Happy 4th of July

I wanted to create a couple classic nautical pillows showing off our red, white and blue. One pillow is embellished with a hand cut anchor. The other has a 1/4" dock line laced through brass grommets to create this great nautical look!

Creative Corner Display

Here is my new display at the Creative Corner in Holland. I was able to get this great window space when another vendor moved out. I had walked down to Harvest Antiques to browse for something I might use as display fixtures and hoping not to have to spend too much money. I spotted these asparagus crates and thought -- perfect! Throw some fish net over them and they take on a nautical look, which is a perfect backdrop for all my Float items. $5 a crate -- can't go wrong!

Nautical 4th of July Red White and Blue Table Runners

 

I'm back on my obsession with burlap! I've created a couple styles of table runners that I thought would be a fun way to brighten up any summer buffet. Above I wove together blue and red pieces of burlap then appliqued hand cut stars the full length. Below I wove some dock line the full length of the runner to create a center on to which I appliqued hand cut burlap and ticking anchors. They are time-consuming but I just love to work with burlap!

 



Robert Allen Island Ibis Coral Tropical Pillows

I loved this fabric from the moment I saw it because it contains all of my favorite colors! It turned into very fun, bright pillows which I photographed on our patio at the office. Our green chairs and purple flowers were a perfect setting.

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.

Palm Tree Pillows

I found this great quality jacquard palm tree fabric and just fell in love with it. I love the little embroidered palm trees and the fact that the colors are so neutral. I think this print could fit in almost anywhere.

I then found this chenille for the piping which I was really thrilled to see that when I used it on the bias it looks like woven stray which is perfect with the palms! I made a couple of the rectangle pillows as accents.

Driftwood Valance

This post is compliments of my friend Ruth who created this unique valance out of driftwood pieces and I wanted to share it with all of you!

 

"Here are the pictures you wanted of my driftwood valance.  After several beach walks I had enough pieces to span the window.  I laid them all out on the basement floor until I was satisfied with the arrangement.  I was able to purchase a metal rod in the correct length from my favorite local hardware store but if you couldn't get the correct length a longer one could be cut down.  I chose metal over a wooden dowel for overall sturdiness.

Then I got busy with the drill and a bit a little bigger than the metal rod and made a hole in each piece of driftwood.  I have to admit to splitting a couple pieces and having to replace them.  I threaded them on the rod until I had almost the width of the window casing.

I purchased wooden balls with one flat side at the hobby store and drilled a hole in two of them with a bit exactly the same size as my metal rod, then inserted pencils into the holes and stuck them in a block of styrofoam so that I could easily paint them.  When they were dry I put them on the ends of the rod using a little dab of good glue.

The brackets are simple cup hooks screwed into the window casing.  All I had to do was lay the rod into the hooks and voila!  Beachy, unusual and fun."