On Cuban Time

I rarely do scrapbook layouts. It's not my forte. But after our vacation to Cuba, I was compelled to do something with those photographs.

There was a saying we heard over and over from locals: "on Cuban time". Things happen a little slower there, at their own pace, but they'll get done eventually. Normally I'd be well meaning and craft with these pics eventually, but it was a bit of serendipity that this month's AlphaStamps kit is Letters from the Sea and I was prompted to get to them a little more swiftly.

All that age, those shells and scrolls, and I was taken right back!

I added loads of extra bits like the Mini Wrought Iron Flourishes and Wrought Iron Shadowbox Header which totally reminded me of the swirly decorative elements we saw on the buildings in the city of Ciego de Ávila

I also added our baggage claim tickets... because God forbid I throw out any little bit of paper that might possibly be sentimental.

The layout basically started as a few ATC's that got out of hand. Everything just sort of got added in layers from there.

Note: I've said it loads of times, but it bears repeating, these super thick ATC blanks are amazing. They will take an absolute beating and not warp in the least.

Those seaside chippy bits were chopped from an Under the Sea Chipboard Border.

Some sploshes of Cuban colour, layers, notes and memories, and, despite the fact that I am not a scrapbooker, I have a nice reminder of our trip.

All the bits used in this layout can be found HERE.

Seeds of Love Scrapbook Paper
Seaside & Me Scrapbook Paper - Floral & Pale Shells
Vintage Telegrams Scrapbook Paper
Mini Wrought Iron Flourishes Set
Under the Sea Chipboard Border
Wrought Iron Shadowbox Header
Chunky ATC Blanks

Need an alternative to real shells? Try Beach Beauties Seashell Buttons Mix or or Silicone Mold - 7 Seashells

Thank you Cuba for the amazing pina colada's, the stunning beaches and rum... oh god, all the rum!

P.S. If you're a sucker for punishment and like looking at other peoples vacation photos, hop over HERE to gander at our adventure

The truth is out there - Confidential Top Secret Files

Ok. So. I tried to make something pretty. AlphaStamps sent me some gorgeous papers to use with their tent card frames but it was not happening. I'm going to blame my recent podcast listenings for what happened.

I went about as far from pretty as one can get and found myself in a deep dark conspiracy hole.

Not a pink floral paper in sight! Instead I've taken a trip into the basement of the J Edgar Hoover building and gone rummaging through the X-Files. (I'd totally wink at Foxy Mulder circa 1993.)

Flip those folders open (You HAVE to peek when something is marked "top secret" and "confidential") and you'll find top secret office memos and case files. What could possibly be so ultra important?!?!

Photographic evidence of aliens and Bigfoot of course!

They're grungy. They're messy. They ain't pretty... but I kinda love them!

There's a teeny tiny supply list to create these and I've put together a super cool collage sheet for you to make your own top secret files.

Here's everything you'll need:

Tent Card Frame - Oval
Tent Card Frame - Round Top Frame
Classified UFO Collage Sheet 
Glue

That's it! No foolin'.

Get out there and spread the truth!

Trust no one.

Big Fat Christmas Greeting Matchbox

I think my forced break from crafting while I was on my trip kind of reinforced the notion that crafting helps to keep me sane. It quietens the world around me. Although I do feel like I'm playing catch up with laundry and dishes and cleaning... I've been thoroughly enjoying making things, and savouring the 'stillness' creating brings.

But enough deep thoughts! Can we talk about the Christmas Vintage 12×12 Paper Pad? It's from Stamperia and it is full of old Christmas charm. Here I've used some sweet chickadees and cut out a rustic winter scene. I've fussy cut loads of holly and berries too (fyi there's some great Christmas puddings and cakes in the collection too.)

In addition to the background sky, I've added some clear glitter to the edges of the buildings and on the tops of the hills. It think it catches the light just right.

The top corner has a nice grouping of chickadees and holly and baubles. 

On a side note, the chickadees are out in full force here! They peck at the feeders and make a huge mess on the ground below. It's all good though the snowbirds prefer to forage and clean up after them. The whole while we have blue jays who swoop in and squawk like maniacs. Seriously, you'd link such handsome fellows would have a beautiful strong whistle. Nope!

But back to beautiful things!

This scene is set in a nice fat  Big Chunky Matchbox with Window and topped with a wired bow.

Want to make your own? Here's the list of making!

Big Chunky Matchbox with Window
Christmas Vintage 12×12 Paper Pad
Christmas In The Village Tiny Houses (background)
Wired ribbon
Clear Glitter

*I am an absolute stinker and have no idea which holly paper was used on the exterior of the box but I CAN say that it can be found in the Christmas Paper section at AlphaStamps

Pretty Pink Christmas Things

A few years ago I would have laughed if you told me I'd be all about pink Christmas. This year I'm all about the pink Christmas.

I've used two paper collections: Pink Christmas 12x12 Paper Pad and Christmas Vintage 12x12 Paper Pad for the following projects and I'm loving the way they work together.

Add some faux snow and a Gold Dresden Christmas Tree swoon!

There was a quite a bit of fussy cutting involved in these projects, but the results are terribly sweet. Just look at this Peaked Roof Matchbox...

...and those little birds and inside. 

What a lovely holiday treat for someone nice.

It's totally worth mentioning that the Pink Christmas 12x12 Paper Pad has a super cute tag, envelope, ephemera elements that come together really, really swiftly. 

I did some gold embossing around the edge of the vintage Santa image and it looks so authentically old timey. And while old envelopes probably would have been plain white, the envelope element is the perfect compliment. Swoon!

The final two pieces (yes there's more!) are more of a kitchy rather than antique vintage. Still totally cute though.

Here I've used Jingle 6x6 Paper Pad and Tree Ornament Matchboxes. I'm thinking that i might pop these on top of presents instead of a standard bow. Afterall, what could be nicer than a gift topped with another wee surprise?!

I usually start Christmas crafting in September so this is a very late start for me, but I gotta admit, I'm really enjoying it this year. It's far less work and much more pleasure this time around. I hope you're enjoying holiday creating too.

NOW, if you want to make your own slew of pretty pink Christmas things, here's the supply list:

Tree Ornament Matchbox
1 Inch Clear Acrylic Snowflake Mix
Jingle 6x6 Paper Pad
Mini Candy Canes
2x3 Chunky Matchbox
1 Inch Clear Acrylic Snowflake Mix
Pink Christmas 12x12 Paper Pad
Gold Dresden Christmas Tree
Peaked Roof Matchbox
Santa Sleigh Silver Charm Set
Christmas Vintage 12x12 Paper Pad

And everything all in one place

AlphaStamps Spooky Hallowe'en Candy Dish

First of all, how cute is this candy dish?

So cute, right?!

I made it using the Tealight Haunted House Kit with Base from AlphaStamps. Only I didn't use the base as a base, I used it upside down for something more important... candy corn (do not even try to debate me on the goodness of candy corn).

Not only is this project cute, but came together pretty quickly. Quick, easy and cute = extra awesome in my books.

I didn't fiddle around with the house at all. I assembled it, added the window frames, applied a good coat of acrylic paint, then highlighted the frames in gold. To finish it off I added dresden trim, glass cabochon windows and wee plastic bat.

What elements did I use for the rest of the piece? From bottom to top: wooden plaque, tart tin, child's building block, House Base, 3 Inch Tall Candlestick Holder, Tealight Haunted House

Painting everything black and sticking with papers from the Nightfall 6x6 Paper Pad, everything comes together to create a cohesive look.

A few cute black ribbon bows, spooky cabochon, trim. I also created some little signs by gluing toothpicks to the sentiments snipped from the  Nightfall Pad as a finishing touch, but I was told candy is the best finishing touch.

Ready to make your own? 

Here are all the bits I used in one place

And here is the list of goodies:

10x25mm Mini Glass Rectangular Cabochon
14mm Round Glass Cabochons
18mm Round Glass Cabochons
Rectangular Frames for 10x25mm Cabs
Round Frames for 14mm Cabs
Black Cat Glass Cabochon - 18mm
Spider Web Glass Cabochon - 18mmSpider Web Glass Cabochon - 14mm
Nightfall 6x6 Paper Pad
Black Dresden Border Sampler Set 

Tealight Haunted House Kit with Base
3 Inch Tall Candlestick Holder
Window Frames for Tealight Haunted House

Wooden plaque

Building blocks

Ribbon

Toothpicks
Glue
Acrylic paint
Plastic bat
CANDY!!!!

Leftover Bindrune Earrings

I am not a jewelry maker. I am only just finding my jewelry wearing self to be honest.

But I had leftover bits from my AlphaStamps design kit and they demanded to be used. 

So I made these earrings from Patina Brass Narrow Feather Charms, Wide Feather Charms and
42mm Bronze Key Charms.

The top bit is a bindrune combining the runes Fehu and Perthro. A bindrune is a symbol which combines two or more runes and sort of joins their meaning. Here I'm mixing luck and new beginnings with magic, hidden knowledge and feminine power. I'm hoping these give me a little boost when I where them. (There's some debate about the meaning of Perthro but I like that particular interpretation.)

Simply connected all the bits together with jump rings and the attached the top bezel to an earring post. Easy peasy!

Here's my supply list for this unexpected extra project.

Patina Brass Narrow Feather Charms
Wide Feather Charm - Patina Brass
42mm Bronze Key Charm
14mm Round Glass Cabochons
14mm brass bezel

Earring posts
Jump Rings

A Little Big Fat Nature Journal

This month's AlphaStamps kit has sprouted an ATC sized nature themed junk journal.

I separated the panels from an ATC Ticket Journal as a base for many of the pages and used some Water Media ATC Cards for others.

Really I just made a whole bunch of ATC's and then stitched those suckers together. They make a lovely fat little book.

To bind the pages I simply poked three holes in one side, and tied them together with Bakers Twine which I've muddied up with a wash of brown paint.

The interior pages are a jumble of collage sheets and papers and fussy cut bits and bobs. Check the bottom for the complete list of supplies used.

I'm really pleased with how all of those wee ATC's came together to form a cohesive bookette. If you'd like to make your own, here's all the bits and pages and papers I used.

Bakers Twine - Black
Ornithology Collage Sheet
Anthology Scrapbook Paper - Entomology Butterflies
Anthology Scrapbook Paper - Herbs & Antique Wood
1 Inch Wide Paris Pocket Watch Pendant
Anthology Scrapbook Paper - Ephemera
Bees, Birds and Butterflies Collage Sheet
Blue Birds Collage Sheet
Songbirds - ATCs & 4x4s Collage Sheet
M for the Magpie Collage Sheet
Aged Parchment Scrapbook Paper
Mixed Size Butterfly Dresden Scraps
ATC Ticket Journal
La Mode - Papillon Collage Sheet
Anthology Scrapbook Paper - Antiquity Note Cards
Water Media ATC Cards - Set of 20


And if you want to find them all in one place... TA DAHHH!