Valentine Papier-mâché Hearts

Thanks for the comments on my last post!  I don’t have an exact “how-to”.. but can tell you what I did to decorate the hearts.   I didn’t make the base hearts –they were papier-mâché ones that I had in my stash for many years.   Does anyone else do that?  I save things for a long time, afraid that I’ll ruin them, or never have them again… it’s self-defeating I think. 

I’ve been wanting to collage with sheet music for a while – I always see it done so nicely on other people’s blogs so I pulled out some music I’d been saving – and tore it up, focusing on “romantic” words.  Then I went through my paper stash and took out coordinating papers, a poem from the back of a chocolate bar, along with tissue paper that had been stamped with permanent ink and images that I used in this 2010 decoupage project (I save everything!)

Using matte Gel Medium as glue (had Liquitex Matte Gel left over from that first project, too – it’s really nice and thick), I first pasted on the music-pieces.  Next I pasted accent papers all around, layering them a little, covering the base completely.  I made sure not to get the gel on top of any of the pieces, afraid that it would act as a resist to the paint later on.

In the afternoon when all was dry, I took out paints that I had at home – Golden Fluid Acrylics in Iridescent Gold Deep color, and a pink and burgundy glaze (Plaid brand, Folk Art paints).  I just squirted a dollop onto wax paper and tried to brush on and blend the different colors, but wanted a more transparent look, so started smooshing and rubbing it all on with my fingers.  I ended up finger painting all of them.  It was fun, but my hands took a beating from all the washing. 

Usually I’ll spray a fixative or a sealer when I’m done with a project like this, but I didn’t want to dull the shine from the paint.  I went back once more to darken up some of the first pieces that I hadn’t been so bold with – and that was it!  A half-dozen cute Valentine ornaments that can be used as an indoor decoration this winter.

Do you ever depart from your normal crafts? Have huge stashes of things you never use or are afraid to let go of?  Save everything and then are really happy when you find a use for them?  As I re-read this post, this is what I came away with, sounds a little wacky, but I know I’m not alone out there!

Look for this at the Craft schooling Sunday link party, too – lots of fun!

9 comments holiday - valentine, paper, tutorial

Switching Mediums

Just for a day, working with papier-mâché, collage, sheet music, poems, stamps, glue, paints and glazes. Started out with brushes, ended up finger-painting and enjoying the process.  Back to sewing tomorrow.

1/29/11 Update: I’ve added a “how-to” description in a new blog post here.

5 comments holiday - valentine

Mini Love Bots for Valentine’s Day

These were a blast to make.  Some are new wool felt, others recycled felted sweaters, with lots of odds-and-ends, found objects, and reclaimed pieces making each one unique! 

I’ll have these available locally, at Apotheca.   Next up – during today’s snowstorm, I hope to get some big hearts sewn and embroidered and then some mini heart pins created for my etsy shop.

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Love Bots Reveal for Valentine’s Day

I received a couple of guesses in my last post’s comments, and on Facebook… so here’s a preview of what the little cubes are becoming!  Mini Love-Bots for Valentine’s Day.  Each one will be unique – so far I have just the 8 blocks assembled.

I truly have such a hard time sitting still to work on these, but with some bad weather coming tomorrow, maybe I can get them completed.  They’ll be available locally and maybe one or two will show up in my Etsy shop, also.  (Let me know if you have a preference.)  The ’bot above is made with a sweater that had been felted and repurposed into this cutie.

One of my other current projects is a bag that I’ve been crocheting.  It still needs a handle, lining and assembly – but since it’s a summery colored yarn, there’s no rush: 

I got the bag of yarn as a “1lb. remnant”  - maybe when I’m done with this one I can make a second – it was certainly easy enough.  I’ll check my yarn quantity by weighing it to see if I have 1/2lb. or more leftover when I’m finished.  Anyone else out there weigh their yarn?

Thanks for your support and votes in the champagne cork challenge!  I didn’t win, but I was happy with the results, and found another great blog to follow because of it.

I hope this is the beginning of a very creative week.  What are you going to do?

4 comments bags, crochet, dolls, holiday - valentine, recycling, robots and aliens, use what you have

Happy Valentine’s Day

 


Happy Vday.  & Thanks to Skip to my Lou for the Crochet Heart Garland pattern!

6 comments crochet, holiday, holiday - valentine, robots and aliens

Putting Things Together

How do your ideas come together?

I started this one wanting to make some lavender sachets. I had some linen & felted wool sweaters near my worktable (that I didn’t get around to using for ornaments in December, time to clean!) so I cut a few hearts out with the Sizzix machine that I hadn’t put away yet from packaging (definitely seeing a trend here in the ‘needing to clean up’ department). And that was it. I was stuck. So, I began taking out bits and pieces I had stashed – ribbons, crochet flowers, and some beads:

 

I started free-motion embroidery on a few, then embellished with hand-stitching. Filled with lavender and a hanger – and they were done. 

I think these are cute for this time of year, and for all year round, because "Love isn’t just for Valentine’s Day".

Belated update - thanks for the link Dot! Check out this awesome site: Dabbled:

4 comments holiday - valentine, sewing