Welcome to the 290th Metamorphosis Monday!
How was your weekend? Hope it was relaxing and fun! I had some friends over for a little cookout on the porch and we had great time together.
Speaking of the porch, recently I had it freshened up with a new coat of paint. It had been over 6 years since it was last painted. After the porch was painted, I noticed the covers on the swing were looking pretty dirty.
Removing them for washing was a snap! Actually, it’s more like a gazillion snaps! Har, har. This process went quickly as I listened to a book on Audible. I’m so hooked on Audible, y’all! Anytime I have to do something that doesn’t require rubbing two brain cells together, i.e. folding laundry or unsnapping a million and one snaps, I listen to Audible and it goes by so quickly. I’m almost sad when whatever I’m doing is done.
Here’s how the swing looks with the chains exposed…very utilitarian-looking, isn’t it?
It’s been over a year since they were last washed so they were looking pretty grungy/
Much better after a good scrubbing in my washing machine’s hand-wash basket. I added a teensy bit of bleach when I washed them. They are made of nylon or some type of synthetic material so they have held up really well here on the porch.
Here they are, back in place. I get a lot of questions about the chain covers. They are just electrical cord covers purchased from Hobby Lobby many years ago. The HLs in this area used to carry them in a lot of different colors. I went with the whitest ones, hoping the chains would just blend into the porch and kind of disappear.
Cord covers can be expensive and I needed four, so I waited until they were on sale at 50% off to buy them. I used one each on the long chains coming down from the ceiling and cut the remaining two covers in half to cover the smaller sections of chain that connect to the swing itself.
They stay in place pretty well since they are stacked up on the metal chains.
Hard to believe they’ve been out here for 6 years. Other than a few broken snaps, they still look pretty much as they did when I first put them out here 6+ years ago.
Looking forward to seeing what you’ve been working on!
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Thanks so much for the party!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Love the cord covers! I had no idea they sold those at HL! I would love to hang a swing in our porch,but ours is a little smaller than yours so I am not sure we can.Thanks so much for hosting!
I’ve seen some really adorable smaller swings while on a trip to Highlands, Georgia…so I bet you can find one to fit your porch. 🙂
That is one of those “groan” chores, but when you get finished it makes you so happy! Looks fresh and clean! Thanks for the party today!
So true…thanks Jenna!
Susan, I remember when you did this, and I thought it was brilliant. Such an easy and pretty way to make the swing chains look elegant. Thank you for hosting. laurie
Thanks, Laurie!
I’m glad to be back to some type of “normal” this week. We were hit by the flood last Monday and have spent the last week cleaning out a sewage flooded basement. (Double Yuck!) Southeast Michigan got hit really hard – it’s very sad seeing what looks like everyone’s belongings out in the trash. I think the smells of Lysol and Pine Sol will be embedded in my memory forever! On a happier note, last year I went to HL and bought some of the lamp covers for my porch swing. The HL by me had Velcro instead of snaps, but that makes it easy to remove and wash also. Using those to cover the ugly chains was just a stroke of genius on your part!
Sharon, I’m so sorry to hear that. That doesn’t sound like much fun at all! 🙁 Glad things are getting back to normal. Velcro would def be a lot faster!
I’m a big Audible fan too, Susan. I listen when I go out for a run and I find it makes me want to keep going. Are you listening to anything worth recommending? I’m in the middle of the Goldfinch, so I could run from here to California and still not be done… 😉 Brilliant idea to cover your chains with cord covers. They achieved the exact effect you wanted by disappearing into the background. In fact I never noticed them until this post! Thanks for hosting, as always!!
I mostly listen to non-fiction. I just finished “I’m Feeling Lucky: The Confessions of Google Employee Number 59” by Douglas Edwards…and it was awesome. I’m currently listening to “Killing Kennedy: The End of Camelot” by Bill O’Reilly. I’m enjoying it, so I’ve also downloaded “Killing Lincoln: The Shocking Assassination That Changed America Forever” to listen to next. One of the best books I ever listened to was “Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World Most Wanted Hacker by Kevin Mitnick.” I also loved “The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do In Life And Business by Charles Duhigg” and “Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Issacson.” About the only fiction book I’ve listened to lately was “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. I read it in highschool but decided to listen to it again since it was just made available on Audible for the first time. Loved “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield. I like all of Steven Pressfield’s books. I thought about Goldfinch but I heard it’s kind of depressing. Are you finding it to be that way or do you recommend it?
Lots of interesting choices there. I like non-fiction too, but I tend to go for historical stuff, so I might like the O’Reilly books. I assume he doesn’t do the narration, does he? I wonder if it’s weird to hear a book narrated by someone else, when you are familiar with the voice of the author? I do find the narration can make or break the experience. Re Goldfinch, so funny you asked that, because the same thing almost put me off from reading it. At this stage in my life I’m not interested in miserable experiences, no matter how brilliant… 😉 I’m about 3/4 of the way through and I don’t find it depressing at all. I suppose that could change in the end, but so far I’m enjoying it. It’s actually quite different than what I expected. If you wind up going for it, let me know what you think. (It’s taking me forever to read, since I keep interrupting it, in order to read my book group book!)
Yep, Bill O’Reilly narrates. You know what’s funny, I had to slow the narration down. This is the first book I’ve ever listened to on Audible where I had to slow the narration down. I’ve sped them up before but never slowed them down. I don’t know if it’s just the recording of it he just reads that darn fast but it was way to fast for me. He reads it very much the way he reports news on TV…very factual. It took a little getting used to but I do like his narration of it. I know what you mean. I’ve stopped listening to a few books and returned them because the narration was so awful. I may give Goldfinch a try, then.
Susan…
First off – love the chain covers…and wanted to sew them when I got my swing (inspired by you!). But they were pre-made at HL????? WooHoo!
Next YES YES YES…LOVE Books on Tape! And, like you, I edge towards non-fiction. I listen while driving and also doing projects.
Might I suggest a few I have enjoyed immensely?
The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey
by Candice Millard (as if I didn’t admire Teddy to the sky already!)
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer
by James L. Swanson (I’ve never read Bill O’Reilly’s books – but
THIS one was sensational!!)
and one fiction…but it was sooo good (and the audio presentation was outstanding)
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
by Mark Haddon
If you should ever come across great books on tape suggestions – just add in a note. THANKS!!!
Well, finished the book Killing Kennedy and it was so depressing. Of course, I knew how it was going to end so I thought that would help, but it didn’t…totally depressing. Not sure I want to listen to the other one I downloaded now. I think it’s time for a happier book!
Have you ever read “The Language of Flowers” by Vanessa Diffenbaugh? One of the best books I’ve read in the past year or so. I was just having this same conversation with a friend of mine, because we’re both so not into depressing books. It’s not non-fiction, but it does have some basis in reality.
No, hadn’t read that one. I will look it up, though! Thanks, Lory!
Susan, I love your look for the swing. Thanks for hosting another fun party!
If you sew at all, these would be simple to make. I’d just sew tubes at least 2-3 times the finished length (no snaps!) and slip on from the top for the long chain, and up from the bottom for the short chains. You could also add a shorter second layer (tie or snap on) where your hands would touch the chains.
Unfortunately, there’s no way to slip them on since the chains are really heavy duty and don’t bend to open where they connect to the swing at the bottom. They came attached to the swing from the company where I purchased them. Also, it took two strong men to attach the swing at the top so I couldn’t take the swing down if I wanted to. The snaps, though they take a while, really work well. I’ve thought about velcro when I thought of sewing my own, but it’s just too bulky and the fabric wouldn’t stack up properly. I have made a cover in the past to cover a metal wire on a painted window that hangs in my bonus/family room and it worked great for that.
Aaah. That makes sense. I love the look but they (covers)wouldnt do for where I have my porch swings. (Fl……mildew!) and NC mountains…open to the ever changing weather. We routinely take our porch swings down, and change locations to our mood. We have a few sets of hooks around. Of course we could always buy another swing!!
🙂 You can never have too many swings!
The porch always looks so beautiful Susan!…thanks for hosting and have a great week!
Thanks, Shirley!
Great idea Susan! Thank you for hosting and I hope you have a great week.
Wow! those cord covers are such a great idea! Hope you have a fabulous week!! 🙂
xox, Crystelle
CrystelleBoutique
Your porch looks so pretty and fresh, Susan! I used to do books on tape (a million years ago, obviously) when I had a one hour drive to work…and sometimes sat in the garage to finish up a chapter when I got home! lol Have a great week!…hugs…Debbie
I used to occasionally rent one of those at a Cracker Barrel when on a trip. I loved that you can return them to any Cracker Barrel. 🙂 Thanks, Debbie!
Susan, that’s brilliant!
I have used silk covers for chandys before – but nylon ones that snap -cord covers- is genius. They make the biggest difference with your swing, oh my goodness. How nice they’ve lasted and look so good, too.
I would so love to be swinging on that swing right now, it beckons us!
Have a wonderful week.
Thanks, Michele! I’m surprised they’ve held up so long, too.
Those cord covers make quite a difference, Susan; the swing doesn’t look nearly the same without them. Do you know if Hobby Lobby still carries those? I LOVE the pretty floral cushions on your swing — they’re gorgeous!
Thank you for hosting and have a great week. 🙂
Denise
I haven’t checked in ages. I should make a trip over sometime to see what they have in for fall and Christmas. I’m halfway between 2 HLs. They are each about 25 minutes away so I don’t get there very often. Denise, check online too. Also you may want too google for electrical cord covers, wonder if Amazon sells them.
Hi Susan! Thanks for letting us know more about your swing covers. Last year, after reading your wonderful write-up about your porch, we had a porch built very similar to yours. I bought the same porch swing you have, and all the rest of the furniture is white wicker. As soon as the swing went up I went to HL to find my swing covers. I was so disappointed because all they had were pink, black, brown, and green! I went to the HL website, and the lightest color they had was sort of a gold/beige color. So I ordered 4. When they came they had Velcro instead of snaps, so I was a little worried. As it turned out, they went on so easy and looked great! I have a little gold color in some of the cushions on the porch so they look fine. I would love to send you a picture of my porch but I am not sure how to do that. You would laugh – I even have your “Summer Breeze” sign up!
Maryanne, that’s awesome…don’t you love that sign! 🙂 You can email the pic to [email protected]…would love to see it. I wonder why they quit stocking them in white/cream. I would think that would be a popular, in demand color for those. I guess I better make mine last. Glad to know the velcro works…wondered if it would be too stiff. Maybe they make a softer velcro that is scrunchable. Will remember that if mine ever wear out and I try to make my own.
It must feel heavenly to sit out there gently swaying with a good book!
All of it is just gorgeous –
Thanks so much for the party
Hugs,
Suzan
I’m glad you listed books that you have enjoyed because I was wondering.
Also, a good place to get cord covers in any color that a person might want is on Etsy. Looking forward the the first Hobby Lobby opening in our area soon!
Great idea…thanks, Linda!
Love your porch, Susan, and those covers on the chains. It all looks so bright and beautiful. I found some at Lowe’s several years ago for our DR light, and bought one. It was long enough that I was able to cut & disguise a floor lamp cord too. Thanks for hosting us all – this week I shuffled our retail booth space with vintage school items – a fun mix for the most wonderful time of the year (hehe). Have a great week.
Rita
Thanks for hosting! I love a good refreshing up around the house. It seems to make such a big difference. I need to do a big freshening up around my house. We were gone for 5 weeks and my husband definitely went into bachelor mode. Ugh!
Take care,
KC
I love your porch and what a great idea for hiding those cords! Thanks so much for hosting another great party, Susan!
Love the cord cover ups. Thanks for hosting.
Kris
I’m beyond coveting your porch, and more particularly your porch swing. Love it. Really awesome looking. Thanks for hosting a wonderful party, and have a fantastic week.
Hi…….I noticed those some time ago now an thought they were a great idea..so this yr..I made some out of pretty fabric to hide my hammock ropes..I have it tied to tree limbs..so I used elastic on one end to fit over the huge knot at the top..so they just hang down long enough to cover the S hook that holds the rope to the hammock..it looks so pretty..I have you to thank for that idea…THANKS…
What a great idea. It really changes the look of the swing. Thanks for hosting.
Shannon -bohemianjunktion.com
Painting always does that doesn’t it? Once you get the walls glistening with the brand new paint then all the not so fresh just glares at you! I linked up correctly today! Do I hear applause?!
lol Awesome! 🙂
Hi Susan,
Thank you so much for hosting every week, I know its a lot of work keeping up with everyone and the blog. I really do enjoy all the links and try to visit new blogs that I have not read before.
Have a wonderful day, Elizabeth
Several things I love here! Hobby Lobby – things on sale at Hobby Lobby and these lovely cord covers – awesome idea! LOVE audible too – great post – I do appreciate you hosting,
Kathy
Thanks for the lovely party.
The chain covers were a perfect idea! Isn’t it scary how 6 years can fly by! Your porch is so cute and inviting. I’m sipping some lemonade and pretending I’m there!
Thanks for hosting 🙂
What a terrific idea! I have been wondering what to do with the old chains on my swing. I don’t know why I didn’t think of that! I may just make mine using lining fabric and sew on Velcro if I can find some soft enough to bunch. Thanks for a great tip!
Susan, I guess my cook out invitation was lost in the mail. 🙁 😉
The fluffy looking chain covers are so cute but wow, they looked SO much whiter after you washed them. They are very cute and practical.
I’ve noticed you mention audible before. I think I would love it too, but isn’t it expensive?
It’s either $12 a month or $14 a month, then they offer specials like $4.95 per book, occasionally. They also offer other specials that I often take advantage of, like 3 books for $35. I listen to some books more than once and once you have them, they are yours…so worth it’s to me, especially since I watch almost no TV.
Oh, okay. Thanks for explaining. I thought it was $14.95 per month and that was for just one book, and then after that, any book you wanted was another $12.00. With my reading habit, that could add up fast, but I can see where it would be so useful. There have been so many times when I’ve been doing a task and wanted a book to listen to and librevox is hit or miss. Some of the readers are too difficult to listen to. Still, it’s a nice service and it’s free. I like the readers with English accents. 🙂
That sounds about right. I can’t remember the exact amount without getting out my statement, but it may be $14.95.
Those look amazing, Susan! I didn’t realize you could buy those already made — I usually make my own using drop cloth or a soft linen-look fabric….just one straight seam is all there is to it; but for things like light fixture chains, those snappy ones look very appealing. Thanks so much for sharing and for hosting!
We are HUGE “audio” book listeners!! Course, we used to be “on the road” more…just did a 1200 mile two day trip and “that book” surely made sitting easier!! franki
Wow! 1200 miles in two days! How did you do that?! That’s 600 miles a day! You must have been in the car for 12 hours each day! Glad you had a good book, Franki!
I love your porch and am in the process of having one built myself. Would you be able to tell me what your railings and posts are made of? Are they wood or vinyl? We are converting an existing deck with vinyl railings into the porch. It also looks like your porch is trimmed on the outside in wood so I guess what I am wondering is if you mixed the 2 materials. I am stuck on this one!