Paint-by-Number Pillow

This Bee Pillow is available in my Cottage Hill Store

*Click Here*

Fess up--

I'll bet most of you painted something-by-number when you were a kid.  I did.  I think mine was a picture of a swan or something.  Anyway,  I thought I'd make a numbered pattern of a bee pillow for anyone who'd like to try it again.

Let's get started--

1.  Use painters canvas -- wash and dry to pre-shrink and soften.
2.  Cut two 19"x19" pieces.
3.  Print the pattern on legal size paper.  This is only half of the pattern.  Duh. You'll have to flip the pattern over (and possibly retrace the lines on the back with a Sharpie) to draw the opposite side.

Color Key:

                                                                      1 - black/brown

                                                                      2 - white

                                                                      3 - light blue

                                                                      4 - light brown

                                                                      5 - brown

                                                                      6 - light golden beige

                                                                      7 - rust
                                                                      8 - light gray

4.  Tape the pattern to a window.  The light from the window will help you see the pattern through the fabric.

 
5.  Tape one of the pieces of fabric over the pattern, centering the pattern under the fabric.  I drew an arrow at the center of the pattern.

6.  Trace the pattern onto the fabric.  I use colored pencils in colors close to the colors I'll be painting to make the drawing.  This way the drawn lines blend in and you don't have to worry about pencil lines.
7.  Trace the leaf design in the four corners of the fabric.

8.  Start painting.  I use acrylic craft paint when I paint on fabric.  I dip my brush in water and then mix a small amount of paint in.  It's better to use a light hand and watered down paint, building the paint up to get the look you want.  This project should have a soft, water color look so use lots of water.  This also keeps the painting from getting too stiff.

Tips -- I used less water in the paint for the smaller detail so there was no bleeding of the paint.  I added a little dark brown to suggest eyes.  I also dry brushed a little white over the top of the wings when all the paint was dry.  This made them look a little more transparent.

I'll be listing this pillow in my Etsy Store soon!!!

Here's to being a kid again!

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