134: one, two, three....under the sea

2010 is here.  

I'm not in a very introspective mood right now.  I've been reading lots of lovely posts about what people have accomplished over the last year, and sort of feel that's what I'm "supposed to" write about.  But I'm just not there.  

It's true, my life has changed A LOT in the last year, and almost all for the better, but I think looking forward to all I need to start on this new year is getting in the way.  So pardon me if I don't reminisce with the rest of you folks, and just simply move on to new things...

 

Anyway, this is a little preview of a room I've been meaning to show you.  It's Theo's nursery/bedroom, and it, as you can guess, has an under-the-sea theme.  

This is my favorite project from the room.  A counting collage.  Each number has a corresponding sea animal, and you'll note I didn't forget the often neglected 0.

   

Here's how I made it:

 First I figured out which animals I wanted to use.  Of course you could do it with any theme you'd like, from flowers or fruit to trucks or zoo animals.  Really just about anything works.

Then I researched pictures and drawings of the intended subjects.  The internet is so wonderful for those of us not too confident in our illustrating capabilities.  I wanted to trace the images so they could be recreated in only 1 or 2 colors.

 Then I took the outline drawings and traced them onto Steam-a-Seam2.  Remember you have to do the reverse of what you want in the end.  Then I stuck the outlines on the fabric and cut out the shapes.  Little things like the crab legs I did in separate little pieces instead of trying to cut out one big complicated thing.

I printed out the numbers and traced them on the Steam-a-Seam2 the same way.

 
 

 I had pre-planned the layout and the sizes of each piece I wanted.  They are made from regular wood canvas stretchers you can get at art supply stores (mine were ordered online to get all the different sizes).  

 Using the "frames" as a guide I laid out each number with it's animals onto a larger piece of batik fabric.  When I was satisfied with the composition I ironed them in place according to the instructions.

Since they're going to hang on a wall and not really get "used" didn't feel I had to stitch the edges or anything for stability.  But I did do a satin stitch around the numbers for an outline.

 
Then I "stretched" each one over the stretchers.  All I did was use a staple gun to staple it smooth over an around to the back of the stretchers.  You want to start in the middle of each side and work you way out to prevent wrinkles.

 And then hang them all up on the wall in a pleasing layout.  

I want to type: "That's it!" here, but who am I kidding?  It was a lot of work....

But so worth it.

JT

Comments

[Erin Compton]

Such a great idea, a lot of work but not very difficult, just tedious. I'm a bit inspired now!

[Erin Compton]

Also, I'm with you on looking ahead! We closed on our first home yesterday so all I can really think about is the future!

[Karen]

These are great - you have wonderful ideas!
I found your felt crown tutorial thrugh another blogger and made some for my three children and two friends for Christmas - they were very well received - so thank you for sharing your great ideas.
(I realised after that on the crowns for my girls I had done the square the letter is in the wrong way around, but never mind!)

[Theresa]

I really, really, really love this!!!! Very inspiring!

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

It's awesome!

[Sophie]

Gorgeous ! Such a good job ! :D

[Kathy]

Beeeautiful!! I am not a big fan of batiks but they looks so wonderful on these little wall hangings. Lovely work.

[nanann]

Those are awesome! Love!

[Amberlee]

Wonderful I love this. And I love that you have zero!

[Lisa Mathis]

Wow, love it!! It looks like something I could almost do, lol.

[Lyz]

I also made your felt crown for my daughter for Christmas this year! I'm planning one for my son and a backup to have for visiting friends.:)

This is a great idea! I'm brainstorming ways to make the frame part cheaper (that seems like the most expensive part of the project)- could you just put them in photo frames minus the glass? Hmmm...

[Liz]

It turned out really cute. Way to go!

[Rerto Jordans]

I'm glad to be of your space. The pictures are good-looking, and writing is very good!