SEE-SAW

We always get the stumps and branches form cut-down trees from our neighbors because we are known for our fires, there is usually a bit of smoke coming from the backyard. We created our own bit of "country" in the city.

 

That being said my husband came home a few weekends ago with a load of wood. The stumps were there for a few days and I knew my husband was up to something when he told me he had a plan. I envisioned a totempole, but he saw a "teeter-totter".

This is what followed:


6ft stump planted about 3ft deep

Top edges worked off to allow up-and-down movement

10" deep hole drilled for 15x3/4" lag bolt.



Seats were cut from a piece od 10"x2"x8'

having fun in the backyard

The handle was made from our outside broomstick.

Beautifying The Glider

Beautifying The Glider

 

Blessed to find a friend on my yardsail route Saturday. I told her I was looking for baby-stuff, in particular a glider or rocking chair. Co-incidence?  She had one in her spare bedroom and her boys are older so she won't use it anymore, it is blue, but I can have it. As it works out the gifter of the glider happened to be the wife of my daughter's boss. God provides in mysterious but wonderful ways.

Another project is born.

 

Daddy enjoying the glider before I give it a facelift.

7/4/13 - Since we don't want to do all this over again if they have a little boy I decided to keep it neutral with a removable twist. I found Khaki denim at Wal-Mart for $2.00 a Yard - would only need 2 and some left-over fabric from the onesie project. Baby is due in less that 10 days so I better get moving.




7/5/13 Turns out the blue was also a re-do because the original upholstery was pink. It was not the shade I like and I had already bought the khaki so I used the blue as templates for my fabric.

Footstool before
 



 

 

Original pink cushion.

Seat cover used as template.

Strips of fabric with piping



Backside of footstool with binding.

I decided to use a green accent as piping for the seats and footstool, I made my own by cutting the green in 2" strips and folding it over the piping. I used the zipper foot to stitch it close to the piping.

Start of the piping process.

Fabric first then piping close to the edge. Stapled to footstool.

I used the piping to finish the edge of the stool to have a universal look throughout the project. I pinned the piping on the inside edges of the cushions and gathered the fabric on the curves to give it a nice round edge.

I am putting a bird applique on the back cushion, to match the birds in the mozzy net. I used the green from the piping and cut a the bird a little bigger than the one in my accent fabric, same with the tail feathers. The tail feathers will repeat on the seat and footstool.

 

My 8yo drew the bird I used as template, she loves being involved in the creative process.

Scraps used from other projects, to get a layered look.

I machine stitched the smaller pieces to the green background. I did not finish the edges to get the "worn" look. I then placed the applique on the cushion and used embroidery yarn in different colors hand-stitching to attach it.   

 



Applique bird design on back cushion.

 

 I used 4" wide strips to make the straps, I cut one piece of 4'x4" and stitched it right sides together. I cut it into 4 pieces that I finished on one side slanting toward the folded side. I then turned each piece inside-out and stitched it to the cushion. I would have done this in one step when I did the piping but since we may change the applique to suit boy this will be easy to remove and replace.

 

Ties to secure the cushion to the glider

 



I will post the final product when I the glider delivered and ready for use.