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Today I’m going to give you a lesson on being open to taking things in a different direction when you have to. ’Cause I’m all about giving life lessons and making the world a happier place with rainbows and kittens and skin tags that magically disappear with the wink of an eye.
I went to The Dollar Store in search of rag rugs the other day. I wanted to make a specific craft out of some rag rugs. But alas … the rag rugs were no more. No more rag rugs at The Dollar Store. So I continued to wander the aisles looking for baskets I could use for handing out eggs to people. No trip to The Dollar Store should ever be wasted. And no one should ever be wasted while at The Dollar Store. See? Yet another life lesson for you. No extra charge.
As I meandered up and down the aisles of the happiest place on earth, I stopped dead in my tracks. My jaw went slack, drool dripped down my chin and I started to hear Gregorian Chants. Once I realized I was the one singing the Gregorian Chants I wasn’t so freaked out and I snapped back to reality.
There in front of me were a cheap crafter’s dream item. I swear to you beams of sunshine were flowing out of them.
So … I changed direction. No more tears over the lost rag rug craft. I had fluffy orange pillows on my mind.
And here … is how I made them.
Car Wash Mitts!!!!! $2 each.
Remove from packaging.
Fold cuff back.
Cut cuff off by removing stitches with stitch ripper or scissors.
Lay 2 car wash mitts out.
Fill with whatever kind of stuffing you have on hand. Feathers, batting, dust bunnies etc.
Then … you either hand sew the two mitts together (which is what I would do) orrrrrr if you can’t’ sew, just attach them together with stick on velcro tape! You could also hot glue gun the 2 sides together.
Stick one section of the tape to the outside of one mitt, and to the inside of the other. Then carefully line them up and stick em together.
If you chose to use the velcro option keep in mind you’ll see a bit of the seams in the centre of the pillow. Plus … your pillow will be more decorative than functional ’cause it’ll be crunchy in the centre.
And there you have the Ta Da.
Yes. I’ve made pillows for my house out of car wash mitts. I’ve reached a new low. And with $4, some batting, a bit of thread and the willingness to change direction … you can too.
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Cassie
I don’t know what the meshy side feels like, but I might want to buy 4 and connect them all. Seems possible after what you did. VERY cool retro neck pillow!
Karen
Cassie – LOL. They only had 2 left at the store! Also, … I was trying to make this as easy as possible. Something you could literally do in 2 minutes flat. Many of my followers aren’t much for sewing.
So the least amount of cutting, stitching, etc. possible … the better. I *just* finished ripping the velcro off my pillow and hand sewing it up actually. It’s shoved under my neck as we speak! ~ karen OH! And the underside feels fine. Looks kindda gross, but it feels fine when you touch it. You never see the underside anyway.
Cassie
Let’s face it.. an $8 neck pillow isn’t nearly as impressive anyway.
gloria
The dollar store where I shop has them in an eye-popping lime green too. Every time I pass them I get that same beams of sunshine radiating out of them business that you did. And I say to myself, now what could I make out of those beauties? I’m thinking something along the lines of a sea monster puppet, house slippers, or a funky purse. But a pillow in lime green works for me too.
sara
you could wear them on your feet in the kitchen to clean the floor as you exercise! I’m off to try and buy some!. Great blog.. you got my vote!
Karen
Thanks Sara! ~ karen
Marti
My mother gave me a “household duster” (I think it’s supposed to clean miniblinds?)which I use to powder my lady parts and all over. I’m guessing I’d need to get some new fluffy mitts to make pillows.
Particularly funny today, btw. Well done!
Karen
Really? Thank you. I’ll have to go re-read what I wrote. Did you vote? I hope you voted. I had 30,000 views of my site yesterday yet only 200 or so people voted. What’s a girl gotta do to get votes?? I may look into doing a DIY tutorial on how to print your own money. That oughtta get a few votes outta people, LOL. ~ k
Marti
I was “Vote #31,” as I recall. Can I vote again? How often can I vote? Can I vote daily? Please-please?
If I had 30,000 views of my site yesterday, I might be less concerned about a coupla votes, btw… !!
Laura
What!!?! $2 mitts at the Dollar Store? What’s happening?
Karen
I know. Communism for sure. ~ karen
sofia
Voted. For you. Cuz you’re feisty and adorable and smart.
Karen
Thank you. And right back atcha.
~ karen
Emily P
genious! well done
Gigi
Another use for the car mitts? Make Hedgehogs of course. http://darlingpetunia.blogspot.com/2009/05/introducing-eftim-and-eamon.html So stinking cute.
Emily P
i did a similar thing this weekend. I had an existing neck pillow and made another casing for it, using sew-on velcro. Now I have 2 pillows for the price of 1 !!!
Gayla T
Have you ever noticed that if you put a $2 pillow on a $3000 sofa in front of a $2000 mirror it looks at least like a $5 pillow. LOL It really is cute and you really are cleaver to come up with it. However, I like the bronze satin one better. Now, I’m going to go vote for the chicken lady.
Gayla T
Sorry, you are not a cleaver or any other kind of cutting tool. I have a headache, what can I say?
What you really are is clever and I’m going to vote for the clever chicken lady.
Karen
Gayla – The bronze satin pillow is actually a bronze leather pillow! And for your information … the mirror cost the same as the pillow! Got it at a garage sale!
~ karen
marebare
Number 276 – BAM!
Angela
Vited! I used my nickname of Cowlady in case you are wondering!
my honest answer
Karen, in the final picture, what is half way down your curtain? Is it some kind of decorative cling-on spider? If I saw this on any other blog, I’d think it was a trick of the light. But since it’s you, I really think it could be a decorative spider.
Karen
Hi my honest answer. – LOL. Yup! It’s a magnetic, decorative, rhinestone spider.
My sister got it for me for my birthday. Yep. ~ karen!
my honest answer
That is AMAZING. This is why I read your blog. $4 pillows, and decorative spiders.
Laura Bee
Voter 44 here. Love it! I think I cleared out enough stuck dust bunnies from my vacuum last night to fill one of those. Now it sucks instead of sucks!
Eshtadiva
My vote was 288…lol thanks for all your tips…
Karen
Eshtadiva – LOL. Thank you. I think it’s funny people are putting “vote #” now. ~ karen
Mrs.W
I voted!!!
Maddy
Sorry, what did you say? I couldn’t hear you over all that “how freaking awesome is your mirror!” going on in my head.
Karen
Maddy – $4, garage sale! Seriously. I know!
~ karen (couldda been $5. Not sure)
Barbara
I was on the voting site yesterday (one of the hits I suppose) but could not figure out How To Vote!
Your instruction to register is helpful. Then you have to go to Homepage, scroll down through several homes/apartments and THEN you find the voting page—I was number 299! Good luck!
Lynne Knowlton
You are hilare ! Love it. Off to see if I can vote *again*. Is double voting against the voting laws? If so, off to break some laws. Come bail me out of jail, and bring margarita’s.
Deborah Flanagan
OMG how clever! And I LOVE orange. I’m a new reader to your blog and enjoy it a lot.
XXOO
Deborah
Karen
Thanks Deborah! Glad you found my blog. Now all you need is to find a car wash mitt.
~ karen
pve
I can’t wait to see what you create when you win the award.
I will say, I knew her when she was making pillows from car wash mitts.
pve
Thera
I was vote # 310, you’re in second by 3 votes as of Tuesday morn at 8:10 EST
Kristin
Voted for you, you are only 1 behind. I’ll send out an email to all my peeps to vote!
DonnaBoo
Love this idea!
BTW: I voted! You are 1 vote behind, so remind everyone to VOTE!
Brian
I was vote 320!
Barbie
Voted!
Your at the top of the list but closely followed by Bower Power……
Hey, if you got 30k views yesterday…I think that says it all! You already won!
Mia
You are in the lead!! Of course I voted for you…cuz you are brillant! And you make me smile, everyday! Thanks for that and all the great ideas!! Mia.
.
Karen
Thank you Mia! ~ karen
Debbie Neal
Love this! I clicked on your site(at the top with the most votes) but can’t tell if mine was counted. All we need to do is click on your name, right?
Karen
Hi Debbie – No, you need to click on the word “vote”. If you haven’t registered you need to do that first. (all you’re doing is giving them your email … they’ll never start sending you emails and picking out a username). There should be a button, probably on the upper right of the screen where it says Login, or register. It’s hard for me to tell since I’m already registered.
Thanks! ~ karen
Susie
Yay I’m so excited – my vote put you only one behind the guy in front of you!! Good luck!
Susie
Marcia
What a way to add an accent of Tangerine Tango, the color of the year, to your home.
Elizabeth
Voted!
Roxanne Lucchesi
I voted for you. Alas, it seems you can only vote one time. Otherwise, I would have stayed up all night voting for you over and over again.
BTW: Love this Car Wash Mitt Neck Pillow idea. You have such great (re)vision. I’m thinking I could make something for my cats with them, too. Running out to the Dollar Store now …
Karen
Thanks Roxanne! Only one vote from one IP address allowed.
~ karen
Shauna
You see, that’s the trick isn’t it – one IP address allowed. So, use multiple computers and multiple registration names…but that would be cheating and you’re awesome enough to win without cheating. I voted today (once);)
p.s., just to share because you are a fellow chicken lady – my chicken Elsie died last night. She has been ill for 2 weeks and we’ve been trying to nurse her back to health. She went peacefully last night after spending the day in Grandma’s garden:(
Karen
Oh noooo. That’s awful. Poor little Elsie.
Better death than suffering though. Poor little girl. ~ karen
Patti
I voted!!!!!!!!!!
And that is very, very cool. I’m a little mad at the dollarstore right now, though. Teasing me with blackboard adhesive that is no longer… guess I need to be willing to change direction!
Inga
Love love love! Not even kidding you, I was looking for an orange pillow yesterday on my lunch break and no success. Not only does the colour of this pillow work perfectly, but it kinda looks sea-like, which is what I need for our beach inspired master!!
Deb
Checked out the BP site yesterday…it can’t hold a carwash mitt to AofDS. Come on people…VOTE…lets blow BP out of the water!!! No play on words intended…but while we are here lets just stuff it (the mitt)…how about dryer lint? It’s all about recycle, recycle, recycle.
Karen
Thanks Deb! ~ karen
Tina
I did my due diligence and checked out the other sites. I voted for the funniest, most irreverent, most creative site. I voted for theartofdoingstuff. Karen you are the best!
Perhaps if you bribed with more postings=more votes.
(I also voted from my work computer)sshhhh.
LeeAnne Bloye
Geez Karen, you just leave my mouth hanging open. I think I’ll get wasted and go to the dollar store now. Oh you said NOT to do that. Phooey.
Tess
Voted for you yesterday cuz I think you’re awesome. Good luck!
Karen
Thanks Tess! ~ karen
Clare
Now Karen, THIS right here is why I read your blog. Brilliant and crazy. Love it! Off to vote now.
BTW I just bought some cheap-as-chips brightly coloured rag rugs for my kids rooms from Amazon. This is a small hint, as I am dying to know what you were going to do with them.
brie
367! 30,000 views- people come on and support your daily source of funny!!!!!!
Kim
Love the pillows! Your blog is the first one I check out each day, Karen and your creativity is just the kick in the pants that my brain needs!
I voted yesterday. With all the useful ideas you throw our way it doesn’t seem fair that we can give back with only one vote. Oh well, one vote registered and a hundred more from the heart.
Karen
Debbie Neal
Vote # 390!
Finally figured it out!
Nancy
I am so glad that you have these little bursts of creativity when you see things Karen..This would feel so good on my bulging disc neck pain..I will get my fella and my son to vote also cause I have shared many of your posts with them..I think their favorite is “How To Open A Package Of Spaghetti”..Please..everyone checking in give her your vote..Think of all the great recipes, crafts and DIYs she has shared with us..Just think what it would look like to have 30,000 votes showing..Go Karen!!
marion
I voted! Have been following your blog now for quite a while and never wrote a comment – so now is the time to let you know: I really fancy you, I think you have the most funny and entertaining blog I know and I spend quite some time reading a lot of them. Sometimes I feel we could be sisters – in the summer I am always out doing some serious remodelling in the garden, have been thinking to get chickens for years(but havent had the courage to go ahead)and just many other things i totally agree you write about!
(just not the brussel sprouts – I love them!)
so keep up your spirits and I hope you win!
Greetings from a small village in the mountains of Austria!
Karen
Marion! Thank you.
A small village in the mountains of Austria! That sounds great. A good friend of mine comes from family in Stinatz. (I’m sure I’ve spelled that totally wrong). ~ karen
marion
you have spelled it perfectly right – and I just live about 50 km away from this place! North of Graz!
Karen
Oh you’re kidding! What a small world. Or … country.
~ karen
Ramona
I was voter #405. You need 28 more votes to get back into 1st place again!
Karen
Thanks Ramona! I mean #405. ~ karen
sera
Karen, I voted for you because you’re awesome and I read your blog nearly everyday, but I do want to point out that some of your content is less diy and more every day. There’s nothing wrong with that, but you aren’t currently and daily building a canoe out of toothpicks or re-tiling your kitchen floor (or even demanding that we re-tile your kitchen floor). I don’t know what all these other blogs do, and I’ve never even heard of that Bower Power before, but my vote makes 412.
love you!
Karen
Really? I’d say my site is very DIY. Not building canoes, no. But my entire site is based around encouraging people to do stuff and do it themselves. Be it make a pillow, make their own cheese, trim their cat’s claws, grow monarch butterflies, toilet train their animals or build a chicken coop. Maybe you’re just getting distracted by how scintillating my writing is.
Thanks for #412! ~ karen
Rebecca
413 here! People, go vote for Karen. She’s in second place and very close to the leader. Think of everything she’s given us. You owe it to her.
Jessica in WI
I am a registered voter for your blog and am currently wearing a sandwich sign to promote you because I enjoy your blog so much. No, no I am not but in my mind it is what I would do if I had the time. Too busy planning a car mit pillow…
Shannon
Ahhh, that is so awesome!! I’m going to make bed for my cat out of some car wash mitts (if my dollar store has them, that is.) I only recently found your blog but I’m so glad I did. So much cleverness in one place!
Karen
Well, Shannon – I’m glad you found my blog too! ~ karen
Angela, London.
Hiya Karen,
Just voted for you (424)but this was on the proviso that you share your planned rag rug project. I also have been eyeing up a rag rug, my project being to use it as a – rug. So you better share or I’ll, damn! already voted. Anyway were you going to cover a chair????
Karen
Angela – Secret. It is a secret to be revealed once I find some rag rugs. Thank you for voting. ~ karen!
Judy
Perfect and it’s the pantone colour of year-Tangerine Orange.
Paula
Voted #430! Gotta go, heading to the Dollar Store. Back soon.
Bonnie
I registered and voted for you, but it wasn’t easy. I was lost in the website for some time. I feared I would not find my way back out, but I kept clicking and looking and FINALLY I found the right page and voted for your blog. Whew! I need a glass of wine or two. Who knew that I should have left breadcrumbs.
Karen
LOL, thank you Bonnie! I’ll try to make it clearer in the future! (like next week when I hope to be in the top 10 … next week is when the final voting happens) ~ karen
Tricia Rose
One has voted.
Ladycamper
You’ve GOT to be KIDDING me!!
That is soo cool!
Karen
I know! I was pretty impressed with myself at this one. It’s a good lookin’ pillow. ~ karen
Tracie
Hi Karen,
I LOVE this idea! I’m going out today to get some, as soon as I’m done voting for you of course! I love all your posts, and the mirror is awesome! Why can’t I find treasures like that?? Actually, I was at a thrift shop one time and saw one similar but didn’t get it for some stupid reason…went back when I regained my senses and of course, it was gone…guess I can’t bitch about that one…
Karen
Tracie – I hemmed and hawwwwed over that mirror! I came *very* close to not buying it, then for some reason I did. I’m very, very glad I did. ~ karen!
Liz
LOVE!
caren
Karen! I’m so happy I found you! the minute I landed on your site (and saw that you’re a fellow Canadian) I was hooked. I love your witty writing style, and those ABS!! Seriously? Do you do crunches every minute of the day?
Anyway, just wanted to drop a line and say hey – you rock!
I will vote for you!
BTW, what show do you host?
Karen
Hey Caren – Nope. No crunches. I build chicken coops.
I’ve hosted a lot of shows in Canada. I hosted a show on MuchMoreMusic, then a makeover show called Stylin’ Gypsies for W Network, then Designer Superstar Challenge, Handyman Superstar Challenge and Superstar Hair Challenge for HGTV. Then a few competition shows for W Network, and now I’m doing the voice overs for “My House, Your Money” on W Network. Phew. Thanks for taking the time to vote! ~ karen
Carol Brading
I just saw you on morning live, march 8, very impressed with your ideas. I too do this, I made curtains for a small window from my grad gown. Always looking for new ideas!! Thanks so much!! Cal
Karen
Carol – Glad you found my site! I think you’ll like it here. We’re a friendly bunch. Sometimes we swear but you can just pass over that if you like. If you haven’t already, don’t forget to vote for me! Just click on the “Homies” link at the top of the site, register to vote … then vote! ~ karen!
beve
My husband says I have spent the entire evening being antisocial. What is so interesting on that iPad? Little does he know I’ll be right back here again just now. Wooooohooooo. Looooooving loving all your stuff. This is food for my inner me!
Oh as if you couldn’t tell – my first time here.
Brilliant, thanks
Karen
LOL. Welcome beve. I’m happy you found your way to my site. ~ karen!
Janice Heck
Great idea and another one I did was fill a sleeve with crunched up
plastic trash bags, ,make a sleeve out of flannel and fill it with
the bags. Mine has lasted, so far , for six years.
Susan
Okay. So u take thinking outside of the box to an all new level!!! Great job.
Karen
Thank you ma’am. ~ karen!