DIY personalized throw pillow – home is where the heart is

DIY personalized throw pillow – home is where the heart is.

Even though I am not technically from Newfoundland nor do I live there… my heart still very much belongs to that ruggedly gorgeous province and I do consider Newfoundland home! My Dad was born and raised there, although he left his beloved island to join the Military many years ago he always tried to get us (his family) back there to his home as much as he could. With enough summer visits as a child under my belt and the fact that Mr. Mans and I lived there when he was in the Military, I feel justified in thinking that this stunning place is “home”.  That is the saying after all, “Home is where the heart is” and my heart is truly there.

An old Newfoundland home – Leading Tickles

Newfoundland has taken on an even greater meaning for me in the last couple of years, 2 years ago both of my parents passed within 6 months of each other and they are both laid to rest together in Newfoundland. When we were there laying Mom beside Dad that place gave me so much comfort, it touched me and consoled me at a very low time in my life. While I was there my Brother and I explored, I captured some photos that I will treasure forever, it truly was like therapy. If you’d like to have a peek at some of those photos and read my story you can see that here

I sure hope I didn’t bring the mood down… this really is a fun post, I just wanted to give you a good idea why I did this very simple DIY, considering the plethora of vinyl products and the many endless possibilities of things you can make with all of the goodies you can buy from this month’s sponsor:

I’m so happy to be back again for our monthly DIY challenge, this is our 8th one! I can hardly believe how fast time is flying, I’ve had so much fun challenging myself every month. I sure hope you will join me and my 11 bloggy friends for our Instagram challenge? You can challenge yourself right along with us every month it’s simple, you make something with the specified material like we do and at the end of every month we pick a winner and we feature that winner on all 12 of our IG accounts! I love seeing all of the creativity that is being shared, you guys blow me away!

Here is the VERY easy tutorial to make your own, “home is where the heart is”, map pillow.

Materials you will need:

Silhouette printable heat transfer material (for light coloured fabrics)

Google maps – you may have heard of it… 😉

Scissors

Ink jet printer

Iron

Pillow form (throw pillow size, or any size you’d like)

Canvas (I bought a painters canvas for a past project and had tons of material left I just cut what I needed out of it to make a pillowcase for the pillow form)

I sewed the pillowcase with my trusty yard sale sewing machine ($25), I did not follow a pattern it was a measure as you go type of project, very simple process… I should video my process one day, so easy I may bore you.

DIY steps:

Find your “home” or image, I typed Newfoundland into google maps and did a screen capture once I was happy with the quality and position of the map.

I opened my screen captured image in PicMonkey and edited out all of the town names and any other words I did not want on there.

Then I added a heart shape on the exact town my Dad is from (Botwood). I also brightened it and added some filters to make it look like an old map… this process really is up to your own tastes, so play and have some fun.

Once your image is the way you want it to look after editing mirror it within your photo editor.

Place your printable heat transfer sheet into your printer making sure it will be set to print on the blank side (NOT on the grid side) of the sheet, simple as that!

I placed a little boarder around the map, I just cut out any unwanted heat transfer material.

Center your image on the pillowcase and iron over the paper grid (grid side facing up). I ironed the pillowcase on a hard surface for 2 – 3 min, going over and over the entire grid until you are satisfied that your image has adhered to your pillow case.

Let your project cool completely before gently peeling off your grid backing.

Stuff your pillow in your new pillowcase and enjoy!

I am very affectionately calling this my Newfoundland corner, the vintage banner is from Grand Falls, NL… the photo hanging above the bench is of my Dad’s Uncle George, he lived all of his days in Newfoundland and of course that little pillow… with the heart in the exact spot I love so much! Thank you for joining me for this simple yet meaningful DIY project. xo

Now it’s time to see the rest of the DIY vinyl project ideas from my Canadian blogging friends!

From the top left, they are:

Number Subway Art from Love Create Celebrate

DIY Upcycled Faux Geometric Mosaic Tile Serving Tray Using Vinyl from Sustain My Craft Habit

Personalized Shoes from Brooklyn Berry Designs

Vinyl Otomi Chargers from PMQ for Two

DIY personalized throw pillow – home is where the heart is from Vin’yet Etc.

DIY Decorated Rain Barrel Using Fun Vibrant Colours from Time With Thea

Child’s Memory Box with Hand-Cut Vinyl Decals from Woman in Real Life

DIY Striped Carafe from Lifeovereasy

Life is a Party Napkins from Life is a Party

Vintage Inspired DIY Office Sign from Heather in Heels

Easy Strawberry Jam with Printable Vinyl Labels from The DIY Mommy

Custom Artwork Using Vinyl from Love Create Celebrate