OhSewCrafty Blog

The seasonal fairies are displayed all together.  Each fairy has a different color scheme, so I decided to double mat each one in suitable tones, but use the same frame for all.  The frame has raised floral relief details, beaded inner edge, and a creamy gold finish.  If framing each one individually, I probably would have chosen a different frame(s), but for all together, this frame represents a good compromise.  The color is quite neutral, actually.  It looks a bit different in each photo below; I suppose that comes down to the amount of light, etc.  I took all the photos with natural light in the same place, but different days and times.  

 For winter, I chose a white inner mat and imperial plum (royal purple) outer mat.  

Spring has a crimson inner mat and pickle (light green) outer mat.

Summer has a juniper (deep teal) inner mat and french blue outer mat.

Fall has a peat (dark brown) inner mat and spice (warm orange-brown) outer mat. 

The fairies are hung on the diagonal, descending down a staircase, in seasonal order according to the calendar.   Sorry for the glare!  It’s really hard to take a decent photo of these, but let me assure you, it looks pretty cool in real life.  

Though I tried working out the framing positions with math, it was too imprecise since some are over the landing while others are over the steps.  So I just hung the edge two (winter and fall) in spots pleasing to the eye, then ran a string between the nails.  I measured the distance (on the diagonal), then divided it by 3 (since I wanted to hang two more pieces evenly).  I marked the wall on the appropriate spots under the string, and nailed the hooks in those spots.  This method worked well and quickly to create a pleasing diagonal arrangement.

Now I want to stitch Joan Elliott’s Elemental Goddess series (Earth, Air, Water, Fire).  Of those, two are oriented vertically (like the seasonal fairies) and two are oriented horizontally, so I think you could create a really cool square arrangement like this:

Sources: Pictureframes.com for the four frames and hardware.  Framemasters and Plaza Art, both in Fairfax, VA for the mats.  Americanframe.com for the plexiglass.  Michaels’ for the acid free foamcore that I lace the needlework around.