How To Make Unique Cards With Colored Burlap Shapes

Today's tutorial describes how to sew colored burlap into shapes for card making. The fibrous, loose weave of burlap adds wonderful texture to any project. The downfall of this fabric is the easy with which it ravels out. Follow along for step by step instructions to make sure your burlap keeps its shape.

Directions:

Step 1: Cut heart shape from canvas. Cut a burlap square ½ inch larger than the canvas. The extra material will prevent the burlap from raveling.

Step 2: Stitch the canvas shape to the burlap using a zig-zag stitch.

Step 3: Trim the burlap to fit the canvas.

Step 4: Add beads, running the thread between the burlap and canvas to hide it.

Step 5: Fussy cut wings from cardstock.

Step 6: Cut Sonnet Reverse paper to 8x6", fold in half. Adhere wings to card front. Center burlap heart on wings and adhere.

 Step 7: Die cut sentiment from Red Foiled Paper. Adhere to burlap heart.

~ Best Wishes ~

Directions:

 Step 1: Cut purple paper to 5.5 x 3.5". 

Step 2: Draw Diagonal lines on the back, about 1.75" apart. My lines correspond with the lattice design on the front. I used a paper piercer to mark them from the front, then connected the dots with a ruler and pencil on the back.

 Step 3: Pierce holes about 1 centimeter apart along the diagonal lines..

 Step 4: Stitch each diagonal line with Gold braid using a back stitch. Secure ends with tape.

Step 5: Cut White cardstock to 8x6", fold in half.
Step 6:Cut Flower Embossed Gold paper to 6x4", adhere to White cardstock.

 Step 7: Make hot air balloon with canvas, green burlap, and gold beads following directions illustrated above with pink heart. Adhere to card front.

Step 8:Die cut sentiment from kraft paper. Adhere to card front.

These two card are great examples for using colored burlap in cardmaking. Once you have the technique mastered use burlap shapes in scrapbooking, art journaling, upcycling, and even planning! View the original blog post on the CCB blog frim Fall of 2018.

Craft On!

~charity~

How To Make A Caddy From Wire Baskets

Wire baskets quickly become a bathroom caddy when wrapped with burlap and ticking. A cluster of lavender wrap roses brighten the neutral color scheme. This trio of baskets performs a balancing act while tastefully organizing supplies. 

 Tools Needed:

Scissors

Straight Pins
Needle

Ruler

Lineman's Pliers

 Step 1: Remove the handles from all three baskets. Re-shape one of the handles for later use.

 Step 2: Measure the top tier of the basket. Mine was just over 3 inches.
Measure in from the edge of the burlap and pull one strand of the weave.

 Step 3: As you pull on the strand, the burlap will bunch and leave an easy to follow line. Cut along this line.

 Step 4: Weave the strip of burlap through the ribs of the basket, finishing with both ends inside.

 Step 5: Pin the ends together then use the pulled strand of burlap to stitch them. Trim the ends at an angle so they cannot peek over the rim of the basket.

 Step 6: Measure the lower tier of the basket and make a small cut in the ticking at the correct width. Grasp the ticking firmly and rip the fabric. The resulting edge will be slightly curled. Repeat Steps 4 and 5 with the strip of Ticking. I wrapped my ticking in an opposite pattern from my burlap.

 Step 7: Slide the Burlap and Ticking till the seams line up with the basket ribs.

 This will hide the seems quite effectively.

 Step 8:Fold the ticking and burlap away from your working area. Use a straight pin if necessary.

 Step 9: Hook the handle loop of the bottom basket through the base of the side basket. Wrap wire around the edges to stabilize. Use a large gauge of wire for heavier items. 

 Step 10: Place the reserved basket handle on the upper baskets. Re-shape the ends as needed.

 Step 11: Wrap and mist the roses.
a. Rip 3 lengths of Ticking 1.5"x 24".
b. Tie a knot at one end, leaving a 1" tail.

c. Fold the ticking in half and wrap it once around the knot, turning the tail to the bottom. Stitch the ticking in place.
d. Fold the ticking the opposite way, wrap and stitch again.

e. Tuck the loose end under the last wrap and stitch in place.

f. Mist rose with Amethyst Chalkboard Mist. Leave to dry.

 Step 12: Wrap the 1" tail at the back of the rose around the rim of the basket. Stitch the tail in place. If the roses slide too much make a couple loose stitches in the burlap at the back of each rose.

 To keep the caddy balanced place heavy items in the bottom basket with lighter items of similar weight in the top baskets. Slipping the handle over a wall hook will provide more stability.

 The serenity of the final photo shoot was destroyed with the swipe of a paw. Kitty was VERY unhappy to have been excluded from the process. He threatened to knock the caddy over if he wasn't given more screen time. Bowing to the wishes of my ginger diva, I have included a photo of his green eyed self. 

This project was orignially posted on the CCB blog in the fall of 2018

Craft On!

~charity~

Nautical Theme Pillow Cover Featuring Paint and Embroidery.

This nautical themed pillow cover with paint and embroidery adds to my front porch decor. It boasts anchor printed canvas in the shape of an H. Each letter is illustrated with a sea side image. Pillow covers transform a space with ease and take up very little storage space when the season changes.

Tools Needed

WE R Memory Keepers Mini Alphabet Punchboard

Crafters Companion Circle Cutting Dies

Sewing Machine

Straight Pins

Scissors

Needle

 Step 1:Cut and stitch Printed Canvas Sheet to form the H.
Cut two strips of canvas at 9.5" x 3" and one strip at 2.5" x 3".

 On the back of each canvas strip draw lines 1" from the edge.

Iron edges of the strip toward the back so that the edge touches the drawn line. 

Stitch each edge down.

Here Tetsu inspects my lines for errors. Remove cat as needed. 

 Step 2:Position letters on pillow cover and trace around O, M, and E.

My letters are cut from a 3" square of cardstock with the help of a Mini Alphabet Punchboard and circle cutting dies.

 Step 3: Outline each letter with a chain stitch.

a: Insert the needle through the back of the fabric to the front, then reinsert the needle near the same space.

b: Insert the needle through the back of the fabric a short distance from the first stitch. Wrap the thread around the needle as shown.

c: Pull the needle through to form a loop with a tail.
d:Re-insert the needle through the front of the fabric, near the same space the tail exited.

e: Repeat steps b through d.

I chose a chain stitch to outline the letters because it conforms easily to rounded shapes.

 Step 4: Place a piece of cardstock in the pillow cover.

 This will keep the paint from bleeding through to the back side.

 Step 5: Paint sea inspired images in each letter.

I painted a sand dollar in the O, a trio of fishtails in the M, and a lighthouse scene in the E.

 Step 6: Stitch canvas strips to the pillow cover to form an H.

Pin the canvas strips to pillow cover.
Stitch around the outside edge with a running stitch using thread that matches the anchors.

Weave contrasting thread through each stitch to complete the outline.

I positioned the small letters in the center of the pillow because of the curve. If I had placed them near the base of the H they would have been less noticeable. As you can see, I did not get them exactly in line with the crossbar of the H. Little idiosyncrasies are what make each project unique. 

I'm still stuck on the mermaid theme for my front porch. I decided to go with elements of mermaid tradition rather than a full finned lady for this pillow cover. The cats, it seems were NOT impressed. Not one of my furry faced companions was interested in my final photography project. Whether it was caused by too low a salary offer or the 100 degree temperatures I'll never know!

Instructions for completing the pillow in the back are posted with the title:

How To Make A Treasure Pocket Pillow

Scrap On!

~Charity Hotrum~