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Saturday, September 24, 2011

MY WHOLE HEART BURLAP PILLOW AND A GIVEAWAY!

My last post showed several projects I have in mind for our bedroom.  One of them was this burlap pillow below with a sweet saying printed on it.

Since the pillow will be going on our bed I think the size of this pillow from Ballard Designs is perfect - 36" by 14".  Theirs is also made of burlap!  However, their price is unbelievable - $79!!!  The Ballard pillow is reversible - the front says Good Morning and the back says Good Night, in French!  It has a surged, black flange edge.  I don't have a surger, so I just have a plain edge.
Bonjour Bonne Nuit Burlap Pillow 36 x 14 inch
BONJOUR BONNE NUIT BURLAP PILLOW from BALLARD DESIGNS - $79 
So here's the little tutorial for making your own pillow.
Squeeze out a little dollop of black and brown paint - about half the size of a Hershey's Kiss.
I used a blend of the two colors because I wanted it dark enough to show up on my brown burlap, but I didn't want it as harsh as solid black.
 Mix them together well.
 You'll need a stencil brush and stencils.  I got this set of stencils at Joann Fabrics for about $4.  I think the more industrial looking font looks better than the curly-cutesy ones.
Then, I layed out a piece of painter's tape across the pillow so my letters would be in a straight line.  Load your brush, then pounce it a bit on the plate to get off the excess paint and start stenciling your words.  Be sure to think it through, line them up, leave a space between words, and spell correctly!  It would be easy to get caught up in the painting and misspell a word.  Also, with this stencil anyway, it was very easy to reposition the letter and add more paint if it didn't turn out dark enough.
I made two pillows and the second pillow was even easier because I just put the tape on and lined up with the first pillow.
Now they're both ready to be made into pillows!
Much burlap lint later . . .

Done . . . now I'm anxious to work on that headboard . . .

But, wait!  There's more!

The second part of my post title speaks of a GIVEAWAY.  I'm getting close to 300 followers.  After 100, and 200, I had a giveaway - so, it's only right that I get ready for a giveaway after I hit 300!  So - here's the plan.  I got a little carried away while making this pillow and decided to make two of them.  One of these pillows will be given away to one of my loyal followers.  Additionally, I made a lavender sachet pillow to tuck in with your package, so it will smell beautiful when you open it up!

To qualify for the giveaway, which will happen as soon 
as I hit 300 followers, you need to do the following:

1.  Become a follower - (Some of you check my blog faithfully through email updates etc., but have never become a follower.  Only followers are eligible to win.  So, just click the "Join this site" button at the top of this post and follow the directions given.)

and

2.  You must leave a comment on this post telling me where you would put the pillow in your home.  If you're already a follower, just mention that in your comment.  If you're a new follower, tell me that too!

plus

3.  Get an extra chance to win when you take my button on the top right, mention the giveaway and post the button on your own blog.  Then, to make it count as an extra entry, you'll need to leave a separate comment letting me know you've done that.

So, become a follower, leave a comment, join me in celebrating 300 followers and this could be yours!



Sharing this on:

Freckled Laundry's Air Your Laundry
and
Sisters of the Wild West's Sister Sunday
and
Faded Charm's White Wednesday
and
The Lettered Cottage




29 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh that is an awesome
    pillow and your tutorial is great!! Thank you for sharing with us!

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  2. I would put it on our bed! It could use some sprucing up! I love it Nan!

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  3. Don't forget to either become a follower or let me know if you're already a follower!

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  4. I'm already a follower. I would put the pillow in my living room.

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  5. Awesome - both the pillow and the tut! You did a great job!

    I've been a follower for a while now. Really enjoy the emails I get!

    Xo

    Joy @ tomorrowsmemorieskjlb.blogspot.com and/or
    christmasspiritallyearlong.blogspot.com

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  6. I am already a follower.. Love the pillow I would place him on my bed..

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  7. Love that pillow! I would definitely put it on my bed! It would be perfect! I'm a follower, I subscribe by emails, got your button on my blog and will post about this later today... have a great week..

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  8. Thanks for popping over at my blog. Yes, blogging sure connects people! To answer your question, the nearest Game Reserve with the Big 5 is about 2 hours drive by car from us. We always go to our bushveld holiday home which is further- around 5 hours drive. We're used to the drive, so we do go for weekends as well as longer breaks. It's such a wonderful excape from city life!
    PS: I just posted about your giveawy on my blog.

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  9. I would place this lovely pillow on my bed and lock the door because I just know my daughter would try to steal it!

    You are almost to 300 followers! I must be somewhere in the 100s because I've been following you for so long! You inspire me to make things because you tell us all that 'you could make that' and then you show us how! Thank you!

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  10. Just put your button on my sidebar! I'm sure it won't be long until you choose your winner!

    Your spider jars are worth bragging about!

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  11. Nan! I SO much want that pillow!!! I would put it in my sunroom which is in desperate need of fabulous decor! I AM a follower!!! Oh, and by the way...the spider bottle would make a nice giveaway too!! ;-) ;-)

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  12. The pillow is great, I would love the pillow for my pine bench in my sunroom...tomorrow is my birth day, so it would be awesome to win! I am a new follower, Di@cottage-wishes

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  13. I am posting your giveway in my next post! Thank you. Di

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  14. LOOOVE the pillow. First I would study it and try to make one of my own and then I would proudly display it on my bed :)

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  15. I've just discovered your blog and I've fallen in love with it, so I've immediately subscribed to your newsletter and become your follower!
    If I won your giveaway (by the way, thank you for it!!!) I'd put it on my daughter's bed.
    I keep my fingers crossed...

    Emanuela

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  16. ...I've put your giveaway button on my blog sidebar and posted about it...

    Emanuela

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  17. I was going to start following you anyway, but an awesome giveaway is certainly good incentive :) BTW... I caught you at Graphics Fairy. Thanks!

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  18. I would put the lovely pillow on my bed.

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  19. I added your button and a link to the giveaway on my blog. www.kluckingbear.blogspot.com

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  20. I love that you tell us how you completed the piece! So wonderful. I wanna win! I wanna win! Can't wait to see what you come up with next.

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  21. Love the pillow! Would definitely use it on our bed. I am a new follower:)

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  22. I am a follower and would love to place that pillow on my couch for all to see! Thank you for the tutorial, I think I might try making some others! Blessings, Linda.

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  23. what kind of paint did you use? Thanks ;)

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  24. I am a new follower! This pillow is so cute. It would look lovely in my bedroom.
    www.shabbytochicqueencreek.blogspot.com

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  25. Nan, great pillow, I love it. I have been a follower for a while now. If I was so fortunate to win this pillow, it would go on my bed. Thanks so much for all of your great ideas.

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  26. I am an official follower, although I do read your posts regularly. I would love to win that pillow and would put it on our bed. I'm not going share this one with the kids!!!

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  27. I have followed you for some time through email, but have never actually become a "follower"...Until NOW! I would LOVE LOVE this pillow for my bedroom. THanks for the chance to win this gorgeous item!!

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  28. I am a new follower and love your site very much! I also love the pillow and plan to use the tutorial -I would love to have one of your creations and put it on my couch in my studio to keep me inspired.

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  29. Hello. :o)
    I am a brand new follower.
    I love your pillow and
    fabulous tutorial. :o)
    Thank you for sharing with us.
    I too am having a little give a way.
    would you like to drop by? :o)
    Have a nice week.
    Sincerely, Trish

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Thanks so much - you make my day when you leave comments! I read every one of them and try to reply to all questions and comments. Please make sure to "allow emails" in your settings so I can contact you.