Tokens of Love

I'm here!
yes, it's me!
Busy, busy, busy around here.  I had a big deadline this week and today I finally got to the point that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Love that feeling!
In fact, I was feeling so good about it that I had enough time to create a quick little project for Mother's Day.
For some of us Mother's Day can be quite challenging as my Mother passed away many years ago.  I don't need a card or a gift, but I can make something as a little remembrance.  Join me and I'll walk you though the steps.

I am going to use a 4 x 6" burlap panel for the base.  I wanted something I could nail into and the panels have a hard base that I can do just that.  The package comes with two panels (you will need just one for this project).

I cut a piece of paper from the French Industrial paper stash (6 x 6) and a matching piece of chipboard.  I always love something with French writing.  Adhere the two piece together with Collage Glue stick

 Set the paper aside while you paint 4 tack nails with Distress Paint.

I like tack nails because the have a flat head on them to add the paint to.  I didn't know what color I wanted so I painted 4 of each of the metallic colors so I would have a choice.
tip: I used a piece of cork to push the tacks into for painting.  They stand up and I don't get paint all over my fingers.

I decide to go with silver for this project.
Use a small hammer to nail a tack into each corner of the chipboard and right into the hard base.

Then take wire and wrap around the outside edge.  When you get to the nail make a tight loop around the nail and then keep going on around.  This will keep the wire in place.

Next, cut a piece of wool fabric (felt would do also) so that it fits inside the wire.  I stitched around mine with my sewing machine then trimmed the edge just a bit.  DO NOT glue down yet...this is just for sizing.

Next, iron Heat n Bond onto a piece of cream wool.  Heat n Bond is an iron-on adhesive.  Iron it on the back of the fabric with a dry iron.  Once cool, just peel off the paper backing to reveal the adhesive.

 I used the smallest of the Sizzix Sized Circles dies to cut out 3 circles from the creme wool.

 I peeled the paper back off and ironed the circles onto the blue wool strip.

I added a piece of tea dyed cheesecoth to the back, then hand stitched around each of the 3 circles to keep the three layers in place.

Next, I added some little tokens to each circle.  A wishbone at the top, a light pink heart in the center, and a vintage pin purchased at a Flea Market in France last month, at the bottom.  The top two tokens were stitched on with a smoky blue DMC embroidery floss 927 and the pin with creme thread.

 I cut a piece of Wonder Tape to fit the back of the wool piece.

 Then added it to the burlap panel.

Just a couple last touches to finish.

A Chitchat word for each token (inked with Frayed Burlap).  My those chitchat words come in handy.

At the top of the panel...use another tack nail and hammer it into the center.  Can you see it?

I dyed some Crinkle Ribbon with Tattered Rose and a hint of Vintage Photo Distress Stain.  Once fully dry, I cut a small piece and laid it next to the tack nail.

Then created a bow with at least 3 loops on each side and laid that on top of the short piece.   Now just tie a knot in the center to hold it on.

Make sure the short piece is wrapped around the tack nail to keep the bow in place (this picture was taken with the panel flipped over).

 Just like this.

I am so in love with this idea.
I can see it created over and over in different colors and sentiments and for many occasions.

wish - wish she was here

love - will love her always

blessed - that she was my mom

the perfect reminder

And there you go...super easy right?  Easy enough to make one just like it!

cheers for a good week,
paula

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