'Jute' said it would work!

So I have seen so many tutorials of wrapping any and all kinds of containers with Jute twine to make some really beautiful & rustic storage containers. Well certainly I have to have some and if I can make it instead of buy it then all the more so!  So in my endeavor to do my part, I have been saving ALL my tin cans from veggies & sauces and purchased a decent size roll of jute twine.  Now, there are lots of places out there to find the stuff, craft stores, hardware / gardening stores, you can even find people selling it online per yard (but honestly that is WAY more expensive than it should be) but IF you can not find it locally then get some online but you will want to have at least 3-5 yards for a small project like the one I did here.  So this if my first try and here is what I found:

I started w/ a smaller tin, this was one of the small tomato sauce cans (you know the ones that are about .30-.50 each. Just in case it was tricky I didn't want to waste too much of my twine. (don't worry, you are going to love doing this)

Make sure you start with a clean tin (obviously but must be said....)

Remove all the outer labels and I run mine through the dishwasher and dry really well.

All you need for this project is:

1. Any size tin can
2. Jute twine 
3. Hot glue (or fast drying glue)
4. Embellishments  like ribbon, lace or buttons(optional)
5. Felt (optional)

Most tin cans have a ridged pattern which makes starting the twin and wrapping even easier. If you are just not confident in yourself, make sure you start with one like this to help guide you but you will be a pro in no time!  I suggest gluing the first 3-4 rows completely for security and to give you good tension for the rest of the can.

(Fig. 1) After the first few rows just pull and wrap, keeping tension on the twine.  It's not necessary to wrap closely, just keep the tension (fig. 2), just wrap several rows tightly and then push them down as shows (fig. 3)  I realized this technique half way through, it makes the project go much more quickly!

The wrapping process is not difficult, just practice and you will find your grove. I did however put a tack or two or glue ever 5-6 rows so I knew it would not move for sure. 

Continue this until you get to the top of the can. You will notice the top has a lip which sticks out slightly  that is perfect, (Fig. 1) just slowly wrap & glue your final 2-3 rows like you did at the bottom of the can in the beginning. When all done just trim off twine (Fig.2) and finish neatly. If you are careful you can do this with the hot glue OR a fast drying clear glue would work great if you have a heavy trigger finger on the glue  gun.  When all done your wrapped tin will look a little 'messy' (Fig. 3) because well, this is a natural fiber but that's on, just get out your scissors and trim off all those stray fibers.  IF you plan to put this on a delicate surface you can measure and cover the bottom (Fig. 4) with felt but I saw no reason for this in my case, but it would give a nice finish if you are gift giving. The final look (Fig. 5) a beautiful natural jute twine covered tin to hold whatever your heart desires!

Spend your most time stating & ending your twine to give is a nice finished look. If you just can't get a smooth finish, then cover the rims with ribbon, lace or embellishments. Make it work, honestly w/ the natural fibers you will probably be the only person who notices anyway.

Now, those of you who know me know that I can't leave it just  like this, NO WAY!  And if you don't know me personally you will get to as we move on.  I wanted to give this as a little thank you gift so I wanted to put a little extra touch to it, so I went to my ribbon collection then found some various buttons, played with it for a little bit and VOILA! an adorable rustic accessory perfect for holding..............whatever the receiver wants, but this was plenty big for my pens in my studio!  

I simply love this!  I am going to try to get out of my head on the next few and not be so symmetrical with my finishing touches, I think it would give a whimsy look for sure!

Well now I'm really hooked! I knew I liked this project when I saw it but now I can't wait to make more of these for all over the house AND I will add my personal touch to make them coordinate with the different areas of the house!  I think I will experiment with different twine colors and other techniques.  As I do I will update you with more end pictures. I hope you enjoyed reading as much as I enjoyed making this. Total time was maybe 30 min. So a quick little fun task for this size.

Please share if you like, I don't mind & I hope my instructions were easy to follow. 

Comments or suggestions, bring 'em on!  Have a great day and don't forget to put your twist on it!

Tackling the Studio (a.k.a. the basement)

Everything is being pulled from boxes & sorted,
waiting for pegboard and shelves.

Evening friends, this weeks undertaking is a big one.  I am setting out to to transform our basement into a Studio/Craft Room for my Bloomin' Bows & all those projects we are going to bring to life from all local sources.  You have to be a real visionary to see what this mess of concrete walls and 2x4 studs has the potential to be........

I realized it's not the beautiful painted walls, plus carpet & white modular craft storage that so many are fond of at your local craft store BUT the whole room is mine. I can arrange it how I want. I have some large area rugs to go down as soon as I clear my tables and little by little it will be my own 

escape from reality and a way to express myself through many forms of crafty-ware!  

Eeeekkk.... I can't wait!

So after MUCH nagging & begging I FINALLY got my hubby to get down here and hang all my pegboard. After he suffered much frustration with drilling holes into the cement walls and then the screws not holding, I sort of suggested an idea I had seen on Pinterest about using liquid nail. After a brief pause, a side look with a smirk, he said "that's not a bad idea, glad I thought of it". So after a 3rd run to Home Depot, he came back with "the stuff" to get my pegboard on the wall!

Yes, that is my sweet hubby putting in place
the spacing boards for my pegboard.

So the boards with us very easy (almost too easy, maybe I will get more projects done around the house now). As soon as those were up and level the pegboard went up even easier.

Now I know it has a long way to go, but don't you think it has potential?  Come on, are you seeing my vision yet?

Paint the table, put in some more lighting, find some nifty pegboard baskets, shelves & such and I will have a real working craft extravaganza!  And look, there is room enough to have several projects going at one time, which is usually the case with me. So now I have to work on a special order for some Minnie Mouse bows & LOOK! I can find everything I need, everyone sigh with me...

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I would love to hear your thoughts of what I have going here, what would you do differently? Any suggestions, I think it needs color don't you?