A Pinterest Inspired Project

While I have been  decorating, embellishing these emergency candles for several years, I was looking for a new idea for a fall display I am working on.  I knew I wanted to wrap them in burlap, but for further embellishment, I was floundering.  I thought of tying-on a stem of wheat.  I thought of shipping tags with stamped images, but neither of these ideas moved me to action. 

That’s when I remembered the burlap flowers I saw on Pinterest.


I remember noticing this pin because I had been planning to try to make burlap flowers for a pair of flip-flops I purchased earlier this summer.
I pulled-up the instructions (the best feature of Pinterest is the fact that you can trace almost every pin to its origin) and set about making my own.  Here  is how:
1)  First I set a straight line for cutting by pulling a single strand through the length of the burlap.


2)  This is what it looks like (cut along the wide gap):


3)  Cut the strips into 13 – 15” lengths.  Fold over one end, approximately 1/4”.  Apply hot glue and seal the fold.

4)  On the other end of the burlap strip, lift two threads of the fabric:

5)  grab those two threads and start pulling them away from the fabric, this will gather the fabric:


6)  Pull the gathers as tight as possible without breaking:

7) Once pulled tight, bring end-to-end and glue:

8)  Once the glue is set, pinch one side of the gathered fabric.  The flat side will be the part you attach to the surface of the candle:

9)  I tied a thin velvet ribbon around the candle—forming a square knot:



10)  I then ran both ends of the ribbon through the center of the rosette:

11)  I then added a vintage key (hard to see, I know, but take my word for it—you will see it in the next picture), slipping it onto one strand of the ribbon and tying a square knot to secure it:

12)  and viola!  the finished project/product:

I love all of the extra strings hanging and pulling away from the flower, it adds the rustic, nonchalance I was looking for with this project.

Have you actually followed-through on a project you saw on Pinterest?  I'd love to hear about it.

I'm hoping to link to Tuesdays Cowgirl Up! Creative Link Party, but if the link doesn't work, please go visit the following blogs:

The Farmhouse Porch

Cedar Hill Ranch

The Ivy Cottage

Crafty Texas Girls

thanks for your indulgence,

Stop Looking

Sometimes, it’s just that simple.  Here’s why:

You live with this . . .

wondering, thinking, wishing, pouring over books and magazines for something to complete the look.

you stop looking and even thinking about it—telling yourself “the simplicity is restful and lovely.”  Then, this occurs to you. . .

and then you’re happy!

It’s just that simple.

I’ve had the two vanity mirrors hanging with the  frame (which pays homage to our house fire of 2010—it’s charred but lovely)for nearly a year.  I’ve been trying to decide what to display in the frame ever since then, Wednesday, I walked by the vintage book cone wreath in a booth at ARTifacts (an arts and antiques emporium in Clarksville) and C-L-I-C-K!

I knew what to do.

My friends, Travis and Ryan made it, so not only have I seen them before, I knew wanted to add one to my décor, but where? C-L-I-C-K

I admit, I even had a brief flirtation with the idea that I would make one. Then I looked at the price tag of a mere $35 and thought—my time is worth $35! Besides, it’s done and hung!

So, the message of this blog post is, sometimes it’s better to stop looking so you can see what is right in front of you.  (Not exactly earth shattering—heck, not even an original thought, but appropriate!)

Thanks for your indulgence,

I’m linking with a couple linky-things, you should visit them:

 

Feather Nest Fridays at

French Country Cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday

at Common Ground