Making Pillows & more

This project is actually a combination of 3 inspirations from pinterest. We have this couch in the basement that is supposed to be creme colored, but it's getting very dingy looking. We don't have any rules with this couch - the kids can eat on it, jump on it, make it into a fort, etc. But I wanted it to look nice and actually be useable. So the first step was to cover the pillows (and fix that huge rip in the cushion).

So on pinterest I found a tutorial called "Easiest Pillow Cover You'll Ever Sew - A Tutorial" at this website - http://www.hookedonneedles.com/2010/03/easiest-pillow-cover-youll-ever-sew.html

And it was super easy! It's a work in progress, looking for the perfect fabric. But I've made 4 pillow covers so far.

Here's the pillow from the tutorial.

Here's 1 of my pillows. This is the backside (duh : ) The front side is my 2nd inspiration from pinterest. I saw this cute wall hanging with handprints on it. I love anything with handprints. They just kind of stop time for a minute, saying "I was here! I was really this big once!" I don't think I'll ever be able to throw away and hand turkey my kids make, ever.

Someone on etsy.com is selling these cute kits to make a handprint tree for Father's Day.

Cute - right!?! 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75396498/fathers-day-gift-diy-childs-handprint?ref=v1_other_2

I made one with our handprints, but painted it on some fabric I had.

And added our name & date "carved" in the tree. Next post will be this cute pillow on our finished couch. Only 2 more pillow covers to make!

A change in plans

So it's been a pretty decent winter, but we still aren't really hitting the parks. I'm still going to call this XYZ Experiment, but my main focus is now going to be my obsession with pinterest. It's so cool & fun & inspiring. I'll be posting my inspirations from pinterest and how I used them to make my own version. I've already been working my crafty fingers to the bone. I can't wait to share what I've done!!

Somersby Park

There was no new letters at this park, but there was a nice memorial for a fallen soldier. 

MSG Scott M. Carney died in Afghanistan in Aug. 2007 when the humvee he was riding in rolled over. I thought this was a really nice way to honor his memory.

And the kids had fun on the big wave.

Dig It!

Just because I haven't added anything in a while. We're still here, checking out the parks. A lot of the parks are very similar, so it's hard to find new letters, but we're always still looking!

Otter Creek Park

Whew! The summer is getting away from me. We've been to lots of parks, but I got a little side tracked on the blogging as we went out of town a couple times. This was several weeks ago when we visited Otter Creek.

An "A" that's great for climbing.

A lower "m". I wish there wasn't so much in the background.

I like this "n".

I couldn't believe I didn't have an "H" yet. There are plenty to be found.

"X" marks the spot!

Bobo has to take a toy with him everywhere. That's not a real gun - just his choice for the day!

Randi kind of looks like a "Y".

On the slide - getting along for the moment. : )

Westwinds Park

This park was my kids favorite for a long time. I realize I need to add more photos of the actual park. You can't see much when I just add letters on my kids on the slide. Plus now that we've been doing this for awhile, I'm not finding too many letters that aren't the same as ones before.

Do you know what this is supposed to be? I'm hoping you say "g". One of the hardest letters for me to find!

Now it feels like summer, but this was a week or two ago and we needed the sweatshirts!

Crestbruck Park

Crestbruck is a fun park with a huge greenspace. There's actually 2 different play areas on the park.

This swing for 2 make a fun "T".

"J" on the handle for climbing.

"A" is kind of a tricky one. Does this look like an "A"?

Bobo on the Giraffe.

See, I told you - a giraffe! 

It's pretty tall, but fun for the kids to climb!