Instant Art in Fabric Framing...

If you're like me you have probably a few piles of favourite fabrics in a cupboard, box or sewing room somewhere. Ever thought about all that gorgeous fabric, or tablecloth, that might be - one of these two things...

a} much too nice to cut up [It feels so awful to cut up something so pretty even for a lovely cushion!] OR

b} just didn't know what to make out of it because you might not have had enough to keep going...so it continue to sit there?

Here's a thought - so why not think about framing it?  It's  a quick and inexpensive project that I love, it can bring instant colour, a custom look to your decor, and can be a great update to any room in your home! And depending on your fabric's look - can be for a living/ dining space,  a master bedroom, home-office or a child's room... the possibilities are endless!

Creating Simple Fabric Artwork

In its most simple form, you can just cut a piece of fabric to fit a frame, stretch and affix it to a cardboard backing, and place it in a mat and frame to create instant artwork. In order to choose the perfect spot to cut the fabric, use the clear glass from the frame itself as a guide. Slide the glass around the fabric until you find an area of the pattern that fits perfectly in the frame, then trace around the glass and make a marking on the fabric. Add a half inch [a couple of centimetres] to all edges to allow for affixing to a cardboard backing board, then cut out, mount and frame.

Alternatively you could also stretch the fabric over an inexpensive canvas - purchased from your local art&craft or variety store, and securing each side as you stretch the fabric over the canvas with a heavy duty staple gun. Make sure you check if your fabric has a directional print and you hang it accordingly - or it could be upside down!

This is something that you could try this weekend  for an instant wow!

Enjoy,

Miguel Flores-Vianna

images via canadian house and home, hub pages, elle decor via little green notebook, down & out chic - southern flourish, anne becker

Bunting Away!

Over the past couple of weeks I have been sewing up a little storm... truthfully I have had my sewing machine & cabinet out since Christmas [in the guest room] when I was sewing up the Christmas stockings & Santa sacks and made myself finish all the projects I had 'lined up to do'! So along with making some new curtains for our back sliding door/ windows I also wanted to add a little more 'pizazz' and 'joush' to my little girl, Isabelle's room.

There was something missing colour-wise on the window side.... so I got to thinking how sweet bunting would look over the curtain rail & window. I have a lot of fabric left over from some of my previous 'fashion' roles, these in particular were fabrics I had kept like the pistachio French silk & ribbons from Isabelle's birth gifts that form the centre flag and fabric prints that I had designed for a couple of well known Pyjama companies and thought they would be perfect teamed with a ticking stripe fabric from Ikea and some multi stripe ribbon from Bed Bath n'Table's line 'Morgan & Finch'....

Have a little look!

Enjoy,

 

images bu Sarah Verity - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions

Drab to Fab...Gorgeous Office Pinboard*

The finished 'Fab-ric Pinboard' - no more boring drab here!

I recently purchased an over sized cork board/ pin board for our [home] office....when looking to hang it on one of our office walls it looked terribly boring & plain. So I decided to spruce it up with some colourful bird & foliage printed fabric and black / white ribbon that I had in my fabric stash, and also made some coordinating floor cushions [for my little girl Isabelle to play when she's in the office] too!  I have just a few finishing touches on our accompanying personalised desk chair cushions to do - so will post pics shortly once I finish a little applique!

So take a look at this little afternoon project - all in the name of colour & design!

Choose colourful printed fabric in stripes, checks, geometric, paisley or a botanical design from your local fabric store [Spotlight or Ikea in Australia are great places to visit] with an inexpensive ready made cork/ pin board from your local variety or craft store [such as the Reject Store, or Hot Dollar discount stores in Australia].

May be you'd like to spruce up a boring old pin board into something gorgeous?

Enjoy,



1. Choosing fabrics, layout & ribbon combinations....playing with your
fabric & trims is important so that you can work out & feel good
about your colour combination choice.

2. Use polyester wadding to create a soft layer between the cork side/ pin board
 & the fabric, this also acts as a stabiliser and creates a better cushion for
 the pins when putting something up. Cut the wadding a little larger than the
board size - this will allow you to fold & stretch back around
 the board with fabric



3. Apply craft glue or adhesive spray onto the cork side - and lay the wadding on top
of this glue and press lightly down so wadding is attached

4. Cut fabric to the same size as your wadding.  I have used an over locker to finish
 & trim my fabric edges to keep it a bit neater as I go.Check that if you are using a
print and it is not multi directional  that the 'direction' is going the correct way.
You don't want to look at your pin board print upside down or across ways!

5. Layer fabric on top of wadding - matching up the cut sides - now staple!

6. Using a heavy duty staple gun, or a cordless staple gun - take the longest sides first
and stretch to pull over and secure the first 2 sides with a couple of staples. then stretch
to pull the two bottom ends and staple to secure. Once this is done you can go
 back over the 'gaps' on all four sides ensuring to stretch taut as you go to
staple the fabric edges. If you want cover the back of the pin board with some
black or white card - to cover the edges.

7. Using a combination of black & white ribbon I staple the
ribbon ends to the back of the board and begin a lattice effect  - with
 equidistant space between each one - with weaving alternate ribbons under
 & over. this will allow me to also place notes and cards onto the
 pin board without tacking them on.

Nearly finished weaving - worth the effort - it gives
the fabric another graphic dimension and is functional!
Once done I pin pearl pins into the centre of each 'X'



Coordinating floor cushions make for a fun, colourful & softer play area
 in the office space for my baby Isabelle.

I just love this print & the coordinating hot candy pink stripe I used.
Definitely my new favourite cushions.

New favourite colour print & stripe combination!

One things is for sure I never like to be 'under cushioned' my office
 & home are always filled with cushion that suit the room or the seasons!

Images by Sarah Verity - Verandah Home & Garden Living Solutions

How To - Give a Chair a Stylish Make-Over...

I came across a great article that may help take the pain out of trying to give some fave chairs that you have at home or found on eBay, roadside finds from council clean ups, or at a thrift store - that much needed face lift - bringing them into a new updated stylish 2nd life that reflects you & your decor!

Above - Chair Before Makeover BEFORE:

SOURCE:Country Living Style Director Nicole Esposito Polly discovered four Queen Anne-style chairs on eBay.

POTENTIAL: Nicole saw great possibilities in the chairs -- looking past the stolid style and pleather seats. Quality was key: They were made by Harden, a top manufacturer; the legs were sturdy; there were few nicks in the frame; and the original seat cushion was intact.

PURPOSE: Nicole intends to use the four chairs in her dining room. She can also pull one into the living room to serve as an accent piece. What Is It Worth?:

EBAY FINDS: Nicole purchased four Queen Anne Harden chairs on eBay for about USD$400. Appraisal value for each ranges from USD$150 to USD$250; a full set increases the value. photo credit: Lara Robby/Studio D.

1. FABRIC & PAINT Felicia in Espresso, US$28/1 yard [0.9144 metres] on the seat pairs with Krylon's Atlantic Almond US$5.00, or [Australia] White Knight 'Squirts' Spray Paint AUD$10-15.00, on the frame for a sophisticated effect. 2. MONOGRAM This easy rub-on transfer in Flemish Script adds a lot of personal style with little effort, US$10/ AUD$15-20. 3. TRIM Color-coordinating dressmaker details such as ball fringe add dimension and texture, USD$10/1 1/2 yards {1.371 metres} AUD$10-20.00/ metre. Trim can be easily adhered with a hot-glue gun. photo credit: Lara Robby/Studio D

Tools to Makeover a Chair WHAT YOU'LL NEED:(clockwise from top left)1. Hitachi Narrow Crown Pneumatic Stapler to upholster seat cushions. 2. Light-grade sandpaper to prep for painting. 3. Stanley hot-glue gun to adhere trim. 4. Gloves to wear while painting. 5. Goggles to protect eyes during upholstering. 6. Krylon H2O Spray Paint in Atlantic Almond/ for Australia use White Knight Spray 'Squirts' Paint for chairs. 7. Screwdriver for removing seats. 8. Scissors for cutting fabric.

Above - Green and Black Pneumatic Stapler
TIPS & TOOLS: Lightweight and easy to grip, Hitachi's Narrow Crown Pneumatic Stapler makes upholstering simple and fast. SOURCES: Chairebay.com Spray Paint Krylon H2O latex gloss, krylon

Partially Fabric Covered Chair - As long as a piece of furniture is well made, you can revitalize it with paint, a pretty fabric, and dressmaker details -- in this case, about US$53 per chair! "Don't be afraid to change the style," says Nicole, as she did with the four c. 1980 Queen Anne-style chairs she got on eBay. Nicole lightened the mahogany finish with an almond-hued spray paint and covered the pleather seat cushions with a blue-and-espresso damask for a refreshingly elegant color combination. Ball fringe trim and a monogram complete the makeover.

Fully Made Over Chair
PAINTA light color, Krylon's H2O Atlantic Almond or [Australia] White Knight's 'Squirts' Spray Paint in a gloss, was spray-painted on the dark wood for a youthful effect. To ensure a long-lasting paint job, smooth surface imperfections with light-grade sandpaper and prime before applying two coats of paint. Set aside your finished chairs for a few days before using to ensure they are dry. photo credit: Lara Robby/Studio D

Voila! Updated, Stylish - Re purposed & Budget Friendly!

Article & Images from Country Living

In Love with Toile...

Today I am in love with toile prints - I was inspired by a client that has a fabulous foot stool placed at the end of their bed in red & cream toile. I particularly love toile when used with a modern bright ground colours, but also have a true fondness for the traditional toiles that lend themselves to their French heritage.

Images courtesy of Domino magazine & Studio Printworks