Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!

I got up this morning and vigorously and enthusiastically attacked "my list".

1. Transcribe hospital account.


2. Transcribe clinic account.


3. Paint picnic table parts.


4. Cover chair for Michael.


5. Hang dining room curtains.


6. Replace living room curtains.


7. Hang living room blinds.


8. Cut slip preventing pads for under downstairs rugs.

As usual, my optimistic outlook for the day far exceeded the reality. I got the transcribing done. And I blitzed right past that #3 by declaring it to be "too hot" outside in the sun. Yes. I am a wuss. Moving on, I tackled the chair project. I have picture of this chair "before" I got the bright idea to fix it.

I had taken it apart.

















Then, in keeping with my optimistic "bite off more than I can chew/do" attitude, it sat in pieces on the fireplace for eight months a long, long time. Today was the day I was determined it would get reborn. Of course, I was determined to do a lot of other stuff today too. Yes, well...

First, I used highly sophisticated materials to repair all weak spots and splits in the aged Hide of the Nauga (one of my dear Dad's expressions, meaning 'cheap plastic').















Don't laugh. There is a special place in Heaven for the inventors of both duct tape and WD40. I can't live without either one of them!

I covered the repaired seat with two layers of lo-loft quilt batting which I had handy and no longer use.

I covered that with a layer of cotton canvas material and covered THAT with the actual navy plaid I had chosen for the chair. I screwed the seat onto the frame with Michael's assistance. Note to self: #9. Work out more, need more muscles!

That went well, so I continued. Similar techniques were used to cover the seat back. And then the board covering the seat back was covered and screwed into the seat back and the seat back was mounted on the chair frame.



















The final hurtle was the arm rests. They came off easily, were hard plastic, and were basically not very cooperative. I finally wrapped the materal around them, duct taped it temporarily, stitched the top and bottom of the tubes that were formed, cut holes in them where screws needed to go, slapped them on the arms, and screwed them into place.

After more sophisticated upholstering techniques were utilized, they were placed on the chair frame.














Upon testing the seat, I discovered I could quite easily fall forward on my nose, but not lean back. One of my favorite things about that chair was the ability to lean back in it and stick my feet up on the table....ahem. I quickly unscrewed the base and rotated it 180 degrees, reattached it (all by myself this time!) and voila! A working chair ready for the ultimate test:

Mr. B and Max the WonderDog gave it the thumbs-up! Or maybe Mr. B liked the chair and Max liked having his head scratched....... Later, Max attempted to look willing to help me clean up the disaster that was left behind.



















I took one more picture to record this for posterity, because normally my "projects" don't:

1. become FOs (finished objects, as opposed to UFOs).


2. work out this well!

I'm on a roll, baby. I'm eyeing the dining room curtains next!