Tuesday, June 8, 2010

New and free canvas!!

I don't know about you, but on a dark, cold winters day I always find myself making things from whatever is at hand. Like our 'new and free canvas' for the family room. You may remember the canvas that was up here with the magnolias on it (see side bar photo) that my Sister made, well that is now in another room. This canvas used to be the dark grey one that was above our bed (also see side bar photo). I repainted it in Dulux Chalk White USA, which is the white under our chair rail which I have loads of left still.
Then went outside to our Twisted Willow tree and got a big bunch of long, pliable branches. Stripped the leaves off and set to work.
While Mic and the boys were curled up on the sofa watching a movie by the fire, I laid out the branches and sewed them onto the canvas. Now, I actually started with invisible thread, doubled over for strength, but it still snapped. So if you are going to try this I would use fishing line as it is much stronger...I ended up using a cream cotton instead.
That was it. Free, easy and very quick. I think all up it took about 30 mins to sew the willow on and about 10 minutes for the painting (I cheated and used a hairdryer to dry the paint faster).
Here you can see it with my $5.oo chairs that I showed you a few days ago.
Now, it is not my ideal artwork for the space, but we needed something quickly to go here and seeing I will be changing our decor a bit when we get a new house this will have to do =0)
Ness xx

25 comments:

  1. I wish I was creative like you, that looks fabulous!!!

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  2. It looks amazing and actually before I read your post i thought it was a photo of twigs or twine. The lines look fantastic against the white clever you, Ness.

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  3. It looks great Ness, I have a bunch of willow waiting to be used, so I will give this a go, and see if I can get it looking anywhere near as cute as yours!
    :) Flick

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  4. Lucky you to have the twisted willow in your own yard.
    It looks fabulous.
    Can't get over how fabulous the $5 chairs now look
    Alison

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  5. Ness your art work looks fabulous as usual! You have so much talent and it seems that anything you just throw together looks smashing! I really like it and I am wishing I had some willow somewhere I could use! xx

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  6. Very creative! It reminds me of my uni days studying textiles. Michelle

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  7. Simple, yet very effective! And free!

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  8. Such a fine idea.....lovely...
    Nice day

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  9. Hi Ness,

    Your willow wreath looks really lovely Ness. It certainly matches the colour of your decor!! Hasn't been much of a day here either, so I have lit some candles in a couple of rooms and that seems to brighten things up a bit!! Are you taking the beautiful light in your lounge room when you go? It does look lovely Ness. Anyway, am dragging my feet so better go and get some tea for the troops! See ya tomorrow...
    Take care
    Janine
    XXOO
    N.W. Coast Tassie

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  10. Hi Ness, beautiful idea! And with another ground it's also a nice decoration for outside.

    Hugs

    VINTAGE

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  11. Ness, I just love your unique ability to create such beautiful things. Your canvas is gorgeous, clever lady:) Your $5 chairs look amazing too:) Hope you are having a lovely week. Hope you find some pressed tin too! Hugs ~ Tina xx

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  12. NIce work Ness. I love a bit of twisted willow!

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  13. You are so clever Ness....this looks brilliant, xv.

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  14. love what you've done.....can't wait to see the new house!

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  15. I did the same thing but in Florida we created in the summer when it was toooo hot to go outside
    kate

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  16. I LOVE these. What a great idea - so simple. I have been meaning to stop by to let you know that I had a nice conversation with Tricia about you. You are amazing! Lori

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  17. I love how your creative mind works Ness, this is fabulous!

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  18. This is absolute genius! I love it!

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  19. I just love your unique ability to create such beautiful things.
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  20. It looks fantastic Ness!!! Now, if I just had a willow tree in the back yard...guess I could try doing something with the palm branches:-/
    Angex

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  21. love it! (the speed of the project, and using what you have on hand, and tying it all together with your other projects) looks great!

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  22. It looks awesome! I have been trouble finding art that we like for our living room area. I think I may just have to make some temporarily until we get what we like up. Canvases at a craft store with a coupon are a steal and I already have paint. Wish me luck! ;)

    ~Karla

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