How To Create A Flea Market Inspired Vignette Part One

Hello there crafty folks!

Welcome to INSPIRE.

I have an absolutely new obsession.

How I NEVER really checked this, or the folks behind it out before, is way beyond me.

That obsession? Fixer Upper, 

with Chip & Joanna Gaines.

Have I been living in a cave?

Her farmhouse style, mixing vintage with elements of modern, BLOWS MY MIND!

So, in an effort to spruce up our homestead, just cosmetically of course, without emptying our pockets, I am finding thrifty ways to make some changes.

Ways to bring new style to old space.

First spot to work on, our entry way.

I have a mini dresser there, that was given to me, and a while back instead of replacing the drawer knobs, I altered the existing porcelain ones that were already on the drawers, using clay, rose silicon mold & paint to create a "vintage" look.

You can follow the following link for photo's and the full details on how I did this using products from Canvas Corp Brands.

http://blog.canvascorpbrands.com/for-the-home-drawer-knob-re-hab/

So now I have decided to try my hand at a "flea market" style vignette, to add to the top of the dresser in the entry way.

 My first project, a galvanized can to hold greenery.

All I have is larger cans that once held beans or tomato sauce, so naturally this is my base.

In my stash, I had received an unopened package of corrugated card stock in a grab box, so I decided to use it for the "rippled" look so many home decor tins have these days.

First I measured and cut the cardstock, I glued it the can using wood glue, for extra strong hold. Once cured, I added clear gesso, followed by white gesso.

After the gesso had dried, I used a metallic silver paint, applied lightly with a brush, and for the final step, I added Finnabair Art Alchemy Metallic Wax in Brushed Iron, applying with my finger, randomly over the surface of the can, to give a "washed" looked to the surface.

Add a couple of silk greenery picks I had on hand, and I have the perfect first piece towards creating my flea market style vignette.

And the cost? NADA, as I had all these things on hand.

Thanks for stopping by today. Check back again soon, as I will be sharing this project in stages, trying to use from my current stash, to stretch dollars as I go along.

Until next time......

Get Creative!

Returning To My First Creative Love

We all have one, that first creative spark

that absolutely thrilled us with the end results.

Mine, was working with canvas, Whether it was painting

or drawing, work with canvas has truly been my greatest

creative love.

Turn some music on to inspire me, and I am carried

away, leaving behind the troubles of yesterday, and transported 

to a place of peace & beauty.

That is where I was with my latest canvas work.

My favorite, peaceful vacation spot.

With waters in hues of turquoise, deep blue & pale green,

I reminencsed of the fresh salty air, and the sounds of the gentle waves.

Only one way to relive that moment in time......

A piece of canvas art.

With Faber-Castell Gelato's & Aqua Pencils, and a with little help from Jane Davenport's Inkredible Inks too, I did just that.

I love the blendability of the gelato's, and how well the aqua pencils worked for adding depth and detail.

Using the ink applies with a brush, just enhanced the depth of color.

I can not wait to use ALL of these products again soon.

So today, I challenge you, especially if your creativity is in a holding pattern

(as mine had been for far to long) return to that first creative love, maybe using products that were not available before, and watch your creative heart bloom again!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Until next time.....

Keep On Crafting!

*I was in no way endorsed by Faber-Castell or Jane Davenport/American Crafts.

Finding Peace In Life After The Grief

Hello there.

It has been a couple of weeks since my last posting,

and a couple of weeks prior to that

since I have posted anything crafty.

The last part of April, until 2 weeks ago,

I had been caring for one of our fur babies that

had been diagnosed with cancer.

We weren't able to have children, and chronic illness

left us incapable of adopting.

Our fur babies are our children.

Our hearts are still grieving, as we had to make the heart wrenching decision to end our Emmett's suffering.

If there is any silver lining in this, he truly only suffered egregiously for 2 days, not eating or drinking, and unable to control the sickness.

Sadly this happened over the weekend,

but we wanted him to be in the comfort

of an office & staff he was familiar with 

since he was a pup, for the end.

We knew this was coming,

and had been made aware & prepared.

 On Monday, May 14 at 3:36pm,

we said our final goodbye to

our precious boy Emmett.

We were so blessed to raise him from a pup, 

and enjoyed 8 wonderful loving years

with this remarkable creature.

Not one day goes by that I do not

feel the weight of grief of not

having him here.

I am taking it day by day.

We live in the country, and have a beautiful

wooded lot, with a lovely single shade tree, that I can see from our kitchen window.

He has been laid to rest there.

Soon there will be beautiful wildflowers

and a guardian angel statue there too.

The morning after his passing, as I

looked upon "his place", a beautiful red cardinal, perched itself upon a stray single branch, just above Emmett.

I would like to think it is his spirit, still

watching over us, still being our "guardian" angel.

And I have seen that cardinal every day since.

Now my journey to find a sort of peace & comfort,

beyond the grief has begun.

Some day the pain will be less, but I will never forget

the love & companionship Emmett gave.

Love you forever,

Miss you forevermore

Our sweet boy.

Caring For Our Fur Baby With Cancer

Hello everyone.

I wanted to address my absence

in creative postings as of late.

A few weeks ago, one of our fur babies

was diagnosed with cancer.

We were given the

"make the most of the time we have"

versus the amount of time we have

suggestion.

Much of my days & evenings, are spent 

with our precious Emmett. He has good days, and not so good days. 

Recently has been more of the latter.

So I have been very limited in time,

generally only creating design team projects and posts.

If anyone reading this, would please lift us up in prayer, as we are facing this most

difficult time, it would be much appreciate it.

Our Emmett 💖

With our deepest gratitude.........

Del, Michelle & Emmett

How To Create A Simple Layered Card In Just 15 Minutes

Hello Crafty Folks!

Happy Saturday!

Are you looking for an easy

way to create a layered card for any occasion?

Even Earth Day?

Then head on over to the Chattering Robin's blog

and see how I put together a "nature" inspired

card, in just 15 minutes

using EXCLUSIVE products

from The Robin's Nest.

Just follow this link for full details:

https://chatteringrobins.blogspot.com

And for the products I used in this project,

visit The Robin's Nest online store at:

https://shop.robinsnest-scrap.net/main.sc

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Hope you visit again soon!

How To Beat The Sick Fur Baby Blues

Hey y'all!

Welcome to INSPIRE.

It has been a week or so since my last post.

Sadly, one of my fur babies had 

fallen ill and stopped eating.

So this mama has been giving 

round the clock care & attention 

to my boy.

Two vet visits in, and all we know is he

is severely & dangerously anemic.

And have zero idea of the cause.

He is now on steroids & iron supplements, 

and is starting to show great improvement, and eating everything we give him.

THANK GOD!

Our boy Emmett today.

So during his napping moments, I got 

out my sketch pad, and learned

some new techniques in drawing.

I loved this one so much, it has

turned into a canvas, and has been submitted

as a creative crew project with Canvas Corp Brands.

I thought I would share the "sketch" process with you, as well as the early stages of transferring this 

"artsy girl" over to canvas.

For the completed canvas, stay tuned,

as it is posted with Canvas Corp Brands, I will share it with you too.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time.............. 

How To Add Dazzle To A Tote

Hello there!

Welcome to INSPIRE.

I wanted to share the link to my latest  

design team project for 

The Robin's Nest.

I created a colorful, dazzling design using an array of shapes, sizes & colors of Dew Drops

found in The Robin's Nest store.

To see the full project, follow this link:

https://chatteringrobins.blogspot.com

To purchase Dew Drops & other exclusive products 

from The Robin's Nest, visit:

https://shop.robinsnest-scrap.net/main.sc

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Have a blessed weekend!

Until next time......

Be Crafty!

A Little Shabby Chic Treasure For Pretty Spring Decor

Hello welcome

to INSPIRE.

Each week, among my design team projects

that I am working on, there lies a pile or two

of "intended" personal projects, just waiting to

be created.

With Sunday being Easter, and with much of the NorthEastern portion of the USA (including my little corner of Ohio) having been stuck with winter conditions far longer than wanted, I wanted to do something with "life".

Enter the paper mache' egg.

This idea struck while combing the aisles

of my local Hobby Lobby & Michael stores, in

search of a "fresh" idea.

So with one 50% off Easter sale at one store, and a great deal of various Easter eggs at another, the idea came to life.

For this project I used:

Gel Medium

Printed Tissue Paper

Heavy White Gesso

Metallic Wax & Paint

Glue

Lace Trim

Ribbon

Moss Ribbon

Miniature Flower Bunch

Mini Stones

Prill Sprays

Butterfly Embellishment

Wooden Candle Stick Holder

2.5" Paper Mache' Egg

Tools used:

Scissors

Craft Knife

Beading Awl

Sanding Block

I began by using my craft knife, to cut out a small portion from the top of the egg.

I then used gesso, and covered the entire egg and candle holder, and let dry thoroughly.

With the tissue paper, I ripped out areas that featured a beautiful floral print, and then applied with gel medium to the surface of the egg.

Using the sanding block, I roughed up the surface of the candle just a bit. to give a weathered look. I then followed by applying and rubbing a pewter colored wax, randomly over the surface of the candle holder.

To finish I used a metallic pink paint, lightly applied with my finger, also randomly over the surface.

Once the tissue paper had set, I used the moss ribbon as a filler to the inside of the egg, secured by glue. 

With the beading awl, made a hole within the moss, and then added the floral spray, with glue to the inside center of the egg.

I pulled a few "tendrils" of the moss the exposed edges of the egg hole, and added a pinch of mini stones around the base of the floral spray with glue.

Final embellishment to the floral, was a small clay Butterly, added to the base of the floral spray.

Using a 3 inch section of some scrap lace trim, I glued it to the top of the candle holder.

To finish, I used some vintage pink ribbon, made into a double bow, centered with a small pearl embellishment to finish.

And what a little lovely to sit on a desk or shelf, to remind me of the beauty that is just around the corner with the awakening of Spring.

Thanks so much for visiting today!

Please stop back by again soon!

Until next time.......BE CRAFTY!

Memories Of The Past Find New Life

Hey there!

Welcome to INSPIRE.

A couple of weekends ago,

I took the weekend and visited

a local flea market & antique mall, in search of some vintage goodies I could use in

my crafting endeavors.

I walked away with a handful of vintage photos & a silver plated teapot with sugar & creamer vessels too,

all for under $20.

Yep, under $20!

So this past week, I spent time putting together some layouts, featuring a few of the photos along with some of my favorite paper & flowers designs.

Have to say I am quite pleased with how these layouts turned out.

Each has a different style, yet still keeping with a vintage edge. 

Next on my agenda, how to alter the silver tea service set........stay tuned.

Thanks so much for visiting today,

please visit again soon.

Until next time......Be Crafty!

What An Exciting Day! My First CCB Creative Crew Project Post!

Hello there!

Welcome to INSPIRE!

I am so excited to

be sharing with you, 

the link to my first official

Canvas Corp Brand Creative Crew

project post.

A spring inspired clutch purse,

created from a canvas banner.

Yes a banner.

http://blog.canvascorpbrands.com/spring-inspired-canvas-clutch-purse/

For full details on how I made this beauty

 and link to the

 Canvas Corp Brands online shop,

visit The Creative Studio link below the photo,

or visits the links here:

https://shop.canvascorpbrands.com

http://blog.canvascorpbrands.com

This was a such a fun project to do,

I hope you check it out, and find yourself inspired.

Thanks for stopping by!

Until next time.............Be Crafty!