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Make a Trendy Boho Tray with Tassel Trim

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I love to decorate our home with unique, eclectic items from around the world. I especially like bohemian functional décor. Check out this boho tray I just made that uses turquoise wood stain, batik fabrics, silver faux leather handles and handmade tassels. Full directions are below!

Boho DIY Tray with Tassels

What You’ll Need:

Wood Picture Frame Tray (with Removable Backing) OR
Unfinished Wood Tray and Custom Glass Inset
Sandpaper
Paint or Colored Wood Stain
Clear Varnish
Up to 12 Different Cotton Batik Fabric Quarters
Scrap Paper or Tissue Paper for Pattern
Thread and Metallic Thread
Clear Caulk Sealant
2 Reels Faux Leather Cording
Glue Gun
4 Large Jewelry Clasps
8 Large Hole Silver Beads


I am a sucker for picking up amazing fabrics, though I have never been a quilter. Cotton batiks are one of my favorites. I love the random patterns and organic melding of colors in these dyed fabrics.

Batik Fabric Quarters_Boho Tray Project

Boho Tray Directions:

Start by lightly sanding the wood tray, wiping it down with a damp cloth, then staining it with the colored wood stain. I found the unfinished tray and wood stain at Michaels or you can order the stain from Amazon. I used the Plaid Folkart Ultra Dye, which comes in numerous fun, vibrant colors. I chose the turquoise shade which goes with the décor on our back screen porch.

You may want to add several layers of stain to your tray. It gets slightly darker each time you stain. You can also lightly sand in between coats to keep the wood tray smooth.

Turquoise stained Boho Tray

You can also choose to paint your tray instead of staining it. My tray was unfinished wood to begin with. However, painting might be easier if you are upcycling a photo tray.

Next I added 2 layers of clear varnish to the tray to seal in the wood stain and help protect the tray from wear and tear. Places like Lowe’s and Home Depot have additional varnish choices if you want to add a glossy, polished look to your wood.

The inner part my boho tray is a slightly odd size, so I had to cut glass to fit. I tried a few times to cut my own but decided after a few breaks to spend the $10 to have the professional at our local frame shop cut the glass for me. Set the glass aside. We will install it after the fabric part is inlaid into the tray.

***Note: If you cut your own or you have the glass custom cut for you, the edges are EXTREMELY sharp, so handle with care so you don’t cut yourself. ***

Calculating size of fabric squares for boho tray

Now you are ready to play with the batik fabrics that will line the inner part of your boho tray. Measure the interior of your tray and decide how you want your fabrics laid out. I decided to use 12 different batik squares in coordinating and contrasting colors. I used scrap paper to make a pattern and adjust the size of the squares to fit the space in the tray. For my tray, I cut 4-inch squares that included ¼ inch seam allowance on each side. So the final size of the completed squares, when sewn together, would be about 3 ½ inches each.

Add seam allowance to boho tray fabric squares

Next, use your pattern with seam allowance added to cut out your squares. Stitch them together, right side of fabrics together, joining them into a grid.

Once the squares are sewn together, iron all of the seam allowances flat. Then using a half cotton poly/half-metallic thread mix, top stitch your squares. On my fabric squares, I used black and silver metallic thread in a large machine zigzag stitch.

***Note: You can also use completely metallic thread. However, it can be finicky, so you may need to use a special needle in your sewing machine. Also, practice on scrap material. Here are some good tips for working with metallic thread.***

Iron once more and then you are ready to slide the batik fabric squares into the tray. I then carefully set the glass on top. If your fabric is sticking up on the sides beyond the height of the glass, carefully trim it. I had to take about 1/8 of an inch off the edges all the way around.

Boho Tray with batik fabric and glass insert

Once you have the fabric and glass in place, carefully seal the edges of the glass insert with clear silicone sealant. This will protect your fabric from dirt and water when you go to clean the tray, plus will also seal in the sharp edges of the glass overlay.

faux silver leather wrap on boho tray handles

Next, wrap the handles of the tray in the faux leather trim. Practice how you want it to look and then use a glue gun or jewelry glue to affix the trim. (It may or may not help to have a cat participate in this step).

Cat Helps with Art Project_Boho Tray wrapped handles

I decided to make tassels for the handles and attached them to the handles using large jewelry clasps. This allows them to be removed when cleaning the tray.

Closeup of removable tassels and faux leather handle wraps on boho tray

My tassels are made out of batik fabric scraps that are cut, rolled and held together by wide mouth silver beads. Here’s how to make the tassels:

Boho Batik Tassels:

Cut a desired length of batik.

Select and prep fabric to make tassels

On one half of the fabric’s length, make vertical cuts most of the way toward the middle of the fabric, 1/8 to ¼ inches wide. Continue until the end.

Turn the fabric and do the same to the other length so that each side of your fabric becomes fringed.

Fold the fabric in half, wrong sides together, right sides out. Roll the fabric into a fringed tube.

Rolling fabric into tassel for boho tray

Secure with the silver wide mouth bead.

completed fabric tassel for boho tray

Use your metallic thread and stitch through the top of the tassel above the bead, then loop through the jewelry clasp and knot the thread several times. Trim thread. Make your loops different lengths to give your tassels a cascade look. Afix to the handles of your tray.

Enjoy decorating and entertaining with your new boho tray! Your tray will make a great centerpiece when you throw your next bohemian themed party (with or without cats).

Inspired by this project? Check out more great bohemian DIY projects here. Happy Boho Crafting!

Final look at Boho Tray with glass and batik fabric inlay


A Ghost Photography Book Review: The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man Who Captured Lincoln’s Ghost

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If you ever peruse Victorian photographs on Pinterest or the web, you probably have stumbled across one of the most famous pictures of ghost photography- Mary Todd Lincoln being consoled by the ghost of her husband, Abraham Lincoln. The picture is creepy, yet somehow draws you in. It is a photo of mourning, yet comfort at the same time. The photo has a universal quality to it. Don’t we all want to know that our passed loved ones are still near and watching over us, even to this day?

Lincoln's Ghost_Photograph of Widowed Mary Todd Lincoln
Mary Todd Lincoln being consoled by the spirit of Abraham Lincoln in famous ghost photograph by William H. Mumler. From the collections of Allen County Public Library, Fort Wayne, Indiana

The ghost photograph of the Lincolns was taken by William H. Mumler around 1869. Mumler was an early dabbler in the art and science of photography just as the invention arrived in the United States from Europe. The new book, The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man Who Captured Lincoln’s Ghost by Peter Manseau takes us on a fascinating journey through the 1850s to just after the Civil War when photography becomes all the rage in the United States.

The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man Who Captured Lincoln’s Ghost

For the first time, people could capture and preserve- in the moment- images of their loved ones and hold them close even after that person passed away. Until that time, people of means maybe had a painted portrait or two created during their lifetime. For most people, images of their loved ones simply faded away with memories.

Photography, especially in the early years, was certainly a grand science experiment. First, the desired image needed to be captured on plates, then developed with a series of chemicals, followed by the printing of the image. The process was often dangerous, depending on the chemicals used, and time-consuming. In the early days, people had to sit without moving for several minutes so that there was enough time for the exposure to take place. Preparation of the camera plates and development of the photos also left lots of room for human error.

Whether he meant to be or not, William H. Mumler became one of the most famous and sought-after photographers of his time. Mumler appeared to have a gift- he caught spirit images in his photographs. How he did it, he never revealed. But most likely, he manipulated his camera plates and chemicals to expose such images into his portraits.

With such massive loss of life during the Civil War, coupled with the affordability of photography during the 1860s – almost every soldier had a photo taken of himself in uniform before heading off to war to leave with loved ones- people turned to photography to help them grieve. And Mumler one-upped this by capturing the spirits of those loved ones they were grieving.

In The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man Who Captured Lincoln’s Ghost, Manseau explores the role of the Spiritualism Movement in America, which also helps explain people’s obsession with ghost photography. As we recently explored in the post about the Erie Canal, Spiritualism started in Upstate New York. People wanted to know their passed loved ones were still close and helping to guide their lives. Contacting the dead through mediums and séances became all the rage. Many of these activities were acts of showmanship and sleight of hand, but people didn’t care. They desperately wanted beliefs to hold onto. Spirit photography easily found its place among such believers.

Yet many people set out to prove Spiritualism practices such as Mumler’s ghost photography as fraud. Numerous people, including competitor photographers, came to Mumler’s studio to try and spot his manipulations. Articles for and against ghost photography were written about in popular magazines of the day.

William Mumler Trial_Harper's Weekly_May 6_1869
The front cover of the widely read Harper’s Weekly from May 8, 1869 describing the Spirit Photography trial of William Mumler in detail.

All of this activity came to a head in 1869, when William Mumler gets charged with fraud and finds himself in the center of a lengthy and expensive court case. Most of the case was dramatically published in Harper’s Weekly. Manseau walks the reader through many of the transcripts of the trial. The trial takes numerous turns as witnesses argue not just whether William Mumler is guilty of fraud but whether ghosts are real and Spiritualism, in general, is reputable. Even P.T. Barnum, the ultimate showman of the time, steps in as a witness.

While a trial like William Mumler’s would certainly be thrown out of today’s courts, in 1869, the case received national attention. It is a curious look at how the court was conducted in Victorian America and leaves a lot to be desired.

I will leave the rest of the whodunnit and how, plus the outcome of the trial for you to find out when you read the book. The Apparitionists: A Tale of Phantoms, Fraud, Photography, and the Man Who Captured Lincoln’s Ghost is an incredibly interesting read well worth your time.


Heaven’s Ditch: God, Gold and Murder on the Erie Canal: Book Review

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I am excited to review Heaven’s Ditch: God, Gold and Murder on the Erie Canal, by Jack Kelly, a fascinating look at the building and impact of the Erie Canal on American history, commerce and expansion.

Book Review_Erie Canal_ Heaven's Ditch by Jack Kelly

Growing Up Near the Erie Canal

Having grown up in central New York, we learned about the Erie Canal, visited places that once were part of the canal and played along parts of the Erie Canal that still existed. We visited the Erie Canal Village and Erie Canal Museum. We rode in a packet boat pulled by mules and sang the “Low Bridge, Everybody Down” song. I still remember parts of it all these years later.

Erie Canal song_Low Bridge Everybody Down
The Most famous song about the Erie Canal, Low Bridge, Everybody Down

The Erie Canal is just part of Upstate New York culture, and we are pretty darn proud of it. Construction of the Erie Canal began in 1817 and completed in 1825, so we are in the middle of celebrating its bicentennial. Surveying of the land began in 1808 and according to Jack Kelly’s research, the terrain was such wilderness, the surveyor, James Geddes, had to take a team of people with him just to rough cut a path to measure and place his survey markers.

Building the Erie Canal

Canals were very common all over Europe, but in the early 1800s, a revolutionary idea, especially in America. Ridiculed as “Clinton’s Ditch” after New York Governor Dewitt Clinton, many felt building a canal across New York State was a huge waste of money. Visionaries, however, who saw how much the Appalachian mountains along the Eastern part of the United States made it difficult for Western expansion, were interested in the curious break in the mountains in upstate New York near Albany. The idea was if a canal could connect the Hudson River, which was deep enough for seafaring ships to move between New York City and Albany, with points to the west, goods and people could be transported easily and affordably. Vast lands to the west were ideal for farming and feeding the growing number of people living in cities along the Eastern seaboard if the cost of transporting such supplies could be reduced.

The story of how the Erie Canal was designed and built is such a tale of American aspiration and ingenuity. If you’ve ever taken a drive across New York State, you will notice how diverse the terrain. New York was once covered by glaciers that receded creating mountains and hills laced with lakes and rivers, ravines and waterfalls, while the middle of the state just south of the Lake Ontario is relatively flat and swampy. Trying to navigate East-West even today can be tedious depending on the weather, as anyone knows who’s been caught in a rain or snow storm along the New York State Thruway. So imagine trying to create a waterway flat enough to connect the Hudson River with Lake Erie, an area that spans over 360 miles. The terrain actually rises around 600 feet between the banks of the Hudson River and the shores of Lake Erie. This meant building locks and aqueducts throughout the canal to make it feasible by boat.

Erie Canal drawing showing survey of terrain differences between the Hudson River and Lake Erie.

The engineers taking on the Erie Canal project had little to no experience in building such structures, so much of the canal was built in a trial and error format. Working on the canal was difficult and dangerous, and used a huge immigrant workforce to complete. According to Kelly, it was the first organized labor force of its kind in America.

Influence of the Erie Canal

Once completed, the cost of travel for people and goods dropped drastically. Towns and cities, like Rochester and Syracuse, burgeoned with population growth and new industries. People moved west in droves hoping to cash in on farming and other businesses that could now use the Erie Canal to ship their goods. Immigrants used the canal to move Westward into Ohio and beyond where land was still cheap and the hopes of keeping their culture and religions intact seemed likely. New York City’s population also grew quickly as an advantageous port city.

View on the Erie Canal_painting_John William Hill
Erie Canal Painting by John William Hill, 1830-1832, showing packet boat being pulled by mules.

What’s most interesting about Jack Kelly’s book is his careful weaving of the stories of some of the famous people who came out of this era of Erie Canal expansion. Having lived most of my life in the Fingerlakes region of central New York State, I had always learned that this area was a hotbed for all sorts of political, religious and moral thinking. People like Fredrick Douglas and Harriet Tubman resided in the area. The anti-slavery movement was huge here, as was the Underground Railroad. The first Women’s rights convention was held in Seneca Falls in 1848. Women’s Right to Vote leaders Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B Anthony and Matilda Joslyn Gage all lived in Central New York. The Mormons and Church of Latter Day Saints were founded by Joseph Smith in Palmyra, NY. Other forms of Christianity expanded greatly through upstate New York in this same time period. The Masons and anti-Masonic movement got its strength from this region.

Erie Canal Pottery_Staffordshire
This Staffordshire Pottery commemorated the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. From the collections of the Rochester Museum & Science Center.

After reading Heaven’s Ditch, I finally understood WHY all of this came to be in and around Central New York. The Erie Canal made it possible. Points along the Erie Canal made it one of the easiest places to travel to, and affordably. The canal was used by the Underground Railroad to move escaped slaves along to Canada. Transportation enabled political people to meet and share information. Religious evangelists, like Charles Finney, arrived by the canal to bring huge tent revivals the area. Saving souls was big business at the time of American expansion.

I will say no more, but to recommend getting your hands on a copy of Heaven’s Ditch: God, Gold and Murder on the Erie Canal, by Jack Kelly. I will leave the murder part and some of the other more interesting characters up to you to discover. His writing makes the book a fast, interesting read, and if you didn’t already recognize so many of the people by name, you’d wonder if some of the characters are fiction. Heavens Ditch is the best book I have read about what life was like along the Erie Canal in the 1800s.


More Boho Valentine Cards to Make

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February is the perfect time to express your love by making your own boho Valentine cards. There’s something extra special about receiving a handmade card from someone you love. The following are 6 bohemian-themed cards I made to inspire you to get your own boho crafting spirit in gear for Valentine’s Day.

DIY Boho Valentine Cards

Love Forever Boho Valentine Card
DIY Boho Valentine Cards_Love Forever

For this first boho Valentine, I found some great bohemian themed scrapbooking papers from Colorbok that easily mixed and matched. Colorbok makes a lot of coordinating double-sided papers. I used one printed paper for the background of the card, then added two vertical strips of paper in coordinating prints. I then rubber stamped the “Love” and “Forever” designs in black on white cardstock. I framed these with additional printed paper from the scrapbooking pack. After assembling the card, I topped it off with two gold printed on wood leaf embellishments. I really like how the muted papers look together combined with the boldness of the stamped images.

Love Grows Boho Valentine Card
Love_Grows_Boho_Valentine_Cards

One of my husband’s favorite bohemian hobbies is to take a nap under a tree, especially if that tree happens to be in a famous location such as a historical site. There’s something very romantic about hanging out under big trees. Even more so if there is a swing or two to sit on.

For this card, I used a pink polka dot scrapbook paper for the backing of the card. I stamped the tree in pigment ink on pale yellow cardstock and then embossed the image with dark blue embossing powder. I framed the image with matching blue cardstock behind the image, then attached it to the polka dots. I added a row of pre-cut floral and dotted paper pennants by Me and My Big Ideas, attaching them to the card with 3-dimensional tape. I also added jute twine knotted at each end to connect the pennants together. To complete the card, I added two tiny hearts to the swing.

This is one of my favorite boho Valentine cards. It makes me smile whenever I look at it.

You Are So Lovely Boho Valentine Card
DIY Boho Valentine Cards_You Are So Lovely

I picked up a scrapbook pack of paisley papers recently. Paisleys make me so happy. I wanted this card to be boldly bohemian. First, I split a piece of mostly black and white paisley paper in half, leaving the middle of the white cardstock showing. I found this great wood dream catcher to use as the centerpiece of the card. Next, I layered several red and hot pink silk flowers together with a silver brad and added the embellishment to the card. Finally, I added a sticker that says “You Are So Lovely” to the bottom left side.

I like the way this card came together. The bright flowers give the card almost a Mexican flare (maybe I was channeling Frida Kahlo since I saw a big exhibit of hers in Florida last year?) and I love all of the dimension in the card.

Very Boho Elephants Valentine Card
DIY Boho Valentine cards_Very_Boho_Elephants

Speaking of working in dimensions, this is my “go big or go home” bohemian valentine. I have a massive wall of ribbons and trims hanging in my art studio. I consider it my wall of possibilities because there are so many choices to use in my artwork. I have caught myself staring at recently acquired pompom trims sitting on the wall just waiting for the right opportunity to come along to use them.

I started the card by die cutting the elephants, flowers, and hearts. I found the elephant and flower scrapbooking dies at AliExpress.com and had them shipped in from China. It takes about a month for the scrapbook dies to arrive, so remember to place your orders well in advance of holiday crafting. I then cut all of the trims- 2 hot pink pom poms, 2 yellow pom poms, 2 turquoise pom poms, 2 bright green lace, and one hot pink grosgrain ribbon. Remember to cut your ribbons slightly longer than your card length. Arrange and adhere to the white cardstock, trimming the ribbons to fit. Lastly, I attached the die cuts. I used 3-dimensional tape on the elephants and hearts to give the card a little extra pizzazz.

The Very Boho Elephant valentine card is really bright and a bit crazy for my personality, but there’s also something fun and 1970s about it. It kind of reminds me of our childhood, when my sister decided to decorate her room in purple shag with pompom trim. It sounds hideous, but it was a pretty cool place to hang at the time.

Southwestern Hearts Boho Valentine Card
DIY Boho Valentine Cards_Southwestern_Hearts

I love this Southwestern-themed boho valentine card. Sizzix has come out with a leather jewelry cutting system called the Big Shot Jewelry Studio which I can’t wait to play with. I ordered the Sizzix Southwestern pattern Thinlets Die (#661510) to start.

I used the Sizzix die to cut two out in dark red paper and adhered those to white cardstock. I decorated the center area of the card with Southwestern- themed ribbon. I then found 2 chipboard hearts and embossed them with several layers of bright gold embossing powder. I saved the red punches that fell out when I ran the Southwestern die through my Sizzix Big Shot and added them to the fronts of the gold hearts. I then die cut the love arrow (another scrapbooking die I found at AliExpress.com) and attached it to a black arrow. I then assembled the pieces to the card.

My Heart Soars Boho Valentine Card
DIY boho Valentine cards_My Heart Soars

I am a sucker for picking up vintage-themed rubber stamps and love using them in boho valentine cards. Maybe it’s the steampunk gal in me? Hot air ballooning goes back as far as the 1700s and has always been a bohemian pastime- romantic and dangerous at the same time. So I had fun making this card, though I have yet to get the hubby up in a balloon. Maybe this year?

This card uses 2 different patterned scrapbook papers cut corner to corner. I used a blue polka dot combined with a red and white patterned paper. After attaching the papers to the cardstock, I then ran gold and black arrow ribbon down the angle of the card. Remember to cut your ribbons slightly longer than the card so you have room to adjust the ribbon, then trim it after adhering to the card. I then used Tim Holtz Fired Brick Red ink to stamp the balloon and cut it out. I found brick red paper to attach the balloon to and then cut out the background frame about ¼ inch larger than the balloon image.

Next, I designed the text, “My heart soars when I am with you” on Canva.com, saved as a .pdf and printed it out in black. (Oops! The first time, my printer fit the image to the page, so I ended up with my quote being sign-sized. Check your printer settings to make sure it prints out 2 x 2 ½ “ or whatever size you prefer.) I trimmed the quote and then mounted it on brick red paper. I attached everything to the card, making sure to give the hot air balloon a nice lilting look as though the wind is taking it on an adventure.

I hope these boho valentine cards inspire you to craft your own cards for the people you love. For further inspiration, click here to see the boho valentine cards I made last year.

Happy boho crafting!


Velvet Throw Blanket Love! Add Super Soft Plush Blankets to Cozy Up Your Boho Décor

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Plush_Throw_Blanket_DIY_Joann_Sew_Lush

It’s Velvet throw blanket time of year! With winter weather fast approaching, it’s time to cozy up and stay warm.

Velvet throw blankets are one of my absolute favorite items. Throws add comfort and a cozy feel to any living space. We’ve been busy redecorating our living room in shades of gray, adding in select bohemian décor to make the room pop. Shopping around, I haven’t found the perfect throw blankets yet- the kind that says, “Take me home!,” so I decided to make some on my own.

Jo-Ann Fabrics is having some amazing sales lately on all of their Fall/Winter plush fabrics. I immediately fell in love with Jo-Ann’s Sew Lush line of fabrics. Sew Lush is by far their softest line of velvet plush fabrics and it comes in over 40 colors and prints. Sew Lush solids are around $12.99 a yard and prints are around $14.99, though they are often on sale or you can use a coupon to reduce the cost of your purchase.

For my velvet throw blanket project, I chose the Navy Geometrics pattern. I like the boho design of this fabric. The fabric comes in a 57 inch width, so I purchased 2 yards for each blanket. To start, I trimmed about one-half inch off the raw selvage edge. I used regular white Coats & Clark thread, but definitely suggest putting a medium weight ballpoint needle in your machine. Ballpoints are best used when stitching knit or other stretchy, performance fabrics.

DIY_velvet_throw_blankets_Sew_Lush_from_JoAnn

I began by sewing the long lengths of the blankets first. You can pin ahead if you like, but I found it just as easy to create a rolled hem as I sewed. I turned under about one-quarter inch of the fabric edge, then turned the hem a second time to hide the raw edge. I used a medium width large zigzag stitch that easily caught the raw edge underneath. I noticed that my commercially made plush throws only rolled the hem under once, but I decided I liked the cleaner look of the double rolled hem and hope that it will prevent the blankets from letting off excess lint.

As with any new fabric, remember to wash your blankets after you craft them to get rid of any unhealthy chemical finishes that are on the fabric. (You can also wash them before.) Washing should also help cut down on the lint coming off the plush.

Boho_Throw_Blanket_How-to

And like any project in our house, I had help. This is Squee, our newest rescue cat. Squee is our household’s quality control expert and confirmed the Sew Lush fabric was indeed super velvety soft and cozy. He was parked on the fabric before I even started sewing. I have a feeling that we are going to be arguing over whose blankets these are in the coming days!

Happy Boho Crafting!