DIY: Freezer Paper Stencil Pillow

I wanted a fun accent pillow for my son's room so I decided to make a custom pillow for him with a moped stenciled on it.  It was super easy, and a lot of fun.  Here are the steps to making your own custom stencil out of freezer paper.

1. I found a silhouette of a moped here, enlarged it and printed it out.  If you don't have illustrator, google images is a great resource for finding silhouettes.
   


2. After I printed the image on regular paper, I taped it to the matte side of the freezer paper and used an xacto knife to cut out the black area.  {You can find freezer paper at just about any grocery store}.


3. I ironed the freezer paper onto my fabric - glossy side down.


4. I mixed the color I wanted with fabric paint.


5. Then dab the paint onto the fabric and dry with a blow dryer for 30 seconds.


6. Repeat until the desired color is achieved.


7. Lift freezer paper off when done applying paint.


8. Let it dry for 24-48 hours and then it's ready to wash.

*** Note: The back of the fabric paint bottle said to iron the fabric paint to help the paing set.  I tried this, and my iron was probably a little too hot, and it slightly burned an area- though it's hardly noticeable.  After looking at different tutorials online, it doesn't appear that this step is absolutely necessary so I left it out. ***

I think it turned out pretty good, and Caden sure is pleased!

Fresh Pillows for Fall

I love switching up my pillows.  It's one of the easiest ways to change up a room, as well as one of the more budget friendly ways to do it!  Need some pillows for fall?  Try one of these:

1. Hummingbird Pillow

2. Recycled Red Bud Pillow

3. Jeweled Peacock Pillow

4. Rose Volumes

5. Harvest Bouquet Pillow

Mr. Moustache Pillow

I spotted this awesome moustache pillow on Etsy today and it makes me really, really happy.  I can't stop thinking about what an incredible conversation starter this would be in the home. 

It's also nice to be able to switch out the stache every once and awhile.  The Mr. Moustache pillow can be found at sally england design.  I also love her beard version of the pillow. 

Do you have items in your home that are great at starting conversations, or make you happy ever time you see them?

Tutorial: Modern Accent Pillow

I've been envisioning this project for a while and finally had a chance to make it!  I wanted another accent pillow and wanted to use a reverse applique technique with a little hand stitching detail.  Here's how it turned out!

You can make one too if you want.  It was super easy to do!

What you'll need:

1/2 yard solid fabric for front cut into an 18" square (Or I used a dinner napkin)

1/2 yard fabric for back cut into an 18" square

1/4 yard patterned fabric for reverse applique

1 skein coordinating embroidery floss

needle, scissors, freezer paper

1. Cut out circle from freezer paper in the size you'd like your applique to be.  These are 4 1/2" in diameter.  Iron onto your fabric where you'd like the cutouts to be.  (I'd also keep your pattern about 2 1/2" from either side as the sides of the pillow will shrink a little bit when it's stuffed and we don't want your applique on the side.)


2. Trim around your freezer paper pattern to cut out the circles from the main piece.  Pin your fabric underneath and line up how you'd like it to show.  Hand stitch a running stitch around the applique circles to hold the fabric in place.


3. Place your finished pillow front, and back of pillow together with the right sides facing each other.  Stitch around the edge using 1/4" seams and don't forget to leave a 4" opening along the bottom to turn and stuff.


4. Stuff with my favorite stuffing: Cluster Stuff from Wal-Mart.  One bag of this will stuff 3-4 pillows!  (Don't forget to clip the edges before your turn right side out to stuff.)  After you've got it all stuffed, hand stitch the bottom closed and place in your favorite spot.

(For this Pillow I used fabric from the City Blooms Collection from Benartex)