I've Been Featured!!!!!

I am so excited!  Did I say, I am SO excited? I've been featured on Knock Off Decor for my Printemps Paris Giclee Knockoff.  Tee hee!  Please head over to Knock Off Decor to view some amazing DIY projects that are knock offs of more expensive items that you would find from Pottery Barn, Ballard Designs, Anthropologie, etc.
 

Tutorial ~ Printemps Paris Giclee Knockoff

I've been asked to do a tutorial of my Printemps Paris Giclee knockoff.  My method is simple and very cost-effective.  I mean, how many of us have $400 laying around to splurge on a piece of artwork when you can create it yourself for less than a tenth of the price? 

Here's what you need to get started:

• gallery wrapped artist canvas in the size of your choice
• vintage ephemera or copies of different documents you want to use for the background (sheet music, handwritten letters, ledger paper, etc.)
• color butterfly printouts (The Graphics Fairy)
• scissors
• Mod Podge
• paintbrush
• white or ivory acrylic paint
• paper towels, ink pad, sponge, etc.

First, place the artist canvas on your work surface.  I tend to work standing up to get a better view of what I am creating.  Next, choose the vintage ephemera or documents you want to use for the background.  Begin tearing the paper to create a torn edge.

Don't be afraid to tear your paper. Find interesting sections to feature.

Tear paper in all different shapes and sizes.

Place the torn pieces of paper on the canvas.  Layer the paper strips to create interest.  This step takes the longest as you play around with the placement.  Once you are happy with the arrangement, take a photo for reference when recreating the look as you adhere the pieces of paper to the canvas with Mod Podge using a paintbrush.  When you have completed adhering the background to the canvas, cut out the butterflies for placement on the background.  Again, play around with the placement before adhering the butterflies to the canvas.

Layer. Layer. Layer.

Play around with the paper.  What arrangement looks best?

Use Mod Podge to adhere paper to canvas

Cut out butterflies

Don't forget to take a photo for reference!

Almost done

Next, dilute some white or ivory colored acrylic paint with water to create a wash.  Brush areas of the background with the wash to create lighter areas; leave other areas alone.  This creates dimensions and interest to your collage.  For some areas, liberally apply the wash and dry by pressing a paper towel on top.  Remove the paper towel and reveal the texture that is left behind.  You can try using a sponge or other items to create this effect.  If you would rather have a vintage, grungy background, use an ink pad in a sepia color around the edges of your collage.

Notice the lighter and darker areas in the detailed photo above



Look closely and you will see the texture left behind by using the paper towel technique

When you are happy with the result, seal the collage with a coat of Mod Podge in a matte finish.  Add picture wire to the back of the canvas.  And Voila!  You have created an original piece of artwork for your home. 

Made ~ Ballard Designs is Copying Me

Last year, I created a collage for my stepdaughter's bedroom.  She loves butterflies and so I assembled a collage from images I found on The Graphics Fairy and mounted it on an artist canvas.  She loved it.

Imagine my surprise when I was thumbing through the latest Ballard Designs catalog and saw this.

Normally, I try to emulate the look of Ballard Designs in my home but this is the first time they are trying to copy me!  LOL

I'm Back!

Hello, Maid Marian Made followers!  I am deeply sorry for the long hiatus I took but I have good reason.  I had my second child, Caleigh, on March 31 and adjusting to being the mother of two under the age of three has nearly did me in.  I work full time on top of that.  Not to mention I'm getting ready for my first craft show in September, preparing for the opening my Etsy store and getting ready for Jenn Hayslip's October event.  Wooo!  Can you tell I am an overachiever? Anyway, I am back and will have lots of posts in the near future.  In the meantime, here is a pic of my greatest creations.  Enjoy!

Made ~ Bunny Topiary

I participated in my first swap last year and was fortunate enough to be matched up with Sheri in Minnesota.  As part of the matching process, we were asked to list our three favorite magazines or catalogs.  Sheri listed Life Beautiful magazine as one of her favorites.  The 2010 spring edition featured a bunny topiary on the cover.  Without knowing it, I had pretty much all the supplies I needed on hand to recreate this topiary.


I had bought this cute moss-covered bunny at Pier 1 after Easter for a dollar and 25 cents (50 percent off the original price) last year.  I had purchased several galvanized buckets and containers at Target's Dollar Spot to start on my son's nursery to big boy room transformation.  And I had ribbon.  All I needed was a florist foam block and some sheet moss which I picked up at Dollar Tree. 

First, I cut my florist foam to fit inside the galvanized container.  Then I cut the sheet moss to fit the top of the galvanized container in order to cover the foam.  I hot glued the moss to the foam.  Then I inserted the wire stem on the bunny into the center of the moss-covered foam block.  The sheet moss wasn't cutting the mustard so I ran out to Hobby Lobby and purchased some faux grass from the Easter aisle at 50% off.  I hot glued the faux grass plugs to the sheet moss.  Next, I wrapped tied an aqua ribbon around the neck of the bunny.  How cute is that!  For under a Lincoln, I have a tres chic bunny topiary.  Now, that's my kind of decorating.

Made ~ Marie Antoinette Wig

As part of my costume for the Marie Danse de Fleurs Grand Ball, I purchased a wig from Amazon.com.

The wig was platinum blond embellished with white and black roses and pearls.  I removed the white roses and replaced them with some pink ones that would stand out more against the platinum blond.  I added a couple of birds from Michael's Parisian Collection to give it a little more uumph as well.

Secretly, I've always wanted to be a blond so I was very pleased with the way it turned out.    Tres Marie, don't you think?

Photo by Tiffany Kirchner-Dixon, The Fancy Farm Girl

Made ~ Marie Antoinette Shoes

A month ago I traveled to sunny Florida for the Marie Danse de Fleurs event hosted by the lovely Cassandra Van Curen.  On Friday night of the event, we were to wear our interpretation of a Marie Antoinette inspired shoe.  I took an old pair of shoes that I hadn't worn in ages and transformed them into a sweet black and pink pair to wear not only that night but to the Grand Ball the next night.

Shoe before

 

Shoe after

Detail of shoe

Shoes at the event**

**Photo courtesy of Tiffany Kirchner-Dixon, The Fancy Farm Girl