can make some cool wall art.
Anne gave me this cool metal bear's paw quilt for my birthday last year. The Metal Quilt company designs them to be hung outside on the sides of barns or the side of your house. I really wanted to hang it on the side of the guest house but I just couldn't get Chris on board with drilling holes int he side of the house.
As an aside, my Mom passed on a pretty sizable yard-art gene to me and if the two of us lived together we would probably have crap hung all over the outside of the house and I am certain that there would be at least one giant whirligig in my front yard and some sort of rustic fountain in the pond. Because I am an artful redneck.
But someone I live with it's the least bit interested in the joy of collecting large yard art so I had to figure out how to use my big metal quilt block inside.
Over the bed in the guest house seemed like a grand idea. It added some much needed color to that room and I love how it looks with the fabric behind it. I think it would have been quite boring had I hung it straight on the wall.
I "made" this in about 30 minutes. I bought frame sections like this from Hobby Lobby. The ones at Dick Blick are nicer (and more expensive) that what I bought. The quilt is 23" square so I bought 2 packs for about $20. I cut a piece of thick cardboard to 23" square and covered that with 2 layers of cotton batting. The batting fits exactly to the size of the cardboard because there isn't enough room in the frame for the batting to wrap to the back. After figuring out how I wanted the dye pattern to show through the quilt I cut the fabric about 2" larger all around the cardboard and used my favorite adhesive (duct tape) to hold the fabric in place on the back of the cardboard. Everything slid easily into the frame and I followed the frame instructions for putting it all together.
Because I used ugly printed cardboard and duct tape on the back I also slid in layer of brown craft paper to cover the back.
Now I think I should get some smaller metal quilts to hang around it........I also have "permission" to get one to hang on the front gable of the porch.
This wall art is gorgeous! And so very appropriate for you! I loved the "artful redneck" comment :). Please post a picture of the gable quilt when you get to it.
Posted by: Tina in NJ | January 08, 2013 at 12:53 PM
It looks great! Glad you have permission (giggle) for another one.
Posted by: Becky in VA | January 08, 2013 at 01:57 PM
Love it! Your fabric looks so beautiful with the metal!
Posted by: Patty | January 08, 2013 at 01:59 PM
That really livens up the wall. The fabric really sets it off.
Posted by: Ruth Lane | January 08, 2013 at 02:12 PM
It looks Fabulous! now the wall looks like a gorgeous fall sunset coming through a window.
Posted by: Deb Levy | January 08, 2013 at 02:59 PM
I'm not big on yard art but I always envision how wonderful it would be to hang old broken ladders on the wall & crap like that. Then, I get off Pinterest and return to my real life!
Great looking wall art!
Posted by: Debra | January 08, 2013 at 03:04 PM
That's beautiful! Very bold and graphic and a great way to use yard art indoors.
Posted by: Jane S. | January 08, 2013 at 03:20 PM
what a NEAT idea!
Posted by: Pat Sloan | January 08, 2013 at 04:00 PM
This is even better than I imagined. Great News you get to do another one on the porch - we won't warn your housemate about yard-art creep... Do it quick before he changes his mind!!
Posted by: Cheryl K. | January 08, 2013 at 04:47 PM
That is spectacular!!!
Posted by: Debbie | January 08, 2013 at 07:34 PM
The fabric really makes it POP! Awesome!
Posted by: Cindy Is Crafty | January 08, 2013 at 09:13 PM
I love that! It looks amazing with the gradation behind it.
Posted by: Gene Black | January 08, 2013 at 09:19 PM
Looks great! And Chris is happy, too!
Posted by: Michele at Sweet Leaf | January 08, 2013 at 09:42 PM
Very nice, Vicki.
Posted by: Freda Henderson | January 08, 2013 at 09:59 PM
It looks great! Especially on point!
Posted by: elle | January 08, 2013 at 10:03 PM
This looks very classy and clean. This would be more appealing to visitors who might not appreciate being inundated with "quilty" stuff. Yet you can still decorate with the theme of what you like and what is important to you. Very nice!
Judy
Posted by: One Minnesota Quilter | January 09, 2013 at 10:31 AM
This is gorgeous. The gradient behind is just stunning in the way it sets off the quilt block. Good job. The Husband must have also been impressed if he gave you "permission" to hang something outside the house!!
Posted by: c | January 09, 2013 at 12:46 PM
Love the concept of the "artful redneck" and that your favorite adhesive is duct tape... what works, works! The art is also beautiful! Nicely done 8>.
Posted by: Kimberly | January 09, 2013 at 03:43 PM
Ooooh, that looks FABULOUS! ANd I am so GLAD to know an "Artful Redneck" now! :-)
Posted by: Candy from Candied Fabrics | January 09, 2013 at 09:14 PM
Vicki, good solution and lovely result. Thanks for the humor. Made me LOL.
Posted by: Karen | January 10, 2013 at 08:27 AM
This looks absolutely fabulous, Vicki
Posted by: Angela | January 14, 2013 at 09:19 AM