An Exploding Explore Box and a Goofy Surprise

A little something something for AlphaStamps today. 

(Note: AlphaStamps has been updated and you'll need to hop over to alphastamps.NET for the shop.)

Using the Double Explosion Box from the July Kit I've created a little surprise for a sea side adventurer.

I've used a bunch of pieces from the Wanderlust Printed Chipboard which I kinda love.

Quick tip: cut your paper just slightly smaller than the sides and you wont have to worry about bends and folds at the corners. I painted my box first, then applied squares of Wanderlust Souvenir Scrapbook Paper. It made things soooo much easier.

Open the box and inside there's another, tied with twine and embellished with snips from the 

Vintage Travel Tags & Hardware Collage Sheet.

More chipboard pieces and some shell charms. I've applied stamped metal letters that have been hiding my stash for eons.

Remove that wee box and inside a compass so that you'll never be lost on your wandering adventures.

Pretty cute, no?

And, Leslie from AlphaStamps will kill me for this but I made a second goofy exploding box. 

It's all sparkles and glittery stars and unicorn stickers.

Coloured with smooshes of paint and decorated with cheap bits from the $store like fluff and plastic unicorns!

There's an important message too! Less to-dos and more ta-das!

I really do need more ta-das!We ALL need more ta-das! Anyone who says they don't has pants on fire.

ANYWAY... if you want to make an exploding explore box (or a goofy surprise) HERE are all the bits available from AlphaStamps.net. And here they are listed individually:

8mm Gold Flat-Back Glass Shell Cabochon
Wanderlust Printed Chipboard
20mm Resin Starfish Cabs
13x17mm Patina Starfish Charms
Patina Scallop Shell Charms
Wanderlust Souvenir Scrapbook Paper
Brass Patina Conch Shell Charms
Double Explosion Box

Vintage Travel Tags & Hardware Collage Sheet
*Vacation Memories Kit - July 2018

As for the rest... RAID YOUR STASH!!!!

Haunted House Shadow Box

 A little haunted house shadow box today, for alphastamps.com

Inside a collection of spooky ooky bits

I've kept the little spaces pretty simple and haven't cluttered them up too much since they'll be covered by the house exterior most of the time.

The papers I used for the background are the Tim Holtz 8x8 Kraft Paper Stash. I like them a whole bunch! The simple black and orange patterns are nice and functional and easy to coordinate.

If you know me at all, you know I'm a bit lazy when it comes to hinges. I've opted to not have hinges in this piece at all and simply use a length of ribbon that is tied around the back and hold the front of the front facade in place.

Mine is filled with just a mish-mash of halloween images, but it would be a load of fun to create a themed house. A vampire abode. A monster mansion. Or maybe even include pics of your own family members in their Halloween regalia.

Want to make your own haunted shadow box? Here's the goodies I used for this piece:

Mini Haunted House Kit
Small Haunted House Add-On Kit 

Red Brick Wall Scrapbook Paper Small Haunted House Window TrimsSmall Haunted House Shadowbox  Halloween Labels Collage Sheet Tim Holtz 8x8 Kraft Paper Stash - HalloweenLittle Darlings Collage Sheet

Baroque Dresden Borders - Black 

Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Black 

Assorted tiny bottles
Corked Domes 
Acrylic Black Standing Cat Cut-Out 

Brass Setting

Cameos
Plastic bats, and spiders

Ribbon

Acrylic Paint

The Collector's Room Box

This month's theme at AlphaStamps.com is "Collector's Room". The kit features a chipboard window to create a little scene within... but I've gone rouge err... rogue and created a collector's room with the new
Small Frame Shadowbox.

I wanted to create a space filled with bits that might have been collected on adventures, an assortment of oddities. A sort of kooky gentleman's library, or study.

Every gentleman's library needs books. These shelves are filled with them! Well... not really... they're simply facades cut from the Window Card Cabinets Collage Sheet.

Another 'must have' in a real gentleman's study is a stag head and the Mini Deer Head Trophy is perfect!

There are A LOT of amazing little oddities in my collectors room. All of the products used are listed below but some of my very favouites that deserve and extra shout out: Miniature Flying Bats, Pewter Candlesticks, Ceramic Gargoyle Bead and perhaps my favourite little bauble of all the wee Ceramic Red Devil Bead.

This wee American Crow ain't so bad either!

Here's the full list of supplies if you want to create your own collectors room, or if you just see something you might fancy.

Small Frame Shadowbox
Kitchen Wall Shelf Unit - Chipboard
Amber Resin Potions Bottle
Set of Metal Ginger Jars
Set of 4 Metal Apothecary Jars
Mini Black Resin Sitting Cat
Miniature Flying Bats
Pewter Candlesticks
Mini Metal Shadowbox
Mini Deer Head Trophy
American Crow
10mm Clear Glass Marbles**
Small Ceramic Skull Bead
Ceramic Gargoyle Bead
Ceramic Red Devil Bead.
Clear Stemware - Set of 6
Bronze Binoculars Charm*
Antique Bronze Bird Skull Pendant*
Miniature Red Wine Bottle
12 Tiny Glass Bottles
Even Tinier Bottles*
Tiny Round Bottles*
Window Card Cabinets Collage Sheet
Antique Leather Book Spines Collage Sheet
Architextures 8x8 Paper Pad
Vintage Toys Collage Sheet
Mini Old Windows & Doors Collage Sheet

Magical Masquerade ATC's

This months kit at Alphastamps.com is themed "Beauty and the Beast" but I've run with the Midnight Masquerade papers and made a handful of pretty magical masquerade ATC's instead.



The colours are juicy and gem like and look lush with copper highlights. I applied some thick acrylic medium with the Quatrefoil Texture Sheet and Diamonds Texture Sheet to create some three dimentional texture.

NOTE: If you want to use your texture sheet over and over again, try a couple of coats of marine varnish to protect it and make the card super durable.



This card has adorable Small Mulberry Blossoms and pretty Lavender Purple Gardenias.



Those little Clear Iridescent Star Sequins on all of the cards are really quite nice and rather dreamy. I thought they seemed quite a bit thicker than most sequins I've worked with before.



And how gorgeous are those Gardenias in Mixed Cream Yellow Orange?



I think they turned out quite nicely. All dreamlike and rich.

See a card you like and want to swap? Shoot me a note and we can make a trade!

Want to make your own? Here's a list of all the bit's I used for these ones.

Art Deco Party #2 Collage Sheet
The Secret Collage Sheet
Costumes Collage Sheet
Midnight Masquerade
Gardenias in Mixed Cream Yellow Orange
Small Mulberry Blossoms
Lavender Purple Gardenias
Mini Rose Buds - Turquoise Variegated*
Turquoise Blue Mini Paper Blooms
Small White Mulberry Blossoms*
Clear Iridescent Star Sequin
Quatrefoil Texture Sheet
Diamonds Texture Sheet

Magic Mirror on the Wall

This month's AlphaStamps kit is themed "Snow White". How could I talk about Snow White, and not talk about magic mirrors?!

You know the story, the Wicked Queen gazes into her magic mirror to ask "Who's the fairest of them all?"

The idea of a magic mirror isn't made up. They have a long history with documented usage as far back as 3000 B.C., and are found in both Western and Eastern cultures.

Mirror gazing is a method of 'scrying'. It can be used for fortune telling, inspiration, spiritual guidance and prophecy. The viewer gazes into a reflective surface (like water, crystal balls, mirrors) and with focused meditation/trance interprets the visions or symbols that appear to them.

While the mirrors appear dark, and there is some fear that surrounds them, it is worth noting that there is also a belief that they can be protective, reflecting/deflecting evil or negativity.

Black volcanic glass called 'obsidian', is a traditional material used for scrying mirrors... but we can fudge our way around that. I simply cut a piece of Clear Plastic slightly larger than the frame opening. Make sure that the plastic is free from dust and coat ONE SIDE with black paint. You want complete coverage so you may need a second coat. Then glue into place with the UNPAINTED SIDE facing outwards. You should have a nice glossy surface for divination!

Note: A piece of decorative paper on the back will protect the painted surface and look much neater.

For a bit of an extra magical punch, I've added some symbols on to the base of the
Gothic Mirror With Drawer. I've also included elemental symbols and those representing Venus (as mirrors are sacred to her). In that little drawer I'll place some stones and herbs to encourage 'sight' and for protection.

The piece is finished off with Tiny Mixed Size Flat-Back Pearls (painted copper) Raw Brass Fancy Fleur de Lys and Antique Gold Square Filigree elements.

Here's all the bits if you'd like to make your own:
Gothic Mirror With Drawer
Tiny Mixed Size Flat-Back Pearls (painted copper)Raw Brass Fancy Fleur de Lys
Antique Gold Square Filigree
Round Brass Knobs - Set of 6
Mini Metal Box Feet Set (not exact, but close to what I used)
12x12 Clear Plastic for Windows
Acrylic paint

And now to brew some tea and gaze into my magic mirror through the rising steam and ask...

"Who's the fairest of them all?"

Note: The answer is probably Kate Bush.

Day 17 - Gnome Shaker Ornaments

A week ago I promiced a second set of these shaker ornaments, and here they are. This time they're filled with gnomes!

I've used the Round Layered Ornaments Kits as well as Gold Ric Rac Dresden Borders Set  and Flat-Back Gold Star Studs - 12mm.

And I'll have to keep this post short and sweet because I currently have no home internet and my tablet is not a fan of working.

I'm an oldie and remember the days before the internet... but seriously, how did we get anything done?!??

Day 10 - Vintage Image Shaker Ornaments

This month the Alpha Stamps is offering Round Layered Ornaments Kits. They are pretty dang cute. I've actually done two* versions of these (you'll see the second batch next week). 

*Maybe even three if I get my act together.

But on to the ones that I've actually finished and am ready to show off today!

Pretty cute, no?! If you had told me a few years ago I'd be all about the glittery pipe cleaners (and yes, they will forever be pipe cleaners to me) I would have told you, you were nuts... but here we are all glittery and pipecleanerish!

Not only do these sweeties shake and make a lovely noise, are two sided to boot!

I'm smitten!

And here's all the goodies to make your own...

Round Chipboard Ornament Layers Sets
Snowy Winter Day Ornaments Collage Sheet
Silver Snowflake Charm Set
Winter Snow Glitter Mix
Round Ornaments Ribbon Set

A Floo Network Fireplace

I interpret "Do you want to play with a fireplace?" as "OMG, MAKE A FLOO NETWORK THING!"

That's exactly what happened.

I've made a number of pieces inspired by the Weasley's (my favourite magical family) lately, so I wanted to do something a bit different with this piece. It occurred to me that it might be fun to create a something as if I lived in that magical world! And so, here is what I imagine my floo network fireplace might look like...

I'd have framed pictures of my magical relatives above the mantle. Stacks of books with magical titles, a Round Tin of tiny buttons, Cookies and a big bunch of Rose Buds too.

Of course I would read the Daily Profit regularly, and there's a stack on the floor. (Hint: A google search will provide you with several printables.)

You can't have a Floo Network fireplace without Floo Powder. There's some of that sparkly green stuff ready to go in a Tiny Glass Jar. And, because I'd be a mess even in the magical world, some powder has spilled and swept into the corner.

There's a lot going on this piece, but it's not ENTIRELY jumbled. It really does remind me of home with it's just-the-right-amount-of-clutter but not hoarder-level mess.

Even though it's not in complete disarray, there are loads of details to be found. Little stories within the scene, like this mouse keeping watch over the biscuits. That tea cup on the mantle and haphazardly placed pair of sparking red shoes clearly show what a busy witch I would be. (BTW I would wear those shoes every single day.)

I am quite smitten with this piece and think I'll keep it in view to remind me to strive for magical living in this world, and as evidence that a little mess is just fine and dandy.

Want to make your own? HERE is everything listed in one place and below is a list of the supplies I used:

White Undecorated Fireplace
Dark Blue Porcelain Tiles
White Porcelain Tiles
Blue Ceramic Urn
Corner Room Box
Coal Scuttle Set
Set of Miniature Books
Tiny Glass Candy Jar
Tiny Grey Mouse
Mini Silicone Mold - Cookie or Biscuit with Filling*
Mini Rose Buds - Red*
Mixing Bowl Set
Chamberstick Candle with Glasses
Doll Buttons - 6mm Mix
Domed Apothecary Bottles*
Miniature Round Cookie Tins
Simple Cups & Saucers Set - Set of 12
3-3/4 Inch Wooden Posts
Pumpkin Pods
Blue Damask Wallpaper Scrapbook Paper (outside of piece)
Wonderfully Wicked Haunted Scrapbook Paper
Little Library Collage Sheet
Something Witchy Collage Sheet
A Witchy Encore Collage Sheet
Glitter
Handmade shrunken head
Tiny sparkly shoes!
Paint
Glue
A crap-ton of love

Miniature Weasley Burrow Clock

I have a thing for clocks. There are clocks scattered all over the Pixie house. I even have a cuckcoo clock hanging above my work table in my studio. Not a single timepiece in this home tells the correct time.

So, I was excited to learn that 'clocks' were the theme at AlphaStamps this month and as soon as I learned that grandfather clocks were on the menu I knew I needed a Weasley Burrow Clock.

I chose not to paper the clock, but rather cover it in wood filler and gesso. I applied each, layer by layer, allowing it to dry and sanding before the next application. Two healthy layers of each, and a little touch ups to cover the chipboard joints, seemed to do the trick.

The piece is covered with acrylic paint, metal embellishments added, and then washes of earth tones give it some age and grime.

Inside I've placed a Glass Tube Pendant and filled it with magical time glitter. (I said it, so it's a thing, right?)

I've only used three spoons as the hands on the face. (It really should be 9 golden hands if you want absolute authenticity.) Any more seems to get a bit thick where they overlap. If you wanted to add more, I would suggest cutting the handles and placing them 'just-so' to circumvent the issue of over thickness.

For the clock face and Weasley family pictures, I just did a quick google search.

There is a drawer that fits into that bottom area of the clock. After applying so many layers of filler and gesso it becomes a bit of a tight fit. I like the idea of the Weasley's tucking things into every available space so I've used this area for storage. Paper scrolls, Half Scale Wine Bottles that look just like little potion vials, Pumpkin Pods and a Mini Black Cauldron are all crammed into that little space.

And although he's a rotter, I've painted a Tiny Metal Mouse to look like 'Scabbers'. After all, I'm pretty sure he would have kept a close eye on where the family was at all times.

I realize that there are variations of the clock (Mrs. Weasley is said to carry it around the house with her) but I have always thought of it as a grandfather clock as it is in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. 

Even if it ain't 100% accurate, I'm pretty darned pleased with my little burrow clock.

Here's everything in one place

And bit by bit:

Grandfather Clock 1:12 Scale

Tiny Metal Mouse
Glass Tube Pendant
Brass Flower Charms*
Bronze Branch Connectors
Half Scale Green Wine Bottle
Half Scale Red Wine Bottle
Mini Black Cauldron
Pumpkin Pods
Silver-Plated Teacup, Teapot, Spoon
Tiny Dot Dresden Borders - Black*
Victorian Drop or Handle - Raw Brass