Art & Design of Kelli Murray

As promised, here is the tutorial on how I created the tent covers for Rylee’s birthday party.  I used Rubyellens A-frame tent instructions to create the tent/teepee base….but I wanted to create something unique for the covers.  I purchased some simple cotton canvas material from my local fabric store, enough to cover two tents which each called for approx. 46” x 85.5”.  The fabric was actually my only purchase for this project.  All of the other supplies I already had in my home.

What you will need:

- a pair of scissors

- 1 foam sheet (9″ X 12″ sheet from Michael’s)

- spray adhesive

- acrylic paint

- fabric of your choice

I chose to create 2 different triangle patterns for both of my tent covers.  For the first one, I used a compass to create a perfect 5″ triangle on a piece of paper.  This served as my stencil.  I traced 4 of these triangles onto my foam sheet.

I then cut out all of the triangles.  I lined them up on top of one another, and using adhesive spray, I mounted them all together to make a “stamp” of sorts.

*careful with the adhesive!  It’s sticky stuff and should probably be done outside.

I have a lot of acrylic paint on hand, so that is what I decided to use here.  There may be other fabric paint more fitting for this project, but I just used what I had and it worked great!  I generously applied the paint to the underside of my stamp using a paint brush.  If you want a more even application, you can use a foam brush to apply the paint…but I wanted it a bit rough and uneven.

I cut down my fabric to size and folded it perfectly in half, just as it should lay across the top dowel.  I slid a piece of cardboard in between the fabric so my paint would not bleed onto the other side.  Then I began stamping away!  I just eyeballed it, but if you are worried about spacing, use your ruler and lightly mark out a path with your pencil beforehand.  I let the paint dry completely before turning the fabric over and repeating the same process on the other side.  Once everything was dry, I sewed a half inch hem on all the edges.  On each corner, I attached a thin fabric strip that I used to secure the fabric to the frame. Or as Ruby suggests…you can use elastic strips instead.

For my second cover, I repeated the same process only using a 2″ triangle to create an all-over pattern with more negative space.

Obviously, this method does not need to be reserved just for a tent cover.  It could make for a great photo backdrop for a party, DIY napkins or placemats, or even on wood for wall art.

Hope you have fun with this! Let me know it you try it!  Happy Monday!

So I went through all of today totally thinking it was Thursday.  I mean, the WHOLE day!  I swear, my concept of time was shot when I had a baby.   I didn’t believe Sam when he corrected me that it was actually Friday night…I had to go look at the calendar to make sure.  Ugh.  I guess it goes to show you how exciting our  ”friday nights” are these days.  My oh my, so much has changed since our dating years!  Haha….but I don’t mind it so much.   Sam has been working extra late the last few weeks so it’s been a little lonely around the house.  Just me and the little lady.  My mom is out of town for the next two weeks too, which means not much is happening in the work department either. As you can see, Grandma directly effects my work/life “balance”.  And I sure do miss her when she’s gone!  I’ve been pushing 2am the last few nights just to keep up with things….and I’m starting to feel the effects!

Lately.

A bit of honesty.  I usually like to keep it light around here, but if i’m going to be honest, “lately” has been discouraging.  I’m a sensitive soul and I don’t take criticism too well.  I wish I had a tougher skin, and that I could brush things off my shoulders and not let it get to me.  But it’s just not my nature.  My feelings get hurt easily.  No matter how many sweet and encouraging things people say….I always remember those negative ones.  Here on this blog and in my “real” life, some things have been said that have bummed me out.  Comments that leave me with an uneasy feeling and a knot in my stomach.   I realize that having a blog, documenting personal style, and utilizing social media the way we can today, you make yourself vulnerable to negative feedback….but it’s hard, especially when it’s personal.  I wonder how some people with huge blogs are able to tune out all the bad?  It makes me worry that blogging is just maybe not for me.  And yet here I go, being vulnerable again.

On the opposite spectrum of discouragement…sweet little Rylee is talking up a storm and cracking us up on the daily.  If anyone can get me out of a funk, it’s her.  She has her own little language that almost sounds like an auctioneer. It’s so fast and entirely gibberish….but the funniest thing i’ve ever heard!  I can’t wait until those are actual sentences pouring out of her mouth.  I’m not sure what we are in for with this one!  As outgoing as she is with family, she is hitting that stage where she get’s super shy with strangers.  When I get her around new faces, she nuzzles her head into my shoulder and peeks skeptically at them out of the corner of her eye.  Part of me kind of loves this because she has never been a cuddler….and well, this is as close as I get!  It still blows my mind that she is already one.  I naively thought that my days would be long and lazy with a baby to take care of.  Little did I know this year would be the fastest of my life.  (and to think….they say it goes faster every year….i can’t even imagine).  Although with her,  the passage of time has never been so clearly documented.  As I looked through old photos this afternoon of when she was 2 and 3 months old….I remembered those moments exactly, like they were yesterday.  On one hand, it’s hard to remember my life without her….but on the other,  it doesn’t seem real that those tiny little legs are now walking and those perfect little lips are now shouting my name.  But yes, it’s real…..very real!  And I love her more than ever.

Weekend links:

- Life: I’ve been following Casey’s blog for a while now and am so inspired by her story and strength.

- Wishlist: More than obsessed with AMM geo earrings….and everything else in her shop for that matter.

- On point:  ombre napkin DIY by Bunny and Bells

- Heart Break: Tears were shed for someone I don’t even know…but I can’t imagine her pain.  Photographer Jill Thomas tragically lost her 21 month old baby girl, Penny, this week.  You can donate here to help cover funeral costs.

- BLOGS I’M LOVING :  Sweet Thing  //  Minna May  //  Katie’s Pencil Box  //  Bleubird

What/who are some of your current faves?

Have a wonderful weekend friends.

Guest Post over on A Beautiful Mess today showing you 5 ways to style denim pants!

1. Vest // Hat  //  Denim pants  //  Boots and Sunglasses – Vintage

2.  Denim Sleeveless Shirt  //  Boots

3.  Dress - Free People  //  Wedges – Steve Madden

4.  Blouse – F21  //  Belt – Nixon  //  Hat  – Nasty Gal  //  Heels – Jeffrey Campbell

5.  Flower Crown – DIY // Blouse – Thrifted  // Moccasins // Fringe Bag // Necklace – Curious Creatures

More new (old) art prints available on Society6.  More to come.

One of the DIY details that went into Rylee’s first birthday party was the paper feather cake topper/bunting.  The best thing about creating a topper on your own, is that you can match it exactly to your color scheme and theme!  For all the guests, I had cupcakes….but for Rylee, I wanted something a little more special.  Not that she cared or would eat even a quater of it….but really, just for cuteness sake.  That is reason enough isn’t it!? I ended up getting her a mini 4″ cake from the bakery in all white (vanilla buttercream….yes, mom ate most of it!) It was just the right size for the feather topper I made.

Here’s how I did it….

Gotta love a short supply list!

metallic thread //  needle  //  paper card stock  //  scissors  //   2 bamboo skewers

Here’s How:

- Begin cutting out small feathers.  I just free handed this and cut varying sizes from 3/4″ to an inch and a half.  I chose to do three feathers in each of the three colors in my palate. If you are creating a topper for a larger cake, I would suggest cutting out more feathers.

- Line up all your feathers in the order in which you want them to hang.  Measure the length in which you want the thread to hang from one skewer to the other.  Add about 6 inches to that total measurement and cut your thread to that length.  Thread your needle and begin stringing the feathers together, one after the other, spacing them evenly as you go.  Make sure your feathers are lined up in the center of the thread length, with an even amount of excess thread on either side.

- Take one end and wrap tightly around one of your bamboo skewers.  Knot it securing.  Repeat with the other side and adjust spacing if needed.

There you have it! So simple.  I used the same process to create the letters ‘ONE’.

Enjoy!