Simon says "put your feet up"

Here's to sitting back, relaxing, and putting those feet up in some snuggly slippers! But how can you when there's nothing there. 

As far as the living room goes we had a sofa, side table, but nothing in the center of that very important relaxation zone. No coffee table or ottoman...nada. I had this ottoman that I was not trying to bring over to the apartment when we moved because it just didn't go. The olive chenille fabric went way more traditional than our place could handle. 

The thing about this ottoman is that I don't want to get rid of it because I still need it. Believe it or not I didn't buy this guy, I made him from scratch. I took an upholstery class last year through the Continuing Education Department at Howard County Community College. There are three consecutive classes in upholstery and to take the next class I have to bring this ottoman back to take it apart and learn a new method of upholstering it. Right now it is all padding, but in the next class we learn to add springs; which is really exciting to a dork like me. 

My dilemma therefore was: How do I make this ottoman fit in without recovering it again?  Final answer ... a slipcover. Here's how I did it:

1. Measure the top and sides of the ottoman. Cut fabric pieces to those measurements leaving about 1/2 inch extra on all four edges. I used leftover fabric I had from recovering that salvation army chair. I actually didn't have a big enough piece to make the top part so I sewed two pieces of fabric together. Thats why in the photo you can see a line going across the top part. 
2. Sew together all of the edges that touch the large top piece. 
3. Fold over the bottom edges and sew it so that the bottom looks tailored and clean at the end. It's also easier to do this now while they are separated.  
4. Put the slip cover on the ottoman INSIDE-OUT. Pin each corner together and sew. Do one at a time until all four are done. 
5. Flip the slip cover and slip it over the ottoman and you're all done. 

 

I also have the added bonus of being able to wash the slipcover

whenever I need to since it just slips on and off so easily.  

Now its time to put those feet up!

I bet I could make it better by sewing those corners from the inside, but honestly they don't bother me enough to do anything about them. 

Now for a coffee table ...

Happy Halloween

Being that this was our first Halloween together in our first place we definitely had a great time cooking up some cheesy decorations. I had so much fun and can't wait to do it again next year. 

Cob webs and a crooked painting on our sideboard (Sideboard is new. More to 

come on that soon) add just enough of a spooky touch inside the apartment.

Will suggested that the painting be flipped upside down, which was a great idea, 

but was mentioned too late as I had already pinned cob webs on it.

Carving pumpkins = good times + fun always....especially 

when your carving pal makes these kind of faces. 

Here are our spooky creations at night....muahahaha

Will's is the one on the left and mine is down low on the right.

Here they are outside with droopy spider webs because of the sleet 

we got on Saturday that completely ruined our plans might I add : (

I had to add the spider webs once Will's mom gave us the 

big fake spider. It made itself right at home. 

Momma Graham also came through with a cute little 

pumpkin lantern that is now in the window. 

Here's the whole sha-bang. You can see the pumpkin lantern in the window on the right and Ringo standing in the doorway watching me take pictures. I didn't even see he was there until I started editing this photo. He is such a cutie.

Next year I plan to recreate this party rock light show. Ha-ha I wouldn't even know where to begin let alone find the time to actually pull off anything that amazing. 

For now I'm happy with my cheesy cobwebs and spooky pumpkins. Holiday decorations are so much fun, I can't wait for Christmas!