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Friday, February 4, 2011

Miss Mustard Seed's Copy Me Challenge

It wasn't until a few days after I'd slipcovered my ottoman following Miss Mustard Seed's directions that it occurred to me to enter the MMS/FJD Copy Me Challenge. And while I haven't done nearly as well as Donna mimicking her style, I did sew (a lot), and that should count for something, right? Let's hope so! Here is a rundown on the projects I undertook (on a low budget) for the challenge:

- Slipcovered my ripped leather ottoman using bleached dropcloths with pleats and cording accents. I love, love, love how this turned out and I have MMS to thank for that. What I did differently - I used skirt pleats rather than box pleats, and didn't do the paint stripes. This brush with success makes me want to cover the couch, but the cushions don't come off so I think that would not work out well. So I'm going to cover my daughter's loveseat. :)

- Covered some of my pillow assortment with dropcloth fabric. OK, I realize I blew it here because again, I didn't add any frenchy stripes and monogram letters. Honestly, much as I love MMS's style, I am not sure about the stripes, so I ruffled instead. Fatal mistake, maybe, but copy challenge or no, I gotta be me. Though I might work up to the monogramming thing.

- Painted the base of my 15-year old cheapo MDF end tables white, distressed and antiqued them with walnut stain, MMS Old-School Style. I left the tops in their "natural" state, which is a laminate of some sort that bears a vague resemblance to wood. I liked it so much I did the same for my wall shelf. French antiques they aren't, I worked with what I had.


- Swapped out my Wysocki prints for framed black and white antique photos. These are school photos from the early 20th century from my instant ancestor stash. I have a boxload of it I got years ago at an auction. Other accessories - white pitcher of flowers (seen in the last photo below) and galvanized lunch pail I got from an auction a long time ago.

- Sewed dropcloth curtains. Now, I don't really know if MMS condones these since her curtains are pretty florals, but they were MMS inspired, so I'm including them.

And that is it! So, here is a before pic:

And here is after:


What do you think? Maybe not a perfect "copy" of MMS Style, but completely inspired by it. Now, please excuse me while I go paint an antique sign.


16 comments:

Mel said...

I love your instant family, made me laugh.

You've done so many great updates and you've captured the style but remained true to what you love; perfect.

Miss Mustard Seed said...

You did soooo well! I love the ruffled pillows, the slipcovers, the touches of history. Great job!

Donna said...

That ottoman is amazing & the ruffled pillows are perfect for it ... just beautiful!

Linda@Coastal Charm said...

Love your pretty slipcovers and ruffled pillows!

Blessings,
Linda

So Sunny Day said...

I love the after photo - it looks just dreamy! my goodness that must have been a lot of sewing, but the end result is LOVELY!!!

~ Emily N. from "too Blessed to Stress"

{northern cottage} said...

I love the ligher feel - well done! Wanna come over and made me a slipcover? I do not have skills like you! Great job!

Blondie's Journal said...

The ottoman looks fantastic...I love the pleats! And the pillows are beautiful...you have set your own style and to me that's what counts. I love the drop cloth material, I have a ton of it and am going to give pillow making a try. It's so soft!

Happy weekend, Tracy!

XO,
Janie

KimMalk said...

Your before and after's are incredible. I think you did a wonderful job emulating MMS.

lucy said...

i love your lightened up look! and i really want the ottoman and pillows in my house....:) very pretty!

Cindy said...

Everything looks great!!! I think you did a fabulous job.
Hugs, Cindy

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

It is absolutely gorgeous!!!
I just adore it so very much !

xoxo
Lori

Nicole ~ said...

You did a wonderful job! I wish you lived a closer to me so you could help do somthing like this! Love those ruffles & pleats! Your table looks great too!

Have a happy Sunday, Nicole

Anonymous said...

Hi Tracy! So good to hear from you! Oh, my goodness, what a busy gal you've been! I love everything you've done. Your bench/stool looks great! I'm not a big fan of those stripes down the middle either and I like your pillows just the way they are! Your drapes look good. I'm thinking of doing this - making some curtains. How much bleach did you use?
Thanks for popping in today.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

akawest said...

You are soooo talented. I am going to now see if I can copy something that you did, but with a twist. I really like the shelf hanging above the photographs. As I sit here in my barren office, I am wondering if I could hang a shelf...we shall see. And of course, I already copied your painted--umm, okay, the word escapes me, but that shelf thingy, with perfume bottles--yikes, I am too young for a senior moment, right?
Great job, and as always, I adore seeing your house.

Unknown said...

Just adore the ruffled pillows! They are sooooo pretty!

The photograph is a perfect accent and your slipcover looks so very professional.

So glad I stopped in from MMS.

Cori

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