What's new in Cubicle 67?

I didn't get round to making much yesterday, but I had the itch..so I quickly and easily, thanks to my new friend 'Modge Podge' covered a piece of plywood with some polkadot paper to use as a trivit or hot pad in the kitchen..it looks very cute and cost less than $2 to make...our appartment is a beige shade of mushroom so I'm trying to brighten it up with some colour!

An ongoing project I am working on is refurbing my new chair.  A $25 thrift store bargain.  A USA made Lane reclining, leather, wingbacked chair.  I have no intention of covering the whole thing with a slipcover as the leather is good everywhere save the arms.  I also like Navy blue and the whole thing sort of fits our nautical, old world ideas on decor...if only I had a gas lamp and a singing fish!  So the plan is to make arm covers in a contrasting fabric and colour (as the chair is very navy)!  I've had an incling to cover the seat pad and the head rest too (for fun). So I'm on the look out for some fabric that will suit.  In the meantime I've patched up the tear in the right arm and patched up the left arm too where the elbows of a giant have been resting.  This was an interesting experience.  I bought  a small bag of leather cut offs, luckily I found some in a similar shade of blue to the chair. It was bundled in with some black and grey patches too.  I bought some 'leather cement', coming from a town that is famous for making the Queens riding sadles, I wasn't sure if this leather cement would do the trick, my mother suggested sewing on the patches with a curved leather needle for aesthetics.  The cement seems to be working, however I'm a little irritated with the patches and the severity of the dark chair in such a small living space, so I intend to cover it with fun!  Part of that involves turning my 'Kate and Will' tea towel into and cushion (couldn't bear to use it as a tea towel).  The chair is very comfortable, doesn't rock, a common feature in US living room chairs, and will hold the weight of a larger more stately person than I.  I love how 'British' it all looks!  The thrift store we found it at was very reasonable, clean and I'm so glad I've found one that doesn't make my stomach curl!  I intend to go back and find the rest of the furniture we need, in the meantime we are using cardboard boxes, our lovely inherited dining table chairs and the floor.

After about a month of sitting on the floor I am quite happy to have a chair to patch up!!  It truly is the Mr. Darcy of chairs.  I'm sure if we have any of our Sea Captain friends visit they'll feel right at home!