I’ve been busy making miscellaneous things…a mish-mash of this n’ that creating whatever comes to mind, using whatever’s around. Dashing to the stores to buy art supplies during this very busy time of year is NOT on my to-do list. And speaking of lists, here’s something that I made to add a little bit more whimsy to my personal Christmas wish list.
Altering spools is a good way to use up those little bits n’ pieces.
Recycling cardboard to create collage ornaments using bird images and various spare parts is easy and inexpensive. I’m always looking for ways to save time and money, plus I’m a big fan of being mindful towards conserving resources. Growing up with less I’ve learned to make the most out of whatever’s on hand…I never would’ve guessed that doing without could end up being somewhat of a blessing.
If you have any specific questions regarding the how-to details for the above projects please feel free to leave your questions in the comments, and I’ll be happy to answer them in the coming days. Since I’ve posted three separate projects, I thought this option would be easier…I hope it works out that way.
31 Comments, Comment or Ping
Love all your little projects made from bits and pieces. I should use that method to clean up my studio! Happy Holidays.
December 6th, 2010
These are amazing! You have such original and fantastically creative ideas! I love them!!!!
December 6th, 2010
Your little mish-mash has inspired me again!
xo
jeanne
December 6th, 2010
Becky, “Make Dos” are fun! It’s amazing what one can do with scraps! Don’t you just dislike throwing those little bits and pieces away! I made a bunch of little tags the other day with scraps, put buttons on them and packaged them 3 to a bag for giving away with my sold items. So much fun!
Love the spools!
Hugs,
Diane
December 6th, 2010
Thanks for the kind comments ladies, and thanks for the tag give away idea Diane.
December 6th, 2010
I love your mish mash! I especially love the mitten and bird house!
I also love your list~ I bought a bundt pan a few weeks ago, so excited to see this is coming back, but why did it go away?! I love the spools, too…
It is always interesting to challenge ourselves with our remnants! You can make anything pretty~ I love all your unique touches!
December 6th, 2010
What lovely mish mash! It was a lovely way to start my day, very inspiring. I am so in love with your wish list and the wire mitten. Wouldn’t mind knowing how you did that.
love me 🙂
December 6th, 2010
Thanks Tracey. To make the mitten, begin by using 20 gauge wire to form the mitten shape (this will be the base.) Then wrap and criss cross 24 gauge wire around the mitten base (allow some wire slack for a slightly rounded form as you’re wrapping the wire.) When you’re satisfied with the wire wrapping, use the end of the wire to create a hanging loop at the top of the mitten. The wish list is created from a piece of scrap cardstock, typed words adhered to cardstock with a glue stick, a piece of crochet (cut from a vintage hankie) that’s handstitched to the cardstock with embroidery needle and thread, aged with Distress Ink (applied with a stiff stencil brush) and a sprinkling of mica flakes (adhered with craft glue.)
December 6th, 2010
the mitten….oh…the mitten. on my wish list: a day creating with you.
December 6th, 2010
Oh come on! How can you be absolutely awesome at so many different things? I want an oodle of that talent!!!!! Gimmee!!!!
December 6th, 2010
Oh Becky, you create such lovely things! You have so much talent, and I love that you make use of bits and scraps – that you’re not wasteful.
I assembled the art supply packs for my art journaling class for the at-risk children this past weekend. Thank you again! :o)
Melody Nunez
December 6th, 2010
Beautiful Becky! I’m interested in how you made the little birdhouse ornament. Also, what do you use to adhere all the lovely bits to your spools? Thanks for sharing your creations!
♥Jenny
December 6th, 2010
Jenny, to make the birdhouse use cardboard for the base (try to find some with texture for more interest.) Cut the cardboard into house shapes. Find some bird images that will fit on the house (or make color copies and adjust the size to fit.) Then hand tear the edges around the bird image and use a glue stick to adhere to the house. Also, tear a piece of sheet music to fit along the bottom of the house and adhere with a glue stick. Use sandpaper to roughen up the bird image. Next, lightly apply Distress Ink (red color) with a stiff stencil brush to random areas of the house. Also, use a black crayon or oil pastel to add definition around the house edges. Wrap and knot some ribbon around the bottom of the house and attach some beaded dangles (created from old necklaces.) Use craft glue to adhere a sprinkling of silver flakes to the house (I used the cheap stuff from the dollar store – comes in gold and silver.) Lastly, use a hole punch to create a hole for hanging and attach a wire hook.
For the spools, I used a combination (machine sewing and craft glue.) Layer, sew, then glue…that’s it. Have fun!
December 6th, 2010
Thanks for the instructions, I hopefully will get to have a play in the next few days.
love me 🙂
December 6th, 2010
Oh my goodness. You never cease to amaze me with your ability to make scraps into beautiful pieces of art. My favorite would have to be the bird house. The mitten with the list is fun too! Thank you for sharing and reminding me over and over that I am surrounded by beautiful things! Take care.
December 6th, 2010
Becky,
You do such beautiful things with so little. I love them all!
Hugs,
Suz
December 7th, 2010
I completely dig your mish mash!!!!!
i think on my wish list is going to be a little bit of becky shander creativity sprinkled upon my head!!!!!
oooxxx
k
December 7th, 2010
that has to be the sweetest and most clever Christmas list i’ve ever seen (and won’t you look fabulous carrying that red umbrella!!)!!! and your ornaments will brighten up the tree in the most wonderful way!!! xoxo
December 7th, 2010
oh, these are all so fun, but i think i love the spools the best! what a great way to use them! i’m always hoarding cereal box cardboard. now you’ve given me an idea of what i can do with it. 🙂
December 7th, 2010
I love the spool idea, and the cardboard bird house. Love your artistic creations!
December 7th, 2010
Love the birds! Did you print these at home? What kind of printer/paper did you use?
December 8th, 2010
Hi Emily, It’s good to hear from you again…I hope that all is happy and well these days. My bird images are from photos that I took while at the museum (stuffed bird display.) Then I made color photocopies (adjusted the size to what I wanted and placed mulitple birds on one sheet to save paper and printing cost.) The texture that you see is from sandpaper and Distress Ink (lightly applied with a stiff stencil brush.)
December 9th, 2010
What a great idea for your ornaments!!!
December 9th, 2010
i love these whimsical do-dads! You are ever so creative . . . I too would wish to spend a day creating with you!
December 10th, 2010
Hi Becky! I’m new to your blog and have to say that I just love it!! I adore the fact that you use what you have to create such adorable things. Your bird tags, wooden spools and felted birds are simply amazing. I look forward to visiting here often. Have a great day.
Hugs,
Robin
December 10th, 2010
Robin, Welcome…and thank you for visiting. I appreciate you taking the time to say hi. And the same goes to everyone else who’s stopped by…thank you very much for the wonderful energy you’ve left behind. Happy weekend friends!
December 11th, 2010
so wonderful to see all the amazing creations you have been making! wishing you and your family a most magical Christmas my friend.
xo
December 11th, 2010
I was inspired by your post and played with my scraps. Thanks for the inspiration!
December 14th, 2010
What a FABULOUS post. There’s just so much goodness going on here. Happy New Year.
December 27th, 2010
These bird tags are wonderful…I love the cardboard base. I’ve been savings bits of corragated cardboard and this may be exactly what I’ve been saving them for!
You share some really wonderful ideas!
January 16th, 2011
Oh my! This is so pretty. I just stumbled upon your blog and love it and all of your art. I’m so glad I found you. Thank you so much also for giving us your instructions on how you made this wonderful piece. I just read it in your answer to another person’s comment.
I’ll be back for sure!
Lee Ann
January 25th, 2011
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