Archive   |   May, 2009

help! anyone got an ikea tullsta slipcover pattern?

Posted by in crafting, decorating, fixing


Reader Lisa Grober writes:

I’m hoping that you can help me find a sewing pattern for an IKEA TULLSTA Slipcover. I think the IKEA options are dreadful, and I’m not in love with any from Bemz since I’d like to avoid the skirt if at all possible. I’m excited to start this project. I’m just thinking it would be a lot less labor intensive if I had a pattern. I’m sure someone out there has one… Thanks.

Well, Lisa, we checked around, and it seems you’re not the first to ask this question — there’s a similar question with just one response at Yahoo. Casa Sugar had a very inspiring example of a DIYer who gave her own TULLSTA chair a terrific facelift — that’s the result in the above photo. It’s not exactly a pattern, but you can get the details of how she did it here.

What about you, readers? Any suggestions for Lisa?

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real life test kitchen: a super-fast shrimp appetizer

Posted by in cooking

When I have people over for dinner, I like to set out a plate of cheese and crackers with olives and other nibbly things — lots of little finger food for everyone to snack on before the main event. But lately I’ve started serving just one thing: lemon-oregano shrimp. It’s about as fast to make as opening a box of crackers, goes well with a cocktail or beer, and seems a bit more surprising than the usual pre-dinner fare I put out. It’s an especially good idea to make this when shrimp are on sale — I usually buy a pound of pre-peeled shrimp for every two to four people. You could peel and de-vein the shrimp yourself, but that’s a little more labor-intensive, especially when people are on their way over. I’d rather spend that time having a drink. –Lisa C. Click for the recipe! (more…)

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drink this: elderflower rhubarb soda

Posted by in drinking


There’s nothing I enjoy more on a warm night than sipping on a refreshing drink like this one. It’s just a mix of sparkling water, elderflower syrup (or cordial) and a generous splash of rhubarb bitters. You can make your own elderflower cordial, but I get mine for a great price at IKEA in the food department (it’s called fladersaft). The rhubarb bitters are by Fee Brothers, and are actually one of the few bitters out there that aren’t alcohol-based. It’s great for kids and adults alike, but I think it’s also quite tasty if you switch the soda out for a crisp prosecco or dry sparkling wine. –Megan B.

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making tub time cute and safe

Posted by in living with kids

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about bath time with Isadora, it’s to expect lots of giggles and a few tears. I still haven’t quite figured out how to rinse shampoo out of her hair without making her cry — though of course we are using all-natural, no-tears bath products. One potential disaster we have been able to avoid: Having her bang her head on the faucet, which is in the middle of our tub — right where she loves to sit. She’s just tall enough (or short enough) to fit underneath it nicely, but the slightest movement would cause a bump. I’ve lived the scenario a dozen times in my head! I’ve seen a lot of cutsie faucet covers, but this one, the Skip Hop Moby, $ 13 at fawnandforest.com, spoke to the ocean lover in me. It fits on perfectly, and even allows for the pull up tab for the shower. While I was at it, I also got us a Skip Hop Tubby, $20, to contain her growing collection of toys. I admit it’s not exactly chic decor, but at least it matches our color scheme! — Angela M.

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less fur, more products from the furminator

Posted by in living with pets


As you probably know, we have two big, hairy dogs, plus two long-haired cats. Add that to a house with hardwood floors, and you’ve got some serious fur tumbleweeds. I was happy to discover that the FURminator, which I finally broke down and purchased earlier this year, isn’t just hype — two good brushings of our dogs, and we noticed a dramatic drop in the amount of hair we vacuumed up that week. So I’m excited to see the new products that FURminator has out now. The FURminator deShedding Tool now comes with a “FURejector” button which quickly cleans the removed hair from the tool. Before we purchased the original FURminator, we had a shedding tool with a similar feature, and it is a LOT easier to groom your pet when you can just click a button for the shed fur to drop off the tool. Then there’s the bathing devices: the TubNub Bathing Brush with rubber “nubs” that help remove dirt and loose hair and to massage shampoo into your pet’s coat, and a lightweight microfiber towel. Our one-year-old mastiff Dahlia is a sworn enemy of bath time, so these products could make things a bit more pleasant for her (and us). Get the dirt (heh) on all the new FURminator deShedding Tools here. –Mary T.

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