Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Sparrow Paintings

Last week, I got a catalog in the mail from The Country House. I sat down in a cute rocking chair on our new screened in porch (pix will come when I get my computer back!) and flipped through it.

You know what a challenge I find decorating for Spring to be, right? Ok, so I'm looking through this catalog and see these beautiful Sparrow paintings. Here's one and here's the other.

Aren't those lovely? Honestly, though - they were out of my price range! But, I felt the crafty fun inside start to bubble up and decided to hit Wal-Mart and see what I could find to create these!

So, here is what I did:

I found a package of three 12x16 canvas boards for about $6 in the craft section at Wal-Mart. A few craft paints and brushes, markers and a sponge. All set!

I just poured some paint out onto the canvas and then used a sponge to cover the whole thing with blue for the background.

Next, I used masking tape to mark off an area for a brown stripe. Now, just because I'm me and I like some grunge - this was too neat for me. Too perfect - so I needed to do something to it!

Just take the sponge with the little brown paint left from doing the stripe and rub it all over the blue. Now, go wash out your sponge and rub it all over again until it is just how you like it!

Here's the side by side - on the left is the nice pretty neat blue and on the right is the grungy. Which one do you like best?

Get a skinny paint brush and start drawing some sticks - whatever you like goes here!

Little dabs of gray paint make pussy willows!

Write on the verse of your choice next, I used a skinny brown marker from my girls' marker stash for this part!

Can you tell I'm putting off the bird? I cannot draw birds. And, I'm sort of dreading this part - but here goes nothing! First, I decide to print off the bird from the painting in the catalog just to trace around the edges of it. So, here is the bird template.

And, here is where I traced around it. Doing good so far.

Next, I just did my best to make it look like a bird at all. I know this is amateur, but it's ok - no one is going to be at my mantle examining how professional my birds look, right?

I made one for each end of my mantle - with two different Scriptures. Can't wait to add some more spring to my mantle next year!

I spent right at $10 for the supplies for these and am pleased with how they turned out! What do you think? If you try one - I'd love to see how it turns out! Or, come back tomorrow - because I'll be giving one away!

35 comments:

Bonnie said...

These are great Monica!

Megan said...

Monica..it's fabulous!

Crystal said...

Very nice job. They turned out wonderful

Dayna (Spear) Guenther said...

Awesome! So glad you shared that you can't draw birds, because that was my first thought when you said you were going to "make" these paintings! I thought, Great for her, but I can't do animals! Wow! If that's your result when you "can't" draw birds, I'm impressed, encouraged, and inspired!

*carrie* said...

I admire you for even attempting this, but am in awe of how great these turned out. Enjoy them!

Anonymous said...

Good grief, girl! How did God pack so much talent in one little lady?! You are an inspiration to each of us to be creative -- not to be afraid to jump right in and try something. There's no reason we shouldn't try to create loving touches for our homes with our own two hands and the resources the Lord provides. We don't need to pay high dollar to have something done by a "professional." Very nice job!

Melissa said...

Those are super cute! You did a great job on the bird.

Dawn said...

You are very talented! They look wonderful. :-0

Mom said...

Well done! These look great on your mantle and really fit in with your decor. :) Love you, Mom

Wendi said...

Wow! Those turned out great. I get lots of inspiration from The Country House catalog. I also agree that most of their things are out of my price range. Great job!

Debbie in PA said...

Very nice, Monica. I like the "grunge" look better as well. What verse did you choose for your second painting?

Anonymous said...

Ooh! I love them! Very talented, Monica!

Jacki said...

They ae awesome!! I love reading yoour blog in the morning. It really lifts me up!!! Praise God for you and all that you share!!!

Katy said...

very cute! You did a great job! :)

Stef said...

WOW - it's official, I am the least talented person on the internet!!

angie said...

I think these paintings are more meaningful because they were created by your own hands.
I can't wait to see the one that you are giving away tomorrow.

Ruth said...

I think they're adorable. I can't draw well either but with these guidelines it looks like it would be easy and fun.

Ruth

~katie~ said...

Add artistry to your many list of talents Monica!! I love the way you added scripture so beautifully to your home!

Nina said...

I did the same thing recently! I'm decorating a nursery for my soon to be born baby girl and the picture that matched her bedding was $250!! So, I tapped into my innercreativity and painted it myself! Let me know if you'd like to see pictures of the inspiration and the final outcome. ninabeth19 at gmail dot com

elizabeth said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Adorable! I love the little bird :)

Unknown said...

I absolutely LOVE that!! So Creative!!

Anonymous said...

Monica, what does a day of yours look like? I feel like I'm always behind on something, and I rarely craft! How do you keep your home nice, cook nutritional meals, care for your children, do school, and still have time to craft?! I'm struggling to juggle everything, and would love some wisdom.

Heather said...

Very pretty! Love the grunge. I was just thinking about painting pussywillows today. :)

rachel@thecupcakesprinklesinlife said...

Great job Monica- birds are tough! :)

Which reminds me of the painting project that I've left undone.....

Monica Wilkinson said...

Matthew 10:29 and Matthew 6:26 are the two verses I used.

Ami said...

I may have to copy you yet again. These are wonderful! My mantle is looking quite sparse now that my forsythia cuttings are spent. This is great spring inspiration! I think I like the bright blue a little better than the grungy - I would probably not paint the blue on very solid. Great job on this. Especially the bird!

Angela said...

WOW Monica I am so impressed by your bird! That would be so hard for me, yet yours looks prettier than in the original. Nicely done!

Angelia in TX said...

I have let uncertainty keep me from doing many enjoyable things like this...most of my life. God Has taught me to try new things. And I have found many things that I enjoy doing. You made these treasure from your heart of making a home. What beautiful seasonal decoration and family keepsakes. I really want to run to Walmart and get me some canvas. Smiles Angelia

Tracy said...

Love these!!! Your birds are wonderful!

I would have never thought of the grunge...

My Easter garland is the best thing on my mantle right now:)

forr2girls said...

I think you did a great job! I would be proud to have one of your paintings for my home!

Shannon said...

Absolutely beautiful, Monica. I was just wishing I had the time/money to order something before a get together this weekend - now I might try to make something!

Leanne said...

that is beautiful!! and inspiring!

Anonymous said...

My favorite aspect of spring is how all livng things become alive and folks are eager to plant and watch their plants grow! Lois Cavanagh-Daley returned54@yahoo.com

Theresa said...

Beautiful!! You did a great job.