quilting with paper

After all of my dreaming (and drooling) over amazing craft spaces, I decided to stop whining about my space (a.k.a. the dining room table) and do something about it.

Something simple, something quick, something happy.

What makes me happy?
The quilt.
What did the mailman just bring?
A 20 x 30 print of said quilt.
Where can I hang it?
No clue...

So as I sat at my sewing machine pondering these questions, I looked in front of me at the giant 4 x 4 foot canvas that has been bugging me since the day I painted it 3 years ago.
That is where I wanted the picture to go.
But I didn't want to just ditch the canvas.
Nor did I really want to buy a giant frame for a giant price.

Enter the paper quilt experiment.

I took a pack of Heather Bailey paper
which had exactly 12 different prints.
Then I cut each paper into 2 inch strips.


Here is my stack of 16 different "quilt blocks".
I made sure that each block had 6 different prints.
No real science to this.
Random is how I like it.


I used my tape runner to attach six strips to each 12 x 12 piece of cardstock.


Then I grabbed my dear friend Mod Podge and a brush.
While I let the kids go wild with glue sticks on their craft table, I poured out nearly a whole bottle of the Mod Podge and went crazy with glue of my own. The foam brush was quickly ditched for a much more useful big bristle paintbrush. Similar to the Quilt Along, I just lined up each block and smoothed it down.


Then I used my staple gun to put some aqua ribbon across it.
Finally, I put the matching french clips to good use attaching the picture.


One hour later.
One thousand times better.
Is it too girly and crafty for a dining room?
Maybe.
But not for my dining room.
So if you don't sew, you still can make a sweet quilt,
and if you come over for dinner you can eat next to sweet baby feet.


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41 Comments

  1. CrystalJuly 30, 2009 at 5:23 PM

    very nice. :) i love it!

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  2. Heather | Cookie MondaysJuly 30, 2009 at 5:26 PM

    i feel a project coming on. where did you find the paper?

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  3. TrishJuly 30, 2009 at 5:30 PM

    I really want some of that paper. Do indulge where you got it!

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  4. MistyJuly 30, 2009 at 5:30 PM

    That is the cutest idea! I LOVE LOVE LOVE it!

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  5. AnonymousJuly 30, 2009 at 5:43 PM

    How beautiful!

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  6. Polka Dot MoonJuly 30, 2009 at 5:56 PM

    Another beautiful creation by you!!!

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  7. KristinJuly 30, 2009 at 6:12 PM

    This is awesome. Great idea.

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  8. Mary ElizabethJuly 30, 2009 at 6:43 PM

    THAT IS AWESOME!!!! I LOVE IT!!!! :)

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  9. LSGJuly 30, 2009 at 7:02 PM

    you're a paper-quilting-genius!!! love it...

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  10. {amy k.}July 30, 2009 at 7:16 PM

    Love the paper quilt idea- so cute!

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  11. AnonymousJuly 30, 2009 at 7:50 PM

    great idea!! I love girly houses ;)

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  12. JenniferJuly 30, 2009 at 7:59 PM

    That is just too cute! I have no pictures on my daughter's bedroom walls - thanks for such a fantastic idea. How creative. What brand of paper is that?

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  13. JeanetteJuly 30, 2009 at 8:32 PM

    i love it...it's fabulous! i also love the picture in the jar with sand...so unique!

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  14. SheybJuly 30, 2009 at 8:40 PM

    Cute!!

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  15. meg duerksenJuly 30, 2009 at 8:52 PM

    you are unreal!!!
    it is awesome!!

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  16. Karin SchuellerJuly 30, 2009 at 9:57 PM

    My first thought?? OH MY GOD THERE IS HEATHER BAILEY PAPER????????? Then when I recovered, lol, I saw the finished product. I am AMAZED, and jealous, and well, just WOW! :) Will come to my house and decorate? lol

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  17. LydiaJuly 30, 2009 at 10:43 PM

    Adorable!

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  18. House QueenJuly 30, 2009 at 11:25 PM

    Absolutely Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!

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  19. MollyJuly 31, 2009 at 3:23 AM

    I want a baby to take a picture like that and make a quilt picture frame. I love it!!!! Happy Friday!!
    ~Molly P

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  20. Venezie DesignsJuly 31, 2009 at 5:35 AM

    WOW - what a great idea!

    Came out GREAT!

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  21. JillJuly 31, 2009 at 5:53 AM

    Julie!!! This is DARLING!!!! I was so sad when everyone was making a quilt together...since I can't really sew I couldn't join the fun...but I sure can cut and glue!!! Off to create my canvas quilt!
    Brilliant idea!
    Blessings!
    Jill

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  22. ~ Lisa @ AbidingThere~July 31, 2009 at 5:55 AM

    I love it, Julie!

    So a while back you told me you were making a new, improved version of your 'Love God. Love Others.' wooden sign. Did you finish it? I bought stuff to make myself one a few weeks ago, but I've been too chicken because I don't have any creative ideas for how to make it cute. Wanna share any ideas with me? :)

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  23. amy jupinJuly 31, 2009 at 6:06 AM

    and why surround yourself with stuff you love? i bet your new "quilt" makes you smile every time you look at it! perfection!

    on the other hand, a picture of my seven year old stinky boy's feet...just not the same! :)

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  24. JuliannJuly 31, 2009 at 6:15 AM

    What a great idea! I love it, and think it is PERFECT for a dining room. That is where my "craft room" is too.... :-)

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  25. JamieJuly 31, 2009 at 6:51 AM

    Love it and it looks like you had a pretty productive afternoon too. :)

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  26. HMaasJuly 31, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    Very clever - I will never look at my scrapbooking paper the same - Love it!!!!

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  27. EricaJuly 31, 2009 at 8:48 AM

    I love it!!! I've been wanting to do something to my craft space, which is also my dining room table.

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  28. CandiceJuly 31, 2009 at 9:45 AM

    thats the cutest thing ever, everything you do is darling. I just wish i had some of that paper it is so beautiful!

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  29. MorganJuly 31, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    What a cute idea! I love it!

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  30. JaimeJuly 31, 2009 at 12:24 PM

    All I can say is FABULOUS!!!

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  31. KristiJuly 31, 2009 at 12:42 PM

    Beautiful! I'm so glad you are basking in the beauty of your first quilt!! I made my first one for a cousin's new baby. I even did that crazy free motion quilting myself (I nearly killed myself in the process). But never heard boo about it afterwards. I heard from my aunt that they received it, but it was really sad not to hear if they liked it or were enjoying it or not. I worked so dang hard on that thing!

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  32. KristiJuly 31, 2009 at 12:42 PM

    Beautiful! I'm so glad you are basking in the beauty of your first quilt!! I made my first one for a cousin's new baby. I even did that crazy free motion quilting myself (I nearly killed myself in the process). But never heard boo about it afterwards. I heard from my aunt that they received it, but it was really sad not to hear if they liked it or were enjoying it or not. I worked so dang hard on that thing!

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  33. Candice @ Made With LoveJuly 31, 2009 at 12:57 PM

    So very clever!

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  34. BethJuly 31, 2009 at 3:22 PM

    love the cute clips - what a great way to showcase your adorable picture! And I don't think it's weird for a dining room. :)

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  35. Bobbi & NoeJuly 31, 2009 at 8:13 PM

    This is absolutely gorgeous! You are one talented woman!

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  36. Sweet PAugust 1, 2009 at 3:39 AM

    Simply stunning! Now you given me a reason to buy pretty papers and use them.

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  37. michelle@somedaycraftsAugust 1, 2009 at 9:26 AM

    awesome idea! so easy, less time consuming and beautiful. I just might have to buy me a huge canvas in the next couple of days!!! I linked to you at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com

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  38. Erin BurnsAugust 2, 2009 at 8:46 AM

    This is the cutest thing EVER! And kinda gives me a sneak peek at what my quilts would look like (if I ever finish them!) since I bought all FreshCut fabric for them =)

    My craft room is the dining table too, or sometimes a large folding one in the garage!

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  39. trishAugust 4, 2009 at 8:39 AM

    What a cute idea!! I can only imagine the possibilities!

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  40. UnknownAugust 9, 2009 at 1:02 PM

    OH wow that is fabulous! Thank you for sharing this tutorial - must try!

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  41. KristiSeptember 22, 2009 at 4:41 AM

    love it!

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