Raising your Debt Cieling
Today we are having a Toy Story marathon. Everybody has been sick and grumpy the last few days, with a wonderful break between the fevers and the hoarse coughing. and on to today's topic...Debt!
What do you do when your income drops unexpectedly? Lets just say you belong to a 2 income household and you lose one. Hypathetically. What is your first reaction?
Are you a spender, or a saver? Do you have reserves? Credit cards? Other sources of income? What should you cut first?
Let's play out this scenario with a hypothetical family. Joe and Jane Spenderson are dual breadwinners. they have 1 child. Mom and dad live with them too, as well as great grandma. They live in a large home on the coast of California. The kids are enrolled in private school as well as several activities. Great grandma requires full time care. Mom and dad pay a small rent to live in the "in-laws quarters" behind the house.
Jane loses her job.
Jon says not to worry, they have plenty in the bank. They continue their lifestyle with no changes, other than Jane is now at home full time, coordinating the maid service and meal deliveries. The months tick by, their savings is gone, their credit cards are maxed out.
At this point, they open a second mortgage on their home. Now flush with new cash, the whole family goes on a Cruise to relieve their stress. Their son takes on another activity and mom is just tired of it all and starts spending her time at the spa.
The funds run out again.
They dip into granny's Health Savings Account.
The funds run out again.
Jon drains out Juniors college funds.
The funds run out again.
You see where I am going with this?
The family is now hugely in debt, there are no college funds, there is nothing to provide for granny, or mom and dad for that matter, their house is underwater.
At this point they decide to hold a family meeting.
Jon announces that there needs to be some changes, and that the family is welcome to submit their ideas. An argument ensues, in which everybody holds on dearly to the things that matter most to them. Junior wants to stay in private school as well as hockey, football and fencing, Jane wants to continue at the spa. Jon likes his beamer. Mom and dad like their current rent rate. Granny needs her private nurse. After hours of arguing their new plan looks like this:
Jon will pull out a third mortgage on the property, Mom and dad will pay double the rent, granny's pills will be rationed and the family can't afford to buy groceries anymore so they will just eat out.
Hmmmm.....
Let's revisit this scenario, replacing the previous family with the Frugalsons.
Ben and Beth are dual breadwinners, They have 3 children. Mom and dad rent the apartment over the garage and great-grandpa lives with them.
Beth looses her job, their income is reduced by half.
Ben immediately holds a family meeting. Everybody agrees to cut back. Ben will carpool and take his lunch to work, Beth will take over helping granny out, Mom and Dad will pitch in a bit more rent and the kids will drop one activity each.
Time goes on and their savings slowly dwindles.
They dip into their vacation savings and replace the bills with IOU's.
Still they are not making it.
Ben feels bad for all the sacrifices his family made and takes out a credit card. Debt creeps in.
When that card is maxed out, they have another meeting.
First, the family agrees to tear up the vacation IOU's, it was imaginary debt anyway. Beth will start selling extra things around the house on e-bay. Ben will take on extra hours. Mom and dad have their eyes on an investment property next door, and ask to stop paying rent in order to invest in it, in return they will give a portion of the income to the family. The kids agree to help keep up the yard work on both houses.
The months pass, the debt is slowly eliminated. The neighboring property is bringing in a healthy rent and Mom and Dad are able to increase the amount they were paying in rent by 25% The kids found great satisfaction in doing the yard work and have branched out to mow several neighborhood lawns. They are now adding to their college funds. Ben got a promotion at work, Beth was able to hire on a home health nurse part time to give herself a bit of a break. The family took a small vacation that year and ended with a small surplus in their family fund.
Think on this awhile, we will analyze it later, as the movie has ended and my kiddos are hungry for dinner.
Showing posts with label thrift. Show all posts
Showing posts with label thrift. Show all posts
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Sunday, July 17, 2011
100th post spectacualr!
Whilst the baby is occupied playing with a potato, and the boys are distracted by a cartoon I will quickly try to accomplish this, my 100th post spectacular!
I really mulled this one over, and fretted about it and then forgot about it for awhile. After spending may hours researching America's current demographic, generational, financial, economic and political condition I came to see the truth in the quote "Impression without Expression leads to Depression"
Boy have I been DEPRESSED. My darling daughter was born nearly a year ago, my hubby was laid off work nearly 9 months ago and I lost all motivation. I am taking steps now that have given me some hope. This blog is part of my "recovery" plan. I hope to begin posting more regularly again, and perhaps make a difference in my little corner of the universe. I would like to share some reflections and study I have done on the "bigger" picture and tie that into our "little" picture.
Today's Topic: INFLATION and the COUPON CRAZE
I Love couponing! I am seriously addicted at this point. I have been doing the "Extreme Couponing" thing on and off for the last two years, since our first long term struggle with unemployment. My dear friend Amber introduced me to www.thekrazycouponlady.com website, which showcases the deals found in my area. I have now been able to save 90%+ on my toiletries/paper goods budget, and I save at least 50% on my food. This is a substantial amount for us and has enabled me to stretch our budget further than I could have imagined as I am definitely a frugal type. Having found this level of success I was so happy to see my favorite blogger featured on the TLC special "extreme couponing" early this year.
All of the sudden Everyone jumped on the band wagon, shelves were empty, people were literally racing in to my local rite aid to be the first to land a good deal. There was a great stir in the couponing world, wondering what was going to happen. Stores changed policies, new limitations were placed, coupons weren't as "good" anymore, prices rose. The influx of new converts was blamed.
I think this was actually a symptom of something greater. INFLATION.
The US government breaks down the prices of consumer goods and produces an index of cost in order to gauge inflation. Here is the official Government website noting inflation on food items is only 3.7% higher over the last 12 mos. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm
Please note, these are only the prices over one year, if you start adding the increases up over time, you can see how prices have been rising.
In my experience, however, I believe the cost of food and products have gone up much, much more. This is a site that breaks down commodities and their inflation rate over the last year.
Here is a good list of consumer goods and their inflation rates, not included in the cpi
http://escapetyranny.com/2011/02/15/inflation-anyone-check-out-the-12-month-price-increases-on-this-commodity-price-index/
Many of us aren't going to go out an buy a bushel or corn, however it is found in nearly all of our food products. When Corn goes up, Manufacturers pass on their costs to us in their food prices.
Take a close look at some of the goods you always buy. Is it just me or are they getting smaller, serving less? Comparing my expired coupons to the ones that are being released as well shows a definite loss in savings for me some coupons are consistently 25 to 50 cents lower than they were two years ago. Prices in the supermarket have gone up as well. I don't even need to talk about gas prices.
All of these things are categorized under "hidden inflation" The blogger at the Modern survivalist has a wonderful post on this here: http://www.themodernsurvivalist.com/?p=1033
This man lives in Argentina and has experienced first hand hyper inflation and the collapse of their currency.
Yes, great you say, but what does this have to do with me? I'll break it down.
We have been VERY blessed in America to spend so little to feed ourselves. That time may be ending due to our current fiscal policies. Expect food prices to go up. We are in the middle of a serious financial mess, and it is going to take some hard work to get out of it, in the meantime we CAN NOT rely on anyone but ourselves to look after the interests of our family. So, here is what to do.
1. Stockpile. If you haven't done it yet, do so! Start couponing. Take your budget for food and toiletries and see how far you can stretch it. Just last week i was able to buy toothbrushes for just the tax. You can too! Having been thru two periods of extended unemployment i highly recommend 1 YEARS worth of food. Seriously. We are working towards that end now.
2. Plant a garden. During WWII it was known as a Victory garden. Our country pulled together before and we can do so again. If you don't have dirt, form a community garden in you apartment complex, or look into indoor gardening. You will appreciate fresh produce while you live off of your stockpile. I highly recommend Heirloom or Open Pollinated seeds, you can save seeds from this years crop and grow more next year.
3. Give. There are many in our society who are totally dependent on the government. This is bad. We aer having trouble meeting our obligations now asn radical reforms may take place. Do your part, Help those around you and educate them in your frugal ways.
Times are changing, we need to change with them! Inflation is happening, in spite of what our Government reports. Remember when they kept insisting the housing market crash wasn't happening? It was. Look at your corner of the universe thru the big picture and you can connect the dots.
More later.
I really mulled this one over, and fretted about it and then forgot about it for awhile. After spending may hours researching America's current demographic, generational, financial, economic and political condition I came to see the truth in the quote "Impression without Expression leads to Depression"
Boy have I been DEPRESSED. My darling daughter was born nearly a year ago, my hubby was laid off work nearly 9 months ago and I lost all motivation. I am taking steps now that have given me some hope. This blog is part of my "recovery" plan. I hope to begin posting more regularly again, and perhaps make a difference in my little corner of the universe. I would like to share some reflections and study I have done on the "bigger" picture and tie that into our "little" picture.
Today's Topic: INFLATION and the COUPON CRAZE
I Love couponing! I am seriously addicted at this point. I have been doing the "Extreme Couponing" thing on and off for the last two years, since our first long term struggle with unemployment. My dear friend Amber introduced me to www.thekrazycouponlady.com website, which showcases the deals found in my area. I have now been able to save 90%+ on my toiletries/paper goods budget, and I save at least 50% on my food. This is a substantial amount for us and has enabled me to stretch our budget further than I could have imagined as I am definitely a frugal type. Having found this level of success I was so happy to see my favorite blogger featured on the TLC special "extreme couponing" early this year.
All of the sudden Everyone jumped on the band wagon, shelves were empty, people were literally racing in to my local rite aid to be the first to land a good deal. There was a great stir in the couponing world, wondering what was going to happen. Stores changed policies, new limitations were placed, coupons weren't as "good" anymore, prices rose. The influx of new converts was blamed.
I think this was actually a symptom of something greater. INFLATION.
The US government breaks down the prices of consumer goods and produces an index of cost in order to gauge inflation. Here is the official Government website noting inflation on food items is only 3.7% higher over the last 12 mos. http://www.bls.gov/news.release/cpi.nr0.htm
Please note, these are only the prices over one year, if you start adding the increases up over time, you can see how prices have been rising.
In my experience, however, I believe the cost of food and products have gone up much, much more. This is a site that breaks down commodities and their inflation rate over the last year.
Here is a good list of consumer goods and their inflation rates, not included in the cpi
http://escapetyranny.com/2011/02/15/inflation-anyone-check-out-the-12-month-price-increases-on-this-commodity-price-index/
Many of us aren't going to go out an buy a bushel or corn, however it is found in nearly all of our food products. When Corn goes up, Manufacturers pass on their costs to us in their food prices.
Take a close look at some of the goods you always buy. Is it just me or are they getting smaller, serving less? Comparing my expired coupons to the ones that are being released as well shows a definite loss in savings for me some coupons are consistently 25 to 50 cents lower than they were two years ago. Prices in the supermarket have gone up as well. I don't even need to talk about gas prices.
All of these things are categorized under "hidden inflation" The blogger at the Modern survivalist has a wonderful post on this here: http://www.themodernsurvivalist.com/?p=1033
This man lives in Argentina and has experienced first hand hyper inflation and the collapse of their currency.
Yes, great you say, but what does this have to do with me? I'll break it down.
We have been VERY blessed in America to spend so little to feed ourselves. That time may be ending due to our current fiscal policies. Expect food prices to go up. We are in the middle of a serious financial mess, and it is going to take some hard work to get out of it, in the meantime we CAN NOT rely on anyone but ourselves to look after the interests of our family. So, here is what to do.
1. Stockpile. If you haven't done it yet, do so! Start couponing. Take your budget for food and toiletries and see how far you can stretch it. Just last week i was able to buy toothbrushes for just the tax. You can too! Having been thru two periods of extended unemployment i highly recommend 1 YEARS worth of food. Seriously. We are working towards that end now.
2. Plant a garden. During WWII it was known as a Victory garden. Our country pulled together before and we can do so again. If you don't have dirt, form a community garden in you apartment complex, or look into indoor gardening. You will appreciate fresh produce while you live off of your stockpile. I highly recommend Heirloom or Open Pollinated seeds, you can save seeds from this years crop and grow more next year.
3. Give. There are many in our society who are totally dependent on the government. This is bad. We aer having trouble meeting our obligations now asn radical reforms may take place. Do your part, Help those around you and educate them in your frugal ways.
Times are changing, we need to change with them! Inflation is happening, in spite of what our Government reports. Remember when they kept insisting the housing market crash wasn't happening? It was. Look at your corner of the universe thru the big picture and you can connect the dots.
More later.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Best birthday ever...almost!
I had a wonderful, self indulgent day yesterday! Garrett took me and the boys out to Barnes and Nobles and had me pick out a book...then down to the Sees candies store where he had me custom-order a pound of my favorite chocolates. Afterwords we walked over to the other mall (here in Stockton we have two malls right across the street from each other) and went to the indoor play place. The kids had a blast running about, until J. decided to jump off one of the climbing toys, and rolled his ankle. He has been fussing and crawling about on it since then. Sigh. No swelling, he can move it about...last time this happened the DR. just rolled his eyes (seriously) and told me to let him stay off of it. I am thinking we should get it checked out anyway, but I can't, until we get our car fixed. The air conditioning compressor fell out on our way home. At first we thought it may have been the radiator. So, here I am, again, on a Monday morning, trapped in my own house with a fussy toddler...on a sugar hangover and wondering how the house could have gotten so messy as we were gone most of the day!
OOOOH, I almost forgot. I had a wonderful shopping trip to the grocery store. Yes, I realize we have been eating out of the pantry, but we were in dire need of some fresh produce. I swung by Safeway to pick up some sale items and was pleasantly surprised by a few More I found.
I got a 5 lb box of "cuties" mandarin oranges for $2.97 (reg price $6.97)
Oatmeal was on sale, buy 2 get 3 free. $2.19 each -that's $1.50 off the Winco price (reg price $5.48 ea)
Gold medal unbleached flour $1.68 each (reg price $3.48)
wooo hoooo! I also got Mac n cheese for .50 cents a box, and some eggs, buy one get one! overall I saved 41% off of the food bill! It would have been much higher (percentage wise) but I bought a few specialty items for Garrett's lunches that were only a few cents off. Boy it was satisfying! I also got some rain checks for their chicken (fresh at .99 cents a lb).
Right now I am debating going back for more flour or possibly more oatmeal, as it was so cheap! The dates say they are good until the middle of next year, but I am not sure I have room to store them.
Breakfast:
Toast and jelly, banana, yogurt and eggs
Snack not sure
Lunch: grilled cheese and tomato soup
dinner: Pesto
OOOOH, I almost forgot. I had a wonderful shopping trip to the grocery store. Yes, I realize we have been eating out of the pantry, but we were in dire need of some fresh produce. I swung by Safeway to pick up some sale items and was pleasantly surprised by a few More I found.
I got a 5 lb box of "cuties" mandarin oranges for $2.97 (reg price $6.97)
Oatmeal was on sale, buy 2 get 3 free. $2.19 each -that's $1.50 off the Winco price (reg price $5.48 ea)
Gold medal unbleached flour $1.68 each (reg price $3.48)
wooo hoooo! I also got Mac n cheese for .50 cents a box, and some eggs, buy one get one! overall I saved 41% off of the food bill! It would have been much higher (percentage wise) but I bought a few specialty items for Garrett's lunches that were only a few cents off. Boy it was satisfying! I also got some rain checks for their chicken (fresh at .99 cents a lb).
Right now I am debating going back for more flour or possibly more oatmeal, as it was so cheap! The dates say they are good until the middle of next year, but I am not sure I have room to store them.
Breakfast:
Toast and jelly, banana, yogurt and eggs
Snack not sure
Lunch: grilled cheese and tomato soup
dinner: Pesto
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Keeping up...
With the chores! It is really SO much easier when I "keep up" with the housework. I forced myself over the last two days to do the dishes right after eating, and you know what, it was easy! I feel so much more relaxed today as there is no giant pile to contend with while I make lunch. In fact, I almost don't know what to do with myself. Almost. I am doing some research for the book I am writing, and will work on that some more. I also need to "tidy" up the boy's room as they have emptied every shelf, bin and basket in their play. They will be getting chores soon, official ones and a chart even. They are at the age where helping is fun, so I plan to take full advantage of it!
I have been musing over the way we do things lately and have come to this conclusion. Half the food I have in the house I can probably make from scratch! I have the bread recipe down, and I want to do a great deal of canning and preserving this year. I will be on the lookout for a nice food dehydrator...one with actual instructions. My fave thrift store often has them, I will just have to figure out a way to get there!
Here are some things I want to experiment with making myself:
Mustard
Barbecue Sauce
Spaghetti Sauce
sun dried tomatoes
canned tomatoes
Pesto (to be frozen?)
Yogurt (I will succeed, eventually)
cream cheese
cottage cheese
Hot cocoa mix
Pancake Mix
Tortillas
Mom's blackberry jam
Strawberry Jam
Apricot Jam
Canned Peaches
Canned Apricots
Frozen berries, nectarines
Applesauce
Pearsauce
Macaroni and cheese
chicken stock (canned?)
beef stock
Sourdough bread
Sprouting beans/rice ect.
My that is quite a list! I am sure I can handle it tho, as the second trimester of pregnancy for me is always one of great energy. I will be enlisting the help of my mother, and perhaps get my cousin and sister in law in on some of the jam action! Maybe the applesauce too. I have a resource for free peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots. I just need to get ahold of some cheap apples and tomatoes. Guess I have alot of growing to do.
Today's menu
Pancakes and eggs
animal crackers
leftover beans and rice
French onion soup,(or possibly tomato if I get too lazy) toasted cheese sandwich (I broke down and bought bread)
I have been musing over the way we do things lately and have come to this conclusion. Half the food I have in the house I can probably make from scratch! I have the bread recipe down, and I want to do a great deal of canning and preserving this year. I will be on the lookout for a nice food dehydrator...one with actual instructions. My fave thrift store often has them, I will just have to figure out a way to get there!
Here are some things I want to experiment with making myself:
Mustard
Barbecue Sauce
Spaghetti Sauce
sun dried tomatoes
canned tomatoes
Pesto (to be frozen?)
Yogurt (I will succeed, eventually)
cream cheese
cottage cheese
Hot cocoa mix
Pancake Mix
Tortillas
Mom's blackberry jam
Strawberry Jam
Apricot Jam
Canned Peaches
Canned Apricots
Frozen berries, nectarines
Applesauce
Pearsauce
Macaroni and cheese
chicken stock (canned?)
beef stock
Sourdough bread
Sprouting beans/rice ect.
My that is quite a list! I am sure I can handle it tho, as the second trimester of pregnancy for me is always one of great energy. I will be enlisting the help of my mother, and perhaps get my cousin and sister in law in on some of the jam action! Maybe the applesauce too. I have a resource for free peaches, nectarines, plums and apricots. I just need to get ahold of some cheap apples and tomatoes. Guess I have alot of growing to do.
Today's menu
Pancakes and eggs
animal crackers
leftover beans and rice
French onion soup,(or possibly tomato if I get too lazy) toasted cheese sandwich (I broke down and bought bread)
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Adventures in eating
I have just sent both the boys to their room with a bowl of popcorn...thereby breaking my new rule and basically asking for popcorn to make it into every corner of the room...but it was the ONLY room I have yet to clean/vacuum and also I wanted some time online. =)
so, Yesterday's menu:
Breakfast: cereal and milk
Snack: animal crackers, chocolate pudding (for me!)
Lunch: PB&J
Dinner: Pesto, leftovers
Today's menu:
Breakfast: Frozen waffles
Snack: popcorn
Lunch: red beans and rice
Dinner: Lasagna (if my cottage cheese is still good) mozzarella cheese is new (W)
We went to our WIC appointment yesterday, and swung by their store where we stocked up on fresh dairy products. Actually, due to the new coupon arrangements, in order to get enough cheese to both make a lasagna, and quesadillas later I wound up with 4 1/2 gallons of milk...and needing to find recipes/reasons to use it! Perhaps a nice, creamy soup? More yogurt? Maybe I'll attempt a cheese!
My yogurt was an utter failure, will have to buy a small container and try again later.
I am baking bread today, using the Challah recipe Garrett really likes and turning it into a loaf, hoping he will enjoy it for his sandwiches. His palette is extremely brand-loyal. I think it came from a lifetime of eating only rainbow white bread, I am happy he had some sort of stability in his childhood, but also sometimes wish Grandma couldn't have afforded the name brands all the time. We are slowly getting healtier and our goal is to move to all home cooked foods...eventually. I'm thinking about getting some cheap bakeware at the thrift store so I can make some meals ahead and freeze them. Also wondering how to make sure baked goods don't take on that fresh-from-the-freezer taste...I love baking breads but want a good dough I can holdover.
More research for me! woo hoo!
so, Yesterday's menu:
Breakfast: cereal and milk
Snack: animal crackers, chocolate pudding (for me!)
Lunch: PB&J
Dinner: Pesto, leftovers
Today's menu:
Breakfast: Frozen waffles
Snack: popcorn
Lunch: red beans and rice
Dinner: Lasagna (if my cottage cheese is still good) mozzarella cheese is new (W)
We went to our WIC appointment yesterday, and swung by their store where we stocked up on fresh dairy products. Actually, due to the new coupon arrangements, in order to get enough cheese to both make a lasagna, and quesadillas later I wound up with 4 1/2 gallons of milk...and needing to find recipes/reasons to use it! Perhaps a nice, creamy soup? More yogurt? Maybe I'll attempt a cheese!
My yogurt was an utter failure, will have to buy a small container and try again later.
I am baking bread today, using the Challah recipe Garrett really likes and turning it into a loaf, hoping he will enjoy it for his sandwiches. His palette is extremely brand-loyal. I think it came from a lifetime of eating only rainbow white bread, I am happy he had some sort of stability in his childhood, but also sometimes wish Grandma couldn't have afforded the name brands all the time. We are slowly getting healtier and our goal is to move to all home cooked foods...eventually. I'm thinking about getting some cheap bakeware at the thrift store so I can make some meals ahead and freeze them. Also wondering how to make sure baked goods don't take on that fresh-from-the-freezer taste...I love baking breads but want a good dough I can holdover.
More research for me! woo hoo!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Back on track..
I've been avoiding the TV again, and I feel much better!! I didn't realize how much of my time and energy it was sucking up.
Lately I have been trying to find creative alternatives to cleaning and beauty products...not that I used tons of them but cutting back is a good thing, as our funds are extremely limited. Here are some creative alternatives I have found, in using "food" type ingredients:
Coconut oil: I have replaced lotion with Coconut oil. I like the unprocessed unrefined kind, it smells like summer time!
Baking Soda: I use it to freshen up carpets, just sprinkle about the rug at night, and vacuum it up first thing in the morning, you can also add tea leaves or chamomile or peppermint or lavender or a combo to this to make a nice scent.
Baking Soda is also FANTASTIC for brushing your teeth with! I actually had NO cavities after using this for several months, when I use "traditional" toothpaste I always seem to have problems with tooth decay.
Vinegar: Super for de-oderizing laundry just add a splash to your wash cycle, as well as for cleaning the coffee pot, and even scrubbing floors. I add a few drops of Lavender and Rosemary essential oil to it for disinfectant power and a nice smell. (not for the coffee pot though!!)
Olive oil: also a great massage oil, or add some sugar to make a nice body scrub...great for feet!
I have to go now....the natives are getting restless!
Lately I have been trying to find creative alternatives to cleaning and beauty products...not that I used tons of them but cutting back is a good thing, as our funds are extremely limited. Here are some creative alternatives I have found, in using "food" type ingredients:
Coconut oil: I have replaced lotion with Coconut oil. I like the unprocessed unrefined kind, it smells like summer time!
Baking Soda: I use it to freshen up carpets, just sprinkle about the rug at night, and vacuum it up first thing in the morning, you can also add tea leaves or chamomile or peppermint or lavender or a combo to this to make a nice scent.
Baking Soda is also FANTASTIC for brushing your teeth with! I actually had NO cavities after using this for several months, when I use "traditional" toothpaste I always seem to have problems with tooth decay.
Vinegar: Super for de-oderizing laundry just add a splash to your wash cycle, as well as for cleaning the coffee pot, and even scrubbing floors. I add a few drops of Lavender and Rosemary essential oil to it for disinfectant power and a nice smell. (not for the coffee pot though!!)
Olive oil: also a great massage oil, or add some sugar to make a nice body scrub...great for feet!
I have to go now....the natives are getting restless!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Pillow covers
I finally did it! I am down to the last few items on my to do list for the living room. Just the other day I woke up at 5 am, and, after stumbling about in a muddled cloud while attempting to fix a cup of coffee I realized how quiet it was in the house. It was just perfect to do some sewing. All of my previous attempts to do so while the boys are awake simply ended int frustration and tears--from all of us! So the entire project took roughly and hour and fifteen minutes, and that includes the time to rummage about and find my materials and set up. I did not clean up. In fact, I still have not. I probably should as J. is fascinated with the sewing machine and will not stay away. So here are the pictures. I don't have a pattern, in fact I don't even measure half the time. I just kind of eyeball it. so far it has worked for me. I also did a set of matching curtain tie-backs but didn't take pictures of the process.
Here is the before shot. As you can see, the pillow is fraying and does not actually match the couch. When we bought it at the thrift store it appeared to be a lovely tan with green undertones. When we got it home it had changed into this red-brown color that doesn't quite go.
This is how I cut the cloth: I folded it over into thirds, laid the pillow on top, and cut the edges so they fit around. Note the perfect straight lines ;)
This is just to show that it will, indeed fit. I am creating a pillow-sham type covering, with overlapping fabric in the back instead of zippers or buttons--which are beyond my ability at such an early hour.
Sewing. I used a total of 4 pins to hold the overlap together. I really really hate pinning even if it does make things easier. Note the entirely spotless work area...not! I'm working on keeping the table cleared off, but for now it's my only work area.
Here is the cover, half on, the other half comes around and will overlap it a bit.
Ta da! all on, and it fits just perfectly! The other is just the same (I had 2 pillows, but only took pictures of the first one.)
Here it is, on the couch. I must say it looks much better. I will, eventually, put some embroidery on it, but for now I need to finish unpacking the house, and finish up crocheting a baby blanket for a very pregnant friend.
Here is the before shot. As you can see, the pillow is fraying and does not actually match the couch. When we bought it at the thrift store it appeared to be a lovely tan with green undertones. When we got it home it had changed into this red-brown color that doesn't quite go.Here I am, hard at work on the kitchen floor in my pj's and robe, as you can see the kids have been playing here and I still have not cleaned up--just so you know I am NOT perfect! (note: I just realized that this pic is actually of me working on the tiebacks, but I don't know how to re-arrange things so I will just pretend it goes here)
This is how I cut the cloth: I folded it over into thirds, laid the pillow on top, and cut the edges so they fit around. Note the perfect straight lines ;)
This is just to show that it will, indeed fit. I am creating a pillow-sham type covering, with overlapping fabric in the back instead of zippers or buttons--which are beyond my ability at such an early hour. 
Sewing. I used a total of 4 pins to hold the overlap together. I really really hate pinning even if it does make things easier. Note the entirely spotless work area...not! I'm working on keeping the table cleared off, but for now it's my only work area.
Here is the cover, half on, the other half comes around and will overlap it a bit.
Ta da! all on, and it fits just perfectly! The other is just the same (I had 2 pillows, but only took pictures of the first one.) Here it is, on the couch. I must say it looks much better. I will, eventually, put some embroidery on it, but for now I need to finish unpacking the house, and finish up crocheting a baby blanket for a very pregnant friend.
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