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,

Teach the World to Sing

The other day, a friend/customer (same thing, right?) told me she was looking for a globe. The next day, I happened into Miss Lucille’s Marketplace and found one. I wasn’t completely sure what type of globe she wanted, but this was a great deal I found in one of the booths of a wonderful Chalk Paint™ fan, so I thought, if she doesn’t want it, I am sure I can do something with it! So , it came back to the shop with me (along with a large silver plate pitcher, which actually went to my house . . .).
As it turns out, my friends was looking for something that had an “old world” look to it—which I naturally understand. So I had a globe to use for a project!
My first thought was to “age” it with some stain, then I thought about the ideas Patty had recently shared with me. My little hamster started spinning on his wheel and, a few minutes later, I had an actual creative thought!
That’s when I grabbed the Mod Podge®, a vintage book of music and a paint brush.

(The lighting on my work bench makes my photos look like I am working on a science fair project . . . “the rotation of the earth in relation to the sun”)



By far, one of the easiest project EVER! I still may add the words, “Teach the World to Sing” and paint the base, but I’ve already taken too long to follow-up on the project teaser I posted on Facebook the other day.
Funny thing is, though, I just saw a Pinterest post about adding glitter to Mod Podge®, which would have been a great “layer” for this project, eh? Going to have to find something else to Glitter Podge soon!
Do you have a favorite Mod Podge^® project?
I’m going to link to Vintage Inspiration Friday, because I love it!

Be sure to visit—you will love it, too!
Thanks for your indulgence,

Dog Days of Summer Sale

Wondering what’s on sale during the Dog Days of Summer event at Hodgepodge?

Here are a few items . . .

starting top left and working clockwise—burlap pillows 30% off; hand-crafted champagne flutes 40% off; little black dress apron 40% off; le jardin melamine plates 30% off; bubble glass serving bowl, 40% off and decorative orbs 30% off; duvet and shams 40% off; enamelware-look shell bowls 40% off; boho votive holders 50% off; girls set of 6 bracelets 30% off and canvas bags 30 % off.

starting top left and working clockwise—whip stitched napkins 50% off; rag rugs 30% off; flameless LED candles 50% off; ivory handled dinnerware 30% off; fluted serving bowl on pedestal, 40% off; pink glass petal plates, 30% off; vintage couture aprons (full and half) 50% off; key to my heart gift 50% off; Scout bags and storage 50% off; porcelain gardenia votive holder 30% off.

AND THAT’S NOT ALL!  There are too many items to show here.  Rest assured, though, it’s worth a look-see.

Sale ends Jul 31st.

We are offering an additional 10% off of one sale item if you bring a donation for

Shawnie’s Rainbow Rescue.

Or you can drop a cash donation at the counter!

Hope to see you in the shop soon!

Thanks for your indulgence,

Dog Days of Summer Sale

We are in the midst of our biggest clearance sale ever.  Come in and take advantage of our need to create some space!  Click the photo below for a link to the low-down.

 

Dog Days of Summer Sale

Also, we still have some room for participants in our Chalk Paint™ Decorative Paints Basic workshop this Saturday at noon.  Call or email me to sign-up now.

More details available, here.

Thanks for your indulgence!

A Vintage Inspired Cupboard

A few days ago I posted about the amazing Country French vignette Patty arranged in my absence.  Today, I want to focus on cupboard that started the whole thing.

A while back, I asked my friend Jeff (the guy that makes all of my custom furniture for the shop) to make this:

I gave him two salvaged windows I had been saving for the right project and, about a month later, he called me to tell me it was ready for pick-up.

Now, I had started this whole process (from inception) last fall. When I picked-up the piece, the backroom at the shop was consumed by Christmas, so we unloaded it at the house, where if stood on our back porch (aka—my creative space) for months, awaiting the verdict of my paint color choice.

 

(Naturally, I failed to take the before shot, so here it is after the painting process had begun.)

When I finally decided on colors, I used my old standby, latex paint.  Shortly thereafter, I purchased my first cans of Chalk Paint™ decorative paints and decided to add a coat of French Linen to the exterior and Provence to the interior.  LOVED!

It then began the s----l----o----w move to the shop. 

It hung-out in our dining room so long I had to fight the urge to start filling with vintage dishes.  It then rolled to the front hall—the casters, at the risk of sounding a little self-inflated, pure genius!   Finally, the stars aligned and my husband and son loaded it for the three-city-blocks trip to the shop.

There, we rolled in in and out of the shop (with the opening and closing) for a few days while I contemplated the white paint of the vintage windows.  It looked too graphic, but I didn’t want to cover it completely.  I decided to use the French Linen Chalk Paint™ to make a wash.

 

I followed with Soft Wax in clear and a little sanding on the entire surface.  I then used the Soft Wax in dark, hitting the new wood (pine) with more, so it looked like a darker wood. 

A final wipe down to remove any excess wax and  I had this . . .

I am very pleased with it.  I love display cabinets, but I often think things look too “off limits” behind glass.  That’s why I added the open display shelf at the top.  I think it looks like a custom made “built in” piece of furniture.  The vintage windows made this piece look old, but the display shelf is the “crowning touch!”  (So punny!)

I hope you enjoyed this vintage inspiration . . . for more, please visit Debra and a couple hundred of her closest friends for:

 

You will be glad you did!

Thanks for your indulgence!

A Country French Vignette

I left for our family vacation on the 29th of June. During the week prior to that Friday, I was running around like the proverbial “chicken without a head” trying to prepare for a week-long absence.

You see, I guess I have a bit of an ego. I like to think Hodgepodge needs me. Upon my return, it was painfully obvious I am superfluous to this operation.

Before I left, I made sure I put the finishing touches on the Chalk Paint™ decorative paint finish I was laboring over for this display case. I then rolled it into place and left notes for Patty to make it look good . . . boy, did she!

Here is the display I found when I walked through the doors Saturday morning . . .

Patty put together a Country French vignette to inspire!   (By the way, is anyone able enlighten me as to why we say “Country French” rather than “French Country?)

From these favorite melamine dinner and sandwich plates, to the soy wax candle, ensconced in a willow holder—the scene oozes French influence.

Our signature mixed-pattern silver plate flatware sets represent the casual elegance you’ll find in countryside of France.

The beverage urn makes it easy to serve your favorite fruit blend beverages. The Moroccan tea glasses, decorated in gold plate represent the “citizen of the world” feel so many Frenchmen/women can claim.

This reproduction ladder shelf represents the French ingenuity for repurposing items into an unexpected use—such as here, when it doubles as a server.

Evidence of my style—our velvet pumpkins can still be found throughout the store. They provide the perfect decorative accent for our transferware dinner plates. Note the bucolic scene as the plate’s décor—a beautiful half-timber home being the focus.

More transferware in brown to contrast the display shelf of our one-of-a-kind piece (a custom design), I’ve painted in Chalk Paint™ in Provence and French Linen. How a propos!

This display of books in a wire basket really caught my eye.

A few items common to a French pantry, a crusty loaf of bread, fresh cream (in the ceramic cow creamer) and eggs from the barn. The covered glass dish is perfect for the cheeses synonymous with the country!

Let’s step back and take another look.

Is your eye drawn to that barley twist lamp? Of course it is! I love the pillar stands constructed from railing balusters. Let’s get a closer look . . .

Oh yeah—still love.

There you have it. Patty is one talented lady and I am redundant.

Here’s hoping this means I can get away for more vacations!

Let me know what you think of the display or if you have any questions.

Thanks for your indulgence!