BURLAP WEEK: No-Sew Burlap Curtains

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Today, the creative juices -- they were a'flowin!

Thanks to the burlap craze that's been hitting the

blog waves I recently bought a few yards when I saw

some on sale at Hobby Lobby for $2.99/yard.

Here's the first of our BURLAP WEEK fun!

I can't tell you how stinkin' excited I am with how

these turned out. For all of you who don't sew,

like me, YOU CAN MAKE THESE!

Here are some super simple steps.

1. Measure your window for needed width/length. I used the ones previously hanging on this window, then added a few inches since I planned to have the top edge higher than the rod.

2. Cut your burlap to proper size. Exact straight lines aren't too important (you'll find out why in next step).

3. To create the frayed edging, and to straighten the edges, simply pull one thread at a time down each edge.

4. Trim the frayed edges so the uneven edges are all straightened up. Once trimmed, my frayed edges were about a half inch long.

5. I then layed each curtain out and used a pen to mark 1.5" lines at even intervals. These mark the slits where you will thread the curtain onto the rod. In the photo below, the marks are hard to see, so I noted them with arrows.

6. Using a craft knife or razor blade *carefully* cut through your marks, creating slits for the curtain rod. The edges may fray when you cut. I just trimmed those where needed.

7. When I first attempted threading the curtains on the rod, the burlap didn't lay very nicely. I think because it's so stiff, it didn't have a very nice shape...not at all taylored to the window. After some Winnie-the-Pooh "think...think...thinking" I decided to try fan-folding the curtains in between each slit/hold and iron the edges down to make a crease. WORKED LIKE A CHARM, giving me this result:

Would probably look better on a more decorative rod.

Some more detailed photos of the finished curtains, once hung:

So, there you have it.

And not a single needle or thread was used

or harmed in the making of this craft!

(hee hee)

I'm sharing this idea today at:

Ribbon & Button Bookmarks

My First Tutorial: Great Stocking Stuffers!

Ribbon & Button Bookmarks

I'm doing a Homemade Holidays pledge and

attempting to make the gifts we're giving this year.

I'm making these cute Ribbon & Button bookmarks

to go in several stockings I have to stuff.

These were great surprise sellers at my craft

show last weekend. Yay!

Want to make some?

It's easy peasy and QUICK!

Here's what you'll need:

18 inches of ribbon (I usually use 7/8" grossgrain for sturdiness)
Two coordinating buttons
Coordinating thread and needle
Fray Away or lighter to seal ends of ribbon

Seal the ends of your ribbon from fraying using Fray Away or a lighter,

which I prefer because it's quick. Just make sure your ribbon isn't flamable!

Measure three inches down from one end of the ribbon and

sew on one of the buttons, just threading a few times to secure.

Fold over ribbon remaining above button to make a loop.

Using needle/thread still attached to the first button,

secure the second button to the outside of the back of the loop

you just made by threading back and forth between front button.

When buttons are securely sewn on, simply knot thread

on backside of bookmark and clip close to the button.

Viola! Stocking stuffer goodness!

*Does this make sense? It's my first attempt at a tutorial!

I'd appreciate feedback. I know the photos aren't great.

(I asked Santa for new camera!) Thanks!!