Category Archives: Home Decor

Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor

Little Birdie Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor Tutorial by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Little Birdie Crafts Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor Tutorial

Hello, Friends! This Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor Tutorial is the perfect way to while away a sultry summer afternoon.  Beautiful flowers, cheery stacked teacups, and cheeky little birds beckon you to slow down the pace.  Stop and smell the flowers.

Mixed media is not my area of expertise.  But I do love to dabble.  There’s something liberating about slapping down paint and gel medium and a bunch of different textured layers.  This 8×8 wall  hanging was pure fun to make.  And, as you will see in the video tutorial below, it comes together very quickly!  That’s always a bonus.  I won’t belabor you with a lot of tips and such in this post.  You can hear me talk about them all in the video.  So we’ll just hit a few highlights and move things along quickly.

Decoupage Paper

The inspiration for this project is the stacked teacups and birdie image.  Little Birdie makes wonderful decoupage paper, and I finally had a chance to play with it.   It’s lovely stuff, and so easy to work with.  As you can see, the colors are rich and the images are wonderful. Each package comes with 2 sheets of 2 different designs.

After distressing layers of Woodland Stories Cardstock, I tore the focal image from the sheet of decoupage paper.  Be sure to ink the edges so that it will blend in nicely with the background.  Then, seal it to the base with gel medium.  Do both sides, front and back for a really good seal.

Although this was my first play with this paper, it won’t be my last.  It’s wonderful stuff!

Mixed Media Details

Here are some quick and easy ways to add mixed media details to a project.

  • Distressed edges add wonderful texture to the edges of cardstock.  Use a distressing tool, or simply run the blade of your scissors along the edge of the paper.  Little tears are even better!
  • Chalk paint is one of my favorite mediums.  You can paint edges, paint metals, spatter on the finished project, or brush on flower petals to add a wonderful shabby feel to your project.
  • Machine stitching adds texture, subtle pattern and helps to frame a piece.
  • Check your spice cabinet!  Mustard seeds and green peppercorns lend an organic feel to the composition.

Little Birdie Metallic Wax adds another layer of distressing to painted metals and resin.  I just rub it on lightly with my finger.  Primed chipboard can be used as is, rubbed with metallic wax, or painted and spritzed with mica sprays.  All these elements work together to make mixed media easy to do!

Woodland Stories Mixed Media Home Decor Tutorial on YouTube

If you’d like to see the steps that went into creating this bit of home decor, you watch me play in the video tutorial below.

I hope you enjoyed viewing this project as much as I enjoyed making it!  You can find a linked supply list below this post, just in case you feel the need to shop for some of these paper pretties!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

Supply List

Summer Windowsill Hanging Shaker Home Decor

Kaisercraft Flower Shoppe Hanging Shaker Reneabouquets Butterfly by Kathy Clement Photo 01

Summer Windowsill Hanging Shaker Home Decor

Hello, Friends!  I thought we would start the week off with this cheery Summer Windowsill Hanging Shaker Home Decor project.  Kaisercraft Flower Shoppe is such a pretty collection for summertime, don’t you think?  I’ve paired it up with some beautiful Reneabouquets flowers and butterflies.  Let’s take a look at some of the details in this fun project.

Window Shaker Element

Amazing Paper Grace Save the Date Die Shaker Window by Kathy Clement PHoto 01

Here’s my sweet little summer cottage.  If you peek through the window, you can see the vintage wallpaper on the walls, and a hanging plant over the kitchen sink.  Can you imagine all of that with me?  The first step in creating this project was to stitch my base layers to a panel of natural canvas.  Then it was time to create the shaker window.  Here’s how to do that:

  • First, die cut 3 Amazing Paper Grace Save the Date Windows.  Cut 2 from cream cardstock and 1 from gray.
  • Now, layer the 3 windows together with the grey window in the middle.  Offset the window grids slightly as you put them together.  This not only creates a feeling of depth, but it gives you the width you will need to add 1/8″ foam tape to the sides of the shaker box.
  • Next, cut a piece of clear cardstock (acetate) to fit the back side of the window.  Adhere this with Dries Clear Glue.
  • Once the glue is mostly dry (under 5 minutes) adhere 3 rows of 1/8″ foam strips to the back of the window.
  • Now mat a 4″ x 6″ panel of designer paper on a slightly larger piece of colored cardstock.
  • Then stitch around the perimeter on your sewing machine.
  • Next, adhere a few ephemera bits inside the window to create a little scene.  I used a small botanical image, a ticket, lace strip, and hanging plant to create mine.
  • Now place your shaker mix in the center of your image. Carefully line the shaker box over the image so that everything is straight and centered.  Press lightly in place to adhere.

Creating the Windowsill

Begin by selecting several ephemera bits from the paper collection.  I ended up with the watering can bouquet, wire fence, flowers strips and sentiment square.  The trick here is to create a feeling of depth and dimension.  Here’s how I did that.

  • First, create a shallow box pocket to fit over the base of the window.  The finished measurement of my box pocket is 4″ x 1 1/2″.  If you don’t know how to make a box pocket, you can watch THIS video.
  • Next, layer the 2 flower strips from the ephemera pack together with 1/8″ foam.  Stagger the flowers to create the illusion of depth.
  • Now adhere the wire fence to the top of the box pocket.  Then adhere the flower strips behind it to look like window box filler.
  • Then adhere the box pocket at the base of the window.
  • Finally, pop the watering can up on layers of dimensionals and cluster with the sentiment square.
Climbing Roses and Butterflies

Now comes the fun part!  Create a climbing rosebush along the right hand side of the wall hanging.  These lovely blooms and butterflies came from Reneabouquets. (Linked in the supply list below.)

Large roses and ribbon clusters top off the wall hanging.  And the perfect finishing touch is this beautiful yellow butterfly!

About the Hanger

I’m always deluged with requests for a link to this shabby chic hanger.  They are a retired item from Melissa Frances, and sadly, they are no longer available.  You could perhaps substitute American Girl dress hangers, but I have not tried this so I’m not entirely sure if it would work.

So that’s it for me this Monday morning.  I hope I’ve inspired you to dig into your crafty stash and make something beautiful today!  Time spent in the studio adds sunshine to my day no matter what the weather is doing!  How about you?

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Lemoncraft Delicious Home Sweet Home Decor

Lemoncraft Delicious Home Sweet Home Decor

Hello, Friends!  I thought we would start off our Monday with this cheery Lemoncraft Delicious Home Sweet Home Decor hanger.  When Dale and I were newlyweds, we were blessed to find a teeny tiny garage apartment on Jacksonville Beach.  Built above a one car garage, this humble abode was blessed with a bird’s eye view of the beach.  We could actually tell if it was high tide or low tide just by stepping out onto the 2nd story landing at the top of the stairs that led to our little nest.

One of my favorite things about that apartment was my retro red and white kitchen.  Red gingham curtains hung from the 2 windows.  A red check oilcloth covered the tiny kitchen table.  I even had a red dishpan, towels and dish drainer!  This is where I learned how to cook.  That kitchen saw my first (disastrous) attempts at baking bread and my first triumphs with my now legendary chocolate chip cookies.  And this sweet little wall hanging transports me right back to those tender early years of marriage.  Maybe that’s what caused me to let this collection fall into my shopping cart in the first place!

Delicious Details

First, let’s talk about the little hanger.  Many of you have asked me about these little  hangers.  I found these in closeout on the Melissa Frances website.  You know what happened next:  I bought as many of them as I could at the time. I’ve been back since to purchase more, and am sad to report that they are no more.

Now let’s talk about the construction of this piece. Here are some of the steps I took in creating this little number:

  • First, stitch vintage crochet lace around the edges of a 6″ x 8″ panel of green apple cardstock.
  • Next layer designer paper cut to fit just inside the stitching.
  • Then create a shaker element with a Reneabouquets Beautiful Day Chipboard Frame.
  • Now place your shaker mix on the background.  I chose to frame the sweet image of the teapot shelf.
  • Next, carefully line up the frame and press in place.

  • Now it’s time to add flowers, fussy cuts, bows and buttons to the design.

Finally, add this little tea kettle charm for the perfect finishing touch.

If you’d like to see more samples made with Mintay Delicious, please click HERE and HERE.

Look for a linked supply list below this post.

I hope I’ve added some sunny thoughts to your Monday Morning.  If so, I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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Country Bunny Boxed Mini Album Set

Country Bunny Boxed Mini Album Set and Country Bunny Collection Reveal

Hello, Friends!  I’ve been counting down the days until I could share this Country Bunny Boxed Mini Album Set with you.  It represents a dream come true, and there’s nothing I love more than seeing a dream come true!  My sweet friend Tamra over at Country Craft Creations unveiled her new Country Bunny paper collection yesterday in a Facebook Live event.  Tamra asked me to create a sample project for yesterday’s release party on Facebook.  And today I get to share it with you all here.

Country Craft Creations Country Bunny Boxed Mini Album Set by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

 

You’ll get to see this delicious paper collection and all the details of this project in the video below.   I altered a Graphic 45 Ivory Book Box, then filled it up with 3 handmade bitty mini albums.

The back side of the book box houses a box style pocket with a little flip folio tucked inside.  Before we look at the video, I’ll just share some little peeks at each of the individual components.

Country Bunnies and Butterflies

Each hardcover mini album measures 3 3/4″ x 5 3/4″ x 1 1/2″.  The trims, designer papers, cardstock papers, flowers and crystals are all part of the kit Tamra is selling in her online tore, Country Craft Creations.   I added just a couple of pretties, like this resin bunny and some metal embellishments  from my stash .

Each mini album has a theme and a  unique design.  This one is Bunnies and Butterflies.

Wait til you see what is inside!  This collection is sooo charming!

Country Bunny

I call this second mini album Country Bunny.  Look how sweet the face is on this handsome bunny rabbit!

The soft colors of this collection are so warm and inviting!

You will find lots and lots of sweet bunnies inside these double pull out pages!

Bunnies and Bonnets

Do you see the gorgeous lace trim that comes in the kit?  It adds so much lovely texture to the design!

This album has a wrap around spine and one of my precious vintage buttons.

And I’ve added some surprise elements inside the pages, too!

Spring Fling Fold Out Folio

I am over the moon for the images in this paper collection!  Look at this adorable little outfit!  This flip folio measures 5 1/2″ x 5 1/2″ with a 1/2″ spine.

You’ll find tags, mini folios and pockets tucked inside.

To see all of the elements, you’ll have to watch the video project share below.

Country Bunny Boxed Mini Album Set Project Share on YouTube

I’m extremely honored to be part of Tamra’s release party!  She’s such a good person, and so generous with the crafting community.  If you’re not familiar with you, you can find her on Facebook.  Her shop is loaded with lots and lots of paper pretties, too!  You can find out more about Country Bunny HERE.

I’ll be back tomorrow to share a card that I made with this lovely collection.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

 

Authentique Harvest Autumn Banner

Authentique Harvest Autumn Banner by Kathy Clement Kathy by Design Photo 01

Authentique Harvest Autumn Banner

Hello, Friends!  Let’s welcome fall today with an Authentique Harvest Autumn Banner.  Harvest is a wonderful retired Authentique paper collection, and has always been a favorite of mine.  So when a friend asked me to make her a fall banner for her home, I knew immediately that this was the collection I wanted to work with.  The warm autumn color palette, the rich vintage images and the fabulous patterned papers offer everything I want for fall home decor.

Banner Tips and Tricks

I love to mix and match pennant shapes when I am making a banner.  Contrasting shapes add so much visual interest to the overall design.  For this banner, combine the Eileen Hull House/Pocket die with some shaped tags.  The rounded edge of the tags paired up with the pointed edge of the House/Pocket die provides wonderful shaped edge along the bottom of the banner.

Banner pennants are small spaces.  But you still want to add layers, right?  An easy solution is to combine die cut layers, like these die cut circles, with fussy cut layers.  Adding foam dimensionals between  these layers provides lots of depth and dimension.

Texture also plays an important role when designing a banner.  The netting ribbon , jute ribbon, plaid ribbon, crochet lace and flowers all have different textures that harmonize well.

Think about adding some text to your banner design.  It’s a welcome break from all the patterns and images.

Don’t be afraid to cut large images down to a size that fits your surface.  I wanted to use this sentiment from a 6″ x 4″ journal card.  Obviously it was too big for the area I had to work within.  But by centering the sentiment inside a circle die, I was able to create a perfectly sized focal image.

Tuck large elements, like these beautiful fall flowers, behind a focal image to really make it stand out.  You can also fussy cut small sentiments, mat them on scraps of cardstock and layer them into the composition to create a balanced vignette.

I hope I’ve shared some tips, tricks and ideas you can use to add warmth and beauty to your autumn home décor.

Thank so much for stopping by!

Cheerio,

kathy

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