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26 Aug 2014

DIY Outdoor Art

My Little Pilot is starting school (JK) next week at the ripe old age of 3!  Ah, it seems so young and I'm in complete denial.  I'm also in denial that fall is almost here.  That's why I'm still decorating our patio and sharing the diy outdoor art I created for it.  A few weeks ago I was offered some Marimekko fabric samples by FinnStyle.  My love for Marimekko runs so deep that I simply could not refuse!  I have a few projects up my sleeve for the fabrics and can't wait to show them to you.  Today's project is a 5 minute project that is perfect for a boring white brick outdoor wall like the one on the back of our house.  I literally whipped this project together after dinner one evening and still had time to take a few photos.  For this project I used one of my favourite Marimekko patterns:  Siirtolapuutarha (in oil cloth for durability).


DIY Marimekko Outdoor Art:
Materials:
  • oil cloth or other outdoor fabric
  • two dowels the width of your fabric
  • twine/string a nylon based one will work best for the outdoors
  • two eye hooks

How To:
1.  If needed, cut your dowels to the width of your fabric and use the dowel as a guide to measure the size of a pocket you will need to sew to contain the dowel.
2.  Fold over the fabric at the top and bottom end so that the resulting pockets will fit your dowels.  Sew a straight seem across (for both the top and bottom) backstitching as you start and finish your sewing. 
3.  Twist in an eye hook onto either end of one of the dowels.
4.  Insert a dowel into either end of the stitched pockets you created in step 2.  The dowel with the eye hooks will go in the end that you would like to be the top.
5.  Tie a doubled piece of string/twine to the eye hooks (I looped a single piece of string through one end and tied it off at the opposite end
6.  Hang your diy outdoor art.  I simply looped mine around the light fixture, but you could also drill a screw into your wall if needed.



P.S. Our deck is pretty much finished, but there are a lot of little things that still need to be done.  I don't think I will have a 100% done and perfectly decorated deck reveal for this year, but I will definitely let you see the progress in an upcoming post.

Also, in case you were wondering about the reflection in the back door's window…
It's our new outdoor dining area barely cleaned up after dinner (rice allover the table and deck from our not so neat toddler).

*thanks to FinnStyle for providing the beautiful fabric for this project.

linking to: linkpartypaloozabtnop

26 comments:

  1. THAT IS AWESOME!!!!!!!!! seriously i love every single diy you do. you astound me.

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    1. Thanks Cassie. You're too sweet!

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  2. Looks great. Your deck is divine. Can't wait to see more.

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    1. Thanks Emily. Hopefully, I can get it photographed before the leaves start changing colours. ;)

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  3. That fabric is brilliant! I love it as a door hanging. And that table is to die for (even covered in rice ;)

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    1. The fabric is really pretty and it really helped cheer up that blank wall. :)

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  4. Beautiful! I love the colors on your exterior! They are such a wonderful backdrop for your banner!

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    1. Thanks Amber. I'm still trying to decide if I've found the perfect grey yet and whether to change all the windows to dark when it's time to replace them.

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  5. A great pop of color against your white wall! Perfect.

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    1. Thanks Amy. I really love this pattern!

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  6. ooh, what a fun print! And such a great, simple way to use it--it's perfect out there!

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    1. Thanks so much Gretchen! Sometimes the most simple projects can make a big impact.

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  7. Your Siirtolapuutarha is perfect on the wall and oilcloth is such a great idea to give it that extra durability. And the patio is looking lovely as well. Cannot wait to see everything. :D

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    1. I love that pattern and was happy to figure out a way to display it. The coated cotton is much more durable and I'm happy for our large overhangs so it won't even get wet unless it rains sideways. ;)

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  8. This is so lovely! I'm still thinking about styling our patio. Not ready for summer to end just yet!

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    1. We've had a really cool summer so I'm hoping for an Indian summer this year! Thanks Jennifer!

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  9. fun simple diy...but big impact! and, love seeing a peek at your deck...looking good!

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    1. I'm so happy to have the deck in place now. We've spent so much time out there. :)

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  10. I love the fabric its perfect for the outdoors and a great DIY project too :)

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  11. Oh, I love every art that is put between two dowels. I'm planning (for too long already) to create a vintage inspired thing like the ones we had in school. But just using some fabric with a nice pattern is also an awesome idea!

    Love, Midsommarflicka

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  12. Such a great idea and it looks perfect! Love it Anu

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  13. So pretty! I love the bright colors!

    Navy Wifey Peters @ The Submarine Sunday Link Party!

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  14. This is such a wonderful project. I love the big bold colors while still being "tight" design wise. The photos are fantastic. I love your styling with the chair and the rug and everything else. Your patio is so wonderful!!

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  15. 2 questions...where did you buy that gorgeous fabric and where does one buy dowels? Lol...never done anything like this before but LOVE IT!!!

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    1. Thank you! The fabric is Marimekko Siirtolapuutarha PVC-coated. I received mine from FinnStyle to use in this post. You can purchase dowels at a hardware store (e.g., Home Depot or Lowes). You may need to cut the dowels down to the size you need.

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