Looking Glass Mini-Shrine with Faux Plaster Tute

I've created two "Alice" projects for AlphaStamps.com this month. First there was Alice's Altoid Manor House and now a second little tin shrine inspired by the mirror that inspired Lewis Caroll to write "Through the Looking Glass". If you peek to that link, you'll see they look nothing alike, but it's that lovely old ornamentation I was after, not really replication.

The base of this piece uses one half of a Small Hinged Tin and one panel of this Small Altoids Tins Triptych Frame. It's quite small, with the base tin measuring just 2-1/2" tall.

Inside is filled with moss and Mini Rose Buds with some sweet Flower Soft blossoms.

While I am usually all about tiny floral elements, it's the fake plaster details that are my favourite this time around. Can you guess what they are made from? Hot glue!

Normally I'd make these elements with Creative Paperclay but I was feeling impatient. Some leafy silicone molds, hot glue, layers of gesso and white paint, and voila! Held side by side with resin, you can't tell the difference, and adding additional layers of gesso and paint softens the details and makes it look quite like plaster.


AND because I love you (and Leslie asked so nicely) I've made a video of that technique HERE.

Just look at this plastic frame with 'faux plaster' leaf embellishments! I can't wait to see what you make with them :)

Supply round up:

Small Hinged Tin
Small Altoids Tins Triptych Frame
Large Leaves Silicone Mold*
Multi-Sizes Leaves Silicone Mold*
Flower Soft - Sweet Pea
Mini Rose Buds - Red*
Pink Rose Garland* (leaves)
Small Round Silver-Plated Pendants (not shown, applied to back of shrine for hanging)

Moss
Hot glue!
Gesso and white acrylic craft paint

Another garden walk

I'm working away here and my space filled with shipping boxes so there's nothing grand to see indoors. Instead I'll share cheery pics from the garden this morning.

You know I'll never understand why some people can't stand to see dandelions on their lawn. I love the yellow things and think they look so happy and lively. AND they turn into wishes! 

Everyone is looking toward the sunshine this morning: the dandelions, the robins, and me.

This picture isn't the great but I thought I'd include it because it gave me a laugh that even animal mums look frazzled and grumpy in the morning without a cup of coffee.

Hope you're having a great day and looking toward the sunshine too.

Fairy blessings after a very bad week

This past week has been a shit show. (Pardon my french.)

News of heart attacks, cancer, deaths, the Fort Mac fire, then amoral asshats, contemptible copycats, and a million little things, like a million little stinging pin pricks, taking their toll. There's only so much 'chin up and stiff upper lip' or 'count to ten and breathe' a girl can endure.

At one point I considered taking everything I've built, and taking it down. All the posts, all the projects... poof! But then what?

I thought of the people who tell me my work inspires them in some small way, the sweet stories, encouraging words and the thanks. All of those kindnesses that make this the very best job in the world... and it made me even more irate to know that some think so little of it.

So, I went to the garden in search of a bit happiness.

I chanced upon a blue fairy sitting in the forget-me-nots. There were few words exchanged, but she was kind and sympathetic. "Just a little longer, and all will be right as rain." she said. I felt a little better.

Continuing on my walk, I encountered a tiny scouting pixie in one of the mossy old stumps on our hill. She said she was keeping an eye out for any trouble or foreseeable mischief. She assured me that although she looked quite young, I would be safe under her watch. And immediately, I felt more secure.

The next little fairy didn't say anything at all, but was so sweet that I could feel my heart lighten after watching her beneath the dandelions for just a few moments.

This fairy didn't speak either, but motioned me to follow her to the back garden, through the moss and clover. I'm fairly certain she was some sort of fairy godmother because her frock was impractical and she gifted me with pockets of glitter. She handed me a dandelion puff and encouraged me to make a wish.

After making my wish, I opened my eyes and saw this fellow leaning against some fresh yellow dandelion heads. "Did you wish for more wishes? Because these ones won't be ready for another week." I sat next to him on the grass and we talked for a very long while. We looked at the blue sky and watched the clouds. The little fellow winked at me, and I found a bit of happiness.


EDIT: Thanks for all the kind words. I wasn't fishing for pity, but you guys totally made my day. Sometimes things just pile up so high it's hard to see the point of continuing the climb. It happens to everyone in some way or another. I'm extremely fortunate to have so many people cheering me on. I hope you know that I'm rooting for you too. Don't worry about me, I'll keep tinkering.

A lady-like tablet holder

I'm sure I've mentioned it before, but while I'm working I like to have something playing, a movie, or tv show, you know what I mean. Lately, I've been watching Netflix with my tablet propped up against a ratty old paint can. It slips and falls all over the place. So when Gypsy Soul sent me this Business Card Holder I asked if they could hook me up with something for my tablet. And they did!

I've embellished mine with Graphic 45's Artisan Style "Decorative Flourish" and added chopped up Ornate Metal Keys, Stamped Metal Brads and Stamped Metal Tag. There's also an elegant strip of Mini Floral Dresden Border. I loves it to bits!

A historic moment, no fingerprints on my screen!

I feel like a lady! Watching lady shows, whilst making lady-like things. 

Lah-dee-dah, darlings!

Alice's Altoid Manor House

This month's Alpha Stamps kit is *drumroll* Alice in an Altoids Tin!

I'm really excited to share this particular tin, which I've named Alice's Altoid Manor House, because it's actually quite simple to put together.

I simply applied the Altoids Tin Book Covers to the front and back of the tin. I didn't even bother with the book spine (though I'm sure it'll come in handy for something). Then a Window Pediment - Federal was added to the front top edge and the Window Pediment - Yorktown to the bottom front edge. A snip of Thin Fleur Dresden Border is applied under the top pediment, then whole shebang is painted grey.

The windows are just little paper frames I cut out. I placed some Alice charaters from the Wonderland Rabbits and Hares Collage Sheet in the squares and added a layer of Diamond Glaze to make the 'windows' glossy. The door is framed with some snippets of wood and topped with little bit of filagree that broke off something-or-other that I kept for just such an occasion. Finally I finished the exterior with a Bronze Stopwatch Clock Charm and some Flower Soft.

I've kept the inside fairly simple too.

On the shallow tin lid I just placed an image from the Alice Covers Collage Sheet adjusting the size to fit. Tip: If you want your book/house/tin to close tightly, you'll want to avoid adding much thickness to this part of the tin, especially around the edges.

Finally, the fat portion of the tin. I've taken an image from the Alice Herself Collage Sheet (printed slightly larger to fit the tin) and cut out each of the elements, layering them in a simple paper tole style. The last touch, a little cake made of paper clay and a glass bead 'drink me' bottle.

So now it looks as though I've written a darned novel, but I promise, this was a practically painless project! Sure the sides aren't covered... but the tin opens and I didn't have a meltdown attempting to apply hinges. (I often have hinge related meltdowns.)

Here is your supply round up:

Altoids Tin Book Covers
Blank Altoids Tins
Window Pediment - Federal
Window Pediment - Yorktown
Bronze Stopwatch Clock Charm
Mini Silicone Cake Mold Set
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Turquoise
Flower Soft - Peony Pink
Flower Soft - Meadow Green
Creative Paperclay*

An Impatient Matchbox

A wee project to show off today. An altered match box, made while impatiently waiting for paint to dry.

There's a program on Netflix called Raiders of the Lost Art. It's all about missing or stolen art and touches on the history of the works too. One episode was about Faberge Eggs. I love that those eggs held a secret surprise inside and I especially like that the most elaborate surprises were held within the simplest exteriors.

The whole idea of a bright surprise inside of an unassuming box is delightful. This little matchbox sort of plays with that concept. A regular old matchbox, a distressed exterior, hiding a colourful story within. People are a lot like this too. Unassuming frumpy grumps hide the best fairy tales.

Supplies:

Standard matchbox
Prima Cigar Box Secrets scrapbook paper
Antique 3D Gold Crowns 
1 Inch Mini Tassel - Gold 
Narrow Gold Fleur Dresden Borders*
Glitter

The Cure for Monday Blahs

A very short while ago I posted about the Pixie Hill fairies writing to a kindergarten class who were learning about the little people. Yesterday I was delighted to discover some replies from the class.

One of the fairies who wrote to the class lamented about his lost button. It was a favourite button, so his distress was quite understandable. The class very thoughtfully sent replacement buttons.

There were some fine portraits too! Those wings and wands are practically perfect. There were also some very good pictures of jam. And if you're curious, it seems strawberry is the preferred jammy flavour.

I was quite the grump yesterday and it seemed as though the whole day was one disaster after another, but these papery bits of thoughtfulness totally brightened my day (as well as the Pixie Hill fairies!) and I'm certain they've brought a bit of luck with them too.

Thank you Mrs. Butcher and to all the children of your kindergarten class for curing the Monday blahs!

(& thanks to your helpers too!)