Quarantine Project #5 - Falls Park Beauty Paper Quilt

So our self-imposed quarantine continues and so do my paper quilts.  But honestly, I'm not sure how successful this particular quilt is.

I wanted to do a project incorporating the Liberty Bridge in Falls Park in Greenville, SC.  I thought about doing an acrylic painting, featuring this curving pedestrian bridge.  Then I came across a quilt pattern called, I believe, New York Beauty.

This pattern features spinning circles, that are usually cut into quarters.  Each quarter can have a different color combination, and the circles can sometimes flow in to one another and interlock.

I though this flowing pattern would be great to represent the water flowing over the falls in Falls Park.  But, although I had fun piecing and designing the twisting bottom part, I think it overtakes the overall image and the landscape and bridge get lost.  I still like the completed paper collage, I just wish it had come out a little more balanced.

Quarantine Project #4 - Woven Seashell Wreath Tutorial

So here's another project that I had on my "To Do" list that I was finally able to complete during our stay at home orders. 

This beachy twine wreath features a woven pattern that is easy to do and adds some interesting texture to this fun wreath.  I have put the step by step instructions on my blog if you are interested. 

I decorated my wreath with three starfish and some flowers.  I also have directions for attaching these items on my other blog.

 I really love this finished wreath.  I'm torn between giving it to my sister for her house in Maine, or keeping it for myself.  What do you think? 

Quaratine Project #3 - Large Paper Quilt

So here is my big accomplishment during my self quarantine.  I've had this idea on my project list for over a year.  It started with a Ohio Stars quilt that I saw on Pinterest that I really loved.  I don't sew, but wondered if I could piece together something similar using scrapbook paper.  I've used quilts as inspiration for paper collages before.

 I drew out the pattern on a 24 x 24 inch stretched canvas, using the quilt on Pinterest as my guide.

Then I came up with a plan:  I'd start my quilt with a map piece at the center.  Then I'd use light color pieces for the center star.  Once I got a combination of pieces together that I liked, I glued them down using acrylic medium.

Next, I started laying down pieces to create my brighter square (see finished photo above), using mainly reds, pinks, and greens.

Then I completed the outer large star with dark pieces of blue and purple paper.

I finished the corners using light paper again.  This went pretty quickly as I was able to cut multiple pieces of paper at the same time to complete these areas.

As I often do with these quilts, I added some stamping using household items like pen caps and pencil ends to add additional color.  I dipped these items in acrylic paint, then stamped them around my canvas where I wanted some more color or texture.

This has been the silver lining of our stay at home orders - I've had this project in the works for a long while and this quiet time has given me the opportunity to see it through.  I'm working on framing this large quilt collage, as I did with this collage.  I'm really happy with how this project turned out. 

Quarantine Project #2 - Children's Scrap Yarn Rainbow

And here's another project that I've been working on during our stay at home orders - a children's weaving project to make a rainbow using scrap yarn.

This craft begins uses half of a paper or foam plate with a raised rim.  The plate needs to be strung with some cord or string before beginning the weaving process.  Adults should do the initial preparation for setting up the plate loom, but kids will enjoy watching their rainbow appear before their eyes.

This is a "make and make do" project, using materials that are basic and handy. You can use any weight of scrap yarn for this project. For each color of the rainbow, you only need about 3 feet of yarn. If you don't have one color, you can just substitute two shades of another.  I have all the directions with photos on Hubpages for you to follow.

Once you rainbow is completed, you can finish it by adding some fluffy cotton ball clouds!  Check out the full tutorial here.

Quarantine Project #1 - Hearts and Flower Mother's Day Card

Although I haven't been posting, I've managed to complete a few projects during my self-quarantine that I'm excited to share.  The first is a scrapbook paper Mother's Day card that I made for my Mom.  I didn't plan on posting this project, so I didn't take any process photos.  But yesterday I went to the store and noticed there was very little stock in the card aisle.  So I thought others might be looking for a homemade card idea.

It started with a sketch and a simple idea to make a flower using hearts as the petals.  Then when I drew in the background, I thought to add another heart detail to the back.

I traced a number of hearts on to some coordinating scrapbook paper.  I had a small heart sticker that I used as my template for tracing.

I used a pre-made store bought blank cards with an envelope to begin.  I glued down a piece of sky blue paper for my background and added my green landscape.  To create the flower, I layered seven hearts in a circle, alternating the pattern of the paper.  I was going to use a button for the center, but used a gem stone instead.

I wanted my image to have a cute patchwork look to it, so I pulled out a jelly roll opaque white pen I had in my supplies.  I tested this pen on some scrap to see if it would show up on my paper.  It worked perfectly.

I used the pen to draw a dotted line around most of the large images on my card.  I'm pleasantly pleased with the finished look.

For the inside of the card, I searched for a Mother's Day greeting online and printed this out on another piece of paper.  I then trimmed this paper to size and glued it into my card using glue stick.

Hope you have a wonderful Mother's Day and find some time for crafting too! 

New Paper Quilt

It's been a long time since I've posted here.  I'm going to pass over the excuses and just talk about my latest paper quilt.  This paper collage was loosely inspired by the amazing quilts of Melody Johnson.  I was inspired by some of her mini quilts which feature a small cabin-like building in the center of them.  These buildings some times have an image inside them that seems symbolic. 

I used a similar idea to make this collage.  I was trying to go for a color palette like the cool tones that Melody often uses, but my colors kind of moved away from that.

In my excitement for create this paper quilt, I forgot to take any process photos, but you can see a tutorial for one of my previous quilt-inspired collages here. 

My next step is to frame this collage.  I have a simple way of framing most of my artwork and I'm excited for this finishing step.  Check out my easy framing tutorial on my blog.

Easy Handmade Christmas Card Tutorials

I like playing around with scrapbook paper to make collages and cards, but I don't do enough of it (yet) to invest in a die cut or other special equipment that a lot of scrapbook tutorials require.  So this year when I decided to make my own Christmas cards, I thought up some easy designs that I could make with just a pair of scissors and some glue sticks.

I created four different designs, each with multiple variations.  So far, I've made 16 cards.  If you're interested in seeing more, I have photos and links to the tutorials below.  Each tutorial includes any templates or stencils that you might need to make your own cards.

First, my Reindeer with holiday branches and berries card.

Next, one of my favorites - my Poinsettia card.  I made a bunch of these cards by changing up the colors that I used for the flower.

My Patchwork Dove card - this is made with strips of scrapbook paper and washi tape.

And my Quilt-Inspired Christmas Tree.  I hope these cards inspired you to try making your own cards this year!