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21 May, 2012

Okey Dokey Artichokey...A Bargain and a DIY French Tea Towel

A fabulous new thrifting find has led me to my latest project…frenchy artichoke tea towels…and I have included the transfer so you can make them, too, if you wish!

009a papyrus cIt all started with this fabulous find at my favorite thrifting spot…Goodwill, of course! Can you believe someone gave this away? A basket filled with nine…count them…nine faux artichokes! They must not have checked the price on them lately! (And in case you are wondering, I used one of the Papyrus texture settings from PicMonkey to get the background!)

012aAnd…please don’t hate me…look at the price…$4.94! That makes them about 50 cents each…not even considering the basket! Woo hooo! The basket is just ordinary, but the artichokes…my head is spinning with ideas!

015 Our co-host Baby Kitty was the source of one idea. Just look at those pretty green eyes with all of that blue and white transferware in the background!

051papyrus labelYes, yes!…Green with blue and white! You know I love this little vignette…just look at my header! lol

Artichokes2

Then I found this drawing from the Graphics Fairy of artichokes in a wonderful blue and white bowl, taken from a vintage cookbook. I just added the French script title. Thanks once again, Karen, for all the great freebies you find for us! No, I’m not crazy. I’ve posted it backwards so you can use it for a transfer.

004 First, I printed it on transfer paper and applied it following directions on the package to a scrap of Osnaburg fabric…my favorite inexpensive and user-friendly linen alternative. Several people have asked…I use Avery brand transfer paper for light fabrics since that’s what I am usually working with.

002 Next, I raveled the edges by pulling the threads one at a time on all sides. There is no fear of having it unravel too far since the transfer has bonded the edges of the fabric.

039 Finally, I sewed it to a tea towel I had made from the same fabric. (Directions for making the tea towel can be found here.) You could, of course, attach it to a ready-made tea towel and save yourself some sewing.

054 And…voilĂ !…here it is posing with its inspiration! I love it! And I love my new stash of artichokes! I have a feeling you will be seeing more of them!

Thanks for stopping by! I hope you enjoyed a little peek at my frenchy artichoke tea towel! Please visit these wonderful bloggers and their beautiful blogs to see what they are up to and to find a list of this week’s participants!
Stephanie Lynn at Under the Table and Dreaming for the Sunday Showcase Party
Sarah at Thrifty Decor Chick for Before and After Monday (first Monday of the month)
Mary at Boogieboard Cottage for Masterpiece Monday
Susan at Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday

Karen at The Graphics Fairy for Brag Monday
Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for Tabletop Tuesday
Beth at The Stories of A2Z for Tutorials and Tips Tuesday
Linda at Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday

Anita at Cedar Hill Ranch for Cowgirl Up on Tuesdays

Kristin at My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Tuesday's Treasures
Kim at Savvy Southern Style for Wow Us Wednesdays
Judy at DIY by Design for Swing into Spring

Gina at The Shabby Creek Cottage for Transformation Thursdays
Sherry at No Minimalist Here for the Open House Party on Thursdays
Cindy at My Romantic Home for Show and Tell Friday
Courtney at French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday
Honey at 2805 for Potpourri Friday

Heather and Vanessa at At the Picket Fence for Inspiration Friday
Debra at Common Ground for Vintage Inspiration Friday
Sherry at The Charm of Home for Home Sweet Home Friday
Donna at Funky Junk Interiors for Saturday Nite Special

See you next time! A la prochaine!

42 comments:

  1. Oh I love it. You are so good at this transfer stuff. I need a new printer, mine won't do this. Love it and the artichokes are a fabulous find. Hugs, Marty

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  2. Magnific!!! What an inspirational idea!! I too have the love for Artichokes...best to you, Kate

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  3. This is so beautiful! I too have a love affair with artichokes....decorating AND eating :) Thanks for sharing your sweet idea

    xoxo
    jenny

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  4. Oh Baby Kitty what beautiful green eyes you have.

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  5. AMAZING POST:)and cute cat.. Your blog is so wonderful I will happily follow:)

    If you want some décor inspiration from Sweden, check out my blog:)
    Have an awesome week.

    LOVE Maria at inredningsvis.se
    (Sweden)

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  6. oh my goodness. my heart fluttered when I saw this.. Those are my colors and style and I "A D O R E" this.
    please please enter me in this fabulous giveaway.. wow wow and wow

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  7. Oh, dear, Sonny! There's no giveaway! I am afraid I love my artichokes too much to part with them! But the transfer is there on the post for you to copy and use as you wish! Sorry for the misunderstanding! ...hugs...Debbie

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  8. Love it, reminds me of the aritchoke candle holders we talked about for one of your tablesettings. You got a steal of a deal on those, Happy Monday,
    Kathysue

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  9. I love it, Debbie! Thanks so much for sharing your graphic. I may just make a couple of these towels for my Mom. I'm going back to NY for a visit and I want to bring her something. We are an artichoke loving group! I did recently price the faux artichokes at Hobby Lobby and almost choked at the price. For one! So that was a great find.

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  10. That is a great find, love the artichokes!

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  11. wow, you were in the right place at the right time! love that tea towel, the transferware looks perfect paired with that gorgeous green!!

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  12. Beautiful! Love the artichokes and the kitty!

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  13. Debbie, it's just charming!! I'm not a green person but you have converted me...at least combined with blue, white and burlap!

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  14. You amaze me with 1) your shopping finds (I never find anything I want at our Goodwill) 2) your sewing ability 3) your "can do" attitude and 4)your generosity in sharing your ideas and tips and transfers. You are great!

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  15. No,you didn't!! All those gorgeous artichokes for $4.94? And they are great looking artichokes, too! Love the tea towel I'm thinking of trying the transfer paper thing. Thanks for the pattern.
    Keep those great ideas coming. :)

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  16. Isn't it funny what people get rid of not realizing the value!? I LOVE the tea towel and thanks so much for sharing the graphic reversed for us! I picked up a vintage scale this weekend at a garage sale for 5.00 -- I looked it up on ebay and the cheapest one I found was 20.00 and it was in terrible shape! Score!

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  17. Once again you have created something wonderful that I want to copy. And thanks for the image all ready to transfer. I love the artichoke and blue, so pretty.

    Baby Kitty is looking exceptionally handsome. Gizzy is sitting here checking him out.

    hugs
    Sissie

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  18. Debbie, how wonderful! It says "apron" to me so I've already saved it so I can resize the transfer for the top of an apron! Thank you!

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  19. Bonjour! Well this is about the coolest thing I have seen! Wow, thank you for doing all the hard work for us to use too. Your latest follower, Tanya :)

    http://twelveoeight.blogspot.com/

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  20. Wow! What a great project! I've been thinking about artichokes lately...seriously.
    XOXO to dear Baby Kitty. You know he's a favorite of mine!

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  21. These are darling! Thanks for sharing the DIY- I'm tickled!!

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  22. Such a great project! Thanks for showing us how you did it.

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  23. You certainly have the transferring process down pat. I love this piece! Now I am hungry for artichoke dip- why IS that? xo Diana

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  24. What a fabulous GW find!! Your tea towel is fabulous and I look forward to making one! Thank You for sharing and have a wonderful week!

    Aledia @ Plum Perfect

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  25. It's beautiful! Love artichokes! Thanks for sharing the tutorial and graphic.

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  26. Debbie I LOVE that tea towel and you have the cutest co-host!!

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  27. Fabulous artichokes and I LOVE your tea towel. So cute. Thanks for sharing the graphic with the script.

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  28. OMGoodness Debbie, I am in LOVE with your artichoke tea towel! I just may have to be a copy catter and copy yours. Thanks for sharing and the beautiful inspiration.

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  29. Wow, Debbie - love it! What a great idea, and the artichokes are just the icing on the cake (can artichokes be icing???) Linda

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  30. I have just placed some wonderful artichokes in a container yesterday...I love them...they were a Bombay purchase years ago...I love that you placed them in a blue and white container...just love those colors together...the tea towel is fabulous..love all your gorgeous images!!! Have a wonderful Holiday!

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  31. Great find, Debbie! and your towel turned out lovely!

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  32. Came over from Coastal Charm to see the artichokes - I love their globe shape (and delicious, too). You really scored with this. Funny I did not wait for your header to appear before I eagerly scrolled down to see the printable. I recognized Baby Kitty and knew I was visiting The Plate Addict! Thank you for sharing your treasure.

    Distressed Donna down Home

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  33. Debbie,
    You're going to challenge the marketing/retail industry with all your great tutorials!!! What a fabulous idea for your tea towel! Those artichokes are a "great find", indeed! Love your vignette! Baby Kitty, truly, is a source of inspiration!
    Fondly,
    Pat

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  34. What a cute towel!! Thanks for the wonderful tutorial. I found your blog through Wow us Wednesday. I'm now your newest follower. ~ Jamie

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  35. Debbie, Love your new artichokes and the towel is fabulous. Thank you for sharing this project at the Open House party.

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  36. Debbie, this is another A+ project. I would have scooped up those artichokes too. They look terrific in the blue and white bowl. Thanks for sharing another one of your crafty creations.

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  37. I'm with Sonny, sign me up for the giveaway!! Okay, I know there's no giveaway, but I thought I would try any way. It's another awesome project and I love artichokes and what a clever way you attached the graphic to the towel. I want to do this soon.

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  38. Wonderful, Debbie! I like the green with blue and white too. Such a fresh combo. Thanks for sharing your creation with us and enjoy your day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  39. I love your blog!!
    What a find! I love artichokes! I grow them, but by this time of year, when it gets warm, they are pretty much done.....
    come for a visit...
    Nancy
    http://wildoakdesigns.blogspot.com

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  40. Love the idea of making your own tea towels and who could resist the artichoke design?! Lucky you for finding such a great deal on the faux kind at the thrift store!

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Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! I appreciate my wonderful readers!... Debbie