Burlap Success!

The burlap placemats worked out great! Unfortunately I forgot to get a shot of just the tables before guests arrived. But in the foreground of this picture you can see them. As I explained, when trimming the burlap you get long pieces of twine. I used these pieces to make silverware bundles. The food looks pretty good too.... (It was!)

Burlap what?

So I am in a love/hate relationship with burlap. I hate it because it seems to be "in" and I try to stay away from things too trendy. Fads-fade. But on the other hand, I love the rustic and primitive look of burlap. The brown (Hobby Lobby has it in different colors) goes with anything. Apparently, as seen on Pinterest, you can run it through an ink jet printer! Here is my first, and very basic,  burlap project. I am making placemats for the Easter lunch we will be hosting later this month. I will update the pictures when they table is all set.

*Warning! Burlap is very messy and hairy! Keep the vacuum and lint roller close by your burlap project!

It comes on a standard bolt and I cut pieces to roughly 12x16. Burlap is very hard to cut straight. So once you get your piece to the approximate size, start on one side and pull out a strand. Keep going until you achieve the right size. The fring hanging off is much easier to trim.

When I had my placemats cut to the size I wanted I put a dab of Mod Podge on each corner. It dries clean and keeps the edges from fraying. 

Getting Started

This is my first venture into the world of blogging. I don't really expect but a handful of people to follow me here. But I feel I have something to contribute, something to inspire, something to delight. So I will give this a try and if I never log into this blog again, at least starting it was something I accomplished!

I am a middle school teacher turned stay-at-home mom (Director of Home and Child Management, when I want to be PC). I love my kitchen and my craft room. I love making things for people. I love hearing people say, "you made this?!". With all that seems to be Made in China these days and the mind blowing things you find in packaged food, it's nice to be able to give someone a gift or a cupcake and say "With Love From, Scratch". I fear for the generation of my infant daughter, that they will not be able to consume food without more than 35 ingredients. I fear they will never know the immaculate taste of real whipping cream because what they buy in the tubs was created by chemicals.   I fear they will decorate their houses with furniture made of particle board.

So, dear reader, who has stuck with me for the last two paragraphs, stay tuned for posts ranging from recipes, to DIY projects, to gifts from my sewing machine. Giving credit where credit is due, I find all sorts of things from other amazing bloggers, pinners, and recipe writers. Here is my little spot in cyber-space where I will share with you my interpretation of things made from scratch.

With Love From,
Scratch (Angie)