Sunday, June 7, 2009

{no sew porch project & makeover}

Below, is a picture of my porch as it has appeared since early spring. I [heart] the giraffe pillows like crazy! But they were a little drab for Summer, and after a heavy dose of seasonal pollen, everything was looking very tired!
The purple berry wreaths were purchased during an After-Christmas Sale at Kmart a couple of years ago...

Getting pretty dusty, huh?

Time for a Porch Makeover!
My theme: black & summertime cheery yellow!
I removed everything from the porch, ...cleaned and touched up with paint whatever needed it.
(like the pot below)

Pulled these planters out of storage, spraying them black.....
I didn't want to ruin the giraffe pillows and am planning on using them again in the fall, but didn't want to buy more pillow forms, so I decided to cover them with black and yellow polka dotted fabric cases that could be removed later.

I can sew!
Not well enough to be considered a professional,
but I can. {"smiles"}
But I was in hurry!
And being just a little too lazy to pull out the sewing machine
I improvised,
like any crafty, creative person would
....with a glue gun!
Yep, you read that right...a glue gun!
You would be amazed at all I can do with a can of spray paint and a glue gun.
I'm a regular ol' Ms. MacGyver.
I cut my fabric to fit the pillow, and with the wrong sides out, glued the seams together.
After turning the fabric right side out, stuffed the pillow inside, and hot-glued the remaining seam.
This was the first time I tried this super quick project, and it worked like a charm. The seam couldn't look any better or straighter, with any machine stitching!

Reassembling The Porch...
I found the yellow stems below, at Dollar Tree, filling the black planters with them.
The two black and yellow polka dot pillows are complete and resting on my black iron settee, a THRIFTY TREASURE, my dad bought an auction.
The pansies in the black pot, have been replaced with yellow gerbera daisies and ornamental sweet potato vines.
The yellow will tie in much better, once the daisies fill out and start blooming.

I liked the new assembly, but felt it needed a little more "metting."
So I added a few more stems of yellow flowers, and black, yellow, & white bows to the planters. This is one time being thrifty didn't quite pay off. The yellow stems were pretty, but not very full, therefore I had to keep adding more, which added in cost also.



The tweaking is never done, but I think it is off to a good start! I may add a yellow pillow to the bunch later.
....made with a glue gun, of course! ;]


For more Metamorphosis Projects & Thrifty Treasures, please visit the following very creative and talented ladies....

Susan, at Between Naps on the Porch,

...and, Rhoda, at Southern Hospitality.

46 comments:

southerninspiration said...

Wow, Rhonda, it looks GREAT!!!

Suzanne

Barb @ The Everyday Home said...

Rhonda - doing my best golf clap over here. Love, love, love it! Total transformation that screams Summer and Fun! Yes, GF - there ain't NUTTIN' you can't do with a glue gun. LOL

BTW, I thought about you today when I was coming back from Williamston and driving thru Washington. I waved at your biz. :-D

Hope you have a great week. Hugs, Barb

Peg said...

Your porch looks so inviting. I love the color scheme. The black vases are so cool... how did you attach them?

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Great makeover, Rhonda! I can't believe you did those pillows with a glue gun!!! Great job! And the doors look great, and I like the whole look!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Brittany said...

looks great. i love polka dots!

Susan (Between Naps On The Porch.net) said...

Rhonda...this looks awesome! I love the yellow polka dot fabric you chose and the glue gun sewing is genius! :-) I love the final touch of the ribbon on the front door planters....it's perfect! Great Met Monday post!!! Susan

Jen - Balancing Beauty and Bedlam said...

wow - Rhonda!! It looks so wonderful. It actually looked great before, but this added touch really makes it outstanding. SO FUN! :)

The Tattered Cottage said...

Looks fantastic!! Love the planters painted black and the floral in them. Beautiful!!
Toni

Deanna said...

Looks sooooooo good.
Really like the look.
Blessings,
~Deanna~

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

Rhonda, I love your summertime porch change! Beautiful!!

Brilliant idea, for the no sew pillow covers.

Judy said...

Your great makeover makes me want to re-do my tired front porch. Chairs need repainting, table needs cleaning and redecorating, etc. Maybe I'll get inspired (one day)!

I love your black and yellow theme. I think adding one yellow pillow will pop your black and yellow polka dot pillows to perfection!

Judy

KD said...

Oh so bright and cheery and definitely Summery! Okay I know that isn't a word but it best describes your porch!

Sherrie said...

What a beautiful entry door! I love the changes! I haven't tried glue gun pillow covers but...hmmmm looks like I will add this to my list. Yours came out so pretty!
Have a wonderful day,
~Sherrie

Amanda said...

that is just tooooo cute!! and I LOVE LOVE your glass front doors! wow! I LOVE yellow and black together-its so sophisticated yet playful!

Stacey said...

Rhonda, your front doors are beautiful all on their own. Your porch poofing just makes it! I love the plants and the pillows.

Darlene said...

I LOVE your new black/yellow summer look! GREAT job with the pillows!

Cindy said...

A beautiful transformation! It looked good before, but really summery now. Hugs, ~cindy s~

Lisa @ Fern Creek Cottage said...

What a darling make-over!!

Joyce said...

Love those glue guns for special projects. It all is so Jazzy and fun.
Joyce

Sofia Striffler said...

Great looking porch. The makeover came out beautiful. Wow pillows made with glue.
Thanks for visiting my blog also. Visit again soon.

Miss G said...

I really like the yellow and black ribbons added! Great job. Kelly

Michelle said...

That looks wonderful...I've been thinking about changing my front look too..thanks for the ideas and motivation!

Michelle @ Sweet Something Design said...

That looks great! Very festive and happy!

Cathy~Mille Fleur said...

What a welcoming entry!!! I love the yellow...so bright and cheery!!!

Enjoy the day!!!
XOXO
Cathy

Linda (Nina's Nest) said...

Beau-ti-ful!! Love it! How did you make the urns (black thingeys) attach to the door? Linda

Dave said...

Fantastic porch! We would love to feature you and your pictures on our site along with an interview if you would be so kind. Our site is dedicated to front porches and believe our visitors would love to see your pictures and learn how you did it! Please let us know either thru our contact page or at info@front-porch-ideas-and-more.com Thanks so much!
Life is short- enjoy your porch!

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Excellent transformation! Boy, that glue gun of yours has seen a few projects, hasn't it! I had a friend back in the college days who found a hideous couch for cheap and she actually glued a make shift slip cover onto it using a clearance bolt of black floral fabric. It actually looked fantastic and I was always shocked that the fabric never pulled apart at the hot-glued seems.

You should show us what kind of hangers you use on those glass doors.

Nice job!!
ButterYum

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

The porch makeover turned out fabulous!!! I love the black & yellow.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Rhonda, that looks great!! I love your new pillows and the door pockets are so pretty & cheery. Love the old fabric too, so I hope you'll use those again somewhere. Great summer look !

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Rhonda, I love this! I think it looks beautiful. I wish you could find a tiny little plant pokey thing that is yellow and says something like 'home' or 'garden'....I love the yellow and the black and I think it looks soooo classy.
Great post.
Debbie

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

I love the yellow and black. Very pretty. I bought some of the same yellow springs from Dollar Tree! I think a yellow pillow would look fantastic also.

Unknown said...

Hi Rhonda,
Your new look on the porch looks great! I'm gonna have to try that glue gun trick!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda! Oh, what a wonderful job you did on your porch make over! I love it! Love your glue gunned pillows and those holders with the flowers on your doors look amazing!
You did good, girl friend!
be a sweetie,
shelia :)

Linda said...

Your front porch looks great...what a beautiful transformation.

How are you afixing your black containers to the door? Do you have some special hangers?

Jen said...

Wow! Looks fantastic! You have a beautiful front porch!

tincanlily said...

It looks beautiful, very inviting. They say yellow doors are a trick to selling a home. The yellow in the flowers did so much to the entry that maybe it is true. I love no sew. A friend of mine says, "If you can glue it, I can do it." I love my glue gun, too.
denise

Anonymous said...

Your transformation looks great! I love the black and yellow combination.

Melissa Miller said...

Rhonda it looks beautiful!

I adore the zippiness.
Is that a word? LOL! :)

Pam @ Frippery said...

Takes my breath away. I am hunting down my glue gun and some pillow forms now!

Kate said...

What a beautiful porch redo! Love the summer colors on there!

Unknown said...

Rhonda, I love the transformation! It turned out great and has a nice fresh summer feel. And I like the way you do pillows - LOL - I think I could actually handle that!

Have a lovely blessed day!

Picket said...

Love how it turned out Scooter! I am all for glue guns and spray paint! lol Love the yellow with the black like that...looking good girl...hope you are having a great week!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda,
Your porch looks amazing, I love the black and yellow combination and I love polka dots. I love your way of sewing, that's me too girl! Thanks for stopping by, I've missed you.

Hugs,
LeAnn:)

onlymehere said...

I came back to thank you for your sweet comment and noticed that I missed this post! Why do I have a sewing machine when I own a glue gun? You're amazing! I would never have thought to redo my porch. My focus right now hasn't been on anything like that and now I've just realized how drab my porch is! Maybe when this all settles down I can make it fun for the rest of the summer! Thanks for the inspiration.

Anonymous said...

Rhonda! JUST LOVE IT!!!! I have those same flowers in my dininroom with the black!! You've got me thinking now since I have blk/wht polka dot fabric! Mmmmm maybe some sewing this weekend! Really pretty post! - Sincerely, Jeannette

Kitty Scraps said...

Good Morning Miz Rhonda,
Sorry to be so late to your porch party! Your makeover is fabulous! I love your planters, they are so pretty. And your little bench is sweet *smiles*