His: Redecorating the Living Room

A few weeks ago we went to Clemson to see Amanda's sister, her husband, and our niece. I was asked to bring my sewing machine and supplies so I could help them with some redecorating in their new home, including recovering 9 couch pillows, recovering a ottoman, and a few other items. We headed out to get supplies and after visiting two fabric stores we had enough fabric to do everything. It took several hours of measuring, cutting fabric and sewing to complete all of the projects, but the end result was more than worth it.

 Putting new covers on the couch pillows was the easiest of the tasks and they only took about 10 minutes each after the fabric was cut to size. We chose 4 different fabrics so there was a nice variety of colours.

Amanda's sister also asked if I could sew a cover for the ottoman. I had never tried this but I was willing to try. This project took a few hours since I originally made it too big and had to modify it so it was smaller and was a nice snug fit. 

 This wooden toy chest is also a seat. It did not have a seat cushion so I was able to make this with some of the extra fabric that I had. I didn't have enough of the solid colour so I added the stripes to each end to make it long enough.

I also made a small pillow for my niece's chair. It's the perfect size for a toddler.

The new pillows and cushions look really nice in their brand new house and I was happy to do this for them. Have you ever sewn your own pillows or cushions for your home or for someone you love?

Saturday Snapshots: The Lighthouses of the Outer Banks

Have you liked our "His and Her Hobbies" Facebook page? If not, click here!

Today we are linking up with Melinda at West Metro Mommy for Super Saturday Snapshots.

Back in 2002 we took a day trip to the Outer Banks in North Carolina. Along with miles and miles of beaches we saw several lighthouses. Each one had its own paint scheme which is different to the lighthouses in Australia. Below are some pictures of some of the lighthouses that we saw that day.

The lighthouse at Hatteras.

The Lighthouse at Corolla.

The Lighthouse at Currituck.

What paint schemes do the lighthouses near you have? 

Saturday Snapshots: The Big Rubber Duck

Have you liked our "His and Her Hobbies" Facebook page? If not, click here!

Today we are linking up with Melinda at West Metro Mommy for Super Saturday Snapshots.

A few months ago we went to go see the giant rubber duck that was on exhibition nearby. The duck looked just like one that you may have had as a child to play with in the bath tub but just a lot lot bigger. It was on display for 10 days and it was a very popular attraction, especially since it was free. Below are some of the photos from our visit.

 The duck was massive!

Amanda and I in front of the duck

We tried some of the trick photography that we had seen others post on Facebook. Here is Amanda trying to hold up the duck's bill.

Amanda and her mum trying to hold up the duck.

Amanda gives the duck two thumbs up!

The Big Yellow Duck travels around the world so maybe it will come to a city near you soon. Have you ever seen the Big Yellow Duck or something similar?

His and Her Five for Friday with Fuel Your Faith

Have you liked our "His and Her Hobbies" Facebook page? If not, click here!

It's been a while since we linked up for our Friday recaps. We are glad to be back!

This week's posts:
We took a little hiatus at the beginning of the week, driving back from South Carolina, and decontaminating after a brush with poison ivy up the poison ivy (see #4), but we finished this week strong.
Wednesday - Her Wordless Wednesday
Thursday - Her 13-14 and 14-15 Back to School Goals

Today, we are linking up with Jessica at Joy in the Journey and Lauren Elizabeth for the combo Five For Friday and Fuel Your Faith linkup parties. 

1

2 (Amanda) We spent the 4th of July weekend with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece in South Carolina. We hadn't seen them in a couple of months so it was nice to spend time together and see their new home. I had a blast hanging out with them and playing with my niece. I'm hoping to go back with my parents in August for some more family time. 

I used the app/website Roadtrippers to try to find some fun places to help break up the long drive. I found a dessert and coffee cafe in Durham. I ordered a triple chocolate mousse cake, chocolate gelato, and a latte. Everything was insanely delicious and I cannot wait to stop by this place again on the way down to South Carolina!

Click here to see Francesca's Dessert Cafe's website.

3 (Sean) I put in an application to be a vendor at a local craft show a few weeks ago. I received a reply and sadly my application was not accepted. They had a lot of applicants and a limited number of spots so some of us had to be cut. I was a little disappointed but I am already looking into another craft show later in the year to display my crafts. (I also have some of the items for sale now in my Etsy Store)

Isn't this pacifer clip cute??

4 (Amanda) A friend and I have started walking twice a week and I love it! It's adds variety to my workouts which I am grateful for. Last week, we walked in a park near my house and I must have brushed against poison ivy because my legs had a pretty icky rash. It's my first brush with the "evil ivy" (my new name for it) and I must admit I hated it. However, my clothes and linens have never been cleaner. I washed everything I could have possibly touched or contaminated with color safe bleach, on the heavy duty cycle with a presoak and extra rinse. The cycles took two hours each! I am glad that the rash is going away - finally! Here's hoping I never have to deal with the evil ivy ever again!

5 My brother in law and I went to play a round of disc golf around Clemson University at night. It is pretty popular with the students. It was a little bit different to regular disc golf as your targets were items such as stop signs, trees, doors and light posts. The course was a lot of fun and one of the holes even had you throw into an elevator and then continue once you got up to the next floor. The only bad part was when I had a bad throw and one of my discs landed on the roof of one of the classroom buildings. It was a totally different experience to a regular game of disc golf, but one I would happily do again.

How was your week? We hope it was a great one.

Happy Friday,

Her 13-14 and 14-15 Back to School Goals

Have you liked our "His and Her Hobbies" Facebook page? If not, click here!

I know it is summer vacation, but my brain never really turns the school part off. It shuffles to the back, but it's still there. Jess from I {heart} Recess is once again hosting her Back to School Goals link-up. I participated last year while I was in Australia (you can read that post here) and really like the idea of setting goals for the coming school year. 

 These were my goals for last school year:

 

How did I do?
Personal - ha! That's a joke. I was lucky to leave before 5:30 and I didn't go the gym any. Epic fail! I give myself a F.
Organization - I definitely did better than I have in the past, but I did fall behind a few times. I give myself a D.
Planning - There was some day-to-day planning going on, but not nearly as much as the year before. I say a C-.
Professional - This one I did! I loved that book and all that it recommended. My students read way more this past year than in the year's before.  I give myself an A.
Students - I really tried with this one, even implementing a lunch time work session. It's hard to get middle schoolers to want to write. I'd say C+.

Now for this year's goals:

My fingers are crossed that I can accomplish all of these goals. I know they will make me happier, healthier, and more productive in the long run. Here's hoping year 14 is the best one yet!

What goals do you have for the coming year?

Happy Thursday,

Her Wordless Wednesday

Have you liked our "His and Her Hobbies" Facebook page? If not, click here!

I have been seeing these posts on Wednesdays and I am intrigued. Obviously, I am not following the rules right now, but I will in the coming weeks. 

This past weekend, we spent some time in South Carolina with my sister, brother-in-law, and niece. I love spending time with them. This was a pic I took when she was bouncing on the bed.

How did you spend your 4th of July long weekend?


Happy Wednesday,