (here).

August Blues - Snack Center
August Blues - Snack Center

I have created a little snack center for the boys on the lowest shelf. The bins work well (see, even a cardboard "tray" works!). Underneath there is exactly enough room for a step stool (IKEA) to help their height-challenged mom reach the top shelves easily.

And my favorite thing...

August Blues - Baking Cart
August Blues - Baking Cart

A baking cart! I started this in our previous house and it's a great feature if your pantry is large enough. The top shelf holds flours, sugars, etc. in ever-faithful Tupperware. The next shelf holds mixing bowls and small baking ingredients, yep, in a shallow basket. Bottom shelf holds whatever it needs to (napkins and drink bottles now). I just wheel it over to the counter and I have everything I need right at my fingertips :)

One more idea that works for us...

August Blues - Baskets
August Blues - Baskets

These baskets live in a cabinet above my main work counter. They hold spices and other cooking and baking ingredients - no shuffling through piles or stacks; I just pull the basket and easily see what I need!

So, just a few ideas for kitchen organization. It doesn't have to be Pinterest-pretty, it just has to work for you.

Do you have any tricks to keep your kitchen organized?

Sherri

In Organization Tags budget-friendly, chalkboard, kitchen, labels, organization, pantry
9 Comments

This brought to you by... Dropcloth!

March 1, 2013 Sherri Rice
ruffler.jpg

Every project/piece that I do has a story, it seems. It's part of why I started this blog, to tell the stories, because it's the stories of the furniture (and people!) that make this work so much more than just repetitive manufacturing. So, Facebook followers, you may remember this chair from a few months back...

August Blues - Antique Rocking Chair
August Blues - Antique Rocking Chair

A lovely antique rocking chair with a dropcloth slipcover (and those pleats!). Well, that rocking chair lives in a living room with this chair (also from awhile ago)...

August Blues - Ethan Allen Chair
August Blues - Ethan Allen Chair

An Ethan Allen chair with new ruffled slipcover, also out of dropcloth. Turns out that this chair has a relative who also resides in that room, a matching Ethan Allen couch who was feeling a little left out of the new-dropcloth-slipcover-loop. So my client decided to remedy that (see the matching chair peaking in from the corner?)...

August Blues - Couch Before
August Blues - Couch Before

Yes, it was time (it does have cushions - they were just removed before I got there). Sturdy and comfortable, but it was needing a fresh look. I love the rolled, tight back...

August Blues - Couch Before
August Blues - Couch Before

My client wanted to stick with the dropcloth theme and the ruffled skirt, but chose the 10oz version of fabric, since the couch is used much more often. My best friend for this project was my new ruffler foot - it worked great with the dropcloth and saved me a whole lot of time and frustration :)

ruffler.jpg
August Blues - Ruffler

Also new for this project was the extent of the cushion "rehab" required - I ended up removing not only the original fabric of the cushions, but also the inside muslin cover and the outer layer of Dacron. I replaced that layer with new Dacron and made new inner covers. Here they are with their new dropcloth slipcovers...

August Blues - Cushions
August Blues - Cushions

Fresh and clean and square! As with the chair, my client opted to go without piping for a simpler look.

The great part about this slipcover story is, not only did my client get a new slipcover, but she graciously allowed me to try something new - this was my first pin-fit on-site project. The couch stayed in her home, I went there to measure and pin-fit the piece, and brought it back to my place to sew it together. Having tried this, I think that my preference is to have the furniture with me when I construct the slipcover, but when that is not possible, pin-fitting on-site is a great alternative. Are you ready for the "after"? (Please excuse the quality of the pictures and the wrinkles - this was a quick install!)

August Blues - Couch After
August Blues - Couch After

It's a little wrinkled from being transported and a little less tailored than I usually make, but the client was very happy with the new look (the cushions had already been in use for a week, since I had brought them back to her earlier).

August Blues - Couch
August Blues - Couch

I attached a little velcro underneath the back roll to ensure that the shape of the rolled back was maintained.

August Blues - Couch
August Blues - Couch

There was a lot of ruffled skirt, so it felt a bit like a ball gown when we were putting the slipcover on!

August Blues - Couch
August Blues - Couch

My client was very pleased with how the slipcovers have lightened the room and I got to try a new technique. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Have you tried doing something a new way lately? How did it feel? How did it turn out?

Have a great weekend!

Sherri

In Slipcovers Tags antique, chair, couch, dropcloth, Ethan Allen, pleats, ruffles, shabby chic, slipcover
10 Comments

Happy Monday!

February 25, 2013 Sherri Rice
cranberries.jpg

Happy Monday! I hope you are off to a great start this week. I am - I had supper in the slow cooker by 8:15 this morning!!! Anyone else rely on their slow cooker like I do?

Then it was time for breakfast, so I thought I would share this concoction with you (ok, truth - my Mom asked for this recipe quite awhile back and I have been remiss in sharing it with her, so I thought I would share it with all y'all (!!) too).

Here is my version of homemade instant (well, quick) oatmeal...

August Blues - Oatmeal Ingredients
August Blues - Oatmeal Ingredients

It's really just a matter of proportions so here goes...

For every 1 cup of quick oatmeal, I add:

1 tbsp ground flax seed

1 tbsp sunflower seeds

1 tbsp dried cranberries

1 tbsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

Mix it all together and store in an airtight container.

August Blues - Oatmeal Breakfast
August Blues - Oatmeal Breakfast

To serve, I measure out about 1/2 cup of oatmeal mix in a bowl. Heat about 1/2 cup of milk (I use Silk mostly) for 1 minute in the microwave. Pour the milk over the oatmeal mix and let it sit for a few minutes (or however long it takes you to start your computer, check your e-mail, get coffee, start a load of laundry, etc.). Enjoy!

I usually mix up about 3 cups of oatmeal at a time, so about once a week, I make a new batch. There are lots of ways to change up this mix, so have fun with it and add whatever strikes your fancy.

Do you have a go-to breakfast, or do you have something different every day?

Sherri

In Food Tags breakfast, oatmeal, recipe
2 Comments

Favorite Finds

February 19, 2013 Sherri Rice
buoy2.jpg

Today was an "odds 'n ends" day - do you ever have those? For me, it's a day to catch up, get the little stuff done so I can clear head space for the other stuff. So, this is a bit of an "odds 'n ends" post, just a few of my favorite finds of the last few months... This stool!!! It will forever be a reminder of Trinidad, Colorado, one of our favorite stops when we travel in the summer. The town has a rugged beauty to it and lots of interesting architecture that is a reminder of what the town once was. The stool also a reminder of the summer our youngest broke his arm :(  I only got the stool because we went back home in a hurry and "happened" to go back through Trinidad, so I had a second chance to pick up this stool.

August Blues - Vintage Stool
August Blues - Vintage Stool

The tag said it was from 1945. I just love the color, the patina, and the vintage industrial look (and the fact that reproductions are selling for way more than I paid for this!).

August Blues - Vintage Stool
August Blues - Vintage Stool

These porch balusters were a great find at Homestead Antiques in Hico, Texas. I was happy to get the last two! Hico is another little town with history, and this store is really a feast for the eyes. Even our youngest enjoyed wandering around with me :)

August Blues - Porch Baluster
August Blues - Porch Baluster

They are quite fragile, so I have hung them on the wall for now. I love the naturally aged, chippy paint and the curvy shape. Hard to find this kind of wall art at your typical big box store!

August Blues - Porh Baluster
August Blues - Porh Baluster

An authentic, actually used buoy! I love this piece! I found it at  Elements in Marble Falls, Texas towards the back of the store in a basket under a table (it pays to look everywhere!) The basket was actually full of them, so choosing "the one" was difficult; with a bigger budget I definitely would have picked up more than one. It will be perfect for our summer mantle in the family room.

August Blues - Vintage Buoy
August Blues - Vintage Buoy

I love all the colors, now permanent record of its working days. And you can still make out an identification number on the strapping.

August Blues - Vintage Buoy
August Blues - Vintage Buoy

The best thing about these things (and they are just "things"), is that they remind me of special family times - all of them were purchased during family vacations, times when we get away just to be family. We sit in the car together (because we are a road-trip family), see new places together, enjoy (mostly) someone else's cooking together, juggle all our travel paraphernalia together, and just be together. And those memories are what's worth hanging on to!

So, how do you remember special times?

Sherri

“Don’t store treasures for yourselves here on earth where moths and rust will destroy them and thieves can break in and steal them. But store your treasures in heaven where they cannot be destroyed by moths or rust and where thieves cannot break in and steal them. Your heart will be where your treasure is." Matt. 6:19

In DIY
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Flowers, Chocolate, Cookies, and Curveballs

February 14, 2013 Sherri Rice
rose.jpg

I had an idea what I would post today, but then life happened and so bear with me as I take a little bunny trail (I'll get back to slipcovers soon enough). First came the curveball - a sympathetic phone call from the principal at our sons' school, informing me that our oldest's facilitator would be leaving in a couple of weeks for another job.

Our oldest son has mild-moderate autism and to facilitate his full inclusion in a regular 3rd grade classroom, has has a facilitator - someone who is with him all day, keeps him focused and on track, is able to take him out for breaks if needed and generally works one-on-one with him has he needs. He has had the same facilitator since he came to the school for 1st grade  and I cannot tell you how good she has been for him. God knew exactly who he would need and sent her! Now, God is leading her in a new direction. I was reminded that God knew this all along and has already been preparing the next perfect person for our son, so I prayed for peace, a smooth transition for him, and for his facilitator (and then I passed the request on to my Mom and Dad, our faithful prayer warriors).

August Blues - Chocolate
August Blues - Chocolate

Then the chocolate - yes, I confess am an emotional eater and chocolate is my go-to :) A few pieces before I headed to Target for a little retail therapy (and to get ingredients for the Valentine cookies he has been persistently asking for!).

Flowers - shortly after I arrived home, Murray got home, too, bearing flowers and chocolate (he knows me well! Almost 19 years since our first date!). Aren't they beautiful? And yes, the chocolate wrapper is empty, but I did share ;)

August Blues - Rose Bouquet
August Blues - Rose Bouquet

Cookies - I found the recipe here. Taste-tested and approved by the men of this household :) Just note, I used a 1" ice cream scoop for the cookies and ended up with about 4 doz. cookies (better than the 24 that the recipe says). More cookies is always better in this house!

August Blues - Red VelvetCookies
August Blues - Red VelvetCookies

So, did I cover everything? Oh, how did the retail therapy go? Well, I found a pair of pants on clearance that fit (!) and these great appetizer plates...

August Blues - Plates
August Blues - Plates

I think they will be perfect for cookies ;)

Are you facing a curveball right now? Can I pray for you? I would be honored.

Sherri

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Rom. 15:13

In Musings
2 Comments

Breakfast Bar Transformation

February 9, 2013 Sherri Rice
pears.jpg

Since my next slipcover project is not ready to post yet, I thought I would share a project that we completed a couple of months ago. It is changing how our kitchen/family room looks and functions, and aren't those the best kind of projects? Our kitchen has a sort-of pass through from the counter with the sink to the family room. It keeps the space open, while concealing the clean-up zone by the sink. But it always felt like it should be more of a breakfast bar, than just a pass through. I don't have a good before picture, so this was taken mid-demolition :) There was just a 6" wide board across the bottom of the pass-through, with casing trim underneath.

August Blues - Breakfast Bar Before
August Blues - Breakfast Bar Before

Fortunately, the board and trim came off easily! We added mdf beadboard paneling underneath (to match the beadboard in our hallway/command center), unfinished wood brackets to fit the new countertop, trimmed it all out, and painted it in our trim color. But, the best part is the new top we put in!

August Blues - Breakfast Bar After
August Blues - Breakfast Bar After

Much better! I knew I wanted a chunky, dark-stained wood countertop to go with the dark wood tones of the kitchen floor, and to add a touch of the rustic. We looked around at the home store and found this: a thick 10" wide pine plank with minimal knots and rounded corners. I think maybe it's a joist? Anyway, it was perfect for what I had in mind. The plank was 8', so we had them cut it down to 5' to fit our opening (and that left a piece perfect for testing out a variety of finishing options).

August Blues - Breakfast Bar Countertop
August Blues - Breakfast Bar Countertop

To finish the top, I started by distressing it - great fun with a hammer, screwdriver, putty knife and other tools! Then I sanded it down in preparation for staining.  Since the wood was pine, I started with wood conditioner to make sure the stain went on evenly, and then added the color with 2 coats of Minwax Polyshades in Mission Oak Satin (Polyshades has the stain and polyurethane in one - perfect!). When it had dried adequately, we fastened it to the half wall with Liquid Nails and a large screw at each end. We finished the seams with a bead of clear waterproof silicon. The brackets underneath are mostly decorative :)

August Blues - Breakfast Bar Brackets
August Blues - Breakfast Bar Brackets

The last part of the project was a new faucet!!!

August Blues - New Faucet
August Blues - New Faucet

This new faucet (from American Standard) works SOOO much better than the builder-grade one that came with the house and I think it is helping us use less water - good looking and efficient :) (And the old sprayer will be replaced with a soap dispenser, eventually.)

One more look at the finished project...

August Blues - Breakfast Bar After
August Blues - Breakfast Bar After

Now, our barstools (with slipcovers!) have a home, the counter is wide enough for the boys to have snacks or meals there. And, as a bonus, it also works great as a standing desk for my laptop.

Have you made any changes to your house to make it more functional and/or more "you"?

Sherri

In DIY
8 Comments
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Welcome to August Blues - I'm so glad
you're here!  August Blues Slipcover Studio strives to enable your home to better serve its purpose, by providing you with quality custom slipcovers that enhance the appearance and functionality of your furniture pieces. Established in 2011 and located in Denton, TX...Read More




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