A Decorative Woven Burlap Framed Monogram with May Arts Ribbon!

I seriously do not know where the Summer is going!  Can it really be July?  I've really been super busy, as I am sure much of blog land has been too.  Perhaps I am not the only one who hasn't had as much time to devote to their crafting these hot, hot days!  I'm sure I am not alone.  The 4th of July holiday was pretty fun and relaxing.  On the 4th we saw some fantastic fireworks here in the State College, PA area after we devoured a delicious Bloomin' Onion and dinner at Outback.  Then on Saturday we had a picnic and more fireworks at my brother and sister-in-law's new property that they affectionately refer to as "The Haven".   But now the holiday is over and it's back to the normal routine of life which is okay with me because it also means that my favorite season will be here before we know it.  I so can't wait for it to be Fall!  I'm already thinking about it and filling up the calendar with everything I want to cram in... October sure isn't long enough for me, lol :) 

 

On a crafty note, I was able to get to work on my project for the second round of the May Arts Design Team call this week and today I am really excited to be sharing with you all what I created.  My project uses the May Arts 2.5" Burlap Wired ribbon in both natural and green (398-25-11, 398-25-16) as well as their brown 400 y Burlap String (SM33). 

 

To tell you a bit about my idea for the project, the frame that I used to create with I found at a second hand store.  I had been looking around for a beautiful but inexpensive mirror to hang above our fireplace mantle for the Winter season and so one day I scored this divine ornate framed mirror for $5.00!  Quite the bargain!  Anyway I proceeded to hang it above the mantle and it looked really nice... until it fell the next day and the mirror smashed into bits.  But, not all was lost because I was still able to salvage the gorgeous frame.  I knew I could put it to use perfectly some other way, and I think I succeeded!  I have been wanting to create a framed monogram décor piece for my home office, so I envisioned a really textured design... and this beautiful selection of burlap May Arts ribbon did just the trick!

First I got to work by painting the frame to coordinate better with my room décor and with the colors of the burlap that I selected.  The frame was originally a dark hunter green like this...

 

 

I am now loving the fresh new color.  I painted the frame with a Metallic Krylon spray paint... in brushed bronze! 

 

 

The new color really shows off and highlights the ornate details. 

 

Now for the fun part... weaving the burlap ribbon for the background!  I started by cutting a piece of cardboard into an oval base to fit and be inserted into the middle of the frame securely.  This oval cardboard piece also serves as the base for my woven ribbon background.  I then cut several pieces of ribbon to approx. 20" in length each.  I then laid the ribbon horizontally in alternating color,  over the cardboard oval base. 

 

 

I then flipped the base over and folded over the ends of each length of ribbon, securing each of the ribbon sections to the back side of the base with some masking tape. 

 

 

Now flip the base over again to the front and cut several 32" pieces of ribbon.  These are the pieces that are now woven into the pattern vertically as shown!

 

 

After the pieces are all woven together, the ends of the vertical pieces can also be folded over and secured to the back side with more masking tape.  Here you can also "shape" and "mold" the edging of the entire oval base until you get the perfect shaping to fit snuggly inside the frame.  To secure the piece into the frame I used a heavy duty stapler gun, but you could also use a craft glue if you like. 

 

 

To create my initial which will be framed inside, I selected my font and cut it out from cardstock using my Cricut Expression.  The initial is from the Paper Lace 2 Cricut cartridge.  Each "A" was cut from cardstock 3 times and I glued all 3 together to make the initial sturdier. 

 

 

Now apply a double stick adhesive to the surface of the letter and begin to wind the brown burlap string around the letter until the entire surface is wrapped.

 

 

After the initial was complete I then used a fabric glue to adhere it to the woven burlap background.  I also decided to decorate the feet of the letter with some pretty felt flower and doily embellishments  from the Curtsey Boutique. 

 

 

I love my new framed monogram... and I especially love the woven burlap texture!  It's a  lovely shabby chic addition to my office space. 

 

 

I sure hope you've enjoyed my latest creation and that maybe I've inspired you all toward a new direction in creating with ribbon... after all, ribbon isn't just for bows!   Enjoy!  :)