A Burlap Tutorail For You!

These burlap bags were a hit with my class at Paper Cowgirls.

They were such an easy, cheap project. 

I made 23 at one time!

Fun to embellish too!

So I wanted to share this little tutorial with you. 

Gather your supplies:

1 yd. of burlap would make you about 3 bags, at least.

A drop cloth. 

 (Ace Hardware's brand has a nice nubbiness to it.)

I wash them with fabric softener to geth them nice & soft, coffee stain them & then throw them back in the dryer.  You get a lot of projects from one drop cloth! 

A piece of cardboard. 

 I rip the backs off all my kids drawing pads, they work perfect.

(we go through a lot of drawing pads)

Rip the drop cloth to measure 18"x 11" , cut the burlap a little smaller for the fringe from the drop cloth to show through.

I had to pull some tape off the top of the cardboard before I could fold the board in half. Make a firm fold.

Center the burlap inside the drop cloth & sew the bottom shut.

Lay the cardboard in the center of the cloth & use a pencil to draw a line down the sides. Place pins & sew. Leave center of one end open to stuff with the cardboard.

After you stuff the pocket with the cardboard push it all the way to the bottom.  At this point pull the frayed edges off the burlap till it looks good to you. 

(get out your dust buster)

 Then fold the pocket over and steam closed with a hot iron.  When you are finished you will have a loose 3" flap, fold that over & steam shut.

You could finish the bag here with a simple button closure. Sew on some buttons & tie it shut.

(a bad demo here, but you get the picture)

If you did it this way you could maybe add a pocket or image to the inside. A message to someone??

But if your making it like mine, sew the sides using the seam from as guide.

Now pull out your stash & glam it up!

So many different ways to make it your own.

I could see Sissie doing this with pink burlap & one of her muslin flowers on the flap! Cute.

A different fabric instead of the drop cloth would be nice too.

I made a smaller one to hold my business cards. What a beautiful way to package a special piece of art or anything else.

I hope you can use this simple project sometime!

Before I go I want to share some of my PC haul with you!

I did a cuff swap with the CRAZY talented Marie Jenkins

(sorry no blog, but I'm working on her!)

It is the most amazing piece, my sad pictures don't do it justice.

Check out the details, the charm & the tiny domino's, seed beads hand stitched.

It was packaged too cool! As if the cuff wasn't awesome enough, Marie included a darling cowgirl purse & a domino necklace.

Buttons & seam binding in the back.

This girl is so good! She did several swaps, each over the top!

Thanks Marie!

I purchased this beautiful necklace from my sweet friend & fellow teacher Angela from Filigree Moon.  She has wonderful style, I can't wait to take a workshop with her at Cottage Panache.  I want to learn some jewelry techniques like wire wrapping to incorporate into my art.

And Jamie from art-e-ology!

You could barely get close to her booth, between her totally amazing finds & the great prices I think she just about sold out!

The images were drop dead gorgeous!

I couldn't resist some of her one of a kind collage sheets. 

Seriously cool!

~Lisa

A little bit of this, a little bit of that

This post could also be titled,

'What I do when I should be doing something else.'

I have a to do list this month that is mind numbing, so what do I do?

Decide to swap 3 rooms out, beginning with my studio. My former studio space is now a library. 

(note the small child in the right corner dodging moving furniture)

Still some filling in to do, but you get the idea.

A little fluffing.

Even a little sewing. I've been so inspired by Sissie's runners that I made one for myself.  I trimmed it up with a piece of my vintage velevet ribbon, & even added a pretty pin. I love the fanciness of the ribbon & jewel against the rough burlap.

I can't show you the studio of course, you have to wait for Karen's party on the 19th!

My remodeling project suddenly took a backseat to the packages left at the door... return address Ann at The Tin Rabbit!!!

I love this girl so much, I mean her art just does it for me. I have been know to spend hours just looking at her flickr page.

This hanging pocket brought tears to my eyes.

She said she 'knew I was suppose to have it'.

The photo is 3 precious friends. The rosette in the corner looks like it was made from a sock?~ The texture is different from fabric I've seen.

3 wonderful pieces!  That was more than I ever expected, but remember.

There were 2 boxes!

2 giant ledgers.

I collect quilted glove boxes, I especially love the ones that are loaded down with lace, white buttons & other goodies! LOL

Further examination.

A sisterhood collage??

Lots of treasures to incorporate into my art.

LOVE IT!

Ann is such a generous, sweet soul. She has helped me so much, sharing her techniques & tips. I love it all dear friend!  The best gift of all, was hearing that you have a good report from your tests!

Well, now that I've rearranged the house, hung Ann's art & fawned over my new pretties, I guess I'll get back to my 'to do' list. Maybe my nightmares will stop! Are you all getting ready for Where Bloggers Create?  I can't wait to see your rooms! 

 

Fabric Collage, Then & Now

I was looking for pictures of sisters awhile back, & Dawn sent me this! 

As soon as I saw the 4 school girls, a story began to develop in my head.

 I imagined a kinship between them.

It reminded me of the bond I feel with you.

 

We share our feelings, our joy & pain.

Our dreams & creations. 

Each time I post, I know I will get support & truthful feedback from my friends. 

It's like we have our own little sorority. 

So I took that feeling , & turned it into a mystic tale of sisterhood.

 They are bound by a secret & a devotion to each other. 

The secret sisterhood.

Rummaging through my storage unit, I came across my first tattered collage. 

A little beat up, but I remember it like I created it yesterday.

Self portrait, age 5.  Lovin' that burlap even then,

& still workin' that hair-do.

There's some comfort in familiarity.

Lot's of new things in the shop today.