Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Simple Holiday Art

Well, the bulbs are planted, the leaves are raked, and most of my pots are put away.  







I'll be working on a winter vignette in the garden when the holiday greens are in but until then I've been making some art for the house after the beans go to sleep.

This is a quick piece for a Thanksgiving vignette which can easily transition into Christmas.

Super simple! 

Here is what you need...


~a metallic pen
~a ruler
~thick weighted paper (I used watercolor paper)
~and a shape...here I used a leaf shape but any will do...snowflake, tree, ornament 

  1. Simply make a line at the top of your paper with your pen
  2. Trace your shape on your line until you have made a full row
  3. Continue this process down the page
  4. Add lines in the center of your shape that accent your "shape" (I placed the ruler in the center of the leaf to create lines on both sides)
  5. And lastly define each shape with your pen by thickening up your lines
The overall repetition of the simple shapes makes the composition work for me.  I have a love for pattern and printmaking but without an adequate studio, decided to create the "print" look with pen.





Happy making, baking, and growing friends!!!


linking with... The Winthrop ChroniclesJennifer RizzoI Should Be Mopping The FloorLiz Marie BlogWonderful at HomeThe Shabby Nest

40 comments:

  1. This design is very effective! They remind me of church windows. And of course, once you have it framed, it looks twice as good ;) Thanks for sharing this technique Nicole.

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  2. Wow Nicole, that is soooo clever! You really are a great artist. Very pretty!! Hope that you had fun planting all of those bulbs - you have a lot there! They will be beautiful in spring. xx

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  3. I love all of your bulbs, crocus esp. but they never seem to do well here in the deep south. I love them dearly. Congratulations on all your hard work. Now sit back and enjoy the rewards. Kathy

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  4. Oh, I love the artwork! That is so pretty. I haven't done much printmaking but your design reminds me a bit of tesselations, which I loved creating in drawing or paint.

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  5. Looks like your gardening is in order. Love your piece of artwork, Nicole. That is really a cute idea! xo Diana

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  6. Very pretty, very seasonal!

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  7. that looks awesome! Great work, Nicole! Good work on getting the bulbs in and pots away too, it's never easy, is it? I had grand dreams of planting 1000 bulbs this fall...but my budget dictated 50 instead. Still, a little bit a spring pop goes such a long way!

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  8. I just bought more bulbs today - I'm not sure I'll ever be done. I think I have ice follies. You will love them! Your print is perfect for Thanksgiving and especially Christmas because it is like a cathedral! Your instructions are fabulous but I might cheat and use my silhouette. There is no way I could have drawn that as flawlessly as you have! Hope you are having a good evening!

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  9. You must have been a great art teacher because you make that art piece sound super easy.

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  10. What?!! This is so cool!! It makes such a great statement and looks so pretty, I guess I love patterns too! I am amazed how you make it look so easy, I don't think I could make it so nice! I really love it!

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  11. I immediately thought church windows too. Lovely idea. Our bulbs are in too. Now to see if they come up.

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  12. So your garden is ready for winter, I wish I was that far, I still continue raking leaves off the grass. You are so creative and full of new ideas. This repetitive artwork is so pretty this time of year.

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  13. What a great piece of art work Nicole! Looks like a very easy little project. Thanks for sharing such a wonderful idea for Holiday decorating!
    xo

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  14. You are SO creative! I would so love to have that piece of art in my home.

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  15. Oh know, BUM, I forgot about bulbs because the mild Autumn made me leave my fuchsias in the pots and we are due a frost this week so I need to crack on with that. You have some great choices there Nicole will be staying tuned to see those come Spring. Love to you Jo x

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  16. Love the simplicity of the artwork! Repetition and shape -- exactly what the garden wants and exactly what looks so good framed as art.

    I grew allium 'Graceful' last year. It is sweet and pretty, but be prepared for very small plants. A little patch was barely noticeable, these are small (and kind of floppy) alliums, not like the taller globe or other alliums.

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  17. Hi Nicole, you certainly have planted some wonderful bulbs. It will be a great joy to see them growing in your garden in spring! I love your art. It is beautiful, plain and simple in the very best way, just perfect for the holidays!
    Christina

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  18. Man, I keep meaning to plant more early spring bulbs! We have a ton of daffodils but only a handful of crocus. I wonder if it's too late? I love the print, it looks so great!

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  19. Your garden is going to be fabulous this spring, Nicole, with all those wonderful bulbs! I am so glad you posted about the piece you created. It is wonderful! Thanks so much for showing how to take something simple(the little shape) and use it to make something spectacular. I am seriously wanting to try this technique. You make it look so easy that I might be able to do it. Thanks again for this great tutorial! Have a great weekend with the hubby and the beans!

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  20. How pretty, Nicole! I love it. So elegant and I love the botanical elements. I love your selection of bulbs - you are going to have such beauty this spring. You fill your world with beauty and thank you for helping us do the same. Hugs xoxo Karen

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  21. I can't wait to see you spring garden, love the look of you art work.

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  22. Your garden is ready for winter and will be so pretty in the spring!! Your artwork is gorgeous, too! Such an inspiration, Nicole! Enjoy your weekend!!

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  23. Your artwork really does look like a print. You are very creative and gifted.
    So glad your leaves are raked. I still have a lot up, but I'm at least half way through the process. I didn't get any bulbs in this year. I always intend to do that and only seem to buy them on clearance, and by then it is so cold outside I don't want to plant them. Have you ever noticed how they never look like as many in the spring as when you planted them in the fall?
    Cindy

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  24. Your art is so pretty and simple, love it so much. If I tried to make that it would look like bunch of chicken scratching, lol. Really. Framing your art in a gorgeous gold frame is perfect. What a great post.Loving it so much. I'll have to admire it from here tho as I'm no artist. I am pinning it tho. Wishing you and yours Happy Thanksgiving.

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  25. Oh, I love the vignette! So pretty!

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  26. I"m planting pink star tulips too! I love your art ... can't wait to see what you post next !

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  27. This is a simple yet pretty art. I could never do prints as I have a big problem of not being uniformed. You seem to be someone full of creativty

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  28. Oooh I love it! So creative you are ;) xo

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  29. A winter garden sounds terrific! And I have just the sunny spot to do it, now that all the leaves are gone from the very tall trees. The sun is shining brightly through the windows now, and even my orchids are sending off new shoots and leaves. Perhaps they will bloom again! My fingers are crossed! Aloha, and I love the metallic pen art piece.

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  30. OH, I bet it is all going to be beautiful Nicole!! :) I need you to come to my house (yard!) to help me!! ;)
    And anything with the word "simple" in it is right up my alley!!lol Love your holiday art!

    xo
    Nancy

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  31. It does look just like you hand printed it in a studio! I absolutely love it - you are so creative!

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  32. O wow, you are so creative! I love the elegant, minimalist feel of this. (and yes, you're so right -- life IS glorious, praise the Lord!)

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  33. LOVE IT! how cool is this!!!!!!!!!!! I will totally do this! I have a silver pen... that'll do!

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  34. i LOVE that idea! So clever Nicole! BTW, I have the very same vintage olive oil can on display in my kitchen. Gorgeous. Looks fantastic beside your beautiful artwork. Belinda x

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  35. Well, that art is totally awesome! I'm pinning it because it needs to happen in my home.

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

    P.S. Now following you. :)

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  36. That is so clever and so cool! Visually awesome! Gosh you're so clever!

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