Friday, September 7, 2012

Autumn leaves are falling




Yes! At least they are falling right here in my family room.  As many of you, I couldn't wait to begin decorating my home for Fall time.  The fireplace is such a big focal point in my kitchen/family room, that it's usually the first thing to get my attention.

I began by creating a new piece of art, trying to use or reuse things I already had.  The tree silhouette was painted on the same board I created long time ago.


 


First it was born as a plain board covered with a million little pieces of paper that in the end I didn't like!







Then, no happy with the multicolor squares I painted a "doodle" on top of them.








Tired of it, for Summer time I decided to cover the board with a piece of fabric.




Now, for Fall time I wanted something different.  I've been liking tree silhouettes, so I put on my artistic mood to paint one.

My first time doing something like this, is far from perfect but I'm happy with it.  You can use any kind of paint.  The blue and brown are wall paints by Behr, the black and orange are the ones my kids use most of the time, and the other ones yellow and white are acrylic.

The only important thing to have in mind while painting the background is to work fast, blending the colors before the paint dries.  For the tree is good to draw a pencil sketch to follow.


The "masterpiece" in its place.


My shaky hand didn't matter!


Well, while the background was drying I worked on the leaves.

The materials:
Wrapping paper found at Target, glue, and scissors.

A piece of the wrapping paper was folded and glued together to make the leaves sturdier. It got all wrinkle!



Later on I found out it was OK.  It gave the leaves a crunchy feeling.



A piece of tape on the back,


and they were ready to be place on or falling off the tree.



With some extra accessories, here is the final work.




A place to collect all of those flying leaves!

Some pumpkins.


A little scarecrow.



And a Fall sign.



My son asked me why I didn't take away the blue leaves, they are not for Fall?  I like them, they go with the many blue accessories I had around the house.



The before and after.


Psssst!  Look at the chairs.  I turned the slipcovers inside out and Voila!  A new pair of chairs! The seams are not that bad, aren't they.






Photobucket



Linked party at:
Be Inspired at Elizabeth & Co., Tuesday’s Treasures at My uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm, Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life, Wow us Wednesdays at Savvy Southern Style,  Potpourri Friday at 2805, Transformation Thursday at The Shabby Creek Cottage,Cowgirl Up at Farm House Porch, Inspiration Friday at At the Picket Fence, Feather Nest Friday at French Country Cottage, Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground, Uncommonly Yours at Uncommon, Fridays Unfolded at Stuff and Nonsense, Before and After Party at Thrifty Decor Chick , Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch, Saturday Nite Special at Funky Junk Interiors, DIY Project Parade at DIY Show Off Home Sweet Home at The charm of Home, Overflowing with Creativity at It's Overflowing, Hooking up with HOH, The power of pinterest at Fox Hollow Cottage, Fall link party at Centsational Girl, October'Fest of Fun  at Fox Hollow Cottage, Fall Nesting at The Inspired Room

43 comments:

NanaDiana said...

Well, if that is the first time you have ever done artwork you better take up a new career cuz you are GOOD! Really- I love this. Your slipcovers turned inside out are perfect- xo Diana

Brandy~GreyLaneHome said...

You are so creative. I love the fallen leaves. Smart idea to turn the slipcovers inside out and they look great.

Daniela @Frugal Aint Cheap said...

what a creaive idea! Love the artwork and the colorful leaves! ...and no tree is perfect unless you have a shaky hand ;)

tibby said...

I was going to ask you where do you keep the things you put on your mantel once the season is over.

Maria Elena said...

Your mantle looks gorgeous! What a beautiful painting! Love the leaves!!! Great job!

ARod said...

very pretty love how it turned out

rhon said...

Me encanta tu proyecto (y ¡las hojas azules también!).

Erin Kaven said...

Christina, great job and cute idea. I think I might have to try this one to...but I have to tell you. I am in the process of duplicating your bathroom vanity re-do. I have donw everything (handles on the vanity, painted, etc. just waiting on the husband (yes, I'm ALWAYS waiting on the husband) to cut the wood for the bottom (there was a rotted spot to cover) and shelves. This was the first time I saw a blog and IMMEDIATELY went to the store to get the supplies to duplicate it. You ROCK!!

Cristina Garay said...

Thank you everyone!
Erin, you have a noreply e-mail, I hope you check this on reference to the vanity, make sure you measure how far the pipes go, that way you know how wide to cut the shelves, also its better to put the shelves in place before attaching the handles.

fiona anderson said...

Love the idea of a constantly changing canvas, and your new fall mantle looks great.
We don't really do Fall decorations in the UK, so it's lovely to see it all in blogland.

Kimberly said...

This is so pretty! I love the whole 3d effect! And reversible slip covers are so smart. I just love the whole area, in both!

Cathy said...

Love the falling leaves art - how beautiful it looks on your mantel...and turning your slipcovers inside out - how clever....Visiting from Debbidos....

Katie said...

I love it! So pretty. I love how your tree came out!

I'm starting a fall themed blog hop and would love for you to link up!

http://redcrowgreencrow.wordpress.com/2012/09/09/fall-into-the-holidays-1/

Brandi said...

Love your artwork. The trailing leaves are such a creative touch.

Meeha Meeha said...

I love your mantel! The falling leaves are very creative and they make the whole room look alive!

Michele said...

What a clever idea and wonderful execution. I think your masterpiece truly "makes" your mantel for autumn.

marty (A Stroll Thru Life) said...

Love your new art work, how fun and so perfect. The chairs look amazing too. Beautiful mantel decor. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, Marty

Dixie n Dottie said...

So lovely and creative! Would love if you'd join our Countdown to Fall link party! Hope to see you there! Have a great week! :)
http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/2012_09_10_archive.html

Tami Von Zalez said...

At first I thought you used those new leaf Post-Its but you made your own - so cute!

Popped in from the Cowgirl Up blog hop.

thriftshopcommando.blogspot.com

Eclectically Vintage said...

I'd never guess this was your first time - it's gorgeous! What a fun mantel - perfect for ushering in fall! Pinning!
Kelly

Cindy said...

I like the falling leaves! Your kids must like them too. So cute

Terry Moore said...

So creative and cute!

Elisia allen said...

What a great idea!!!! I am a new follower from http://craftyhousemom.blogspot.com would love it if you visited!

WTFab! said...

great ideas! We should definitely follow each other. http://www.w-t-fab.com

K Coake said...

I love how you made the leaves fall all the way down the tree and onto the table. It looks so neat!

Feral Turtle said...

Great job. Your painting is gorgeous!

Athena at Minerva's Garden said...

Hi Christina: What a colorful and creative idea--your painting is just wonderful, and the leaves falling all the way down to the floor is what really sets this whole look apart as something really unique and wonderful!

Honey at 2805 said...

Adorable!! I always appreciate the inspiration you share at Potpourri Friday!

Sandy aka Doris the Great said...

That's such a clever idea. I love it! Now, I'm off to check out the rest of your sweet blog.

Mary Anne Komar said...

hmmm, snowflakes falling from the sky and snow on the branches!!

Aimee - ItsOverflowing.com said...

I love this and am so glad you shared it at It's Overflowing's Saturday party!!! I'm featuring you tomorrow! XO, Aimee

Katie Drane said...

I'm so glad that I'm following you! WOW, you are talented. This is by far the coolest fall mantle I have ever seen. Thanks for sharing!

Katie
www.funhomethings.com

Katie Goldsworthy said...

That is one of the coolest things ever! It really looks like the leaves are falling! Brilliant!

I have a non-reply blog status right now....I'm going to try to get that fixed this weekend :)

Have a great weekend!
--Katie

Debt Free Mommy said...

It's party time at Debt Free Mommy Blog and we'd love to see you there! Please come join us and link up to Making Space Mondays. We'd love to see any post(s) about making your spaces better. Thanks, Tabitha

Korrie@RedHenHome said...

Wonderful, brilliant idea! Love your falling leaves.

April said...

Oh man, I love this! I wish I could draw or paint!

DIY Show Off said...

You are so talented, Cristina! My tree would be equivalent to a stick figure. I love the colorful flying leaves! Your entire mantel is just so fall inspiring! I'm going to work on my mantel today! Thanks for the motivation! I'm going to include a link back in tomorrow's highlights. ;) Thanks for sharing your creativity.

It's All Connected said...

I'm so impressed with this project that I've joined you and pinning! Off to check out your vanity. ~ Maureen

Sherry said...

So beautiful! Love it! Thank you for joining Home Sweet Home!
Sherry

Jemsmom said...

Just saw this on Centsational Girl and loved it!!! Be careful with tape on your painted wall. It will leave a mark. Trust me on this one! Your painting is gorgeous and the idea of the leaves is stunning! Kudos to you! That is brilliant!

Mrs. Handyverger said...

I love the painting! What a fantastic job - and the leaves flying away from it are simply adorable. It really brings fall into your room. :)

Stopping by from Centsational Girl! :)

Deb said...

Here from Centsational Girl. LOVE the tree - I'm doing a much smaller version that is very similar. Yours is so wonderful - love that you used wrapping paper for the leaves.

Terri said...

Adorable idea, thanks for the inspiration.

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