Provocative Title Here

The dust has settled (I had lots of projects with Time Limits *gasp*). Now that I have time and freedom again to make anything I want, I’m a bit flustered. Partly it’s from eating too much chocolate. I become very driven, excited and energetic, but can’t seem to focus as well as usual. So this week I’m doing a chocolate fast–I know, I’m very courageous and hopefully my self-discipline can hold out. I’ve stocked up on carob chips, which are the methodone to chocolate’s heroin (and are actually super yummy in a sort-of-like-chocolate-but-totally-different way).

Upon returning to my wordpress to write this entry I realized that lots of supportive people had posted on the previous entry. I usually get notifications but they mysteriously stopped so I had no idea anyone cared! So, Supportive People who posted on the previous entry, I just want you to know that I care too, deeply and sincerely, about what you have to say about my chairs! And I jumped in there and responded to any questions and comments you had. Whew, I feel better now, so let’s carry on.

One of my new Bonspiel projects is to make a simple, sew-it-yourself pattern kit of preprinted fabric. I will be creating the fabric on Spoonflower.com, which is a wondrous phenomenon, even if they did screw up my orders in all kinds of ways. They fixed everything immediately as soon as I let them know. The dress will be a sleeved a-line mini-dress or tunic with a square neckline and gathering on the shoulders. There will be sewing instructions printed on the fabric, like those chicken pillows or whatever that your mom would sew up for you when you were a kid. And a tiny scissors icon to show where to cut. The sizing, for now, will be smallish/mediumish. I am attempting to get past my need to complete things by offering people a couple of yards of fabric and a smile. Of course I will whip up a few of the dresses too; they’ll probably be available in my etsy shop for people who don’t want to sew. Because when I made the prototype up, it was way cuter than I even hoped it could be, and it’s going to be *weeks* before the spoonflower fabric arrives.

Another new project is Iphone sleeves! They are lined with smooth leather so they won’t put leather crumbs on your phone, and they fit like a glove. Ironically, I can’t afford an iphone, so my old calculator from the ’80’s is an adequate standin for photos. I put the first one in my etsy shop and it sold after the first day so I’ll be making a run of them soon.

The CHAIRS! (please see prevous post for first chair reno installment if you haven’t already)

I completed the webbing on them despite aggravating my tennis elbow (and I don’t even play tennis). I used heavy black woven stretchy webbing which is the official new version of the old latex webbing used on Scandinavian teak furniture. This stuff, I must say, is kind of ugly, but it’s easy to work with and durable and makes for a comfy seating experience. I had to buy a whole roll, so I have lots left over if anybody needs some. The better teak furniture have slots that you fit metal clips into, the clips are crimped onto the ends of the webbing so you don’t have to hammer in tacks or staple. Also you can easily replace individual webs if they bag out over time. My chairs don’t have the slots, so I had to attach the webs using carpet tacks. You could also use a staple gun, as long as the staples are at least half an inch long. I had to reinforce the frame of one of the chairs with a stick of wood glued and screwed on, as the pulpy wood has started to fall apart there from various lame attempts at re-webbing using seat belts! that the previous owner did.

The guy on ebay who offers kits and instructions for rewebbing said you only have to put the webbing from back to front on the chairs, but I couldn’t resist a little side to side action as well. I don’t ever want to have to reweb them again!

I brushed on a couple more coats of the “pecan” finish (made by minwax, it’s a stain and finish all in one). I’m just trying to even out the color on the areas where I sanded off the old finish (mostly the tops of the arms, which were worn and dirty). The stain is really really drippy so you have to put on super thin coats. It also is pretty smelly (thinner cleanup). Unfortunately I can’t get the overall tone of the chairs perfectly even–it’s a bit blotchy. This is the point at which I go “whatever!” and on to the next step.

I had a quixotic urge to visit a fabric store as I was driving by, even though I didn’t need anything for Bonspiel. There was a bolt of amazing upholstery weight green velvet for 3 dollars a yard, so I nabbed the whole bolt (10 yards). It’s the most ineffable shade of green, bold and kelly in some lights, soft and turquoise in others. The chairs are only going to need 2 or 3 yards, so I may be making some green velvet bags from the rest. I cut the velvet for the chair cushions, designing them to have the minimum visible seams possible. Now the only thing stopping me from completing the chairs is purchasing the foam for the cushions.

Lastly, if you have an inclination, I would love it if you would go and vote for your favorite Olympics-related item on this etsy thingamajig (log into etsy before you click on the gonch–trust me it’s easier that way) And hopefully it will be my underwear you love the most! xo ellen

Vote for Team Canada Underpants

One Response to “Provocative Title Here”

Luna Says:
February 25th, 2010 at 5:38 am

I’m looking forward to seeing your chairs when it’s done.

Just checked Etsy site. The French Bulldog fabric is soooooooooo cute. Keep it coming!!!

L