Wednesday, January 29, 2014

a little bit of random

Just a few random things to share today.....
While I think it's dandy, for some reason a couch full of pillows does NOT amuse my husband. He thinks we need to buy another couch so we have a place to sit. (I dare not tell him that I want to make 100 more!) I'm liking my little collection so far.
I've been cutting triangles for a new project and my ruler was slipping around like crazy. It was not only frustrating, but it was seriously compromising my accuracy. I didn't have any grippy thingies (technical term) on hand, so I had to get creative.
I got out the duct tape (of course!) and put a few pieces (sticky side facing the back) on the ruler so it wouldn't slip around. Much to my surprise, it worked like a charm! Plus, I get bonus points for being soooo classy! Right? :)

(If you think that's bad, you should see my mailbox. Think ratchet straps and bungee cords. Yep. We are those people. Just for a few weeks. Good times.)

Happy Wednesday! xo

65 comments:

Julie Hirt - 627handworks said...

It looks like a magazine! So pretty. I'd like to nest on your sofa. :)

Men just don't get the pillow love, don't understand it!

valentinegirl said...

super classy on the duct tape. I have heard the scaps of sandpaper work well too.

Katie said...

I love all your pillows -- they make a very happy couch

valentinegirl said...

And ps, love the pillows too. Guys just don't get it.

Susie said...

They are beautiful cushions

Kim said...

I had the same problem and torn apart a nail file and glue the "sand papery" bits onto the template. Yeah it worked just fine too. Like this idea and geese now you can get all those adorable duct tape colors and prints...you are onto something!

Did the plow hit your mailbox?

Happy Sewing

karen said...

Love the pillows! Might I suggest hiding them if Along Came (Comes?) Polly is on tv?

Diane said...

great pillow collection!

Sew Shabby Designs said...

Love the bright Pillows...beautiful job!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Luckily i have children that like to throw all our cushions around the house so we can sit down ;-) Brilliant tape fix!

charlotte said...

I love your pillows. I think you need more. We call duck tape McGyver tape in this house. And really, what is wrong with your poor mailbox?

Keera Job - live.love.sew pattern co. said...

Oh I laughed a little too hard at this post! I am so relating to everything you say... 'Those people'... I love it! Love the cushion collection, love the tape idea, love the image you've illustrated of the mailbox! Can't wait to see your triangle project! Keera x

Daytona Damsel said...

Love the duct tape. My son and husband could go through a roll a week. The last thing my husband taped was the sole of his tennis shoe. I won't go anywhere with him if he wears them.

Love your pillows

Slokarma said...

When I think of it, I peel the sticky stuff off the back of new credit cards....you know, that clear smear of stuff that holds the card to a letter? Anyways, I wish I knew what it was, because it works great on the back of rulers!

Jacque. said...

Lovin' the sofa full of pillows...and the pillows, themselves. I would have a ton of pillows, too...except for the fact that my dog knocks them all off to make room for himself. LOL

Marg M said...

My husbands been talking to your husband as they both think and say the same thing :-)

Rose said...

You do know that duct tape is the handyman's secret weapon, don't you?

MariQuilts said...

Men just don't get that pillow thing......good thinking with the duct tape!!!

The Cozy Quilter said...

I love the pillows. Can we see a picture of the mailbox?

Sara said...

My brain went right to Along Came Polly with the stabbing of the pillows too just like someone in the above comments mentioned! I agree with the others can we see that mailbox??

Susan at TheBoredZombie.com said...

I love and hate pillows! I tend to find myself just tossing them on the floor for days at the time so I don't tend to keep them around. They look so nice when you aren't trying to use the couch though!

Nini said...

Thanks for the tip on how to make your ruler stay put! Quick and easy, my kind of fix. I also love your pillows, they are inspiring!

LeeAnn said...

Great tip! I am interested to see how you use your triangles. I purchased the same template but have not used it yet.

Deb@asimplelifequilts said...

Love the tip... I have the same issues with specialty rulers. My husband takes the pillows off his end of the sofa every night. LOL

Luisa said...

Just awesome! They look beautiful on the couch.

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts said...

Your pillows look wonderful. I love duck tape, it works for anything!

Beth said...

Boys do not get pillows except for bed pillows. I stopped trying to put pillows where he sits. I do like you pretty collection. I think I need to make more for my couch. LOl

Vicki said...

Amanda Jean...your cushions are all VERY lovely.

Jasmine said...

LOL! My neighbors must have purchased the same mail box as you a couple years ago. Either that or another neighbor's trampoline flew over the fence and across the street to hit it. ;)

Live a Colorful Life said...

Those pillows are super! Mark shares the same opinion regarding pillows. Sigh...

RobinSue said...

The pillows are adorable! My husband agrees, no need for so many pillows on the couch. I rotate them so he doesn't really see how many there are. Interested in your triangle project. The colors are so cheerful.

Jacqui Wise said...

Beautiful cushions to lift the spirit!

Unknown said...

The pillows make me smile!

leanne said...

wonderful couch full of cushions - not sure what your husband is going to put his head on when he lounges on the couch if you don't have cushions !! and such an inventive touch too !

CrazyCatLady said...

ah yes, duct tape -- the universal fix-it stuff!! Your pillows are gorgeous!

Kay said...

Great cushions, and really , a girl can never have too many.

Granny Maud's Girl said...

Husbands do not get cushions.
You do get bonus points for being classy, and for not spelling duct tape as duck tape!

Judi said...

I just love your work and bubbly personality! I always look forward to your updates. I am a newer quilter...one who has never been a 'sewer'; I learned about you probably a year ago. I hope to try some of your projects soon. I just finished the underground railroad quilt a few months ago; I took a class locally....should say classes. Keep up the good work and I hope you have room for an extra couch. Does your husband know you will most likely cushion the new one as well??

Unknown said...

The sofa pillows look great! Do you purchase pillow forms to cover? Or do you use something else as the stuffing for the pillows? Curious, what works best for you. Good fix on the slippery ruler!

Cristin said...

Your husband doesn't know what he's talking about! haha I only have 2 pillows on our couch... and its my goal to add atleast 2 more this year :-) Hubs won't know what hit him.

Very clever with the duct tape! Whatever works!
I bought the roll of non-slip grippy stuff at Joanns and it backed almost every ruler I own (atleast 8) so I recommend that stuff, although I have no clue what its called. Its in the quilting notions isle.

Wyse Acres said...

Love the pillows! Very colorful!
Duct Tape... I have a wool duster on a long dowel for getting those pesky cob webs. I just discovered that the dowel was broken. Out comes the duct tape!!

Deborah said...

Have you tried a bandage tape by Nexcare? You get the flexible clear tape and put on rulers. Works better than sandpaper and you can get it at CVS.

Jennifer said...

I had to laugh (in a good way) over the duck tape. My husband often quotes Red Green, "If the women don't find you handsome. At least they will find you handy." If you don't know what Red Green does. He uses tuck tape on everything. Here is the link to his YouTube page: http://www.youtube.com/redgreentv

Also Cheryl Phillips from Phillips Fiber Arts uses packing tape on her acrylic rulers to stay in place. I caught an Kay Wood episode on YouTube where Cheryl guest appeared on.

Carl Eats Oodles said...

When all else fails....duct tape to the rescue! Good solution-I'm gonna try it! Thanks for the tip!

sewhappy said...

What is it about men and cushions(pillows) ! It's not so hard to understand! Love your selection and looking forward to the 100 more.

Di~ said...

I want a picture of your mailbox! :) GREAT pillows.

LizA. said...

Duct tape works but, even better, clear bandage tape from Nexcare. The advantage, you can see through the tape. I bought a two roll packe at the grocery store for around $5.00 everyone of my rulers has this tape on the backside.

mailergoat said...

I love all the tape tips! I thought I needed to get one of those fancy handle things (that use suction cups, maybe) to hold the ruler more firmly, since otherwise it slips. Yay for better ergonomics without buying something new!

And I'm afraid I'm with the guys' team on pillows. I love the idea of making them but they drive me nuts on beds. A few on deep couches are helpful to cozy up with, but not a lot. Sad, because they're more more maker-friendly than throw-size quilts!

JG said...

"Thingie" is definitely in my vocab! For me it's very descriptive and my fam finds it comical. :)
~Judy

tisha @ quiltytherapy said...

Lovely pillow collection.

KateKwiltz said...

The pillows are adorable. Get your husband a nice recliner and he'll never complain again. :)

Have you had any issues with that Tri Tool? Mine isn't 1/4" at the top, which messed me up big time and made for some wavy rows. Or was it my incompetence?

Alycia~Quiltygirl said...

LOVE all your pillows. You are a true handy woman to fix your ruler like that - great job!

SewPsyched! said...

When you make a cushion from duct tape, then it'll be classy;) love the post and love the pillows!

Terri said...

Duct Tape: the handyman's secret helper. (quoted from The Red Green Show) Good to know it helps a woman, too.
Hugs

Louise B said...

Lol I want to see a pic of your mail box too! You have inspired me, I love your couch full of cushions so much, I think I'll just have to get started on a whole load of smaller projects so I can have one of my own! Louise xx

Always In Stitches said...

Love the pillows. My husband views pillows in the same light as yours. He does not get it. I continue to make them and he continues to pile them up on the floor. I think its our secret war. Lol.

Jeneta said...

You have such well behaved cushions! I love the duct tape idea - I'm going to pop some on my ruler. When I was in the US my husband was mortified when I insisted on bringing home 4 rolls of duct tape (and because of his reaction I stuffed all my other bits and pieces in each of the kids carry ons!). We do have duct tape in Australia, but not the pretty designs that are to be found in the US!

margaret said...

a wonderful collection of cushions you have here. I like you have the sofas covered and my bed and spare bed too. Have not made any patchwork ones yet as the house is full of hardanger ones! Now putting patchwork pieces over the back of the sofas too

Teresa S. said...

Your husband's comment about needing to buy a new couch has me laughing this morning. Our husbands are so patient with our sewing addiction, aren't they? Thanks for making me smile. Oh, and I love the duct tape!

Linda said...

Love all your pillows, you can send some my way if Kev says there are too many... wink wink. :)

Think I might have to try the duct tape trick, too.

Suzanne said...

Why leave the house when you have milk, bread, eggs and duct tape? :-)

Mary said...

The pillows are a man thing. When all of my boys(men) are home all of my pillows end up stacked in the corner behind the furniture. After this weekend I will have to dig them out. I have a total of six pillows for a love seat, couch, recliner and rocking chair.

janequiltsslowly said...

My guy does not care for pillows everywhere either! Oh well, I'm sure there are worse things to put up with. I love your tape solution and all the great tips in the comments. I am going to try the Nexcare bandage tape idea; I've heard that one before and I like the idea of being able to see through the tape.

Lorna McMahon said...

I just finished my first triangle project. Can't wait to see what you are doing with those sunny yellow pieces!

A. Bennett said...

You can get sticker on the back sand paper at the hardware store. Use a fine grain paper and a hole puncher and you have instant non slip little circles for your rulers. Just a hair classier than duct tape. :)