Saturday, April 21, 2018

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!

Friday, April 20, 2018

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.............. 

Saturday, April 7, 2018

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!

Thursday, March 29, 2018

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!

Tuesday, March 20, 2018

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!

Friday, March 9, 2018

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!

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

Giving An Old Lampshade New Life

Hello there!
Welcome to INSPIRE.

So, technically spring is still days away, but here in the Ohio valley, we have been teased a bit
of that upcoming bliss with warmer 
than average temperatures for this time of year.

So naturally, that has had me in a "re-habbing" mood, especially with my home decor.
For it is the time of year, to shake the winter blahs, and bring new life, into my decor.

My latest obsession in decor has been
Farmhouse/Shabby/French Flea Market designs.
I am also a fan of working with what I have, and just making subtle changes.

A few months ago while perusing a clearance section in the fabric dept. at my local Hobby Lobby, I found a French Script shower curtain, for like $3.

Of course I snatched it up.

The first projects I completed, was recovering my unsightly white linen drum lampshades on my living room lamps.




Having leftover material, I decided to do the same with the old lampshade for this small lamp.


So, I measured, cut, ironed & glued the fabric to the existing lampshade, and added some gorgeous fringe in a coordinating color.

This was a simple & easy project, with lots of decorative punch when finished.

And so lovely in our entryway hallway.


Thanks so much for stopping by today.

Visit again soon, and see what other creative endeavors are a foot!

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

Sunday, February 25, 2018

A Jewel Tone Foiled Bottle How To

Hello, welcome to INSPIRE.

Today I wanted to share the link 
to the ScraPerfect blog, where today
you will find my latest project using
the innovative ScraPerfect products.

A beautiful jewel toned bottle.


For full details on how I made this bottle, visit the ScraPerfect blog at:

https://scraperfect.blogspot.com

For ScraPerfect products, 
visit the ScraPerfect store at:

http://scraperfect.com

Thanks for stopping by today!

May you find yourself inspired to create!

Happy Crafting!

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

How To Make A Shabby Chic Fancy Floral Bird

Hello & welcome to 
INSPIRE!

I feel as though I have found 
a long lost friend.
I have finally completed 
the journey from the flu, 
to near wellness, and 
back to my crafting space.
And I am thrilled!

Today I completed a two day project,
a Shabby Chic inspired bird,
made with air dry clay.


For the "form", I used
a blown lightbulb & leftover wooden knob
 from a past project.
I wrapped several layers of tissue paper around them both, and bound with masking tape.




I then followed a 1 to 1 ratio of
 gel medium to water, and strips of craft paper card stock to make a solid mache' form in which to add the clay to.



The clay I absolutely love to use is Das Air Dry Modeling Clay. It is light weight, and so easy to use and form. And can be found at your local Hobby Lobby & Michaels.

Basically I created a med thick clay "skin" and applied it to the bird form. I use damp hands to smooth and manipulate the clay to cover the form completely and then I let it dry to a slightly dampened state.

Using the same technique, I formed and shaped the wings, eye sockets, tail & beak and while slightly wet, applied and formed them into the body.


I wanted to give the bird a slightly carved looked, so I made striations with a ceramic tool over the wings.

Once the clay had dried, I used a dry paint technique, using a mousy grey acrylic paint first, then white washing it with a water downed white acrylic paint.

When the paint had thoroughly dried, I used a dry
scouring sponge to lightly sand over the entire surface of the bird, to remove any rough spot of clay, and lend to a distressed look.

To accent the bird, I used floral embellishments of daisies & leaf petals, painted with mild paint, alternating a pattern in applying them, and I used heavy duty epoxy glue to attach them.




To completely finish the bird, I used a thin coat of 
Tattered Angels Glimmer Glam in Clear, which just gives a hint of glimmer with it's slightly glossy finish.


You can find Glimmer Glam & the entire Tattered Angels line of products at Canvas Corp Brands online shop, along with other great CCB products like 
7Gypsies, Ken Oliver, Aga Baraniak & more.

https://shop.canvascorpbrands.com

Thanks so much for visiting today. I hope you enjoyed this project, and feel inspired to create one for yourself.


Until next time.........Crafty Blessings!

Saturday, February 17, 2018

A Lovely Bohemian Inspired Canvas With Beautiful Dew Drops

Hello there, welcome to Inspire.

I wanted to share with you 
a link to my latest DT project
for The Robin's Nest,
using their exclusive 
Dew Drops.



For full details, following the following link
to the Chattering Robin's blog.

https://chatteringrobins.blogspot.com


For the Dew Drops used in this project
 & so much more
visit The Robin's Nest online store at:

http://shop.robinsnest-scrap.net

Thanks for stopping by!