Category: Handmade Art with Heart

Home made art.

Another Cut Out Art Design

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We’ve already released two nature inspired faux bois cut out art pieces, and we’re ready to add another.  The design is similar to the Birch Tree Carved Initials Cut Out.

In a never ending quest for variety, we’ve added an oak pattern.  Without further ado, here is our newest addition.

Like its Birch brother, the Oak design features a heart with two customizable initials. 

This custom, one-of-a-kind, signed and dated original cut out art measures 8.5 inches wide by 11 inches tall, so it can be framed in an 8 inch by 10 inch or 8.5 inch by 11 inch format.

Of course, we have other art and pillows available for purchase in our Etsy shop, and we love custom orders, so please don’t hesitate to ask.

Pin Prick Art

Published on by Our Humble Abode8 Comments

I’ve been obsessed with cut out paper art recently, so it’s only natural that I decided to give pin pricking a try.  To make your own, you’ll need:

A template

Cardstock or paper

Thumbtacks, pins or a needle

Cardboard or something else to punch into.

To start, I created a template in Photoshop, printed to regular paper and cut it to size.  I lightly taped my template on my cardstock.  Before I started on my actual design, I tested different pins, level of pressure, and working direction.  I chose to use a thumb tack on a semi-soft cutting mat working from the front. 

For a less subtle design, work punch holes from the back. 

Working on my cutting mat, I traced the design with the pin.  I decided I liked the design better as just an outline, but if you prefer, you can fill yours in. 

As you can see, the design is subtle, but I love the texture. 

If you like the template, you can buy one for $3.00 in our Etsy shop. 

Valentine’s Day Printables

Published on by Our Humble Abode36 Comments

To finish off our week of bookshelves, we shared a set of free bookplate printables.  We’ve been working on a few freebie Valentine’s Day prints and we’re ready to share them with you. 

Put a Little Love in Your Heart

Love Birds

Love Squared

I Love You This Much ∞

We’re trying a different sharing method this time around, too.  If you want the Put a Little Love in Your Heart PDF file to print, click here. 

 Click the links for the labeled print: Love Birds, Love Squared , and I Love You This Much ∞. 

All prints are ready to print on 8.5 inch by 11 inch cardstock and fit a standard 8 inch by 10 inch frame.  Valentine’s Day prints are for personal use only and may not be sold or altered.

Dog Gone Cute

Published on by Our Humble Abode9 Comments

Did you know I have a blogroll at the bottom of the home page?  I do and it’s filled with my most favorite blogs, including Yellow Brick Home.  Kim and Scott have created a fun, vibrant home filled with personal touches.  Even better, Yellow Brick Home also offers a way to bring a touch of their style into your own home with their custom pet paintings.  Seriously, how darn cute are their paintings?  I just had to have one for myself, so I contacted Kim.  I sent her this photo and my ideas.

I wanted a blue-ish green background and possibly a thought bubble with a bone or something in it, depending on what Kim thought looked best.  I was so excited when she sent an e-mail telling me my painting was (already!) done.  Later that afternoon, she sent this picture of the finished design.

I knew whatever Kim made would be cute, but this was beyond my expectations.  It made me even more excited to get my painting.  Fortunately, I didn’t have to wait long.  I received it two days later!  I opened up the package to find a beautifully coördinated package.

Even the YBH stationery and business cards are cute!  After opening the tissue, I found this:

I love the attention to detail, too.  Check out the shading on Jack’s face.

And the thought bubble and dog bone are equally cute.

When we released our Modern Portrait print line, I decided to switch up the artwork on my office bookshelves.  I had a geometric cut out set.

When I ordered my painting, I knew right where I would display it.  Right next to the rest of our family.  Oh, here’s a cool feature; all YBH paintings are created on a 4 inch square by 3/4 inches thick canvas, requiring no frame!

I love the pop of color against the black and white portraits.  I think Jack is pretty happy, too, even if she looks unimpressed.

Thanks again, Kim and Scott.  Our entire family loves this custom little painting of Jackie.  It’s prefect!

Top Projects of 2010

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Even though we’ve only been blogging since May, we’re here to share our top projects of the year. 

By far, our most viewed posts, thanks to Young House Love, are about building and the completion of our DIY welded steel and marble dining table. 

I have to say, it’s one of our proudest DIY projects, too. 

Another fan favorite is the coffee filter pendant that is in our guest room. 

A simple, affordable art from magazines is another favorite.

Our painted rug was an affordable solution to join the chevron craze. 

Rounding out our top five is how to update brass using Blue Magic cream. 

Did any of your favorite projects crack the top five?  What is your proudest DIY?  If you have an idea you’d like us to tackle, please send an e-mail to ourhumbleabowed@gmail.com for consideration.