Anthro inspired ~ Canvas Flower Wall Art

I did a guest post at Flamingo Toes a few weeks ago with this project. I am posting the whole tutorial on my blog today in case you missed it.

You might have noticed by looking at my blog... I have many interests; You know what that means? I have lots and lots of things in my studio; fabrics, laces, ribbons, papers, beads... etc. you name it. I do not like to waste things and have a hard time parting with beautiful items that I think can be incorporated into future projects. If you are like me and keep tiny pieces of fabrics, this might be the perfect project for you!

A long time ago, I saw this on the Anthropology website and I fell in love with it...

Because of the cost ($88 a pillow? No way!) I never purchased it, but this was on my list of "things to make".

When I was asked to join Scrap Busting Extravaganza, the pillow came to my mind, but then... I thought "hey, what if I make wall art instead!" So, that is what I am going to share with you today.

{You will need} 24" x 24" canvas Fabric scraps Thin fusible interfacing (1 yard+) Mod Podge Sponge brush Scissors, pencil

{How to}

1. Lay down the fusible interfacing on the ironing board fusible side up. Lay out the fabric scraps wrong side down on top of the interfacing. Place them close to minimize the gap between the scraps. This way when you are pressing it with the iron, the sticky thing doesn't ruin your iron. There are a couple reasons to do this step; stiffing the fabric, so they become easier to cut into shapes and also to prevent the edges from fraying.

2. Cut a circle for the center of the flower. Mine is about 3" in diameter.

3. Cut fabrics for second layer and third layer. I found that it is easier to cut several petals then paste them with Mod Podge. There are 1/8" to 1/4" space between each petals.

4. The trick to have nicely curved edges to fit with the previous petal is to trace the edge lightly with pencil...

Then cut! When you lay down the fabric on top of the previous one, you can feel a slight bump. just lightly trace it. See, what I mean? Repeat the process to make the flower to your desired size.

5. Now, you are ready to seal it. For this step, I recommend to use a wider sponge brush. Apply generous amount of Mod Podge and spread it all over the canvas. You want minimal contact with the petals and brush so you don't start fraying the edges.

6. It looks a little "milky", but don't worry it will dry clear.

Once it is dry, time to display!

I love how it turned out! I walked around my house to see possible placement of this new wall art. I haven't decided exactly where, but I will show you a few candidates...

On my mantle?

On my cabinet in the formal living room?

Or by the window in the family room?

The last few weeks, it was on my living room wall, but now I moved it to my newly painted laundry room. I had a couple different things for the wall in mind and I asked my kids which one they liked. They love the vibe this wall art gives to the room.

New Jewelries for my Shop and One for Me

It was bitter sweet waving the kids good-by when they were off to school this last Monday. We made a lots of fun memories together during the summer but I could tell they were ready to go back to school. I have been spending lots of time with them more than sitting in my sewing room, and I am glad I did. In the last couple weeks when I had downtime I made some jewelries for my etsy shop and one for my self.

Do you remember this post? I posted some cute findings at a local gift shop a while ago.

I used the vintage buttons and things I already had to create this green themed necklace. I don't know why, but I have been drawn to green lately.

I love how it turned out and I know it will be a great addition to my wardrobe.

and Yes! I am already wearing it!

Here are some jewelries that I created for my shop...

Flower patch bracelet; this is one of my favorite pieces. I love looking at all the different flowers on the bracelet, So cute and different.

Vanilla Rose necklace; I love the simplicity of this necklace. I told you that I have been drawn to green. :)

Bee Keeper necklace. I am actually creating another one with different colors too. The combination of black and gold gives this necklace a more sophisticated look.

Flower Bouquet Ring: It is a fun statement ring you can wear daily.

Date Night bracelet; I LOVE THIS bracelet. Simple theme with a grown-up look. This bracelet can go with casual outfits as well as more dressed up outfits.

Was there anything that caught your eye? I will be adding them to my etsy shop soon!

Dollar Store Project / Eyeglass Case to Sewing Kit Case

I picked up an eyeglass case at the dollar store the other day with the intention of making this sewing kit case for my niece who started to show interest in sewing. I thought she would like something like this to carry around. :)

Because the eyeglass case you can find might be different size and all, I am not going to give measurements and such. This is a brief how-to-post.

{You will need}

Eyeglass case
Fabric of your choice for outside and inside the case
Mod Podge
Sponge Brush
Ribbon to hide the hinge area
Fabric glue (or glue gun)

{How to}

1. Cut fabric for the inside and outside of the case. For outer fabric, make sure that you have enough to cover the whole thing and tuck inside the case. For inner fabric, cut the edges with pinking shears to prevent fraying.

2. It is helpful to use a small dish and such to trace the curve and cut the corners.
Also, fold the fabric horizontally in the middle, cut into about an inch or so from both sides to make it easier to hold the fabric in around the hinges.

3. Spread the mod podge onto the case evenly and carefully place the fabric. Make sure there are no air bubbles. Then attach the inner fabric in the same manner too.


4. I pasted small ribbons around the hinges area to hide the "ugly" part that I couldn't get quite right. If you don't need it, you can skip this part.

5. Make a small pincushion. All you need to do is measure the inside of the case and decide how big you want the pincushion to be. Don't forget to add an inch or so to the measurement, when you stuff it, the length and width will "shrink" (because it gets puffy). Glue the pincushion inside of the case.


That's how I made this sewing kit case.

Do you wanna see the inside?

I didn't have any plan when I was making this. I just went with the flow. If I am going to make this again, I think I will try to pay more close attention to the hinge area. You don't want fabric to get bulged up around that area, because the case won't close all the way. I had to redo it a couple times. Keep that in mind, but it is a fairly fun and easy project, not to mention very cheap too! :)