You may have noticed a trend in the past 10 years.  It seems that anything your granny did is now becoming cool.  It started with the knitting craze and then crocheting and now we are seeing needlepoint all over the place.  I am not one to be above trends.  In fact, at the beginning of the year I made a very motivated trip to Hobby Lobby and got all the supplies that one would need to pose as a true needlepoint-er.  Sadly, that bag is currently under my bed as we speak.  I had good intentions…plus I figured, “why should I do all of this extra work when there is an abundance of  perfectly good (better) needlework to be found at estate sales, vintage shops, Goodwill, or on the internet”.  With the rediscovery of this art, we have noticed a bit of an increase in re-upholstery projects involving needlepoint.  I really like this idea.

When I used to think of needle point and upholstery, the image of a formal chair with mauve roses came to mind.  Similar to this…

Not that there is anything wrong with this but, I have since realized that there is a way to have a little more fun with needlework.  Picture back chairs are the perfect vehicle to frame a funky retro wall hanging or even to use to make unique pillows.  I am sure that there are endless ways to re-use vintage needlework but for now, check out some of these fun finds.

I hope that you are inspired to search for fun needlework.  Beware…it can be quite addicting!

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We are so pleased to toot our horn about being included in the current issue of Austin Monthly Magazine! We are listed as number 5 in the article, “112 Fun Things to Do in the Summer.” HOT DOG! Awesome sauce! We hope you’ll include us in your to-do list for summer and take a class, by golly!

 

In other news,  we were recently asked to participate in a grassroots campaign featuring local craftspeople, artisans, and business owners by our neighbors – tech/media software development gurus Red Method. Sprucettes and our class-goers were featured in a video to promote hand-made, American-made efforts. You can check out the video below:

Isn’t that special?!! You can see more footage of Austin locals by visiting the Red Method site here. Great mission from those folks: they are using current technology via apps to urge and enable us to buy local, create domestically, and pay it forward to ourselves and our neighbors. Great job Red Method! Thanks for thinking of us here at Spruce! We’re pleased to be included. Here’s a pic from the event…

That’s that for now. Come on by the shop and reupholster local! We appreciate your support always.

 

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Have you ever heard of a Canadian tuxedo?…No?  Well neither had I until Meredith enlightened me.  For those of you who are uninformed, a Canadian tuxedo is when one wears denim on denim or a “denim sandwich”.  Typically these are known as a fashion faux paus but Clar has been known to rock this ensemble from time to time.  She too was unaware of its clever name.  Luckily, Clar is just so adorable that she can make denim on denim cool.  Take a look at our photoshoot from this past Wednesday.

I don’t know about you guys, but I am about to start breaking out my denim!

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It’s time for another installment of BYOC recap!  After a brief hiatus from classes, Clar and I were happy to welcome a new group of eager upholstery enthusiasts into our class room.  We had a variety of styles of chairs to work with and they all turned out beautifully.  Take a look at the before and after….and everything in between.

If you would like to participate in the fun you see, check out the different classes we offer.  I promise you’ll have fun!

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Recently many of our showroom pieces have found new homes.  With so many spaces to fill in our shop we have been busy cranking out some new retail.  I personally really enjoy working on retail pieces.  I think it may have something to do with the stretch of time we spend with it.  Typically we acquire a piece of furniture in some manor.  Its condition is usually unfortunate.  It usually hops in the queue (which is in one of our two sheds) with all the other pieces waiting to be picked for a makeover.  When its number is finally called we get to use our creativity by picking fun and unexpected fabric choices.  Eventually our creation makes its way to the showroom.  When the day finally comes its rightful owner takes it home it’s like sending your kid off to college (okay…probably not but you get where I’m going with this, right?)  Take a look at some of our new creations.

Before…

After!

I love this fabric…and so does everyone else at the shop.  As a matter of fact, Clar just had a chair of hers upholstered with this stripe and Meredith and I have plans for using it in our homes too.  The frame of the settee is great also.  It has a slight mid century feel yet is still current.  It is  a flexible piece that  can be incorporated easily into many interiors.

You may have noticed the electric pillows that are perched on this settee.  A photo cannot do this fabric justice.  This nontraditional floral is by Isaac Mizrahi (super chintz- citrus).  These pillows can add a punch to any sofa.  I have plans to use this fabric on a lampshade!

Before…

After!

We picked up these Parsons-style slipper chairs from our dear neighbors at Corner Collectors Market.  These chairs went from frumpy to vibrant.  We chose a cotton blend velvet in Cobalt by Fabricut.  To say that these chairs are comfy would be an understatement.  If you would like to meet this pair in person you can find them at Mercury in downtown Austin.

Before…

After!

You may have seen this ottoman before.  It made its debut on Amanda’s monthly Design Sponge post.  It once was a boring coffee table but now is a standout piece.  The fabric is by Lulu DK (chant reverse- royal).

Lastly, we have a new pair of lamps with custom shades.  The classic shape and neutral color affords endless scenarios for these lamps.

Amongst all of these wonderful additions, we also have some new wood pieces by a local craftsman as well as some lampshades made with custom fabric on the way.

Help find our babies a new home and come by the shop. OR check us out on Etsy!

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