$20 Can Go a Long Way

So, what does $20 get you these days? Or more to the point, what did I get for $20? For starters, this 3x5 wool rug at an estate sale . . .<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLZlZ2Jm_aiL_odZvWTVrLJNYvNnyXwuqBLCEwhRrIuGcpm-YwkKOzHNoD6Qd6lcgD98WCncJAPXtPmogILLIwdwuDhLlw0ZcdOoML82shQQG2Ft2foeP0NunmlppbGK6IzMfPbNJZhJ8/s1600/IMG_0792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLZlZ2Jm_aiL_odZvWTVrLJNYvNnyXwuqBLCEwhRrIuGcpm-YwkKOzHNoD6Qd6lcgD98WCncJAPXtPmogILLIwdwuDhLlw0ZcdOoML82shQQG2Ft2foeP0NunmlppbGK6IzMfPbNJZhJ8/s640/IMG_0792.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I love it! It takes the place of a rather chewed-up rug my puppy got to. It adds a great vivid punch to my otherwise rather black and white entry and pulls in the blue of the adjacent dining room. I think it's a Gabbeh tribal-style rug from India (from my extensive eBay research), and the lady who sold it to me said she bought it from ABC Carpet & Home in NYC. I think I got a deal!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My next $20 purchase, a pillow for my sofa . . . </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirMGckn1gsMvoEv3dcqun-vASWI5dTlO7yq1USTZCdeFkg95_ovmzV2m5g-p9y59l5yoW1XldB8Qr2ukWXdgIuuFOgYGIcQoypkzCMnZI5uDp79aJcBHJWyVcQ2TDjwmEgntlWUNiChm-/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiirMGckn1gsMvoEv3dcqun-vASWI5dTlO7yq1USTZCdeFkg95_ovmzV2m5g-p9y59l5yoW1XldB8Qr2ukWXdgIuuFOgYGIcQoypkzCMnZI5uDp79aJcBHJWyVcQ2TDjwmEgntlWUNiChm-/s400/IMG_0790.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">It's the new <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11697464">Tokyo Garden pillow from World Market</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVZSNagdeq7RNvVbOguqlUcumpoAreRMCY5i9YzD5W9HTmEdpyOTI_BGXnU-65E2VljFpnkM8fVxPnGmG8265xp5jt4KEB8OUsohjWlPoQ2gxh79F-T2fLIerp-IKoQxFtUWkO2BDg3gO/s1600/pCPWM-10445391v300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbVZSNagdeq7RNvVbOguqlUcumpoAreRMCY5i9YzD5W9HTmEdpyOTI_BGXnU-65E2VljFpnkM8fVxPnGmG8265xp5jt4KEB8OUsohjWlPoQ2gxh79F-T2fLIerp-IKoQxFtUWkO2BDg3gO/s400/pCPWM-10445391v300x300.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Well, I actually went back and bought another one after I decided I liked it, so technically I spent $40 on two pillows . . . but I still think that's pretty good.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><br /> <tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt8BkUMsJs7Ac2QRWJes5ZtsTBsRlmZdyp2mwEiS8WVjJD-1jjazpPc94zt4W9apdRTOADEPivqOiFA_PKMbJJQzuFFdq9FdwKNMuko2i1VZqevgrdemwR4AYACb-4GKmvjwhfY_5av1P/s1600/IMG_0791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHt8BkUMsJs7Ac2QRWJes5ZtsTBsRlmZdyp2mwEiS8WVjJD-1jjazpPc94zt4W9apdRTOADEPivqOiFA_PKMbJJQzuFFdq9FdwKNMuko2i1VZqevgrdemwR4AYACb-4GKmvjwhfY_5av1P/s400/IMG_0791.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><br /> <tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My home is not styled at all in this photo so there is crap on the table and in the kitchen. I'm keeping it real, people.</td></tr><br /> </tbody></table><div style="text-align: left;">Here they are on my sofa. I've been needing a punch of color on my sofa for a LONG time but kept changing my mind about the fabrics I wanted for throw pillows. Now, these World Market pillows are not the best quality of course (rather thin cotton) and the inserts were pretty pitiful, but I changed them out for down inserts and I think it makes a world of difference. Of course, I don't think they match my rug at all, but for now I'm going on the <strike>delusion</strike> theory that all colors match. And yes, I know those columns in the background (that have to be there structurally so the house doesn't crash down) need to be painted. Once again, I was crippled by indecision for the longest time . . . that's a whole other post . . . but now I've decided to paint them to match the rest of the white trim in the house.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">I'm loving my little $20 pops of color. Have you made any little changes lately that make you happy?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Sources: <a href="http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11697464">World Market</a></i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>

$20 Can Go a Long Way

So, what does $20 get you these days? Or more to the point, what did I get for $20? For starters, this 3x5 wool rug at an estate sale . . . ...

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Sew, A Needle Pulling Thread

Well, I did it. I faced my fear and took a sewing class today. And I lived to tell about it. Oh, and I made a pillow. Yeah, me! Without further ado, here it is . . .<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtw11ItFbIbpKXfmvpRAkwJDsJ6D7JFd4aedilfy_rfDWHgFnQd09rIxuW8ABR8PoPf8kkSegUHhhIOkco1artYIELwKm5rx-L2wPQ4kDRKpVb50uCkYwq2hS28SHsDw682CATmxavxFH/s1600/IMG_0475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFtw11ItFbIbpKXfmvpRAkwJDsJ6D7JFd4aedilfy_rfDWHgFnQd09rIxuW8ABR8PoPf8kkSegUHhhIOkco1artYIELwKm5rx-L2wPQ4kDRKpVb50uCkYwq2hS28SHsDw682CATmxavxFH/s400/IMG_0475.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">I know all you Etsy girls are shaking in your boots. This 16-inch pillow took me a mere three hours to make. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y1onOV2b1CTU0KGJ3kvHbgWSknXMlkT5LccKN8ar_fsRrRYMltqx3VZjIlj_QXsdLyB_emtLQbv1UTrrWlT1Iy5BGQ6TFzmOr448M2kXeoCCKlJJn7F88js8iG1vj5OXMUddo9iJ5WBw/s1600/IMG_0476.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Y1onOV2b1CTU0KGJ3kvHbgWSknXMlkT5LccKN8ar_fsRrRYMltqx3VZjIlj_QXsdLyB_emtLQbv1UTrrWlT1Iy5BGQ6TFzmOr448M2kXeoCCKlJJn7F88js8iG1vj5OXMUddo9iJ5WBw/s400/IMG_0476.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Check out that craftsmanship. Yes, that is cording and a zipper. My skills are unparalleled. I hope you're picking up on my sarcasm. Seriously though, I owe a lot to my ever-patient teacher Gail at JoAnn's who repeatedly asked me every time I messed up (which was about every 30 seconds), "What are you so afraid of?" My simple answer, "Screwing up the pillow!" </div><br />Now, I've just got to get a pillow insert. I'm thinking of putting it in <a href="http://myinteriorlife.blogspot.com/2010/12/freedom-of-choice.html">Meg's room</a>. I swear I haven't forgotten to show you an after of her room . . . progress has been made, but it's still a work in progress. Next order of business: sewing bedskirts. I'm convinced I can tackle them now. No fear!<br /><br />I found this <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60951081/keep-calm-and-sew-on-13x19-clemintine?ref=sr_gallery_12&ga_search_query=sewing%2Bmachine&ga_shopname=FantasticToys&ga_filter=&ga_noautofacet=1">poster</a> that should be my new mantra . . .  <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHn4s7-pWUzoCA-E6l1mAE-pMe9j7KNjVpn4rFfz_BiEW01VWUYw4XDhzie6UbDSOqJ0Hl1SfWgJUdEL2m83klziDQ96QUNtqn8zMvLw2co8NaVajmeYkM_YK9k-cUi2GB3rmuDnh9G5J/s1600/il_570xN.189959378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHn4s7-pWUzoCA-E6l1mAE-pMe9j7KNjVpn4rFfz_BiEW01VWUYw4XDhzie6UbDSOqJ0Hl1SfWgJUdEL2m83klziDQ96QUNtqn8zMvLw2co8NaVajmeYkM_YK9k-cUi2GB3rmuDnh9G5J/s400/il_570xN.189959378.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Have you faced any fears lately?</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Source: <a href="http://www.etsy.com/listing/60951081/keep-calm-and-sew-on-13x19-clemintine?ref=sr_gallery_12&ga_search_query=sewing%2Bmachine&ga_shopname=FantasticToys&ga_filter=&ga_noautofacet=1">Etsy</a></span></i></div>

Sew, A Needle Pulling Thread

Well, I did it. I faced my fear and took a sewing class today. And I lived to tell about it. Oh, and I made a pillow. Yeah, me! Without furt...

Read more »