Inspiration Can Get Distracting

So the other day, while shopping at Jo-Ann Fabric for nubby green burlap for these posh barstools I finagled off craigslist.com two years ago (more on craigslist in an upcoming post), I was completely distracted by the stacks and stacks of beautiful colors and designs.  And basically forgot why I came in.  And then I saw it:

I had to have this fabric!

It wasn't exactly what I was looking for (nubby burlap); but I figured it was green and it would have to do (it was on sale).  But when I got home... it looked horrible inside my house, it competed with the design on the barstool backs, clashed with the fabric on the dining room chairs, and I hated it!

So there it lie, tossed in a heap, lifeless for a couple of days.  Until... ureka!  I got inspired! 

Turns out, the patio set (also found on craigslist) has been in various stages of cushion undress for the past three summers. 

I brought the fabric outside to see if it would match the seat cushions that I have been collecting (one by one, ugh)... and it was absolutely a perfect match to whip up some seat backs!  Can you say $AVINGS???  Do you know how hard it is to find designer-looking outdoor cushions on a budget?

I won't go into the sewing details but it was basically two squares of fabric, right sides together and four straight seams, stuff in some old cusions, and...

 voila!

party on the patio!

Seriously!

the next day I turned 50 ...

POSH!