I often think that one of the nicest things about being a “making” sort of person is the opportunity to create items that sometimes turn out to be rather attractive from very little indeed. And I think this is true of the final project for the July issue of the Bustle & Sew Magazine – an extremely useful (and pretty) bulletin board ….
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I’ve seen lots of tutorials for bulletin boards online, but they all seem to involve hammers, chipboard and tacks – not items that a stitcher like me has readily to hand. My version is created from a repurposed picture frame, leftover batting, half an Ikea tea towel, ribbon, floss and buttons. Not a hammer in sight!
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And the high-loft polyester batting gives a lovely effect I think. I was very taken with Ikea’s tea towels and so I purchased a couple of packs – they’re pure cotton and you get two large towels for just £4.75. I did note that there is 4% shrinkage – so pre-washing will definitely be required if I decide to use my remainng towels in a project that will require future laundering.
I don’t enjoy the Ikea experience at all (Rosie still insists on embarassing me by telling everyone about the time I got lost looking for the trolley park and went around twice!), but I do like the purchases we make, including these lovely lanterns seen here waiting patiently in my log store for their moment of glory.
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They’ll be perfect to decorate my garden for some pre-wedding entertaining!
Your log store looks lovely with the lanterns!
WOW Helen, lovely!!!! I’ve been thinking of making a board for ages but always put it off, now seeing this has made me stop dithering and to get on with it. Love the fabric but like you I don’t enjoy the Ikea thing at all, having said that I have bought some great items there, more their kitchen/household wares, not the furniture.
Looking forward to the July issue, not long to wait now. LOL
Best wishes for Saturday, am sure you’ll treasure every moment and I have to congratulate you on the beautiful sewing you’ve being doing for it lately. Although I don’t always reply, I do look at your posts, Rosie and Dan must be so proud of you. Have a lovely day and wishing Rosie and Dan a happy and joyful life together.
Kathleen XX
Gorgeous!! And p.s. I do not like shopping at IKEA either but sometimes the prices are right! The last item I bought I purchased online!
Hi Helen,
Just to send you and your family my very best wishes for the Big Day on Saturday – do share some photos with us. What a shame Ben and Miss Daisy won’t be there but I can understand that they might just take over! Only a few hours to wait for the next Bustle and Sew – as I’ve said before, B&S is a fantastic mag. and I don’t know how you do it all, but I’m very glad you do.
Love,
Diana.
Hi Helen, The bulletin board is really useful and decorative, I have just been reading your new magazine thank you for a lovely collection of projects and ideas. I think my first choice would be the little fox in the hoop that one is so sweet.
All the best for the big day, I am sure you will have a lovely time.