Tutorial: A Christmas Cardinal Ornament

Welcome! It's day three of the ArtSpark Winter Tutorial
Blog Roll...

Today, I am sharing instructions for creating a delightful
Christmas Cardinal Ornament to decorate your tree, a
package, or perhaps, give as a gift to someone special.


1. Cut a piece of 200 thread count bleached muslin
fabric approximate 2"x2". Using a color photocopy
of a Cardinal's head, trace the outline onto the fabric
with a mechanical pencil and a light box.


2. Following the basic painting steps in my Acrylic
Painting Tutorial, break the Cardinal down into several
main colors and started by painting those large color
blocks using a dry brush technique.

In this example I had two colors: a medium red and black.


3. Once the paint is dry, layer other dark and light paint
colors to create the shadows and highlights using a
wash technique.

Allowing each wash to dry thoroughly, continue adding
more layers of paint until satisfied.


4. Cut one piece of decorative fabric as a background
approximately 3"x3". Cut two pieces of Steam-A-Seam2
the first approximately 2"x2" and the second approximately
3"x3".


5. Iron the 3"x3" decorative fabric to a second piece
of decorative fabric approximately 5"x5" sandwiching
the 3"x3" piece of Steam-A-Seam2 between the two.

Iron the 2"x2" painted Cardinal fabric to the 3"x3"
piece of decorative fabric sandwichings the 2"x2"
piece of Steam-A-Seam2 between the two.


6. Cut a third piece of decorative fabric approximately
5"x5". (I liked to use the same design as the 5"x5"
fabric used in step #5)

Placing right sides together, stitch the two pieces of
5"x5" fabric together remembering to sandwich a piece
of ribbon between the two layers as the ornaments
hanger. Also remember to leave a small opening for
turning the fabric.


7. Add batting or stuffing, then stitch the ornament
closed. Consider adding additional decorative stitching
around the edges to create more visual interest.




The 11 Days of FUN!!! continues...
November 9:: Jane LaFazio Sketch & Stitch Gift Bags
November 10: Lyric Kinard Glitter, Glisten, Glimmer: Beaded Ornament
November 11: Me!
November 12: Melanie Testa Zipper Mania
November 13: Traci Bunkers Moldable Foam Stamps
November 14: Diana Trout Japanese-Style Fabric Wrap(Furoshiko)
November 15: Judy Perez Folk Art Inspired Ornament
November 16: Kelli Nina Perkins Whimsical Spool Garland
November. 17: Lisa Engelbrecht Experimental Lettering
November 18: Jill Berry Geo Papers and Projects
November 19: Gloria Hansen Resizing an Image