Monday, June 6, 2011

3 Easy Weekend Projects

This weekend I got busy with some fun projects that were multipurpose, fast and fun.



Project #1- Memorialize your child's artwork

My son, Noah, and daughter, Hazel, are in preschool and come home nearly every day with some great works of art. While my husband would assume we keep every last piece, the reality is that it's just not practical. I had seen a video on Etsy's How Tuesday on bird mobiles by dad craftsman and blogger MadeByJoel. So I decided to use this idea with my own children's paintings. This is an easy project that took around 20 minutes. Here's what you need:
-stick
-tape
-string
-child's artwork
-hook or tack

To begin, draw and cut the shapes of the bird from the artwork. You can use Joel's template for either birds or owls, found on his site. Unlike Joel's bird, I decided that mine would be double sided so as to hide the tape. Next, tie strings of desired length to the stick and tape the birds along the string. Tie another string to each end of the stick, this is the hanger string. Place a hook in your ceiling (tacks may also work depending on the weight of your stick) and there you have it!




Project #2- Framing Dried Flowers
A botanist friend of mine provided me with a box of well preserved pressed flowers. The only thing to do with that is make a beautiful collage of framed pressed flowers.



Project #3- Art-cycle those jeans!

This project was just a fun way to use jean fabric, some rope and and whatever else was laying around. I got this idea from an Anthropology display. I took a used canvas, painted it peach, because that's what I had laying around, and took strips of jean material and rope and tacked them to the top and bottom of the canvas. I twisted the jean fabric to display to two-toned fabric. This is a fun way to use discarded or unused items from your home and turn them into something artful. If you don't like it....well, atleast you didn't spend a lot of money making it. :)

Happy crafting everyone!

Mandy

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Birdhouse




So, I have been MIA - blame work, the weather, school - but I have been busy - I made a birdhouse! Gourd that's been hiding in my garage for a few years - after a scrub (bleach + water + sandpaper), holes, cleaning out (there are seeds), and paint = birdhouse!

Monday, March 21, 2011

OMG! Quilting

I love quilts, own none. So, I am trying to fit a quilting class into my life so I can actually own that which I love. However, the problem I have with quilts is the similarity of the look. I always thought, "if I made quilts, I would make octopuses and giant squid attacking ships, and outer space". Well, while checking etsy today, I found my style of quilt making. Her name is Betty Busby and her etsy shop is: http://www.etsy.com/people/bbusbyarts

It is really hard to believe that these are quilts. Here are a few of my favorites, and it was hard to choose....enjoy!

Friday, March 11, 2011

DIY Garden Scultpure





Okay, I saw this clay pot figure in someone's yard and wanted to see if I could reproduce it. I used 4 inch clay pots and 18 gauge wire. The hardest part has been trying to find a plant that will survive in such a small container through the Memphis heat. So I have moved it to a shade garden I am working on, and am trying creeping jenny this time. I will post updates on the progress.

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Bye-bye February

Sickness and traveling have left me way behind on my projects and updates. However, here are a few pics from some of the things I have been trying my hand at. Enjoy!


Before and after headboard. Wrapped in burlap coffee sack. I also made the pillow from another sack. Here are more pics of the pillow....I hand stitched the edges using wool yarn.



More drift wood creations....

The peace sign is now hanging, but is still a work-in-progress. I am adding to it daily.

And finally, collage art.


Thanks for reading!
Mandy

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Handmade Prints Perfect for Valentines Day



Apartment Therapy and it's cousin, Re-nest, are resource gems. They offer so many incredible suggestions it's hard to pick out which you like best.
Here they provide a list of "love-filled" prints to try yourself. Have fun! Mandy