Sunday, May 15, 2016

Sometimes We All Go A Little Mad

 
Many that know me, know that one of my most favorite books of all time is Lewis Carroll's "Through The Looking Glass". And naturally, with the release of the movie on
May 27th, I am so EXCITED!
 
And something more EXCITING? This project is my submission to The Robin's Nest Design Team!
 
 
The Robin's Nest is a manufacturing company, specializing in paper & embellishments.
You can find them at:
 
My newest creative endeavor, and submission piece, is very inspired by the fantasy that is "Alice".
Using products and supplies from my personal stash.
(*not items purchased from The Robin's Nest)
 
I began with a tabletop clock that my aunt had picked up and given to me, quite a few years ago, from the clearance section because it was without the clock mechanics.


 
Now an easy enough fix would have been to go to a local hobby store, and buy a clock kit, right? But I just knew, that somewhere down the road, it could be so much more than just a time piece.
 
And what better way to utilize a clock face, than to give it an "Alice" update.
 
Products Used:
 
DecoArt Media:
Interference Gold
Fluid Acrylic Metallic Silver 
 White Gesso
Crackle Paste
Liquid Glass
Matte Medium
Misting Spray Carbon Black
Palmer Pearl Paints:
Horizon Blue
Coral Reef
DCWV Paper
Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint Royal Violet
Lindy's Stamp Gang
Finnabair Art Ingredients Micro Beads
Various Embellishments
 Various Die Cuts Silhouette Cameo
Beacon 3-n-1 Glue
Ivory Tulle
Peach Lace & Ribbon
Stamping Up Chalks
 
First, I chose randomly, sections to apply the gesso, as I still wanted peeks of the original green to be seen.
 
 
I proceeded by applying Royal Violet paint to the pre-gesso sections. After allowing those sections to dry thoroughly, I then "finger painted" (so much easier to manipulate paint)the pearl paints over the top of the Violet sections.
 
Following up with random area's covered in Crackle Paste.
 
I precut many of my design elements on my
Silhouette Cameo.
Including my "mini" Mad Hatter hat, using a heavy card stock.
 
After assembling the hat, I covered it with some sheer, crinkled fabric, giving it a sort of well worn look. I used Lindy's Dark Chocolate Truffle to add a shimmer of gold, without changing the actual color of the fabric. Finishing with embellishments fitting of the Mad Hatter himself.
 
 
 
The 3D Chandelier (chipboard) design also from the Silhouette Cameo, assembled and glued, and used a black glitter glue, Liquid Glass, and Art Ingredients 
Micro Beads in Copper, finishing off the "flame".
 
 
For the face of the clock, I used a DCWV heavy, glittered paper in a Harlequin pattern, cut on a diagonal. And I adding chipboard cut clock hands to the center.
 
 
I used a precut "frame" & vellum and Fluid Acrylic in Metallic Silver, to make a "faux" mirror (or Looking Glass) of sorts, and pre-stamping an Image of Alice, also on vellum, coloring lightly with chalks, and sealing the image/mirror with liquid glass.
 
 
Lastly I finished the design process with randomly glued Micro Beads by Recollection in Peacock & Ivy shades, many metal embellishments in clock face and cog and gears designs, mini paper violets, fussy cut printed images, and tulle and pearl strand draped from the top of the clock, to further ad to a "chaotic" visual.
 
 
 
The finished clock.
I am so thrilled with the results!
 
 
Whimsical & Chaotic as it is in Alice's Adventures!
 
 
Please visit The Robin's Nest and see the broad range of products they carry.
 
 
May you be inspired!
Please visit again soon!
Crafty Blessings!
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 

 
 
  
  



 
 
 
 
 
 


 

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Better Than A Box Of Fresh Donuts


A couple of years ago, if anyone would have asked me what my most favorite thing was that came in a box, I probably would have answered with "Fresh Glazed Donuts".

My how a year has made such a difference. Presently  I am 35 pounds lighter than I was last year at this same time.

And now my new "box of happiness".......Crafty Flowers!

Whether they are paper, fabric, or lace, creating flowers makes me happy. With all of these design inspirations flowing, plans are falling into place for a great future of endeavors for me.

And let's face it, calorie free boxes of happiness, is so much healthier than those filled with donuts, lol.

The following is what I had been working on this week, for a very sweet & special crafty gal I know.




 
In a variety of shades of Pink, Ivory & White, some are pearlized with paint, some are shimmering with a hint of glitter, the rest, touched gently with alcohol ink, to give a vintage, sort of shabby feel.
 
I have found by far, the most impressive paint, at our local Hobby Lobby. How I had missed these all of these years....is anyone's guess.
 
 
 
Presently I only have their "Pearl" variety, but guarantee, the rest of the line is on my radar for future purchase. These paints can be used on just about any medium, canvas, wood, paper, even metal!
The paint is super concentrated, so a very minimal amount goes a very long way.
These delightful miniature flowers I actually finger painted on hues of champagne, white & pink.
 
 
 
With the finishing touch of custom creating a shabby inspired box, I would have to say that this was a creative success.
 

 
 
As added bonus, I created a smaller shabby box, filled with heavy paper stock embossed butterflies.
Finishing this entire goody parcel with a spool of vintage satin/lace ribbon, adding yet one more "shabbified" item by covering the spool with shabby printed paper, and a filigree butterfly & shabby rose.
 
I hope you that today you find yourself feeling inspired!
 
Thank You for stopping by!
 
Please visit again soon!
 
CRAFTY BLESSINGS!
 
 
 
 


 

Monday, May 9, 2016

Time Well Spent

 
Well, a new week has begun, and although it is rainy, cool and just downright ugly here in the Ohio valley, and as an added bonus I am a bit under the weather, woo-hoo (said with heavy sarcasm, lol) I am also feeling a bit elated.
 
The reason being.....I have spent a few days, crafting away, and creating new projects, in styles I had not created before.
 
 
For instance, a round Shabby Chic inspired box,that I created for my mother. This box, has a bit of sentimental value for her, a gift a few years ago from one of her sisters. Sadly the lid was damaged, the featured image irreplaceable. So it was time to make the box "new" again. 

As you can see in the photo, I was able to remove the damaged portion.


 
The paper I used for this project, and also featured in the photo, is by My Mind's Eye Lost & Found, and "Vintage Whimsy" by The Girls Paperie, both purchased at my local Hobby Lobby store.
 
Additional Products Used:
Tim Holtz Distress Inks:
Old Paper
Victorian Velvet
DecoArt Media:
Gesso
Matte Medium
Palmer Acrylic/Pearl Paint:
Seafoam Green
Pearl White
Whisper Pink 
Ivory Venice Lace
Ivory Pearl Strand
Paper Flowers
Pearlized Ink Spray
 Coffee Stain Spray 
 Vintage Image
 
 
First I covered the box in gesso, following with matte medium to adhere the paper. Using the distress inks,to lightly, creating "stained" edges, to give an aged look.
 
Finishing touches of Venice lace around the top of the lid, and lower side edge of the lid, as well as the bottom side of the box, along with pearl strand.
 
Finishing touch, my newest flower design, a Peony, and medium roses, pearls, chipboard doily, were adhered to the top of the box lid, with Beacon 3-in-1 glue.
 
The finished box, and I couldn't be more pleased.
 





 
And no Mother's Day is complete with out a mushy card, right?
 
 
Thank You So Very Much For Stopping By!
 
Feel free to leave a comment below, letting me know what you think of the projects.
 
As Always......Crafting Blessings To You
Please Visit Again Soon!
 
 
 
 

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Blooms Are Bliss

You know, sometimes all the "busy-ness" of life can be so very distracting. It seems as though it has taken me just a bit longer than I had planned, to get back to my "happy space", shutting all that does not pertain to finding my bliss, turning on good tunes, and creating my big heart out.

 
 
No "Calgon take me away moment", but the pure joy and beauty of creating my blooms. And so many more to come. with the big sale at Michael's this week (EEEEEEEEEEE-really can not contain my excitement!)

 So, Just a lil' peak, of a few that I have been working on.

Using my tried and true cutting machine (oh how I LOVE my Silhouette) I cut out various sizes on my 65lb. weight cardstock, distressing the edges  with Tim Holtz Distress inks in both Peacock feathers & Brushed Corduroy, then using a dry detailing brush technique, with Tulip Metallic Fabric Paint, to add a bit of "glamour" to the petals, and using coordinating gold paint, to color clear "berry" beads to use in the center.



 
 

The finished results......................

 
 
And now for something completely different.........
At least for me..........
 
Vintage Blossoms-created with vintage scarves and material (and some leftovers from some worn out jeans)
 
 
 
 
While I have never considered myself to be a froo-froo
girly kind of girl, I have a profound fondness for frilly flowers.
 
In reorganizing my jewelry the other day, I came across one of my very first mixed media projects. Using Petaloo Paper flowers, Vintaj bronze filigrees & chain, and adding some genuine pearls for dangles, making a necklace, that can be dressed up, or dressed down.
 

 
 
Hopefully, these projects find you feeling inspired.
 
Please leave a comment, letting me know you were here!
 
Thank You
so much for stopping by!
 
Crafty Blessings To You!