how to burlap bingo card pillow

I took this picture this morning.

Just about an hour ago.

I literally couldn’t help it.  I had other plans for this post that involved photographing this burlap bingo pillow on the back porch with coral and white pillows and then I was drinking my coffee and staring at the morning sun peeking over the back meadow and it was so beautiful.

A simple morning in the country.

And I ran with bare feet and blonde hair flying clutching my bingo pillow across the green grass to photograph it here.

Just so I could send a little bit of the morning sunshine and smell of green grass and crickets chirping to you.

bingo card burlap

Here’s a little closer view of the pillow.

I made it with a stencil my incredible, funny, creative, junky friend Donna sent me.

And when the stencil showed up at my house, I knew it would make the perfect burlap bingo card pillow.

Here’s how I made it (and some stenciling tips along the way).

burlap

Start with burlap

Please remember that all burlap is not created equal.

You want to choose a nice burlap for this project.  Be a little choosy with your burlap and pick one with a close weave and a warm, burlapy color.

The tighter weave will hold the paint so much better.

bingo card stencil

Here’s the stencil

I chose the larger size stencil for the pillow.

Cut out the burlap around the stencil to size your pillow.

The stencil already has an edge (see all that white) so you don’t want to leave too much of a border.

I left about an inch on all sides.

Then cut another piece of burlap to match.

stencil

Transfer the design using a stencil

Here’s a few tips for making sure your stencil turns out perfectly.

1.  Less paint is so much better. 

Seriously.

Dip your brush into the paint and blot on a paper towel.  Then blot some more.  Then when you think you don’t really have any paint on the brush, you’re ready.

Repeat after me.  Less is more.  Less is more.  Less is more (except when it comes to lipstick).

2.  Pounce the paint.

Use the brush up and down straight on and tap it over and over and over again.

Don’t wipe it side to side, that will push paint under your stencil.

Bingo card stencil on burlap

3.  When you have finished applying the paint, pause.

Look at your stencil to make sure all the paint is applied evenly.

Make sure you didn’t put more paint on one side of the stencil than the other.

You cannot go back once you remove the stencil.  Don’t even think about it.  You’ll want to think about it.  Don’t.

4.  Wash your stencil when you are done.

Like immediately.

Like don’t pause.

Take the stencil and spray it down.

You might want another pillow or sign or gift for someone for Christmas and you’ll thank yourself later when you pull out the stencil to use it.

burlap bingo card pillow

Sew the pillow.

Sew the black pom pom fringe to one piece of the burlap.

Or not if you’re not a pom pom fringe type of person.  No pom pom judgement here.

Then sew both sides of the burlap together with the stenciled side facing inward.

Make sure to leave an opening when you sew it.  Turn right side out, stuff and stitch close.

how to make a burlap pillow

Here’s one more look at the pillow.

And the back meadow.

This post was brought to you by Thursday morning.

Preferably with a meadow, sunshine and bare feet. 🙂

PS  I just found this post from over three years the first time I photographed a piece of furniture in the field.  It made me laugh out loud and shows nothing’s really changed around here.

PPS  If bingo cards aren’t really your thing, you can see all Donna’s other stencil designs here.

Want to know how to decorate your home for free?
Click here to get my FIVE BEST secrets.

Comments

  1. Image for Keely Keely

    First time on a blog!! Love it!! I live in the country also.. but I am at work.. starting to love living my fantasy cottage life by visiting your site.. so lovely!! Beautiful morning pic! Have a great day.. :)

  2. Image for Yvonne Yvonne

    I wish my bingo-playing Grandma was still here! She would have loved a tote bag with this design to hold all her bingo supplies! Your picture of Thursday morning in the pasture is lovely. Thank you!

  3. Image for Karen in Texas Karen in Texas

    Love love the pillow !! Do you mind sharing where you get your burlap? Is it on-line or do you buy it locally? It looks to be definitely very tightly woven. I have a hard time finding any like that in Waco.

  4. Image for Dale Deacon Dale Deacon

    What a delightful morning, after taking our newly adopted pug for a walk, time to settle down with my cup of coffee and must say it brightened my day when I found your latest post in my emails. As always, I wasn't disappointed checking out the bingo pillow, the lovely setting, your witty humor and fabulous creations. A pure delight with dreamy thoughts before starting a busy day. Thanks for the quick get away moment and inspiration♡

  5. Image for Marisa Franca @ All Our Way Marisa Franca @ All Our Way

    Oh My!! Your photography has grown -- no armillary -- instead a beautiful sofa with an incredible bingo pillow. And to tell you the truth I am a pom pom sort of girl it adds to the pillow. And this time, did "anyone" bring fried chicken?? Love the pillow!!!

  6. Image for Pat Pat

    You started your day in a most perfect way! The bench, pretty pillows and gorgeous meadow with morning sunlight make everything right for a good start to the day. Thanks for sharing and putting the sunshine in my day!

  7. Image for Fran Fran

    Karianne, is there a special place you suggest for getting reclaimed wood? And, do you sometimes just take new boards and distress them? The last question (I promise) what kind of paint do you use on your wooden signs? It almost appears watered down. Thanks for all your help. I can't tell you how much enjoyment I get from reading your blog! Fran

  8. Image for Kim Banta Kim Banta

    Oh, my goodness! Before two days ago this BINGO pillow would have had not much personal interest for me. BUT, two days ago I shot a scene in an upcoming film, starring Michael Keaton! He plays Ray Kroc, who developed McDonald's. Laura Dern plays his wife. My scene was with the two of them, and a room full of background actors, in a VFW hall, in the 50's. Guess who I played?! "The Bingo Caller!" I first say, "B5" then Laura Dern's character has the next, and then Michael Keaton's character has the next... So, even though we were not speaking to each other, we were all in the same scene. The name of the film is, "The Founder." I also am very happy that I was just a kid in the 50's in real life, rather than an adult! The hairstyle they gave me was authentically 50's, as were the clothes. (Vintage clothes, all. NO new clothing!) Neither are a good look for me. Oh, and at the very last minute they had me wear green pointy glasses! Ugh. So much for contacts.

  9. Image for Toni Toni

    SOOOOOO cute! I miss the smell of early morning in the country.....you gave me a pleasant memory from my childhood. I still remember the dew on the grass and misty fog on the hay fields as I walked to my bus stop! Wish I lived where you live!

  10. Image for Toni Toni

    SOOOOOO cute! I miss the smell of early morning in the country.....you gave me a pleasant memory from my childhood. I still remember the dew on the grass and misty fog on the hay fields as I walked to my bus stop! Wish I lived where you live!

  11. Image for Susan Susan

    Thank you for posting this...I have the same stencil from Donna's amazing line and it's always cool to see different uses for it...gets my wheels turning! Funny...I never thought I was the pom-pom type of girl before...but after seeing this pillow, I had an epiphany...I sooooooo AM the pom-pom type of girl! Can't wait to try this...thank you for all of your very helpful advice, which I know I am going to rely upon to get me through this!

  12. Image for Marijean Marijean

    That is really cute ! I have to mention I really dislike washing stencils. I had the brainy idea to buy some cheap white curtains from Wal Mart and stencil a quatrefoil motif on them. Brother, I am glad I only had four panels to stencil, because it seemed like it took forever and I had to wash the stencil a couple of times per panel. Thank goodness I really like how they turned out, and it was really reasonable. Glad to have that project done !!!

    1. Image for Funky Junk Interiors Funky Junk Interiors

      Hi Marijean, KariAnne is right about washing stencils right away. I've gotten lazy over time and now I just run my fingers along the edges so at least they are clean and let it all dry. LOL Works fine! They just don't look as pretty.

  13. Image for Colleen@LilacDriveDesigns Colleen@LilacDriveDesigns

    Super stinkin' cute!!! I love all of Donna's stencils, they are so cute. Yes, less is more except when it comes to money...less is no bueno, haha. Did you secure the stencil so it didn't move? Did you have any issues with wiggle? I thought about securing with a dot or two of hot glue, then you can just pick it off the burlap when you're done...or painters tape.

    1. Image for Funky Junk Interiors Funky Junk Interiors

      Hi Colleen! I've used spray adhesive with great results! Just know, the glue will stay on the back of the stencil though... as it's super hard to remove. Not really a problem... I just hang them up and resuse as desired, old glue and all. :) These days I just move my fingers along, holding the stencil down as I tap the paint on.

  14. Image for Funky Junk Interiors Funky Junk Interiors

    Oh my goodness... may I please have the pillow AND the meadow? I don't ask for much really... :) So gorgeous, KariAnne! And may I add, I can't believe you got those outstanding results with a regular paint brush! Off to go stock quality burlap... thanks for the lesson!! And the mentions. So appreciated!

  15. Image for Barbara Neubeck Barbara Neubeck

    .... My Mum is a Bingo lady from way back.... she still goes once a week and she is 98 yo.... I'm sure she would love this... thanks for the idea .... I love the meadow background... xxxxxx Hugs... Barb xxxx

  16. Image for Wendy Johnson Wendy Johnson

    Loved your pillow, your meadow and your photography but I have to ask ..Turtles in your meadow? I have them in my pond, big ugly mean snappers and occassionally they try to crawl up the back step, but in the meadow?

Comments are closed.