Good bye 2014!

Well, it's been a weird year.

I've had some successes (yay!). I've never been more unwell in my life (boo!). And, time has flown by (as it always does).

Speaking of time...

I'll be introducing a couple of new bloggy items in 2015, including a weekly 'One Little Thing' challenge. Every Sunday I'll post a creative prompt, and challenge you to create one little thing. Totally low pressure and absolutely good for you. The idea is to spend at least a few minutes every week thinking creatively. If you can only manage a quick doodle or a brainstorming list, that's okay! Creativity breeds itself and even a few moments of scribbling while stirring a pot of stew can be seeds of greatness :) For anyone who wishes they could spend more time creatively, this is a great starting point.

Finally, here are a few of my favourite projects from this past year.

In Praise of Odd Birds - Altered book and poem

221B Baker Street Tin

Man in the Moon

Godefroy's Book Shop

By the light of the moon

Leon's Window

I've created loads of work this past year, but these are the projects closest to my heart :)

Here's hoping that 2015 will be bright, shining and filled with magic... for everyone.

Much love,
Nichola

Oneda the Imperfect , A fairy

"I don't make fairies."

For the past 4 years that is what I have said when asked the inevitable question 'Where are the fairies?' I haven't felt compelled to make them.

But this Christmas I asked for (and received) an instructional viddy by Wendy Froud. After a marathon viewing (during which I completely ignored my guests) I immediately set to work. Days and loads of swearing later, I'd like to introduce Oneda.

She's big. Over 13" tall. And why not, she's waited an awfully long time to be made.

I have her hanging with a little help from a pin on her back... but, although she cannot stand on her own, she is poseable and would be happy as a clam in a doll stand.

I've learned so much making her and she has loads of imperfections (her skin isn't flawless, her hands are too large) and loads of things that I'll improve upon when the next winged things get's made... but her stockinged feet are lovely and she seems quite pleased with herself so who am I to complain?

Oneda is available HERE in the etsy shop.

Stamped Embellishments with Graphic 45

I am not a stamper. When challenged to create a project or share tips using stamping techniques I was seriously scratching my head. Then I realized I do stamp… just not on paper! I’ve made a stash of stamped paperclay embellishments with Botanical Tea cling stamps. 

Paperclay is great fun to work with and one of my very favourite materials, but I’m sure you could do the same with polymer clay. 

In the future I’m sure these will find their way into some of my mixed media pieces, but one of my little friends had a dolly in urgent need of a paper crown and I am always willing to lend a hand in a doll emergency.

And here's the Snapguide Tutorial to make your own embellishments!

Supply List

Embellishment
Botanical Tea Cling Stamps
Creative Paperclay

Crown
Botanical Tea: Spring DuetCore’dinations Graphic 45 Lights - Pearl Blush
A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die
White plastic pearl strand
White glitter

A little butcher shop

The 'big day' has passed and Santa was very kind to all of us with loads of socks and undies (which we love BTW), books and other goodies. We also have a tradition of exchanging handmade gifts. 

This year I made my husband a little butcher and charuterie shop window in a shadowbox frame. Before his life as a winemaker, Mr. Pixie was a butcher and he continues to smoke and dry his own meats and make his own sausage.

I made all of the meat from polymer clay. The window is a transparancy sheet. The 'shelving' is narrow strips cut from an old hardcover.

The outside measurement of the frame is around 7.5" x 5.8" and the inside depth is around .75"... it's pretty tight!

Considering that 'realism' in my miniature work isn't usually a priority, I was fairly thrilled with how this turned out and I think he liked it too :)

Quirky Naughty/Nice Ornaments and a Christmas Message

This is a fun and funky little project. I’ve just made some tiny boxes, about the size of a matchbox, with various Twas the Night Before Christmas papers, tucked in a vintage portrait, embellished with glittery pipecleaner and labeled them as naughty or nice. 

Don’t let the vintage pictures hold you back, these would be so much fun with family pictures! You could even use them as place holders for your holiday feast with photos of your naughty/nice guests.

Most of my guests are naughty, by the way.

Finally, a Christmas Eve message. Relax. Christmas is coming no matter if those 16 dozen cookies get baked, if the icing is wonky, or if the floor is a disgrace. And it'll be ok. You'll survive it! My first guest showed up early yesterday... while I was still in pajamas... while picking up dog poop from the lawn. 

I survived :)

Supply List

Twas the Night Before Christmas 8x8 PadTwas the Night Before Christmas StickersPetaloo Fancy Trims
Glittery wired pipecleaner
Vintage images

Wishing you and yours the very merriest Christmas, happiest of holidays and good cheer all around.

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Regal Christmas Crown and Gift Giving with Petaloo

Over my years of gift giving I have learned that a) Men love socks b) Children appreciate money and candy c) Every woman should have a crown. Don't get me wrong. There are giftees who do not fit within these generalizations... but these prezzies are more often appreciated than not.

I've been on a total crown kick this year. I love making them. I love wearing them. There's something magical that happens when someone dons a bit of fancy royal headwear. The wearer will smile, giggle and immediately begin to act regally! It's a wonderful transformation.

I think crowns are amazing gifts. With a bit of paper and some pretty blooms you can say "You are so special and important you deserve a crown!" and encourage silliness and joviality at the same time. They are something totally frivolous but symbolize esteem, importance and beauty.

I've listed my supplies below, but if you're going to make a crown for someone you admire try to create one that suits them and celebrates their personal tastes and flair. I'd wager it makes them feel pretty good :)

Supplies:

Botanica Chantilly-VelvHydrangeas 1272
Botanica Petites 1101
Botanica Sugared Berrys Clusters 1132
Embellishment Brads Shades of Green 1920

Jolie Gold Floral Scrapbook Paper
Authentique Faith - Reverent Scrapbook Paper
A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die 

Elf Book Box House with Graphic 45

Inspired by my fellow team member Yumi’s amazing little suitcases I decided to create my own little travel case. 

I converted a  Staples Book Box into a little suitcase, then created a homey elf house within. 

I’ve used a mash-up of three different collections for this piece: 'Cats & Dogs', 'Away with me', and 'Night Before Christmas'. 

The interior features a fireplace, complete with screen and pipecleaner flames, Christmas cards on the mantle, tree, gifts and more. 

The little wire loveseat even has tiny cushions made from Graphic 45 fabric!

Supply list: 

Raining Cats and Dogs 
> Raining Cats and Dogs
> Well Bred
> Pitter-patter
> Cats Meow
> Precious Pets
> Playful Pals
Raining Cats & Dogs 4x6 & 3x4 Journaling & Ephemera Cards
Come Away With Me > Pleasure 
TripTwas the Night Before Christmas 6x6 Solids & Patterns
Graphic 45 fabric
Staples 
Book Box
Ornate Metal Keys
Ornate Metal Key Holes
Stamped Metal Brads
Miniature Wooden Fire Place
Mini Pine & Berry Garland
Miniature Garden Bench
Retro Bottle Brush Tree
Assorted Wooden Cube Blocks
Black ribbon
Box Latches
Beads
Thermoweb Decorative Photo Corners • Kraft

Upcycled Yule Luminary for Tresors de Luxe

Tomorrow is Yule and the official kick off to my family's holiday festivities. In the Northern hemisphere this date marks the first day of winter, and the return of the sun. Our days begin to lengthen, light takes over darkness, and we celebrate with food, drink, fire, laughter and light.

I spied some pretty luminaries on pinterest and thought they'd be a perfect addition to our celebrations. Remember that winter womderland jar I posted this week? This is its kin. I've upcycled this one into a lantern. It can be filled with a candle or (for those especially safety conscience) a string of holiday lights. 

**NOTE: If using a candle, your lid must remain OFF while the candle is lit**

I podged some light tissue paper on the outside of my jar to give it a softer 'glow'. I applied some White Venice Bridal Lace Trim LA-050 around the top. I've used a Tresors de Luxe lace with a triangular pattern, a little reminiscent of Christmas Trees around the base.

Gussy up the lid and you have a beautiful holiday luminary, perfect for any celebration :)

Regifted Christmas Jar

Last year I received a number of these jars filled with candy. The candy is long gone but the jars are still kicking about my kitchen. When Alpha Stamps announced their House Ornament Kit for December I thought I'd create a fun little wonderland to re-gift the jar.

The wide mouth of the jar made it easy to slip over the contents. There's quite a bit going on in there! Bottle brush trees, a house, Santa... there's even a snowman tucked in the side :)

Note: How the heck have I been missing out on Stickles? Glitter that stays put?!?! I have a feeling you'll be seeing a lot more projects using that glorious stuff from me.

Anyway, this may not be the most sophisticated project. But it sure was fun to make and I don't think the recipient will mind the 'regifting' one bit.

Supplies:
Large mouth glass jar
House Ornament Kit

Glitter Houses Add-On Kit

Retro Bottle Brush Tree Set - Green 

Diamond Stickles 

Star Tinsel* 

Double Dot Vintage Wild Berry Scrapbook Paper
Jute twine

White glitter
Buttons

Time to Flourish Calendar box with Graphic 45

Graphic 45 is posting an absolute extravaganza of tutorials and gift ideas for the holidays on their blog. This week it's calendars, and today you'll find this calendar box that I created with Time to Flourish.

This calendar box is deceptively easy to create. I simply combined matching monthly elements from the Time to Floruish 8” pad and embellished with tags, stickers and chipboard. 

You can be as elaborate or simple as you please with your embellishments. 

The mixed media box is decorated with papers from Raining Cats and Dogs but any neutral papers from Graphic 45 could be used in their place.

Supply List

Metal Clothespins

Ornate Metal Key Holes

Mixed Media 5x5 Box-Kraft

Time to Flourish 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad

Time to Flourish 8x8 Pad

Time to Flourish Decorative Stickers

Time to Flourish Journaling Chipboard

Time to Flourish Decorative Chipboard

Time to Flourish Banners

Well Bred

Mischievous Menagerie

Raining Cats and Dogs 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad

To make your own follow this Snapguide Tutorial

Altered rusty tart tins

I stayed up very late and completed a slew of the rusty altered tins I've been working on. The caption link will go to the etsy listing for each tin.

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob 

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

Altered Tart Tin - A rusty hanging thing-a-ma-bob

I'm really pleased with how these came out and think I'll need to pick up a whole whack of little tins next time I see them at the grocery shop :)

And the crowniness continues

STILL on my crown kick... and these won't be the last :P They really are a joy to make.

Again I've used the A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die to create the pointy cut bit. If you're attempting to make your own with this die and having problems like tearing, try these Double Dot Vintage papers. These seem to work particularly well.

Above I've embellished with Petaloo Botanica blooms and a length of Star Tinsel

And the second head topper with a big vintage brooch and some large star tinsel I spied in the holiday aisle of my grocery store!