the big "M" by lauren bergold

i could probably write an entire post about how much i love pink paislee products...especially the ones from the "sweetness" and "parisian anthology" collections that are featured in this month's pixie dust paperie kit, FLORIBUNDA. this particular sheet, "sweetest day" might be my absolute favorite:

you could pretty much frame that, right?! but instead, i decided to make a wall-hanging for my niece madeline's room:

i found the white wooden "M" at michaels for a surprisingly good price... (i think it was $4) ...and i knew right away i would trace its shape onto the lovely pink; but how would i know i was getting the very best bits of the paper?? easy. i'd "waste" an inkjet transparency from the office supply store. by tracing the "M" onto it, rather than my special paper, i was able to move it around and select the optimal place to cut...WITHOUT damaging or marking the paper in the process.

(i didn't take a photo at the time, but here's the template placed over some "stunt paper")

when i was happy with the arrangement, i traced the "M" onto the pink paper and cut it out leaving a 1/16" gap all round. i used my xyron to evenly coat the entire shape with adhesive and affixed it to the wooden letter. then i fussy cut a few more of the lovely roses and used edge punches on coordinating websters pages and glitz design patterns... (best part of a PDP kit? *EVERYTHING* already matches everything else!) ...to fill in the entire shape.

that just left a few finishing touches: i cut very thin (3/8") strips of the white-on-white music paper and used aleen's tacky glue (applied with a disposable brush) to attach it firmly all around the edges of the letter. i painted one of the tim holtz "ornate plates" with white craft paint and adorned it with a glitz rub-on. finally i dangled two of the fancy idea-ology "baubles" from cable wire staples that my husband verrrrrrrrrrry carefully shot into the side of the frame. (we first had a "practice go" on the BACK of the letter, to ensure it would not split or damage the wood!) last of all i attached some of the pixie signature crinkled seam binding (using adhesive and more staples) to serve as a hanger.

and now i kind of want to go back to michaels to see if they have a big "L"...for MY room!!! :)

Kirsty's Note -

Oh wow wow wow, now I can see what happened when a brilliant brain at work, ummm.... I wonder if Michael's have a big "K"???? ......    ; )

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