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 August Blues

sherri@augustblues.com
Denton, TX
940.597.0208

 August Blues

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Blog

I ♥ Slipcovers

May 6, 2013 Sherri Rice
ruffle.jpg

Happy Monday! Bit of a rough start over here this morning - I have a cold, sent one boy to school slightly under the weather, and the beagle gave us a scare by escaping from her harness during her walk this morning. But, she's back and now we are proceeding with our day.

Just wanted to pop in to say I LOVE SLIPCOVERS!! Ok, that's not news, but here is a great illustration why...

This chair had a large coffee spill on it the other day. I gave it a little Spray and Wash, threw it in the washer, sent it through the dryer and look...

August Blues - White Chair after coffee
August Blues - White Chair after coffee

Good as new! Try that with upholstery ;)

Have a great week!

Sherri

In Slipcovers Tags chair, slipcover, slipcovers, washing, white
1 Comment

It's a Saturday Six (?)

May 4, 2013 Sherri Rice
mushroom-pincushion.jpg

Well, this was supposed to be a Friday Five, but yesterday was kind of a full day, so I'll do it today :) Here is how the week went... 1. Monday we spent the morning visiting the neurodevelopmental optometrist with our oldest and found out how much vision therapy could cost :( I guess we have some decisions to make. But we also learned that his prism lenses have done their job and he is no longer required to wear them.

2. Tuesday, my Mom and I got to deliver and install six dining room chair slipcovers. Here is a sneak peak...

August Blues - Dining Chair
August Blues - Dining Chair

The client was happy :)  And we got to take home another chair and fabric for the next project.

3. Wednesday was a catch-up day - laundry, errands, prep the sewing room for the next project, etc. Ever need days like that?

4.Thursday I made 20 yards of white piping and brainstormed ideas for these next chairs. And, since all work and no play is no fun, Mom and I visited The DIME Store - I found the cutest mushroom pincushion...

mushroom-pincushion.jpg
August Blues - Mushroom Pincushion

... and Mom got a feather print like mine. Then we went to Scrap Denton and I was able to donate a large bag of my fabric and batting scraps - woohoo!

5. Friday was kindergarten field trip day - we spent an enjoyable few hours at the Frank Buck Zoo in Gainsville. If you are in the area and have littles, it is really worth the trip! The best part (besides hanging out with my youngest) was the blue-tongue skink that they showed off during the program - those were my Mom's nemesis during our time in Australia all those years ago, so it was fun to see one again (picture here)!

Then, the evening was date night! The best part about that (besides hanging out with the Professor, without the boys in tow) was discovering that our local Fuddruckers now carries the Napa Valley Salad :)  Have you had it? I first tried it 4 or 5 years ago in Great Falls, MT and have been WAITING for it to be available here.

6. And now we come to Saturday... Our youngest was supposed to have soccer pictures, practice and a game this morning, but he has come down with something "coldish", so we stayed home. And truthfully, I don't think anyone minded. We love to watch him play...

August Blues - Soccer
August Blues - Soccer

... but our last few Saturdays have been very busy, so it has been great to have a more relaxed day to get caught up (and write blog posts!).

We have really been enjoying having my parents here from Canada for a visit  - the boys like to share their stories with them and we love the company and extra hands :) How has your week been?

Happy Saturday evening!

Sherri

In Musings, Slipcovers Tags Autism, boys, Etsy, furniture, piping, slipcover, slipcovers
Comment

Birthday Friday Five

April 26, 2013 Sherri Rice
daniel2.jpg
daniel2.jpg
August Blues - birthday boy

Our oldest is 9 today and, as parents are prone to asking on days like this - when did this happen? How did this bundle of sweetness get to be this big boy? So, in honor of this day, I present a Birthday Friday Five (kleenex alert!)...

1. The day you were born was a lovely spring day in Saskatoon, SK (that's in Canada, for those who wondered). You took your time getting ready to come, but once you decided, it all happened much more quickly than we anticipated. Grandma and Grandpa who were three hours away almost didn't make it in time for your arrival! And not much has changed - once you decide something is going to be a certain way or happen at a particular time, that's what it needs to be :)  And, even though it took longer for you to be able to tell us with words, you are now able to tell us so clearly, and we are thankful (mostly ;) ).

2. You have always had the most amazing smile - pure joy all over your face! Your smiling face was what I kept thinking of when your brother made his arrival a few years later. And your beautiful blue eyes behind those cute "Harry Potter" glasses - when we have those moments of connection, looking right at each other - just awesome :)

3. I love that books have always been your closest companions. Even before you could read, we always had to have your current favorite book along wherever we went. There are several books we have had to replace more than once when they literally fell apart because they had so many "miles" on them. Remarkably we have lost very few, mostly because there would be dire consequences if we did! And now you read and read well. I know it's hard for you to express what you understand from your reading - to me it feels like a key that's missing that would help us unlock all that goes on in  your head. But you know what you know, and someday you'll be able to help us know, too.

4. Yes, you have autism. I pray that, as difficult as it makes life some days, that it does not define you. You love to read, travel in the car, play on the Wii with your brother, run hard and long, scramble on the climbers at the playground, hang out with your friends at school and Sunday School, play and learn with your friends and therapists at therapy, listen to music  and love on Maggie (the beagle). And you are specially created by a God who loves  you more than we ever can - that is who you are.

5. We love you and are so proud of you! God is taking us on an incredible journey together - I am so thankful that God is taking us and we are going together as a family. But I can wait to see where He takes us - these days are going too fast!

Whew, sorry for the intensity. It's just important to say these things sometimes. And now on to the cupcakes and candles!

Have a wonderful Friday and many happy wanderings this weekend!

Sherri

P.S. For more information about autism, check out Ten Things Every Child with Autism Wishes You Knew: Updated and Expanded Edition - it's a great summary. I also like  The Autism Mom's Survival Guide (for Dads, too!) and The Sensory -Sensitive Child: Practical Solutions for Out-of-Bouonds Behavior.

In Musings Tags Autism, birthdays, boys, journey
3 Comments

Dressmaker Details

April 24, 2013 Sherri Rice
ticking.jpg

Let's talk slipcovers... I know, finally, right?!? The slipcover project I have been working on for the last while has got me thinking about slipcovers and the details that can really make them special. This current project has a lot of details!

I remember when I was first introduced to the idea of using clothing construction and embellishment techniques on slipcovers. I was reading a magazine article (in Country Home, maybe?) about a homeowner who used a lot of slipcovers in her decorating and the article highlighted all the "dressmaker details" on those slipcovers (ok, now I have to go look for that article). I think I had made a few slipcovers by then, but they were really just a means to an end at that time and not particularly enjoyable to make (good thing that has changed!). But the ideas of using these special sewing details stuck in my head. Fast forward to today and, thanks to years of practice sewing clothes, they are one of my favorite things to add to a slipcover project :)

Here are some samples from past projects...

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August Blues - button closure

Button closure with top-stitching along the edge...

August Blues - button closure under the arm
August Blues - button closure under the arm

Another button closure, this time under the arm, with contrasting piping...

August Blues - contrasting knife pleat trim
August Blues - contrasting knife pleat trim

Contrasting knife-pleat trim...

after2.jpg
August Blues - piping, grosgrain trim, and contrasting knife pleats

Lots on this one - contrasting knife pleat trim, piping, and grosgrain ribbon!

August Blues - ribbon tie and piping
August Blues - ribbon tie and piping

Ribbon tie closure under the arm, with piping trim around the opening...

August Blues - ribbon lacing
August Blues - ribbon lacing

Ribbon lacing down the back...

ruffle.jpg
August Blues - tiny ruffle trim with piping

Tiny ruffle trim with piping...

ticking.jpg
August Blues - ruffle skirt with horizontal tucks

And a ruffle skirt with horizontal tucks (this was inspired by a little girl's Easter dress!).

So, look at the details on your clothes and perhaps you will find inspiration for your own slipcover! Please feel free to browse my Facebook page and website for more ideas. I've also gathered ideas from all over the web here :)

Happy Wednesday!

Sherri

P.S. I'm working on redesigning my website - I'll let you know when it's ready ;)

In Slipcovers Tags buttons, details, Easter, furniture, piping, pleats, slipcover, slipcovers, trim
5 Comments

Just popping in...

April 18, 2013 Sherri Rice
sewing-machine.jpg
August Blues - Sewing Room IRL
August Blues - Sewing Room IRL

...to say hi! And wow, what a week - I am continuing to pray for Boston, and now for West, TX.

And I am not forgetting about this little blog, I'm just in the middle of a large slipcover project and I'm "in the zone" (does anyone say that anymore?) and these days are relatively free from other distractions (well, besides laundry, meal-making, shuttling kids, etc.) so I am just going to go with it. See you on the other side :)

Sherri

P.S. If you are struggling with your craft today, just. read. this... (and bookmark it so you can come back to it whenever you need to). You are welcome :)

In Musings, Slipcovers Tags art, furniture, pray, slipcover, slipcovers
2 Comments

Friday Five

April 12, 2013 Sherri Rice
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Where did this week go?!? Yikes! I didn't intend to be away from the blog all week, but the Professor was out of town, so that meant single-parenting. And, how does that saying go? When the cat's away the mice will play?  Well, this mouse likes to tackle an extra project or two...

Here we go (and please forgive the phone photos; the "good" camera went to LA with the Professor)...

I finally got a chance to stop by The Dime Store (after I got a haircut here).  Very cool stuff - I will definitely be back! I snapped a quick pic of this beauty (I'm not biased)...

August Blues - Vintage Settee at The Dime Store
August Blues - Vintage Settee at The Dime Store

And picked up these lovelies...

August Blues - Dime Store goodies
August Blues - Dime Store goodies

Anna Tovar is a local watercolorist and the yardstick business card holder just makes me smile :)

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August Blues - yardstick business card holder, the Dime Store

Speaking of business cards, I get mine here. Pam is great to work with and I've gotten lots of compliments on the cards. (Oh, the bottle? From TJ Maxx awhile back)

Back to projects, if you are prone to move furniture around on a whim, these furniture sliders are a life (and back) saver (and maybe relationship-saver, too, since you now don't have to bother your husband or significant other to help in your craziness)...

August Blues - furniture sliders
August Blues - furniture sliders

Also, on the subject of projects, this is one of my favorite things about the space I worked on...

August Blues - ticking handle
August Blues - ticking handle

No superior wood-working skills here (those went to my brother), but I am loving the braided ticking!

I did get some sewing done;  a whole lot of this...

August Blues - pleats
August Blues - pleats

And when the cat came home, we celebrated with a little treat :)

August Blues - treat
August Blues - treat

Oh, was that six things? I guess it was a pretty good week after all!

Have a great weekend!

Sherri

In Musings Tags art, business, cushions, Etsy, furniture, pleats, ticking
2 Comments

Friday Five

April 5, 2013 Sherri Rice
maggie.jpg

It's Friday! I thought I would try something new; maybe I'll even make it a regular thing ;) Here are five random things from this week...

maggie.jpg
August Blues - the beagle

1. The sun is shining today - can I get an amen!?!

2. April is Autism Awareness Month. With the grey, rainy weather outside much of the week and a mixed up schedule at school, we have been very aware this week. And health insurance issues? Don't get me started. But, I appreciated this article about moving past awareness to action - what do we want awareness to accomplish?

3. I just started a slipcover project I am really excited about (ok, I love almost any slipcover project). If you follow me on Pinterest (hint!) you have already seen the inspiration picture ;)

4. I generally don't wade into hot-button issues (probably that introvert, conflict-avoidance side of my personality), but this was a thoughtful, sensible article about an issue that has had a lot of press recently.

5. Spontaneous lunch with a friend is awesome - thanks, Kristen (you can find her here - very cool stuff)!

Happy Friday!

Sherri

P.S. Since it is Autism Awareness Month, and we have personal experience, I would like to write a post or two related to that (I shared a little here). Is there anything you would like to know about autism, anything that would help your understanding, anything you are curious about? Let me know in the comments and I'll see what I can put together!

In Musings Tags article, Autism, friend, personality, slipcovers
2 Comments

"You Are Out Of Luck!"

March 31, 2013 Sherri Rice
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Our oldest son ran down the stairs this morning, proclaiming "He is risen, he is risen, he is risen!" He is risen indeed!

August Blues - Tulips
August Blues - Tulips

What a wonderful wake-up! Our oldest has autism and routine is very important to him. He says much the same thing every morning, "Hi Mom! Can I have a show? Toast (or bagel) please." For him to break out of his routine and to be thinking about the significance of this day was just a little bit of a miracle this morning. And it made us smile :)

August Blues - Eggs
August Blues - Eggs

Then he continued, "Jesus is risen. He is not here. You are out of luck."

Well, not quite what the angel said, but in his own way of paraphrasing, it works. If you were one of the women returning to the tomb to properly prepare Jesus' body for burial, you were indeed "out of luck" - his body was not there!

August Blues - Paska
August Blues - Paska

And then I thought about it some more. What a statement to Satan, to guilt, to shame, to death, to separation from God - "You are out of luck!" While their influence will still be felt as long as we are here on this earth, Jesus has the final say. In dying and rising again, He has already won the ultimate victory.

"Just as everyone must die once and then be judged, so Christ was offered as a sacrifice one time to take away the sins of many people. And He will come a second time, not to offer himself for sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him... let us come near to God with a sincere heart and a sure faith, because we have been made free from a guilty conscience, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold firmly to the hope that we have confessed, because we can trust God to do what he promised." Hebrews 9:27-28; 10:22-23 (NCV)

single-tulip.jpg
August Blues - Single Tulip

Happy Easter!

Sherri

P.S. The recipe for the Paska bread can be found here - it's yummy!

In Musings Tags Autism, Easter, eggs, Jesus, paska, risen, Tulips
5 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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