Sunday, September 5, 2010

in knots



Ever since I first read about how to make a ragamuffin garland, I have been wanting to make one and give it my own shabby-cottage spin.



I even bought my first pair of pinking shears and began to snip whenever I could find the time.



Many fabrics shown are from sweetie pie Lizzie, at Urban Gardens.



After cutting many strips I was ready for the next step of tying them onto something: I chose a heavy ribbon.



And I would cut and tie, cut and tie ...



until the garland seemed long enough to festoon a few places I had in mind. {Why does the word festoon make me chuckle?}



First I wove the garland through the arms of the Girlie Office chandelier. Since the gathered garland was looking very nest-like, I clipped a glittered bird onto a knot of fabric to complete a little vignette.

Hmmm?



My second thought was to hang the garland from the closet. Also pretty.

Hmmm?



Still kind of undecided because I like both options.

Chandelier ...



or door? Any festooning suggestions?



In other moments of spare time, I've been exploring the photo site Picnik. Very fun!

xo
elyse

64 comments:

Blessed Serendipity said...

Elyse those are just darling. Love it at the top of a window curtain.

-Danielle

Marie De Marco said...

elyse
just a thought since the first shabby garland turned out to be a winner, make a second. problem solved lol, now here's one for the window and the chandie.
marie

TheCottageGirl said...

CUUUUUUTE!
First pinking shears? Really?
Well just so you know they are great on lovely papers beside fabric.

Katy Noelle said...

Golly, Elyse! I think that you're in that happy "you can't lose" kind of place! I'm no help at all. sorry! You know, this is getting mighty close to sort of sewing....

Love, Katy

Mosaic Magpie said...

Very Cute!

Free Pretty Things For You said...

this is just precious elyse!!
you could do SO much with!
those pinking shears have been on my list for a while too!

Carmel's Closet said...

Such a pretty garland! Yes, Picknik is too much fun. I've whiled away a few hours myself this week.
Have a lovely week.
Carmel

The Polka Dot Closet said...

I like it FESTOONING the light! Maybe it is funny because it reminds us of cartoon? I love that word and I love the garland!

Carol

NanaDiana said...

Well, because you CAN'T decide I have come up with a 3rd option for you....send it to me! I will find the perfect spot for it and you won't have to worry your pretty little head about it. umkay?

It is adorable! I love it...I think I like it on the curtains..so darned cute..and those fabrics just make me smile and think happy little thoughts! Diana

Robin said...

It's very sweet! I've made several and hung them everywhere! Over a window.....on the window of my back door....and after a year I decided i needed to wash it....so i put it in a mesh bag and washed it in the machine and it turned out FINE!

Theresa said...

Gorgeous in all places and certainly looks like you:) I love the patterns! I ordered a quilt from Urban Gardens and gave it to my Niece for her birthday a year ago!

Enjoy your evening and I will give this a try:) HUGS!

Angie Acapella said...

that's just precious! I could totally see me using something like that to adorn my daughters brass bed. Too cute!

julie - eab designs said...

Adore the combination of these fabrics and your charming garland! You'll find lots of uses for your new pinking shears! I bought the large sized pair with the scalloped edges and use it all the time.

Hearts Turned said...

Oh, I LOVE all of your fabulous festooning, Elyse! Those fabrics are all so perfectly you, my friend...love your sweet garlands!

Hope you're having a wonderful holiday weekend...

Julie

Scrap for Joy said...

Every time I see these rosey fabrics I think of you....well, you and Cath. Both looks are cute but I love the festooning over the door...you can see more of the garland. Of course, I can visualize it festooned over MY door, too. Maybe I need to try one of these.
Thanks for the inspiration Elyse!
Joyce

claudie said...

Festoon is an over head crane. So Elyse, you have probably been hit with a massive serge of energy to create, your just not sure what hit you!
LOVE IT.
Love Claudie
xoxoxo

Sonia said...

Hmmm, well, now, I dont know!! I kinda like it in both places Elyse. Perhaps you should pull out the pinking shears and start cutting more fabric;) I love it. it looks really pretty and of course the fabric is sooo you. Love it!!
Hugs!!
Sonia

Simple Home said...

Your garland turned out so pretty! I love those colors. I loved the part about your first pair of pinking shears too. I liked your garland both places :-)Not much help, am I?
Blessings,
Marcia

debi said...

Ooooh! I LOVE your garland!! What a dilemma. It looks pretty on your chandy and the door. Make a second one! hehe

Sarah said...

This looks very cute! I love it!!





http://we-live-in-a-pink-world.blogspot.com/

Natasha Burns said...

super cute festooning! loving how it looks over the curtain!

Floss said...

It's lovely in either place! What a great way to get exactly the colours and patterns you want into your decor.

One of my Hobby Blogs said...

oh wow = this is soooo cute! lovin it!

Unknown said...

Dear Elyse, You are a Pink Glitter Girl extraordinaire! How sweet of you to visit my blog to see one of the few "pink" projects attempted. This garland is such a wonderful idea as well as the preserve snow scene idea for my Peppermint Giveaway. If I may feature your idea on my blog next Friday along with others, I would be thrilled. I am getting such wonderful suggestions for crafting ideas and appreciate them so very much! Have a lovely holiday weekend! Elizabeth

Kellie Collis said...

These are so pretty! Kellie xx

Prudence said...

this is so cute! I'm going to share it!

stefanie said...

oh, that is fabulous!!!! you will have to make more, 'cause they look great everywhere!

Jeanne said...

Oh I remember these back when country primitive was in and people made them in country reds, blues and greens! How cute they look in the soft pastel colors you chose!
xo
jeanne

Pansy Cottage Girl said...

Oh those fabrics, yum! i love the palette. Maybe you should whip up a few for your etsy shop? In your spare time, lol!

koralee said...

I love those fabrics. You have such pretty ideas my friend..I love it on the curtain but I agree it would look lovely anywhere...hugs for a creative week. oxxo

Twyla and Lindsey said...

Oh, I love your's with the pretty pinked edges! Now I know what to do with all those scraps I pick up at the quilt shop! Twyla

{oc cottage} said...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Picnik is my BFF...that's where I make all my banners...and FYI, those fabric strips are truly edible! YUMMY!

m ^..^

gena said...

Love the fabric choices - absolutely charming !!!!!

thanks for sharing,
gena
www.thehouseonlavenderhill.blogspot.com

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

I love the garland, so cute especially on the closet (;

gail said...

Hello,, I have really enjoyed visiting your blog today. I love the sweet garland. I love it on the window:)

I really enjoyed your post on Alexandra Stoddard. I have been a huge fan of her for years. I think thats great you have been able to meet her.

Have a pretty week! Gail

fairiemoon said...

I think you better snip and tie some more because I like the look of both. I think it might be cute on a mantle. I am making wee dresses for this purpose, but perhaps the tie thingee would be nice for a different season...autumn? I don't have much for autumn and it's coming!

Erin :)

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Elyse, Thank you for stopping, I am following you back. I always read your blog and just realized i was not following Duh! I was a stalker, but no more...I am out in the open!

Carol

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Oh Elyse, I think you should put the garland on ALL the above! Make more, they are adorable!!! Are you going to sale them in your Etsy shop?!!!

Love,
Maryjane
xox

Anonymous said...

Beautiful..your so creative! Have not had surgery yet..going into Tufts in Boston..Good Morning Happy Sept to you too!

Brenda Pruitt said...

I like the garland strung out anywhere you can see all the pretty colors, Elyse. It's too sweet to hide anywhere.
Brenda

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, and will this be a new tutorial? I'd like that.
Brenda

shabbyfufu said...

How about making it into a wreath Elyse? Love those pretty and cheery colors that you decorate with doll! ~xo~

Unknown said...

Elyse, I LOVE that stuff. Where are my pinking shears? I say MAKE MORE! I love the nesty look you did and the closet, so the only solution, is to make more!

Rosa said...

Precioso precioso,fantastica idea
muy alegre y delicada a la vez.

Rosa

Sherry from Alabama said...

How lovely, and your choice of colors is beautiful!

Sherry @ A Happy Valentine

Suz said...

Oh, Elyse,
How yummy! I wish I had time to do one of those right now. I love it in your own "custom material."
Hugs,
Suz
P.S. I think "festoon" is funny and I just recently got my first pinking sheers, too!

Stephanie Ryan said...

I love this idea and the fabric selection is soooooo nice.

Claudia said...

I read this post and then forgot to comment. hmmm. I like the garland in both places, so I am no help at all, am I? How about 6 months of the year the chandelier has possession and the other 6 months, the curtain has possession. It's a thought!

xo
Claudia

Cottage Flair said...

You are so creative!! Love that ... looks like a labor of love. Very pretty fabrics.
Jennifer

Faded Plains said...

It looks so cute on your door.

Glenys said...

I like them all. Wonderful!

Elizabeth and Gary said...

Hi Elyse,
What a fun idea! very cute!
Have a sweet day ,Elizabeth

Andrea said...

oH MY! I made one of those too for my daughters bday party, but yours is so much prettier!!!!!! I love all those fabrics , can you tell me some of the makers of the fabrics...I tied mine on a heavy ribbon too! I got my package today and just wanted to say a BIg Thank you for the little extras! You made my whole day!:)

Andrea said...

oH MY! I made one of those too for my daughters bday party, but yours is so much prettier!!!!!! I love all those fabrics , can you tell me some of the makers of the fabrics...I tied mine on a heavy ribbon too! I got my package today and just wanted to say a BIg Thank you for the little extras! You made my whole day!:)

Cathy said...

Elyse baby cakes,

Love the festooned look on the closet. Not loving it so much on the chandelier.

The fabric is scrumptious too. Maybe you could hang it in with a garland like look to it across a fireplace if you have one! Love it.

Hope you have a great weekend.

xo

jenna ♥ a little blue said...

new follower here ~ i saw your

"easy peasy sneezy" comment to beach vintage and decided we must be friends :)

great blog!

Ana Bia said...

I jus love all everything you do, Elyse!

Where I can find those fabrics ?

They are all so perfect!

Sorry about my bad english, I´m from Brazil...



Ana

June said...

This is the sweetest little garland, Elyse. It just makes me happy!

KatCollects said...

I love this garland! I think you just need to make a second one : )
Hugs,
Kathy

Beedeebabee said...

Elyse, your garland is just so sweet! I love it in both spots!...better make another one! ;) Paulette

Heidi plays with paints said...

Elyse, I absolutely love your creation. Totally cute. Your blog inspires me, longing to design some art. Thank you so much

Heidi plays with paints

Unknown said...

So sweet!! I love the way your shabby garland turned out!

mary pernula said...

Very cute! HUGS MARY

Unknown said...

Wow, Elyse. I just love this, and it looks so lovely in your home. I would love to try this with some French script that I just turned into fabric.

You always have such interesting posts.
Karen