BURLAP...not just for potato sacks!

Nothing says "I grew up in the south" like including burlap in your home decor. Lucky for us crafty folks, Michaels and Jo Ann Fabric and Craft Stores sell it in a neatly edged, perfect-width roll.  You can also purchase a bolt of it if you need a lot.  I'm going to share with you a few projects that I have used burlap for in my home... they are super easy and don't take more than 30 minutes from start to finish!

A FRONT DOOR WREATH

What you need:

- A roll of burlap

- Hot glue gun

- Small, light weight wooden letter or numbers

- Raffia

- Styrofoam Wreath

- Ribbon or lace

- a few paper bags (to protect the surface you're working on from the glue gun)

Step 1.  Begin wrapping the styrofoam wreath with the burlap. Once you've covered the entire wreath, hot-glue the remaining fabric to the back.

Step 2. To get the ruffles in your next strip of burlap, you can use a stiff piece of raffia. Make light folds with your burlap and begin weaving the raffia through the center.  Once you have a long enough ruffled strip of burlap, arrange it however you like it on to the wreath and begin hot-glueing the underside of it to the wreath.  Gently press the folds down to secure the shape, and help spread the glue. Be careful not to press too hard- you could break the styrofoam or even burn yourself!

Fluff the ruffles a little so they don't look too smooshed.

The bow secures the ruffles to the wreath...

Step 3.  As you get to the end, use another piece of raffia (tied together with the piece that's woven through your burlap ruffles, and weave it into the burlap wrapped around the wreath. Tie it in a bow for a decorative effect.  Place any last minute dabs of hot glue to secure the burlap ruffles into place. 

Step 4.  Add another color of ribbon to your wreath and tie it into a bow. Then hot-glue your initial or address numbers to the wreath. Add small dots of hot-glue underneath the ribbon to keep it where you've placed it.  Let it sit and dry for about 24 hours.

This will be my new last name's initial!

A CANDLE WRAP

What you need:

- Burlap

- Raffia or any color ribbon

- Any candle holder in need of a makeover

- Hot glue gun

Step 1. Cut your burlap to fit the candle holder. To evenly and effectively cut burlap, pinch one of the threads and the edge and pull.  It will cause the fabric to ruffle, however just keep pulling the thread away as you straighten the fabric and soon you will have a straight line to cut along.

Step 2.  Place a dab of hot glue between the beginning of your burlap and the candle holder.  Then, wrap your holder until you've reached the end of your burlap.  Place another small dab of glue underneath the end of the wrap and press it into the wrap.

Step 3.  Wrap the raffia (use a few strands at a time) or ribbon around the center a few times, and secure into a bow. That's it!

CHIC WASTE CAN

What you need:

- an ugly trash can

- burlap

- lace ribbon

- hot glue gun

- wooden shape with your initial painted on the front

Step 1. Wrap the burlap once around the can. Secure with a dab of hot glue.

Step 2. Wrap the lace ribbon around the center, and snugly tie into a bow.  

Step 3.  Place a dab of hot glue onto your wooden shape and press onto the center of the front of the can. Let it sit and dry for about 24 hours before standing the can upright.

Picture Frame Matting

What you need:

- burlap

- picture frame

- photo or typed inspirational quote

- hot glue gun

- double sided tape

Step 1.  Trim the burlap to fit the size of the back of the frame. Secure with small dabs hot glue on the corners. 

Step 2.  Center the photo or quote, and press to the fabric using double-sided tape.

Step 3.  Press the back into the frame and secure into place. Let dry for a few hours and then hang it on the wall. Enjoy!