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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
No time to chat .... Heading to Donna's stencil sight! Happy sunny meadow day to you!
Love, love, love this pillow!! And the meadow, the crickets, and the morning sun! :)
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.. :)
"There was a farmer...had a dog...!" LOVE it and the pom poms, too! : )
Karianne this pillow is FANTASTIC!!! I love it! It would make a great addition for our family room:). Thanks so much for sharing! Gorgeous photo too, like always;).
LOVE it, Karianne (it's Bingo, so of course I would), and the pom pom fringe makes it even better!
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!
You are one of the most creative people I have ever know. What a great project!!!
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.
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♡
Love it... The meadow, the pillow, u your words!
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!!!
What type of paint did you use? Love the pillow and meadow!
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!
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
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.
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!
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!
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!
Such a great project!!! I just wish could order a country meadow!!! Thanks for sharing!!!
I had a vision of you frollicking through the meadow with your BINGO pillow! Lol! And I do love pom-pom's!
love it.... Where did you get the fabric?
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 !!!
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.
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.
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.
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!
BRAVO!!! Your pillow is awesome, and your tutorial super inspiring, and I am heading to see your old post then over to Donna's! Hugs!
PS -- That old post? Seems like yesterday. I remember it. You are so danged cute.
.... 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
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?
Nice idea, I will have to use it.