Fabric Houses Wall Art

So here is my second completed project for the silent auction.  This one has me biting my nails since this will depend on personal preference and taste.  But I am also hoping things like this will be in my  soon to be Etsy shop. This particular piece is in a glass frame but I like working directly on canvas.

 The materials I used were all from my fabric stash: burlap, linen, old towels, an old bed skirt, and yarn.

This would be so perfect for a little girl's room. I kept the fabric pattern colors light and playful.

I love the look of handmade stitches.  They are imperfect, childlike and whimsical.  

And the frayed edges of the fabric give it just the right texture.

I am loving the swirly blue sky and green grass too.

I hope someone likes this enough to bid on it!  

Do YOU like it? 

(be gentle)

Off to sew and create some more!

My Abiding Obsession with Garlands Continues...

Well here is another "future" shop item. 

(Will it ever open?  Dunno.)  

And yep.  Another garland. I can't get enough of 'em.  I really can't.

This one is made with hot pink (fuchsia?) felt and fishing line. I decided to add some rings at the end for easier hanging in case this would be a permanent fixture in a little girls room or simply for easier hanging.

 Here is my oldest daughter thinking it is extra long bling. Isn't she so squeezable?

 I just sighed with all the happy feelings this pinky goodness brings me. 

P.S.  I do apologize for some blurriness. 

I suspect it is due to the teeny people fingerprints I found on my lens.

Art Piece: Bird on a Branch

This bird and I are NOT the best of besties. But I am growing fond of him. I named him Louie.

I don't know why.  I just did.

Louie has been an idea in my head for a long time.  And I do like creating art pieces from time to time.  I like using mixed media but you can always find felt, fabric or maybe yarn on something I make that is geared toward the artistic. But this is more in the category of a craft fail for me. Louie just would not do what I wanted him to do.

But I decided to share it with you to give you can idea of some things that may go in my someday Etsy shop.  I have more sneak peeks to give you but I am discovering I am an AWFUL PERFECTIONIST. I am working on easing up a bit. Really, I am.

I really wanted to use a real stick but the hubs scared me when he told me it could break down over time.   Obviously, I wanted to make something I could sell.  So I decided to venture into paper mache (also a short life span...I think) where my knowledge is limited to childhood school projects designing a volcano with a balloon. But does this have me daunted?  NO!  I press on and continue in an area where I have ZERO knowledge.  But I was pleasantly surprised that the stick actually looked real after painting it.

Seriously, like a branch!

But...I did not account for stability.  And it broke.  Dang. So I glued it back together (it actually gave it a more realistic look...I celebrate the positives here) and decided to keep it for me as a pretty Spring mobile. The glue is holding it together but for how long is the question.  Call me a risk taker. But I will cry if it breaks again.
Louie is made of linen and I blanket stitched him closed and his eye is a pretty, little, green bead. The nest is actually made from cloth covered floral wire that I twisted into a nest.

 

I adore the leaves so much!  I fell in love with the fabric and the happy combination they make together.  Be warned:  You may see it again in the future. :) I sewed them together intentionally leaving the edges frayed for a shabbier look. I did the same when sewing the bird.  I stuffed Louie and the leaves for some dimension but they turned out larger then I hoped.

I would have had a tutorial if I had any idea what I was doing.  But I learned a lot from my mistakes, researched more about paper mache and I am excited to go back to the drawing board on this one.

The branch is strung with fishing line tied to a silver ring for hanging.  I actually tied it while I created the branch so the paper mache would make the fishing line part of the piece. It worked really well and seems invisible.

I wish this had turned out like I had envisioned but that is the fun of creating.  Sometimes you don't know what you will end up with but it is still worth it.

Wow. I just reread this post and it is incredibly boring. Sorry to post a snoozer. Hmmmm...how can I redeem it? Oh, here is something fun!!!!  The editor of the magazine I craft for went on a radio program, WTBN-570 AM radio last week and actually mentioned me with some incredibly nice words about me and this blog!  I was so overwhelmed and flattered.  And as I type these words I realize I never thanked her.  Must go do that right NOW. 

Hugs!

P.S.  Today is last day to enter the giveaway from Mama Jill Designs!