Create to Connect!: Unique Artwork for Children's Rooms

I just finished my first stab at embroidered fabric collages for children's rooms and am happy to share the end results! I was inspired to give this a try because of all the mass-produced and incredibly expensive nursery decor you find at baby boutiques.

Each piece represents a different value that I hope to share with my child: courage, compassion, curiosity and creativity. These words are hand-embroidered with animals sewn onto upholstery fabric and then stretched onto 10" wood frames.

Having something personalized in your child's room not only adds visual interest, it contains a heightened effect because it includes a message from you. It gives the piece a voice. And whether or not the creation is something that becomes a keepsake or gets recycled down the line, your child will always know that you created something unique as an expression of your love.

As always, if craftiness is something you enjoy but don't have the time to implement, I am happy to customize an item for you! Soon, I will feature a couple of designs on hitchandbundle.com, but if you'd like to have a piece made with your own vision, send me an email and we will collaborate: blakely@hitchandbundle.com. Prices start at $50 for in-stock or supplied fabrics. I will give you a final quote once we discuss the design.

Here's how you can create your own piece:

1. Choose sturdy fabric - I recommend using scraps from your custom nursery bedding or from a fabric store. Depending on the size of canvas you prefer, add 2" on all sides for stretching. i.e., for a 10" canvas, I used a piece of 14" x 14" fabric.

2. Attach collage pieces by embroidery, sewing or fabric glue. That's right! If you're not handy with a needle, cut out images or text from fabrics and attach with fabric glue bought from a craft store. Choose pieces that not only catch your eye as a beautiful design element but also ones that symbolize or communicate something meaningful to you.

3. Connect the stretcher bars by inserting them into the pre-cut slots and ensure that the frame is square. Use a rubber mallet or hammer if needed.

4. Place fabric face down on a work table with canvas frame on top. Using a staple gun (manual ones from a craft store are fine), staple along the back one time on each side at the center of the stretcher bar. Continue to staple on each side while pulling the fabric taught, moving from the center staple out to the sides. Fold corners as you would when making a bed and staple down.