Tara Miller Designs

Quick Chair Update

Here is a quick look at my reupholstering progress. As you can see I have all of the outer fabric off but i am still working on getting off some of the excess inner fabric that might need to be replaced. I hope to start with the new fabric tomorrow or Thursday.  I could not have done it with out my trusty partner, Murphy and of course his lovely assistant (on the couch) Maggie. 

Green with Envy

I really am envious; I wish my room could look like this.
This is as far as I have gotten in the baby's room so far. I don't have any baby-type furniture so I guess I will put all the grown-up stuff back in. Especially considering my in-laws are coming up next month and they might want to sleep in a bed (aren't I accommodating?)
I primed over the orange with kilz and then I painted 3 coats of the green. I prefer Valspar.
I made the silhouettes myself. If you want to make your own here is what I did.
I tried googling animal silhouettes but found the pickin's slim. I wanted something not too detailed and easy to enlarge to make it easy to cut out of my template medium and to look more juvenile. The idea came to me that coloring sheets would make a good second option. They are often larger shapes and not very detailed to make it easy for little hands to color. Plus they are very prevalent on the internet. I googled various animals and found a Hippo, Bird, Cow, and Butterfly that I really liked. After printing them out (I didn't really adjust the shape, I didn't want them all the same size) I taped them to some plastic quilting template sheets I purchased at a craft store. I used a very sharp (make sure it is sharp otherwise you will have to go over the outline several times) exact-o knife or carpet cutter and cut along the outline through the template plastic. Make sure you have a cutting mat underneath. I discarded the center  shape and used blue tape to hang the stencil on the wall in the baby's room. I didn't measure just moved the shapes around till I felt good. It is very organic and no real order. Using the sponge tip brush I dapped the gray using slow heavy motions. I found that going fast didn't give me the coverage I wanted and was less neat. Once the whole stencil was covered I carefully pulled off the stencil and moved it to the next spot and repeat.
Don't worry if it is not neat. I went back with the small angle brush and touched up the edges and I used the 1/2 in broad brush to fill in any light spots in the stencil.
All in all it was quick and easy not to mention fun and I love it. The gray really stands out against the green (giving that contrast that babies find so attractive) and I love those 2 colors together.

 

The bell tolls for thee

Almost a month without a post. Fear not I have properly slapped myself on the wrist for my shameful behavior. Many events have lead to this fortuitous rendezvous. I have suffered through the most trying time of my pregnancy. I am happy to announce that I am first trimester free with only indigestion to remind me of those long days with the porcelain goddess to hear my moans and the pantry doors mocking me for my lack of interest in its treasures. I am 5 mo and loving it now. Still only showing about every 3rd day, I can remain hidden free from poking fingers and unrequested advice. We have been barraged with an unending list of name recommendations. When I get one, I blame my husband for it not making the list and he does that same. We now only have a short list hanging on our pantry door (similar to a grocery list) under the sonogram pictures. I never feel guilty refilling my bowl with chocolate chips or doritos when I see those pictures. Baby gets what baby wants. Plus, I justify to myself, I didn't eat anything for about 4 mo and I need to catch up.

Second, My sister has been suffering through a bad case of post-partum depression since the birth of her son, Julian, in April. It has been hard for the whole family particularly since until May none of us was familiar with the condition. We have been learning as we go and trying to be there for her and Julian as much as we can.

Third, I have been gainfully employed for almost 3 weeks now. It feels so good, even more so since I can work from home. I am a freelance writer contracted as a consultant for an up & coming luxury home good store. I am beginning with product descriptions (which plays a big role in my expanded vocabulary and extra flowery language above, it is hard to get out of the description writing character). I will later be working on articles, email marketing and blogging. It should be alot of fun. 

Now that we have the business out of the way, let's get back to why we are really here: the crafts.

Here is what I have been churning out since my last post:

 This is the first in a series of dishcloth aprons I hope to have in the shop soon! The second was a gift to my mother in law embroidered with Fra mor (norweign for Father's mother or paternal grandmother). She loved it. Picture of that on to follow as soon as she uploads it from her camera.

 

Here is another set of changing pads for Julian and his mom. I recycle old towels that are still soft. Most have bleach spots so I don't use them anymore. I just cut around the bleach part and good as new. I have some really great colors to choose from too.

I have also been painting the baby's room. Med bright green is very hard to paint. I have done 3 coats so far. so much for my 2 week deadline.

On the chair front, it is going very slowly. I figured ripping off the old fabric would take a few hours. Those tacks are in there good and it is taking quite a bit longer. I hope to have pictures soon.

Also, I have sold 3 pattern downloads. I am over the moon that they are this successful. Thank you!!