Friday, April 6

Things To Do When Your On Bed Rest

 I can't believe it's been 60 days since my last post.
I won't even try to explain the last 50, lets just rewind to March 26.
No, those aren't the kids new toys.


Right after I finished with Paper Cowgirl I had surgery on my left foot to correct a bone disorder I was born with.
It's caused me terrible pain this last year. 
It was pretty extensive surgery that included a new joint, breaking & re-setting of bones. 
Unfortunately, the doctor will only do one foot at a time so I'll repeat this fun again in about 6 months.


Don't you love my tattoo?
It's comforting to know the doctors needed cue cards.
That's my Step Mother Mary Alice in the back ground.
Do you think she's napping because my kids wore her out?
She dropped everything & came from Mississippi to take care of us for the first week. 
I'm so grateful to have loving family & friends.


I was pretty good about following doctors orders the first week, but I'm not a person who can sit for very long.
One good thing about being stuck at home is having time to get things off my 'to do' list.
Like my homemade herbarium. 
I can't afford the real deal so I faked it.


This was an easy & inexpensive project. 
 I bought a set of six prints at a garage sale about a year ago.
The pictures were ugly & the frames were bright blue but they were only $3.


I painted the frames red, then white, sanding between coats. 
Then used a Ralph Lauren glaze on top.
They need some more sanding, but you see where I'm going with this.

 I used beautiful ledger pages from Jamie & some of my vintage botanicals. I blogged about them here.


Since I'm on pain killers I thought Kevin should hang them!
 I would have shown you the whole wall but then you'd see the dirty dishes all over the table. 


Onto my next project, a slipcovered wing chair.
We inherited this great chair & ottoman from some friends.
But the color wasn't right for the room.

 I've always wanted to make a slipcover but could never work up the nerve.
 After watching these video tutorial's from Miss Mustard Seed,  I grabbed a $10 drop cloth & held my breath.


I'm so proud of myself! It turned out even better than I had imagined. 
Now I want to slipcover everything in my house!


I've read a lot of books & tutorials about slipcovers but Marion's gave me the confidence to just do it.
She has really simplified what can be a complicated process. 
The best thing about it... it's free!



It's not perfect & I did have to use the 'ol seam ripper a couple of times but I think it's pretty darn good.
I'm working on the foot stool now, I'll show you soon.
Happy Good Friday!

29 comments:

sandra blanks said...

Lisa,
I'm so sorry to hear about your surgery (especially knowing you will have to go through it again!), but glad you're doing well. I know you must be ok...anyone that can make slipcovers after surgery is awesome in my book. Wowsers, you did a beautiful job. I've always wanted to attempt slipcovers, but just never worked up the courage...Congrats on a job well done!
Hugs,
Sandra

karlascottage.typepad.com said...

Wow, you even did ruffles and cording! That would be good work even for a person NOT on pain killers. Cool.

Rhonda said...

Oh, feel better soon, Lisa. It looks as though you are making the best of your down time, though.

Your herbariums are fabulous.

Yes, I believe it was a good idea to marke the correct foot!! I worked in a surgery dept. for 12 years and it is not pretty when they cut the wrong side...it happens!!!

Sending speedy get well wishes!
Rhonda

Claudia said...

Feel better soon, Lisa! Now you just might be inspiring me to try a slip cover!

xo
Claudia

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Oh my goodness....so sorry you have to go through this. Take care and keep up with all your projects...!!

Curtains in My Tree said...

sorry about being laid up with a painful foot
there is nothing worst that that when you want to get things done

lucky to have your step mom there to help out

your pictures looks really great

bla bla bla GET WELL xoxox

Curtains in My Tree said...

OH yes the slip covers are wonderful I have an ugly chair who needs new slips also

Baggaraggs: said...

You are Too MUCh! Hope your foot feels better. Love the slip cover...I would be VERRY Proud of that thing ALONE. Hugs, Robin

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

OMG Lisa! I have been wondering where you were and what you were up to. I just figured the Paper Cowgirls had you busy, busy.

I'm sorry to hear about your painful surgery but I'm sure it will be worth it when you heal.

I love your botanical prints and SHUT THE FRONT DOOR...the girl can made slipcovers!!! Why am I not surprised. I've yet to tackle that one but I agree MM does make it look easy.

Take care of yourself and follow doctor's orders and get better. Great that you have some help too.

hugs and warm wishes.

Sissie

nancarts said...

Hi Lisa...sorry for the surgery, and hope you will be walking around again soon! Rest and feel better. Love your slip covered chair...you did good. The framed botanicals are also very interesting and "artsy." I love the cowgirls and wish I lived close enough to attend. Know you all had a great time.

Peace and Blessings and Happy Easter. Nancy

Phyllis @Around the House said...

wow you did a wonderful job...I could have written this blog only I haven't done the chair yet...I think I will give it a try...love yours alot...did you wash the dropcloth first or just start sewing...I am a new follower and am thrilled I found you...see you soon...phyllis

Shopgirl said...

This is not fun!!!! You and my Arney could share some down time. He was in a wreck last Frieday and has 6 broken ribs and hurts all over. Not his fault, someone ran a stop sign...get well sweet friend,
I love the chair. I have two wing back chairs that could use a slipcover, I might get brave and do them myself. Take care of you, Hugs, Mary

Unknown said...

So glad for you...the worst is over. Love the chair and those pics are so cool...great job. Hard to imagine you were able to get that much done while wounded! :)

LizlovesVintage said...

WOW!!! For someone on bed rest you did a pretty good job :)
Have a wonderful Easter.
PS. stay off that FOOT
xxx Liz

Pearl said...

I hope you heal quickly, it sounds awful. I had the band cut on the bottom of my foot cut but nothing as exstensive as yours. Hugs, Pearl

The Feathered Nest said...

OMYGOODNESS sweet girl...I cannot BELIEVE you posted a pic of that foot!!! I know how you feel about feet photos :) I'm so, so glad you are on the mend and feeling so much better ~ and the proof is in the puddin' so they say, just LOOK at what you've accomplished! I'm so in love with the framed herbarium prints...and the chair? Absolutely GORGEOUS! You never cease to amaze me Lisa ~ and I'm so glad you're healing fast!!! hugs and love, Dawn

Kathryn J Cain said...

o my,and ouch does not sound fun at all and to repeat,oooo my. What a great family and Stepmom so sweet. The chair with the crutches I love way too much. The slip covers maybe I will try it...allergic to sewing machine but I am getting closer.The botanical love them,Can't imagine what you will do next go around

Diane said...

Hope you mend quickly Lisa! Looks like you've put your down time to good use...♥ the slipcover, AND the cool #5 pillow =)

suziqu's thread works said...

Dear Lisa
Wow I just can believe how much you have achieved since your foot surgery!
That wonderfully successful slip cover and those beautiful herbarium prints framed and painted hopefully achieved mostly by sitting!!!
Never say die! Hope your healing time passes as quickly as possible especially for one who can't rest for too long! Take good care!
Enjoy your Easter with Kevin and the kids.
And thanks for visiting and leaving such lovely comments!
Hugs from Downunder,
Suzy

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Oh my gosh Lisa that sounds like an awful surgery to have to have ~ ugghhh!!!
Girl I am pretty much in awe over your slipcover!! I am thinking you really didn't need me to sew pillows for you! haha!! You rock at sewing chicky!!

Dorthe said...

Hi my dear,
Yes I knew! a beautiful post :-)
How on earth did you do that slipcower with only one foot to use-well I know-only one needed to press the pedal-but to make patterns and cut !! I hope you had it all ready to sew, till after surgery, Lisa. It is a fantastic job you did, looks so elegant, and beautiful, you are wonderfully clever.
Also the herbarium on your wall,looks gorgeous- the vintage botanicals are beautiful-and I love the painting technique, you used,with the red behind.
Now dear friend, I hope you can soon get more around, and use your energi, and I hope you are feeling no pain in your foot.
Have a happy and cosy easter with your sweet family.
Love and hugs,Dorthe

Laurie said...

You are unstoppable! I am so sorry to hear about your foot thing but kudos to you for biting the bullet and getting the surgery. Gosh I am so jealous that you can get stuff done when you're recovering...I can never seem to get anything done when I'm sick. As I've been a lot lately. Your projects are fab -- and I adore that little chair in the first photo, too! I had a friend who used to make her slipcovers from really nice sheets because they were so washable and she had pets. She was hooked on slipcovering, too.

Vicki Boster said...

Lisa- oh good heavens- bless your heart girlfriend! I hope your recovery continues smoothly and quickly! You are amazing- that you could hobble around and do picture frames and slip covers-- is just beyond belief! Superwoman-- that's you!

Happy Easter to you and your beautiful family--
Vicki

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Hi Lisa...so sorry to hear about your surgery. Hoping your recovery continues to go well. I finally changed out the pretty cone I won from you and filled it with some Easter goodies and shared it on my blog ~ thank you again!

Anonymous said...

SO glad you're blogging again! You are an inspiration, as always...accomplishing so much when you've just had surgery!!! The chair is fab, and the botanicals are to die for!!!! Please take care of yourself! The doctor ordered bed rest for a reason. -- Love, bossypants

Anne Lorys said...

My dear sweet, gimpy Lurd, give me a call, I'll help cheer you up!
I called you today, but you must have been passed out on pain meds. ;-)

XOXO,
Me

Sugar Lump Studios said...

oh my goodness! Lisa you poor thing. I have had MANY surgeries but nothing so extensive! I am glad that your step mom was able to help out. Hopefully you are healing each day and it will make a difference of not being in pain!

Vicki said...

Lisa I do hope you are on the mend! My goodness. You can't chase those three beautiful kids around on your hover. lol I see you have not had much down time though. Great projects. Can't get over the chair. Just beautiful! So glad I stopped over to say hello.

Erica said...

I hope you're feeling OK. Sounds like a painful surgery. Keep your spirits up, and hope to see you soon!