Turquoise and Orange Part 2 - Frames

My little beach cabanas, which I originally attached to a piece of driftwood, just weren't going over as well as I'd hoped. I decided to try something a bit different. I searched antique and thrift shops for frames with good character features, then repurposed them into these funky frames to give my beach cabanas new life! I think they turned out very fun!

Beach Huts

I'm still liking Beach Huts; those little cabanas that you see on the beach are so cute! I found this image for an inspiration shot:

 

First it inspired some pillows and here's an example:

Then I went on to make some little beach cabana appliques and attempt to mimic the beach. I ended up with a small table top runner, 14" x 24". The center is deep blue representing the water. The edges are natural burlap representing the sandy beach. And, I've placed the beach cabanas near the 'shore'.

It was fun to make and I think it turned out pretty cute! I'm trying to make smaller sized table top because I've received feedback that some of the table runners are too large for some furniture. While longer ones work well for dining room tables, many want to have just a little something for a coffee or end table, or even for a kitchen counter.

This item is going to be posted on Etsy for sale. Visit http://www.etsy.com/shop/Floatinteriors to check it out.

 



Nautical Shabby Chic Runner

I just finished this runner and really like how it turned out. It's made of natural burlap, woven with jute and appliqued with  gauze-like linen waves. I wanted the look to be very raw and all natural looking.

Here's how it was made:

I started by measuring and cutting my piece of  burlap. Then I created a paper template of waves, pinned it to my gauze, which I had backed with a fusible fabric stabilizer, and cut it out.

I then pulled out a couple strands and wove in a piece of jute the full length of the runner on each end. Taking a large embroidery needle, I wove in a couple strands of an off-white burlap for some contrast.

Next step was to pin the applique waves in place. And, with my machine set at a very small, tight zig zag, I sewed the applique to the runner. This was a bit tricky with all the twists and turns.





Last, all the edges were zig zagged to lock the weave in place so it will not unravel. I then apply a light starch with a hot iron to flatten and add body to the material. The look is just what I was after -- shabby chic, beachy, nautical and natural! Hope you like it. It's for sale in my Etsy Shop, www.etsy.com/shop/Floatinteriors.

Inspired by being lazy!

 

I got this wonderful citrus colored fabric, Robert Allen's Beach Bongo, for making a couple of pillow covers. This is an indoor/outdoor fabric, which I love. After I cut my pillows out I noticed I had a chunk of fabric left over that had some of the seashells on it. I decided to cut the seashells out and make them into appliques, which I then stitched on to pieces of bright green burlap.

Well, now what. I thought about sewing them on to pillows, but I already had pillows. What about a runner that could be thrown over an outdoor table that would look great with the pillows tossed on to accompanying chairs. I just happened to have enough bright orange burlap. What luck!

I cut the runner, and placed the appliques when I realized I didn't have any orange thread.  I didn't want to sew the appliques on to the runner and be able to see a different color thread on the backside.

 

Here's where the lazy part kicks in -- I was too lazy to drive to the fabric store to buy orange thread, so I decided I'd sew the appliques on by hand using strands of the orange burlap. 

Liking the look of this, I then wove some of the green burlap threads along both long sides to frame the appliques. But now I had to figure out how I was going to 'lock' the long edges so they would not fray. This is normally where I would have sewn them by machine, but again, no orange thread.  Well, I remembered my cross-stitching from years ago and decided this was going to be the solution. I love the look, but the problem with cross-stitching is that IT TAKES SO DARN LONG TO DO!

 

Oh well, as I mentioned, I was too lazy to drive to the fabric store to buy orange thread...so that's how this particular runner was designed.

 

Nautical Christmas

My love of working with burlap continues. I've had a lot of fun making these items. Here's a nautical garland I just finished. It has small 'flags' portraying boats carrying Christmas to port, larger Christmas trees, and fringe with bows. I hand cut all the appliques and iron then sew them on. Finding all sorts of holiday trims to add sparkle has also been a lot of fun.

Then I got hooked on beach cabanas. I just think they are so cute. I created this holiday table topper with a small cabana along side a swaying palm tree in opposite corners.

Next I headed out to the beach to pick up just the perfect size pieces of driftwood to use in creating beach cabana ornaments.

 

 

I'm still flipping out!

Flip Flops are so fun to cut out and applique I could resist putting them on wine bags. Here are some of the latest.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/158679750/flip-flops-striped-and-blue-on-green

New Nautical Lighthouse Collection

Hello! And a very happy Memorial Day to all! Here in Michigan, it is a great day to -- be inside sewing. I had purchased some wonderful lighthouse embroidered jacquard upholstery fabric a while back and have finally created some pillows. There is an 18", 16", 12x16", and I also made a matching garland. I just couldn't resist using up the remaining lighthouses on this garland.

How I made the garland --
I cut out the lighthouse in a square and fused heat and bond to the backside to stabilize the fabric and keep it from unraveling. I then cut out the lighthouse and fused it to the burlap flag. Then sewed it on because even the super strength heat and bond doesn't really adhere well to burlap. The burlap flags are cut 5-1/2" wide by 8" long. Then I serge around all edges, fold down a top pocket and zigzag it shut. I measured out 8' plus a few inches of dock line and strung the flags on placing knots in between to hold them in place.

I can just image these pillows tossed on a bed with the garland looping above the headboard. Or the pillows tossed on a couch with the garland strung over a window covering to add a great nautical feel to the décor.

Beach Wedding Buffet; beach wedding linens; beach decor
Okay, this will be it for the wedding items today. But, I thought what a great table or buffet runner this would make for an outdoor wedding by the water! It's made of white burlap. I hand-cut the waves applique and then finished it off with an aqua woven ribbon. See details here http://www.etsy.com/listing/90064013/off-white-burlap-table-runner-with-waves

Wine Bags with Driftwood Buttons

Well, here's a first couple ideas on what to make with all the driftwood I pick up on the beach! I love the driftwood buttons! Each piece of driftwood is drilled for either sewing on or knotted. Oh, Oh, now I'm using power tools! The bags are made of burlap. All the internal seams are serged for strength. But, I wanted the final look to remain 'rustic'. Visit Float on Etsy to see more.