You might remember earlier this year when I managed to score a car load full of burlap coffee bags for free. I used the rattiest, dirtiest bags as weed barrier in my garden - I even planted potatoes in one, which worked out well and will be repeated in the garden next spring. I pulled the nicest bags - the ones with interesting prints, clean burlap, and fewest tears and placed them carefully in a pile in our garage, thinking I might do something crafty with them.
As I was sharing an apple with my son last week, I remembered seeing an apple print project on
Martha. I knew as I watched juice dribble down The Boy's chin, exactly what we were going to do with that burlap.
For this project you'll need:
Burlap - free is best, but you can buy it from a fabric store as well.
Red, black, and green tempura paint
Paint brushes
Shallow plates to hold paint
Scissors or a rotary cutter
An apple
Fork
Newspaper.
I pulled out my fabric mat and my rotary cutters and made short work of a burlap bag. I cut twelve 6"x6" squares and placed them in a single layer on some newspaper to catch drips. Slicing my apple in half, I used a fork to pierce the skin and create a handle.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPRugaAPg4XhXFzjAH8KfIziANdB5q3xzrXSSpQb6HjbjZC1DfCeJ60LXhcj2B6cV4KX5D1xYApzx6Cl5JXGYWGx1tGvIOj8tZy3H8_DDvWVfJ4i47CBHfqYkkfLfvTVuWTvv1zoz4Xeo/s400/apple+3.jpg)
I filled two separate plates with paint. One red and one green. I had The Boy liberally paint the apple with green paint and start stamping.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmRDxJPpAgZ4gAfLdGQffRSpHyjKMRve-mxBfbzo3gQ9WPCuOaO5KlZUwn4ScfqMaoPtUwaaGzDKkMc_4nnsH_4U_VJez1W7B9Uj-lyZkS7xixGQe3Jc465u487205OfYXRsLjuNxOJrx/s400/apple+2.jpg)
After the apples were dry, I took some black tempura paint and a small, fine brush to add some apple seeds and a stem to each print. Using hemp cord, I found that my coffee burlap bags had a weave open enough that I could just thread the string through. We alternated red and green apples and hung it from our fireplace mantel. The perfect autumn bunting for our living room!
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiga7An-OOkSOIa8HU5yr6BM2ge6DyK6Gls1oCPMpYaGMaRH-a73qxErfv_Mm7loC4rxg9yma0ELqyEnpb8ZW7REHyYa5r8-PjB0sD5F-cX6zdDIEDupYh8LUmF-wg5vODhww2su8XXS9xv/s400/apple+5.jpg)
I love how rustic and simple this project is. And the total cost for us? One apple, tempera paint and string, which we already had on hand.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQXG2S_6D-YgZ5pHuxV5yRRch-kPkhORLOz4K6f22obMr4CtPfn6WPKeX4jods7HUczUCIjjQ47306rNprs-UIUUQOyGJRvB6V44ZukrOeHw0qobzQRdVEqNTQ91ze9MvUb3hjodfQcJ-z/s400/apple+4.jpg)
Taking time to notice all the seasons,
Simple Mama
Great banner!
ReplyDeleteThat's great! I love the simplicity of the burlap. Fun project!
ReplyDeleteCool! There is nothing like a bunting to say... We are enjoying this life!
ReplyDeletegrace
what a lovely project!! thank you for share it!
ReplyDeleteHave a great day!
Chola.