Saturday, January 18, 2025

Cheery Denim Bunting

Denim Bunting by Jeanne Selep
Image 1: Denim Bunting Banners

I love Denim, the sturdy blue fabric used to fabricate blue jeans.  I've crafted multiple projects with denim, but my favorite denim project transforms old blue jeans into decorative bunting.  

More on the term bunting below, but I'll briefly define bunting here as a string of triangles (or pennants, or flags) strung in a row to form a decorative garland or banner.    


Denim Bunting by Jeanne Selep
Image 2: Embellished Denim Bunting

Upcycling blue jeans into bunting is satisfyingly fast, and offers lots of options for embellishment.  Since I am a fan of vintage laces and linens, I frequently use bits of lace and doilies to decorate individual triangles. 


Denim Bunting by Jeanne Selep
Image 3: Denim Bunting Upcyled from Blue Jeans

I also love plain denim triangles for a simpler look.  The details of the blue jeans used and the range of colors stand out when not embellished.  Of course, any fabric could be used, but denim has it's own special place in American culture - a love affair resulting in many items created by people reusing this fabric.


Denim Happy Birthday Banner Bunting by Jeanne Selep
Image 4: Happy Birthday Banner (Bunting)

The first bunting I made was for a birthday decoration.  I had saved worn out blue jeans for denim projects, and I wanted to upcycle them.  Bunting is a satisfying, quick, low tech project (no precision measurements) with a cheery result that has lots of possibilities for embellishment.


Denim Bunting by Jeanne Selep
Image 5: Denim Bunting

I used white electrical tape to quickly form letters on the banner - this way I can spell out a name, or whatever I want.  In the end the words I used most are "WELCOME" and "HAPPY BIRTHDAY".  Letters could also be painted or ironed on, or embroidered or appliqued for the ambitious.  


Denim Bunting by Jeanne Selep
Image 6: A Drinking Straw makes the top Sturdy

Bunting is almost intuitive to make, and I will be posting a tutorial soon with tips. (Photos already done!  Post started!)  But a sneak peak here: for my bunting, I've added one innovation: I put a drinking straw in the top of the bunting to make stringing the triangles fast and easy, and to keep the top of the triangles from sagging.  


Denim Bunting by Jeanne Selep
Image 7: Step #1 Decorated Denim Bunting

I also hope to showcase some other embellishments I have experimented with.  Watch for the full tutorial soon, but in the meanwhile I hope this post has inspired you.  Up-cycle away!

 

[Notes: Bunting is a British word for this type of garland made with triangles.  Strings of flags, frequently triangular, (called bunting) were used on British Navy ships for centuries.  Bunting then found their way into the celebrations of British events as decorations. You might also call them garland, etc.]

[Notes: I stressed for a while to determine the triangle size I wanted.  The top of my triangle measures 7.5 inches across, and the top to bottom dimension is 8.5 inches.  This allows a template to be printed out on 8.5x11 inch paper, and I have made bunting with paper, which could be a cute project with kids in a class setting.]






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I am linking up to these parties:
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 407 (Entry 2x of 86x.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 344 Mon 4a (Entry 49 of 188.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 9a (Entry 17 of 48.)
My Random: Anything Goes 439 (Entry 5 of )
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 20 of 28.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry 10x of 26x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 19 of 26.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party Mon 563 (l Entry 14 of 60.)
Keeping it Real: Party (Entry 11 of 41.)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me Mon 2-4p (m Entry **)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 761 3p (l Entry 1 of 119.)
Karins Kottage: Linky party 3 (Entry 6 of 112.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up 460 (m Entry 8 of 85.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 23r of 116r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 613 (l Entry 26 of 29)
Stonecottageadventures: You're the star (l Entry 76)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 5p Tues (l Entry **)
Eclectic Red Barn: Wonderful Wed (Entry 19r of 138r.)
 Pennys Passion: Think Out Loud Th (m Entry 2 of 44)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 436 Wed (m Entry 10 of 44)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 12 of 34)
Simple Life Mom: Homestead Blog Hop 532 (Entry 8 of 76)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 118 (Entry 8r of 75r)
My Thrift Store Addiction: Vintage Charm 474 Wed (m Entry 12 of 81)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style 448 (Entry 15)
For the Love: Lets grow Together Wed 346 (Entry 17)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 378 Th (Entry 11)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry )
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry )
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry )
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 514 Fri (s Entry 4r)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 3)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic 525 Thur 8p (i Entry 15)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Sat Sparks 652 Fr 8a (L Entry 18 of 117.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 382 (Entry 11 of 109)
Shelbee on the Edge: Spread the Kindness 740 (Entry 18)
Skyley: Skywatch Fri (Entry )
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 34)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 227 (L Entry 21)
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 660 (L Entry 24)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party Fri (Entry 19)
Rambling Woods2: Nature Notes Fri (Entry )
Funkyjunkinteriors: DIY Salvaged Fri 762 (Entry 5 of 16.)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry 1 of 96.)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best (l Entry )
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 232 7a (Entry 36 of 113.)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it Sun 288 (l Entry 19 of 138.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun even 653 4p (l Entry 3 of 120.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry --)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon Su (Entry 4 of 84)
Labour Love: Happiness Homemade 568 Sun a (Entry 11 of 108.)
Also Love my Mess: Happiness is homemade Sun (Entry )
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop Mon 4a (Entry )
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry monthly)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry monthly)

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Bunting





Tuesday, December 31, 2024

Fused Glass Christmas

The Christmas season quickly went from pending to past, and my very pleasant Christmas passed by without a Christmas post on my blog.  Now that the time spent decorating, visiting, gifting, cooking and cleaning is over, I can focus my attention on other things without guilt.  (That's sometimes hard to do before Christmas.) 


Fused Glass Star by Jeanne Selep
Image 1: Fused Glass Star

My living room got new carpet, a new desk and a new couch in December, basically a mini-remodel, so this year I had a smaller tree and less time to decorate and blog.   


Fused Glass Snowflake by Jeanne Selep
Image 2: Fused Glass Snowflake

I decorated with some fused glass ornaments I made, which I thought I would share today.  I only started creating fused glass projects in the last six months of 2024, so I'm posting early results. 


Fused Glass Christmas trees by Jeanne Selep
Image 3: Fused Glass Christmas Trees

Starting simple, I tried making numerous Christmas trees for gifts and to learn techniques.


Fused Glass Christmas trees by Jeanne Selep
Image 4: Fused Glass Christmas Trees

I'm looking forward to creating more projects in 2025.


Fused Glass Christmas trees by Jeanne Selep
Image 5: Fused Glass Christmas Trees


My hopes and prayers for 2025 are love and serenity, and no climate change problems.

 

Have a Blessed and Peaceful 2025!







Click on the images to see them enlarged.  Leave a comment if you have the time, they brighten my day!



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I am linking up to these parties:
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 405 (Entry 5x of 98x.)
Creativsalat.de: Creativsalat Link party (Entry 1r of 81r.)           12month blog
Mostly blogging: Inspire me 498 Mon 9a (Entry 21 of 77.)
My Random: Anything Goes 437 (Entry 9 of 85.)
Rachel Swirl: Sunday Snapshot (Entry 5 of 6.)
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry 19 of 26.)
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 832 6a (s Entry 17x of 26x.)
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 15 of 20.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 561 Mon 1p (l Entry 29 of 64.)
Keeping it Real: Party 444 (Entry 17 of 33.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 10 of 14.)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 327 Mon 2-4p (m Entry 11 of 100.)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me 758 Mon 3p (l Entry 80 of 87.)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 24 of 35.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now 457 Link-up Tues (m Entry 11 of 25.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 31r of 87r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 610 (l Entry 16 of 16.)
Sherrys Pickings: January 2025 (l Entry 2 of 13.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 619 5p Tues (l Entry 10x)
Also Ducks n a Row: Wonderful Wed (m Entry 44 of 47.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 433 Wed (m Entry 8 of 34.)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 6 of gone.)
Pennys passion: Linky Party (Entry 1 of 71.)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 115 (Entry 11r of 75r.)
My Thrift Store Addiction: Vintage Charm Wed (m Entry 5 of 72.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style Wed 6p (Entry b**)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry 18 of 74.)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 375 Th (Entry 13 of 25.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 27 of 125.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 4 of 9.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 512 Fri (s Entry **)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 9 of 94.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 8p (i Entry 9 of 94.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 650 Fr 8a (L Entry 10)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 379 (Entry 33)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 22)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 224 (L Entry 16)
Shabby Art boutique: Create-gather 657 (L Entry 12x of 23x)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party 70 Fri (Entry 4)
Rambling Woods2: Nature Notes Fri (Good Climate News)
For the Love to: Wed Link Up 343 (Entry 21)
Pams Party: Dare to share 456 Fri 11p (m Entry **)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best (l Entry )
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 230 7a (Entry 16 of 29)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 286 Sun 3p (l Entry 5)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun even 653 (l Entry 91)
Sew can do: Craftastic Mon 405 Su (Entry 6x)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 566 (Entry 15)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry monthly)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 17 monthly)

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Saturday, November 30, 2024

Daffodil Dreams

Daffodil
Image 1: Yellow and White Daffodils

In May, I spontaneously joined the Midwest Daffodil Society, when I visited the Chicago Botanic Garden on the day of the Society's spring show.  I had stopped for a quick visit while I was returning home from a trip [to an AQS quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky!]  The daffodil show was wonderful - tables and tables of flowers and arrangements and displays.  

Midwest Daffodil Society Daffodil Show at Chicago Botanic Garden
Image 2: Midwest Daffodil Society Daffodil Show at Chicago Botanic Garden

I saw a large variety of daffodils, increasing my appreciation for a lovely spring flower I had in my garden at home.  I love spring, flowers, and daffodils, and so it seemed like a great day to join a group I hadn't known existed.  I would learn more about daffodils as well.

Daffodil
Image 3: Daffodils with pink cup

Because I joined, I returned for the society's bulb sale and other meetings, where I got a bunch of different types (divisions) of daffodil bulbs, with codes for the colors.

Daffodil show at the Chicago Botanic Garden
Image 4: Daffodil Collection at the Midwest Daffodil Society Show

I created this post to document the bulbs I got and to learn more about the daffodil bulbs I recently planted.  If the bulbs actually bloom next spring, I'll be able to find the information about what I planted.

Daffodil
Image 5: Daffodils

As a side benefit, this post can introduce gardeners and people who like daffodils to more information about daffodils.  The American Daffodil Society has an information packed site, and I used DaffSeek's great website for learning about and identifying the daffodil types.

Daffodils
Image 6: Daffodils

And why am I posting this post in November?  Because I'm trying to document the bulbs I recently planted, and also fulfill my goal of posting one post a month.  Today's my last chance to get a post in in November, and I just planted the bulbs in the VERY COLD ground.  This post is unseasonal but it's what I was working on.

Daffodil
Image 7: Daffodils

So, on to Planting....

What I got: 

Division 1 – Trumpet Daffodils
[Corona 'trumpet' as long as, or longer than the petals.  One flower to a stem]:

Bravoure daffodil     1 W-Y trumpet wister
Bravoure,  1 W-Y

Ombersley daffodil     1 Y-Y Pastles 96
Ombersley,  1 Y-Y


Division 2 Daffodils 
[Large cup shorter than petals, One flower to a stem]: 

Altun Ha daffodil           2 YYWW W 
Altun Ha,  2 YYW-W

Chromacolor daffodil     2 W-P large cup
Chromacolor,  2 W-P

Celyon daffodil     2 Y-O large cup wister
Ceylon,  2 Y-O

Hawaiian Skies daffodil  2 W-YYP large cup
Hawaiian Skies,  2 W-YYP

Iroquois daffodil          2YYW-O  Havens 95 
Iroquois,  2 YYW-O

Men-an-Tol daffodil     2Y-YYR    Scamp 94
Mên-an-Tol,  2 Y-YYR

Pacific Rim daffodil     2Y-YYR   Mitsch 95
Pacific Rim,  2 Y-YYR

Plaudit daffodil     2W-P   D Jackson 2006
Plaudit,  2 W-P


Division 3 Daffodils 
[Small cupped daffodils, Corona “cup” not more than one-third the length of the petals, One flower per stem]:

Barrett Browning daffodil           3 W-WWWY small cup
Barrett Browning,  3 WWY-O

Cameo Marie daffodil           3 W-YYO small cup
Cameo Marie,  3 W-YYO

Callaway daffodil           3 W-YYO small cup
Callaway,  3 W-YYO

Dreamlight daffodil           3 W-WWWY small cup
Dreamlight,  3 W-GWR

Ring Fence daffodil     3Y-YYR   Duncan 96
Ring Fence,  3 Y-YYR

Sinopel daffodil           3 W-WWWY small cup
Sinopel,  3 W-WWY


Division 4 Daffodils 
[Double Daffodils - Double petals or cups or both, 1 or more flower per stem]: 

Gay Tabor daffodil     4 W-O   Double
Gay Tabor,  4 W-O

Le Torch 4 Y-O double
Le Torch,  4 Y-R

Salou daffodil              4 W-Y Double
No photo

 

Division 7 Jonquilla Daffodils 
[Corona cup-shaped, funnel-shaped or flared, usually wider than long; flowers usually fragrant.  One to five (rarely eight) flowers to a stem]:

Golden Echo daffodil           7 WWY-Y
Golden Echo,  7 WWY-Y

Pipit daffodil     7 YYW-W
Pipit,  7 YYW-W



Division 8 Tazetta Daffodils
[Petal segments spreading not reflexed; flowers usually fragrant. Usually three to twenty flowers to a stout stem]:

Avalanche daffodil           8 W-Y
Avalanche

Minnow daffodil           8 W-Y
Minnow



Division 9 Poeticus Daffodils 
[Petal segments pure white; corona very short or disc-shaped, not more than one-fifth the length of the petals; flowers fragrant ]:

Lemon Cooler daffodil     9W-GWO
Lemon Cooler,  9 W-GYO

Malin Head daffodil     9W-GWO
Malin Head,  9 W-GWO



Division 11a – Split-Cupped Collar Daffodils
[Split-corona daffodils with the corona segments opposite the petals; the corona segments usually in two whorls of three]:

Sovereign daffodil       11a W-O Split corona
Sovereign, 11a W-O

Yellow Parrot daffodil  11a Y-Y Mini, split cup
Yellow Parrot, 11a Y-Y


They are all planted, and now I will dream about them growing and blooming in spring.  It seems a miracle for the lumpy brown bulbs that frankly look dead to morph into a delicately petaled and exquisitely formed daffodil plant!


"The garden year has no beginning and no end."

                                Elizabeth Lawrence


"Gardening is the closest one can come to being present at creation"



Leave a comment if you have the time, they brighten my day!









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I am linking up to these parties:
Sum of their stories: Handmade Mon 402 (Entry 7x of 91x.)
Mostly blogging: Inspire me Mon 9a (Entry )
My Random: Anything Goes (Entry )
Rachel Swirl: Sunday Snapshot (Entry )
Good Random Fun: Good Fun Mon 4a (m Entry )
*BNOTP: Metamorphis Monday 6a (s Entry )
Holly pinklady: Hello Mon (l Entry 18 of 26.)
Loulougirls: Fabulous-party 556 Mon 1p (l Entry 20 of 59.)
Keeping it Real: Party 441 (Entry 31 of 37.)
Mersad photography: Thru my Lens (Entry 15 of 17.)
Kristin at Uncommon Slice: Inspire Me 326 Mon 2-4p (m Entry 16 of 85.)
* Marty at Stroll Life: Inspire Me Mon 3p (l Entry --)
Image-in-ing: Weekly link up (Entry 15 of 37.)
Nicholasjv: Travel Tuesday (Entry 14 of 15.)
Jenerally informed: Happy-now Link-up Tue 453 (m Entry 16 of 91.)
Myslices of Life: Talking about it Tuesday 49 (Entry 35 of 135.)
My Wee Abode: Tuesday Turn About (s Entry 22r of 109r.)
Stonecottageadventures: Tues with a twist 606 (l Entry 11 or 38.)
Flusterbuster: Creative Muster 5p Tues (l Entry x)
My Life Abundant: Wonderful Wed 612 (Entry 18r of 92r.)
Also Pennys Passion: Wonderful Wed (m Entry 18r of 92r.)
Grandmas house: Grandmas house 429 Wed (m Entry 20 of 59.)
Artsy mama: Artsy Party Wed 10a (Entry 34 of gone.)
My world Thru My Lens: My Corner Wed (Entry 6r of 38r.)
Fifth Sparrow No More: Whimsy Home 111 (Entry 15r)
Thrift Store Addiction: Vintage Charm 468 Wed (m Entry 20 of 94.)
French Ethereal: Share Your Style Wed 6p (Entry --b)
Karins Kottage: Linky Party (Entry 63 of 81.)
Try It Like It: Creatively Crafty 371 Th (Entry 21 of 36.)
KatherinesCorner: Th Fav Things 10a (Entry 52 of 171.)
Also Follow the yellow brick: TFT 10a (Entry 52
of 171.)
Its a small town life: Thankful Th 24 (Entry 11 of 14.)
Modern on Monticello: Home matters 509 Fri (s Entry 8r of 123r.)
Answer is choco: BFF open house Thur (Entry 4 of 101.)
Coastal Bohemian: Funtastic Thur 518 8p (i Entry 15 of 128.)
Pieced Pastimes.gr: Saturday Sparks 647 Fr 8a (L Entry 5 of 125.)
Countyroad 407: Farmhouse Fri 325 (Entry --)
Bosworth Life: PoCoLo (Entry 9 of 12.)
Momfessionals: Fri Favorites (Entry 57 of 57.)
Cottagemarket: A morning cup of Joe 220 (L Entry 30 of 79.)
Shabby Art boutique: Create-grow-gather 652 (L Entry x of 30x of 75x.)
Crazy Little Love Birds: Link party 66 Fri (Entry 34 of 41.)
Gmas photo: Link party 55 (Entry 20 of 26.)
Pams Party: Dare to share Fri 11p (m Entry 3 of 103.)
Nixpixmix: Sunday Best 408 (l Entry 4 of 9.)
The house on Silverado: Sun on Silverado 226 7a (Entry 42 of 116.)
Ducks n a Row: Happiness is Homemade Sun a (Entry 12 of 26)
Life and Linda: Dishing it Digging it 282 Sun 3p (l Entry 28 of 135.)
A pinch of joy: Busy Sun even 648 (l Entry 57 of 115.)
Jaipur Gardening: Garden Affair Sun (Entry 7 OF 8.)
Sticky mud and Belly Laughs: Mon Morning Blog Club (Entry 2 of 19.)
A Labour of Love: Happiness is Homemade 562 Sun a (Entry 12 of 135.)
Esmesalon: Salon Pit Stop 340 Mon (Entry 165)
Create with Joy: Inspire me Sun-Mon (monthly)
Lindas lunacy: Making-a-home Tue 9a (m Entry monthly)
April Harris: Hearth and Soul Sun 10p (Entry 114 OF 205.)

684556

antiquing-in-paris



Near the dining room window I pulled up the dead Evergreen tree and planted 5 bulbs, and planted myrtle over them. Altun Ha, Chromacolor, and Hawaiian Skies daffodils

Far from the dining room I pulled up the other dead evergreen tree and planted 6 bulbs, and put some myrtle over them. Salou, Le Torch and 4 Bittern.