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:
These are great Monica!
Monica..it's fabulous!
Very nice job. They turned out wonderful
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!
I admire you for even attempting this, but am in awe of how great these turned out. Enjoy them!
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!
Those are super cute! You did a great job on the bird.
You are very talented! They look wonderful. :-0
Well done! These look great on your mantle and really fit in with your decor. :) Love you, Mom
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!
Very nice, Monica. I like the "grunge" look better as well. What verse did you choose for your second painting?
Ooh! I love them! Very talented, Monica!
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!!!
very cute! You did a great job! :)
WOW - it's official, I am the least talented person on the internet!!
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.
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
Add artistry to your many list of talents Monica!! I love the way you added scripture so beautifully to your home!
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
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Adorable! I love the little bird :)
I absolutely LOVE that!! So Creative!!
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.
Very pretty! Love the grunge. I was just thinking about painting pussywillows today. :)
Great job Monica- birds are tough! :)
Which reminds me of the painting project that I've left undone.....
Matthew 10:29 and Matthew 6:26 are the two verses I used.
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!
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!
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
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:)
I think you did a great job! I would be proud to have one of your paintings for my home!
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!
that is beautiful!! and inspiring!
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
Beautiful!! You did a great job.
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