Summer Look--White slipcovers

I realize in this creative blogging world of make-everything-yourself-for-only-pennies that one is somehow substandard if a thought of purchasing, not making it yourself, enters one's mind.  And I do know the satisfaction that only comes with completing a project I have made myself, after all, I have touted the merits of whole wheat bread made from fresh ground hard red wheat, and used to spend all of August making new wardrobes for each of my children before they entered school etc, etc.  I am the one who can save a dime because I will tell myself how "I can make that" at a boutique when I see something cute.  Now, whether or not I actually end up making a copy of that same thing is another question.  But, let it be said, I have spent many years creating everything you can image.

So, I know I have the skills to master slipcovering my two red sofas.  And now that all the world knows that I am capable of doing just that, I want to show you my new white slipcovers for those sofas that I willingly paid someone else to make for me!

I just love them!  I thought about starting to make one sofa.  And when I did, these feelings of frustration began to surface!  They did not go away, and only got worse.  I just knew it would be a project I would loath!  And the thought of having to make two of them almost put me over the edge.  I have wanted these couches covered for 7 years and one day recently I came across this blog: http://customslipcoversbyshelley.blogspot.com/ with her name and phone number.  The phone number had my area code! Was this a sign?  I thought so.  Then I called Shelley and my house was close enough to hers for her to take my job.  Horray!!  It was my lucky day.  She told me how much fabric I needed ,and where to get it, and her price.   I couldn't believe it, I found the fabric for $3.99/yd. I decided to let her make my two sofas, plus a chair and an ottoman too. I put 50 yards of this wonderful white denim in my washer to preshrink it (8 yards at a time).

A week after I found her blog Shelley was at my house cutting and pinning it to my furniture.  I watched and was amazed with the skill and speed she had.

  I also thought how different my approach would have been to the project and the frustration that would have involved.  In two hours she left and two weeks later brought back my beautifully tailor made white slipcovers.

Nothing has made me so happy for a long time.  I guess I have put too much emphasis on "material" things, but everytime I walk into or past my family room I feel like summer has come to my home and I smile.

 Of course I did not realize that I would have to change my rug, pillows and accessories to match my new look.  But, it was worth it in every sense.  They are just wonderful.  Now, I have time to craft something less complicated.  Right now I am breathing in the aroma of fresh baked bread!   Thanks Shelley!!
I am linking to Susan's Between Naps on the Porch for her Metamorphosis Monday makeovers. Check out what other bloggers have been doing too.