Welcome to my blog!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I believe that everyone can have a beautiful home without spending a fortune! One of my favorite things to do is find creative ways to re-purpose things I already have on hand, or have picked up at yard sales and thrift stores. Join me as I share with you some of my favorite ideas for crafting and decorating, as well as travel adventures, and fun things that I pick up on my treasure hunts! Much of my work is influenced by my love all things French, nature, and of course shabby chic! I have gotten so many creative ideas from you very talented bloggers out there, and I hope that I can be an inspiration to you as well!

Monday, October 11, 2010

Blue Bird Collage Project

It's another warm, summer like day here at the Chateau!  The orange, red and yellow leaves tell us that autumn is here, but at temps around 80, it still feels like summer!  How is the weather in your neck of the woods?

Today I wanted to share with you a blue bird collage wall hanging that I made, that I will be putting in my Etsy shop. This project incorporates so many of my favorite elements:  birds of course, vintage French text (love!), Mod Podge, glitter, and crinkly seam binding! Does it get any better than that?!

I started with 1/4" luan, which dear hubby cut for me. I painted the back heirloom white, followed by Ralph Lauren's antiquing glaze.  I decoupaged pages that I tore from a vintage French dictionary.  I love birds, so I was really excited a few months ago when I found a huge book of James Audubon's bird prints. I picked it up at our libraries used book sale for just $5.  I almost felt guilty about ripping out pages of this gorgeous book, but I figured hey, that's what I bought it for!  I loved his blue bird print, and I ended up using a craft knife to cut it out.  It seemed to take forever, as it was a bit tedious work!  I decoupaged the birds on the plaque, then I also added my favorite French themed rubber stamps, just for fun.  Around the edges of the plaque, I added a bit of Rub-n-Buff in Antique Gold.
If you've never worked with Rub-n-Buff, just remember, a little bit goes a long way!  And be sure to wear rubber gloves when you work with it.  I used a rag to wipe off any excess product.
For the hanger, I picked up some antiqued bronze toned chain at the hardware store.

I was really liking the way the plaque looked, but it still needed a bit something extra, I thought.
Enter my friend Cindy, over at Cindy Adkins' Whimsical Musings.  Not only is she a paper artist extraordinaire, but Cindy is a sweet and thoughtful friend, too!  Anyway, Cindy shared with me an idea for some neat paper flowers that she was using for a tag for her Etsy shop. Don't you just love her beautiful tag (below)?! Her flower was just gorgeous!  And of course I love her addition of the Eiffel Tower!


I could hardly wait to start making some flowers of my own!  You can check out Cindy's beautiful tag, along with the rest of her great Etsy shop here.

 I had so much fun making this paper flower!  I made it out of pages from a vintage French book, then added some glitter for a bit of "bling"!  As you know, I always say "You can never have too much glitter!"
I also added some wonderful crinkly seam binding in two shade of green.  I just got another order of the seam binding from Bluebird Lane on Etsy, and it has become my latest obsession!




A few close ups, and one last look.  Thanks again Cindy, for sharing your great paper flower inspiration with me!  I will do a tutorial on making them in the near future, so stay tuned!
I have linked up with:
Beyond the Picket Fence Under $100 Party.  Be sure to join the fun!
Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday

17 comments:

Christine said...

Donna, this is really beautiful. The seam binding is fabulous-love that color! Glitter is wonderful- more is more!!!

DAVS said...

I love it! And it's getting chilly here in Idaho~=)

Tete said...

Looks like a fun way to spend your time! Looks so darn cute! Love the wing flipped up.
Hugs- Tete

Biljana said...

Very imaginative project, looks so vintage and beautiful:))
Hugs, Biljana

Cindy Adkins said...

Hi Donna,
Aren't you just a doll? Thank you so much for your sweet story and including me in our "artsy shenanigans" that we are always up to!!!
I knew I couldn't sleep 'til I made a rose that day...lol And I knew you'd be the same way--and you were!
It turned out beautiful!!!
Love,
Cindy

Karen said...

Donna, this is a great project! Only you could make one this nice....maybe I'm partial. I'd be almost willing to "bet" that it will sell on Etsy really soon! Love this one!

BTW...I have boxes should you need.

Love, Karen

Unknown said...

Ooooh! LOVE the vintage french books, LOVE the flower and the birds, oh my!!!!
xo
lynn

Leo said...

Donna - this is gorgeous...you are so creative...putting that all together. Love the flowers too - I will have to go check out Cindy's Etsy Shop. I didn't realize she had one. Have a great week!!

NanaDiana said...

Donna- That is just darling. I love the bluebirds and the wings are priceless...so darned cute! I have not seen the paper flowers like that one before-will have to pop over to that blog and check them out.

I am on the road-Loving hotels with Wi-Fi. We were up at McClain State Park on Saturday checking out the campsites for next year. We went to Porcupine Mts...and Eagle Harbor (the JamPot)...I see you saved a gingerbread muffin for me. I won't tell you what we spent there-we got jam for friends;>)

Tonight we are in St.Ignace and drove across to Mackinac City for dinner. What a fun place. We had never stopped there before. Did you see all the signs barring RV's from downtown? lol MyHero is already trying to figure out how to get to the fudge shop next time (in The Pearl, of course) without navigating to the down town area. lol

Hope you are rested up-we will be heading back home in a day or so. xxoo Diana

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

So pretty, Donna! And I love the paper flower and glitter, too!

Cheryl said...

That is just darling!

Sandi said...

This piece turned out wonderful Donna! I know what you mean about taking the pictures out of old books, but I am with you! If it is the reason I bought it , then I need to use them. lol
Hugs~

Sandy Ang said...

Love your great collage !

Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence said...

Such sweet details, love the flower popping off the page! Thanks for sharing at Beyond the Picket Fence's Under $100 linky party.

The Decorating Diaries said...

Just beautiful!

Janet

Jenny at Henrietta's House said...

Hi Donna,

I love collages! Yours looks beautiful.

I'm hosting a link party so get your best cocktail recipe ready and dust off those glasses! Join the Happy Hour link party this Wednesday!!

Anonymous said...

Donna, I just loved this project! I have featured it on my blog as a "Boardwalk Bookmark", with a direct link back to this post on your blog. You may enjoy taking a look at it and, of course, feel free to take a button. Again -- I want to share with you my appreciation for your talent and creativity!