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