Rag Quilt Insert

Happy Memorial Day!  I hope you are well.  And don't forget to give Thanks to those military personnel who have sacrificed and who have fought for the freedoms we enjoy today!  {a moment of silence to say 'thanks' and say a prayer}

I have been working on my 'bed spring light' over the weekend.   I have the frame, which was shown earlier this month.  But, I was struggling with what to put behind the bed springs.  And I believe that I have it figured out!  (yeah!)  I recently purchased this gorgeous Rachel Ashwell shabby chic fabric, and some linen in a light kraft color and a dark brown-copper color.  I believe that I will be mixing all of them.  {smile}

I took the shabby chic fabric, and the light kraft linen fabrics, and cut them into scallop squares.  I also added some cream colored battling between the two fabric pieces.  Made little 'sandwiches' and sewn them together.  

shabby chic fabric squares

I sewn a simple X across each scallop square 'sandwich'.  Then I sewn the squares together in each row.  And then, the rows were sewn together.

Finally, I used super sharp scissors to cut snips in the fabric between the blocks, and machine washed this piece again, to help 'fluff' the snipped fabric between the squares.

Yes, the finally piece has the blocks in a different order. {frown}  Unfortunately, I was doing other 'things' while putting the rows together, and didn't realize I had the bottom two rows switched. {frown}  And now, that I am looking at this photo, I realize that I have two of the same blocks in the same row.  What the heck!  Well, this is the final piece.  I will not be making any changes.  Remember (or at least, this is what I am telling myself) a section of rusty bed springs, with lights will be sitting right on top of this piece.  I created this rag quilt piece to help give the 'bed spring light' a shabby chic, feminine look.  Hopefully, (fingers crossed) that with the bed springs, lights, drag chain, and chandelier crystals on top of this  piece, will distract your eye, and you won't notice the two pink ruffled squares in the same row.

Please stay tuned.  I will be going into town today, to pick up some globe lights for this piece.  The chandelier crystals should arrive around the middle of June; so a few weeks away.  But, I am planning on adding the chandelier crystals after the bed springs and lights are 'attached'.  I'm getting closer to being done!

Thank you for stopping by!  Have a great day, be safe, and take some time to craft something!

    

Berry Pretty Basket

Howdy! and welcome!  I hope this new year is off to a wonderful start for you! {smile}  Me? well, I have been in my craft room, when I'm not shoveling/plowing the new snow fall.  So, I'm doing good! {wink}  Last month, I met this charming lady, Elma.  Elma, just loved the crafts she saw at one of my Holiday Craft Fairs.  Anyways, Elma, is putting together a Trash to Treasure Trunk Show, and  invited me to participate (be a vendor) at this years Trash to Treasure Trunk Show, and well, I accepted.  {super happy!}  I have been brain storming as to what I could create/craft to sell at the Trunk Show, and I believe I have a few 'new' crafts to sell! {Yeah!}

My main focus, is to craft/create stuff that is repurposed.  Because let's face it, isn't that the whole premiss behind a 'Trash to Treasure' Trunk Show?!

I found a stack of these plain white berry baskets in my craft room.  Originally, I purchased them to decorate for Easter.  And I did.  But only 4 were used.  So, I have quite a few left, and I knew I could do something 'pretty' and shabby chic with them.  I took out my bin of fabric scraps, trim, and sewing machine and I decorated the outside of one berry basket.  [It's my 'sample'.]  

and here it is:

I stacked a strip of red velvet, a strip of red and white seersucker, and a strip of white eyelet trim, and machine stitched them together.  Adhered the layered material to the outside of the white berry basket.  Made a hand sewn red velvet blossom, and adhered over the seam of my stacked material.  Viola!  Now, before we get too far ahead of ourselves, I haven't 'finished' this berry basket yet.  I haven't quite decided on what to add to them.  I was thinking about adding a tag,  or leaves, or an altered clothes pin, or shred, or a doily, or something else.  I just wanted to share my creation with you.  I believe that I will 'package' these gems in cello bags, that way you can 'see' it without leaving finger prints.    And unfortunately I don't come up with a price yet either. {frown}

But stay tuned, I have been 'working' on a few fabric banners and wreaths, and I want to share those with you soon.  {smile}  I hope you have been inspired to create something 'new' out of something old.  {smile}