Throwback Thursday: Making the Palisade Posh Pillow Series
Palisade Posh Grape Pillows at Vines 79 Wine Bar in Palisade
The idea for the Palisade Posh pillow series all started with me buying a fountain for our urban garden. When folks at the garden store were packing up the fountain for transport, they used old burlap coffee bean bags for padding. When I saw them, I knew I could make something out of them and so the experimentation and exploration began!
My husband taught me how to silkscreen print several years ago and I’d been creating art using that process ever since, this also included creating a limited-edition tee shirt series, so I knew how to print on fabric. I just wasn’t sure how the ink would hold up on burlap. The first iteration worked out marvelously, but my coffee bean bag supply ran out quickly. More research and experimentation ensued, and I found a wholesale fabric distributor that carried burlap that was close to the color of the original coffee bean bag but also its in better shape.
The next thing I needed to do was figure out what backing to use and how to finish off the pillow. After more research and several trials and errors… I learn a ton by errors I must say. I decided on natural canvas both for its neutral color and durability. The back of the pillow is finished with an envelope enclosure so that pillow inserts can be added and Ta-da! I have my Palisade posh pillow!
Of course, the next question was what image to silkscreen onto the burlap? In answer to that question, I decided on images that reminded me of Palisade, grapes, peaches, lavender, and a rooster are the current set of images. I have an idea for a new image but have yet to start on it. I will keep that as a surprise for a future post. Until then, you can check out and purchase any of the above pillows on my website. I also have a limited edition of coffee bean pillows available which are made from the original coffee bean bags I mentioned in this blog post! Those pillows are either made with a natural canvas backing or a black twill backing both with an envelope enclosure. Except for the Palisade Posh pillow series, I’ve decided I like working and making home décor that comes in a limited edition. In that regard, it is much like original works of art in that there are not mass quantities available and that is what makes them unique. I say except for the Palisade Posh pillow series because I’ve made specific silk screen for those that I can print from as the need arises. Each one is hand printed and no two are exactly alike which makes them unique as well. If you are in Palisade, Colorado you can find these original pillows at Sprigs and Sprouts (www.sprigsandsprouts.com), located at 3669 G. Rd, Palisade, CO 81526. I printed a special edition for them in Lavender. Craig gallery (craiggallerypalisades.com) located in downtown Palisade at 128 E 3rd St. also carries a set of grape and peach pillows as well as other original art by yours truly!
