rustic Archives - Linda Nelson

DANCING WITH LEFTOVER LINEN AND CARDBOARD

January 10, 2015

In my previous post , I was doing the dance of deconstruction with an old linen tablecloth. Well, I had enough fabric leftover which allowed me to dance a little bit more.

©Linda Nelson 2015

Then I danced again, only this time with some corrugated cardboard, and made these.

©Linda Nelson 2015

You can dance, too. Just get some thick corrugated cardboard and create a shape template(I love drawing hearts). Cut out four pieces of the same shape, then glue them together.

©Linda Nelson 2015

Lightly sand around the edges(or not)to smooth them out. Slap on a couple coats of gesso; it serves as an ideal primer and makes the piece strong and sturdy. After that, it’s up to you how you’d like to further embellish your piece.

©Linda Nelson 2015

I really like the exposed texture of the corrugated edge; it adds a rustic richness(if that ain’t an oxymoron!). The layers of gesso make the piece tough as nails. Don’t omit that step.

©Linda Nelson 2015

There you have it.

Now, start dancing and get creative.

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MAKE THIS PUMPKIN!

September 28, 2014

©Linda Nelson 2014

See what fabulousness arises from a coir planter basket liner? It’s the perfect shape; therefore, there’s no cutting involved. Are you sold yet?

You will need a preformed coco liner that is meant to fit inside a 12″ wire basket planter.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Here’s what you do –

Grap a piece of 24″ twine or jute and an upholstery needle (any needle with an eye big enough to thread the twine through). Tie one end of the twine onto something to prevent it from slipping through the liner while stitching(I grabbed a washer), and leave about a six inch tail. Make a simple running stitch all around the circumference of the liner, then cinch it together, leaving a fist-sized opening. Fill your pumpkin with pillow stuffing, shredded newspaper, plastic bags or something of that nature. I used some old garden netting. Talk about being resourceful!

©Linda Nelson 2014

Now, cinch it up as tight as you can, remove the washer and tie the twine ends together. Grab your stem, which could be a branch, an actual pumpkin stem, one formed and shaped out of wire….. (basically, whatever floats your boat) and stuff it where it belongs. You’re done! Painless. Absolutely painless. The decorative part is up to you. I happen to appreciate a simple, natural and rustic look, but you may want to push your embellishing ways over the edge.

©Linda Nelson 2014

There you have it.

Now, get creative.

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NOT YOUR KIDDY’S PAPER PUMPKIN

September 16, 2014

Have I got a few resourceful, rustic and simple to make little pumpkins for you. Today’s post features not your little kiddy’s paper bag pumpkin, but a rustic, yet sophisticated lady’s paper pumpkin. The neighboring ones in this photo will be showcased in tutorial posts to follow.

©Linda Nelson 2014

You likey? Well, here’s what you do –

Crumple and scrunch a lunch paper bag until it’s wrinkly and soft to the touch, taking care not to tear it. Stuff the bag (pack it somewhat densely) just over half full with shredded paper, pillow stuffing, or something similar. Create an inward facing rolled cuff with the top half of the bag, rolling until you meet up with the stuffed half.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Take a 5 ft. piece of twine and make a loop knot at one end; tape the other end to a bamboo skewer. The skewer is your “needle”. Pass the skewer down the center of the bag, carefully piercing through the center of the bottom of the bag.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Pass the skewer through the loop knot, then tug the twine to create your first pumpkin groove. Continue around until you have six evenly spaced grooves with just the right amount of tension to give the pumpkin its characteristic shape.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Securely tie the twine off at the bottom of the pumpkin. Find or make a stem, then glue it into position. You may be able to forego glueing the stem on if it is long enough to be gently twisted and nestled in.

©Linda Nelson 2014

Add your embellishments, then place your newly created pumpkin among the other fabulous, decorative things around your home.

There you have it.

Now, get creative. And, do stay tuned for some more pumpkin making tutorials!

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DECORATIVE PINE CONE TUTORIAL

September 8, 2014

Remember these? One of my more recent posts from the past provided a sneak peak for today’s tutorial.

To make these little natural decorative treasures, first gather some unopened spiny pine cones. Yes, I do mean the ones that you would normally not choose. The ones that pinch if you grasp them too hard in your hand. In addition, you will need some acrylic craft paint, fine sandpaper, molding paste (I had Golden Artist Colors’ light molding paste on hand, but any brand will do), a small dish and a stirring stick.

Begin by pruning off any branch remains from the pine cone. I also like to gently snip off the pointed end of the cone to give it a more blunt shape, though you don’t have to.

Gently sand the entire surface of the pine cone until it feels smooth, yet ripply. It is important to not sand it to completely even out the surface; you just want it to feel rather comfortable and pleasing to the touch when grasping it.

Next, place about one half teaspoon of molding paste onto a dish, add a tiny drop of paint, then mix them together. (I really do mean tiny; otherwise, the color will be too saturated and your pine cone will look “painted”. That’s what six year olds do. This process is meant to give you a more rustic, yet sophisticated look). Smear this mixture onto the cone with your fingers, working it into all the crevices. Wait about one minute, then buff off all the residual paint/paste with a paper towel or cloth. Buff it thoroughly so that the outer most surface of the pine cone is visible again.

And, here is the finished result. A little clutch of rustic, yet sophisticated pine cones. You may elect to further buff them with some paste wax, but that’s up to you. I did that for some, yet it did not make a difference visually. I think they look best simply displayed in a bowl, mason jar, nest or some sort of “nesting” object.

I made the ones below using the molding paste and white paint. Very rustic and “beachy”, don’t you think?

There you have it. Now, gather those pine cones and get creative.

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