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French Grain Sacks & a New Doggie Bed

July 17, 2015 by Patti 25 Comments

My experience has been that good often comes out of bad.  This post began with a melted dog bed . . . 

Dog Bed 025

This is my favorite bed for our dogs.  We bought it in a specialty shop and it wasn’t cheap, but then we are pushovers when it comes to our dogs.  This bed has a zipper closure so the cover can be taken off to launder, a MUST as far as I’m concerned . . . but it’s also a must for the cushion itself to be able to be cleaned . . .

Dog Bed 53

. . . because old doggie smell is doggone unpleasant!

Anyhoo, this particular dog bed cover wasn’t waterproof and the dog bed insert wasn’t washable or dry cleanable.  I tried washing it as carefully as I could anyway and the thin cheesecloth-like cover holding the stuffing inside disintegrated into Swiss cheesecloth!

Right about that time Pillow Cubes contacted me (after seeing my Pottery Barn knockoff Jingle Pillow) and offered to send me a dog bed insert if I would write a review of their product.  Since my dogs were still trying to lie on their empty dog bed cover on the hardwood floor . . . 🙁 I KNOW . . . I was happy to try out their product! 

 I’ll be telling you more about their pillow inserts later but for now, let’s get on with my French Grain Sack Dog Bed tutorial,  because really who couldn’t use another cute cover for their dog bed?  Like I said . . . pushovers.

Dog bed 013

Disclaimer:  I am not a seamstress or a pattern maker, so please don’t expect expert sewing instructions here.  The main thing I want to show you in this post is how to create the French Grain Sack look on fabric.  You can use this application to make a tablecloth, curtains, a pillow, or a dog bed.  If you do want to make a dog bed cover and you’ve had some sewing experience you’ll probably do just fine with my feeble instructions.  If not, you can still use the French grain sack design but you might want to find a “real” pattern.

  My dog bed insert from Pillow Cubes measures 30″x 40″ from seam to seam.  I decided to make a box shaped dog bed, like my other one, so I cut two 31-1/4″ x 41-1/4″ rectangles (this allows for a 5/8″ seam allowance on each side). My fabric was a pre-laundered painter’s drop cloth  (a bonus, as this makes it naturally resistant to leakage).

Next, with my large sheet of drop cloth I was able to cut one strip long enough to go around three sides of the bed (110-1/4″ long by 7-1/4″ wide).  The shorter side (a 31-1/4″ x 7-1/4″ strip) will have the tie closures.

Note: If your fabric isn’t large enough to cut a strip this long you can piece together the sides of your bed.  I’d recommend doing it at each of the four corners for a nicer look.  Remember to allow for a 5/8″ seam at each corner.

For the three ties, I cut six long strips, approximately 18″ long by 1-3/4″wide.  The length of your ties is really a personal preference and based on whether you want to tie bows or (k)not(s)!   I used vintage ticking material that came from my mother-in-law’s old sewing supplies.  SO glad I hung on to it!

French Grain Sack Dog Bed 001

Here is a picture of all my fabric pieces cut and ready to begin.

 French Grain Sack Dog Bed 006

Before sewing I painted deep blue stripes on the top of the dog bed cover to give the bed the look of a vintage French Grain Sack. I used a multi-surface acrylic paint that was labeled as a permanent paint.

French Grain Sack Dog Bed 005

I began by laying down painter’s tape and sealing the edges well so the paint wouldn’t bleed under the tape.  This really doesn’t seem to be an issue with drop cloth fabric though.

French Grain Sack Dog Bed 007

Using an inexpensive sponge brush, I dipped it in the paint, dabbed it on a paper towel to remove the excess and worked it into the fabric in a daubing motion.  I kept working in it until the paint was pretty dark, but a more washed out look can also look nice if that’s your preference.

French Grain Sack Dog Bed 011

After the center stripe was dry I added more tape for the side stripes and painted those as well.  One reason for taping, painting, and taping some more was so I wouldn’t get confused as to where I was supposed to paint and mess things up!  Wisdom comes with experience . . . and age!

French Grain Sack Dog Bed 012

After the paint was dry I removed the tape and VOILA!!!

French Grain Sack Dog Bed 006a

The last thing I did to make this look more like an authentic French Grain Sack was to sew a tight zig zag stitch on either side of the center stripe.  I think this really finishes it off well.

French Grain Sack Dog Bed 021

The next step was to make the ties.  Here are a few pictures of how I folded the raw edge of one end under (the other end you won’t have to worry about),

French Grain Sack Dog Bed 022

 folded both long edges in to meet,

French Grain Sack Dog Bed 026

then folded them together again and sewed them closed.

Dog bed 004

At this point, I added the ties to end of the pillow.  Rather than try to explain this process I thought you’d appreciate seamstress Margo Price’s great video tutorial for adding tie closures to pillows.  That can be found right HERE. 

Good instruction right?  I really couldn’t have figured this out without her!

Dog bed 006

After adding the ties I pinned the pillow sides to the pillow top and stitched the parts together (though it would seem logical to do so, I didn’t sew my corner seams together first because I wasn’t sure my measurements would be perfectly accurate).  Next I pinned the bottom of the pillow cover to the side strips and sewed those in place.

dog bed 001Finally, I sewed the corners closed.  I did end up having a little extra fabric which I simply trimmed away.  Your corners will look like this when turned right side out.

NOTE:  I double stitched all my seams for extra strength, sewing a 5/8″ seam first followed by another seam about 1/8″ away from the first.

French Dog Bed 001

You can see here how when everything is sewed together one flap slightly overlaps the other.

Dog bed 010Here is my new dog bed all stuffed and tied!  Can you see how great Margo’s instructions turned out?

Before I show you the finishing touches on my French Grain Sack Dog Bed let me tell you a little about the company Pillow Cubes.  The inserts made my Pillow Cubes are 100% American made, by hand with commercial sewing machines, and double stitched for strength.  Their pillow inserts come in various sizes with your choice of filling material, down feather, synthetic down, polyester, even Eco-friendly recycled fiber filler.

Dog bed 002

 As you can see from this picture the pillow inserts from Pillow Cubes are full,

Dog bed 003

and the quality is obvious!  I’ve purchased many pillow forms in my time and I can honestly tell you that these are superior to anything I’ve ever used.

This makes me quite happy to partner with Pillow Cubes in writing about their great products.  These pillow inserts are dry cleanable and with proper care will last a lifetime.

Dog bed 006a

 Back to my pillow cover and the finishing touches.  Because I have female dogs, and because crowns are a Frenchy kind of thing, I traced a crown on my pillow top using a white fabric pen.  I already had a pattern to use but The Graphics Fairy has free crown printables that could easily be traced onto cardboard, then onto your fabric.

Dog bed 020I used white acrylic, permanent paint to fill in the crown.

Dog bed 017

Dog bed 019

Dog bed 010a

I’m kind of excited about the cuteness factor of my new dog bed cover and I love the plump and cushy look of the Pillow Cubes insert.

Dog bed 003a

I really feel that this French Grain Sack Dog Bed fits well with the other touches I’ve added to my French Country Kitchen,

Dog bed 022but I think the dogs may be even happier than I am.

One last NOTE:  We live in the land of red clay here in South Carolina.  Even though drop cloth fabric resists leak-through I used Scotch Guard to protect against stains on the surface of the bed.  I’ve already seen some red clay paw marks on this bed but once they dried they simply disappeared!  To me, that makes a fabric protectant well worth using.

Dog bed Tute

I wonder, do you think I’m becoming an “Old Dog Lady”?  Do any of you have pets whom you love to spoil?  Ah well, love me, love my dog!

La Creperie 005

In my next post, I’ll be back with another tutorial for creating authentic looking Rustic French Signage.  I do hope you’ll join me.

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I hope you enjoyed this tutorial .  I’d love for you to Pin it or Tweet about it to your friends.

Thanks for visiting and blessings to you,

My Signature

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
 UnderTheTableAndDreaming, TheDIYShowoff, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive,
 NiftyThriftyThings,
SilverPenniesSundays, SundaysAtHome
Monday:
 IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor,  ModVintageLife,  TheDedicatedHouse,UncommonDesigns, HuckleberryLove, CarrieThisHome, Dwellings,AnExtraordinaryDay,
InspireMeMonday, BetweenNapsOnThePorch,
Tuesday:
HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, Elizabeth&Co, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse, NaptimeCreations, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,NotJustAHousewife, 
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
TwirlAndTakeABow, TheWinthropChronicles, 7Alive,  Maison de Pax,VintageInspirationParty
Dream.Create.Inspire.Link
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, IvyAndElephants, TheStyleSisters, 
SomedayCrafts,  TheCityFarmhouse,
TheBlissfulBee, Posed Perfection, Inspiration2
Thursday:
NoMinimalistHere, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson,AllThingsWithPurpose, MyRepurposedLife, FromMyFrontPorchToYours,ADelightsomeLife, AKAWeekendRetreat,
KatherinesCorner, PrettyPreppyParty
Friday:
FrenchCountryCottage, MissMustardSeed, ThirtyHandmadeDays, CommonGround,TheShabbyNest, JenniferRizzo, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday,
 DIYVintageChic,  ShabbyliciousFriday,  Fabulous Friday, TheCreativeCollection,
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, It’sOverflowing, BeDifferentActNormal,
OneMoreTimeEvents,  SaturdaySparks,
TheInspirationGallery
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Filed Under: Crafts, DIY, Dog Love, Drop Cloth Projects, French Country, leftover fabric, Pottery Barn knockoff, uses for leftover fabric, Vintage Tagged With: Crafts, DIY, Dog Love, Drop cloth projects, French Country, Leftover Fabric

Shabby Lamp Shade Makeover & More!

June 17, 2014 by Patti 17 Comments

Each day is filled with possibilities if we only open our eyes to see . . .

So . . . I’m usually the one searching for furniture on Craigslist, for that something special that I can transform with a little paint.  Lately though, I’ve been listing pieces that I never had the chance to get to.  Last week a young woman came out to look at a lighted bookcase and ended up buying some other items that were beginning to pile up in my “Garage/Vintage/Flea Sale” pile.  Mr. OTN says I can’t take everything with me across the country so I’ve been doing a lot of sorting and will be having a few sales throughout the summer.  Here are a few items I sold that were leftover from the sales I did last Fall:

First of all was this Shabby Lamp Shade.  She already had it loaded into her SUV when I pulled it out and started taking pictures explaining that, “I haven’t blogged on that yet!”

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 027This vintage lamp has been chalk painted, rag tied, key fringed, and shabby chic’d to perfection.

LampshadeSweet, yes?

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 012Here is how she looked before, in her full Victorian glory.  I must tell you that some people liked her better this way.  While I was doing a chalk painting display at our Old Things New Holiday Open House I had several people that looked at the before and after (there were two lamps) who thought this one was the after!  They really liked it too!  And that’s okay because they are two totally different styles.  Not everyone is into ripped rag lamp shades!

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 015I placed a key plate on top for a decorative touch . . .

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 017. . . and hung miscellaneous keys from the bottom of the frame.

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 019As I sold my items to this young woman named Kari we talked about our mutual love of things French and things Shabby.  In very short order I was to tell her my story of moving and she was to tell me her story of wanting to sell the furniture pieces she has been painting.  We talked about the Queen Bee French Flea that I was a part of last year and I told her that I didn’t think they were going to be able to do it this year as they were still without a venue.

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 022By the end of our half hour or so together we shared other personal life stories and became fast . . . though fleeting . . . friends.  We both felt a special connection had been made.

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 023Now for the tutorial.  Very simple.  I had some old sheets that had become so soft with age (don’t you love the feel of sheets like that?) that they ended up with one long rip from a doggy claw.  Very sad!  So what do you do with old sheets?  Make lampshades of course . . . or pretty rosettes, or ruffles for pillows, or just about anything the creative mind can imagine.

I tore strips which I draped over the top wire frame of the lamp . . .

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 024 . . . brought the two ends together around the bottom frame . . .

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 025. . .  and tied them together with a nice bow.

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 026The keys were tied on with a creamy satin ribbon to create a “fringe” on the lamps.

Hmmm . . . I didn’t even notice when I snapped the picture but this one says “journey”, the very thing we’re about to embark on!

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 028And now for a few more things I sold my new friend.

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 032Simple pillows made from drop cloth fabric and adorned with ironed on graphics from The Graphics Fairy.  This is actually two graphic prints, one superimposed upon the other, and  I got the idea from Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict.  She shares MANY great tutorials on her site!

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 029This is another fun graphic that I outlined with a drop cloth ruffle.

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 031

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 035And finally, a simple Queen Bee.

Launching the pontoon and items I sold on Craigslist 036Within a few days of our chance meeting, my young friend was able to connect with the woman in charge of the Queen Bee French Flea and has helped in procuring their next venue.  I’m excited for her that she will be participating in her very first French Flea market, just like I did last year!  I’ll most likely be moved cross country by the time the show comes this year, but maybe a few of the things I sold to my new friend will receive a new coat of paint and make it there without me!

  A few days ago my young friend Kari sent me a photo from her iPhone of her first commissioned piece and it made me smile.  She’ll also be back for some display pieces I have set aside for her in my garage.

It’s funny how things work out.  When you wake up in the morning you never know whom you might meet that day or what role you might end up playing in each others lives.

Blessings,

My Signature-001P.S. I will be back with another post about my Budget Kitchen Remodel.  I’m working on a list of the most important things you need to know about chalk painting kitchen cabinets.

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
 UnderTheTableAndDreaming, TheDIYShowoff, TheTablescaper,LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SuburbsMama,
ThreeMangoSeeds,  NiftyThriftyThings,
SundaySoiree,
Monday:
 IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor,  ModVintageLife,  TheDedicatedHouse, UncommonDesigns, WestFurnitureRevival, BoogieboardCottage, HuckleberryLove, GiveMeTheGoodsMonday,  TwelveOEight, CarrieThisHome, Dwellings, AnExtraordinaryDay,
InspireMeMonday,
BetweenNapsOnThePorch
Tuesday:
HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, Elizabeth&Co, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse,  NaptimeCreations, CedarHillFarmhouse, KatheWithAnE,NotJustAHousewife, 
VMG206, TuesdaysAtOurHome,
TwirlAndTakeABow, TheWinthropChronicles, WeCallItJunkin’
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, The36thAvenue, IvyAndElephants,  DIYByDesign, TheStyleSisters, AdornedFromAbove, Timewashed,
SomedayCrafts, GreenWillowPond, Fishtail Cottage,  TheCityFarmhouse
Thursday:
NoMinimalistHere, ImpartingGrace, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, BeyondThePicketFence, AllThingsWithPurpose, MyRepurposedLife, FromMyFrontPorchToYours, ADelightsomeLife, AKAWeekendRetreat
Friday:
MyRomanticHome, FrenchCountryCottage, MissMustardSeed, ThirtyHandmadeDays, CommonGround, TheShabbyNest, LizMarie, Redoux, JenniferRizzo, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, TickledPinkTimesTwo, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday,
IHeartNapTime, DIYVintageChic, FindingFabulous
ShabbyliciousFriday
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, SixSistersStuff, It’sOverflowing, BeDifferentActNormal, TooMuchTimeOnMyHands,
OneMoreTimeEvents,  SayG’DaySaturday
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Filed Under: chalk paint, DIY, Drop Cloth Projects, French Country, French flea market, Home decorating, Homemade chalk paint recipe, leftover fabric, Old White, uses for leftover fabric Tagged With: DIY, Drop cloth projects, French Country, French Flea Market, Home Decorating, Homemade Chalk Paint Recipe, Leftover Fabric, Shabby Lamp Shade, Tutorial

A Dropcloth Slipcover for an Old Bench

September 28, 2013 by Patti 49 Comments

3-Slipcover redo for little bench 013

      Here is the AFTER picture of the Dropcloth Slipcover that I recently made for a very outdated old bench.  I began this post with an after pic to draw you in . . . mostly because I was afraid that if I showed you the BEFORE pic first you might be scared away!

1-Vintage Suitcase After and Bdrm Bench Before 041

Here is the BEFORE.  I’m ashamed to admit that this shabby (not in the good sense) little bench has been living in my master bedroom.  The trim has been a wreck since Sasha was a puppy (ummm . . . 5-1/2 years ago?), the color is no longer to my liking, nor the floral satin fabric.  So why have I kept it?  It is the little bench that catches stray articles of clothing and mail that needs recycling.  It is the bench that hides the electronics charging underneath.  It is the bench where my husband sits to slip on his shoes (when there is room to sit).  This bench is also a perfect match to my outdated bedroom which I have great plans for making over.  Maybe this transformation will be the first step.
1-Small Bench and Potting Bench 001

So here is how I made a new dropcloth slipcover for my old bench. After disposing of the trim (no, it wasn’t EVEN fit for a future project) I measured the length and width of the old fabric cover and cut my dropcloth fabric to the same size.

2-Small Bench and Potting Bench 004

 I laid my fabric over the bench, lined it up straight, and pinned the corners, pulling the fabric taut.

3-Small Bench and Potting Bench 005

I sewed along the line of the pins and trimmed close to the seam.

4-Small Bench and Potting Bench 006

After turning the slipcover right side out and placing it back onto the bench I measured the bottom edge of the fabric along each side.  For the ruffles I tore (for a frayed edge) four  – 4″ strips of fabric, each one double the length of the side it would be attached to.  I sewed a long basting stitch  along the long edge of each strip, and  pulled the thread to gather to fit each of the four sides, matching the seams in the ruffle to the seams at the four corners of the slipcover.  Next, I sewed the four strips together along their short edges and then sewed the whole ruffle to the bottom edge of the slipcover .  Why four strips instead of one long strip?  First of all, there were going to be a couple of seams somewhere since the doubled circumference of the bottom edge of the slipcover was much longer than my fabric.  Secondly, it is tricky to pull gathers in a very long strip and even trickier if the fabric is thick.  I didn’t want to risk breaking my thread and losing my gather.

(Sorry, no pictures were taken for this step because everyone knows how to make a ruffle, right?)

After attaching one ruffle I decided I wanted a second one so I repeated the process except with 7″ strips so the bottom ruffle would peek out from beneath the top ruffle. 

2-Slipcover redo for little bench 005

Just for fun I added a French graphic from The Graphics Fairy website, which I ironed on with transfer paper.

5-Slipcover redo for little bench 017

For a final touch I added some handmade dropcloth rosettes around the top of the ruffles. (Rosette tutorial HERE)1-Slipcover redo for little bench 003

3-Slipcover redo for little bench 013I’ve enjoyed using drop cloth fabric for projects around my home.  My first experience with this fabric was my Drop Cloth Draperies which have been one of my top viewed projects.  I’ve also made pillows, and hand bags (which you can see on my Pinterest “Stuff I Sell” Board.  I have a whole list of other great ideas for dropcloths that I want to try in the future.  This fabric is great because it is inexpensive, washable (I always pre-wash my fabric), it has the look of linen but it irons up much easier and crisper looking, and it tears nicely leaving a great frayed edge that doesn’t continue to fray.

4-Slipcover redo for little bench 016

Once my bench was finished I decided it was just too cute to be used as a catchall in my bedroom any longer and I took her along with me to the French Flea . . . 
11-Queen Bee French Flea 2013 024

 . . . where she went off to a very good and very stylish new home.

So, have you tried using dropcloth fabric for any projects around your house?  What have you made?  I’d love to hear about it.

Blessings,

My Signature

I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!!
Sunday:
 UnderTheTableAndDreaming, TheDIYShowoff, TheTablescaper, IHeartNapTime,  LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, SuburbsMama
Monday:
 IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor,  ModVintageLife, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, TheGraphicsFairy, TheDedicatedHouse, UncommonDesigns, WestFurnitureRevival, BoogieboardCottage, DIYHomeSweetHome, HuckleberryLove, RainOnATinRoof, AlderberryHill, TwelveOEight,
CarrieThisHome
Tuesday:
HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, Elizabeth&Co, MyUncommonSliceOfSuburbia, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse,  NaptimeCreations, CedarHillRanch,  BloomingHomestead,KatheWithAnE,NotJustAHousewife, 
VMG206, BeBetsy,TuesdaysAtOurHome, ADiamondInTheStuff, WeCallItJunkin’
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, The36thAvenue, SouthernLovely, VintageOnADime, IvyAndElephants,  DIYByDesign, TheStyleSisters, AdornedFromAbove, Timewashed, SomedayCrafts, GreenWillowPond, Fishtail Cottage
Thursday:
NoMinimalistHere, ImpartingGrace, TheSabbyCreekCottage, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, BeyondThePicketFence, StoneGable, AllThingsWithPurpose, MyRepurposedLife, FromMyFrontPorchToYours, ADelightsomeLife 
Friday:
MyRomanticHome, FrenchCountryCottage, TatertotsAndJello, MissMustardSeed, ThirtyHandmadeDays, CraftJunkieToo, CommonGround, TheShabbyNest, LizMarie, Redoux, JenniferRizzo, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, 504Main, TheDedicatedHouseAnythingBlueFriday,
CraftFrenzyFriday
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, ClassyClutter, SixSistersStuff, It’sOverflowing, BeDifferentActNormal, TooMuchTimeOnMyHands,  
OneSharendipityPlace

 

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Filed Under: Annie Sloan, ASCP, chalk paint, DIY, Drop Cloth Projects, French flea market, Home decorating, Junking, leftover fabric, making rosettes, Old Junk Transformations, rosettes, Thrifting, Tutorial, Uncategorized, uses for leftover fabric Tagged With: Drop cloth projects, French Flea Market, Home Decor, old junk transformations, thrifting, Tutorial

Goodwill Wall Planters

May 12, 2013 by Patti 27 Comments

 I hope you all had a wonderful Mother’s Day weekend!
   One of the Mother’s Day traditions when my girls were still at home was for them to head out to the nursery with my dear hubby to buy flats and flats of summer annuals for my garden.
  It was always such a treat!
This post contains a few Mother’s day flowers and another lucky Goodwill find, along with a few personal reflections at the very end.
 These metal planters were a two for one deal, marked half off on the day I came across them.  I wasn’t sure exactly what I would do with them but I knew I couldn’t pass them up!
A little time spent over at The Graphics Fairy gave me the inspiration needed to transform them into something special.  The first one is decoupaged with some fancy script and an adorable page out of a rare Victorian children’s reader.
 I added a few colored birds, lace across the top and a mixed fabric rosette (instructions for making rosettes can be found right HERE). The hanger is simply a torn strip of drop cloth fabric.
The second planter is also decoupaged with pages of script, topped with the title page of a rare book entitled The Poetry of Flowers (also from The Graphics Fairy). To this urn of beautiful cascading flowers I’ve added a couple of buzzing bees, more lace across the top and another rosette of mixed fabrics.
Oh the wonders of ModPodge!  
Have you done any projects with it lately? 
I have a wee bit of an obsession with it myself as it turns so many of my Goodwill finds into great items to add to my French Flea Market repertoire!

Now for a few personal reflections, a little overflow from my heart.  Last night I said to Mr. OTN, with no small amount of wonder, that I am living my dream right now and I didn’t even know what that dream was!  

Though I don’t have my two girls close to home on this Mother’s Day, I am so proud of these beautiful young women who are each, in their two opposite corners of the country, impacting the lives of those around them by being the kind, generous, caring people that they are. My family makes my heart full!

As we come upon another Freedom Session graduation (May 19th) and look forward to hearing our hard working Participants share amazing testimonies of lives transformed, I feel so blessed that Mr. OTN and I get to be a part of this awesome ministry, as Directors in our local church.  This also, makes my heart full.
Then there is this other part of my life (creating and blogging) which is secondary to family and ministry but is also a dream come true. I feel so fortunate to have the freedom to work at something I enjoy and I’m very excited about being given the opportunity to participate in my first ever French Flea Market in September.
 I am loving this season of life so much and I need to remind myself not to take it for granted.
So TODAY, I will embrace this moment in time and thoroughly enjoy the process of making OldThingsNew!
 

       Blessings, 
I’ve been known to link up to the following great parties!!! Sunday:
 UnderTheTableAndDreaming, TheDIYShowoff, TheTablescaper, IHeartNapTime, My1929Charmer, LifeOnLakeshoreDrive, NavyWifePetersUSSCrafty, SuburbsMama
Monday:
 IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor,  ModVintageLife, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, TheGraphicsFairy, TheDedicatedHouse, UncommonDesigns, WestFurnitureRevival, BoogieboardCottage, DIYHomeSweetHome, HuckleberryLove, RainOnATinRoof, AlderberryHill, TwelveOEight
Tuesday:
HomeStoriesAtoZ, AStrollThruLife, Elizabeth&Co, MyUncommonSliceOfSuburbia, CoastalCharm, CozyLittleHouse, PJHDesigns, NaptimeCreations, CedarHillRanch,  BloomingHomestead, FlusterBuster, KatheWithAnE, NotJustAHousewife,
VMG206
HickoryTrail 
Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, The36thAvenue, SouthernLovely, VintageOnADime, IvyAndElephants,  DIYByDesign, DesignedDecor, ViewFromRiverMountain, TheStyleSisters, AdornedFromAbove, SewCraftyAngel, Timewashed, SomedayCrafts, GreenWillowPond 
Thursday:
NoMinimalistHere, ImpartingGrace, DesignedDecor, TheVintageFarmhouse, TheSabbyCreekCottage, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, BeyondThePicketFence, StoneGable, AllThingsWithPurpose, MyRepurposedLife, FromMyFrontPorchToYours, ADelightsomeLife 
Friday:
MyRomanticHome, FrenchCountryCottage, TatertotsAndJello, MissMustardSeed, ThriftyHandmadeDays, CraftJunkieToo, CommonGround, TheShabbyNest, LizMarie, Redoux, JenniferRizzo, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, 504Main
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, ClassyClutter, SixSistersStuff, It’sOverflowing, BeDifferentActNormal, TooMuchTimeOnMyHands,
OneSharendipityPlace

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Filed Under: Craft Ideas, Decoupage, DIY, Freedom Session, French flea market, Gifts, graphics, Home decorating, making rosettes, Spring Decorating, uses for leftover fabric

Easter Table Runner

March 15, 2013 by Patti 16 Comments

Here it is, the final tutorial based on the decorations I shared in the post Spring Dreamin’. If you missed that or the previous two tutorials, a Rosette Wreath Tutorial, or Napkin Decoupaged Eggs, be sure to link back here.
 
When I’m out and about I SO love stopping into the thrift stores in my area as I never know what new surprise awaits me. I try to drive right by but there is something that draws me in and I often find myself unable to resist the pull. In those stores, there is currently an abundance of Easter decor available for my re-purposing pleasure (insert happy face here).  Here is a close-up of what I’ve done to make a rather plain table runner a bit more to my liking.
 Seasonal table runners and place mats are easy to find at thrift stores close to the different holidays. Below is a picture of my Easter table runner “before”, a sweet tapestry of bunnies in the garden. It was nice for a very small table but not quite long enough for my dining table.
 I decided to lengthen by adding some ruffles to the ends using thrift store fabric. Used fabric for sewing can be found in the form of old drapes, sheets, tablecloths, even clothing. I used some nice soft old sheets for this project in off white and striped, like ticking.  I KNOW . . . somebody slept on these sheets and they’re going on my dining table. I washed them . . . honest!

 Old crocheted doilies, lacy table runners, etc. are also readily available. I pick them up to have on hand whenever I find something that I think I can use in one of my projects.
 
 Here are my fabrics cut to size. The sheet fabric was cut 1-1/2 times the width of the runner to allow for gathering. The lace was a wee bit smaller. I tore my sheet fabric rather than cutting it because I was going for the frayed look. I kinda’ like the contrast of fancy lace with frayed cotton sheeting. 
 After sewing a double row of basting stitch to gather the fabric (this can be done by hand or machine for you non-sewers) I simply pinned it to the end of the table runner, adjusted the gathers and stitched it all in place.
 Here you can see that I topped it off with a long strip cut from the crocheted doily. I’m so happy with the colors and textures and I like the stripe with the plaid.  Adding ruffles really softened up this little runner and I think it is so much cuter.
 This project was quick, less than an hour from start to finish. It was very inexpensive with used and leftover fabrics and, as you can tell, I’m really quite pleased with the way it turned out. My table is almost ready for Easter . . . time to lay out the china.
I’m so glad that you stopped by to share in a little touch of Spring. New life is springing forth, old things becoming new, as we come into this most beautiful time of the year!
 
       Blessings to you,

Places I Party!!!
Sunday:
UnderTheTableAndDreaming, TheDIYShowoff, TheTablescaper, IHeartNapTime, My1929Charmer
Monday:
KatheWithAnE, IShouldBeMoppingTheFloor, ModVintageLife, BetweenNapsOnThePorch, TheGraphicsFairy, TheDedicatedHouse, UncommonDesigns, WestFurnitureRevival, NotJustAHousewife, BoogieboardCottage, DIYHomeSweetHome
Tuesday:
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Wednesday:
SavvySouthernStyle, The36thAvenue, SouthernLovely, VintageOnADime, IvyAndElephants, FromMyFrontPorchToYours, DIYByDesign, DesignedDecor, ViewFromRiverMountain
Thursday:
NoMinimalistHere, ImpartingGrace, TheVintageFarmhouse, TheSabbyCreekCottage, EmbracingChange, HaveADailyCupOfMrsOlson, BeyondThePicketFence, StoneGable
Friday:
MyRomanticHome, FrenchCountryCottage, TatertotsAndJello, MissMustardSeed, ThriftyHandmadeDays, CraftJunkieToo, CommonGround, TheShabbyNest, LizMarie, Redoux, JenniferRizzo, TheCharmOfHome, RootedInThyme, 504Main
Saturday:
FunkyJunkInteriors, ClassyClutter, SixSistersStuff, It’sOverflowing, BeDifferentActNormal, TooMuchTimeOnMyHands


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Filed Under: Craft Ideas, DIY, Easter, entertaining, Junking, shopping, Spring Decorating, Tablescapes, uses for leftover fabric

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OldThingsNew

I am Perfectly Imperfect Patti, daughter of the King, wife to the amazing Mr. OTN, mom to two grown daughters, a great son-in-law, and companion to two spoiled dogs. At Old Things New I share DIY’s, budget friendly home transformations, as well as posts about how God transforms our souls. I myself have been made new and I love to share what I’ve learned through WRITING and SPEAKING. To view a short Vimeo of “Our Story” (Mr. OTN and I) please follow the link at the top of the page.

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