Burlap Week: Day 1...Deconstructed French Chaise

BURLAP WEEK: DAY 1

DECONSTRUCTED FRENCH CHAISE

BURLAP WEEK DAY 1: Deconstructed French Chaise

BURLAP WEEK DAY 2: "Faux Sew" Burlap Pillow Cover

BURLAP WEEK DAY 3: Plaid Pattern Burlap Coaster

BURLAP WEEK DAY 4: Burlap & Jute Placemat

BURLAP WEEK DAY 5: Burlap Tissue Box Cover
BURLAP WEEK DAY 6: Burlap Earring Display

This burlap project was more of a happy accident than anything else. Deciding that the silk aqua fabric just wasn't working on this vintage French chaise, I decided to play upholstery detective to see what I could find. (Read the full story here.) Tada! Awesome burlap!

The burlap around the back of the chaise and along the seat are a great rustic contrast to the elegant lines of the chaise itself.

Burlap at its finest!

While this burlap project was posted not too long ago, the remaining Burlap Week projects/tutorials are new! So, I hope you link up your own burlap posts and come back each day to see the latest and greatest in burlap here at WWC.

JOIN THE PARTY!

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PARTY RULES

1. Project(s) must involve burlap!
2. Project(s) must be your own...not a feature or summary of other people's work.
3. Big hugs if you include the party button in your post or sidebar. If you would like to be considered for a feature, you MUST include the party button in your post!

Trip Down Halloween Memory Lane

We don't get trick or treaters in our neighborhood, so Halloween tends to feel like any other night for us. In fact, the only people to see our simple Halloween decor are our blog readers. Lucky you, right? The only thing I did this year was to add some vinyls from Ten23 Designs to the mirror above and the lanterns below. I love how simple and fun vinyls can be!

I had a high school friend who was "batty" for all things Halloween and spooky, but it has never really been my thing. I had my share of trick or treating adventures with my brothers though. In Wisconsin, our costumes were usually covered up by winter coats or rain coats...depending on the weatherman's form of torture for that year. My mother would drive us on the rounds to see the great grandparents, grandparents, aunts, and special friends of the family. The ladies would make a fuss over us as they handed out special treat bags made just for us. 

We would then come home with our "haul" of candy, which we would then methodically organize, (while simultaneously checking for needles or other tampering). I also remember having to protect my candy stash from "thieves" (aka, parents and brothers) who thought I might want to share.

I know my mother has photos of me in these get-ups, but here are some of the costumes I wore as a child in the 70s:

Isis

Oh, yes, Isis. I remember wearing this super hero costume in kindergarten. Why would I remember that? Because I was wearing it while I won a game of "who can fit under the blocks without knocking them over." I was über-tiny as a kindergartener, so I rocked this game. What did I win? I got to be first in line to go to lunch. Score!

Casper

Casper! I have no idea how old I was when I wore this. I just remember wearing it. I also remember how hot and uncomfortable those vintage masks were. And how I could barely see anything out of those eye holes. But wearing it got me candy, so who was I to complain?

Princess Leia

I also remember being Princess Leia one year. I was and still am a Star Wars fan. I think my mother made my Princess Leia costume (she's crafty like that) and twisted my hair up somehow. I'm pretty sure it was freezing rain that year, so my costume was covered up under a big ol' green winter coat.

I wish I had the actual photos to show you, but then maybe it's better I don't! :) I hope you and the trick or treating kids in your life are having a blast this Halloween!

Get Your Bids On! Time is Running Out on 31 Days of Hope Fundraiser

Time is running out for bidding on over 40 donated DIY items in the 31 Days of Hope Online DIY Auction hosted by The DIY Club. All proceeds will be donated to the American Cancer Society's Breast Cancer Division.

Here are my items up for auction...

Bid on my Hanging Burlap Earring Display and my Faux Fur Jewelry Display. Or maybe you like these Stenciled Canvas Tags.

There are lots of other creative projects up for auction. See what you fall in love with! Remember, all proceeds go to the American Cancer Society. 

Click here to see all the
auction items and start bidding.

Nautical to Autumnal: Studio Gets Fall Makeover

The studio got a little changeover for the fall season.

Remember my stenciled screen project from last fall?

It was moved indoors to replace the vintage boat hoist behind the Sexy Beast.

BEFORE

AFTER

I also moved the barrister's bookcase back into the living room

and brought the pair of vintage medical cabinets back into the studio...

More updates to come! :)

Hanalei Bay on Canvas

I received an email from Easy Canvas a while back. They explained that they print photos to canvas...a gallery wrapped canvas, to be exact! I've aaaalways wondered about online canvas places. I love the concept and the look, but ordering things online without having any idea of the quality is not something I do often...or do with any confidence. When they asked me to write a review on a free 8x10, I was thrilled to give the process and product a test run.

Then the REAL issue began. Which of my kazillion Ireland or Hawaii photos was I going to print on my one free canvas? I'm embarrassed to tell you that it took me about three months to decide. I feel a bit bad for the rep that was dealing with me. He handled it well, though. :) 

You can see above how my photos translated onto the 8x10 canvas. When I first opened it, I thought it looked a little too orange. As you compare the photo I submitted (first photo in this post) to the canvas I received (second photo), you can see that the colors/hues/tones are the same. So, if I don't like the color, it has nothing to do with the canvas printing and everything to do with how I perceived the colors on my computer screen.

You'll also notice that some of the photo is cropped on the canvas. This is because the original photo proportions are different than the 8x10 canvas proportions. Luckily, I was able to determine the placement of the photo and where it would be cropped. I appreciated that option. I will say that I think the canvas printing process loses some of the photo details, but I am quite happy with the overall effect and the quality of the canvas itself.

The conclusion of my Easy Canvas review? Thumbs up!

Would I order from them in the future? Yes, I think I would.

What recommendation would I make to Easy Canvas? I guess I don't have any recommendations. The ordering process was simple to follow and the quality was good.

What recommendations would I make to you? 

1. Don't take three months to choose the photo you want to print. Just go for it!
2. Understand that printed images might look slightly different in person than they do on the screen.
3. Take advantage of discounts. Find the best canvas deal for whatever it is you want to order. For example, you can find deals on their website (currently 25% off and free shipping) or their Facebook page ("like" them and get 50% off and free shipping for your next order).

What I love about this canvas the most is that it allows me to have a special and frequent reminder of my amazing Hawaiian vacation. Each time I see this canvas, I am instantly transported to a special time and place...sunset at Hanalei Bay, Kauai. That is something I both cherish and recommend!

Eerie Halloween Lanterns in Under 5 Minutes

Want to add some Halloween eeriness to your decor?

How about a 5-minute project with these vinyls from Ten23 Designs? 

See my featured tutorial at The DIY Club...

Amy's Cat & Bat Halloween Lanterns

Vintage Lab Table Gets a Drawer Makeover

Remember the vintage lab table I found a Craig's List? Well, it got all cleaned up and now has a new home in the studio. Yes, the studio saga continues! That is one room with an identity crisis! One of these days, I'll get it right!

Well, the drawers in this bad boy got a bit of a makeover.

Visit my feature at The DIY Club to get the low-down!...

Amy's Cork-lined Lab Table Drawers

BURLAP WEEKS STARTS NOVEMBER 1!

Please grab the button to spread the word...

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Burlap Week Coming November 1-7

Well, I seem to have burlap on the brain. Seriously, I have burlap projects coming out of my ears. Soooo, why not make it a party and invite everyone? Long story short...I'm throwing a "Burlap Week" celebration so that we can all share our creative burlap projects.

Please get it on your calendar and spread the word. When it comes to parties, the more the merrier! I would appreciate it if you would all grab the burlap week button and slap it up on your sidebar! That's right, just slap it on up there. Grab and slap. Grab and slap. Okay, that sounds fresh, but it's not. We're only talking about blog buttons here, people!

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I'll be kicking off the party on Tuesday, November 1. Get ready to link up. Here are some burlap photos to give you a glimpse of what's to come...

We'll see you here on November 1!

Now, remember to "GRAB & SLAP" the button in your sidebar!

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