Elements d'Art: Autumn Welcome Sign

I always anticipate the arrival of Fall, when my home turns into an open door gathering place, welcoming family, friends and neighbors. That gave me the idea for this project, to create a welcome sign to greet my guests at our courtyard's front gate. I wanted to use a mix of rich textures and soft muted colors, all inspired by Autumn.

 
 
 To start, I love using chipboard album pages, for my signs. I find that they are super sturdy and already have the holes in place for the ribbon! I used 2 pieces of chipboard in an 8x8 size.

Technique 1: Paper Pleating

I love how girly and ruffly the paper becomes after a few simple steps. For the base of my sign, I cut clothing patterns into long 2 inch wide strips, and gathered the paper, making lots of pleats as I sewed one side. (you can achieve the same look by using a stapler, and stapling every couple of pleats too.) Then glue them to the edges of my chipboard page. After the glue dries, you can fluff up the paper and I also added a piece of dark brown lace over the top of the gathered patterns.

 

Next is the fun part! Using the 2nd. chipboard page, I used a mix of papers, textured wall paper, tulle and fabric to create layers. I lightly distressed the edges of the papers. Once all of the paper layers were in place and adhered, I added 2 types of trim, one beaded and one upholstery tassels. (i love touchy-feeling elements of paper projects!) Once I was done layering all of the paper onto the chipboard, I used E6000 glue to adhere both of the chipboard pages together.
 
Technique 2. Stamp Ink Masking

For the title, I really wanted it to stand out a bit, so this was the perfect chance to layer using various textures rather than just papers. I started with a plain piece of shaped cardboard, painted the cardboard and then sanded down the edges and used a masking technique with a paper doily. I loved the texture of the cardboard and didn't want to cover it up too much, so I placed a doily in the middle and blotted a gold ink pad over the top of the doily. It created this light dainty pattern, which I loved!!
 
This is a quick tutorial to make your own handmade flower! I love an unexpected splash of color, and flowers are always pretty adornments! 
 
  Technique 3: Flower Embellishment

Materials:
1 piece of fabric cut into a strip (mine was 8 in. long)
yarn
beads
needle and thread
 
Directions:

1. Cut 5-6 scallops into the piece of fabric
2. use a running stitch to sew the length of the strait part of fabric
3. gather the ends of the thread, pull fabric tightly together and knot
4. gather the yarn into a loose ball and stitch into the center of the flower
5. sew a few beads into the center of the yarn, and knot the thread again.

  
  I finished my sign with a few extras, a thirfted crocheted doily, a couple of leaves and a row of buttons. I'm always looking for pretty found objects that will fit into my Fall theme! Hope this inspires you to create something Autumnish this season! xo~ Tara
 

Comments

[Kathryn Johnson]

So gorgeous! Love it!

[Jen M]

Oh Tara, this is AWESOME! Gorgeous! I'm so going to find my old dress patterns and make ruffles! So pretty!!!

[ScrapNSister1]

awesome ideas. thanks for the inspiration...i want to try it all! :)

[DecorQuips]

Wonderful finds here! Also, I made an interesting discovery. Here’s an excerpt from an article I wrote about it this month…
DÉCOR TIPS & QUIPS from AlphabetPIX.com
Bring Out The YOU In Your Home Decor!
Bill Blass said, “Style is primarily a matter of instinct.” Decorating takes on a new meaning for each individual. Different tastes in decor mean different furniture, artwork and color palettes. So what is the rule of thumb for making your place zing if it’s not a certain style, pattern, or color?
Bring out the Y-O-U!
Make a statement and let your personality shine through! Add your zing to make it pop. Hang something personal on the wall with a few well-chosen accents-bold and beautiful. The trend for decor is becoming more and more personalized.
Whatever you want to say while decorating, say it with your own individual style. Put it out there for the world to see and don’t look back. Express yourself! When people enter your home they’ll shoot you a complementary smile, knowing it looks and feels sooooo perfectly like you. And no one can do YOU better.
by T. Miller
Décor Tips & Quips from AlphabetPIX
http://www.alphabetpix.com
Take your individual decorating style to a whole new level of personalization, and discover a new way of looking at the world around you - Create your own Personalized Name Art with Photos That Look Like Letters!
tags: alphabetpix, personalized name art, alphabet photography, alphabet photo art, name in photos, photo letters, photo name designs, name gifts, name photos, photo alphabet, personalized gifts, name designs, decorating, home décor, interior design, wall art, design ideas, wedding gifts, personal gifts, personal art

[angie backen]

this is GORGEOUS, tara! i'm loving how you used the sewing pattern and i'm definitely gonna try those flowers. you rock. :)

[Bad Girls]

This arts are really nice. The patterns are attractive and awesome.

[Sarah Lou]

Love love these. Adore the sewing paper ruffle!!! such amazing eye candy!

[Monica]

This is all so cool. Awesome idea's...can't wait to try them...
Thanks
x0x0x
Madzie09

[Nia]

So so beautiful! You're so talented, Tara!

[Beth Perry]

It's soo amazing and beautiful!

[Karen Dodson]

This is GORGEOUS Tara!!! Just beautiful!!

[Linn]

this is so beautiful! :)

[ScrappyDandyDoo]

Gorgeous, love the use of the pattern paper :D
Julie xx

[toni]

What a fun project... loved the use of the old pattern... thank you :).... so pretty

[Cris]

i just LOVE this Tara!!!!!!! Love how you used the sewing pattern. Did you cut those scallops by hand they're so perfect. I want to make one of these for sure...just gorgeous