Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Bunting, Bloomies & Boutiques

I know I should be planning my Thanksgiving menu in my head, making lists, and setting out the good dishes.   But instead I spent the day making bunting for my boutique and then after dinner, spent several hours making Bloomies.   My Thanksgiving food has been purchased.  The bird is in the fridge defrosting.  Our Thanksgiving will only be our kids and grandkids.  We will be keeping it casual and have even decided to use paper plates!! (GASP)  I am not a fan of using paper plates.  But I have been so incredibly busy lately, and making the clean up for a big meal easier sounded pretty appealing this year.
I wanted to make yards and yards of bunting to string across the yard for our boutique.  I have made bunting before, using fabric.  I have some pretty bunting hanging in my sewing room that I love.  I made some for Fourth Of July out of fabric too.  This time though, I didn't want to go to the expense of using fabric.  I thought I could make it using pretty paper.  I had a large tablet of scrapbooking paper in pretty muted colors.  I wanted to make the best use of the paper, so after doing some simple math,  I figured out I could cut each sheet in half, and then get two bunting pennants out of each sheet of paper.
Then I made a template measuring the size I wanted with my yardstick.  I often use inexpensive plastic placemats for templates, because they are sturdy, cut easily and are very inexpensive.
I used my paper cutter and cut each sheet into two, and then cut the bunting pieces.  They spilled out onto the table in messy stacks of pretty paper, all cut into elongated triangles, ready to be sewn to bias tape to form  happy bunting flags.   In addition to the cut templates, I wound up with the skinnier flags seen on the right.  I felt it would be a shame to waste these, so they became bunting too.
I used 6 packages of 1/2 inch, double fold bias tape.  Each was 3 yards.  So I wound up with 18 yards of bunting.  I had to string it out somewhere to see it, so I haphazardly strung it out in my living room.
Strung this way, and that.
And across another doorway, is some of the smaller leftover pieces that I made bunting with too.
Another thing I loved about using the scrapbooking card stock, was that the paper is patterned on both sides.  Each side different.  So it is pretty from either direction it is seen.  I may never use fabric for bunting again!
Tonight I worked on my Bloomies.   I need to make about 5 more, and then I am done with those for the show.
To display these, I am using a styrofoam tree form.  It is so pretty and full.
My sewing room is an absolute mess!  I can't even think about it right now.   Manana.
My pile of crochet and knit items is growing daily.  Sorry it is blurry.
And now, I must go lay heady down.
G'night.
XO  Kris

21 comments:

my4lilgirls said...

Your bunting is gorgeous, all that lovely color & pattern :), also love the bloomies, I'm always looking for a cute flower pattern, these are lovely.
Have a wonderful thanlsgiving & by the way I think paper plates sounds like a godsend
Lol Karen x

Holly said...

You, my friend, are amazing! I so wish I could be there for the big day. I'd bring doughnuts and a big thermos of coffee. I'm sure it will be a huge success, everything looks great!

Dawn said...

OMG you have been a busy bee:) I can't believe all you have accomplished. Love the bunting and all the pretty color, I bet you will sell out, it's all so charming:) Blessings and good luck with the boutique.

Unknown said...

Cute bunting and what a great idea, using scrap book paper, pretty on both sides! My you have been so busy!

Debbie said...

What a wonderful job on the bunting! It looks fantastic! How busy you have been! I just know your boutique will be a HUGE success. I am excited for you. Wishing you and your a wonderful Thanksgiving! btw, we do paper plates on Christmas now for sure, and I don't think a soul minds but me! haha

Eileen said...

I don't know Kris, I think the bunting adds an added piece of decor to your livingroom. :-)
Every thing looks great and you will do wonderful.
May you and your family have a wonderful family Thanksgiving.

Heather - The Good Life said...

Best wishes on your boutique and wishing you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving day! Heather

Bethany said...

That's a helluva bunting!! I love th pic of your bloomies--so bright and cheery!

Pam said...

The bunting looks great! Good idea to use the scrap booking paper - it's so pretty. It looks like you have been very busy making all of your bloomies!

Teresa Kasner said...

Dear dear Kris.. you are on overdrive! You need to plan your craft show after Thanksgiving, next year! :-) The bunting is fabooooo.. I do hope you take some pictures of your show and the buntings outside and all. Have a GREAT turkey day with your sweet family!
((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Maryjane-The Beehive Cottage said...

Oh Kris you sound like me getting ready for marketplace! Just crazy times! I love your bunting! Wow, that a lot of work! Cue, cute! Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving with loved ones! xox

Between Me and You said...

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, Lovely Lady. Your home is a haven of homeliness and style and extremely welcoming. Well done on your bunting which looks incredible. How do you make those 'Bloomies'? I have a Martha Stewart book which shows how to make paper ones but they look a bit flimsy. Liking yours very much.
Hope you get lots of help with your Thanksgiving chores tomorrow. x

Mereknits said...

Kris,
Love the idea for the bunting. And I know your Turkey Day will be fantastic with your family. I am excited to see how wonderful your sales will be at your boutique.
Hugs to you and Happy Thanksgiving.
Meredith

Linda said...

Hey Kris...
I did not know what a "bunting" was!
Until I finished reading your post...
But...I like them....and I recognized them, once I knew what they were!!! Don't laugh at me...
Your crocheting is lovely, as well...

Have a great Thanksgiving with your adorable family...

Cheers!
Linda :o)

Katie said...

Oh wow, I really love that banner of scrapbook paper!! I wish I could pop on over to get a one on one crochet class.....I keep messing up my projects ;) Maybe you could do a tutorial!?!? ;)

Happy Turkey Day!

Cheryl said...

OMW.....where to start. Crazy over everything...the bunting, so stinkin' cute, the bloomies again, stinkin' cute and your crochet and knitted items----WOW, you are one amazing lady! Happy Turkey Day to you and your family.

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I loved seeing all the prep for your boutique-great job my friend; I hope you make ooddles of dough. We are having a small group here today-one daughter & her family had to fly out unexpectedly to northern Ca. to spend the day with mil. So instead of 16 of us, there will only be 9-so much easier but not nearly as fun. Well maybe it will be without 9 grands running and playing inside.
Have a wonderful day and great weekend.
Love, Noreen

Patty said...

Oh, I love creative people like you! You are a girl after my own heart. Don't you love to see all of your accomplishments all together like you have done here. Everything is so beautiful. Thanks for the tip about the placemats. I have never made bunting but it it so neat. Good luck with your sales!

Deb~in~Denver said...

Oh, I love your bunting! I've made a few with vinyl tablecloths but never with paper. I'm going to look through my Christmas cardstock and make one. You are one BUSY lady! Wish I could attend your show, I know you'll have a lot of happy shoppers! You have so many beautiful creations. Hope you can SLOW down after your show, you wear me out! ;)

Amy said...

I love all your beautiful handmades! I had to comment on your "lay heady down" comment. You are the first person (outside of my family) that has used the same expression that I have heard since being a tiny girl. It was a favorite of my mom's and then I found myself telling my babies to lay their heady down. These days I say it to the dog....and she does it :)

Amy

Meier & Frank Merchandise Co. Inc. said...

hey i liked your blog very much and also took some ideas.I think flag bunting is a wonderful decoration for indoors and outdoors and can be reused over and over again for a multitude of occasions.Thanks for sharing :)