Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Fun With Feed or Flour Sacks...or Sugar Sacks!

 
Pretty Chicks of Summer!
 
Nothing says summer like a lot of pretty chicks strutting about and showing off their colorful finery.  I've mentioned before how much I enjoy what an All-American summer has to offer.  Summer to me is a garden filled with lazy days, country fairs, fireworks and parades beneath a blue sky full of fluffy white clouds.  There are lots of pretty chickens in a summer garden...well, in my neighbors' gardens...and it makes me happy just to watch them.  I like summer projects...this year I am being drawn to a country fair or carnival kind of theme.  Of course the colors red, white and blue will dominate...the colors of an American Summer!
 
Pinterest-Inspired Feed Sack Art
As seen on Pinterest...from Country Living.
Made by Cathe Holden of  Just Something I Made
 
I love Cathe Holden's blog.  She comes up with the most brilliant ideas...but what I love most is that though they are easy, they pack a lot of punch!  I've been inspired time and time again.  Pillows and other things made from feed, flour and sugar sacks can be found all over Pinterest, but I hadn't seen this idea anywhere.  Cathe has taken sacks with interesting graphics...added simple embroidery to enhance the design...and framed them like canvas art. What could be more fun in a vintage farm-style kitchen?
 
My version is a flour sack from Lehi Roller Mills.
I added a funky polka dot border...the dots are vaguely egg-shaped...lol!
 
Lehi Roller Mills is a local landmark featured on the first "Footloose" movie. I first posted about it last year here... Lehi Roller Mills. I was so excited to find I still had one flour sack left in my stash.  My embroidery skills are nothing to brag about, but it was fun to outline the letters and turkey with (very) simple stitches.
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The flour sack was simple to frame...I just stapled it to a white stretched canvas I found at Hobby Lobby in the art department...the sizes and possibilities are endless!
I used an 18" by 24" canvas.

These are the porch pillows I made last year from the same sacks
 
Sugar Sack Pillows...
 
 Sugar sack pillow found on Pinterest. 


I made these last year...See it here!
These will be fun added to my country fair theme.
 
Speaking of fairs...who doesn't love a first place ribbon?
Cathe Holden is also an expert on making fancy rosette ribbons.
I purchased her book..."Rosette Art". 
The book has tons of ideas and includes pre-scored papers to get you started.
 
Happy May Day...tomorrow!
P.S. Pretty Chickens!
 









10 comments:

Musings from Kim K. said...

So many fun ideas in this post! I keep staring out of my office window at the empty trees. The buds aren't even trying to come out yet. I'm definitely dreaming of summer fun and warmer weather. Thanks for today's inspiration.

~Damita's Pretty Wrap~ said...

Loads of inspiration here Shirley!! Such cute and fun ideas! I'm dreaming of warm weather too!! :) xo Holly

Unknown said...

Thanks for the inspiration and sharing, Shirley! I always enjoy your posts.

Unknown said...

Shirley,
I just was on Cathe's blog! I agree she is amazing!
I just adore all of this post! I so remember summer being a fun, free time as a kid....now not so much as I line in a furnace but I can dream....lol
Thanks for all of the great chicken pics!

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Fun and cute flour sacks! I so want spring to be here...thanks for the chicken images.
warmly,
deb

Margaret said...

Always a pleasure to read your posts. So many great ideas :) Maggie

Cathe Holden said...

You just completely made my day! <3 Your embroidered version is so wonderful as well as all your other pieces. Thanks for all the kudos!

vivian said...

cute stuff! I used to have a really neat old feed sack.. I have no idea what I did with it, but I dont have it anymore. Now I wish I did! lol! Love those sugar sack pillows! arent they "sweet"? lol
happy May Day!
xoxo
vivian

vintage grey said...

Love all your pillows you made and such inspiration, too!! Happy May Shirley! xo Heather

Patti said...

I just began a chicken collection! Ohhhhhhh, yours is absolutely wonderful!