Saturday, February 19, 2011

Wall Art

This week I got a few opportunities to do some crafting, and I happened to make two projects that did not cost me a thing.

I am getting into making my own art for my walls. I have ideas for different things all the time, and I just never make them. If I had a Silhouette or Cricut, this would be super easy, but without one I have to get a little bit (more) creative.

Some of you know I have been working a little here and there on the mud room - mostly just organizing it now that it is put back together. But I did get an idea for a cute little mud room art piece:
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Anyone who has read the book Knuffle Bunny will recognize the art. (If you didn't know, I have a tiny obsession with children's books. When I went to El Salvador a few weeks ago, I brought the kids tons of children's books in Spanish.) I thought these pictures went well with the saying I chose for the sign. (Also the little kid reminds me of goofy Cory, and the Dad reminds me of Nora "helping" with the laundry, as she loves to do. And yes, you read that right!)

The only thing was that the graphics did not dry flat when I Modge-Podged them on, so that really stinks. If I do this again, I will do it with a thicker cardstock instead of regular printer paper. Anyway, these images were just scanned out of the book, and Modge-Podged onto the pre-painted canvas. Grey goes really well in this room, and I stole some of the dark purple wall paint for the edge of the canvas. To make the lettering, I just used the "rub a pencil on the back of the paper, trace the image on the front with a pen, and then paint the tracing" technique. First time I have done that, but it worked out! That canvas has been sitting in my basement since we moved in, and I have been wanting to use it for some neat decor item for awhile now. I think this turned out pretty cute even though the graphic is a bit bumpy. I may try to fix it at a later date, if I can manage it.

Also this week, I cleaned out some of my craft stuff. When I did that, I stumbled over some cards that I had bought when I was decorating "the baby's" nursery in 2009 (Nora's room.) I wanted to do something with them, but I had no idea what. Today it came to me:
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All I did with these was hot glue the cards to a ribbon, and tack them up. Simple, easy, cute. I didn't worry about if they were hung crooked or not, I just eyeballed it so it might look a little more childish. :) It goes so well in Nora's room, don't you think? (Side note: Nora loves them, but she was definitely disappointed that she couldn't touch them. She reached up as high as she could into the air and tried to touch them, then literally shrugged her shoulders and went back to playing. I will have to make sure I lift her up to see them up close.)

So, that's what I have been up to lately. I just love it when I can create something from things I already have!!

Until next time . . .

5 comments:

Kathy P. said...

Leah, you are just so darn creative! Love your alphabet 'chart'! :-)

jillianw04 said...

Please come to my house and make me crafty! :) I do have a project that I would LOVE some advice on! It happens to be for the adoption fundraiser. I LOVE your daughter's room. I can tell you must read to her a lot! That's wonderful. Great seeing you tonight. Sorry that I was a bit out of it. I knew I was running late, but wasn't sure where they were putting me.
jill

Jaycie and Randy said...

YOU have such an amazing talent!!! I too love childrens books, and my house and my classroom are overrun with them! We should do a childrens book club in the summer!! (When I am off work ;) I have always wanted to to that! With a book and then activities to go with that book... Let me know you thoughts!!

Unknown said...

Oh wow - this inspires me to try an art project with "Stepford Wives" or "Brave New World". love it.

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

I love both of these! Love the abc cards. So adorable! And, the laundry art is too fun.+