Mixed Media Spring Decor

Spring has definitely sprung here in the deep south because pollen is everywhere! I decided to make some more spring decor to add to my mantel shelf & fill it in a little more. I’ve already got the mixed media frame up, but I wanted to fill it in a little more on the sides. Although I really like how this turned out, it did not go as I imagined for my mantel shelf!

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Gathering the Bits & Pieces

This project started with an old oval mirror & a blank canvas. Y’all get to get a glimpse of my lovely popcorn ceiling in the mirror too – ha! ; P {Sorry this is blurry, my camera focused on the mirror & I didn’t notice it until I edited the pics.}

I had a sort of idea of what I wanted to do, but it really came together when I found this paper in my scrapbook stash. The wings & nest remind me of a quilt!

This print has just the look I was going for, so on to the painting!

The Mirror

The mirror frame definitely needed a new paint job & I thought it would be the perfect thing to test my new Rustoleum Chalked Spray Paint on. One of the first things I noticed on the label is that shiny surfaces should be sanded for best results.  Hmmmm – don’t need to do that with my other chalk paints! The first coat also ran & didn’t coat very well.

After a second coat it was looking better & you don’t have to seal this. I’m going to try it out on wood before I decide how I feel about it.

I sprayed the mirror with vinegar then a coat of mirror spray to give it an antiqued look.  You can read more about that technique in my cookie jar post. The edges got a little scuffing with some fine grit sandpaper.

I cut out the baby birds & nest with my Cutter Bee Precision Cut Scissors. These are the best for getting in those corners & crevasses & I’ve had them for years! The stitching on the nest was done at the sewing machine, but you could do it by hand as well.

I used some permanent stick glue to attach the birds. The metal scrapbook buttons are attached with e6000. I’m hoping the birds will come off easily so I can use this year round.  ; )

The Canvas

For the first coat of paint, I combined 3 different blues in layers. I bought all of these individually, but this is a good set with several blues.

Here’s the first coat:

I wanted some more texture, so I decided to use some crackle medium. I feel like this should be popular again, as much as people like chippy, peely paint!

You just spread it on & let it dry completely or until tacky, depending on the brand. Then you spread on a top coat & watch the magic happen! : D

Love that texture! I cut a strip of burlap & hot glued it around the edges to cover the staples. Just be careful when hot gluing fabric because it’s hot & will come through the fabric.

This is where mamma bird will sit! The stitching on this one was done by hand.

To get the 3D effect, I just ran my thumbnail up the leaves and tails then only glued the base down. I added a couple pieces of twine for hanging as well. Here they are together, one happy bird family!

Decorating Woes

I was so excited to add these to my mantel shelf until I realized they were much too small compared to the mixed media frame. First I tried putting them in the frame & removing the quilt block.

It just doesn’t pop in that arrangement to me. Plus the canvas kinda bows out over the shelf back.

I tried adding in some of the bottles from last year’s spring mantel, but it was still kind of blah. Then I rearranged things a bit & added the quilt block back. It’s looking better to me….

The right side still needs something, but I think I’m getting there!

I’ll try to remember to show a finished picture in my monthly roundup. Right now I need to walk away & do something else! Do y’all ever have to do that?  : )

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