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At The Picket Fence with Vanessa Hunt

Where Ideas for your Home Meet Inspiration for your Heart

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October 3, 2011

No-Sew Owl Pillow

“Hoo” doesn’t love a no-sew project?

No-Sew Owl Pillow from atthepicketfence.com

As soon as I saw the owl pillows created by Cassity from Remodelaholic, I knew I wanted to make some for my kiddos! You can head over and see Cassity’s adorable owls here: Fun Fall Owl Pillow

But, I decided that I would try and create a “no-sew” version for all of you who don’t own sewing machines. Or are like me and just don’t want to drag your machine out of a closet and set it all up and then have 2 little “helpers” asking if they can push the pedal and then yell at said “helpers” for not understanding that you are trying to make something fun for them and can’t they just leave you alone while you do it!Not that any of you would do that.
I used scrap fabric for the base of the pillow and picked up these colorful swatches from the Craft Store for $1 each. You will also need black, white and orange felt squares.
I loved the idea of getting to customize the Owl Pillows to the color palette for each of my kids.

Here are the fabrics I selected for my son’s pillow.

And here are the ones for my daughter.

After very carefully studying Cassity’s version and printing out a picture of her owl pillow, I realized at some point that I was going to have to free-hand trace the outline of the owl. Those who know me well, know that I am no artist (as in no one wants me on their Pictionary team) so this was a bit anxiety inducing. But, I figured since it was for kids’ rooms it didn’t need to be perfect. In fact, the more free-form the more fun, huh?

After cutting out the owl outline, I turned my attention to piecing together the patterned fabrics to create each owl’s own unique personality.

I traced out pieces for ears, a little piece for a tuft of hair above the ears and then the body pieces. You truly can just do whatever looks good and suits your fancy at this point. Using pinking shears, I cut out each piece and laid them out on top of the owl accordingly.

Now, I have a confession to make here. I have never actually done a “no-sew” project, so this was a whole new experience for me. Most of my projects involve dragging my machine out so I had no idea there were so many handy ways to avoid having to do that!

Enter Liquid Stitch.

The rest is easy! It is exactly like making any other pillow except no machine involved!

On the wrong side of your owl pillow cutout, simply run this glue along the rim and then place the other piece (wrong side as well) on top. Let it set for a little while before turning it inside out. You will be able to tell when it is dry.
Then begin attaching the rest of your fabric pieces to build your owl.

I traced some kitchen glasses to cut out the circles for the eyes and cut out a diamond for the beak.
We stuffed ’em right up and I did end up doing a quick whip stitch to close the bottom, although you could get away with using the glue there as well.
Here is my son’s completed Owl Pillow gracing his bed. His ears are a little wonky and lopsided but we think it gives him character!

And my daughter’s owl is sitting ever so proudly on her window seat.
I love that it looks Fall-ish but in a less obvious way.

Our owls briefly escaped in an attempt to return to their natural habitat but we quickly caught them and brought them back inside where they are receiving lots of love from their new owners!

I’m really glad my neighbors didn’t catch me outside taking this photo.

Not sure how I could explain that one!
Thanks so much for joining me at the Fence today,

45 Comments Filed Under: Crafts, Good Ideas, Tutorials Tagged With: fall crafts, no-sew, no-sew pillow

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Comments

  1. Kim @ Savvy Southern Style says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:35 PM

    I love them. You did agreat job drawing out the shape and you say you aren’t an artist! Love it and the fabrics you chose are wonderful. Thanks in advance for joining my party!

    Reply
  2. Mary @ Redo 101 says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:41 PM

    Love love love!!! Love the fabrics you chose, your owls have the most wonderful personalities – I can’t exactly blame them for wanting to get back to the habitat, but glad they were willing to come back in and live with y’all. I especially love that second batch of fabric – what Craft Store? I just feel sorta like I *need* some of the fabric 😉

    Hugs,
    Mary @ Redo 101

    Reply
  3. Debbiedoo's blogging and blabbing says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:42 PM

    Oh my gosh, that is too stinkin cute. I am really into Owls this season and these are super. You did a great job, love the fabric choice too!

    Reply
  4. debbie~refreshrestyle.com says

    October 3, 2011 at 2:43 PM

    They are so cute! I bought some of that liquid stitch but have not used it! I do sew, but I don’t really like to, and this is a great alternative! I love your fabric choices too!
    Debbie (Oh and I know what you mean about the neighbors-LOL)

    Reply
  5. Tina says

    October 3, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    You did a wonderful job! They are just too cute! I especially love Rascal #2.

    Reply
  6. ℳartina @ Northern Nesting says

    October 3, 2011 at 3:39 PM

    OMG Vanessa those are so stinkin cute, I love them!! Love the fabric choices too. I bet the kiddos loved them. Great job, Martina

    Reply
  7. Ange says

    October 3, 2011 at 4:22 PM

    I love me some owls, these are soooo cute! I might even make a few…100 of them. 😉 Thanks for inspiring me!

    Reply
  8. Marianne says

    October 3, 2011 at 4:35 PM

    These are just too cute…and no sewing involved….WOW! My kids would love these. And the fabrics are just perfect!
    Maraianne 🙂

    Reply
  9. Judy says

    October 3, 2011 at 5:19 PM

    Those are so cute and I love that you made them with fabric glue rather than sewing them. I have a thing for owls right now and these are just adorable with a capital A. I had to laugh when I read what you said about your neighbors seeing you photographing the owls outside. I often feel that way when I photo one of my projects.

    Reply
  10. Myric says

    October 3, 2011 at 6:45 PM

    These are very nice! Thanks for sharing 🙂

    Reply
  11. Savvy Seasons says

    October 3, 2011 at 7:49 PM

    Vanessa, what an adorable idea! I adore Owl’s, and I love the material you picked out….too cute! XO ~Liz

    Reply
  12. Pam - diy Design Fanatic says

    October 3, 2011 at 9:50 PM

    Your owls are so cute! The fabric is fabulous! I haven’t ever been any good with the no sew stuff, so I just use a sewing machine! Great project!

    Reply
  13. Cozy Home Scenes says

    October 3, 2011 at 3:23 PM

    So, so, so cute! I love the fabrics you used, and those big eyes are adorable. I’m sure both owls will be very well loved!

    Reply
  14. Robin says

    October 3, 2011 at 10:45 PM

    Adorable. My daughter is CRAZY about owls. When she happend to walk by while I was reading your post she squealed and practical pushed me off my chair in order to read your post. To say the least, she’s smitten. Looks like I’ll be making a few owls of my own soon. Thanks!

    Reply
  15. Debra @ Common Ground says

    October 3, 2011 at 11:08 PM

    good grief, these are so adorable!!! and speaking of neighbors, I’m know mine are sure I’ve lost my marbles frequently! Love these cute critters, xo Debra

    Reply
  16. Kelly says

    October 3, 2011 at 11:22 PM

    Those are the CUTEST! I love little owl pillows for kids. They’re very popular right now. This project is my kind of project too. I don’t own a sewing machine, so fabric glue is the next best thing.

    Reply
  17. andrea says

    October 3, 2011 at 11:50 PM

    I don’t sew either, so these are right up my alley…homespun, wholesome, and super duper cute! andrea@townandprairie

    Reply
  18. Red Rose Alley says

    October 4, 2011 at 12:11 AM

    Hello,
    I visited your blog today – I saw you on ‘Savvy Seasons ny Liz.’ Your blog is so pretty, colorful, and charming. I love the owl pillows. They are darling. They remind me of my daughter who is working on her Ph.D. right now. Me and my daughters started a new blog, and we would love it if you could visit us and follow. I would enjoy coming back to visit with you and seeing all your wonderful ideas. I hope to hear from you, and have a lovely week.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

    Reply
  19. Elaine @ Sunny Simple Life says

    October 4, 2011 at 12:42 AM

    Sadly I can’t sew so this is great. My daughter is huge into owls.

    Reply
  20. Tardevil says

    October 4, 2011 at 1:20 AM

    They are the cutest things ever, especially the one on the left!

    Reply
  21. Betsy (BB) says

    October 4, 2011 at 1:43 AM

    These are precious! You are a great artist! I love the fabric you choose! These are perfect for me! I am not a good at sewing!

    Reply
  22. Dayle says

    October 4, 2011 at 2:10 AM

    L-O-V-E!

    Reply
  23. jandjhome says

    October 4, 2011 at 2:27 AM

    So cute. I absolutely love them.

    Reply
  24. Courtney ~ French Country Cottage says

    October 3, 2011 at 7:29 PM

    These are super cute Vanessa!! What little charmers! I love them in the tree too. Great job!

    Reply
  25. NanaDiana says

    October 4, 2011 at 3:57 AM

    Those are just plain old stinking cute! Great job! xo Diana

    Reply
  26. Sue says

    October 4, 2011 at 4:06 AM

    What adorable owls! I never knew such a thing as liquid stitch existed~awesome!

    Reply
  27. Becca says

    October 4, 2011 at 10:18 AM

    These are absolutely adorable, fun, creative and original, Vanessa! Great job, friend (and, hate to break it to you, but you ARE an *artiste*!) I’d love to try this, but I’m afraid of what it’d look like! LOL. And, I sooo wish I was your neighbor to have seen you placing your cute owls in the tree for a photo op … the things we do in the name of blogging, right?

    Reply
  28. Confessions of a Plate Addict says

    October 4, 2011 at 10:50 AM

    Cute owls! Great idea for fall! Happy week!…hugs…Debbie

    Reply
  29. Shannon says

    October 4, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    Wonderful idea! I am having a fall party this Sunday afternoon for several families…maybe I should have this ready to put together for each family to do together! Hmmmm…sorry have to go…fabric store is calling!

    Reply
  30. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    October 4, 2011 at 1:53 PM

    I bet making that owl was a HOO-t. Hoho!!

    I love how it turned out. How cute are those eyes?!!

    Sarahx

    Reply
  31. Lakeshore Cottage Living says

    October 4, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    Hooty hoo, Hooty hoo. Ok…laughed OUT LOUD when you made the comment about your neighbors seeing you…that is so funny. My neighbor caught me last night taking pics of my bench swing and gave me a look…so funny! I guess they thought I was taking pics of my dog??? ok…anyway, this is such a darling project! so fun!! I am so happy that I have met someone who doesn’t sew and it doesn’t slow them down…you inspire me!

    Reply
  32. Kim @ Cheap Chic Home says

    October 4, 2011 at 10:02 PM

    How cute, Vanessa! I really like the fabric you found, it makes your owls “come to life!”

    Reply
  33. michelle says

    October 5, 2011 at 12:46 AM

    These are absolutely adorable!!!! I love them alot!! i have never done a no sew project and this may be the one I try first!!
    Love the fabric you chose!
    xoxox

    Reply
  34. michele says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:21 AM

    omg that fabric is incredible, and the owls are irresistible!

    hope you’ll enter my giveaway:

    https://hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com/2011/10/more-stencil-splendor-giveaway.html

    michele

    Reply
  35. Wunkie's Mommy says

    October 5, 2011 at 1:59 AM

    GAH! I HAVE TO DO THISSSS! SOOOOO CUTE!!

    Reply
  36. Sarah @ Modern Country Style says

    October 5, 2011 at 7:01 PM

    Just as cute on the second viewing!!

    Sarahxxxx

    Reply
  37. Linda @ A La Carte says

    October 6, 2011 at 9:39 PM

    These are so darn cute and I love that each one has it’s own personality!

    Reply
  38. Jann Olson says

    October 6, 2011 at 10:49 PM

    They are the cutest! I do quite a bit of sewing, but have never heard of this stich stuff. Fabulous! I expecially love the white one. Bet your rascals love them!

    Reply
  39. La says

    October 7, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    These are adorable. I WANT ONE!

    Be sure to stop by and check out my giveaway.

    Reply
  40. abeachcottage says

    October 9, 2011 at 1:02 AM

    Your owl pillows are so adorable! and you did them without sewing 🙂 Great job!

    Reply
  41. The Tablescaper says

    October 9, 2011 at 9:59 PM

    Your owls are so much fun! It would be great to have you join me at Seasonal Sundays.

    – The Tablescaper

    Reply
  42. Lakshmielectro says

    June 8, 2012 at 8:46 AM

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    Reply
  43. WhisperWood Cottage says

    July 17, 2012 at 12:06 AM

    Great fall fabric project! Thanks for linking up to The Talent Scouting Party at WhisperWood Cottage!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 12 Fall Owl Crafts Ideas and Tutorials - Uncommon Designs... says:
    September 21, 2013 at 5:52 AM

    […] Finally,  the girls from At the Picket Fence,  have made these sweet owl pillows. […]

    Reply
  2. Owl Pillows | Love DIY says:
    May 13, 2014 at 4:03 AM

    […] Via atthepicketfence.com […]

    Reply

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“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10
This is one of my most favorite projects from my b This is one of my most favorite projects from my book Life in Season! 

Because, if heaven has a fragrance, I’m fairly certain it smells like lilacs.

I think that somewhere along the way the verse in the Bible that said, ‘heaven will smell like lilacs’ just got lost in translation. But it HAD to have been in there at some point, right?

When I bury my head in the blossoms (which I absolutely MUST do every single time I walk past them), I immediately feel a stirring in my soul.

It seems like I wait forever for my lilac tree to bloom. Every year I anxiously watch as the buds begin to form on the branches and then when the blossoms finally burst forth I begin that agonizing process of deciding the absolute perfect moment to snip them and bring them inside.

And then, after all of that waiting and watching it’s just over…done. Because, unlike heaven, lilacs don’t last for an eternity. So, making my own lilac room spray seemed like the perfect way to enjoy their fragrance long after the blossoms have faded.

Here’s how to make it! Ingredients: Water, Vodka, Lilac fragrance oil. Directions: Fill spray bottle with 50/50 ratio of water to vodka. Add 12 drops of lilac oil. Give it a shake, spray and if the scent isn’t strong enough, simply add a few more drops of lilac oil.

Once you’ve made this lilac scented room spray you will be very tempted to spray it in every room in your house. And someone may want to use it in the bathroom to cover up other less…ummmm….pleasing aromas.

But, do not, I repeat do NOT, let them.

You’ve captured the fragrance of heaven in a bottle and you wouldn’t want to go and tarnish it now would you? 😉
We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most We had two back to back days of sunshine (the most we’ve had in a LONG time) and now we are back to pouring rain. This has officially confirmed what I’ve know to be true for awhile now.

I’m a MUCH better version of myself when the sun is shining! 🤪 So I’ll just be over here today plotting and planning how my husband and I can be snowbirds someday when the kids are out of the house.

If you could spend your winters (and apparently most of spring too!) in any part of the country, where would it be?
Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of Happy weekend sweet friends!! We’ve had a LOT of rain lately (which is saying something when you live in Oregon) and I’ll admit that it’s affecting my moods a bit. I feel like I’m dragging and struggling to find the energy to get stuff done. So don’t mind me if I’m over here looking at photos of my garden in the summertime and finding that it keeps me hopeful about those days to come. They will come, right?! 🤪. 

What are your favorite plants that you look forward to seeing in the summer?
We’re going to be giving our laundry room a make We’re going to be giving our laundry room a makeover soon. It’s LONG overdue! In fact, the folks from the counter company were just here taking measurements. While we have made some simple, inexpensive updates over the years, it still has many of the original elements from when the house was built in 1992.

Two of our bathrooms are also in need of major makeovers. And we’ve saved up enough money over the years to tackle those projects. But, for the most part, we made the decision to use the bulk of that money in another way. While we knew that it was financially wise to invest in our house, we also knew that the greatest investment we could make was in our children. 

I’ll admit, there are times where I see other people doing massive overhauls of their entire home in a matter of months and I feel a prick of envy. But, we decided that if our choice was between waiting a bit longer to enjoy a renovated bathroom or going on adventures as a family, we would choose adventures every time. And we don’t regret that decision for a single second. It’s not that we haven’t tackled home projects (we’ve done a lot!). It’s just that it’s been a slow and steady process. 

Most recently, we let our son pick where we would travel for spring break since this is his senior year of high school and we are trying to make up for lost time. With so much of life ‘paused’ for two years, we have appreciated these moments more than ever. And, since he’ll be heading to college in the fall, we are very aware of how important it is to spend this time together while we still have a modicum of control over everyone’s schedules.

We have many years left to remodel our home but only so much time left to make memories with our children.

And, while I’m always happy to look around my home and see rooms that are updated and more reflecting of our style, it doesn’t compare to the joy I feel when I look around my home and see the people I love the most who have been shaped by the many adventures we’ve experienced together.
Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and h Happy Saturday!! After endless days of rain (and hail and snow) we are finally getting some sunshine and warmer temperatures. I’ll be honest, it’s really affected my spirits having one gloomy day after the next. So this is a much needed reprieve. Our cherry trees are showing off outside my kitchen window and we plan to get outside and make the most of these days while we have them.

What’s the weather like where you are?
“The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and “The devil, darkness, and death may swagger and boast, the pangs of life will sting for a while longer, but don’t worry; the forces of evil are breathing their last. Not to worry…HE’S RISEN!” (Charles R. Swindoll).

Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Who has believed our message? And to whom has the Who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?

For he grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of parched ground; he has no stately form or majesty that we should look upon him, nor appearance that we should be attracted to him.

He was despised and forsaken of men, a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and like one from whom men hide their face, he was despised, and we did not esteem him. Surely our griefs he himself bore, and our sorrows he carried; yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 

But he was pierced through for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being fell upon him, and by his scourging we are healed.

All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; but the Lord has caused the iniquity of us all to fall on him. (Isaiah 53)
I try to always remember to put a water bottle in I try to always remember to put a water bottle in my car before I go to pick up my daughter from school. She didn't ask me to do this, but a few months ago I began to notice that she was often thirsty when she would get in the car. Her water bottle filled up at the beginning of the day was empty by the time school got out and she would ask if she could have some water from my hydroflask. So I make sure to have one waiting for her. It's just a simple thing, really. But, I want her to know that I'm paying attention, that I see her.

Isn't it amazing how small gestures can make us feel less invisible? Knowing that someone is thinking of us and takes the time to meet a need that we might not have even realized we had? These little acts can have big impacts. What is something that someone has done for you recently that made you feel valued and seen?

What have you done for someone else to remind them that you are paying attention to their needs?

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
― Charles Dickens
“The next day the large crowd that had come to t “The next day the large crowd that had come to the feast heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem. So they took branches of palm trees and went out to meet him, crying out, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, even the King of Israel!’ – John 12:9-19
#palmsunday
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