Tea-Stained Tags

This is such a fun time of year.

It's the season for

all things handmade and homespun.

Here is a primitive little tag

you can add to any gift or wreath.

I even use these to tag our Christmas Stockings
with family names.

This fall I've used them on wreaths.

Using Brown Craft paper and white cardstock,

I brush instant tea granules with just a bit of water

directly on the paper.

(1/4 cup tea plus 1 or 2 Tbsp. Water)

Brush both sides of paper.

Set aside to dry.

Cut and tear the paper

into sizes and shapes you like.

I also reinforce the paper punch on back
with another piece of paper.

This wreath was a coffee theme...
made from a burlap coffee bag

You can find out how to make

the burlap wreath here.

I continued the coffee theme

with a coffee filter flower dipped in the tea

and embellishing the tag with coffee beans.

Tea-Stain and Glitter...

Now that's Farmhouse Glam.

So glad you could visit,

Deb

Link Parties:

Wednesday:        Savvy Southern Style

Thursday:            Beyond the Picket Fence
                            Stone Gable
                            House of Hepworths
                            The 36th Avenue
                            A Delightsome Life
                            The Brambleberry Cottage
                            The Shabby Creek Cottage
                            Joyful Homemaking
                            Homa Style
                            Embracing Change

Friday:                  French Country Cottage
                             Common Ground
                             At the Picket Fence
                             Fridays Unfolded
                             One Artsy Mama
                             My Repurposed Life
                            The Shabby Nest

Saturday:             TaterTots & Jello
                             Cheerios & Lattes
                             Too Much Time on My Hands
                             Funky Junk Interiors
                             It's Overflowing

Sunday:                Design Dreams by Anne
        
Monday:               DIY Showoff
                             Boogie Board Cottage
                             I Should be Mopping the Floor
                             Between Naps on the Porch
                             Keeping it Simple

Tuesday:              Coastal Charm

How to Paint the Birch Look

Birch Bark

has such a restful palette

and beautiful texture.

This look will be perfect for

Ann's Cabin.

Her vision is to use many natural elements

in the room.

She has some burlap pillows with

simple black text,

wicker,

and white.

She found this headboard at the thrift store

for less than ten dollars.

So we added some birch branches

to the center.

I'm already feeling the restful embrace....

a simple and peaceful surround.

I'd love to share with you

how to "get the look".

I started with this little black bench/stool.

After sanding just a bit

I base painted in primer white.

Then I dipped my large chip brush

in camel, white, and country grey

and brushed over the base

in a straight line fashion.

At first on the top I base painted in the camel.

Later I decided to add the country grey and white

in a streaky fashion

with a little bit of clear glaze

so that all of the brush strokes would show.

I painted the edges with a charcoal grey wash

(using a bit of clear glaze to go on smooth)

Then using a large flat brush,

lay in the white branches

even if the base coat is still a little wet

because we like the look

of mottled and splotchy. : )

Then add just a teeny bit of charcoal to the edge of your brush

and also some clear glaze to help your

stroke stay smooth.

Drag down the edge of the tree.

Now in a cross wise movement,

drag a chip brush

back and forth with white paint.

Using a fan brush,

dip in some charcoal grey and glaze

and wipe off so there is not a lot of paint on your brush.

Stipple up and down in places.

Drag straight line in places.

If it is too heavy,

dab off with a baby wipe.

That way it subdues and fades out the harshness.

This is so forgiving with the glaze.

You can wipe off and try again as many times as you need to!

Phew.

Then use the fan brush

with charcoal paint

pulling in from the sides.

Use a small amount of black paint on some edges

and a few random other places

dabbing off with a baby wipe to get

a natural shape.

You can see how I added in the streaky

brush stroke between branches.

Now you've "got the look"

of natural birch.

Are you thinking of all kinds of

things to paint on!

Happy Painting!

Deb



Link Parties:

Friday:         Miss Mustard Seed
                          At the Picket Fence
                          Redoux Interiors
                          The Shabby Nest
                          Common Ground

Saturday:    Funky Junk Interiors 
                    Tatertots & Jello
                    It's Overflowing

Sunday:      DIY Showoff

Monday:      BoogieBoard Cottage
                    I Should be Mopping the Floor
                   Craftomaniac
                   Between Naps on the Porch
                   Keeping it Simple
                   It's so Very Cheri

Wednesday:  Savvy Southern Style

Thursday:      Beyond the Picket Fence
                      Stone Gable
                      House of Hepworths
                      The 36th Avenue
                      A Delightsome Life
                      The Brambleberry Cottage
                     The Shabby Creek Cottage
                     

Burlap Wreath Craft Party

This is such a fun fall project!

The best part is getting together

with the girls

Crafting and Laughing

are

two of my favorite things.

And when you mix that

with Burlap and Apple Cider

you make

a great memory with friends.

Plus, you just might have

a new awesome fall decoration.

Before I show you

the fun design variety

the girls came up with,

let me show you the basic construction.

You'll need heavy wire.

14 guage seems to be the best.

Cut a piece about 38" long.

Twist one end so that

the burlap doesn't slide off.

Cut  9 or 10  4" strips of burlap

from selvedge to selvedge.

Cut along thread line.

You can get 9 strips out of

1 yard of fabric.

The burlap was $2.99 per yard.

Cut off selvedge ends.

Pull off a few threads to have a frayed look.

Pull 4 threads from both sides

of 4" strip.

Keep the threads.

You'll need them later.

You will have 9 or 10 strips

that look like this.

Thread the burlap onto the wire

inserting wire in the middle

and weaving in and out at random lengths.

For example ,

take a couple of 2" stitches

then take a longer 4".

Just mix it up as you go.

The shorter stitches will

help to give you volume in between

your longer folds.

Keep going

until all of your strips are on the wire.

Bend wire

to secure at the top.

Fold 2 long threads back and forth

in random lengths that look like a bow

and tie around wire

placing all around the wreath.

This is the fun part

tying on the threads.

Then you can decide how wild and wooly

you want it to look.

You can cut some threads

and leave some in loops.

Now it's time to make the

"wrist corsage" that will wrap around the top center.

See, you will use a 24" length of burlap about 2-3" wide.

You can make flowers out of sisal rope...

You can make flowers out of ribbon or fabric strips.

Tie a knot in one end.

Start wrapping in a circle.

Then you can start back folding on the turns

to create angles on the flower.

Or ...to keep it simple,

just work in a circular pattern.

Tie your long hanging ribbon on first.

Then tie your flower band on top.

Look what my creative friends came up with!

I love that each wreath

has it's own personality

just like my sweet friends and family!

Have a great week,

Deb

Link Parties:

Monday:           DIY Showoff
                        Craftomaniac
                        I Should be Mopping the Floor
                        BoogieBoard Cottage
                        Keeping it Simple
                        Between Naps on the Porch

Tuesday:         Coastal Charm
                        My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
                        Cozy Little House
                        Home Stories A to Z
                        Elizabeth & Co.
                        Lil Luna

Wednesday:    Savvy Southern Style
                        DIY Showoff Fall Festival

Thursday:        Beyond the Picket Fence
                        The 36th Avenue
                        Stone Gable
                        House of Hepworths
                        Embracing Change
                        A Delightsome Life
                        The Shabby Creek Cottage
                        Joyful Homemaking

Friday:             At the Picket Fence
                        Common Ground
                        Blissful Bucket List

Saturday:        Funky Junk Interiors
                        Tatertots & Jello
                        It's Overflowing

Sunday:          Submarine Sunday
                       Sew-licious