Tuesday, May 24, 2011

More burlap - and a Lot of Frustration!



Okay, I'm ready to RANT and ROLL!  Get that Frustration OUT   Here goes...
Have you ever just overworked yourself on a project? Gotten so frustrated that you wanted to just freaking pitch it?  Grrrr  This was one for me (it's a pillow for goodness sakes -I don't think I could ever handle redoing a room.)   So in awe of you guys redoing bathroom tile, kitchen cabinets etc :)   Ain't happening here any time soon.
My newest burlap pillow project with cream colored burlap, turquoise monogram and scalloped edge border was {in my MIND} a really nice pillow.  I was making it for my sweet sister Nancy, that made the awesome Messy Mimi bench for me. 
 She lives near the coast {Wilmington} and I wanted to make a beachy (turquoise and scallops) but natural (creamy burlap) pillow for her adorable home. 
I made several things in middle school with scalloped edges.  No problem.  But, four kids and many many years later, I just can't make it happen like I so want.  But that's okay.  
 I'm leaving out most pictures of my first attempt.  (I used a small jar - 3") for the scallops.)  Measured and checked to be sure the scallops were evenly spaced.  They were but I think I should have made them taller because they came out looking more like curves.
So I scratched that pillow {because I had more creamy burlap left}  Made a pattern out of poster board this time.  Because if it DID work, I wanted a pattern in case I ever did this again.  Sure.
Feeling the frustration mounting I just sketched the N onto the fabric fusion.  Ironed it onto the pillow.  And, of course, I had forgotten to stitch this onto the pillow BEFORE it was sewn all up.   
Unstuffed pillow on left - my first attempt.
The second effort is on the right.  A little better but not what I had hoped.
Well, at this point I WAS DRIVEN.  Don't know why I didn't quit.  Cause I was totally sick of it by now  The stubborn Taurus in me came out BIG time  =:)
This is when I realized maybe, just maybe, I ought to plan ahead.  But what fun is that?
So..I will try again to make the beautiful beachy burlap pillow in my mind but to make me happy, after being SO annoyed, this is what I did   
Went to my stash of burlap, grabbed my double wide Sharpie and sketched an M for Mimi or Mom.  Really didn't matter at that point.  :)  With the "M" in the middle, I cut out an 11" x 11" square for the front.
For the back (this will be an envelope pillow) I cut out 2 more pieces 7" x 7"
Folded over the edges 1/4 inch twice on the ends of the pillow that would be the opening at the back.   Stitched the edges .  No pix of that but here is how it looks finished- hope it makes sense. 
I am NOT good at tutorials so, look here at Freshly Picked for much better instructions!
Ric Rac makes me happy so that's what I'm using to pipe my pillow!
Placed both backs on the pillow front right sides facing with the ric rac between  them.   Stitched them together all around. 
.
I'm feeling a little better.

Here it is sitting pretty on my next project.  Lone Star chairs donated to Habitat for Humanity Restore.  $5!
Working on this now!  Lone Star chairs (yea one had gum stuck under it  eww)  Dwell fabric from Jo Anns (I love the pink elephants) and testing trying out Annie Sloan Old White Chalk paint.
Let's see what happens!  And I will let you know what I think of this paint!
Happy Tuesday to all!  

Link Parties - Priceless!
MONDAY
Skip to my Lou-Made by You Mondays
Keeping it Simple - Motivate Me Monday
The Girl Creative - Just Something I whipped Up
TUESDAY
The Thrifty Home - Penny Pinching Tuesday
Ladybug Blessings - Handmade Tuesdays
Today's Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On

WEDNESDAY
Night Owl Crafting - Hoo's Got Talent?
Elements Interiors -  Whassup Wednesday
Handy Man, Crafty Woman-Wicked Awesome Wednesday
Blue Cricket Design - Show and Tell Wednesday
A Little Tipsy - DIY Under $5
THURSDAY 

Momnivore's Dilemma - Creative Juice Thursday
Somewhat Simple - Strut Your Stuff
No Minimalist Here -  Open House Thursday
The Frugal Girls - Chic and Crafty
The Shabby Chic Cottage - Transformation Thursday
House of Hepworths - Hookin Up with HoH
Fireflies and Jellybeans - Show off Your Stuff
Paisley Passions - Thrilling Thursday
FRIDAY
At the Picket Fence - Inspiration Friday
French Country Cottage - Feathered Nest Fridays
delicate CONSTRUCTION - Delicately Constructed Fridays
My Romantic Home- Show and Tell Friday  
Chic on a Shoestring-Flaunt It Friday
Fingerprints on the Fridge - Feature Yourself Friday
The Shabby Nest - Frugal Friday 
Sassy Sites - Free For All Friday
Mommaskindacrafty   - Fantabulous Friday 
Todays Creative Blog - Get Your Craft On
It's a Hodge Podge Life - Friday
SATURDAY
Funky Junk Interiors - Saturday Nite Special
Wildflowers & Whimsy - Sew Crafty Saturday

9 comments:

  1. Love the look of the Ric Rac... can't wait to see the finished chair... and hear about the chalk paint!

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  2. Well it looks adorable..burlap could be another B word for sure. Thanks for sharing with my newbie party.

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  3. I don't know what it is with crafts this week but I am strugling too. It must be something with the universe! I think your second try looked cute. I am sure you will get it next time. I am glad you wrote this though because I have been thinking about getting some burlap. Maybe, I will wait for the universe to right itself first.

    Kadie @ Seven Alive

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  4. Love the rickrack trim on the pillow! You're too hard on yourself. I think all the pillows look great! Thanks for sharing.

    I'm hosting my monthly Before Blogging Throwback Thursdays party and would love it if you linked up a something you made/did/bought before blogging. The link will be open til next week. Can't wait to see what you bring to the party.

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  5. All the pillows are cute, but I know what you mean when you can't just leave it alone :) Then you get sick of it...but still have to finish for the blog!

    They turned out so cute and you never have to do another if you don't want to :)

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  6. I love the addition of the ric rac. It adds just the right touch! Thanks for liking up with DIY under $5!

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  7. Hi there~ your pillows are darling~ love the burlap and the ric rac is perfect! Thanks for sharing this at FNF this week! Have a great weekend! :)

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  8. I LOVE burlap & I LOVE pillows, so there you go--I love your creation! Great job!

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