Petaloo Trinket Box with Marion Smith Papers

When I first saw the Marion Smith TIMEKEEPER papers in my design team box my immediate reaction was to create a masculine steampunk something-or-other... 

 ... but the pretty ANTIQUE EMPORIUM tugged at my imagination and said "No! Make a frilly something for a steampunk lady to hide her treasures!" I know better than to argue with the voice of my inspiration.

And so I present this funky lady's box. The base is aTrinket Box from Gina's Designs. I've fussy cut ANTIQUE EMPORIUM so that those floral elements remain in all four corners. Believe it or not, that handle is a broken chess piece. I applied a small element from the TIMELESS collection and applied a glossy accent layer to make it shine and give it a finished look.

The interior and sides of the box are embellished with papers from Marion's Junque Gypsy 6x6 paper pack. They Gypsy papers pair well with the Timeless collection and add a little more femininity to the piece.

Now to add a slew of pretty sugared Botanica Mocha Blooms and leaves and some Chantilly Velvet Hydrangeas. The edges have been covered with an amazingly thin 3mm thin striped washi tape.

Although you can't see them, there are four tiny feet under the box, giving it a bit of 'lift'. The piece is finished off with a bit of Petaloo's natural burlap trim and a few ornate keys affixed to the handle of the lid.

Now I just need to hunt for some treasures to fill my lady's trinket box!

SUPPLIES:

Petaloo>
Natural burlap trim
Sugared Botanica Mocha Blooms
Chantilly Velvet Hydrangeas

Marion Smith Papers>
Timeless Collection > Antique Emporium
Junque Gypsy 6x6 paper pack

Other>
Gina's Designs Trinket Box
Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Keys
3mm Thin Gold Stripes Paper Tape
12mm Wooden Box Feet
Glue
Ink
Acrylic Paint

Hop over to Petaloo's blog to peek at all of other fab projects using Marion Smith papers.

Altered Window Shadowbox for Graphic 45

With this piece I wanted to create a sort of pretty window, maybe something you’d stumble upon in an abandoned cottage, maybe something you’d find in an old gardeners home.

The base is one of the new Wooden Window Shadowboxes from Graphic 45

I’d imagine those small bottles to be filled with seeds and essential oils. The labels on these vials are various stickers from the Time to Flourish collection. 

I’ve sandwiched some elements between the provided layers of vinyl which gives an wonderful ‘floating’ effect.

You’ll notice that I’ve placed the window box on a stand (which is simply a rectangle of cut thick masonite). This creates a more stable base and allows me to add these fabulous claw feet! 

Be sure to hop over to the Graphic 45 blog and check out the current giveway!

 Supply List

April Flourish
July Cut Aparts
July Flourish
Time to Flourish Ephemera Cards
Time to Flourish Decorative Stickers
Time to Flourish Journaling Chipboard
Time to Flourish Decorative Chipboard
Time to Flourish Alphabet Sticker
Time to Flourish Tags & Pockets 
Ornate Metal Key Holes
Ornate Metal Keys
Claw Feet Staples
Wooden Window Shadowboxes - Ivory
Various glass vials

One Little Thing - Bloom

This week's prompt is "Bloom"

Feel free to explore this as a noun or a verb ;)

I know you'll make something great!

An Upcycled Rapunzel Tower

I made this...

Ever since coming across this pin ages and ages ago I've wanted to create my own sort of fairy tale tower from a Pringles can. Pringles were on sale the other week. I ate all the chips. There was no excuse not to forge myself a Rapunzel tower.

The bricks are created using egg cartons. The little flowers and vines are from AlphaStamps.com. The mushrooms are handmade. The roof is paper. The base is wood with a black Thin Fleur Dresden Border.

One of my favourite bits is the little stained glass window.

 

I have several more Pringles cans laying about. I'm sure there'll soon be an entire kingdom of Rapunzel towers at Pixie Hill :)

Fairy Dust Bagatelle Boxes

I'm pretty excited about my first project for GinasDesigns.net. Being a sucker for small things I was keen to play with the Bagatelle Boxes. I had a few ideas but the fairies were demanding and I ended up with these fairy dust shrines.



Don't they look like they just came out of a fairy godmother's cupboard?! The boxes come in six different sizes and can accommodate various sized bottles and vials. You can purchase a set of bagatelle boxes containing two of each size, or buy them separately.

For this blue bagatelle I've chopped up a plate from the Keys & Plates Shape Set to create the feet. You can see a demo of how this is done in the tutorial video listed below.

This one uses the Stackable Labels Shape Set. I've used the the Miniature Bookplates Shape Set on some of the other boxes.

And just in case your handwriting is a little bit iffy, I've created an entire sheet of little labels of Fairy and Pixie Dust to fit all manner of little bottles and vials.

There's a video tutorial for this project, and I really hope you'll try your hand at making some magic ;)

The Supply List:

Bagatelle Boxes

Miniature Bookplates Shape Set

Stackable Labels Shape Set

Keys & Plates Shape Set
~

Fairy and Pixie Dust CS Sheet

G45 Time to Flourish Papers
Small Glass Bottles and Vials
Glitter
3mm Brass Flat-Back Studs* 

Mercury Glass Stickles
Wooden Candlestick Holder 
Mod Podge Dimensional Magic

Sandpaper

Krazy Glue

White Acrylic Paint
Aleene's Tacky Glue

Two small somethings

Small Thing Number 1

I've created an entire collage sheet of teeny Fairy and Pixie Dust labels which are available exclusively via AlphaStamps. The sheet contains over 100 labels in a variety of styles and sizes to fit all sorts of little glass vials. Some of them are extremely tiny. A great buy (if I do say so myself) if you're planning on making multiple fairy dust pendants as gifts or for sale.

These cute little vials will be featured in my first project for Gina's Designs this Friday. If you believe in magic I think you'll like what I have in store! Be sure to check back for the adorable project and step by step video tutorial.

Small Thing Number 2

I jumped at the chance to play with the new Little Rococo Boxes Collage Sheet. The sheet includes miniature boxes suitable for tiny fancy hats, fairy crowns, shoes and cakes. Being a fan of sweets I opted for the latter.

Believe it or not, those cakes are made form paper. I simply made a sort of stubby tube, capped the end, and applied tiny beads and acrylic accents. A healthy slathering of Diamond Stickles for the icing and you've got yourself a fancy fairy cake ;)

One Little Thing - I Believe

If you want to create a faith based project around this weeks theme of "I Believe" that's a-ok... but don't feel that this is a religious prompt. Belief in Bigfoot, fairies, Santa, equal rights, evolution, and thing crazy little called love are equally valid.

What do YOU believe? Create one little thing to express something you feel passionate about.

Ornate Miniature Marie Theatre for Alpha Stamps

The theme this month over at Alpha Stamps has been Marie in Wonderland. Given that I've been on a bit of a Marie Antoinette kick lately, I had a lot of fun dreaming up a little project for them. And so I present an ornate Marie theatre... in miniature.

The stage is created with a Tiny Paper Mache Box and embellished with pretty golden dreseden trims. The curtains in this box are cut up frocks from the collage sheets included in the kit. There's Raw Brass Flourishes* and a Small Man in the Moon Charm too.

The piece is quite tiny, measuring in at just 2.25" tall and in actual fact I created two of the wee things...

I used the second to create a step-by-step snapguide you can use to make your very own! Visit it HERE

And here's the supply list of items I used creating these little theatres:
Marie in Wonderland Kit 
Tiny Paper Mache Box Set*
Thick cardstock
Scrapbook paper
Tall Paper Theatre and Curtains Collage Sheet
French Ballet Costumes Collage Sheet
Dresden borders
Raw Brass Flourish* 
Small Man in the Moon Charm 
Dragonfly Wing Beads 
Acrylic paint
Glue

An Easter Bunny Home with Petaloo and Authentique

Does the Easter Bunny visit your house? He hops to our place every year. He leaves so many treats for our kiddo that it is obvious those goodies are intended for sharing. Good guy that bunny. In his honor I've created a bunny abode. Down the rabbit hole we go!

The base of this piece is a gift box turned on it's head. The lid is now acts as the base, and the bottom is now the top and home to a pretty Burlap Blossom garden.

Follow the ladder and you can spy where that clever bunny keeps his eggs! Create your own ladder with long and standard match sticks. Those little baskets are simply crocheted with Natural Burlap Trims.

The exterior of this piece has been covered with "virtue" from Authentique's Treasure collection. You'll also find an assortment of Petaloo Fancy Trims, more Burlap Blossoms and some Botanica Petite's too.

Inside, more papers from Authentique's Treasure collection: "enhancements", "cheery", "adorable" and "synthesize". The floor is covered with "darling" which I've toned down slightly with a wash of white paint.

And that's that! I do hope the bunny visits us again this year because heaven knows all of the sweets here will need to be replenished ;)

Supplies:
Petaloo Fancy TrimsBurlap BlossomsBotanica Petite'sNatural Burlap Trims

Authentique's Treasure collection
"enhancements"
"cheery"
"adorable"
"synthesize"
"darling"

Sturdy gift box
Match sticks
Moss
Easter eggs

Spring Fever Blog Hop

I was pleased as punch to have the opportunity to create a Graphic 45 project for the Spellbinders Spring Fever Partner Blog Hop a'happenin' right this minute.

Here's my wee contribution, a fairytale stage for an altered art cutie pie. If you jump over to the Graphic 45 blog you'll find the full supply list and a snapguide tutorial so you can create your very own.

Be certain to visit the Spellbinders blog also. Gander at all of the great bits of inspiration they are showing off and maybe take advantage of a giveaway... :)

One Little Thing - Junk Drawer Challenge!

This week I have a real challenge for you!

Your mission this week is to create one small thing using at least one item from your household junk drawer. You can doodle with an old golf pencil, paint on a penny, sketch on an old envelope... anything goes so long as you use an item from a 'junk drawer'.

Good luck!

Me! Me! Me! and a Botanical Tea House too

I'm featured over on the Graphic 45 blog today. If you hop over there you'll find an interview in which I share my regularly occurring crafting mishaps. I have a lot of mishaps.

I'm also showing off this project. Supply list and tutorial link are at the bottom of this post :)

I’ll say my forte is mixed media or altered art... but really it’s just playing with paper. I’m also fascinated by miniatures and love to create little worlds. Sooo, I thought that I’d create a little tea house with Botanical Tea inside a Mixed Media 5x5 Box and show you how to make your own too. 

This project is easily adaptable and you could create a whole little town if you like. Perhaps a pet shop with Raining Cats and Dogs, or a train station with Come Away With Me.

You could also adapt this project into a dollhouse for little crafters by keeping the embellishments and fiddly bits to a minimum.

The snapguide tutorial for this project is available HERE

And now for the totally massive (not really as bad as it looks) supply list

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Birds of a Feather

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Robin's Egg

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Hello Friend

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Herbal Infusion

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Love Notes

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Banners

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Tags & Pockets

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Chipboard 1

Graphic 45 Botanical Tea Chipboard 2

Graphic 45 Mixed Media 5x5 Box-Ivory

Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Keys

~ Gold dresden trims ~
Gold Zig Zag Dresden Borders 
Gold Ric Rac Dresden Borders Set 
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Gold

Miniature Table & Chairs Set* 

~ Tea themed charms and miniatures ~
Attic Pieces Charm Set 
Miniature Tea Kettle Charm* 
Miniature Silverware Set 
White and Gold Service for Four Tea Set
Small Wooden Box Feet

~ Tiny faux flowers ~
Petaloo Petites Teastained Pink
Petaloo Botanica Petites

Chess Piece, Domino, Checker

Wooden stir sticks

Wooden tongue depressor

Ribbon

Acrylic paint

Glue

Paper Moon Shrine with Tutorial

It occurred to me that since I already scanned the clouds I had created for my Vintage Theatre Moon Shrine, I might as well go ahead and make an entire collage sheet. AND if I have a collage sheet prepared, I might as well create a project to go along with it. AND if I have a collage sheet and a project, I might as well get some video practice in and do a tutorial too. 

Here's the project...

It has the same sort of feel as the Vintage Theatre Moon Shrine but without the hard to find vintage embellishments.

Those lovely billowy clouds are part of a collage sheet available exclusively via Alpha Stamps. It hasn't officially been released yet, but I asked very nicely and they agreed to list it early so I could share it with you.

Here is the supply list:
Theatre Clouds Collage Sheet
Small Paper Theatre Boxes 
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Black 
Star Tinsel* 
Rusty Stars / Metal Hands*
Graphic 45 Artisan Style: Patterns of the Past
Thread / craft yarn
Buttons
Black and blue acrylic paint
Extra fine glitter (I've used Recollections Peacock Blue)
Adhesives
Black ink pad

Here is the video tute that goes along with this piece. It's long and I'm sorry about that, but for those who often have a million questions, it is a thorough walk though. Pinky swear I'll do my best to keep the time down from now on.


Good Luck! And be sure to let me know if you give this a try! I'd love to see the results.

Vintage Theatre Moon Shrine

I was watching the Sophia Coppola film Marie Antoinette the other day. It's a lush flick to watch. So much eye candy! One of the things that REALLY caught my eye were the opera sets. I set to creating my own little theatre out of a wooden box and all manner of bits and pieces.

Unable to find just the right clouds for this project, I painted my own, scanned, printed, and cut them out. You may notice that they have a bit of a Terry Gilliam, Monty Python feel. I'm a big fan of Terry's work. The top curtain is from an existing Alpha Stamps theatre collage sheet.

The box has had one side removed and the lid upturned to become the stage floor. The end pieces at both the bottom and the top are vintage earrings. The round 'medallion' like shapes flanking the 'wings' are the heads of ornate  ornate metal upholstery tacks. Loads of dresden embellishment adds a fine finishing touch to the box.

The entire piece measures around 3.75" x 6".

This piece is currently listed HERE.

P.S. If you like this piece, please check back later this week! I'm working on a little something you may enjoy.

Springtime Fairy Frock for Petaloo

The ground is STILL covered in snow here. I'm longing to see some grass poking through the white. I'm sure spring is on the way. I can hear her coming, the birds are heralding her. That doesn't make the wait any easier. So what's a girl, starved for blooms and blossoms to do? Make a fairy frock of course!

The base of this dress is cardboard. I created a sort of hourglass shape, painted it white and the rest is just embellishments. 

First, working from the bottom up, layer of petals to form the full bottom of the dress. Next, a snippet of lace to forms the bodice. (THIS is the lace I used.) A bit of rickrack from Fancy Trims is perfect for little shoulder straps. Finally, tuck all sorts of Petaloo blossoms and leaves within the petals to complete your magical gown.

I think this might tide me over until I see real blossoms in my garden.

Supplies:

• cardboard
• Botanica Petals• Fancy Trims
• Botanica Blooms
• Botanica Petites• Spring Berry Clusters• Lace

A little announcement...

I'm pleased to announce that I'll be working with Gina's Designs as a Special Design Educator for the next wee while.

What does this mean? I'll be using some of Gina's products and posting a new project and tutorial on the first Friday of the month.

I'm genuinely excited. Gina has some great products that are perfectly suited to mixed media, altered art, ATC's and all sorts of themes close to my heart. Here are a few of the projects I've created in the past that include Gina's Designs Lasercut elements. Hint: Click on the titles to visit the original posts.

Graphic 45 Harry Potter Mashup

An altered bit-o-wood

Typography Postal Station No. 45

One Little Thing - Luck

With St. Patrick's Day approaching I thought we'd explore "Luck" this week.

Feel free to create something, anything, with a "Luck" theme as you interpret it.

Remember, there is no wrong solution to this challenge! The most important thing is that you take a few moments to consider the theme, and to get creative... even if it's only doddling for a few minutes!

Very little (but quite happy) moon shrines

I finished this series of tiny moon shrines yesterday. I created the moony faces a while ago but have been lacking the gumption to complete their starry skies. I'm blaming the wintry weather that seems to be dragging it's heels and preventing springs return for my laziness.

Here they are now, happy as clams in their new tiny homes. They are small, the square ones measuring just 3", but tiny places are important so we won't  hold that against them.

The moons are created with polymer clay, the houses and toadstools are paperclay.

I've used two different types of glitter too. Above is lovey long strands, which remind me of Van Gogh's starry night. Below, a more traditional variety of fine glitter that are like pinpoints of light in the sky.

I'm not pleased with the photos. My camera doesn't seem to know what I want. It refuses to see what I see. It's frustrating. The little shrines are far nicer in person. The moons don't care, they are just happy to have their skies to hang in.

All of the wee things above are available in my etsy shop HERE.

One Little Thing - Green

This week's challenge is to explore the colour green.

Easy peasy! I know you'll do great :)