Leftover Anaglypta + Paint + Tulle + Lace + Paper + Weeds = Nirvana, happy, pretty
After enjoying the Spring weather in DC, I was all inspired and ready to make my May Day basket for Artsy Mama's swap. I'd done a web search on May Day baskets and the results made me giggle.
There were paper plates everywhere! Remember in kindergarten? Take one plate, cut another in half, staple them together, and stuff with paper flowers. Genius, so how could I take this idea and translate it into something more.... ah, sophisticated and swap-worthy?
Hmmm, take one plate...
... and a slice of leftover anaglypta wallpaper. If you're not familiar with anaglypta wallpaper, it's great stuff. Extra thick, it cover a host of problems and will take almost any paint treatment you can throw at it. I've seen it painted to look like tin ceiling or tooled leather. This piece was from a prior home remodeling project, and I'd been packing the scraps around for a few years.
I traced and cut out three circles and three crescents, using scalloped scissors so that the edges would be all pretty. You know, little details matter, right? Or is it just the OCD talking?
Okay, this works. Then I pasted each circle onto book board, which is a nice stable cardboard. Even though it usually doesn't buckle when glued, I still put each piece under the heavy transferware dish so that it would dry perfectly flat.
Next came the paint. I started with a nice mud (yep, that's right...mud) color as the base.
Of course, I didn't stop there. Here are the "plates" after three more layers of paint, and a bit more work. You can see that I've glued a nice little pom trim around the bottom of each crescent section, then added a torn strip of a beautiful embroidered bridal silk around the top edge. A couple scraps of torn paper lace are layered in the envelope section of each plate.
Next I punched holes around only the top of each plate. So far, so good.
I threaded a length of tulle all around the plate, through the holes around the top portion, and through the loops of the pom trim around the bottom. It needed something more, so I added a strip of antique bridal lace, threaded alongside the tulle. This part was tough on my fingers, but a good yarn needle sure helps.
After this part, I moved on to begin stuffing the envelope section of each plate. I used some nice moss, and a bit of shredded paper and excelsior.
.... and then... the kitties arrived. All three of them.
[sigh...] Obviously, It's time for a coffee break.
Eileen
What a beautiful May basket!! A great idea, using the textured paper. Very nice,and lucky will be the recipients!! Enjoying your blog. Linda
Posted by: Linda | Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 03:36 PM
What a gorgeous project!
I hope that you had a wonderful trip.... I am sorry that I have been away for a bit.
Your must LOVELY little gift arrived in the mail and I cannot thank you enough. It was gorgeous.
Take Care my sweet friend.
Posted by: Becky Caldwell | Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 03:11 PM
WOW! So very cool! (the kitty shot is too precious!)
m ^..^
Posted by: m | Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 02:50 PM
Oh this is such a pretty project!! Thanks for sharing.... I have given your blog a little award and posted it on my blog, if you would like to see it:
http://brooksidecottage.blogspot.com/2009/04/another-beautiful-blog.html
Posted by: Joyce | Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 01:04 PM
What a wonderful idea...love it! By the way, your banner is gorgeous.
Posted by: Andrea | Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Oh how pretty!
Posted by: Laura Ingalls Gunn | Tuesday, April 14, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Uh-oh! Trouble is brewing! LOL!
Eileen, your work-in-progress is going to be fantastic!
My kitty just knocked my library books off the coffee table but left my new flower bird nest alone! Ah...random acts of mischief! ;-) But she's always a really good girl. I think she must have slipped. The surface is very slippery.
Diane
Posted by: Diane Knott | Monday, April 13, 2009 at 01:52 PM
What a great idea, and so far they are absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to see what they look like finished. Hugs, Marty
Posted by: marty39 | Monday, April 13, 2009 at 12:49 PM
I never knew what that type of paper was called. Love it and what a fun project!
Posted by: Mrs. Petrie | Monday, April 13, 2009 at 12:41 PM
Ohhh those naughty kitties haha, I have two myself and they always are on top of my creations too !!
But I can't wait to see the finished creations.
Posted by: Ellen Prinsen | Monday, April 13, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Great idea...and I love your header...
Posted by: Becky | Monday, April 13, 2009 at 07:15 AM
Oh, Shoot! I wanted to see the finished product! Shoo those kitties away quickly and let me see ! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia :)
Posted by: Shelia | Monday, April 13, 2009 at 05:44 AM
Can't wait to see more! Methinks I am going to beg Miss Kari to be your partner in some future swap!
Posted by: Jen Day~sugaredsongbird | Monday, April 13, 2009 at 05:16 AM
I think this is a GREAT idea! I can't wait to see how they come together when finished. They'll be covet worthy for sure! :)
Posted by: Artie | Monday, April 13, 2009 at 05:16 AM
What a tease!! It looks like a big undertaking to me (the noncrafter :). Can't wait to to see the end result!
Posted by: susan | Monday, April 13, 2009 at 03:22 AM
Looks really cute.
I like the kitties coming when it was time to stuff the bags :-) and of course sitting right on them.
Posted by: vero | Sunday, April 12, 2009 at 11:00 PM
What a LOVELY idea! I would love to see the finshed product, once the kitty gives it us! Thank you for sharing with us...Sharon
Posted by: Sharon A Kyser | Sunday, April 12, 2009 at 09:32 PM
Intriguing! Can't wait to see the finished project! Cheers, Julie
Posted by: Julie Bouésso | Sunday, April 12, 2009 at 01:48 PM
I can't wait to see how they turn out! Looking good so far. Of course now that the kitty patrol has arrived... all will be well for sure! I received my treasure in the mail on Saturday. THANK YOU SO MUCH! I will post about it tomorrow or the next day. It was so sweet. Happy Easter!
Posted by: Charlene | Sunday, April 12, 2009 at 11:29 AM