Mancraft Monday: Decorative Pillows?

If there's one thing the dude hates, it's decorative pillows. When we visit my parents, we always have to take six or so pillows off the bed, just to get to the sleeping surface. It drives him nuts. So if your dude is like my dude, this is not going to be a craft for your man. But if your man can accept the decorative pillow, might I suggest a way to make them masculine might be to focus on geography. Men love that shit.{You know I'm joking.} I chose the latitude and longitude of Wells, Maine, which is where my family vacations. Unfortunately, I basically took a picture of the transfer. (Sorry)

I used Avery fabric transfer paper and ran it through my computer. (Did you know that if you wanted to make a mirror image of your text, you do that in the printer, not the computer?) {In some programs, I'm sure, ymmv.} Then I took about nine million times longer to press it than they said was required even though I was pressing with my considerable weight on a stone countertop. Then it's just my normal pillow routine, which I have discussed here.

I chose linen fabric for its beachiness. Without further ado.

Yeah, does not photograph well. I'll try again...

Finish: Tuck Pillow

I made this little squirrel in a class with the Bent Creek sisters before I left Los Angeles in 2005. Not right before...I have no idea how long before. Oh, yes I do: 3/15/01.

I totally cheated here, and used a premade tuck pillow. (Yes, for the past fourteen years this little squirrel has lived thisclose to a tuck pillow. It could have been inside the tuck pillow and living large in the smalls basket. But no...) (Okay, I don't know when or where I acquired the tuck pillow, but I'm pretty sure it was on sale.)

If you are ambitious (or want to match your stitched piece perfectly by selecting your own fabric) you can make your own tuck pillow:

• Debra at All About ME offers PDF instructions on making a square, rectangle, and diamond shape tuck pillows. (And, frankly, the squirrel and I would both be happier with a rectangular tuck pillow.)
• Focus on Finishing has been moribund for a while, but you can still get Anne's instructions on making a tuck pillow.
• Cyberstitchers can help you here too.
• And if you want to be inspired, Karen has made 156 of them!