1.25.2011

DIY Burlap Valentine Postcards

Love can be rough, especially when you embroider it on burlap.

burlap valentines

Got some burlap scraps hanging around? Whip up some love with a few stitches.

burlap valentines

Cut your burlap into postcard size rectangles (approximately 4"x6") . Stiffen up the burlap with a little spray starch and a hot iron. Repeat a few times on each side.

burlap valentines
(The "Bee Mine" Valentine was inspired by my bee-keeping friend, Patricia.)

burlap valentines

(This one makes me think of the Fed Ex package Tom Hanks delivered at the end of Cast Away.)

Embroider a design on the postcard. All of my designs were free-hand, though I did trace the hearts with a light pencil to achieve symmetry. Maya*Made has a great post about embroidering on burlap. The woven grid of burlap is a perfect surface for embroidery. I used fine cotton crochet thread, but embroidery floss would work just as well. Use what you have on hand.

burlap valentines

Cut a piece of paper the same size as the burlap. Stitch the paper onto the back of your burlap postcard. I simply zig-zagged around the postcard with ecru thread. The paper backing will cover the backside of your embroidery and give you a place to write a sonnet to your beloved.

Voila! You're ready to send some love to someone you love. Or if you're like me, you can stuff them into a ziploc bag and put them away for a year until you remember to do something with them. I have to admit, I'm a tad bit embarassed by how sappy some of these Valentines are, but what can I say? It's the season for sap.

7 comments:

  1. Season for sap, I like it! I love the embroidered burlap. That's how I learned to embroider in the first place, all those years ago in Junior High art class. I still remember Miss King and the door she unknowingly opened for me to become a needle artist. I embroidered a free hand portrait of our dog on bright pink burlap. It was the 70's after all. ;)

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  2. I love the idea of embroidering on burlap...how wonderful. I suppose if I did this and took it to the post office to be hand stamped for postage it should go through the mail just fine...what do you think?

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  3. You are so frickin' brilliant. What a brain with a heart you are :)

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  4. Oh, how cute are these! This would be a wonderful surprise from the mail :) The bee mine design is so sweet, perfect for Vday! Thanks!

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  5. Now I know what to do with all the burlap I have!!! Thank you for the creative valentine post.

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  6. This is a great idea for so many things!

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  7. Love - love these! And I still have some burlap in my stash.

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