THE PORCH: 2018

I can't say enough about my screened porch.  Really...on many days, it is the heart of our home.  Some of our happiest family events take place ON THE PORCH.  Every Saturday morning, the kids eat their breakfast on the porch.....and the porch table is the best spot for any kind of craft activity, or fabric cutting...Elliott's July birthday has always been our first Pesto of the year....every summer, my TMBC girls come out for a Porch Party....My brother Cal and his wife Jeanne always celebrate his August Birthday with a steak dinner on the porch...well, you get the idea.

The porch has EVOLVED, of course. And because of my constant THRIFTING ADDICTION...the porch has been the perfect spot for me to rotate newfound treasures into my life...

At one time, I had two wooden picnic table on the porch. But those backless benches are not  comfortable....so I moved to a dinette set....(I've worn out two of them)

When the boys were in high school, I had a vinyl daybed -- perfect for afternoon naps. When I found a beautiful little Bistro set at an estate sale, I was excited.  It was pretty cute...but wobbly, and not at all practical.

Then, of course -- in 2014 -- I found the ultimate porch project...

It had very ugly, dated flower fabric.

I didn't buy it the first time I saw it....BUT, after sleeping on it overnight....I had huge remorse..woke up and rushed to the Salvation Army. That ugly sofa became the MY BIGGEST PORCH CHALLENGE.

I discovered yes, you CAN paint fabric!! (I had some blue wall paint).

It took two coats to cover the flowers.

Then, using fabric from my stash -- I sewed one new cushion at a time...

I used the existing cushion cover as a pattern.

My BIG CHEAT was to use the existing zippers...

It took most of the summer....

But, at the end  -- IT LOOKED FANTASTIC!!

I've never been more pleased with a sewing project...and I'm still not tired of it!!

And now -- I am pleased to announce that I have ANOTHER PORCH PROJECT....(fingers crossed)....