Wall Art

Lately I've felt the need to cover some of the empty spaces on the walls of our home, so I thought I'd share a couple of my latest projects with you. What's really neat about these projects is that you probably have everything you need to make them already!

First I wanted to show you what I ended up doing with the my kids' silhouettes. I'm not sure how much I like it, though. I think I want something that stands out a bit more. Maybe I'll try a dark paper on top next time.
This project is very simple. All you need is paper, an Xacto knife (or very sharp scissors) and a frame. You can find more detailed instructions in the post titled "Simple silhouettes".





Again, another super simple project using just paper, a photo and a frame. This time I wanted to display some 8"x10" photographs of our kids with their grandparents, but the frames I wanted to use were 16"x20". So rather than spend a bunch of money on mattes, I bought two rolls of clearance wrapping paper at World Market and cut them to fit the frame. Then I used some plain coordinating scrapbooking paper and cut it to 9"x11", making a perfect 1" border behind my photo. I then layered everything using double sided tape and now I've got some very pretty, very custom art in our guest room.



Yesterday I felt the need to go on a thrift store hunt, but with a specific goal in mind: find some sturdy, cheap wood frames and a bird book. I have a thing for birds lately, so my idea was to find some nice illustrations and frame them as art. I know, not very original, but it turned out quite nice, don't you think?

I actually came home with 4 books then went through them page by page and cut out each one that had a picture I liked. Now I've got a good stack that I can use how I want. This little guy is just so cute. I might end up painting the frames someday, but the wood matches the frame of my giant bulletin board, so I'll live with them as-is for a while.

And lastly, this project was also mentioned in my silhouettes post. I don't think mine turned out quite as cute as the original, but that's okay. I did it a little differently, though. Instead of painting paper then tracing and cutting out the animal shapes, I just printed them onto colored cardstock and then cut out the images. If you do it like this you need to remember that your animal will end up facing the opposite direction that you print it, because you'll need to flip it over when you're done so as not to see the printed ink. Keep this in mind especially if you're using one-sided paper like I did with the elephant. I accidentally printed onto the red side the first time, only to realize that the back was white.

Instead of printing the French text provided in the original instructions, I chose to write the lyrics to 3 lullabies that I sing to my babies. It makes this art project just a little more personal and special to me. Do you recognize the words behind the birdy? Not exactly a lullaby, but they don't mind. :) I've got a couple more ideas for some wall art that I'll be trying out soon, so I'll be sure to show you the results (if it works out!) right here. Hope you'll give some of these ideas a try!

I should be napping...

...but there's so much to get done! Instead of doing any of it, though, I thought I'd share a little bit of the spring crafting I've been doing over the past few days.

My brother is getting married next weekend so we'll be heading to Eastern Idaho for the wedding in a couple of days. We decided to take advantage of having the family gathered in one place so we're going to hold our little man's blessing while we're there. I decided to make him an outfit for the occasion.


Still not sure how I feel about it. I think it needs something but I have no idea what. I also goofed on the snap tape at the bottom and put both strips on the inside-- doh!! I hate unpicking stitching!

We'll be spending Easter Sunday driving home, but I didn't want the kids to miss out on the fun part of this holiday just because we're away. However, bringing 3 bulky woven baskets with us in our cramped vehicle just didn't seem like a good idea. Inspired by this tutorial from maya*made, I came up with a felt version.
Nothing fancy, just some felt buckets with pinked edges, handles, a little rick-rack for color, felt appliqued animals and a touch of embroidered detail.





I think they'll do nicely for gathering eggs and filling with some spring-time goodies.

This little guy was just for fun, inspired by this free knitting pattern from Rebecca Danger (by way of Whip Up). Unfortunately I don't knit (yet), so I thought I'd make one of these cuties out of felt. What else?

He's stuffed with some polyfill and I shoved a few dry pinto beans in the bottom to keep him weighted. I wish I'd taken the time to sew the pink inner ear to the ear, and I might go back and blanket stitch his tail on, but for now I think he's pretty much done. Maybe I'll make two more and put one in each of the little Easter buckets for the kids.

Okay, back to the house work. The in-laws are coming home with us next week so we've gotta have things in order before we leave. What a bummer of a way to spend a Saturday.

Just a hello

Please forgive my absence. I have a good excuse, I swear.

He's about as good as it gets, if you ask me.

Our little Finnley arrived on the 12th, so lately there's been little crafting and lots of staring and kissing.


I did recently become inspired to do a few Easter crafts, but I don't have nearly enough time to get them done before we leave for Eastern Idaho on Tuesday, so I might have to share when we get back. Don't worry, it's nothing Earth-shattering (is it ever?), just a few tutorials I found that I want to try. I know- I'll send you to the links in case you want to do them yourself, how's that? Ok, here ya go:

Easter Bunny appliques to make over tees & a sleeper, and a cute hedgehog stuffie from Lollychops, then some felt Easter baskets inspired by this maya*made tutorial.

Happy spring!