Five Halloween Mini Shrines

Before I jetted off across the pond I was playing with these 5 Halloween mini shrines from AlphaStamps.

I went a little mad scientist and used a few different techniques on the wee things.

I used everything from a simple crackle glue finish (instructions here) to a glitter smothered facade.

The Cat on Pumpkin Mini Shrine was painted in a vintage halloween style, and the Big Cat Mini Shrine was turned into into a toothy monster.

I think that both the simple finishes and painterly pieces look spookadellic and despite not being completely matchy-poo look well grouped together.

Note: that nose? A lump of paperclay applied and dried to the chipboard before painting.

Want to create your own mashed up collection of halloween goodies? Here's a list of all the bits I used:

Halloween Countdown Kit - September 2018
Cat on Pumpkin Mini Shrine
Raven October Mini Shrine
Haunted House Mini Shrine
Big Cat Mini Shrine
Cat in Moon Mini Shrine
Spooky Boo Scrapbook Paper - Eek
Spooky Boo Scrapbook Paper - Speech Bubbles
Vintage Halloween Pumpkin Time Scrapbook Paper
Vintage Halloween 2x2 Number Squares Scrapbook Paper
Pumpkin Pods
Mini Halloween Costumes Collage Sheet
Tinsel
Creative Paperclay
Glitter
Glue
Acrylic Paint
Fake Teeth
Moss

Let the Happy Haunting begin!

The Elfin Oak

Just arrived home last night from my three week adventure in England and Ireland. It was an absolute whirlwind and I will never take my bed or quiet life for granted for as long as I live!

I've got so much to share with you, so many bits of inspiration that I can't possibly do it all at once. Instead, I'll share things here and there over the coming weeks.

Today I'd like to tell you about the Elfin Oak, a magical old oak stump in Kensington Gardens.

It's easily missed and doesn't look like much from afar: an old tree in a cage behind a fence.

But, if you look closely, there's a whole lot happening on that stump.

It is covered with animals...

... and faces...

... and activity...

There are elves, fairies, witches and imps carved all over the old oak.

Mystics peek out from the bark.

An old fox sits at the base.

The entire surface is covered with figures hiding, sneaking, playing.

There's even a bit of kissing!

Originally carved in 1911, the tree underwent restoration in the 1960s, and then again in 1996.

It's such a fun thing to look at and explore.

So many wee folk with stories to tell. The makers wife wrote about the stump and had this to say:

"for centuries now it has been the home of fairies, gnomes, elves, imps, and pixies. In the nooks and crannies they lurk, or peer out of holes and crevices, their natural windows and doorways. It is their hiding-place by day, their revelry place by night, and when the great moon tops the bare branchless tree the Elfin Clans come out to play and frolic in the moonlight."

If you're ever in Hyde Park/Kensington Garden, you'll find this treasure next to the Diana Memorial Playground. Be sure to locate it on a map and get oriented before you go because we had a heck of a time finding it. Kensington Garden staff had absolutely no idea what I was talking about, but it was well worth the search.

Glad to be back to home to my bed and the quiet, and I'm looking forward to running with all of the inspiration I've bottled up.

Hope you've been well and not tooooo well behaved.

Matchbox Fairy Collage Sheet & Tutorial

The countdown is on! I'm leaving Wednesday to begin my big fat trip. I'm so excited (and a little terrified) of going on my UK adventure. Things may be quiet for a few weeks on the blog while I'm away, but I'll be posting up a storm on instagram, twitter and facebook (if you prefer the sweary version you can friend request me).

The etsy shop will only sell digital items while I'm away, but I do have a new pretty thing in there.

I've created a sweet little downloadable collage sheet/tutorial package for creating matchbox fairies.

The collage sheet is jam packed!

There are six different tiny vintage ballerinas that are repeated and reversed to give you some extra options. There are a SLEW of butterflies and wings to choose from. I've also tossed in some sentiments and words and crests. AND there's also a template for making the matchbox and everything is perfectly sized to fit together. Plus there's a 2 page instructional pdf (not that you need it, you clever thing!)

Pop over here to purchase the instant download

And... for no other reason other than it's pretty dang nifty....

Looky at this gorgeous 6 leaf clover I found in the garden today! I'm pressing it in a vintage book on being a gracious hostess.

Graphic 45 Floral Shoppe House 'Pins'

I am in love with Graphic 45's Floral Shoppe. It's just so.... lush, gorgeous, beautiful, pretty. I can't say enough good things about it. Every sheet is a dream. Today I'm showing off some wearable art I created using this collection and the House Jewelry Pieces from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts.

I've used various Floral Shoppe papers for the backgound keeping some pretty elements (like those pretty birds) nicely framed as a focal point on some of the pieces.

I randomly stamped the base corners and frames with a floral design from Gilded Lily and applied gold embossing powder before gluing the frame and base together.

A few sweet words snipped from vintage books. 

Paper butterflies are added too.

Tiny eyehole screw is added to the bottom edge.

Pretty charms and beads are added.

What is it about those Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keys that is oh so appealing? Must have something to do with the possibility of opening new doors, or hidden treasure boxes.

I really like the range in size. From statement piece, to delightfully wee!

I was in a bit of a pickle when it came to finding pin backs for these pieces. The small house shapes are quite tiny so I wanted to use butterfly clutches rather than long pin backs but I couldn't find them anywhere! But I did find magnetic 'buttons'.

These won't hold in place on a thick sweater or coat, but these little magnets are quite strong (they were trying to stick together when I was shooting the group photos for this post!) and will absolutely pull together through thinner materials. Not exactly what I was looking for, but hey, now they can be used as magnets by those who don't wear pretty pins, buttons or brooches.

Want to make your own? Here are the supplies you'll need

Graphic 45's Floral Shoppe

Gilded Lily Stamp Set 1

Antique Brass Ornate Metal Keys

House Jewelry Pieces

Gold embossing powder

Acrylic paint

Beads, charms and jumprings

Small eyehole screws

Discarded books

Magnetic buttons

Paper Fairy Matchboxes

Cross my heart, I am not exclusively making matchboxes... but I do have more to show off today.

Each is wrapped in paper from Graphic 45 and had a sweet little sentiment on the cover. Inside vintage paper, moss, paper flowers and teeny tiny paper fairy.

Each and every one is different.

I have a bunch of these listed in the shop. They're $20 each and include shipping within North America (add $3 for international shipping). Just a heads up for my American friends, the US Customs and Border Protection is delaying mail entering the US. *sigh* So expect delays. I adore you and appreciate your patience.

Now settle in for a long look at these cuties.

"Magic is all around" available HERE

"A little magic can take you a long way" available HERE

"Once upon a time" available HERE

"Let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures" available HERE

"A little magic can take you a long way" available HERE

"Small things make life good" available HERE

"Once upon a time" available HERE

"Cherish the small things" available HERE

"The greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places" available HERE.

"Life holds a special magic for those who dare to dream" available HERE

"Life itself is the most wonderful fairy tale" available HERE

"Every moment of light and dark is a miracle" available HERE