Old Book, New Art

I found this old, cute book (1962) at the thrift store a while ago. I like the colorful and simple artwork, so I cut out the pages and hung them on a wall.

This picture is my favorite.

I think I am going to hang them in my little boy's room; right now they are here in my work space.

Alphabet Banner

I want the play area in our house to have a schoolroom-like atmosphere, so of course we needed the alphabet displayed.

There is something about felt that gets me creative. I don't know what it is, but when I pull that stuff out, my mind goes crazy with ideas.

I started by cutting the letters freehand. The first few I traced, but that was way too labor-intensive and unnecessary.

I used a simple, rustic looking fabric for the background, and used a contrasting thread (red) to outline the letters and hem the fabric.

My girl was playing stepping stones on the letters, saying each one (that she knows) as she went....

then my little boy was driving his cars on it, as if it was a road...

so now I am thinking up new projects along these lines that the kids could play with.

Birds

I totally got this idea from Mary who found the pattern here.

I tried and tried to get the birds to perch on branches, but it wasn't happening for me. Mary was able to make it work...maybe she'll post pictures of hers? :)

So instead I just hung them from the ceiling without the branches. I think it's still cute. Even cuter than that is when I hold up my little boy to touch them, they sway and spin around. He thinks it's hilarious.

(he shares a room with his sister, so there are still remenants of "girl" in here)

The pattern says to sew by hand, but I used my sewing machine. You will rarely catch me hand sewing. Also I left the tail as a raw edge. I like that it kind of looks feathery.

Raccoon!

I decided that the critters on the back of my capes are too cute to be cooped up in a dress-up box. (what?)

This is a baby shower gift for a friend of mine. After appliqueing the crazy raccoon using zig-zag stitch, I tacked it on to a canvas. I like the simplicity of no picture frame.

Of course soon it will be hanging in a nursery, not thrown into the leaf pile on this shelf.

Book Ends

This is the easy peasiest of them all because you don't actually make anything.

I know, this is cheating a little, but I love book ends.

I think they add a lot of whimsy to an otherwise cluttered space.

For a while, my little girl was really afraid of going to bed at night. Reading (lots and lots of books) helped her calm down, and soon there were books scattered willy nilly all over her room.

I have always had a want for book ends, but have never had a space or need for them.

The top of her bare dresser was the perfect place. I went searching through ebay and second hand stores for the perfect set. I wanted something unique and a little bit mystical.

And I found them!

Fabric Covered Canvas

I love this fabric. Problem is, my daughter already has more quilts and blankets than she will ever need.

So I showcased it in her bedroom by purchasing some cheap canvas from Joanne's Fabric (add in a 40% coupon, woo hoo), and covered it with the fabric.

Her room has the "fantasy" motif going on, and it is perfect.

I used thumb tacs to adhere it to the canvas frame.

So easy!