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Before diving into 2011, I thought it would be fun to take a look back on this past year. It definitely was a busy 365 days filled with numerous projects and house updates. The following are my favorites (in no particular order) from 2010.
Metal Top Table Redo
Using my favorite painting and glazing technique, I transformed a metal top coffee table a friend no longer wanted.
Daughter’s Room Redo
My daughter’s room went from little girl blue and green to big girl pink, tan and gray. Projects included dog silhouettes, embellishing a cork board, creating a marble top side table, and adding ceiling molding.
Dining Room
Paint changed a mismatched group of furnishings – a floor sample clock, thrift store chairs and buffet, and a Craig’s list table – into a cohesive grouping. With the addition of a zig zag rug, Ikat fabric to cover the chairs and a mirror (which has yet to arrive) this space started the year almost empty and finished almost full.
Bye Bye Red Room
We lightened up our red living room by painting it white, removing accessories and adding new curtains. This space is still a work in progress and is on my “to do” list for 2011.
Secrets to Finding Roadside Treasures
Here I shared the three reasons I have been so successful in finding roadside freebies.
Block Printed Pillows
Vintage printing blocks and letters were used to create unique patterns on fabric which were then turned into pillows.
One Dollar Decorating
I found a mismatched group of milk glass vases at the thrift store and created a pretty table and mantle for only one dollar.
My Sewing Machine
The only sewing machine I have ever owned belonged to my Grandmother - proving it does not take a fancy sewing machine to sew!
Worth the Wait
This post highlighted the landscaping transformation our house has gone through since moving in nine years ago. We began with nothing but dirt and have slowly created a yard we are proud to call our own.
So there you have it – the best of Red Door Home 2010. Hope you enjoyed the past year as much as I have. I am looking forward to 2011 and all the great projects and posts the year brings.
I would love to know your favorite post of 2010? What would you like to see more of in 2011?
I purchased a pair of vintage printing blocks and some wooden printing letters several years ago purely for their decorative appeal. They have been sitting happily on my shelves ever since.
Lately I have come across so many beautiful pillows, fabrics and papers that have been printed with these types of printing blocks - some old and some new - that I decided to take mine off the shelf and use them for their intended purpose.
What I Used:
Vintage printing blocks
Paint brush
Fusible interfacing
Linen fabric
Acrylic paint
Needle and thread
Embroidery thread
Scissors
Iron
Sewing machine
What I did:
For my first project, I began by attaching fusible interfacing to the back of white linen fabric following the manufacturer's instructions. My fabric was cut a few inches wider than the printing block and about five times longer. I painted the block with gray acrylic paint using a paint brush. I used enough paint to cover the raised portions of the block but not overload it with too much paint. I then pressed the block firmly on to the fabric.
I continued reapplying paint after each impression and printing until I had covered the entire length of the fabric with the design.
The next step was making a flower template. I found a clip art picture on the computer and used it as my pattern. After waiting for the paint to dry, I cut out four flowers from the stamped fabric.
I then cut the center circles free hand from the same white linen fabric. I pinned and sewed the centers in place on the flowers with my sewing machine using a 1/4" seam allowance. The completed flowers were then sewn in the pattern shown below onto natural linen fabric which had been cut to my desired pillow size. The flowers were sewn on by machine using a 1/4" seam allowance.
To complete the project, I edged the flowers and flower centers by hand with embroidery thread before constructing the pillow.
The second project involved using the letters “X” and “O”. I used two different colors of paint - gray and white - and did not interface the fabric.
Again, I simply painted the backs of the blocks with water based acrylic paint using a paint brush and pressed the blocks firmly onto the fabric (already cut to my desired pillow size). I started by alternating the large "O" and the small "O" to form a pattern.
I then added a series of "X's" to fill in the open space.
This fabric was also turned into a pillow.
What I learned:
After looking online at other block printed fabric products, I have found most people use water based ink. I am not sure how the acrylic paint will hold up to washing. However, if you have ever spilled it on your clothes you know it is nearily impossible to remove once it has dried. The fabric was definitely a little stiff where it had been painted. I have been told there is a fabric medium available in craft stores that can be added to soften the feel of the paint.
If you do use paint, make sure you place something underneath your fabric. The paint will go through the fabric and paint whatever surface is below.
Finally, I like to block print! I will be keeping an eye out now for vintage letters to use for future projects.
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