Something nice to end the year.

I thought I'd end the year (and the whole decade come to think of it!) gently, not with a whimper exactly, but with a sweet whisper.

Months ago a local thrift shop posted about an album had recently been donated. They were concerned that it had been given in error and wanted to ensure that it was intended for donation.

Immediately I said "It's not mine, but if no one steps forward, I'll gladly adopt them."

Months later I got the message to come an pick up my new 'family'.

I understand why the shop was concerned. The little album is packed with the most darling images.

Little boys with wooden swords.

Grandmother knitting.

Children in tasseled hats sneaking up on sleeping uncles.

It is absolutely packed with the most delightful images.

And they are all just so wee!

The tiny pictures are from the 1920's

I am so very thrilled to have them in my collection...

And cannot wait to hear the stories they'll whisper to me almost 100 years after they were taken.

Best wishes to you and yours for a beautiful new year filled with gentle joys.

Love,

Nichola

Tiny Little Shadowbox Houses

Recently I've been playing with new materials and techniques. I made a slew of little colourful houses and moons with Apoxie Sculpt not too long ago and wondered what to do with my townful of little abodes. 

I enshrined them in Tiny Little Shadowbox Houses and they are cute as buttons!

The exterior of the boxes were covered in dreamy blue-hued scrapbook papers. The inside lined with old music sheets and painted in a black to cyan ombre.

A sprinkling of glitter to create a magical stary night and a wee clay moon popped into place above a group of tiny colourful cottages.

A little bit of gold embossing powder adds nice little finishing touch to the edges.

The Tiny Little Shadowbox Houses come in a four different sizes, each one just the right size to hold in your hand.

While these little shrines aren't perfect, I love that they show off something new. Here's hoping the new year will bring even more new little creative adventures to show off.

Tiny Little Shadowbox Houses

Scrapbook paper

Old papers

Acrylic paint

Glitter

Gold embossing powder

Moss
Apoxie Sculpt (houses, mushrooms and moons)

Free Photo Friday

Once a week I share an old timey photo from my personal collection. Feel free to use them in your mess making, art and crafting.

The images are not polished and left in their grungy, smudged and speckled glory. Just how I like 'em! Without further ado... 

Do NOT sell, give, or distribute the images as your own, digitally or printed, alone or as part of a collection, collage sheet or group. BUT DO absolutely make stuff with them and sell the stuff you make. If you share your project, a link is appreciated.

Violators will be turned into toads, given warts, all the bad stuff... I mean it... It won't be pretty. 

Artwalk Alchemy Holiday Sale

I have been absolutely swamped with holiday prep and stress. Creating took a bit of a back seat to baking and painting over the past two weeks. I even painted the flipping ceiling in my kitchen and made a gingerbread house from scratch (never again). My annual Christmas meltdown came early. It might seem mad but I'm glad I hit the breaking point because that's the moment I start to let go and enjoy the holidays. Oh anxiety, you are a cheeky bugger.

ANYWAY... I've mentioned before that I'm an instructor with Art Walk Alchemy 2020. 24+ projects offered over the course of 2020. Here's my wee project that will pop up in March....

A tiny cottage inspired by Irish faeries!

There's loads of other great projects offered throughout the year and I'll be participating as a student in many of them. I. Can't. Wait.

If you're considering signing up, right now you can get the whole years worth of classes for $89 US when you use the code XMAS89 at checkout.

And now, if you'll pardon me, I'm going to stuff my face full of carbs and look lovingly at my wonky Christmas tree.

Free Photo Friday

Once a week I share an old timey photo from my personal collection. Feel free to use them in your mess making, art and crafting.

The images are not polished and left in their grungy, smudged and speckled glory. Just how I like 'em! Without further ado... 

Do NOT sell, give, or distribute the images as your own, digitally or printed, alone or as part of a collection, collage sheet or group. BUT DO absolutely make stuff with them and sell the stuff you make. If you share your project, a link is appreciated.

Violators will be turned into toads, given warts, all the bad stuff... I mean it... It won't be pretty. 

Free Photo Friday

Once a week I share an old timey photo from my personal collection. Feel free to use them in your mess making, art and crafting.

The images are not polished and left in their grungy, smudged and speckled glory. Just how I like 'em! Without further ado... 

Do NOT sell, give, or distribute the images as your own, digitally or printed, alone or as part of a collection, collage sheet or group. BUT DO absolutely make stuff with them and sell the stuff you make. If you share your project, a link is appreciated.

Violators will be turned into toads, given warts, all the bad stuff... I mean it... It won't be pretty. 

Free Photo Friday

Once a week I share an old timey photo from my personal collection. Feel free to use them in your mess making, art and crafting.

The images are not polished and left in their grungy, smudged and speckled glory. Just how I like 'em! Without further ado... 

Do NOT sell, give, or distribute the images as your own, digitally or printed, alone or as part of a collection, collage sheet or group. BUT DO absolutely make stuff with them and sell the stuff you make. If you share your project, a link is appreciated.

Violators will be turned into toads, given warts, all the bad stuff... I mean it... It won't be pretty.