FanningSparks – Page 39 – A DIY and lifestyle blog authored by Peg Frizzell.

Sunrise Breakfast Picnic

It’s picnic season! Time to grab some food and enjoy a meal outdoors. However this summer, as we all do our part to maintain a safe physical distance, it’s worth seeking out less populated locations for that special outdoor time. Instead of rushing off to the same park, beach or riverside that everyone else is visiting, consider locations that are less popular. Or another option is to consider holding a picnic at a less busy time. How about a breakfast picnic at sunrise?
Recently, I visited our community boat ramp in the early morning for a simple breakfast picnic. There was no one else present so physical distancing wasn’t a problem. This spectacular view greeted me at first light.
The end of the dock provided the perfect spot to enjoy the show and await sunrise.
With such an early start, everything had to be prepared and packed the night before. Luckily, a breakfast picnic doesn’t require much food and the menu was super simple.
My breakfast picnic consisted of blueberry muffins and fresh fruit. It would have been perfect if I hadn’t forgotten the coffee. My to-go coffee mug was ready but, in the rush to reach the boat launch for first light, I left it sitting on the kitchen counter. With or without coffee, this simple meal was tasty and hassle-free.
Aside from the picnic blanket, everything fit inside the picnic hamper. This was my first time using this new picnic blanket and I’m really pleased with the results. The waterproof backing kept the blanket dry despite the heavy dew on the dock—just as intended.
This picnic blanket is a project from last summer. At the time, my research showed that while there are dozens of online tutorials for making a picnic blanket none had all the features I wanted. So I designed, what I consider to be, the ultimate picnic blanket. It’s a generous size, machine washable, waterproof but not slippery, easy to transport, and has a pretty, eye-catching design. I’ll share the step-by-step instructions in an upcoming post. There’s even a built-in pocket that turns into a compact carrying case.
Update July 28, 2020: Check out The Ultimate Picnic Blanket – DIY Tutorial.
As I was planning for the breakfast picnic, it occurred to me it might be fun to include a small boat. I readily admit I got a little carried away. Instead of a small boat, a small fleet of sailboats, complete with colorful fabric sails, emerged. Thankfully, the sailboats actually floated! Here’s the photographic evidence—3 pretty sailboats floating in the diffused light of the magic hour.
By the way, the term “magic hour” is used by photographers to describe the natural light around sunrise and sunset. The morning sequence is magic hour > sunrise > golden hour. It’s the opposite at sunset. Typically, the light during these hours is softly diffused producing the warm, rich colors that photographers love. I also raved about the beauty of this natural light in the post First Light at Peggy’s Cove. Here are the sailboats as the light shifts into the golden hour.
Here’s another example of the little fleet caught in the golden hour.

It took some trial and error but, in the final outcome, these sailboats were quite simple to make. If you’re looking for a fun photo prop, an old-fashioned water toy or a doable DIY project, this little sailboat may be just the ticket!
Update July 14, 2020: A full tutorial with step-by-step instructions is available in the post A Landlubber’s Toy Sailboat – DIY Tutorial.
Here’s one last shot from my breakfast picnic. This is the community boat ramp as I was leaving around 8:00 am. It was a magical start to the day.

More Info

Picnics are a recurring theme here on the FanningSparks blog. Check out the posts Picnic Under the Wisteria and A Colorful Backyard Picnic.
As mentioned above, the post First Light at Peggy’s Cove describes another early morning adventure. Check it out for lots of photos taken during magic and golden hours.
Update July 14, 2020: Check out A Landlubber’s Toy Sailboat – DIY Tutorial for detailed step-by-step instructions to make your own little sailboat.
Update July 28, 2020: Step-by-step instructions to make the picnic blanket are available in the post The Ultimate Picnic Blanket – DIY Tutorial.

Today’s Takeaways

1. In these days of physical distancing, seeking out less populated outdoor locations is worth the effort.
2. Consider celebrating the early morning with a breakfast picnic.
3. If you do decide on a breakfast picnic, don’t forget the coffee!

Decorate How Tos Interiors Make Repurpose Wood

Thrifted Frame to Small Tray

Decorative trays can transform a bunch of random objects into an intentional grouping. Even a small decorative tray can be used in this way. Small trays can be surprisingly versatile. Here are a few suggestions for using a small tray.
1. Anchor a Display – This is perhaps the most predictable—use the tray to gather a small collection for display on a coffee table, shelf or other surface.

2. Corral Toiletries – Use the tray on the bathroom vanity to hold cosmetics and toiletries.

3. Hold Vases of Flowers – Place vases of flowers on the tray to protect furniture from drips and spills.

4. Stage Necessities – Place the tray near the front door and use it to keep a face mask, sanitizer and sanitized wipes ready.

The ideal small tray is interesting but not distracting. A tray surface of about 5” x 7” (outside dimensions of 9” x 11”) seems to work well. Conveniently, it’s the same size as a standard picture frame. That’s exactly what I used to make the small tray shown in the examples above. Originally, it framed a cross stitched picture. The frame and all cost only a dollar or two at a charity thrift store.

It feels good to repurpose the frame and give it a new lease on life. It did, however, take some effort to find the perfect frame. I wanted a frame that was substantial but not too ornate, interesting but not distracting, raised but not too deep, and shallow but not too flat. After finding the perfect frame, the rest was easy. I started by removing the backing, glass, cross stitch and hardware.

A rectangular piece of thin plywood, cut to size using the original backing, became the new tray surface. It was attached with wood glue.

Small dents and holes were smoothed out with wood filler. To ensure a solid seal around the new tray bottom, I caulked around it from the back of the frame. Everything was sanded. Then I primed the new tray with spray primer before spraying two coats of glossy black paint.

There are endless possibilities for decorating a small tray like this. I chose to keep it simple with a single pressed wildflower. I’ve been experimenting with my new Fern & Flower Press (see DIY Tutorial here) and have tried pressing a few different plants and flowers. The light and airy flower heads of Queen Anne’s Lace are ideal for pressing.
The partially open blossom of Queen Anne’s Lace (shown below) is strikingly simple against the black background. I used Mod Podge matte finish to glue the pressed wildflower in place and to seal the surface.

After the Mod Podge cured, I poured a coat of ArtResin epoxy resin over the tray surface. It took a few days to cure properly but the final result was worth the wait!

More Info

If you’re interested in pressing wildflowers, flowers or other plant materials, check out my post Fern & Flower Press – DIY Tutorial to learn how to make your own super-sized flower press.
Many of my projects start with items from thrift stores, flea markets or antique shops. I’ve shared a few of these projects here on the blog. The Ultimate Maker’s Cabinet, for instance, was made from a repurposed entertainment center.

The tray used to make my mosaic serving tray, see Serving Up My OOAK Mosaic Tray, was from a thrift shop.

This picnic basket was another thrift store score. It needed only new lids to be put back in service. See Picnic Under the Wisteria for more pretty photos of this repurposed basket.

Today’s Takeaways

1. A small decorative tray can serve many purposes.
2. It’s easy to transform a small picture frame into a tray.
3. Consider re-purposing thrifted items for your home.

Make Nature Plants Tutorials Wood

Fern & Flower Press – DIY Tutorial

Mother Nature continues to work her magic as spring swings into summer. Foliage and greenery is everywhere—in flower beds, gardens, lawns, roadsides, fields, forests and so on. It’s the perfect backdrop for the profusion of flowers that are the highlight of the year. But flowers are ephemeral—here one day, gone the next. Little wonder, artists and makers strive to capture and preserve their beauty.

Arguably, the simplest way to preserve flowers is to press them. And the simplest way to press flowers is to insert them within the pages of a book, letting the paper pages absorb the moisture and the weight of the book press them flat.
Another simple option is a flower press. A press is preferable when drying large pieces or many elements. It’s also easier to position the elements accurately. That’s why I decided to make my own press. It all started with a desire to preserve fern fronds. Before I knew it, I was pressing all manner of flower blossoms, grasses, seed heads and wild flowers!
In today’s post, I’d like to share a DIY tutorial for making your own Fern & Flower Press. It’s straightforward and simple to construct. This is a generously-sized press specifically designed for large plant elements like fern fronds. It would be easy, however, to adjust the size if you prefer something smaller. Prior to making my own, I researched flower presses online and found that many are small 4-6” squares. The smallest ones are targeted to hikers and designed for collecting specimens while on the go. My Fern & Flower Press is 13½” x 18” x 8” and definitely not suitable for carrying on a hike!

Here are the step-by-step instructions to make your own Fern & Flower Press. It can be fun to decorate the Top Cover but it’s not necessary so I’ve shown the supplies, tools and instructions for decorating it separately.

Supplies Needed – To Make the Press
. Plywood 2 pieces 13 ½” x 18” I used ¾” hardwood plywood because that’s what I had available. You may prefer to use smaller, thinner or less expensive plywood—it will work just as well.
. Carriage Bolts 4 – 3/8 inch x 8 inch long My press holds 5-6” of pressing materials (ie about 24 layers of cardboard). If you prefer to use less layers, select shorter bolts.
. Wing Nuts 4 – 3/8 inch
. Flat Washers 4 – 3/8 inch
. Sandpaper
. Corrugated Cardboard about 24 – 13 ½” x 18” sheets of corrugated cardboard. I simply cut up old moving and shipping boxes.
. Paper about 72 – 13 ½” x 18” sheets of absorbent paper. I used 24” x 24” sheets of packing paper. Blotting paper, printer paper and cardstock are common choices for flower presses. They would, however, be difficult to find in the size needed for this press. Paper towels might be an alternative but only if the surface is smooth and pattern-free since indentations will transfer to the pressed materials.
. Paint, stain or wax (if desired).

Supplies Needed – To Decorate the Top Cover
. Paper
. Black Markers I used Sakura Pigma Micron waterproof markers in 08 and Brush.
. Pressed Plant Materials
. Waterbase Sealer I used Mod Podge Matte from PLAID.
. Epoxy Resin I used 8oz of ArtResin.

Tools Needed – To Make the Press
. Jigsaw (or whatever type of saw you prefer to cut wood)
. Square
. Tape Measure
. Sharp Point Used to indent the wood prior to drilling. A nail or screwdriver tip will work fine.
. Drill with 3 bits: ⅛”, ⅜” and ½”
. Pencil
. Utility Knife
. Scissors

Tools and Equipment Needed – To Decorate the Top Cover
. Computer and Printer
. Ruler
. Ball Stylus Clay Sculpting Tool or Dull-tipped Pencil
. Small Paint Brush

Instructions – To Make the Press
Step 1 – Cut Pieces Cut 2 identical rectangles of plywood. I cut mine to 13 ½“ x 18”.
Step 2 – Drill Holes Choose one of the plywood rectangles and place face up on work surface. At each corner, measure in ¾” from both edges. Mark at the crossing point and indent with the sharp point. Place second rectangle with face side up under the marked rectangle. Place on top of scrap wood to prevent tear out. Align edges and clamp together. I drilled all the holes with a ⅜” bit but the carriage bolts are rather tight for the Top Cover. If I had it to do over again, I would use this approach instead:
. Use ⅛” bit to drill through both layers of plywood keeping drill perfectly perpendicular to the surface. Unclamp.
. Use the ⅜” bit to enlarge the 4 drilled holes in the Bottom Cover.
. Use the ½” bit to enlarge the 4 drilled holes in the Top Cover.
Lightly mark top edge of both rectangles.
Step 3 – Cut Cardboard and Paper Simply place one of the covers on a piece of corrugated cardboard and cut around it with the utility knife. Make a template from a small piece of cardboard with a right angle corner. Measure in 2” from top and side of corner. Trim off corner diagonally (as shown below). Use this template to trim off all 4 corners. Cut 23 more cardboard sheets.
Use one of the cardboard sheets to cut a piece of packing paper to the same size. I found it easiest to use scissors and cut multiple sheets of paper at once. Repeat to make 72 sheets of paper.
Step 4 – Finish Sand the top and bottom covers for a smooth surface. I chose to leave mine unfinished. Alternatively, you could paint, stain or wax the covers at this time.

Instructions – To Decorate the Top Cover
It isn’t necessary to decorate the top of the Fern & Flower Press but it adds a nice touch. It’s also a great opportunity to experiment with some of the plant material you’ve pressed. I chose to add a label in fancy script with some pressed grasses.
Step 5 – Prepare Top Cover Design Begin by selecting a font and mocking up the title on your computer. The lettering shown below uses Bickham Script Pro Regular in 287pt. After printing a copy, I used my black markers to dress up the ampersand. Lay out the components of your cover design on a piece of 13½” x 18” paper or directly on the Top Cover. I incorporated a few stems of Little Quaking-Grass (Briza minor) which I’d pressed in advance.
Step 6 – Trace and Color Title on Top Cover Tape your final design to the Top Cover. Use a ball stylus tool or dull pencil to trace the letters pressing down to indent the surface of the wood. Check to ensure indentation is visible.
Use 08 black marker to trace along the indentations. Fill in letters with brush tip black marker.
Step 7 – Seal with Mod Podge Use small paint brush to apply a thin coat of Mod Podge matte finish over the entire surface of the Top Cover. Start with the lettering. Then apply Mod Podge to the areas where the dried materials will be positioned. Carefully, place the dried materials on the Mod Podge pressing down to attach all stems, leaves, seeds, etc to the surface of the wood.
After placing everything as desired, prepare to apply a top coat of Mod Podge. The top coat can be thinned out with a little water if desired. The objective is to seal all the natural materials under the Mod Podge so everything stays in place when the resin coat is applied. Sealing also reduces the number of air bubbles in the next step.
Step 8 – Apply Resin Coat Apply a coat of epoxy resin over the Top Cover following the instructions provided by the resin manufacturer. This was my first resin project so I took care to study the process. I chose ArtResin and found their online guide and videos very helpful. The ArtResin instructions outline 6 steps: Prep, Measure, Mix, Pour & Spread, Finish and Wait. I’m really pleased with how the resin finish turned out—smooth and shiny—and am anxious to try a few more projects. I look forward to sharing the details as I learn more.
Your new Fern & Flower Press is ready to use! Begin by gathering leaves, fronds, flowers, grasses, seed heads and any other plant materials you wish to dry and press. It’s best to cut plant materials early in the day as soon as they are dry. Avoid thick or dense elements such as roses or peonies. Work quickly to minimize drooping and wilting.
Separate and trim the materials to be pressed.
To place plant materials in the press, layer the components as follows:
.1. Sheet of cardboard
.2. 3 sheets of paper
.3. Plant materials to be pressed facing down
.4. 3 sheets of paper
.5. Sheet of cardboard.
.6. Add a small label with the name of the materials and the date to track drying times.
Insert the carriage bolts into the Bottom Cover. Continue to build layers stacking them on the bottom of the press. When all layers are ready, slip the Top Cover onto the carriage bolts, slide on flat washers and tighten with the wingnuts. Ensure all 4 wingnuts are tightened equally.
Now it’s time to let the press do the work. Drying times will vary but most plant materials are ready in about 2 weeks. You may need to re-tighten the wingnuts as the materials dry. While you’re waiting, start planning how you’ll use your beautifully pressed plant materials!

More Info

Please pin the below image for future reference.
You can learn more about epoxy resin on the ArtResin website or Instagram page.
Update Aug 11, 2020: Check out my pressed flower project in the post Pressed Flower Girls Wall Art
or my newest Pinterest Board packed with Pressed Flowers inspiration.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Pressing is a fun and easy way to preserve flowers and other plant materials.
2. Consider making the Fern & Flower Press featured in today’s post.
3. Imagine the many uses for pressed flowers, ferns, leaves, grasses and other plant materials.

Decorate Fiber Interiors Make Nature Plants

Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection

Is it possible to have too many decorative photo pillows? The Floral World Tour pillows turned out so well that I created a second collection. This one showcases ferns and is titled “Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection”. The 3 pillows in this collection showcase the Southern Lady Fern, New York Fern and Japanese Painted Fern.

The Fern Collection is available in the FanningSparks’ Spoonflower shop along with the Floral World Tour Collection. Each fern photo has a color-coordinated striped fabric. My previous post, Basic Pillow DIY Tutorial, provides step-by-step instructions for sewing these amazingly simple decorative pillows. While the design framework is the same for all the pillows, the endless possibilities for embellishment and personalization mean every pillow can have its own unique look.
Here’s a closer look at the pillows in the Fern Collection. This is the Southern Lady Fern (Athyrium asplenioides) pillow front design.

I decided to applique a few circles and embroider some spirals to embellish the pillow front.
Here’s how it turned out.
For the back of the Southern Lady Fern pillow, I added a little twist with a diagonal section of the striped fabric.
The Japanese Painted Fern (Athyrium niponicum ‘Pictum’) is considered one of the most beautiful ferns for the home shade garden thanks to its dramatic foliage and unique burgundy and silver coloring. Here’s how it looks on the pillow front design.
I added a narrow strip of the striped fabric on the pillow front to accent the various colors in this design. Here is the finished front of my Japanese Painted Fern pillow.
Here is the back of my Japanese Painted Fern pillow. I love this combination of greens and burgundies.
The third pillow in the collection is the New York Fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis). This is the pillow front design.
To add a little unexpected contrast, I appliqued hexagon shapes from the striped fabric on the pillow front.
Here’s how the finished hexagons look on the front of the New York Fern pillow.
The hexagon shapes are repeated on the pillow back.
Last summer, I attended a class on Ferns and Fern Allies at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia (see Southern Ladies, Christmas Stockings and Hairy Armpits). The class triggered an interest in ferns which is now at risk of becoming a full blown case of pteridomania. Believe it or not, the term “pteridomania” means fern madness or fern fever and was coined in 1855 to describe the Victorians’ obsession with ferns. Ferns are very popular again although it’s unlikely the interest will achieve the same fever pitch it did in Victorian times. Ferns are being featured as a hot trend in home decorating blogs and magazines. The March 2020 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, for instance, proclaimed ferns are making a comeback in their article Fall For Ferns.
I’m on the lookout for new and interesting ways to incorporate ferns into my home and surroundings. My favorite ideas are pinned on a Pinterest board, Ferns – FanningSparks Favs. It has grown to over 200 pins. Not long ago, I designed the below mosaic serving tray featuring a stained glass fern motif (see Serving Up My OOAK Mosaic Tray).
Sarah Whittingham, author of the book Fern Fever: The Story of Pteridomania, explains “The obsession with ferns was not confined to a few professional botanists but it affected men, women and children from all classes through the British Isles, the Empire and America. Books and articles encouraged thousands to set out on fern forays. Their overwhelming desire to ‘capture’ a rare specimen led them to wade through streams, scale rock faces, descend gorges and lean over fast-flowing rivers. Accidents were common, sometimes fatal, and over-collecting and even fern stealing were rife.” I’m sure I won’t be risking my life for a fern but I certainly understand the appeal!

More Info

This is the link to the FanningSparks shop on Spoonflower where you can order the cut-and-sew pillow covers from the Floral World Tour – Warm Colors Collection and the Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection.
My previous post, Announcing the Floral World Tour Collection, explains how the pillow collection came about as well as providing some helpful information for ordering from Spoonflower. The post Basic Pillow DIY Tutorial provides step-by-step instructions to make these amazingly simple cut-and-sew pillows.

To learn more about ferns, check out my previous post, Southern Ladies, Christmas Stockings and Hairy Armpits.
Check out my new Pinterest board, Ferns – FanningSparks Favs, for ideas on how to incorporate ferns into your home and surroundings.
Details about the fern motif on my mosaic tray can be found in the post Serving Up My OOAK Mosaic Tray.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Look for ways to bring in the outdoors with natural elements.
2. Ferns can add lush greenery in a variety of forms and textures.
3. Consider adding a FanningSparks’ Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection pillow to your home.

Fiber Make Tutorials

Basic Pillow DIY Tutorial

In my last post, I announced my new Spoonflower shop featuring the Floral World Tour – Warm Colors Collection. This is a unique collection of cut-and-sew 18” square pillow covers featuring photos of beautiful flowers. Each pillow design is a thoughtful pairing of flower and country designed to add impact and interest. There are 3 design options (from left to right as shown below):
. Tulip + Netherlands – showcasing bright and cheerful reds, pinks and greens reminiscent of the tulip fields of the Netherlands.
. Rose + England – showcasing soft pinks, peaches and yellows reminiscent of a summer day in an English country garden.
. Frangipani + Singapore – showcasing gorgeous pinks and oranges reminiscent of Singapore’s lush nature and sultry climate.

In today’s post, I’d like to share a tutorial for sewing one of these pillow covers. The step-by-step instructions describe a simple 18” x 18” pillow cover with an envelope opening. It is intentionally basic. Only rudimentary sewing skills are required—the construction is straightforward, the seams are straight and thanks to the envelope closing there’s no fussing with zippers or buttonholes. If you’ve dusted off your sewing skills to sew face masks recently, this would be the perfect next project. There are, also, a number of opportunities to tailor these pillows with your own personal flair. I’ve shared a few suggestions for customization or embellishment at the end of the tutorial.
Supplies Needed
The following supplies are needed:
. Fabric for Pillow Front: One fat quarter of decorative fabric. Choose and order one of the designs from the Floral World Tour – Warm Colors Collection in the FanningSparks shop on Spoonflower. See Announcing the Floral World Tour Collection post for tips on ordering via Spoonflower. The design has been tailored to fit on 54” wide fabric (vs 45” width). I recommend the Linen Cotton Canvas fabric; it’s a versatile blend of linen and cotton which is perfect for home décor textiles such as pillows, table linens and tea towels. I chose the Tulip + Netherlands design for this tutorial.
. Fabric for Pillow Back: One fat quarter of decorative fabric. Choose and order the coordinating striped fabric from the Floral World Tour – Warm Colors Collection also available in the FanningSparks shop. I recommend the Linen Cotton Canvas fabric.
. Pillow Insert: 18” square
. Thread

Tools Needed
The following tools and equipment will be needed:
. Measuring Tape or 24” Ruler
. Scissors or Rotary Cutter with Mat
. Iron
. Sewing Machine with simple straight stitch and zigzag or satin stitch
. Small Scissors or Snips for cutting threads
. Fabric Marker I love the Pilot FriXion Marker because the marks are clearly visible until I’m ready to make them disappear with the touch of my iron.
. Straight Pins
. Seam Turner or craft/popsicle stick.
Step 1 Prepare Fabric. If you expect to be washing the pillow cover, pre-wash the fabric as per the instructions provided with your Spoonflower order. Press the fabric to remove all creases and shipping wrinkles; a light misting or steam may be needed. Pictured below is a fat quarter of Linen Cotton Canvas with the Tulip + Netherlands design printed on it.

Step 2 Cut Pillow Front. The Pillow Front requires a square of fabric measuring 18” x 18”. This means the 18” pillow insert will fit snugly resulting in a full, plump pillow. As printed, the fat quarter from Spoonflower is 27” x 18”. You’ll need to trim off the extra fabric from the sides, top and bottom. After cutting the Pillow Front, use the fabric marker to indicate the top edge.

Step 3 Cut Pillow Backs. Use the striped fabric, with stripes running vertically, to cut 2 sections for the Pillow Back. Cut Left Side Pillow Back to 11” wide by 18” high. On the back of the fabric, use the fabric marker to indicate the top left. Cut Right Side Pillow Back to 16” wide by 18” high. On the back of the fabric, use the fabric marker to indicate the top right.
Step 4 Cut Label. The clapper board Label, which is printed beside the pillow front, is intended to be sewn on the Pillow Back. It is optional. Cut out the Label around the outside edge of the white border. It will be about 5” x 6”.
You should have 4 pieces of cut fabric at this point: Pillow Front, Right Side Pillow Back, Left Side Pillow Back and Label.

Step 5 Prepare Pillow Backs. Finish right edge of Left Side Pillow Back with a simple overcast or zigzag stitch. Finish left edge of Right Side Pillow Back with a simple overcast or zigzag stitch. On same left edge of Right Side Pillow Back fold under 4 ½” and press.

Step 6 Attach Label to Right Side Pillow Back. On Right Side Pillow Back, measure 2“ up from the bottom edge. Mark with fabric marker. Measure 2” in from the right edge. Mark with fabric marker. Position Label on Right Side Pillow Back with bottom right corner aligned to marked lines. Note the left edge of the Label will be over the folded side of the Right Side Pillow Back. Pin in place taking care to pin through all layers. Stitch seams taking care to sew in the same directions (ie top and bottom sewn left to right; right and left edges sewn top to bottom).

Step 7 Finish Label Edges. After stitching the label into place, the raw edges must be finished to prevent the fabric from fraying and to give it a professional appearance. The easiest way to accomplish this is to sew over the raw edges with a smooth overcast or satin stitch. Stitch the seams in the same directions as described in the previous step. Take care to finish corners neatly.

Step 7 Assemble Pillow Back. Place Left Side Pillow Back on work surface facing up. Lay Right Side Pillow Back over the Left Side Pillow Back overlapping by 4 ½ “. Ensure the edges marked as top, on both pieces, are along the same side. Pin along top and bottom overlapping edges.

Measure outside edges of pinned Pillow Back to confirm it is 18” x 18” square. Adjust if necessary. Stitch along top and bottom overlapping edges with a ¼” seam allowance. Press. The overlapping, folded vertical edges of the 2 pillow backs are left open to allow for the pillow insert.
Step 8 Attach Pillow Front to Back. Place Pillow Back on work surface facing up. Lay Pillow Front facing down over the Pillow Back. Ensure the edges marked as top, on both pieces, are along the same side. Align all 4 sides. Pin in place. Stitch all edges with a ¼ “ seam allowance taking care to stitch seams in same directions (ie top and bottom sewn left to right; right and left edges sewn top to bottom). Overcast all seams. Being careful not to cut the seams, trim off the tip of the corners and make small snips on either side of corner.
Step 9 Turn and Stuff Pillow. Turn pillow right side out. Use seam turner to push out seams and corners. Press for a crisp finished seam. Slide pillow insert into pillow cover. Adjust to distribute pillow stuffing evenly. Smooth out folds in pillow back. Your pillow is ready!

Customization/Embellishment Suggestions
As noted above, there are a number of opportunities to tailor these pillows with your own personal flair. Here are a few suggestions to consider.
The Pillow Front can be embellished with hand embroidery. I used embroidery floss to emphasize the lines of the rose petals on the Rose + England design. The below shows the Pekinese stitch embroidery in progress.

The embroidery emphasizes the rose petals on the finished pillow.

You may also notice the outside edges of the above pillow have been finished with black piping. The same technique was used with white piping on the Frangipani + Singapore design (shown below). I prefer the crisp edge formed by the white piping. I’ve also added a few rows of trim, including white lace, white piping, black piping and fuchsia pompoms, to add a little interest and texture to this pillow.
The back of the pillow can also be customized. If you simply sew the back closed (ie instead of making an envelope closing), less fabric will be needed. The extra striped fabric can be used to change the direction of the stripes; instead of running the stripes vertically, they can be turned horizontally or sewn in a combination of horizontal and vertical (as shown on the pillow on the right).

Adding trim or embroidery around the label is another opportunity to personalize. I stitched a border using chain stitch in pink embroidery floss around the label as shown in the below photo.

With all these possibilities, you may be tempted to make all 3 of the pillows in the Floral World Tour Collection including the Tulip + Netherlands, Frangipani + Singapore, and Rose + England designs!

UPDATE June 16, 2020: Alternatively, you may want to consider the designs from my second collection of decorative photo pillows Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection featuring this set of beautiful ferns. Check out the post for more customization and embellishment ideas.

More Info

Please pin this image for future reference.

This is the link to the FanningSparks shop on Spoonflower.
My previous post, Announcing the Floral World Tour Collection, explains how the collection came about as well as providing some helpful information for ordering from Spoonflower. I’ve added a second collection of decorative photo pillows featuring ferns. Check it out in the post Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection.
I also shared instructions for decorative pillows in the post DIY Bespoke Pillows Tutorial. These pillows were a little more challenging than today’s basic pillow but you may find the tutorial helpful for adding trim or piping.

Today’s Takeaways

1. A basic pillow, with straight seams and an envelope closing, is a great beginner sewing project.
2. Consider purchasing a cut-and-sew pillow cover from FanningSparks’ Floral World Tour Collection on Spoonflower.
3. Imagine customizing your own decorative pillow with embroidery, trims, piping and other embellishments.

Decorate Exteriors Fiber Make

Announcing the Floral World Tour Collection

Recently while sprucing up the front porch for summer, I decided some bright and cheerful pillows were needed for a little extra punch. Decorative pillows are a great way to add color, texture and interest with very little investment. Plus it’s easy to make them special and unique. They’re like a blank canvas—just waiting for a little creativity.
I’m always looking for ways to incorporate my photos into our home décor. So why not incorporate some of my favorite shots into these new pillows? And what could be brighter and cheerier than flowers? Flowers come in all colors so I could select images to match the vibrant color scheme—magenta, yellow and green—of our outdoor furniture.

Sorting through my numerous flower images, I was reminded of the places where I saw these flowers and took the photos. This sparked the idea to pair flowers with destinations. For me, travel and flower gardens go hand in hand! It was fun to design a unique collection of pillows. I selected the tropical frangipani because it reminds me of my beloved Singapore.

Tulips are a beautiful, and obvious, choice for the charming Netherlands. I was reminiscing about the Dutch tulip fields in a recent post—check out A Virtual Visit to Lisse if you missed it.

Roses are the quintessential English country garden flower and a perfect reminder of the gardens I toured in England. While it was too early in the season for roses when I visited the Pashley Manor Gardens, the gardens were beautiful. You might enjoy A Virtual Stroll in Ticehurst which I shared recently.

Having selected the flowers and countries, it was time to create the actual design. The goal was to create an 18″ square pillow. I used a few different tools but the final design was done in Canva which is an online graphic design tool. I stayed true to the original photos as much as possible but decided a border of old-timey film negatives would add a little extra interest. (Sidenote: Those who remember the days of film photography may recall the challenge of aligning those little holes with the camera’s sprockets when loading a roll of film.) By pulling colors directly from the photos, I was able to create a coordinating stripe pattern for the pillow backs. Then in order to call out the flower and country pairings, I mocked up a clapper board to use as a label on the pillow back. There was a little space left over so I added 6 colored boxes to simplify color matching. Eventually, it all came together.

Once I was happy with the design, I uploaded it on the Spoonflower website and had it custom printed. I’ve used Spoonflower’s on-demand printing services before so I knew they would produce an accurate likeness of my design. They did not disappoint! The printed fabric is exactly what was designed. The details are crisp and the colors are vibrant! Here’s a photo of the printed Tulip + Netherlands pillow front.

Now for the best part! With a simple click of a button, I made these designs visible to everyone and listed them for sale! So today I’m announcing my new Spoonflower shop featuring my Floral World Tour – Warm Colors Collection. Check out the new FanningSparks shop on Spoonflower. Here’s a screenshot of the main page.

My Spoonflower offering is for cut-and-sew 18” square pillow covers. There are 3 design options: Tulip + Netherlands, Frangipani + Singapore, and Rose + England. Why not give it a try? Simply order 2 fat quarters—one with the flower image and one with the coordinating stripes. As shown in the below screenshot, there are a couple of selections to make when ordering:
1. Fabric: I recommend the Linen Cotton Canvas. This fabric is 54” (137cm) wide. It’s a versatile blend of linen and cotton which is perfect for home décor textiles such as pillows, table linens and tea towels.
2. Size: The pillow covers are specifically designed for a 27” x 18” fat quarter. This means the fabric must be at least 54”. A narrower fabric, such as 42” (107 cm) Petal Signature Cotton, will not print the full pillow front as designed.

The only additional supplies you’ll need are an 18” square pillow insert and thread. Only basic sewing is required—the construction is straightforward, the seams are straight and the envelope closing means no fussing with zippers or buttonholes. If you’ve dusted off your sewing skills to sew face masks recently, this would be the perfect next project. My next post, Basic Pillow DIY Tutorial, includes detailed step-by-step instructions.

Here’s how the Tulip + Netherlands pillow turned out. Bright and cheerful? Check!

One of the best things about this project is its versatility. The pillows are pretty and unique as designed but you can also add your own personal flair. I couldn’t resist the opportunity to add a little embroidery to the Rose + England pillow. Here it is in progress.

I absolutely love how it turned out.

I chose a different approach with the Frangipani + Singapore pillow and selected from an assortment of trims.

Here’s how it turned it.

I also played around with the pillow backs to add a little variety.

I’ll close with one final shot and a special request. Please could you take a minute to visit the FanningSparks Spoonflower shop, create an account, follow the shop and/or heart your favorite designs? If you have friends who might also be willing to do so, please pass along this request to them. This feedback will go a long way to gaining traction in the vast world of Spoonflower design. Thank you… I’m grateful for your help!

More Info

This is the new FanningSparks shop on Spoonflower. Please check it out!
Detailed step-by-step instructions for sewing these amazingly simple pillows can be found in my post Basic Pillow DIY Tutorial. I’ve added a second collection of decorative photo pillows featuring ferns. Check it out in the post Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection.
I’ve raved about Spoonflower in previous posts. Check out the DIY Personalized Fabric-Covered Journal Tutorial posts Part 1 and Part 2.

Today’s Takeaways

1. Decorative pillows are a great way to add color, texture and interest.
2. Consider incorporating photos printed on fabric in your décor.
3. Entertain the idea of embellishing pillows with your own personal flair.

Sunrise Breakfast Picnic

More Info

Today’s Takeaways

Thrifted Frame to Small Tray

More Info

Today’s Takeaways

Fern & Flower Press – DIY Tutorial

More Info

Today’s Takeaways

Bring In the Outdoors – Fern Collection

More Info

Today’s Takeaways

Basic Pillow DIY Tutorial

More Info

Today’s Takeaways

Announcing the Floral World Tour Collection

More Info

Today’s Takeaways

FanningSparks Appliqued Scoodie

Stepback into a Local Hidden Gem

Make & Give Roundup 2024

Historic Carousels: Works of Art in Motion

One Potato, Two Potato, Three Potato, Four

What’s in a Name?