Simple Burlap Bunny

As you know, I love burlap!! Recently I was at a boutique floral shop and fell in love with all the burlap bunnies they had in the store. They are so neutral they can be displayed year round. Of coarse I bought a small one for $17 (ouch) and then I hit pinterest for some ideas on how I could make my own.
After getting a few different ideas, it was time to put my own twist on some bunnies...here we go!

First you need a pattern. I googled bunny outlines, then I free handed my favorite one onto notebook paper. Now, if you're not quite this artistic, you can download an image and print it off. Next you want to cut it out. Be careful not to get too detailed of a bunny, you have to follow this outline in your sewing machine. Notice how I drew a straight line across the feet at the bottom, this is to make it easier to sew, and sit up.

Next step is to trace your bunny onto your burlap, make sure you stay away from the frayed edges. I used a light brown sharpie, but it was hard to see the line when I was sewing. I will probably use a quilters pencil next time. After you get the bunny traced, cut it out leaving at least an inch border or more around it. Then cut another piece to use as the backside. Since it's not the finished hem, you don't need to be precise.

After the burlap was cut, I cut a third layer out of muslin. This isn't necessary, but burlap frays easy and is see through, so I wanted this layer for stability and appearance. Once again, no need to be precise on this cut. I just laid the burlap on top and cut around it.

Here comes the tricky part. You have to follow the line around the bunny. Don't make the same mistake I did. I started at the ears and realized I wanted to stuff from the bottom...trial and error. I ended up sewing from the other ear down to meet at the bottom, not a big deal. I thought about putting on my quilters foot, but this worked, I just kept the speed turned down to the slowest setting so it wouldn't get away from me.

Here's where I saved a bunch of money. Instead of using over priced batting, I used an old paper grocery sack. (next time they ask, say paper not plastic) I just tore it in strips, crumpled it up, and shoved it in with a pencil (eraser side).  Plus, because it's brown, it didn't show through the burlap- extra bonus!

After it was stuffed to my liking, I finished sewing up the bottom. You have to tuck the paper in as you go, or it will get sewn in too. Once I completed the sewing, I cut out the bunny leaving a quarter inch free edge.
You will find the burlap wants to fray, so I pulled the loose strings, then I went around the edges with modpodge to seal them. You could use any type of fray prevention, but this is what I had.

Now comes the fun part!! Decorating the plain thing. I like shabby chic, so I went with a torn muslin bow, a button shaped copper brad for the eye, and a flower made from pre-cut paper, assembled with a rhinestone brad. After they were in place a dabbed some hot glue under the eye and flower.

I thought the bottom needed something, so I took three layers of muslin, sewed a seem down the middle, and cut small strips going towards the seem. I simply attached it by sewing it onto the tail. Then I took my fingers and ruffed it all up.

Here's the finished little cutie! You could stick these just about anywhere. In a floral arrangement, basket, wreath, or on a shelf or mantle. It only took about 30 minutes, and cost less than a dollar. I already had all the supplies in my craft closet.
You can buy the pre-cut flowers in the scrapbook section of Michaels, it's a lot cheaper than buying all the different sized punches.

Rag Quilts

I love quilts, but  they are very time consuming, and I like quick projects. My problem was solved when I discovered rag quilts! They are sewn with the raw edges out, so you can machine quilt sections on a regular sewing machine, then piece them together. This not only reduces the time involved, it saves a ton of money on paying to have your quilt long armed or hand quilted.

This was the first one I made. I found the pattern in a quilt book at Michaels. I have very limited sewing knowledge, so I was very pleased with the outcome of this quilt.

 This pattern required an applique square. I had never tried this before, but my machine had an applique stitch programmed on it, so it was fairly easy.

 I spent about $75 just on the material for this, but I had a certain color and fabric in mind, and had to go to the big name fabric store to get most of the fabric. Most of it was $5 per yard (yikes).

My sewing machine has a quilters foot. This means that it is free floating and you can move the fabric in any direction. This is how I achieved the meandering pattern, and ivy patterns you see here. The patterns are quilted on these strips before you piece them together, you can not do large sections on a regular machine (that's where long arm machines are used).

This is the back of the quilt, you use the same fabric on both sides when you do your sections, then the quilt looks the same on both sides. You do not use batting on rag quilts, but trust me, this quilt is very heavy.

Here is the backside of the floral block, a result of the applique pieces.

After it is all pieced together, you fringe the raw edges in quarter inch widths. Then you wash 

and dry it in your machine to get the frayed look.

This quilt took me 2 weeks to complete. That was working around my work schedule and 3 kids.

 It's still my favorite blanket in my house.
For your first try, you will want to practice your quilters foot on some scrap pieces, to get the feel for it. If you don't have a quilters foot, you could do straight lines through your blocks, but they won't look as fancy.

 The second quilt shown below was done with my regular sewing foot. I just criss crossed every other  block, and used a program stitch on the largest setting for the alternating blocks.

Here's a rag baby quilt. These are very simple and can be completed in about 3 hours.

I like to use flannel on baby quilts. It's super soft and frays really fun!

This is the reverse side, and the side you will want to lay the baby on, 

because the fringe will lose threads for a long time.

Here you can see the criss cross stitch in the blocks.

Again, this was all done on my machine. The swirly stitch is pre-programmed. 

These make great baby gifts in a pinch! I found the flannel on sale at Jo Ann's, and I stocked up. 

This quilt  only cost me about $4.00 to make.

Old World Basket

I have been wanting to rehab some of my out dated baskets. Since I'm into the shabby chic look, I searched Pinterest for some ideas. I found several people using this product called Gesso to create a foundation and chunky paint feel. I bought mine at Michaels, but I'm sure most craft stores have it. You will find it in the paint isle.
 I'm sure you have old and dated baskets around the house. I have plenty. Most of them have a dark look or country theme, because that's what was in when I bought them. Well, time to give them new life!!

 Here's the original basket...very 'country' looking. First I used straight Gesso, and watered down Gesso to give it an over all coat. Next I randomly brushed some grey craft paint over most of the basket. Then I went back and added more Gesso in areas, for that old peeled paint feeling.

 This is the same basket after I used a little creativity.

 I used an antique brass fleur de lis, added some gesso, teal and black paint. Then I sanded some edges and detail to reveal the brass in spots.

Here you can see where I used a heavier amount of Gesso in spots to give it a more old paint look.

Here is the finished basket. I'm not sure what will go in it for good yet.

This was a pretty simple project. I have about 5 other baskets I'm planning on finishing in a similar fashion.

I purchased the paint, gesso and fleur de lis at Michaels. This basket makeover cost me about $2, a bottle of gesso runs around $7, but I have plenty of it left for numerous other projects.

Small Touches

Recently I found this old metal candle stick at a refurb type store for $6. It was painted solid green, but I loved the detail on it, and just knew I could make it better!

I grabbed some white craft paint, and put on about 4 coats (that damn green was hard to cover).

Imagine my disappointment to find a $1 price on the bottom of this rusty piece :(

I could have saved $5... hahaha

After the white was dry, I rubbed on some black to reveal the detail, and add some scuff marks.

Kind of like a reverse sanding effect. I just love this piece...I originally bought it as a xmas gift, but after I refinished it, I decided it needed to stay at my house.

Here's another quick tip. I took a plain flame-less candle and wrapped some burlap ribbon around it. Then I stuck on 3 paper flowers I made from pre-punched flowers and button shaped brads.

You can buy all this at Michaels, AKA my second home.

Shut the Box game project

When I was little, I use to love to play this number game at my Grandma's house. I never knew what it was called, but it was a gambling game, that we would just play for fun. I decide I wanted my own, but I also wanted it to look shabby chic, and be able to add to my decor as well. So I got creative, raided the craft store for possible solutions, and I finally finished it! BTW, the game is called 'shut the box', it was brought to this country by Englishmen, and it was definitely a gambling game.

The object of the game is to roll the dice and flip up numbers that equal the dice shown. You keep rolling and flipping till you have run out of options. The player with the smallest total left is the winner. (this can be quite addicting, and I find myself playing 'solitaire' a lot)

This is the closed box. It may look really complicated, but I am the queen of short cuts and simplicity!!

supplies: wooden file box from Michaels

              scrap book paper & tissue paper

              thick wire hanger

              mod podge

              felt piece

              jewelry beads

             generic Jenga game from the dollar store

             paint, stencil sponges, & stamps

             drill & drill bit

First I used mod podge and torn tissue paper to line the inside and outer edges of the lid, then I used a black and brown combo paint to paint the outer sides & edge. Then I used a sponge and gently brushed the inside edges and the creases in the paper. Then I used stamps with brown paint.

For the top of the lid, I used a sheet of scrap book paper, and cut out other embellishments from scrap book paper. I used the paint again with the sponge to burnish the edges and surface. I created the label using the French translation for 'shut the box'. Added the stamp in the corner, and voila! 

You guessed it, more scrap book paper. But I wanted and 'old world' look, so I crumpled it all up before I used the mod podge to glue it on. Then I used the paint and sponge again to burnish, I also used the same paint to paint the bottom of the box. I purposely streaked it on, for a worn look. 

For the inside walls, I also used scrap book paper, it's dark brown with a faded damask pattern. Then I glued down a piece of felt, and stamped it.

OK, here's where it gets a little tricky. I used the generic Jenga pieces, and painted them with cream craft paint. Then I sanded the corners and edges, for a worn look. Next I brushed on a green/grey paint combo for texture. Then I burnished it with the dark brown paint. After they were dried, I drilled holes through the sides slightly larger than my hanger rod. After the holes were safely drilled, I used mod podge to glue on the numbers (cut out from scrap paper). Then (my husband) drilled holes in the sides of the box, being careful not to go all the way through. I cut the hanger to the perfect length and strung on my number blocks and beads.Inserted the rod into the side holes, and it's finished!

Now, as far as the amount of carpentry work, this was simple....but don't let me fool you, with all of the detailed touches and steps, it took me a full day to create this. I am very happy with the turn out, and I play it quite often. I can't wait to have company so we can try it out, and seeing how it cost me less than $10 to make this, I should win that back in no time! :) 

Shabby Chic Clothespins

Here's a fun little project, take plain old clothespins and make them designer in minutes.

Now, many people ask me if I paint these...not hardly, it's scrap book paper. I love scrap book paper and have a TON of it. So I just chose some pages (out of about the 100 designs I have) for this project.

First- buy some clothespins, or round up some old ones around the house. 

Second- choose your paper

Third- measure and cut your paper in strips to fit both sides of the clothespin

 Last- glue them with modpodge

Here are some finished ones. I use them for notes, bag clips, paper clips, goodie bags, ect.

You could put magnets on them, or add embellishments. They are a great add on to a gift bag, and cost pennies to make. ENJOY!!

Altered Art

Have you ever seen those images or artwork where it looks like an old photo head mixed with colorful papers and materials? I've always been fascinated by them, but didn't know what they were called or how they were created. BINGO, they are called 'altered art' and they are made from cutting out the heads and or bodies of old photos. Being a photographer, I decided to 'cut' mine out in photoshop and play around.

I started by using a baby photo of my Grandma. I tinted her hair and skin and adjusted the levels.

Next I chose a background from scrap book paper.

A little photo shop magic (actually a lot) and an added flower from another paper and it's done!

After doing this one, I searched Pinterest and the web. I found awesome paper doll downloads and more creative papers. I plan on actually printing some of them off and cutting and layering them and adding embellishments. What a fun way to celebrate your history in a shabby chic kind of way.

This is another one I created with my mom's photo and some paper doll clothing.

I will post more photos as I create them.