Lately I’ve been busy working behind the scenes on my office makeover and tackling a ton of big projects that I cannot wait to share with you guys. It’s coming along beautifully! The problem with big, epic, awesome-sauce projects is that they usually take a good amount of time to complete. At least that’s the way it seems to work for me anyway. So while I have my office torn apart with furniture paining, table building, and a few other surprise projects, I’m going to share a few smaller (but still awesome-sauce!) home decor ideas that I’ve had floating around in my brain for awhile. You may just see a few of them used in my office makeover as we go along!
This sweet little piece of art came from an idea I found on the HGTV Handmade YouTube Channel. I’ve worked with canvas stitching before on my embroidered canvas word art, so I already knew this would be a fun and simple project to tackle. It only took me about a half hour and cost under $7 in supplies to create this Geometric Stitched Animal Art that will add the perfect touch of whimsy to any room!
When it was time to choose an animal for this project, I had to go with an elephant. I can’t really explain why, but ever since my son was born, I’ve had a strong connection to them. Maybe it’s their quiet strength or protective nature, or maybe it’s just because they are so darn cute. Either way, I love ’em! You can choose whatever animal happens to be your favorite (or any shape really), so have fun getting creative with this idea!
Supplies:
- small canvas (mine was 7″ x 9″)
- embroidery thread
- sewing needle
- picture of animal
- pencil
- tape
Step 1: Find a picture of your favorite animal from a book or magazine or print one from a computer. Place a piece of white computer paper over the animal print. Use a pencil to draw dots around the outline of the animal. Place a dot wherever the shape changes direction to help guide you.
Step 2: Place the dotted outline paper on top of a blank white canvas and tape down the corners to hold the paper in place. Using a sewing needle, pierce through the paper and canvas at each dot on the paper. Then remove the paper and tape from the canvas.
Tip: you can connect the dots on your paper with a pencil to help guide you as you stitch the outline. This is especially helpful on detailed areas where there are many dots in a small space.
Step 3: Thread a needle with embroidery thread and tie a knot at the end. Use the holes you created in the canvas as a guide for sewing the outline of the animal.
Step 4: Once you’ve completed the outline, stitch intersecting lines inside the animal, creating various geometric shapes. Use larger shapes on larger body parts and smaller shapes on smaller body parts. When finished, tie a knot in back of the canvas to secure the thread.
As if the elephant couldn’t get any cuter than he already was, I added a little detail to his tail for extra cuteness!
This canvas art would look great as part of a gallery wall, on a book shelf, or just about anywhere in your home. A collection of these animals in a kid’s bedroom or playroom would be darling too!
But this guy isn’t going in my kids’ room… Oh no, he’s all mine! What shall I name my new little friend? 😉
So what do YOU think? Do you like this whimsical, modern, black and white piece of art? What animal would you create? Would you stick to black and white or use a fun punch of colored thread? Leave me a comment and tell me your thoughts!
Are you making this project? I’d LOVE to see it! Post a photo of your creation on Instagram and use the hashtag #MyLGWProject. It may just get featured!
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Love your elephant stitched art!
Thank you so much, Carmody!! I love the way he turned out! 🙂
What a brilliant idea! I love the clean lines and the minimalist feel. I am going to buy four of these canvases and make a focal point for my living room, 4 elephants, each one in different colour thread. Thank you so much for sharing the tutorial
That will look amazing in your living room! You’ll have to let me know how they turn out!
This turned out SO good, Liz. I love a good geometric animal, and black and white <3 Very cute!
I was channeling your cool style in this post, for sure! Thanks for stopping by, Amy!
Well, I’m in love. This little elephant is as cute as can be. I’d love for you to come share at our link party going on now, if you’ve not yet!
http://www.delineateyourdwelling.com/2014/09/link-it-or-lump-it-party-number-54.html
Thank you so much, Amy!! You’re too sweet!
This looks so great! I didn’t have a canvas, so I just used a white sheet of paper and black marker to make my version of this. It’s now framed and hanging in my living room. So thank you so much for the inspiration! Just what my room needed. 🙂
That is SUCH a great idea, Daphne! A great simple solution! I just might doodle some geometric animals myself this evening. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Everything you do is seriously so phenomenal! I <3 you so much!! I'd love it if you shared your amazing talent at our brand new link party http://www.carissamiss.com/2014/09/outside-box-link-party-no-1.html
Thank you so much, Carissa! I really appreciate your compliment!
Love it, can’t wait to create one, but what to make… 😉
#moonlightandmasonjars linky
So many possibilities! Thanks for stopping by, Leandra!
Love this! My 11 year old loves elephants-this would be so fun for her and I to make together for her bedroom! Great idea!
Absolutely! That would be such a sweet project for the two of you to do together! Enjoy!
How cool! Love this idea! I noticed your DIY clipboards too. Fantastic! I’d love for you to share this at my weekly link party http://www.thelifeofjenniferdawn.com/2014/09/a-little-bird-told-me-link-party-107.html Hope to see you there!
Thank you so much, Jennifer!!
So cute! I should have my son make his own for his room.
I bet that would be super cute in his room! Thanks for stopping by, Tonia!!
What a great idea! I like that it can be done on a canvas, or a pillow case or a table runner… anything!
I think a good name for your elephant is Ruby as that was the name of an artist elephant at the Phoenix Zoo, and your elephant is a work of art.
Ruby… I love it! And you’re right, you can make this on just about any kind of fabric you have around the house! Thanks so much for stopping by! 🙂
I love this stitched elephant, so creative and cute! Come on over and share it at out link party, Link It or Lump It: http://houseologie.com/link-lump-55-features/
Thank you, Leigh Anne!
This is awesome!!! I really can’t believe I came across this post… I have had a half-baked idea in my head for a similar project, I just knew I wanted geometric animal shapes, and them either embroidery? or string-art? but those seemed really complicated to pull off!!! this is PERFECT!!! thank you so much for sharing and helping me with how I want to do what I was thinking of!!! I will totally share my project with your hashtag, once it is completed!!! Really, you have NO IDEA how much you have inspired me to complete my half-formed project idea…thankyouthankyouthankyou!
That is so awesome, Julie!! I love it when that happens! Great minds definitely think alike. 😉 I cannot WAIT to see your project!!
I love this idea ! It’s so cool ! 🙂 I’m going to share your post in my french blog !
Why, thank you! 🙂
Hi Liz, I found your project via pinterest and it is GREAT! I love the elephant and in the past I did the same project – just on paper with an easterbunny (http://goo.gl/6kai7O) and a trilogy with a horse, cow and a rhino (http://goo.gl/RbHly9). Would love to see more of these project!
Honestly! I am gonna try this. Your ideas are stunning me!! 🙂