An altered matchbox - The Roses

Between waiting for glue to dry and searching for misplaced supplies I've been making altered matchboxes. 

There is something quite lovely about projects you can hold in your hand. The bling on this box adds a nice weight to the small thing.

I was searching through my stash of words for something like "still" or "bliss" but this little quote tugged at my heartstrings.

No matter what happens, you can face your challenges and overcome... for the roses will grow again.

This piece is listed HERE in the etsy shop

Supply List:
Standard small matchbox
Crown charm
Tresors de Luxe rhinestone and pearl accent
Self adhesive pearl accents
Iridescent Plastic Pearls (Strands)*
Vintage children's book (words)
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea
> Fields of flowers 
> Fauna

Holiday Spirit

Many artists and crafters live on a different schedule. I've been working on Christmas projects off and on since July... JULY! I have posted one or two holiday projects but now that Remembrance day has passed I feel no guilt whatsoever in posting at will!

Freshly finished with the glue still drying are these little holiday cottages in small galvanized metal buckets.

Cannot get enough of those bottle brush trees. They are so adorable.

I've used both handmade cottages and toadstools...

And store bought ones. The little cottages above are from a wooden railway set. Don't worry, I didn't swipe it from the kid ;)

P.S. I'll be cleaning up my etsy shop and adding new listings over the next day or so. Cheerio lovelies!

Couture Card for Fabulous Aunties

I’ve called this project “Couture Card for Fabulous Aunties” but really, it would be suitable for any fabulous person, and especially fitting if given for no reason at all.

 This particular card was given for a very good reason to my very own ‘fabulous auntie’ (actually, I have 7 of them!). 

We affectionately call this particular auntie “Martha” because she thinks of everything. She sends cards for absolutely every occasion. ‘Sorry you lost your wallet’, ‘Congratulations on your first successful pie!’, ‘Happy International Talk Like A Pirate Day’. 

This year she celebrated her 60th birthday and marked the occasion by throwing herself a birthday party… that’s how she rolls. 

I’ve created this card just for her with the ever-beautiful ‘Couture’ collection, added some lush Petaloo blooms and blinged it up with a smidge of rhinestone chain. Oh la la!"

Supply List

Couture 8x8 Pad *Gorgeous*
Couture 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad
Couture Banners
Couture Stickers
Couture Chipboard 2
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads
Botanica Petite’s Pistachio 1101-108
Botanica Blooms Fuschia 1102-102
2mm Rhinestone ChainBlack cardstock

Paper Poppies

Have you seen the stunning display of poppies at the Tower of London? It's brilliant. The display features 888,246 ceramic poppies, each one representing a British military fatality during the war. Absolutely astounding.

Tomorrow is Remembrance Day in Canada. I wanted to reflect on the occasion in my own small way, and so I created these two ATC sized tags. The small poppies were created using pieces from Sizzix 658866. The large poppy was made by modifying pieces from  Sizzix poinsettia dies 658865.  

I've used public domain images from the World War II Database which is a great resource and often includes specific details about the image provided. The photograph used above depicts Canadian troops overlooking the main highway in Iceland, 10 Feb 1941.

The solider depicted here is from the Edmonton Regiment.

I'm planning on abandoning these at the local Legion next time I visit.

Lest we forget.

Supplies:
Sizzix 658865
Sizzix 658866

May Arts Ribbon

Artist Trading Tags-Black

Artist Trading Tags-Kraft
Times Nouveau - Deluxe Collector's Edition
Raining Cats and Dogs 8x8 Pad
Raining Cats and Dogs 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad

Thermoweb Decorative Kraft Photocorners

Petaloo Burlap Blossoms

An altered canvas

I created this piece on an inexpensive 8" x 10" stretched canvas. Using paper fromAuthentique's "Faith" collection I covered the canvas and began layering lace from Tresors de Luxe.

A few bits of die cut paper and chipboard were added for interest and balance and then a wash of white acrylic paint was applied.

 Once the base was dry coordinating flowers from Petaloo's Darjeeling collection were added.

Finally, vintage buttons and a copy of a vintage photo in my collection finish off the piece.

Supply list: 
Ivory Lace Trim GL194
Set of Ivory Beaded Lace Appliques AP055
Lace Trim Venice Lace LA102
Other Guipure and Venice Laces from Tresors de Luxe
Vintage image
Vintage buttons
White acrylic paint
Paper from Authentique's "Faith" collection
Paper flowers from Petaloo's Darjeeling collection
Chipboard flourishes from Gina's Design

Crowns for no reason at all

I've been making for design teams, making for swaps, making for the holidays and not doing very much making for me. I've really got to cut that out, because making for me, for the sake that something popped in my head and I like playing with paper and paint, well, that's a big part of the joy of creating.

So I snapped myself out of it and took just a snippet of time to make some paper crowns. Crowns ALWAYS make me feel better. Here are my 'for no reason at all' paper crowns.

To create the crowns I used Double Dot Vintage papers in various colours. I really like this paper. It has a lovely, sort of sort cotton feel.

I used the A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die to cut out the shape for the crown. For an adult sized crown, I joined three crown segements together. The negative space left by the die was used for the middle pattern/portion of the crown.

 

Glitter and flower were added as a final touch. The above crown has a White Chiffon Flower from Tresors de Luxe. Below I've used flowers from Petaloo's Botanica collection. I especially like these Botanica Blooms.

Supply list:

 

Double Dot Vintage papers

Petaloo Botanica BloomsWhite Chiffon Flower

A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die

Raining Cats and Dogs Gift Set with Graphic 45

Graphic 45 is kicking off a series of Gift Bag and Card Tutorials over the next week. You should defo check follow along on their blog or with the #G45GiftHowTos on social media. 

Here's my contribution to the fun, a little gift set created with Raining Cats & Dogs.

 

 Although the bag is cute as a button, it turned out nothing like what I had planned. Sometimes when things aren’t going as planned it’s best to just see where your project takes you :)

 

The card is small and simple but the flower adds enough dimension to make a standard flat envelope a pain. So I thought ‘why not make a special chunky envelope to go with my chunky card?’ and the problem is solved!

Want to make your own? Here's how

The bag...

 

Download Graphic 45_Raining Cats & Dogs_PDF Template for the bag

And here's the card and envelope...

Download Graphic 45_Raining Cats & Dogs_ PDF Template for the_card

Download Graphic 45 Raining Cats & Dogs_PDFTemplate for_chunky_envelope

Supply List

CARD
Core’dinations Signature Series Graphic 45 Lights “Pearl Blush”
Raining Cats & Dogs “Cats Meow”
Raining Cats & Dogs  Journalling and Ephemera Cards
Raining Cats & Dogs “Playful Pals”
Raining Cats & Dogs Flowers
Raining Cats & Dogs Banners
Raining Cats and Dogs Stickers
Coordinating ribbon

ENVELOPE
Raining Cats and Dogs “Puppy Love”
Raining Cats and Dogs “Playful Pals”
Raining Cats and Dogs Journaling Chipboard
Raining Cats and Dogs Journaling & Ephemera Cards

BAG
Raining Cats and Dogs ”Puppy Love”
Raining Cats and Dogs ”Four Legged Friend”
Raining Cats and Dogs Stickers
Raining Cats and Dogs Journaling Chipboard
Raining Cats and Dogs “Playful Pals”
Coordinating ribbon

A Lace Scarf for Tresors de Luxe

Truthfully, I didn't realize I loved lace until I joined the Tresors de Luxe design team. 

Now I want to wrap myself in it!

And I will! I've made myself a scarf of that gorgeous stuff!

I started with a length of satin, and then applied all sorts of lace of various lengths and widths in layers. I've used a Raspberry Rose Shabby Chic Flower to join the ends. The flower already has a clasp so you could easily replace with another colour for coordination.

I've used LOADS of different Tresors de Luxe lace here so I won't list every one and just suggest that you check out their selection of Guipure and Venice Laces

Lace Fabric Trim, White GL-008 Lace Trim in Ivory LA-017
White Venice Lace LA-078
Ivory Lace Trim LA-003

A mini cigar box bed for Alpha Stamps

I am smitten.

 

It's a new month and the kit theme over at Alpha Stamps is 'Cigar Boxes'.

Everything is absolutely lush!

 

The Tiny Cigar Boxes* are darling, just the right size to fit in your hand, and the papers are delish. And that super thin, striped washi tape? Adorable!

I did debate on including a sort of sentimental treasure inside. I thought of filling it with trinkets and charms... but instead placed a small mattress, sheets and tiny pillow. Someone gifted me a lovely little faerie bed in a box last year and I've been wanting to create one ever since.

I think this one may be 'abandoned', with a tiny stack of bedtime stories and a note, perhaps in a library snuggled between the stacks of books :)

Want to create your own? Excellent! Here's the list of bits and bobs you'll need.

A Goblin Party for Alpha Stamps

There has been a goblin extravaganza over at Alpha Stamps this month. I was excited by this month's theme as I have been wanting to do a project inspired by the poem "The Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti.

I ended up creating a feast rather than a market... but here it is...

I know... it's busy... but hang in there with me...

The piece is loaded with lovely little details... like these tiny little fairy house charms that sit atop the  Black and White Chevron Striped 'pillars' that mark the entry to the feast.

And cheeky goblins lurking here and there.

A tables packed with finery and ready for feasting! Look at that Miniature Silverware Set! The table itself is made from wide tongue depressors and twigs. Speaking of twigs....

Look at those goblins bandying about!

This piece was soooo much fun to create. If you'd like to make your own little goblin or faerie feast, (or just see something that caught your eye and you immediately need to have!) here's a list of the goodies I used from my friends at Alpha Stamps...

Pewter Dollhouse Tea Service 
Pewter Dollhouse Dishes 
Holly Berry Garland* 
Embossed Paper Elm Leaves* 
Mushrooms - Cream Mushrooms - Pink 
Red Glittered Holly Berries* 
Purple Iris Paper Flowers* 
White Roses with Heart Shaped Petals 
Mini Bird Eggs 
Miniature Glass Domes 
Miniature Silverware Set 
Miniature Table & Chairs Set
Medium Gold Filigree Bead Caps 
Amber Even Tinier Bottles*
12 Tiny Glass Bottles 
Miniature Tea Kettle Charm* Silver Pinecone Charms
Silver Cup Box Feet
Antique Bronze 3D Gnome House Charms 
Brimstone Bulletin Scrapbook Paper

Goblin Labels Collage Sheet

Double Dot Chevron Scrapbook Paper - Charcoal
Sheet Moss (I used a different moss, but this would work very well)

Another Potter Swap

I love Harry Potter swaps. The crafting possibilities are endless! After a bit of a hiccup (I'm looking at you Canada Post) my package SHOULD be arriving on my partners doorstep today. Here's what I created for her...

A "Divination" cupboard filled with tools dear Professor Trelawney might employ. There's a palmistry hand, tarot cards, books, tea cup, crystal ball...

Next a wand from Olivanders. This one is made of Black Locust with a troll hair core.

The tree this wood was taken from was hit by lightening last year. It is said that struck trees make for the very best wands. I've assured my partner that the troll the hair was taken from was quite nice and she needn't worry about her wand misbehaving.

A bottle of Felix Felicis... because who couldn't use a little extra luck?

Finally a tiny Monster Book of Monsters which bit me three times while making it!

And there you have it! A Potter package for a fabulous partner :)

O Canada!

I'm not exactly sure where this post is heading, or exactly what to say... but feel like something should be said.

I have family who live in Ottawa where those terrible events took place earlier this week. 

Friends and family were put on "lockdown" that afternoon. Mum's were worried about their kids shut tight in their schools.

Family, visiting from England were on the very spot the shooting took place just days before. I've walked there myself many times.

There is a large military population in our area. We neighbour the military town where the repatriation of fallen Canadian soldiers takes place.

Today, the body of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, the young man who was killed on Wednesday, will pass along the Highway of Heroes, through our home town.

He will be returned to Hamilton, his home, the place we lived most of our lives.



The 500 kilometers between those places seem awfully small today.



"With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!"

I feel blessed to call Canada home. I'm proud of the bravery, the calm, the thoughtfulness and dignity displayed these past few days. It's not perfect, but it's a good place, filled with good people.

"O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."

May you rest in peace Corporal Nathan Cirillo.