Paper Crafter's Library, Graphic 45 and altered bits

I'm featured over on Paper Crafter's Library today, a proud representative of Graphic 45.

Picking a project that represents my work is difficult. I dabble in so many styles, materials and whatnot, that it becomes a task to select one thing that says everything. Getting off track here... I chose this series of altered art pieces for the Paper Crafter's Library feature.

I wan't going to use this project to represent my Graphic 45 work at all. I thought that maybe their product wasn't quite glaring enough (companies like when their product is glaring). But truly, it's the versatility of Graphic 45's products that I love. Their designs can be unmistakable... but they can also meld beautifully with authentic vintage rusty bits in altered art. Getting off track again. Here's the featury bit..

These little altered art pieces were a lot of fun to create. They use a combination of authentic old pieces and new items, including a slew of Graphic 45 metal staples. I’ve used papers from Graphic 45’s Typography (one of my favourite collections!) for the back ground, as well as their washi tape for accents.

Altered art is a lot of fun and a great exercise in creating visual balance, texture and layering. It’s a lot like building a puzzle from scratch, with the final picture often telling an unexpected story.

Supplies

• Graphic 45 Typography
  • Journey
  • Inspire
• Graphic 45 Staples
  • Washi Tape Set
  • Ornate Metal Key Holes
  • Antique Metal Door Pull
  • Ornate Metal Keys
  • Stamped Metal Brads
  • Metal Butterfly Wing
• Spellbinders – Media Mixage Collection – Bezels – Shields One – Bronze
• Tim Holtz – Idea-ology Collection – Clock Keys
• Resin Senorita Cameo
• Other: Vintage spoon, Iron nails, Buttons, Beads, Laser cut wood frames, Metal Letter, Bottle cap, Metal Hands, Large Game Spinners, Vintage lottery number, Tintypes Collage Sheet

Remember to  hop over to Paper Crafter's Library and take a good look around, there's loads of beautiful work by talented folks to be seen :)

Couture Caravan for Graphic 45

This little piece is inspired by beautifully crafted “vardo”, traditional Romani wagons. 

The roof and base were cut from Couture’s Stunning using the largest die from Spellbinders Shapeabilites ‘Bow Elegance’. 

The body of the wagon is a simple box shape with a curved top created with ‘Gorgeous’ with panels of ‘Classy’ layered on top. 


It’s the addition of LOADS of Graphic 45 staples that really pull this piece together, giving it elegant little details throughout.




Supply List
Couture>
Gorgeous>
Classy>
Stunning
Graphic 45 Staples> 
Shabby Chic Door Pull> 
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Key Holes> 
Door Knockers> 
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads> 
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Keys
Spellbinders Shapeabilites ‘Bow Elegance’ s6-017
Tim Holtz Thinlits Mini Labels Die Set
Wooden craft wheels
White Foam Stamen*
Dried flowers
Bamboo skewers

Be sure to check out all the great project from my super talented teammates on Graphic 45's blog.

One Little Thing - Family

Tomorrow is Family Day in Ontario.

'Family' means different things to different people. For some it's blood relatives, for others friends are their chosen family. Lets not forget the important role that 'fur babies' play in the lives of many.  

This week your challenge is to create one little thing using the theme of 'Family'

Have fun! And enjoy creating :)

Forever Bouquets for Petaloo

The hubs and I have been together forever and we don't really celebrate Valentines Day. The sweeping romantic gesture in our house will be pizza and beer. Anyway, I really wanted to create a project that could be for any occasion, a sweet little something so say "I think you're nifty." So I made these little 'forever' bouquets with Petaloo's amazing faux blooms.

I'll probably keep these, maybe tuck them in the guest room, so that there are pretty blooms to look at year round. A few drops of essential oil and they'll even smell great too!

This little bouquet is in a small galvanized metal can. Inside I've placed some oasis, carved the top into a sort of dome shape and glued the blooms in place. So easy and cute as can be!

Perfect little blooms that don't need water and will never wilt.

This tiny arrangement was created in a mini mason jar. I painted the inside of the jar white, allowed it to dry, then added my oasis. Again, so simple and very sweet :) 

Be sure to hop over to the Petaloo blog for more gorgeous (though non-pizza related) ideas for your lovely.

Supplies
Botanica Blooms 1102Botanica Petite’s 1101Chantilly-VelvHydrangeas 1272
Burlap Trims Natural 1483

White paint
Floral Oasis
Small jars or tins
Hearts or other small embellishments
Optional - Essential oils

The Lovers

My one little thing sort of got a little out of hand this week. I spent a long time on this piece. I probably could have spent forever on it and still be fiddling. But there comes a to time to let things be. You may have noticed that this piece is a tiny bit DeMeng-y. You'd be right. I'm a big fan of his work and keep meaning to sign up for one of Michael DeMeng's online classes... but... well... I keep getting distracted. Soon!

Anywho, without further a-do, The Lovers...

He opened the door of the old cupboard and saw a single item sitting on the shelf.

He had no idea what the object was, but he was hit with the instant realization that he had been completely wrong about it's creator.

He had been dismissive. At times she had been indistinguishable from the background. He had missed her magic altogether.

If only...

His regret was of no consequence. There would be no lovers totem for him.

It was not resentment for the lack of affection or attention. She did not share her bed, heart or mind with anyone who did not appreciate her value.

She knew her own worth.

Altered Altoid Tins Revisited

A very nice surprise yesterday when Scrapbook Expo shared my Secret Garden tins. I thought perhaps it would be fun to look back and share some of the altered Altoids tins I've created over the years.

The Secret Garden altoid tins

Halloweeny Altoid Tin

The Evil Dead Altered Altoid Tin

E is for Edward (Gorey)

A Secretive Altoid Tin

Wicked Circus Tin

221B Baker Street Tin

Haunted House Tin
This project is over on craftster but the images links are broken.
I stink. I know.

And that's about it. There are a few others, but this is the bulk of them. Perhaps it's time to pick up work on the last ones I was working on...

One Little Thing - The Lovers

Next Saturday is Valentines Day and I've chosen "The Lovers" as this weeks theme.

Wait! Wait! Wait! Hear me out on this one...

If you are the lovey dovey type and go in for flowers and boxes of chocolate and romance, by all means, go ahead and get your Cupid on! Pull out the pink paint and hearts!

BUT if you're disinclined to jump on that bandwagon now is the perfect opportunity to do some really creative thinking. Just because the prompt is "The Lovers" does not mean that they have to be particularly good lovers, or nice, or well suited or that their tryst lasts very long at all.

Have fun with your making this week!
xoxo