Friday, January 29, 2010
Home Decor Lesson
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Fabric Covered Canvas Wall Hanging Tutorial...that's a mouthful
- A canvas of whatever size you choose. Or several canvases if you want to just put several next to each other. Mine was a 24x36.
- Fabric of your choice. I have 3 pillow case covers made of heavier home decor fabric. The amount of fabric you'll need will obviously depend on your canvas, the amount of patterns you use, etc.
- Sewing machine
- Thread
- Staple gun and staples
- Iron and ironing board
Alright, are you ready? Let me know if anything doesn't come across very clearly!
I started out with 3 pillow case covers that I then cut up into 6 seperate pieces. I just removed the zipper from each as I cut along the seams. If you have regular fabric from a bolt, etc. you'll want to measure the size you need and add a 1/2 inch to the sides on the inside and 3 1/2 inches to the top or bottom or sides for the seams and canvas wrapping allowance. Does that make sense? You need 1/2 inch for all of the inside seams and at least 3 1/2 inches for all of the outside edges so you can wrap it around the canvas.You will want to lay out your pieces and find the pattern you want before proceeding. Then take the top left piece and bottom left piece and put the right sides together. Sew with a 1/4 inch seam as shown below. Do this for the middle and outside 2 pieces as well.
You should have 3 pieces now with each attached at the middle seam.
Now you'll want to open up the seams and iron them flat so they lay nicely on the canvas. Then attach the 3 pieces together (also with right sides together) and do the same with those seams. (I forgot to take a picture of this process, but it should be easy. If not, let me know.)
You will then have one big piece like a quilt with all 6 pieces sewn together.
Now you will need your staple gun. I bought mine at Target today for $10.00 and you'll need staples too, they come seperately. I just bought a light duty one and it's fine for these projects.
I marked the center of the frame (on the back) and lined my seam up with it. Then you take the staple gun and push it right up against the fabric and wood and push hard. This can be rather addicting...I put lots of staples into mine just because it's fun! Follow with the opposite side marking the middle and pulling taught so your fabric looks nice on the front. (You might want to look at the front just to make sure it's all centered right! I then worked my way up both of the sides with the staple gun.Here's a close up. My edges are raw because they won't be showing and remember that I just got some pillow cases apart, so the edges are looking rather rough!!
Now do the top and bottom pieces and work your way out. When you get to the end you'll tuck the corners in so the top can come down and it will lay flat. Just play with it until you get it right. A mitered corner works great. I put 2 staples in just for good measure. I had quite a bit of extra fabric at the top and bottom because I had more than 3 1/2 inches for the allowance. I went ahead and just trimmed the excess so my canvas would be able to hang right.
Now hang it up and enjoy it! If you ever get sick of your art work you can always recover it!!
Let me know if you had a hard time following my tutorial, I'm new at this tutorial thing.
Go ahead and leave a comment too, I kind of feel like I'm talking to no one!!! :)
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Parker Family Photos



Isn't this guy the cutest? He kept getting his Spiderman webs out and shooting me with them! I wish I had only known this at the beginning of the session because it finally got him smiling! 

Isn't this the sweetest mother/daughter picture! You can tell that these 2 have a close relationship! They are always the life of the party!
This couple was so much fun! They were willing to do anything I asked of them and were even creative themselves! Thanks for the fun times!!! 
Friday, December 18, 2009
Picture Puzzle Blocks
- Six 2 inch wooden blocks from a craft store. (Or you can adjust and you any size blocks you want.) When choosing the blocks try to make sure they really are square. The store I went to only had 6 left and one had a split in the block which doesn't allow it to fit properly.
- 6 photos printed on real photo paper
- Sand paper
- Acrylic paint in desired color
- Paper cutter
- Modge Podge
- Photo box (optional)
First you will need to sand your blocks down just enough to get rid of sharp edges and roughen up the sides for paint to stick. Remove any dust from the blocks. Then paint a few sides of the blocks with your acrylic paint. You'll have to paint in sections so the paint can dry before you move to the other sides.
While the paint is drying you need to cut your pictures into 6 squares using your paper cutter. I followed the size dimensions on the Roberts site but would suggest cutting your pictures just under 2 inch squares so they fit on the blocks but don't have too much space. Notice how the top middle block isn't squared up? That one has the split in it.
When your blocks are dry you can paint some modge podge onto a few blocks and paste your pictures. After all 6 squares of one picture are on, then paint more modge podge on top of the pictures. When one picture is done, rotate the blocks all in the same direction and repeat with your next picture. Working again a section at a time between drying times!
When it's dry you're all done! I have a small picture box thing that is 4x6 inches and fits the blocks perfectly. It's optional, but a nice way to hold the blocks. I imagine you can get one at a craft store!Saturday, December 12, 2009
The Hull Family
So cute! Little Miss "A" is full of so much personality!
Awww, so sweet!Key Fob Winner!
#12 which was Kristina Noall. I know you moved today, so send me your new address and I'll ship it to you!!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Lee Family
This good woman is Miranda's therapist! She has been kind enough to do some therapy in exchange for a family photoshoot! It's to this woman that I owe some thanks for my daughter starting to finally feel better!!! Here she is with her cute family!



Yes, there was a lot of laughing in this photoshoot! They are too much fun!




