Pretty Parasols!

Don't ask me why, but I've been playing around with parasols lately!

Above and below, you can see a few 'embellished' parasols/umbrellas from our recent Petite Retreat event here at the farm. I had soooooo many women asking me HOW I did that...  it's so incredibly easy, girls!

The pretty parasol shown on the left above is on a wood market umbrella frame. 

I removed the canvas cover that came with it because it was actually from a winery display {and wasn't very pretty!}. I took a white round tablecloth and popped it on the frame - just screwed the top finial right through the cotton cloth to hold it on, and let the edges of the tablecloth fall just over the ends of the umbrella 'arms'. Then I took a big huge poofy white netting petticoat and put it on top of the tablecloth-covered-umbrella frame. I cinched it as small as I could (It has a drawstring waist) and just sat it up there, flouncing the netting ruffles evenly. {I have to tell you, while doing that, it felt eerily like I was messing with someone's skirts...} The tablecloth keeps the netting from falling between the arms of the frame. End result is a fanciful , frilly parasol that was utterly charming over our refreshment tables - and as many women noted, would be perfect for a bridal shower or wedding reception.

The second pretty parasol is shown here, and it's even simpler.

The umbrella is a five dollar vinyl beach umbrella with a white metal pole - from IKEA. I set it up and then laid a beautiful crochet square tablecloth over the vinyl top. The corners hang down and soften the edge, and the effect is altogether beautiful. I'd go so far as to say that this would be amazing at a winter wedding, used indoors in a large room, because the effect is like snowflakes overhead.

Another result of Deb playing with parasols was the creation of several of these ribbon parasols,which I took to the Remnants of the Past show in April. They were born out of the same process I use for my 'famous' ribbon-bedecked lampshade frames. I'm not going to share the how-to because I am still making them to sell - but it's really not hard to figure out. I think these are just to DIE for accessories for photo shoots. Or, of course, baby & bridal shower decor.

You probably think that my recent umbrella/parasol obsession 

is because I live in the Seattle area.

Truthfully, even in a downpour, we locals don't use them. 

We just pull our arctic fleece vests up over our heads and run. ;0)