Thursday, November 19, 2009

GET R DONE FRIDAY - Angel for your Fireplace Mantle

Welcome to this weeks' segment of GET R DONE FRIDAY!

If you are visiting and would like to join us, please do! It is very easy! All you have to do is:
  • Create post about a project you have completed - it can be something 'crafty', remodeling, planting a vine or a vineyard - it's totally up to you!
  • Link in with the Mr. Linky at the bottom of this post.
  • Visit all the participates and leave a comment so they know you have stopped by.
NOTE: Be sure to refer viewers back to my blog so everyone can see who is participating today, and if you like - include the GET R DONE FRIDAY picture button (seen at the top of today's post) in your write-up. Please have your post up before linking in with a perma-link. Thanks so much!I've been working on gift baskets to sell in a little shop on the west side of the BIG CITY. I'm not quite finished with all of the contents, but here's a little something I DID complete in time for GET R DONE FRIDAY - a Fireplace Mantle Angel!I had an idea of what I wanted to craft, so I drew out a simple pattern for each part of the angel a little larger than what I would like the finished item to be, to allow for seams - and labeled the pattern pieces and wrote how many pieces needed to be cut. Muslin was what I used for the body, hands, and wings. I wanted to quilt the wings, so I used batting sandwiched in between 2 pieces of muslin. Homespun fabric in plaid was used for the dress. I found some cool kinky yarn to use for the hair.I sewed the body, hands, and dress after cutting them out. The side of the body was left open for stuffing with fiber fill.
The bottom of the dress was left open, as were the sleeve holes and the boat-neck. I did a 'running stitch' for a primitive look for the hem.The wings can be cut out using pinking shears, but these particular wings was just cut out and I did a machine feather stitch around the inside edges, and a puzzle-like stitch to quilt them. I like the way it turned out. Next comes stuffing - and - I used a zip lock baggie with dried navy beans to place in the bottom, surrounded by fiber fill. It makes a flatter bottom for setting this angel bust on a shelf or a mantle.I sculpted a nose using tiny running stitches, pulling them firmly, and tying the thread off in the side seam of the face.Next, I stained the muslin slightly. There are many ways of doing this - I crumbled instant coffee in my fingertips and rubbed it into the fabric. Quick and easy.Then, the fun begins! I drew dots for eyes, and straight lines for eyebrows and mouth. Hot glue attached the bow on my angel's neck, and also her hairdo, once I figured out how I wanted to create it. You can use yarn, or even baling twine for an 'oh so Prim Look'!Here is one completed angel, embelished with pine green, puka pods, and rose hips - a berry wreath around her head!...And, another angel girl, with the words "Primitive Blessings" in a running stitch across her wings! She has buttons down the front of her dress, and carries pine cones and a branch!
Here is a near completed gift basket. I will add another jar of goodies, and a couple packets of a tasty treat mix, and with some extra raffia and colored crinkle paper, it will be ready for sale!

What have YOU been working on this week? Did you GET R DONE? Have a great weekend!

11 comments:

Angela said...

Hey Monica!

Your Angel is just beautiful! You sure do have talent at sewing, crafting, baking and decorating! I hope that you do good at selling your gift baskets!

Get R Done Friday!
Angela

Debra@CommonGround said...

Wow, what talent! I love these angels and their primitive look. I had to chuckle over their cute hair, I can relate in the morning. The gift baskets are darling! Thanks for coming by, and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Debra

Barbara Jean said...

These are just too prim cute!!
Thanks for hosting Monica. You are doing such a great job.

blessings

barbara jean

Gail said...

Your angel is darling. Thanks for hosting.

Neabear said...

I love your angels! They turned out great and so adorable. You are so creative. Love love love it!!!

I am getting there with my closet project!

~Linnea

Chatty Crone said...

Gee Monica - is there anything you can't do? You are one talented woman.

Dances with Corgis said...

Very cool idea for a blog, btw!

You corgi owners sure are a talented bunch :)

Unknown said...

You are just TOO CREATIVE!!!!
Luv the ideas you come up with! I only wish I had the time and the know how to do some of them....quilting is scaring me, although, I think I might like to try it sometime!
Have a HAPPY and BLESSED Thanksgiving!

Marjorie (Molly) Smith said...

Love your Angel, they look so simple to make, why can't I do it?...Not much of a sewer here...lol..I really like these, must give it a try.
Happy Thanksgiving
Molly

farmlady said...

This is just wonderful. You are so creative. I really should try to make more things like this for Christmas.
Was that the "Teddy Bears Picnic" painting I saw on the wall above the fireplace mantle? I love it! Your home must be charming.

Troy @ I Refuse to Recede said...

I am so excited that I found a place where I can show off my projects before I am done. I always hate waiting until it is finished to talk about it.

Your angels look like they will be a fun addition to your home this season.

I'm working on a project myself, feel free to stop by and check it out!

Troy