Vintage Ladder Quilt Hanger

I couldn't let that great vintage ladder I got for my Christmas card display go back to the barn.  So I came up with a plan.  I have some great quilts but no way to display them.  Let's face it...having them stacked in the closet is not doing them justice.  So I took my vintage ladder and used it to display my quilts...sort of like a quilt hanger...

 Like a quilt hanger but oh so much better!  Chippy paint, worn wood, I heart this ladder!  And it is perfect up next to the vintage quilt perfection....

I leaned it up against the wall in my bedroom... 

It made this corner look amazing!  Do you have your quilts in a closet?  Get them out and display them proudly! 

  

Posted on Met Monday on Between Naps on the Porch.

Posted at Just Something I Whipped up on The Girl Creative.
Posted at the Sunday Showcase on Under the Table and Dreaming.
~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~

The Country Chic Cottage

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Chevron Decor with the Plaid Simply Screen #simplyscreen @plaidcrafts

I was recently given the opportunity to review the new Plaid Simply Screen Silk Screen Kit.  This review had me extremely excited!  This kit allows you to make your own silk screens from printed or even hand drawn images.  I dove into my box ready to craft...

 The kit itself comes with 3 size screens, ink, tray, sponge, squeegee, the light and box -- everything you need to get started.  The folks at Plaid also sent me refill screens and ink. 

I don't know about y'all but when I open a box the kids are all around waiting to see what goodies are inside.  As soon as I pulled out the kit, I knew what my first project was going to be.  My son spied a skull and sword t-shirt design on the side of the box.  He had to have it.  :)  So I started my crafting there.  I printed out an image from the net on the paper in my printer. 

Note:  You do not need to reverse your image with this kit and you do not need to use transparencies.  After my experimenting, however, I would look for a lighter weight paper for my next round of crafting.  I believe it would make the images sharper. 

Please if you buy this kit, read all of the instructions and follow them exactly.  But the basics are that you put your image and screen in the light box for 25 minutes.  You them submerge in water and rub until your image is revealed.  My first skull and sword design was pretty basic and worked fairly well.  There were a few edges that were not as sharp as I had hoped.  But I continued on with screen printing.  I found that the ink worked best if I pulled down, right, and left.  The kit actually said to only pull down.  After three shirts, I had my ink application technique down pat.  Plus I had one happy boy....

So I moved on to projects for me.  I picked a fairly detailed mason jar design next.  I followed my previous steps exactly.  Using the same methods to put the paper in the light box, tape it down, expose it, then rub under water.  The detailing on the mason jar came out...how should I say...rustic.  It was good in spots, other spots lifted that should not have lifted, some spots did not lift that should have came off.  It was NOT a perfect screen by any means.  Detailed designs just do not seem to work with this particular kit.  But I did not give up.  My next screen, I used a basic chevron pattern on the largest screen available.  Again following the instructions.  Overall the screen came out very well.  There were a few lines that were not as sharp as I had hoped.  But I continued on with my projects.  First up, a white stocking for $1 purchased at the Dollar Tree.

I applied my screen taping around the edges so it will not move.

I then applied my red ink.  As you can see, the screen only covers a portion of my stocking.  I moved the screen after completing one area until the entire stocking was chevron!

I loved the result and this was definitely a very easy way to get that chevron look.  

So I decided to go for more!  I have yet to jump on the chevron bandwagon.  But I thought a touch of chevron would be tons of fun in my home.  So I found this pillow cover at the Dollar Tree for $1.  It is a tone on tone gray stripe.    

So I used my chevron screen again (yes you can use these screens over and over and over).  I made a subtle white chevron pattern all over the pillow cover.

From certain angles the effect is so subtle you can hardly see it, from others it is bolder.  This is exactly what I had pictured in my head!

The perfect non-traditional addition to my traditional bedroom.

My take on the Plaid Silk Screen Kit:

• I believe this product has tons of potential.
• It does have a learning curve before you are going to be able to master this one. 
• Overly detailed designs are probably not going to come out how you planned.  I hope Plaid works on this aspect some more and comes up with a solution.
• Product is available at Hobby Lobby for about $40 for the kit.  In comparison with the competitors, this is a very reasonable price.  If you are going to buy this and try it out, I would recommend picking up a package of refill screens along with your kit.  It may take you 2-3 screens before you get the hang of creating a screen.
• Ink takes a very long time to dry on fabric (24 hours).  And you have to wait 72 hours before hand washing.  I mention cause I am not a patient person.  :)
• Screen has to be exposed in the light box for a full 25 minutes.  Again if you are not a patient crafter be prepared.
• You cannot expose the screens to light before placing them and your design in the light box.  This means working in a dark barely lit room.  I got the hang of it after just a bit.  
• Screens come in three sizes: 6.7 in x 8.4 in, 6.7 in x 9.2 in or 7.5 in x 10.2 in.   So the largest screen is not even a full size sheet of paper.  I handled this by moving the screen around my project and using it multiple times.  
  
  
  
  Overall I loved playing around with this kit and got some great projects out of it.  With a few improvements, this could be a really great product.  Right now if you have a simple design that you need to reproduce multiple times, this kit might just be for you!

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

Visit the rest of the ladies reviewing this product and get their take on it!
Plaid sent me the product to review.  All opinions and ideas are 100% mine!

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Thrifty Finds -- Gifts of Fire King

Today's thrifty finds are actually vintage gifts from a dear reader and friend!  Many thanks Tricia for my box of goodies...I am in loooove!!  Two pieces already found a home....

Two Fire King creamers in white!!  Lovely.... 

Gotta show off the bottoms y'all.... 

I love the shapes!!  The white pitchers I had here that were thrift store cast offs will probably once again find their way to a thrift store!!   

You have to make room for authentic fire king goodies!! 

They joined a few pieces that I already had... 

And who said that creamers belong in the kitchen??  These are beside the TV in my bedroom! 

Tricia you made my day! :)  I truely hope we can meet soon!!  HUGS!!

So did y'all get any thrifty treasures this week??  Or gifts from readers or friends??

Showing off my Thrifty Treasures on Southern Hospitality.

Posted on Met Monday on Between Naps on the Porch.

Posted at Your So Very Creative on Me Making Do.
Linking to LWIFF on Vintage Revivals.
Posting to It's a Blog Party.

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

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Making your own art with stamps! -- Mason Jar Art

Did you know that you can use stamps to make your own art?  I used my mason jar stamp to make myself some mason jar art.  This is a super easy project that looks amazing when you are done!  So let's get started!

You will need a frame of course.  I choose an 8 x 10 frame I had on hand.  I painted it a dark charcoal gray...

Now to start stamping.  You really can't free hand this one as you want even and neat rows and columns.  Cut a piece of scrap book paper the size of your frame.  I used white.  Measure your stamp and make equal spaced blocks that your stamp will go in.  I left a border around my art that does not have any stamping in it.  Outline your blocks in black.  You want to be able to see them when you layer your paper on top.  Yes this is NOT the piece you will frame.  This is the layout that will go UNDER your paper so that you can see it when you are stamping.

Cut another piece of paper to the size of your frame.  Then lay it on top of your "block layout".  Start stamping in each block.  Being careful to keep you stamp as straight as possible.  I choose a light gray ink for my mason jar stamp...

Then as soon as everything is dry, you can just frame it up!  Now wasn't that easy??

And your favorite stamp is now a piece of art work!  Simple and elegant...with farmhouse flair...

I have other plans for my living room mantle shelf so I rearranged a few items into my bedroom.  Joining my mason jar art is my framed arrowheads shadowbox and my DIY wrapped map canvas....

Plus my mini bottle collection found its way in here...looks great with the mason jar art!

Take 15 minutes and turn your favorite rubber stamp into gorgeous art....



Posted at Get Your Craft On on Today's Creative Blog.

Posted at Take a Look Tuesday on Sugar Bee Craft Edition.

Posted at Tip Me Tuesday on Tip Junkie.

Linking to Tackle it Tuesday on 5 Minutes for Mom.
Posted at Craft of the Week on All Thingz Related.
Posted at Tutorials and Tips on The Stories of A to Z.
Posted at the Weekend Wrap up on Tatertots and Jello.
Posted at SNS on Funky Junk Interiors.

~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~

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Dye Fabric with Tea {A Thriftstore Pillow Makeover}

I found a gorgeous creamy white pillow at the thrift store!  It has a gorgeous quilted front and I loved it!!  But I wanted it to be a deeper cream color.  So I used tea to dye the fabric.  Yep a thriftstore pillow makeover just for you!  Here it is all finished and on my bed...

This is the before picture.  Okay this was soooo hard to capture the effect in pictures.  But I will attempt to explain...

First of all this is a PILLOW not a pillow cover.  And I wanted to dye it with tea.  So I made my tea using two tea bags.  And swabbed it right on my pillow using a few wadded up paper towels.  Scientific method I know.  I let it sit for a bit (5 minutes or so) then threw the entire thing in the wash.  Worked like a charm!!

The final effect is a darker, creamier color.  Oh and just look at that stitching...can you see the tea stain in this picture??  Maybe a little??

I think you can really tell if you compare the stark white of the roll pillow with the creamy color of the thriftstore pillow behind it.  Tea...that is all it takes!  And you have that in your cabinet!!

Want further info on the other pillows on my bed??

Monogrammed Burlap and Lace Pillow

Roll Pillow covered in lace in the front

Vintage Blue and White striped pillow

So this was my first tea dye adventure and I see many, many more in my future!!

Posted at Show and Tell on Romantic Home.

Posted at Frugal Friday on Shabby Nest.

Linking to Catch as Catch Can on My Repurposed Life.

Posted at friday fun finds on kojo designs.

Posted at Frugalicious Friday on Finding Fabulous.

Posted at Friday Favs on Naptime Crafters.
Posted at Feature Yourself Friday on Fingerprints on the Fridge.

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

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Country Farmhouse Decor: Grain Sack Stool Upholstry

Did y'all see that Young House Love is going to have a Pinterest Inspiration party in the morning??  I had to come up with a project!!  And I am totally in love with the results!  I covered a stool in my bedroom with a grain sack!  The perfect addition to your country farmhouse decor...

I bought the feed sack at a flea market months ago.  But I needed a little pinterest inspiration to figure out what to do with it!  Click here to visit my pinterest pin board all on grain sack upholstry! 

You will want to see all of these lovely inspiration pieces!!

My little grain sack stool goes with my dresser in my bedroom...

I cut the sack to size.  Removed the top from the stool.  Then wrapped the grain sack around and secured...

Literally a 10 minute project with gorgeous results!!  And the grain sack was like $8 at the flea market!!  What a steal right?? 

The bonus is I have the entire back of the feed sack left!  It only has the stripes but still gorgeous!!   

So what has pinterest inspired for you lately??  And are you going to link it up with Young House Love?
Great pinterest inspiration can be found:
Young House Love and an AWESOME clothes pin chandy that is totally inspiring me!!
Bower Power with a mirror that is to die for!!
Emily Henderson made some nail head closet doors -- hello genius!!
Joey and Lana did a great chalkboard fridge -- don't miss this one!!
Posted at Get Your Craft On on Today's Creative Blog.

Posted at Take a Look Tuesday on Sugar Bee Craft Edition.

Posted at Tip Me Tuesday on Tip Junkie.

Linking to Tackle it Tuesday on 5 Minutes for Mom.
Posted at Craft of the Week on All Thingz Related.
Posted at Tutorials and Tips on The Stories of A to Z.
Posted at the Before and After Party on Thrifty Decor Chick.

~Thanks for stopping by!~
~Angie~

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Burlap and Lace Pillow Tutorial

Did y'all see my guest post on The CSI Project??  I looooove burlap -- but you know that right??  So when I saw burlap week on the list...I did not pause for a second before volunteering to guest post!  So let's combine some burlap and lace for a rustic yet elegant farmhouse pillow cover! 

The graphics on the front could of course be anything you wish...for me I decided to show off the fact that we live on a farm! 

First of all let's work on the burlap portion.  My pillow cover measures about 17 x 17 and I started with a 10 x 10 inch square of burlap and some fray check.  You can get fray check at Wal-mart or any hobby store.  It is not expensive and it sure does the job!

The first thing I did was to pull out pieces of burlap all around the edges to get a frayed edge.  I pulled 5 strings around each side -- the amount is up to you and how much fray you want.  Then just use your fray check liberally all around that outside edge.  After it dries it does not affect the color.  However you can use the fray check on the back of your square if you are worried about it.

I then used my silhouette to design and cut out my graphics.  I use little pieces of tape to hold in the middles of my letters.

I heart the way white paint looks on burlap!  Stenciling on burlap is not an exact science -- all those bumps leave some room for your paint to run.  But I love the way it turned out!

And the area where I used tape to hold in the letter middles, I touch up by hand with a small brush.

Now while that is drying, let's talk about the "lace" portion!  I love this fabric...love!  I have used it in several places in my bedroom. 

I just cut one looong strip.  Enough to cover the front and back of my pillow plus some overlap for an envelope closure.  Make it the width of your pillow plus a seam allowance.  I then marked with pins where the "front" of the pillow will be -- top and bottom.

Then once your burlap piece has dried, center it on the front area of what will be your pillow and pin in place.

I used a fancy stitch on my machine to go all the way around the burlap piece.  A straight stitch will work fine. 

Sew around all 4 sides.

Now to make your pillow cover, you just have to hem both ends.   Then fold your long piece on the pins from up above where the right sides are in (so burlap to the inside!).  Sew up both sides of the pillow cover.  And flip right side out through your envelope closure.  Stuff in your pillow form.

Then enjoy the great pillow cover with an awesome contrast in texture!

I love different textures combined into one!  

Gorgeous lace accents that are store bought... 

You can change the front graphics to anything your heart desires.  Perhaps a silhouette?  A fleur de lis?  A bird?

Go ahead and stalk your fabric store for some lacy goodness so you can make your own!

Posted at Show and Tell on Romantic Home.

Posted at Frugal Friday on Shabby Nest.

Linking to Catch as Catch Can on My Repurposed Life.

Posted at friday fun finds on kojo designs.

Posted at Frugalicious Friday on Finding Fabulous.

Posted at the Weekend Wrap Up on Tatertots and Jello.

Posted at Friday Favs on Naptime Crafters.

Posted at SNS on Funky Junk Interiors.

Posted at the Sunday Showcase on Under the Table and Dreaming.
Posted at Textile Party on Freckled Laundry.
Entering the Canvas Corp's Burlap Contest!

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

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