In which some weirdos put on a show

"What's the title?"

"No, idea."

"Well, what is it?"

"Just a bunch of weirdos putting on a show."

"There's your title." 

That, right there, is a good example of why designing for AlpahaStamps is a pretty sweet gig.

I was sent this Miniature Chipboard Stage and I just sort of set to work without much direction. I knew I wanted to have a glittery background. I knew I wanted red and white and stripes and stars and polka dots. Beyond that... ?

What a stage really needs are it's players. So I printed out the Little People Collage Sheet at 50%, fussy cut those suckers, and added wings. Note: I'm not entirely certain where that devilish fellow in the centre popped up from... he just sort of snuck in there!

There's touches of glitter and sparkle all over. Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars, Shiny Tinsel and Tiny Embossed Gold Dresden Borders.

Really, there's no great intention, meaning or reason behind this piece, it's just a sweet bit of nonsense.

If you'd like to create your own set of weirdos here are some of those bits and pieces.

Miniature Chipboard Stage
Little People Collage Sheet
Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars
Tinsel
Tiny Embossed Gold Dresden Borders.

A Midsummer Faerie Theatre

"Tis almost fairy time"

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 Stage there 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:

Stage
Banner Border Strip
Stars and Moons Cutouts

Altered Pages Muse Dragonfly Rubber Stamp
Xyron 3" Sticker Maker
Flat-Back Gold Star Studs - 12mm*
Mini Floral Dresden Borders - Antique Gold
1/2 Inch Pale Pink Paper Roses*
1/2 Inch Red Paper Roses*
Demon Box Feet*
Medium Pine Cones
Small Pine Cones
Art Nouveau Winged Women*
Nouveau Goddess - Raw Brass Stamping

Green Pearl Radiant Rain Shimmering Mist

Leaves from Petaloo Botanica Sugared Blooms
Vintage image from The Graphics Fairy
Acrylic paint
Spackling

ColourArte Twinkling H2O's
ColourArte Radiant Rain Mist
Twigs
Glue
Glitter
Embossing powder