When I bought 8 yards of burlap last month, my first purchase ever, I couldn't have predicted getting so much mileage out of 12 or so dollars' worth of fabric. Or how much fun it would be using it! I know, this has been a big trend for at least five years now. Sometimes it takes me a while to embrace something new. But I will say for certain that washing and drying it (instructions here) made all the difference in the feel of the fabric.
This owl template came from the Storybook cartridge on my Cricut. If you don't have a Cricut, there a lots of cute owl templates on the internet. I found one here and another cute one here. It wouldn't take too long to print these onto card stock and selectively cut out details with an exacto knife. Then use this tutorial as a guideline, and you'll be done in no time!
See the little peek above of the new sofa slipcover? All I can say is, why did I wait so long? I'll have a full reveal soon.
So while I was it it, I whipped up a couple of cute squirrel pillows too. Cause you know, we're a little squirrel crazy here. I trimmed out all the pillows with a cute brown and green check piping that is perfect for fall. You might recognize this template from Better Homes and Gardens' Cozy Fall Crafts projects.
I threw in another quick project too, wrapping these pillar candles in jute webbing, and adding upholstery tacks to hold the webbing. This was a great idea that I found on Pinterest.
My tip: I just painted one coat of craft paint onto the burlap, because I wanted a vintage feedsack sort of look. If you want a darker, more solid image, just paint a second coat! The craft paint covers over really well, and should be permanent, according to what I read on the label. I haven't tested this, though, but might someday if these pillows need to be laundered.
Just joining me, and looking for more great fall burlap projects? My other burlap projects are here:
Burlap Trimmed Patchwork Pillows
I'm joining
Kim for Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style
Yvonne for Tutorials Tips and Tidbits and StoneGable
Debra for Vintage Inspiration at Common Ground
Courtney's Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage
Cindy's Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home
Donna's Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors
Love your pillows - especially the owl. So cute and not scary!!
Judy
Posted by: Judy Clark | October 09, 2012 at 05:30 PM
Really cute! I love the owl design, his little feet are so cute:)
Posted by: Leslie Hayes | October 09, 2012 at 05:31 PM
Sooooo cute! I adore the pillows and the candles!
Posted by: Cathy | October 09, 2012 at 05:49 PM
Love your burlap pillows!
Posted by: Penny @ The Comforts of Home & Flea Market Makeovers | October 09, 2012 at 05:54 PM
Those are so cute, but I especially love the squirrel.
Posted by: kim | October 09, 2012 at 06:51 PM
These are so cute! The photo with the squirrel pillow and candles is magazine worthy! So pretty!
Posted by: Shenita | October 09, 2012 at 08:10 PM
Adorable, I love all your pillows. Can't pick a fav between the owl and the squirrel, they are both so blessed cute!
Posted by: Sandra @Beneath this Roof, Within these Walls | October 09, 2012 at 10:32 PM
Super cute and fun!
Posted by: jennifer | October 10, 2012 at 12:26 AM
Your pillows are just the cutest things !! Especially the squirrel !!
And I love what you did with the candles too !!
xoxo
Posted by: Karen | October 10, 2012 at 03:02 AM
Those are simply adorable!
Posted by: Andrea @ Keeping it Cozy | October 10, 2012 at 06:59 AM
You are so talented! You are killing me with the reveal!!
Posted by: Stacey | October 10, 2012 at 07:58 AM
I just bought a pack of owl diecuts yesterday to do this same exact thing! I love how you dressed up your candles!
Posted by: Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside | October 10, 2012 at 09:15 AM
adorable. what took you so long :)
Posted by: Laura | October 10, 2012 at 03:14 PM
You're one busy girl! Cute pillows.
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | October 10, 2012 at 03:17 PM
I thought I was alone in getting slowly to burlap. I just put a burlap shade on a lamp in my living room. In fact I am still not sure about it. I am sure about your owl and bird however. They are darling. xo, olive
Posted by: Olive Cooper | October 10, 2012 at 07:11 PM
The pillows are so cute! Really perfect. Thank you for sharing. Visiting from Stone Gable. Would love it if you would share this at my Make it Pretty Monday party at The Dedicated House. http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2012/10/make-it-pretty-monday-week-18.html Hope to see you at the bash! Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse
Posted by: Kathryn Griffin | October 10, 2012 at 07:28 PM
Your pillows are adorable! I love how you decorated your candles too.
I just did a post on burlap drapes.
Dee
Posted by: Dee | October 10, 2012 at 08:03 PM
I am going to keep my eye out for some burlap pillows so I can try this. Your pillows came out so professional! Wonderful job. Found you via Savvy Southern Style Link Party.
Thanks doll,
The Glamorous Housewife
Posted by: The Glamorous Housewife | October 10, 2012 at 10:16 PM
Your owl and squirrel pillows are so cute, and I love the pillar candles that you covered with jute, and on the red candleholders--all so pretty!
Posted by: Athena at Minerva's Garden | October 10, 2012 at 11:42 PM
Your pillows are fabulous!! Love them!
Posted by: Margaret Pereira | October 11, 2012 at 08:23 AM
Very pretty pillows! I love the one with the owl! You did a fantastic job!
Posted by: Cristina | October 11, 2012 at 12:30 PM
Coming to you from Vintage Inspiration... The pillows are so pretty! Love the owl and the squirrel. And the red candlesticks and adorned candles are really neat, too!
Posted by: Rhonda @ Ramblings of a Southern Girl | October 12, 2012 at 06:54 AM
I love the owl and squirrel pillows. I have been having a love affair with the burlap for sometime now, great stuff.
I think the patchwork pillow is great, too.
Thanks for sharing.
Michele
Posted by: Michele | October 12, 2012 at 07:40 AM
Visiting from French Country Cottage. I love the little pillows! The owl is my favourtie. He looks playful and though he has a vintage element i think he could look modern in a bright colour too! Thanks for the inspiration today! I love this project.
Posted by: Bethany | October 12, 2012 at 08:52 PM
Love both those projects! I think I have those same candle sticks in the same color :)
Posted by: Manuela@a cultivated nest | October 13, 2012 at 07:38 AM
Very cute! Definitely want to make the owl! Can you guess why? ;) Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: LittleOwlCrunchyMomma | October 13, 2012 at 06:21 PM