For today’s Friday field trip, I am turning an item from the past into something unexpected that can be permanently displayed and fondly admired.
While my children were growing up, our family vacations always involved water – even when we were away from our own beach, we were tent camping on a lake or visiting the ocean at a state park.
Shortly after my children were born… I don’t think my oldest was even a year old… I splurged and bought a couple of good quality staple items to be used for our family’s water time…a mesh bag to tote toys (there were always plenty) and a large cotton beach blanket – both purchased from L.L.Bean. Every family trip to an ocean, lake, or pool was accompanied by the large mesh bag filled with water toys and the brightly colored cotton beach blanket.
Over the years, the mesh bag disappeared as the mountain of plastic toys was replaced with sand chairs and Baggo. But, the blanket always remained…that is, until this past summer…when I noticed (to my horror), that someone had decided this old beach blanket, now a shredded mess, should be put out of its misery. I found it tossed in an outdoor garbage can!
What did I do? I immediately took it OUT of the trash, of course – determined to save it and preserve all the memories associated with this sacred beach blanket. I gave it a good washing and decided I would come up with some way to use some part of it to keep forever. After all, this blanket was like part of the family! I can’t even begin to explain all the wonderful moments that happened on and around this blanket!
So, I came up with a wall hanging that serves the battered old blanket perfectly and evokes memories of happy times with my children every time I see it!
If you want to create something similar, here are the steps I used:
- Stretch fabric (blanket) onto an embroidery hoop sized appropriately for the design you have chosen.
- Sew buttons onto the fabric in a desired pattern. (First, work up your design on a flat surface to determine the buttons you want to use and the size of the design. I was inspired to use the anchor by a photo of a tote bag I saw in Marie Claire.)
- Trim the fabric edges and glue them to the back of the hoop edges.
- For a decorative edge, attach a thin piece of twine around the edge of the hoop using a glue gun.
- Tie on a piece of twine for hanging. (This is a decorative option since the hoop can be hung without it.)
- Use a glue gun to add on a ribbon accent.
Have you found unexpected ways to display items with special meanings? I would love to hear about them…I still have blanket left. ;)
Thank you for stopping by.
Have a wonderful weekend, Jackie
Sharing at Craftberry Bush and Common Ground.