Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Proud Priscilla's Bohemian Bazaar Matchbox House


I'm so excited to share this project. I've had to sit on my hands to stop myself from posting it sooner BUT today it's being featured on the Graphic 45 blog so I can safely show it off.

May I present, Proud Priscilla's Bohemian Bazaar Matchbox House!


This project was created with Small Matchbook Box as a base and embellished with of my very favourite paper collections: Bohemian Bazaar. A couple of years ago my arty pallet consisted mainly of grey, brown and black. I made a conscious effort to add bit of colour to my work... now I can't get enough. Bohemian Bazaar makes me happy just to look at it :) AND check out the windows and door... those are the G45 Staples Ornate Metal Key Holes


 And those keys... LOVE them.
Turn the wee building around there's our Proud Priscilla standing in her garden of Petaloo flowers :)

For more pics and complete materials list hop over to the Graphic 45 blog!

Saturday, July 27, 2013

The Great Migration - Faerie Village Opening Day

Today is the anniversary of The Gates, our local arts centre, headquarters to the Brighton Arts Council AND the summer vacation home of the Pixie Hill faeries. This is the second time the fairies have taken a vacation at the Gates. It's a labour of love, a gift to the town I love, and an excellent opportunity to spread arty farty goodness to the public.

It's opening day of the fairy village and I think it turned out pretty stinkin' cute. A big fat thanks to some of the local artists who contributed items to the tour - Ron Waddling, Roni Glenn, Anja and Natasha Hertle, Kathy Powell and Louise Sirtonski. AND more wet sloppy kisses to Wendy Larsson, Chris Bird, Liz Kay, Erin Schwab, Kevin Gilbert, Joanne MacDonell, Mr. Higgins, Diane Douglas, Julia La Rosa and Linda Wildenstein for contributing pennies :) You've all made such a difference and I love you for it.

I'll post some pics of the opening event later but for now here are some post set-up/pre-opening pictures....

HUGE thanks to Louise Sirtonski for assisting with the set up and delivering these amazing dragonflies by Kathy Powell!

THANK YOU Kevin and Erin for your generous contribution

THANK YOU Joanne MacDonell for your generous contribution!


THANK YOU Natasha Hertle for your beautiful contribution!

More of the lovely dragonflies contributed by Kathy Powell




BIG THANKS to Roni Glenn for contributing this amazing fairy house.







Here's hoping the rains hold off until AFTER the celebrations. Then again, faeries do like to play in puddles :)

Friday, July 26, 2013

Coming together

I managed to get over to The Gates to do a little more work on the fairy village installation being revealed this Saturday. Thank heavens! There's still a fair bit of work to do tomorrow BUT I feel like things are starting to come together. For a while it was all just looking like 'stuff' strewn here and there... but there's a little magic brewing now :)



AND just look at this magnificent boot house and teacup home!


The two were generous contributions by local artist Anja Hertle and her daughter. I am absolutely smitten with the boot and greedily thought about keeping it far longer than I should have. It really is magnificent :)

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Why yes, I have lost my mind

I'm looking forward to this week being over. I'm bombarded with projects that need completion and last nights bed time was 3 am... the night before it was 5am. Yeah, I won't be a pretty sight by the time the weekend rolls around.


The fairy village installation at The Gates opens on Saturday and I am no where near done. The installation date was moved a week earlier than expected to coincide with the first anniversary celebrations at the site. It's a smart move as far as promotions and media interest are concerned... not so much with my schedule. So it's stealing an hour here and there to try and pull it all together. Fingers crossed.


These little hanging pixie houses are one of the projects I completed last night. I think they will be super cute hanging here and there from the trees.


I was totally inspired after seeing the above images on Pinterest. The original post is from Filth Wizardry, an art and craft blog for kids. How flipping cute are they? I totally swiped the idea and ran with it.


Super-cute AND recycling... how can you go wrong?

Wish me luck on completing the week with what is left of my sanity intact. I'm not holding my breath ;)

Friday, July 19, 2013

Christmas in July & A French Lady

I received a package of fresh new papers from Graphic 45 last night.

Mother Goose is cute and cheery and has loads of "Twinkle, twinkle little star" bits. Ring Around the Rosies, Checkers and Nursery Rhymes are loverly.


 12 Days of Christmas is just yummy. I particularly like 12 Days of Christmas because I love plaid at Christmas. I'm feeling the peppermint stripes of Drummers Drumming. Christmas Rose is just all sorts of shabby chic gorgeous.


And now that I've got the new papers in my greedy little hands I'm going to have to find a way to wrap my mind around doing Christmas projects in this July heat. Geesh!
I'll leave you today with this ATC I created using A Ladies Diary and French Country... just a little Ooh, la la for your Friday :)

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Summer Beachy Bunting

You know those people who complain about the cold in winter and long for hot summery days? I'm not one of them. I'll take the cold over this hot humid sticky mess any day of the week. To make matters worse my husband likes to wait until we are all in absolute drippy misery before turning the a/c on. Last night I said I would no longer be cooking until the heat wave broke... the air went on soon after.

 
As much as I dislike the heat, there are some very nice things about summer. Bright and breezy days, sitting by the pool, trips to the beach, camping under the stars and firefly shows... they are all rather splendid.

I created this summery beach bunting for Alpha Stamps. It reminds me of the sweet and cheery things that I do like about summer. and looks pretty darned cute hanging on my mantle ;)

Here's a better look at each of the pieces...





Alpha Stamps is currently offering a Heat Wave Beach Sale and a giveaway too boot so hop over and try your luck. AND while you are there look at those little treasure chests! I'm just a little jealous I didn't get one in my design team package :)

Stay cool! 

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Graphic 45 Altered Birdsong Tags for Manly Men

Again with the masked bandits? Yep. But hear me out on this one...
I created this altered art tag for my husband as a card alternative. He’s not really a ‘card’ person (many men aren't) but he just might keep this hanging around. 


As an added bonus the back has a pocket filled with treats just for him: homemade pie of his choice, total control over the television remote for the day, some art from the kiddo, and maybe I’ll sneak a gift certificate in there too.

And because I know you have a manly man of your own who might not appreciate those pretty cards you make, here's a step-by-step to knock his too 'cool-for-school' socks off...



ALTERED TAG SUPPLY LIST

Graphic 45 Papers:

Bird Song Jasmine Dream
Bird Song Bird Song





Stamped Metal Tags



Other:

May Arts Ribbon

Jute Twine

Glitter

Gold Dresden Trim
Scortape
Rubber cement

White Glue

E6000 adhesive

Tacky Glue

And because I love you... Download the COLLAGE SHEET

Here we go...

Using a tag from the Graphic 45 Staples Large Tag album as a template I cut out two paper tags from complimentary papers Bird Song Jasmine Dream and Bird Song Bird Song. From the paper which will embellish the back of the tag, I removed 2.5” from the bottom.





I used rubber cement to adhere the papers to the tag. To use rubber cement apply a thin coat to both sides, align and press.






On the back of the tag, avoid applying rubber cement to the lower 2.5”





 When both the back and front of the tag have been covered I sand all of the edges to ensure there is a smooth, clean edge.




Next I darken and grunge the edges using thin layers of acrylic paint. I use multiple layers and apply this to both sides of the tag until the desired effect is achieved.






Now I apply some white school glue and brush it to an even layer. 


I sparingly sprinkle some fine glitter powder which coordinates with the background paper. Wipe any glue or excess glitter from the metal ring and set the tag aside to dry.




While the tag is drying I cut out the vintage gentleman, his mask, and a crown shape. I darken all of the cut edges using an old stamp pad. Download the COLLAGE SHEET HERE.





I assemble them, using Scortape to adhere the ribbon. (Scortape is AWESOME for applying ribbon - highly recommend).





I gather all of the materials needed to create the top name-plate on the tag including an Ornate Metal Label Holder and Stamped Metal Brads





I edge the cut title with a stamp pad, remove the brad heads from their backings and bond them to the label holder using E6000 adhesive. The pieces look like this when assembled.






When the tag is dry, I score a line 2.25” from the bottom and apply score tape to the side edges. This will be folded and form the back pocket for the tag.



I adhere the vintage gentleman to the front of the tag and ink the edges once more.
 


Final embellishments are added to the back of the tag. Here I’ve layered a tag from the Bird Song Chipboard Die-cuts 1, a metal tag and an ornate key, adding metal brad heads to finish off the back of the piece.





The label plate is applied to the front of the piece and a coordinating May Arts Ribbon added.





 Finally, fill the pocket with tags from Bird Song Tranquility


 And that's it! Easy peasy, super cool, and extra manly. If you make your own I'd love to see it. Shoot me a photo of your own manly Graphic 45 tag. Happy messy making!

P.S. You can also view this tute on the Graphic 45 blog along with sneak peeks of their newest line, Typography.