Subway Art Burlap Table Runner -- Point of View

I am participating in a fun blog hop today!  The Burlap Point of View!  A group of ladies get together each month and put their spin on a topic.  They invite a guest and do a blog hop one day of the month.  I am the guest this month!  So read on to find out about MY point of view on burlap!

After that little sneak peak of the projects, I am sure you want to visit them all!  Check out all the blogs:

Amy http://www.amerooniedesigns.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://www.alittletipsy.com/


Camilla http://www.rosyredbuttons.blogspot.com/


Leanne http://www.organizeyourstuffnow.com/


Gwen http://www.gwennypenny.com/

Now for my point of view!  Burlap is the perfect thing for me...I was thrilled that the ladies asked me this month.  I heart burlap!  As soon as I heard the theme, I began to think of table runners for my Thanksgiving table.  I have had a thought of a subway art table runner for a while.  I love subway art but have never found a way to work it into my home.  A table runner seemed like the perfect opportunity.  So I combined that idea with burlap and came up with fabulous...

Ready to make your own??

I used muslin and my fave deco art paints for the runner.  Muslin comes in 108" widths so it is super easy to tear yourself off a runner from one side.  My muslin is 12 inches wide.

Then I broke out one of my other fave products -- my Silhouette.  I made my subway art using different fonts, sizes, and directions plus stock shapes out of my library.  I made the stencil about 8 inches square.  If you make your stencil square that allows for you to turn it as you work your way down the table runner.  It looks a little less like you just used the same stencil all the way (even though you do).  Paint it this way then turn it 1/4 turn.  Paint it again.  Turn it 1/4 turn.  Make sense?   My secret for stencils -- I take the middles of the letters and tape them in with scotch tape.  After I paint in this area, I would remove the stencil and go back by hand and paint in the areas masked by the tape.  Want more details on that method?  Check out this post for all the details.

I custom mixed my own paints.  I did them in small amounts on a paper plate.  So as you go down the runner, the orange may look different as I had to mix a new batch.  I wanted this look.  I did not want the runner to be exactly the same all the way.  I felt the slight differences in color added interest.

Plus when I painted I used different colors.  Let's take the "give thanks" in the picture below on the right for example.  The "give" part looks like a slightly different shade then the "thanks".  But the "give thanks" on the left hand side looks a little different yet.  Just dip your brush in say a little red before dipping it into the brown.  You will be amazed at the effects you can create. 

See my turkey below...isn't he pretty??  Shades of red, orange, and yellow all used to make him stand out!  When I got to the next turkey, I would try a different mix of colors. 

I stretched my runner out on the floor with newspaper underneath it.  I painted all of my subway art all the way down.  I did it in two sessions cause it totally hurt my back!!  But I finished it...then I let that dry.  I took my burlap and cut it to be about 4 inches wider than my runner (2 inches on both sides).

I then sewed the muslin to the burlap on both sides and on the ends.  I left about 2 inches all the way around of the burlap.  I left all of my edges raw cause I heart frayed edges.  You can run some fray checker on the edges to make sure it does not fray more than you want it to.

I frayed my edges some on purpose.  Again cause I love that look.  How much or how little is totally up to you.

Then I set the table for a little photo shoot.  Any guesses on what my table cloth is?  It is a drop cloth.  Yes a canvas painter's drop cloth.  Impress your guests this Thanksgiving with a gorgeous table cloth...don't tell 'em where you got it...

In the center of the table, I just added a footed wood bowl and some pumpkins and gourds.  A little scrap of burlap was placed in the bottom of the bowl.

All that is missing is my Thanksgiving guests.  I love the idea that no matter where you are sitting at the table you can read seasonal saying and words....

Here is a shot from above so you can see that I did indeed paint all 108 inches of table runner...no cheating allowed...

I am so in love with this table runner, I am thinking of doing one for every season!  The subway art table runner could very quickly become a "thing" for me...

For now, I will just enjoy all the autumn colors on my Thanksgiving table.  Oh if you are wondering -- this one will be spot clean only.  Sorry gals I don't think burlap washes well.  :)

So fire up your Silhouette, make your stencil, and start painting!  I would love to see your take on the subway art table runner this holiday season!

Be sure to visit all the other burlap projects today!

Amy http://www.amerooniedesigns.blogspot.com/

Michelle http://www.alittletipsy.com/

Camilla http://www.rosyredbuttons.blogspot.com/

Leanne http://www.organizeyourstuffnow.com/

Gwen http://www.gwennypenny.com/

And if you are visiting me today from one of these great blogs, follow along!  We would love to have ya!
Posted at the Weekend Wrap up on Tatertots and Jello.
Posted at Sunday Showcase on Under the Table and Dreaming.
Linking up with Best DIY Project of October on Beneath My Heart. 
Posted at the Thanksgiving party on Someday Crafts.

~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

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How to Make a Rustic Wood Sign -- Trick or Treat

A few weeks back I made a rustic trick or treat sign.  I have used in when photographing my kid's costumes for the blog.  :)  I thought it would be cute to show them "saying" trick or treat!  I thought I would give y'all a quick tutorial on how to make your own....

Frankly, my hubby is always building something it seems.  So we have end cuts...lots of end cuts.  We end up burning them in our wood stove for heat in the winter.  But I can go out and steal a piece whenever I feel like it.  So this was the piece I started with...

 

I gave it a SUPER LIGHT coat of white paint.  As in you can still see the wood in places.  I just wanted to lighten the wood a shade and give the piece a rustic feel.  Plus for the next step, the stamps stand out better against the white back ground...

 

Wait for your white paint to dry.  It should not take long as the coat is super light.  Then I broke out my stamps and ink from PSA Essentials and started randomly stamping Halloween themed items around the wood.  Yes it is just standard orange ink.  Nothing special.  

 

Wait for your stamps to dry.  It did take a while for that step.  I used my Silhouette to cut out a "trick or treat" stencil out of a scary font.  Okay I think the font looks a little scary...you might not.  :)  Then stencil on your writing with black craft paint...

 

Let that dry and you are done!  I heart the rustic nature of this sign...but I heart rustic...y'all know that already...

 

When the kids aren't holding it up for blog pics, I am displaying this sign in my home for Halloween...

 

Fits in great with a blue mason jar...don't ya think?

 Posted at Transformation Thursday on The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Posted at Show off your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans.

Posted at the under $100 party on Beyond the Picket Fence.

Posted at the Open House Party on No Minimalist Here.
Posted at SNS on Funky Junk Interiors.
Posted at the Weekend Wrapup on Tatertots and Jello.
Posted at Sunday Showcase on Under the Table and Dreaming.
~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~
The Country Chic Cottage

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Girls Room -- Preteen Name Art

I have been putting off a project for my girls room for waaaay too long!!  I finally bit the bullet and made my preteen some name art!  After putting it off for so long you would think it would have been hard but in fact it didn't take long at all!!

I got the frame at the goodwill.  It is just one of those frames for a long poster print.  I took some before shots but they turned out so darn blurry I opted not to use em.  I paid maybe $5 for the frame.  I picked up a pack of scrap book paper in the colors of her room also for around $5.  There is plenty left and I already have another project in mind!

I let my preteen pick the paper for each letter.  I used my Silhouette to cut the letters but you would easily use scissors or an exacto knife.

The frame was dark blue so I broke out the trusty Krylon and painted it a lighter blue...

I needed a background for my letters.  I took a white sheet and cut it to size with a little overhang.  Then I took some shear blue fabric and cut it the same size.  I just stretched them around the cardboard already in the frame and hot glued the back.  White in back and blue on top. 

I then arranged out letters and secured them with a little mod podge.  We decided to not make the name straight to add a little interest. 

Did you notice those paper poms in the corner??  They are from her birthday party!  Reusing party decor can be a great budget stretcher!!  We hung the pom poms in two corners of her room and they look great!

Next time maybe I won't put a project off this long...okay who am I kidding??  I know I will!!  But at least it looks good!

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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Jewelry Box Makeover -- from little girl to pre teen!

First posted on the CSI Project...thought y'all might have missed it!  
This is my garage sale makeover!! A jewelry box for my middle daughter...

Course you gotta see the before to appreciate it!  Please keep in mind that my middle daughter is 10 going on 40.  The kiddie look to the jewelry box would just not work for her.  So I upcycled it to make it more for a teen room.

BEFORE

First it needed some repairs, so I broke out the wood glue.  Then I spray painted the entire piece white.  For the top "roof" section, I wanted something unique.  This was actually pieces of a free pattern on the Silhouette site many weeks ago.  I imported the pattern into my software and deleted all the lines I did not want.  Which left me with these really cool shapes.  I then cut them out of scrap book paper and broke out the Mod Podge!

For the drawers, I spray painted them with a really light green.  I actually did not have a green light enough.  So after I put the green on, I spray painted a really light coat of white on top until I got the look I wanted.  The paint is subtle but gives the piece some interest.  I then used some more of those shapes around the drawer knobs.

Just look at the little feet on this piece!!  Absolutely adorable don't ya think??

Within a few hours, I had a more grown up jewelry box for my pre-teen!  The original box was only $1 at a garage sale.  I had the paint and scrap book paper on hand!  What a great deal!!  A buck for a jewelry box...I will take it!!

Now for the side by side shot!!  You gotta love those!

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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Make Your Own Wood Sign

Seriously...if I can do this you can too!!  Make your own wood sign!  I made mine with a piece of worn wood that I found laying out back.  I love the farmhouse flair that comes with rustic wood!  Of course you can use new wood for yours if you want!  :)  I made mine a Lemonade theme sign..

First step is to find your inspiration.  My inspiration came from Ballard Designs.  I loved this lemonade sign from them but needed to add a little country to it!!

My first step was to try to copy that font as close as possible.  Then I used my Silhouette to cut out a stencil.  You can of course use another method to make a stencil or transfer your font to the board.  I started with a REALLY light coat of white paint on the board.  Then I painted the "Fresh Squeezed Lemonade" in green onto the board using a stencil.

I then took yellow and went on one side of all of the letters to get the two toned effect of the original.

Now that we are done with the Lemonade portion we need to work on the 5 cent portion. 

I painted a green square then the 5 cents in white using a stencil.  Yellow all the way around the edge again.

I need to talk about board choice for just a second.  Cause I loooove rustic...love!  So I chose a board with a battered end....

Love those rustic details!!

Now for the other end I actually free handed that yellow lemon and added some green touches.  You could stencil it again.

I used green, white, and yellow to make a box around the lemon....

Seriously y'all...if little ole me can do this so can you!!  Hunt up some inspiration and get to painting!  Make your own wood sign!!  Send it to me when you are done -- I would love to see em!!

I added my lemonade sign to my herb garden area...

Love rustic signs as outdoor decor!!

Posted at Transformation Thursday on The Shabby Chic Cottage.

Posted at Show off your Stuff Party at Fireflies and Jellybeans.

Posted at the under $100 party on Beyond the Picket Fence.

Posted at the Open House Party on No Minimalist Here.
Posted on SNS on Funky Junk Interiors.


~Thanks for stopping by!~

~Angie~

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