Friday, December 6, 2013

Framed Barn Stars for Christmas, and ...



... the revived Fusion challenge! We are back with a whole new set of fun challenges for 2014. And we have a design team call searching for 5 awesome new designers. Why don't you consider it?

  
For this challenge I focused on the white pillow with the red deer head. So very simple and striking. Here's my train of thought on what I was going to make:
  
 1) white card with a red tree,
2) a bunch of framed red trees,
3) a bunch of framed red stars
4) a bunch of framed 3D red barn stars
5) a bunch of framed 3D ombre red barn stars
6) a bunch of framed 3D ombre red barn stars with a "sentiment" below

And there you have it. A project that even my 9 year-old son commented on when he got home from school today.


 This rough wood frame ($2 from a garage sale) is perfect for this project. The folksy wood with the modern design gives a nice contrast.


After making the barn stars in four different shades of red (see general how-to description in prior post), I arranged them inside my mat and took a photo so I'd have a reference in case they (or I) got messed up.


As it's a relatively simple design (solid colored stars), I like that it's dimensional to give it a little more interest. Having it next to a light source brings out even more shades of red. I will admit that gluing the edges of all those stars took some time, but I was excited about the result so I didn't mind.


The popped up gold letters are a nod to the holiday season. And to Taheerah's inspiring post on all things gold in the Moxie Fab World

Now, where to display it?


My original plan was for it to hang in the guest bathroom downstairs.


I thought it would go well with my red and white Marimekko hand towels. Since the bathroom is small, I always keep holiday decorations there limited to one color + white so it stays fresh. 


I also like it on top of the living room armoire with the long pine needles.

SIDE STORY: You would not believe the stress involved in getting this photo. 

By the time I thought to take the photo, I had only minutes to put the frame up and snap away. You see, the bus was arriving with my kids who are militant about making sure no one comes close to touching Charlie, our Elf on the Shelf. Once he's touched, he loses his powers. They've watched, with horror, kids touching elves in their boxes at Barnes and Noble, and lamented the poor soul who unknowingly buys that now-powerless elf. They've roped off an entire room to make sure no one inadvertently touches Charlie after he fell from his shelf during a wrestling match. They're serious about protecting Charlie, and their lifeline to Santa. And I'm serious about protecting their belief in Charlie, especially since my oldest is 9 and reaching the non-beliver stage any minute now.

So, in my haste to remove the frame from behind our Elf, Charlie gets knocked down. Seconds later my 9 year-old dashes into the house on his way to the bathroom. Panic! Do I attempt to put Charlie back and risk getting caught (by either the one who finished peeing, or the one who hasn't come into the house yet), or do I leave Charlie on the floor and have to answer a million questions?

I take a chance, and throw Charlie back into place. His legs won't bend back into his arms. DARN. IT. I fumble; he tips over. I fumble again. Finally, in what seems like minutes, I get him to stay in approximately the same position he started in. 

"Mom, did you move Charlie?"

What the heck. How does bathroom-boy remember exactly what direction Charlie was facing?!

I quickly "confessed" that as I was photographing the framed stars, I accidentally bumped Charlie with the frame. "You didn't touch him then?" I assured him that Charlie is fine. Which is true. Kinda/sorta.  


Anyway, thanks so much for looking! I hope you'll consider the Fusion Design Team Call, and while you're there, think of a card or two to enter. Lots of inspiration in this one!
-Kelly

Sharing with:
http://citycrafter.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/city-crafter-challenge-blog-wek-188.html
 for their challenge to use wood and/or a frame (yes, and yes) Thanks Lyndal for letting me know : )
Ginger Snap Crafts,Creations by Kara, Handy Man Crafty Woman, What I Learned Wednesday, My Girlish Whims,
DIY Show Off
By Stephanie Lynn

36 comments:

  1. I know all too well about this little elf why you cannot touch him. Your story made me laugh out loud.
    Your framed star picture is gorgeous what a beautiful job! That frame is a great find and perfect for it.

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  2. I promise not to say a word! And I wonder....if he "fell" again, could you pick him up with tongs? Does that count as 'touching'? You'll have to let us know. Your framed stars are gorgeous. Love it in both places too. Very cool. Bev

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    1. Oh my gosh, you are so smart, yes I suppose they wouldn't questions tongs since they didn't question me knocking Charlie with the frame. Let me tell you, staying out of the living room for a whole day was difficult, especially since you need to go through it to get out of the house! I'm so relieved to have this solution in my back pocket now. Thanks Bev, you're the best!

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  3. This is absolutley gorgeous Kelly with all the different size stars and that fabulous frame! It looks wonderful in both places you show us! So glad my son is grown and I don't have to deal with these elf issues!!!! LOL there's enough stress already!! of course the grandnephews and niece are toddlers so that may be trouble on the horizon - I know one of them, in fact, has his own elf on the shelf......

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    1. Well we don't do any of the cute elf things here ... like the marshmallows in the sink for a bubble bath, or cheerios for a donut party, or mischievously tying shoe laces together. My kids would totally catch me in some inconsistency. He just comes and goes, and I guess this year he falls from high places. But you're right, it is kinda stressful! And, Charlie has already forgotten to fly back to the North Pole one day. Wouldn't you know he was in the same darn spot the next day!

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  4. This is so cool!!! I LOVE, what a great ombre effect with the stars and that frame is wonderful! I like it in the main room better than the bathroom, and too funny about you moving Charlie!

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    1. I think you're right ... it's really not joyful going to the bathroom. The colors fit, but not the message : )

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  5. This is stunning in its perfection. I have been trying to figure out how to make it into a card, but I think that the big wooden frame is an integral part of the beauty of this. But don't be surprised to see an attempt at CASing this (next year - not sure I can get my brain in gear to do it justice in the next 3 weeks!)

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  6. Simplicity at its best! Love the scored stars! Your living room setting is perfect for the display. Thanks for the chuckle about Charlie... :)

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  7. Gorgeous, Kelly ... love the thought process that created this amazing piece of art ...it's perfect with Charlie and the pine branches! I'm still giggling at the story ... well rescued! Anita :)

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  8. I totally love barn stars (have a large rusty one on my wall, which by the way that frame I covet would look good next to). The idea of multiple reds really works. I never knew about Charlie when my kids were little but I do understand how particular they can be. So sweet.

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  9. This looks so cool! Love the ombré looking stars and gold letters! Fabulous idea!

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  10. Oh my! This looks fabulous! Get ready for the compliments, because EVERYONE who visits is going to ask about this. It's beautiful!

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  11. Kelly those framed star are fantastic!! I just can't stop smiling over little Charlie and your story. Can't wait for grandchildren so a little elf can move into my home!

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  12. Oh my dear Kelly,

    YOu can make me laugh and inspire me like no others!
    I'm still giggling..what a great story!
    We have the Elf as well but I forgot we weren't supposed to touch him and on an unrelated but kinda sad note, Lily and I had a conversation about Santa last night...a page is turned but the magic lives on and I'm touching Tommy our elf all the time because Lily cares more about all the mischief he gets to when she's at school...

    Anyway, to get back to your incredible work of art, I think it looks super cool in your bathroom but even better on top of the armoire ;) in my opinion, it's just too beautiful to be in a powder room!

    Have a wonderful week-end my dear Friend and think of us tomorrow morning as we carol with the Chicago Children Choir on Armitage ave. in this freezing weather!

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  13. Oh I love it above the armoire!!! What a beautiful piece of artwork! I need to try something like that!!! Great inspiration!

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  14. Now you just have to hope that your oldest doesn't see this on your blog, Kelly!! I like it in both places (lovely photo of you, BTW!), but I gotta say, I LOVE it behind Charlie, nestled in the pine needles!! I think it is an amazing work of art, just perfect with that frame. After Christmas, can you pop off the "Joy" and then it would be perfect for the bathroom. Lovely to have you come by to visit me today! I know you are enjoying those kids in the preparations up to Christmas!! Big Hugs, Darnell

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  15. I love your art AND your story, Kelly!!! LOVE what the dimension and the ombre effect of the stars bring to it! So beautiful and unique!

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  16. This is just beautiful, Kelly and I chuckled at your Charlie story! ;)

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  17. This is a beautiful project. And, I loved hearing you think out loud as to how you came to your design.

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  18. I absolutely love this project. It turned out beautifully Kelly...and Charlie...sitting here having a good laugh. I can visualize myself doing something very similar. My 10 year old would know that I moved him!! xx

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  19. I can't tell you how beautiful this is...I love making projects that I can display in my home...so much more fun that cards you send off to live with someone else! Beautiful stars and it was such fun to get a peek into your design process.

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  20. FABULOUS project Kelly - LOVE the stars - I wish our $2 shop had such gorgeous frames too!!
    So glad to be FUSION teamies again :)

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  21. This is so dang beautiful, Kelly. And I really hope it gets to live up with Charlie. It looks great up there. And as for Charlie, bet that little mishap added a few gray hairs. Of course it all had to go down that way, right? But it truly is a beautiful project. Happy holidays to you and yours.

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  22. PS - Kelly this would be perfect for City Crafter Challenge - Wood & Frame http://citycrafter.blogspot.com.au/2013/12/city-crafter-challenge-blog-wek-188.html

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  23. So cute Kelly!!!! I love it! Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB

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  24. What a lovely Christmas decoration, it looks wonderful on top of that beautiful cupboard. Thank you for joining us at CCCB, hugs

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  25. I adore your framed stars!! So very lovely!! Thanks so much for playing along at CCCB!

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  26. Love your stars and the story about Charlie! TF s

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  27. Such a JOYful post, and I love reading about Charlie. Your kids are so cute!

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  28. Kelly, I just loved those stars!! Loved the size and colour gradation. If you don't mind, I would love to made a card on the similar lines.

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    1. Of course, I would be delighted if you made a card! I would love to see it when you're finished! Thanks for the note, Jasleen : )

      Kelly

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  29. This is gorgeous! Love the shades of red and the dimension in the stars! I do like the display photos!

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  30. This is so cute! I love that the stars are 3D. Definitely simple and striking! I'm featuring this at my link party tonight and pinning!

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  31. 6) a bunch of framed 3D ombre red barn stars with a "sentiment" below ... christmasframedart.blogspot.com

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I absolutely love reading comments. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to leave one! - Kelly