This little whimsical fabric brooch was made using Sheet 182 and Sheet 192 printed on fabric. The combinations are endless in creating these treasures and I hope you will have fun making them.

I have created a step-by-step tutorial that you may view in pdf format - just click the link below:

Whimsical Fabric Brooch Tutorial

Collage Art Inspirations from Nancy Maxwell James

To find all the Inspire! Bits used in this project and take advantage of the 20% off Sale, please click on the image, above, or HERE.

This little bunting was made using organic batting, scraps of vintage lace and appliques, buttons, bee & dragonfly charms, and Digi Sheet 182 a printed fabric sheet. The sweet young lady is Sheet 226 which was printed on paper.

I enjoy sewing and this piece was done using a combination of hand/machine sewing and a bit of fabric glue. However, there is no reason it could not be done using just fabric glue. I traced a bunting shape on to paper, then again on to two layers of batting.

A bit of lace remnant was added to the background, and then I machine stitched along the edges of the bunting. Add the retangle fabric sheets (again either handstitch, machine, or fabric glue) and center the young lady image (I used glue on the back.) Add charms, appliques, and a ribbon strand to the top for hanging and you have a romantic bunting for your home,studio or a gift.

Idea to note: Sew up a few and make one long bunting strand to hang in a charming spot!

Collage Art Inspirations from Nancy Maxwell James

To find all the Inspire! Bits used in this project and take advantage of the 20% off Sale, please click on the image, above, or HERE.

I selected Digi Sheet 008 and Digi Sheet 183 to use for the sweet faces on this project. I cut squares of cardboard that were a wee bit bigger than the image photo. Old book text was added a background to peek out from under the image. The edges were then distressed with ink, I also used Digi Sheet 180 for the word art. I just love this sheet. It has sweet little endearments and whimsical words that work so well with cards, atc’s, and collage.
I painted the tin stars a creamy ivory paint and adhered my collage photos to the center using E6000. A little glittered shabby rose (click HERE), mother of pearl button, and vintage seam binding was added for hanging purposes. Wouldn’t they be lovely on a Christmas tree?

Collage Art Inspirations from Nancy Maxwell James

I love to repurpose items that have been found at craft stores, rummage sales or antique shops and this little bucket was singing to be altered with the Paper Whimsy image. I sealed the front of the bucket with gel medium. Along the rim, apply gel medium and a bit of antique lace. Little vintage buttons were added using E6000 glue. Once dry, I added a bit of postcard pattern paper and ephemera and the image from Sheet 187 using gel medium. I found a little verse: “Listen to me…I’ll sing you a song of the fish in the sea” and printed it out. Add a bit of Antique Linen Distress Ink to the verse strip and adhere using more gel medium. I wanted the patina of the bucket to be visible on this piece, but the bucket could be altered using different mediums.

Collage Art Inspirations from Nancy Maxwell James

What to do on a HOT, HOT day in July?? Drag your hubby off to find bottles! I found these small bottles while visiting our local antique mall. My husband and I scoured the booths hunting high and low for little clear bottles that were not too expensive. I wanted a nice shape (and condition) and tried to keep the price under two dollars per bottle. I cleaned the bottles and allowed drying time before starting my project. I selected shells that were not too deep and had enough space for Paper Whimsy images. I used images Sheet 220, Sheet 085, and Sheet 183

Apply a coat of gel medium on the inside of the shell and allow time to dry. Trim the images and find pieces of text from old books to add under each photo. Add more gel medium to the interior of each shell and gently add your image. You may have to patiently press down your brush to allow the image to attach to the shell. When the image is secure, add a bit of text or word art from old books to the bottom of each image. When the text and image are dry, add another coat of gel medium along the outer edge of the shell and sprinkle with ultra fine white glitter.

When the shells are dry, select the bottle you wish to attach the seashell to and add a bit of E6000 glue. It is best to lay the bottle down and allow the shell time to dry overnight (this way it won’t slip off your bottle.) To decorate the bottle top, I used bits of old antique lace glued on with E6000. Once the lace is dry, I wrapped jewelry wire around the bottle top adding beads and small charms. I finished off the bottle by tying a piece of vintage seam binding ribbon.

I wanted to keep my bottles fairly simple and the glass clear. The glass could be colored using tissue paper, alcohol inks, patterned paper napkins, or bits of pattern paper. You can also fill the bottles with old buttons, tiny seashells, tulle, and lace, or anything your little heart desires.

Nancy