More paper caravans!

"Nichola, didn't you already post a paper caravan yesterday?"

I know, I know...  yes, I did... but they're so cute and fun! Just look at them gathered on my front stoop.

Note: Although they look darling outside with the flowers and such, these are not appropriate for outdoor garden decorations. The chipmunks would surely try to ride off in them!

There were a number of requests for a tutorial... which I will consider, but it will have to wait a while. Tutorials take up sooooooo much time that I'm limited to doing about one a month. I do have a big fat tute coming up in a couple of weeks that I think you'll like very much *fingers crossed*.

If you're interested in one of these lovelies they are listed in the etsy shop HERE.

And here's a terribly incomplete list of some of the supplies used:

Petaloo DIY flowers
Sanctuary Scrapbook Paper (beautiful and thick!)
Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Label Holders 
Junque Gypsy 6x6 Paper Pad* 
Prima Fly Away Resin Birds Set
Spellbinders Shapeabilites ‘Bow Elegance’ s6-017
Tim Holtz Thinlits Mini Labels Die Set
Wooden wheels
Doweling
Vintage buttons
Lace
Glitter
Moss

Paper Caravan with DIY Petaloo Flowers

Given the chance to play with Petaloo's DIY blooms I tried a few different colouring techniques. I used dyes, acrylic and watercolour paints with great success but my favourite results didn't come from paint at all. 

The flowers that I was most smitten with were ones that were simply dipped in tea. They looked warm and worn, perfect for vintagey type pieces, or for a softened look.

To add a little variation, I gave some of my blooms a light wash of pink or yellow acrylic craft paint before dipping them. The result was perfectly subtle. The hardest part? Allowing those cuties to dry before using them.

Note: You could absolutely use coffee for staining, but I find that the smell lingers. Tea on the other hand has almost no noticeable scent.

So, what did I use these cute little blooms for?

Embellishing a little shabby chic paper caravan!

Here's a better look at those pretty tea stained flowers.

Those little flowers pair so well with Blue Fern Studio's Montage Mercantile Paper and Sanctuary Scrapbook Paper - Botanical Garden

Here's a complete list of Petaloo goodies I used:

DIY-Petites Teastained Cream 1650-025
DIY-Mini Mix Teastained Cream 1650-024
DIY-Calla Lily Cluster White 1650-014

Other supplies:
Tea
Acrylic paint
Blue Fern Studio's Montage Mercantile Paper
Sanctuary Scrapbook Paper - Botanical Garden
Prima Fly Away Resin Birds Set
Spellbinders Shapeabilites ‘Bow Elegance’ s6-017
Tim Holtz Thinlits Mini Labels Die Set
Wooden wheels
Doweling
Vintage buttons
Lace
Glitter
Moss

P.S. Although I didn't use them in this project, I did colour some the flowers in the DIY-Mums & Butterflies 1650-015 and they are absolutely lush and I would totally recommend.

The Wortcunner's Shed

A little roombox to show off today, measuring just 8" x 6" and 5".

Let's peek inside!

I've called this piece "The Wortcunner's Shed". A wortcunner is sort of an old fashioned word describing someone who works with herbs. The term would generally be applied to wise women, though some modern witches who use herbs magically use the term too.

In every little room or house I create there is always something that I am most proud of. It may not be the fanciest or best part... but it's something I love. In this piece it's the little woodstove. The pipe reaches up through the ceiling and out to a mossy roof.

And upon that roof of wild moss there is a trail of toadstools and purple flowers blooming. I suspect it's a good place for a picnic.

Here's a better look at the interior. It's not jam packed, but rather comfortably cluttered. Many of the little bits and bobs come from AlphaStamps. I'll put a list to any little piece you can find there below.

For the base I used a Frame Front Box made exclusively for me by Gina's Designs. What I LOVE about the boxes is that they are made from thick chipboard that is sturdy enough for embellishment, but can be cut so that windows/doors can be added where ever you like. They are available from Alpha Stamps if you'd like your own to play with.



I'm pretty pleased with this little room. It reminds me of a warm and worn cabin in historical reenactment / living history villages.

This piece is currently listed for sale HERE.

If you want to create your own version, here are some of the supplies I used are listed below or you can check them all in one place HERE:
Frame Front Box
Amber Resin Potions Bottle 
Ghoulish Green Mini Resin Jars 
Green Resin Perfume Bottle 
Mini Clear Resin Whiskey Bottle 
Miniature Tea Kettle Charm* 
Miniature White Table with Baskets (basket used, not table)
Miniature Garden Tools - Rake & Shovels 
Tiny Green Leaf Garland 
Mini Bird Eggs* 
Tiny Magic Books & Potion Labels Collage Sheet
Little Potions Collage Sheet
Holly Berry Garland 
Mini Rose Buds - Red* 
Mini Rose Buds - Pink Cream Variegated* 
Miniature Silverware Set 
Brick Wall Stencil
Clay Planter (not the actual one used but close and cute as buttons!)

Also used:
Plaster
Cardboard
Moss
Natural bark
Paint
Tongue depressors
Handmade toadstools

"Sing Together" Altered Canvas

A little textured canvas today. Four inches square, covered with pieces from Gina's Texture Sheet Gears and Gears Shape Set and some paperclay bits made with this Silicone Mold. Painted white and sploshed with Silks Acrylic Iridescent Glazes. Finished off with some beautiful Botanica Flowers from Petaloo. The final touch, some snippets from a vintage children's book. 

This piece is listed in the etsy shop HERE

A Pixie House Shrine

I altered this cute House Shrine Box for a colour challenge that I totally missed the deadline for. 

I used to be terrified of colour but plowed through that wall. Now, I'm trying to consciously add texture to my pieces. This piece is chocked with textured elements. 

Here's the texture of the walls of this wee house. I've layered Cardstock Doily Set Intricates, painted them white and then added a smidge of colour with some ColourArte silks and H20's. I'm pretty smitten with the way it turned out.

For the roof I used sturdier chipboard pieces. There are some Feathery Flourishes (quickly becoming one of my favourite embellishments!) and Steampunk Fan blades. Again I painted them white and added some colour with ColourArte products.

The piece is finished off with some super cute Water Dew Drops from The Robins Nest, handmade ladybugs, a sweet winged vintage girlie and more. Here's the whole supply list kit-and-kaboodle.

House Shrine Box
Cardstock Doily Set Intricates
Feathery Flourishes
Steampunk Fan
ColourArte silks and H20's
Water Dew Drops
 Thin Fleur Dresden Borders
Petaloo Botanica Flowers

Totally adorable butterflies

White acrylic paint

Vintage image

This gal is currently listed HERE in the etsy shop.

Adorable Floral Cake Topper for Petaloo

I was asked to create a wedding themed something for Petaloo. You can now add cake topper to your DIY wedding list. 

I've used pink burlap flowers and daisy layers to top this cake while imagining a sweet, simple backyard wedding. But if your 'I do's' are a little more fancy, you could absolutely consider Botanica blooms atop a prettily iced cake, or vintage velvet blossoms for a shabby chic wedding.

To create my topper I simply cut out thick decorative paper and affixed a mound of florists foam/oasis to the top. I added coordinating trim to hide the bottom edge, then simply applied the flowers to the foam. I printed the sentiment on thick card, applied a painted bamboo skewer and pushed into place. If you're worried about your topper moving, simply push toothpicks in the bottom to hold your piece in place.

Textured Elements - Daisy Layers
Textured Elements - Burlap Blossoms
Textured Elements - Burlap Picks
Textured Elements - Burlap Butterflies & Blossoms
Botanica - Calla Lilies & Berries
Fancy Trim 

Card Stock
Oasis
Bamboo Skewer
Butterflies

Brick wall tutorial

A couple of weeks ago I posted my project "The Wandry Room" and promised a tutorial for the brick wall.

I am (usually) a woman of my word... enjoy!

Supplies:
Gina's Brick Wall
Marine varnish / Yacht wax (optional)

Spackling

Acrylic paint

Chalk pastels or conte (optional)

Matte top coat or sealant *if you have applied chalk beware of smudging when applying*

Note: You should probably wear gloves when applying the spackling.