Under the Sea Matchbox Shrine

Some people have sea water in their blood. They love the sea like I love the moon. While those waters may not run quite so deeply for me, I appreciate the beauty of the barnacled. For Alpha Stamps this month I've made a matchbox shrine full of texture and unwater colours.

The base of this piece is a Tiny Matchbox Theatre. I do love theatres (and an underwater one would be amazing!) but instead chose to make mine into a sort of underwater pocket shrine.

Now about that texture! I've glued pieces of a 6x6 Gears Texture Sheet to the surface of the box and splashed and sploshed paint and gesso and whatever else was on hand. I also layered some Seashell Sequin Mix which give a sort of wonderful fish scale texture. The sentiment on the front is from Voyage Beneath the Sea - Steampunk Splash Scrapbook Paper which I've simply tinted to match the colour of my box. A Brass Patina Seahorse Charm* and Conch Shell Charms* then a dash of crusty glitter (because why not) and the front is complete.

Inside I've used an image from the Mermaid Garden #3 Collage Sheet. He was a sort of surprise... I wasn't thinking of this sort of interior at all... but he fit so well and seemed quite at home in his sparkly cove of Coral Chipboard.

If you're up for making your own sea water shrine, here is the supply roundup:

Beneath the Sea Kit - June 2016
Tiny Matchbox Theatre
6x6 Gears Texture Sheet
Brass Patina Conch Shell Charms*
Brass Patina Seahorse Charm*
Coral Chipboard Set - 4 pieces
Mermaid Garden #3 Collage Sheet
Seashell Sequin Mix
Voyage Beneath the Sea - Steampunk Splash Scrapbook Paper

A Rotten Smelly Dragon Jar Tutorial

This wasn't the tutorial I had planned for gslcuts.com this month. A string of unfortunate events led to my planned project to sit in a state of disrepair. What's a girl to do? Scramble!

If you visit this blog often, you'll know I came up with these rotten smelly dragon jars about a week ago. I was planning a tutorial in the future, but circumstances put a 'RUSH' on those plans.

The Dragons Shape Set used is pretty handy. There are two designs in three sizes so you can create a both quart and pint sized jars with just one set. The wings need to be bent to fit them in the jar, but they are sturdy things and will survive the ordeal ;)

 

These are made using a different technique than the fairy jars and, believe it or not, I haven't even added lights to these.

Those shadows are entirely from backlighting. Pop them up on a window sill, or in front of a light, and you should see your small smelly dragon in it's stinky jar quite well.

Now, I know that people are going to say they want to use these as nightlights, but really, dragons like their sleep and dark places. Best to let them rest at night rather than keep them up past their bedtime!

Below you'll find how to make these terrible things. Or watch it on youtube here. Just a couple of additional notes:

• To soften the streaks/drips you'll want to mist with water while still wet

• Apply several layers of brown wash to get a really dirty grimy look

• Why add glitter? It adds texture and give the paint something to grip. Plus, a little sparkle isn't a bad thing. But if you want to skip this part, go ahead.

Inspired to make your own dragon jars? Be sure to tag me when you show them off. If you try your hand at this project for your own blog, be sure to link back and gimme a shout out, please and thank-you!

Here's what you'll need to make them:
Dragons Shape Set
Glass jar
Acrylic paint
Clear glitter
White glue
Cheesecloth
FlowerSoft-Ultra Fine
Twine
Charm & embellishments


P.S. Once again, a note about fire safety. DO NOT put live flame candles in these jars. I like you, you're a good egg and I don't want to see you hurt.

Drunken gnomes and other guests

I opened the door this morning to find this mess on the front stoop.

The gnomes have arrived at Pixie Hill. 

For a gang of messy drunks they are actually pretty quiet. Hopefully I can convince them to move the celebrations to another part of the property because this is not a good first impression.

They aren't the only new arrivals here...

The garden is dotted with loads of new (and newly renovated) fairy houses.

Some of them are quite fancy! I'm almost certain that No.21 Pixie Hill is the home of a house brownie. It's just the right size and is very neatly kept.

Although we don't often get to see and chat with the wee folk, it sure is nice to know that they are here and that they have returned for another season.

Puttering and hobbling

It was sooooo stinking hot and humid outside yesterday that I only ventured out once to jump into the pool (which is currently recovering from a lovely shade of swamp-water). So instead of much needed outdoor preparations, I stayed in and tidied the studio to ready it for nosy visitors on Saturday. It is slowly coming along.

In very exciting news my fresh signs arrived. Some girls have a thing for shoes, apparently I have the same reaction to new signage. Yes, it still looks a bit hobbled together, but not nearly as hobbled as it did before.

I'm totally not prepared (I think I say that every year) but I'm trying not to stress over it too much. However, I am glad these two showed up to lend a hand...

What could possibly go wrong when you have fairy helpers?!

Note: The answer to that is 'anything and everything' but we'll pretend like everything is going to be hunky-dory.

Better late than never, here is the official invite:

And if horrible terrible things are more to your tastes, I'll be having a 'goblin market' open house in October for all of awful things I make.

Rotten Smelly Dragon Jars

Happy International Fairy Day! You'd think I'd have something glorious and pretty and glittery for you...

... but instead I have some rotten smelly dragon jars.

True story: we ran out of garbage bags last week around the same time these terrible things appeared. Coincidence? I think not! Despite their timing, I don't think that they are fabled Trash Dragons. I suspect they are Northern Swamp Dragons.

I'm currently working on a breeding program and will try to have some available for adoption in a week or so. I WILL have a few at my open house on July 2nd if you happen to pop in for a visit.

Want to try your own 'breeding program'? Cutouts are listed HERE in my etsy shop, or at gslcuts.com

A Beatrix Potter Tribute: aka Stumpy and the Bunnies

It's new issue day at DollsHouse and Miniature Scene magazine which means I can finally share this project I've been sitting on for months. (Note: not actually sitting on... oh, you know what I mean!) It's my miniature tribute to the fabulous Ms. Beatrix Potter.

You may remember the beginnings of 'Stumpy' from THIS blog post. I used THIS tutorial from Sharon Ojala at Homemade Obsessions, and modified it slightly.

Dear old 'Stumps' is complete and has become the home of the Rabbit family.

The piece is based on several illustrations by Ms.Potter. 

Lovely illustrations by Beatrix Potter

I tried to capture the watercolour, illustrative style of her images in this piece and I'm pretty happy with the results. Plus, it was was great fun incorporating the little details from her work 

A ball of blue wool on the floor.

A wash bowl to clean up those many bunny messes.

I've added some of my own elements too. One of Potter's illustrations sits on the wall as a 'Rabbit family portrait'.

I've used both handmade and purchased items to dress the piece. All of the vegetables are handmade, as are the table and chair. The adorable carrot tea pot is from Alpha Stamps as is the sack, copper pans, and bowl.

As for those bunnies...

They're made from Creative Paperclay with strands of fur for whiskers. I gotta say, Paperclay works beautifully if you want to achieve that watercolour look. It's a very different from polymer clay, but it's one of my favourite materials to work with.

Beatrix Potter really was a marvel, and a true talent, whose work went far beyond charming stories of cheeky rabbits. If you're interested in Ms. Potter, I highly recommend looking up her botanical illustrations. Her mushroom and toadstool studies are an absolute delight.

Want to read more about this piece? Check out the feature in the July issue of DollsHouse and Miniature Scene.

I have just made stories to please myself,
because I never grew up.

Beatrix Potter

Sanctuary

Our annual open house is in a week and a half. I'm a bit flubbered about it because I feel absolutely behind and not at all prepared. Despite not being ready in the least, the fair folk have begun arriving.

There are little Irish cottages sprouting between the flowers and greenery.

Old pixie houses from last year have appeared in the hostas.

Luckily the critters have been doing their part. Moths have taken to dusting off the flowers, making sure the garden is tidy.

And the birds are adding extra twigs to their houses, in case a sprite needs a place to stay.

If you happen to be around, we'll be open to the public on July 2nd and you're very welcome to join us and explore our 'fairy sanctuary'.