I've used a pretty floral scrapbook paper to cover my clock. Just one sheet will do the trick. The little drawer at the bottom, and interior of the clock, have been lined with a page from an old, discarded book.
The top section of the clock does not contain a time piece (although you certainly could add one), instead being home to a nest of little eggs.
The top has been decorated with moss, flowers, an acorn and some wee mushrooms.
Can you believe it's the first Friday of September?! (What happened to the summer? Seriously, where'd it go?) The good news is that means it's tutorial day and I have a a fun and fantastical project for you.
This month I wanted to encourage the spreading of good will, kindness and nice surprises. These little winged shrines are just the ticket! They're pretty easy to put together, and you can get a bit smooshy and sloppy in your mess making and have a lot of fun with them.
Add some wings from the Steampunk Shape Set and then whatever embellishments your heart desires. Buttons, little paper flowers, charms... you name it!
The images I've chosen were all selected from thegraphicsfairy.com. She has a lovely selection of images that are free to use. The sentiments are just snipped from discarded books, but you could easily write your own or use a commercial sentiment.
I think these are absolutely the sweetest and I'm sure that given as a gift, especially a surprise for no reason at all, they'd certainly help to spread cheer and goodness.
To help you make your own, here's how I put these cuties together
And here are all of the supplies I used in the pieces above.
It's the first Friday of the month so that means a project for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts and a brand new TUTORIAL! This month I'm showing off how to make this little indoor fairy garden.
This sweet little cobble stoned garden uses Gypsy Soul's Cottage Baseand measures just 9" square. It's a nice size to work on because you can put a lot of detail in that little space, but it's not an overwhelming size to fill or display.
One of the very nice things about this project is that you can absolutely personalize it to make it your own. I've chosen Gypsy Soul's 1:24 scale arborand Tiny Birdhouse as accessories, but don't let that limit your choices! There are loads of possibilities and you should absolutely make your wee garden to suit your own tastes.
In my example I've used the Cobblestone texture sheet to create the garden path. Again, don't feel limited by my choice. There are loads of interestingtexture sheets to choose from, as well as a brick wallsheet that would be ideal.
So, start collecting little garden bits and bobs, teeny flowers and twigs, and let's make an indoor fairy garden!
That line is from my favourite Shakespeare play, A Midsummer Nights Dream. It's the inspiration for my project for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts this month, A Midsummer Faerie Theatre, perfectly timed for the upcoming summer solstice (in the Northern hemisphere anyway).
I haven't used glitter in the past couple of projects fir Gypsy Soul *gasps!* so I made up for it on this one. Even my little Titania, Queen of the Faeries, has glitter encrusted on her wings. The image I've used here is from The Graphics Fairy, which is an excellent source of quality free images btw.
Inside the chipboard Stagethere are glittery branches, moss, flowers, leaves, toadstools... all the good stuff.
This month Gypsy Soul is pairing with Altered Pages, who supplied us with these Muse Dragonfly rubber stamps. Now, I've got to be honest, I am not a stamper. I rarely use stamps so including them was a challenge for me. I've stamped the image on to thick card, cut out, then applied some gold embossing powder to the body of the dragon and damselflies. They're finished off with some glitter and tucked into those sparkly branches.
Gypsy Soul is also partnered with Xyron and I used their 3" Sticker Maker to not only add the trims you see on the piece, but also as an adhesive to apply embossing powder to the top bunting and moon.
If you'd like to see how this piece came together there's a video walk though of it's creation HERE
Thinking of making your own version? Here's a round up of all the supplies used:
I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but while I'm working I like to have something playing, a movie, or tv show, you know what I mean. Lately, I've been watching Netflix with my tablet propped up against a ratty old paint can. It slips and falls all over the place. So when Gypsy Soul sent me this Business Card Holder I asked if they could hook me up with something for my tablet. And they did!
Clocks have always fascinated me. Mantle clocks, wall clocks, clock towers, grandfather clocks. They give measure to the passing of time, keep us in order, but there's something quite mystical about them too.
I thought of making a cuckoo clock for a while. Shortly after making the 'Goblin Throne' last month, a crow perched outside my window and nudged me to make a 'Crow's Clock' instead of a clock of the cuckoo variety. Who am I to argue with a crow?
The base of the clock is one of my favourite products from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts, the 3 Story House. It's a great size to work with and I think it's practically perfect as a clock body. I carved out an arch on the front and framed it with an Reliquary - Tower Top.
Lace and Shell Border Sticksare used as edge embellishments and shingles for the roof. For the Little Bird House at the top, I used Dresden borders to repeat the patterned edge. At the tippy top you can see a wooden round thing... that's a vintage French lottery number, but don't worry if you don't have one of those in your stash, you could easily trade it out for one of the pieces from the Faux Typewriter Keys Symbol Set. Those cute leafy frame and filigree bits are these Fanciful Elements.
The clock does work and I've used the mechanism from the Desk Clock Standard. I did replace the hand with this Clock Hands Shape Set and swapped out the numbers with a frame from this Hanging Clock Set. Totally not necessary to replace all those parts, but I like the way all these pieces fit together.
Cuckoo clocks have weights in the shape of pine cones that drive the clock. Although my clock isn't weight driven, I wanted to include this traditional element by adding some real pine cones on a length of chain, along with some oak leaf charms.
This is a such a great project if you like adding embellishments and borders and you could go totally over the top if you wanted. If you'd like to make your own, check out my video that tells "The Tale of the Crow's Clock" and how it came together.
Spring is finally creeping into our neck of the woods. My faithful furry buddy and I have been taking advantage of the nice weather, wandering through the dried grasses and meandering next to the little stream that edges our property.
While these conditions are ideal for fairy sightings, it was a goblin we first encountered on our stroll the other day. Normally I don't mix with goblins (I don't have anything against them in particular, but avoiding them seems like the best practice) but we regarded each other respectfully and engaged in a little chatter.
He shared his ideas with me for a sort of goblin throne. I agreed to make one, in exchange for permission to share the project with others. He grumbled that he didn't much care, so long as the throne was made, and here we are.
There were four elements of utmost importance to be included:
1) It must not look out of place in the goblins den.
2) The seat must be well cushioned, because even goblins do not like sore bottoms.
3) It should be embellished with poisoned berries and pointy things. (Note: The design didn't have to BE dangerous, but if it looked as though you might prick your finger that would be a very good thing indeed. And poisoned berries because goblins like to nibble throughout the day.)
4) It must contain a secret chamber for goblin treasures.
As soon as he mentioned the secret chamber my mind turned to this Trinket Drawer Stand and I gathered up some bark and moss and set to work.
This isn't a complicated project, and the supplies are few, but our goblin acquaintance was well pleased with the results. If goblins aren't your cup-of-tea, add flowers rather than spikes, and hide jelly beans in the secret drawer to make a regal chair for a fairy queen.
It's the first Friday of March... and that means a new tutorial from little old me for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. Last week I had a very interesting letter from the Department of Tooth Fairy Affairs. It seems that there is spike in tooth loss and the Tooth Exchange Fairies (the troop who preform the tooth/reward transactions) are having a hard time keeping up with the demand. They asked very nicely if I might come up with a wee cart design, something to help with the transporting of goods, while remaining true to the Tooth Fairy Dress, Appearance and Conduct Code. (Fairies like to be very official.) I was happy to oblige.
In no time at all I had assembled a tiny cart fit for a fairy! And while this one is intended to assist the Tooth Fairy Department with distribution and exchange, I'm sure that it would come in handy for other fair folk to exchange sweets, flowers, seeds, and cake crumbs too. To create your own little cart, hop over to the YouTube Tutoral to see how I put this simple little cart together. Or just jump down to the very bottom of this post.
There's a special place in my heart for fairy godmothers. Those fluttery, frilly, silly ladies make me positively giddy. I've often wondered where they get their godmotherly supplies from. Is there a shop? A fancy boutique? A traveling salesman!
And so this month I've created a tiny traveling sales wagon for Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts with magical and glittery godmother paraphernalia.
Inside the wagon, all manner of items required for godmotherly duties. Fairy dust, candy, pumpkins to turn into carriages.
Absinthe and stout to whet the pallet, magical books, tiny sparkly shoes, wooden wands and wishing stars (and a few butterflies for good measure).
If you'd like to create your own version of this wee travelling sales-fairy wagon, you can check out the video walk-through for this project HERE.
Don't limit yourself to Fairy Godmothers! If goblins are more up your ally, go for it! What about baby bits and bobs for a sweet shower gift? Really, you could pick any theme and make your very own unique version of this project.
** Please read to the bottom of this post for answers to common questions. Or visit THIS PAGE. **
Gina's Designs Laser Cuts has a brand new name: Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts and I have a brand new tutorial for you!
I was sort of hesitiant about using this as a design team project because it's so easy and requires just a few simple supplies... but it's soooo stinkin' cute!
Fairy lanterns! Now, anyone who has experience with real fairies knows that it is not a good idea to stuff them into jars. They will pinch and nip and basically make your life unpleasant if you treat them rudely. These jars are a fairy friendly alternative. Perfectly dreamy as a little nightlight, or magical accent.
Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts carries the Garden Fairy cutouts in three different sizes so you can create a variety of lanterns in an assortment of jars. And if fairies aren't your thing... well, there's always baby dragons from the Dragons Shape Set, floral elements, or whatever suits your fancy!
The tutorial can be found HERE on my YouTube channel (and below), but here are a few tips:
• Sticking the figures directly on the glass (generally) yields better, more detailed results
• Use two or three battery powered tea lights. More light = stronger silhouette effect.
• Take care how many layers of paper you use, how much overlap there is. (A little is ok.)
• Use thinner school glue for the paper and thicker tacky glue for the glitter
• DO NOT use real candles inside
Finally, the supply list:
• Gypsy Soul Garden Fairy cutouts
• Glass jam jars with lids
• Thin tissue paper
• White school glue
• Quality white glue
• Clear glitter
• Twine
• Floral embellishments (THESE sugared blooms from Petaloo are gorgeous)
• Battery powered tealights or led string lights
NOTE: Please DO make for friends, as gifts, as a group project but remember that making them commercially (including teaching as a paid class) is not permitted.
2. YES she does ship internationally.International customers might want to try placing an order via Alpha Stamps HERE. I also have a few listed in my etsy shop HERE.
3. The size you buy would depend on the size of the jar you are using. If using a pint sized canning jar small or medium is probably a safe bet.
4. "Can I use/do/change x,y,z ?" Give it a try! Experimenting is part of the fun of making.
5. DO NOT use real candles. Safety first!
6. NO, selling replicas of this project is NOT permitted. Seriously, just be inspired, add your own style and vision, and create your own version of a fairy lantern. If you are selling handmade you should be selling YOUR ideas and style, not mine. Think of it this way, you wouldn't copy a book word for word... don't carbon copy this project. For fun? Make as many as you like. For profit? Make your own version.
Note: I am not the owner of Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts or Alpha Stamps. They send me products, I use them in my work, that is all. If you have a question about ordering products, please direct them to the company you are ordering from.
If you're interested in making your own, I have a video of the construction of this piece HERE.
