Wall Collage DONE!

Another couple huge projects are getting ticked off my list this week and one has been sitting in the corner of the craft room for close to 6 months.  We've lived in our house for over 4 years now and have never had any framed pictures on the wall in our living room that whole time.  Now this is not for lack of artwork to hang, just shear laziness in assembling them into some kind of presentable display.  I even went so far as to accumulate enough frames for everything, spray paint for the one's that were the wrong color and hanging hardware but it all still sat in the corner.  Well enough is enough I tell you.

The first step was to make sure I had a solid game plan for what artwork was going in what frame.  Then came the painting.  Oh the painting.  I should have sanded a couple of the frames before hand but at that point I wasn't prepared to add an additional, all be it important, step in the process of getting all this stuff off the ottoman in the craft room.  I decided a while ago that I was only going to use white or grey/silver frames for some continuity.  A couple cans of spray paint later and my backyard looked like this.  

Then came the acrylic.  Oh the acrylic.  So I had a couple square frames from Goodwill that didn't have any glass but I really needed to use them cuz they are the perfect size for two pictures I have.  How hard can it be to fix that?  I stopped at my local Menards and grabbed a couple pieces of acrylic and a hand cutter.  I decided on acrylic instead of glass cuz it seemed safer and cutting glass on a straight line kinda scares me.  I even thought enough to buy the anti glare kind that the display said was good for frames.  WRONG!  I cut the pieces, which took a little trial and error, and when I was ready to put them in the frame I pealed off the protective film to find that anti glare really means frosted.  What the H E double hockey sticks!  So then came another trip to Menards and another piece of acrylic.  This one I made sure was completely clear before leaving the store.  I cut it into the two pieces for the frames in question but then I broke one of the pieces trying to jam it into the frame.   (I had cut it just a hair too big.  Lesson: Don't try to force acrylic with a hammer.)  I barely had enough left of the sheet to cut a piece big enough for the second frame.  I was NOT going back to the hardware store.  

So I had all the frames assembled, sitting in the living room, staring at me.  Daring me to actually put them on the wall.  I did a little trial run on the floor and then got to hanging.  I used a combination of 3M hooks and good old-fashioned nails.  This part took a lot longer than I expected because I actually used a level and measured where each nail needed to go.  If you are going to undertake a project like this I suggest getting one of these handy picture hanging tools to make it easier.  My other tip is to add little felt dots to the bottom two corners of frames.  This keeps them from going out of level as easily and allows for airflow.

TADA!

OMG look at Gider's tongue sticking out!

It did take much longer than expected but I love the end result.  That tree drawing in the middle is actually from our wedding.  I even had a few pieces that didn't fit so they are going up in the craft room.  Stay tuned for my next big reveal.  I'm widdiling down that WIP list faster than you can say Rhinestone Beagle.

Craft on!
Anita

WIP progress 1218

Well I've managed to knock off two WIPs on my list of 21.   Kelly talked about the temari balls that we started last month and I managed to finish mine up for her post earlier this week.  You can read about our adventure into this new intricate craft here.  I also managed to knock out the polymer clay ornament that I had started at our december craft day.  I just took a bunch of coils and covered a square glass ornament I had on hand.  Here's the before picture.

I really liked the ornament style but I wasn't happy with the color selection that I had picked, specifically the white.  So my solution was to paint the entire thing in a pearlescent white, and I added a cute little bow.  I love how the color turned out.  I think it's going to look like a present hanging from my tree next year.

You can still see the colors of the clay underneath but they aren't as jarring against the white.  What do you think?  I love when I can salvage a bad craft into something that I really love.  Just goes to show you shouldn't give up if you hit a little speed bump in your crafting process.  Plus it makes a really adorable necklace for Sadie too.

Here's my updated WIP list and since I've finished two I get to start a fun new project.  I'm thinking of a  Valentine's day theme.

1. Casserole carrier
2. Temari ball
3. Stamped fabric pillow(s)
4. Seat cushion
5. Egg wreath
6. Mr. B construction paper dog
7. Bisque tree plate
8. 2 Cross stitch kits - whale and horses
9. Horse embroidery quilt
10. Log cabin quilt
11. Feet and perch for stuffed owl 
12. Frame for Sadie embroidery
13. Knit bandanna
14. Wooden ornaments
15. Needlefelt beaver
16. Polymer clay ornament
17. Floor cushions
18. Tank dress
19. Crochet afghan
20. Media cabinet
21. Easter basket liner

Craft on!

Anita

WIP reality check

OK I know that I'm not the only one who starts projects and then gets distracted, only to move on to three other things.  Well I guess I don't realize how much of a procrastinator I really am cuz I went through all my WIPs (works in progress) and made a list.  I did this last year so I really shouldn't have been so surprised when I saw how long the list is but suffice it to say, I was very surprised.  Here's the lineup.

1. Casserole carrier
2. Temari ball
3. Stamped fabric pillow(s)
4. Seat cushion
5. Egg wreath
6. Mr. B construction paper dog
7. Bisque tree plate
8. 2 Cross stitch kits - whale and horses
9. Horse embroidery quilt
10. Log cabin quilt
11. Feet and perch for stuffed owl 
12. Frame for Sadie embroidery
13. Knit bandanna
14. Wooden ornaments
15. Needlefelt beaver
16. Polymer clay ornament
17. Floor cushions
18. Tank dress
19. Crochet afghan
20. Media cabinet
21. Easter basket liner

Yep 21!  Two of them are quilts and there are more projects on there from last years list than I would care to admit.  I started that horse quilt in grade school.  So I'm gonna go back to the rule I set for my list last year which is that I have to finish 2 WIPs before I can start a new craft. 


Also in lieu of seeing how long this list is I've decided to put my crafting budget on a diet.  Why do I need to go to the Joann and buy more stuff when I have 21 unfinished projects that I have all the supplies for already, right?  I'm gonna shoot for not buying any supplies until that list is cut in half, with a little concession.  Ideas to make projects better always come to me in mid craft so I'm allowing myself  

$20 a month 

to accommodate them and to allow for room in case I run out of essentials like glue or thread.  Realistic goal?  Not sure yet but you never know until you try.  I'm also lucky that I already have all the stuff the craft club project for February too.  How's your WIP list looking for this year?

Craft on!
Anita