Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Tokens of Love

I'm here!
yes, it's me!
Busy, busy, busy around here.  I had a big deadline this week and today I finally got to the point that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Love that feeling!
In fact, I was feeling so good about it that I had enough time to create a quick little project for Mother's Day.
For some of us Mother's Day can be quite challenging as my Mother passed away many years ago.  I don't need a card or a gift, but I can make something as a little remembrance.  Join me and I'll walk you though the steps.

I am going to use a 4 x 6" burlap panel for the base.  I wanted something I could nail into and the panels have a hard base that I can do just that.  The package comes with two panels (you will need just one for this project).
I cut a piece of paper from the French Industrial paper stash (6 x 6) and a matching piece of chipboard.  I always love something with French writing.  Adhere the two piece together with Collage Glue stick
 Set the paper aside while you paint 4 tack nails with Distress Paint.
I like tack nails because the have a flat head on them to add the paint to.  I didn't know what color I wanted so I painted 4 of each of the metallic colors so I would have a choice.
tip: I used a piece of cork to push the tacks into for painting.  They stand up and I don't get paint all over my fingers.
I decide to go with silver for this project.
Use a small hammer to nail a tack into each corner of the chipboard and right into the hard base.
Then take wire and wrap around the outside edge.  When you get to the nail make a tight loop around the nail and then keep going on around.  This will keep the wire in place.
Next, cut a piece of wool fabric (felt would do also) so that it fits inside the wire.  I stitched around mine with my sewing machine then trimmed the edge just a bit.  DO NOT glue down yet...this is just for sizing.
Next, iron Heat n Bond onto a piece of cream wool.  Heat n Bond is an iron-on adhesive.  Iron it on the back of the fabric with a dry iron.  Once cool, just peel off the paper backing to reveal the adhesive.
 I used the smallest of the Sizzix Sized Circles dies to cut out 3 circles from the creme wool.
 I peeled the paper back off and ironed the circles onto the blue wool strip.
I added a piece of tea dyed cheesecoth to the back, then hand stitched around each of the 3 circles to keep the three layers in place.
Next, I added some little tokens to each circle.  A wishbone at the top, a light pink heart in the center, and a vintage pin purchased at a Flea Market in France last month, at the bottom.  The top two tokens were stitched on with a smoky blue DMC embroidery floss 927 and the pin with creme thread.
 I cut a piece of Wonder Tape to fit the back of the wool piece.
 Then added it to the burlap panel.
Just a couple last touches to finish.
A Chitchat word for each token (inked with Frayed Burlap).  My those chitchat words come in handy.
At the top of the panel...use another tack nail and hammer it into the center.  Can you see it?
I dyed some Crinkle Ribbon with Tattered Rose and a hint of Vintage Photo Distress Stain.  Once fully dry, I cut a small piece and laid it next to the tack nail.
Then created a bow with at least 3 loops on each side and laid that on top of the short piece.   Now just tie a knot in the center to hold it on.
Make sure the short piece is wrapped around the tack nail to keep the bow in place (this picture was taken with the panel flipped over).
 Just like this.
I am so in love with this idea.
I can see it created over and over in different colors and sentiments and for many occasions.

wish - wish she was here
love - will love her always
blessed - that she was my mom
the perfect reminder
And there you go...super easy right?  Easy enough to make one just like it!

cheers for a good week,
paula

38 comments:

  1. How you keep coming up with these great projects...I don't know, but love to see them all and appreciate the step by step pictures and instructions. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  2. What a beautiful reminder! And so simple. Love it!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this piece! I love the mix of materials that you used and the idea of the nail in which to wrap the ribbon! Really amazing! Higs BArbarayaya

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks so much barbarayaya! I appreciate it so much.
      paula

      Delete
  4. Absolutely beautiful Paula! Thanks for sharing :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I love this project so cool thanks for sharing Paula x

    ReplyDelete
  6. this is one of those projects that makes me want to create an exact replica. it touched me to my core. thank you for sharing your creativity and soul with us. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thank you so much Missusg! that means a lot to me.
      paula

      Delete
  7. Great project, Paula. So simple but so elegant.

    ReplyDelete
  8. You have the best ideas! What a wonderful tribute. Thanks for the tip on using the carpet tacks. Appreciate you taking time to share.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks so much sharon...i was struggling to find an idea to work this week with so much going on behind the scenes. Then it just took off...glad where it went!

      Delete
  9. Beautiful sentiment. As always, thank you for sharing. P.S. Your stitching is beautiful, as is everything you do!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks joy! lots of practice stitching I guess!

      Delete
  10. Hmm...amazing what your brain cooks up each time! Each one is different than the last and there is no end to the flow of your brilliant ideas it seems! Thanks for the inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. that is so nice...if only it was true! seriously not every idea is a good one! I think I need to hire you as my personal cheerleader!
      thank! paula

      Delete
  11. Oh...how I love your creations. They come from the heart and speak of love. This is such a gorgeous canvas. I love the felt and the hand stitching. I need to make something as a token of remembrance for my mom...who passed in 2005. You never stop missing your mom!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kathy, you are always so kind. I agree, there is something about hand stitching that makes a piece special.
      much love,
      paula

      Delete
  12. Oh You!
    Another "Perfectly Paula Project" and I don't know how you do it. This is darling and whenever you sew it is always just right. I just love this piece.
    Thank you Paula.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Judy, I love this piece too. I love working with wool and this piece was no exception. Now I need to pick a special spot where i will be able to see it often.
      paula
      xx

      Delete
  13. Your mom's memory truly inspired you, this is so special, just shows what a little love can do...

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is so beautiful. I love that you make something in remembrance of your mom. My sister's birthday is coming up and you inspired me to create something in remembrance too.

    ReplyDelete
  15. That is absolutely beautiful, both the project and the remembrance. I inspired to make one for my Mother too. Many Thanks Michelle xx

    ReplyDelete
  16. What a beautiful piece, you have such fabulous ideas and I love your work. Thanks so much for sharing x

    ReplyDelete
  17. Love this so much. Made me puddle up. I need to make one so when I look at it I smile like I always do when I remember my Mom. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Oh, it's lovely and your photos make it look so easy!

    ReplyDelete
  19. A beautiful tribute to your mum

    ReplyDelete
  20. This is beautiful Paula, a perfect piece to remember your time with your mom. I am sure you visited those memories while making this as wel as everytime you look at it. Your stitching detail really says this is one from the heart, thank you for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thanks Heather! I love hand stitching "something" into a piece and I am much better at making things that come from my heart.
      paula

      Delete
  21. i am in mad mad love with this, paula! every little detail brought together in such a sweet and special way...thank you for sharing such a heartfelt piece! XOXO

    ReplyDelete
  22. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  23. What a wonderful canvas with all it's details, and brilliant way of making that bow. I think I will need to try both!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Such a lovely piece and the bow idea is a great way to get a 'neat' job every time without a clumpy knot, thank you for sharing xx

    ReplyDelete
  25. Great project and what a lovely idea to do it as a commerotative piece for your mother. Love the way you tied the bow!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Thank you for this great tutorial. I don't know about the simple part. But boy o' boy, I'd be willing to try! Thanks for that great bow. I love the crinkle ribbon and will use your technique for a fuller bow.

    ReplyDelete