Are you familiar with Black Books? It's a UK show from the 2000's about a bookshop, it's grumpy owner Bernard Black, and his friends Fran and Manny.
The show is a bit ridiculous and boozy and cigarette filled. I first saw it AGES ago but spied it on Prime last week and binged all three seasons all over again. I've been feeling a bit "Bernardish" lately and was inspired to make my own pocket-sized book shop to lord over.
I tried to get everything just right with the limited source photos out there. Made all those wee books for the window display and even made a tiny sign that said "Books Bought & Sold" because I caught a glimpse of it in a pic of the set... and then I promptly forgot to place it before sealing the window up! NOOOO!!!!! And you'd be none the wiser if I didn't tell you. DOUBLE NOOOO!!!!!
Ah well, I'm pretty pleased with the little thing even without the sign. Aren't those the cutest garbage bags you've ever seen?!?!
And in case you've never heard of Black Books (for shame!), here's a pic from the show with my teeny version below.
Not too terrible, eh? I'm well pleased with myself :)
As for the outside...
The first episode has Manny entering the shop searching for "The Little Book of Calm" and I thought of making the exterior look like the cover of the book. However, I'm a fan of the "NO TIME WASTERS" sign that appeared outside the shop. I mean, I have a "Go Away" sign outside my front door so I was basically obligated to go with this option.
No collage sheet or tutorial for this project, but I will leave you with some fitting words of wisdom from Bernard Black, "The pay's not great, but the work is hard."
I'm embracing my inner Potterhead once again. This time I've created a miniature version of "Potages" the cauldron shop located on the North Side, Diagon Alley, in the Harry Potter universe.
The signage are printouts pasted to thick board with small brad heads added to the corners.
Simple trims, which are just various sized strips of card cut from a cereal box, are a super easy way to create a finished custom look.
Wooden floor was created with coffee stir sticks, stained with washes of acrylic paint. And how perfect is that wallpaper with it's pattern of tiny spiders?! That's "It's Elementary" from Graphic 45s Master Detective Collection. Scrapbook paper makes excellent room box wallpaper.
To fill my shop, all sorts of little cauldrons. I even designed some products for proper cauldron upkeep like wax, cleaner and polish. To be honest, those little packages put me almost a whole day behind... totally worth it :P You can download the collage sheet to create these at the bottom of this post.
Want to create your own Potages? Or maybe a shop from your own imagination?! I have a video walk-through for creating the basics of this room that might help you in making your own masterpiece. You can find it HERE
Finally, here are supplies used in my wee cauldron shoppe:
This has been waiting to be finished for AGES. Since before I visited the real platform 9 3/4!
When I visited the actual platform at Kings Cross station it was absolute madness. I didn't even line up for the photo op because it was swarming with people. (Don't feel badly for me. It gives me a great excuse to return!)
My little version of Platform 9 3/4 was built inside of a wooden shadow box. It measures approximately 6" x 9" x 1.5"
I'm so happy with the brickwork in this piece as well as that pipe to the side.
All of the suitcases are made from cardstock with ribbon and other wee bits.
There's a little Hogwarts Express ticket, and a few books atop the stack of cases.
A wax sealed acceptance letter, and a wand too.
Want to own a little Platform 9 3/4? This piece is listed HERE
P.S. Happy mother's day weekend moms and motherers!
On my trip to London last year I made certain to time my visit with the butterfly exhibit at the Natural History Museum. I made it just in time, squeezing in on the afternoon of the very last day. It was magic. Then again, how could walking among butterflies not be?!
This project, is a sort of homage to that memory. A pretty space filled with flowers and fluttery things.
This project may take time, but it uses only a handful of supplies. The structure is a Small Conservatory. That's it. I haven't added any fancy embellishments (but don't let that stop you from adding some dramatic flair!)
Inside I've added miniature wooden pots packed with faux flowers and leaves. They aren't properly scaled and they don't even look like any particular sort of 'real' plants, but they give a nice floral feel and provide lots of texture.
Those paper butterflies inside are all from my English Fairy Garden collage sheet. I printed it out at 50% to scale the butterflies down to a more appropriate size.
I haven't glued any of the pots in place so that I can move those potted pretties around, and even change up the Small Conservatory completely if I want to!
Besides paint and glue, the last supply I used was a plain sheet of cardboard. I've used strips to create the 'wood' floor and baseboards inside the conservatory.
Outside, again, I used layered strips of plain card to create a subtle architectural element to the bottom of the structure. I also used the card on the roof of the building to hide the slot and tabs that hold the piece together.
And that's it! Just those few little bits to make something quite pretty. If you'd like to see how I put this project together, follow along with this walkthrough video.
Today I have a wee Punch and Judy theatre made with goodies from AlphaStamps
I made a Punch and Judy theatreeons ago (there's a tute for that one too) but this one is larger and much less fiddly... and slightly less violent.
If you aren't familiar with Punch and Judy it's a sort of violent puppet show which can be dated back to just before the 1700's, reaching a height of popularity during the Victorian era. More recently, they have a bit of a shout out in Gone Girl.
To look at these two you'd think butter wouldn't melt in their mouths... you'd be so wrong!
The wee Union Jack flags are a public domain image I scaled down and attached to toothpicks. So fancy, Nichola!
The wee figures inside are removable.
Once again I get super duper fancy with my techniques by simply folding the "stick-end" of the image from the The Grand Guignol Collage Sheet. Easy peasy!
I finished off the piece with some red dresden trims because everything is better with dresden. (I would trim myself in dresden if at all possible.)
And that is it! Fairly easy and you can make this project with all the bits found HERE. Or here are the supplies bit by bit:
It's FINALLY spring and I have a head cold. Despite my nose is being an absolute jerk, I've been working away, making a butt ton of these adorable miniature novena candles.
They are in real glass and made with real wax but there is no wick so they cannot be burned. But really... gah! they are just so cute!
There are also a bunch of wee magic 7 day candles too.
Who doesn't need a tiny Jinx Removal candle?
If you don't know which saint or spell you'd like, but want need some miniature non-burnable candles for your doll house I have a discounted listing for 4 randomly selected candles available.
And now I am off to edit video and do battle with my sinuses... it's a hardcore rockstar weekend!
Some of you may recall that a few years ago I was on the Graphic 45 design team. It was a lot of fun, I learned so much, and (best of all) I made such nice friends.
I've made an extra special project with a new video tutorial just for the occasion.
Paper fairy frocks! It's the sort of project that ticks all my boxes... moderately simple, uses few supplies, and easily customizable. As a bonus, there's a bit of recycling in there too!
I've used Graphic 45's Baby 2 Bride Classic Collection "Birdy Baby Blues" with a smidge of Botantical Tea for this frock. But don't let that limit your imagination! You can make these to suit just about any taste or theme.
Seriously, how cute would these be for a shower? Or a ladies lunch? Or sweet 16?!
Something chic for the fashionista with Couture.
Or perhaps something playfully psychobilly with Rare Oddities
I think they are all sweet as can be.
Are the possibilities swimming in your head? Are you ready to create your own?
Download the template below. CLICK HERE if you're having trouble
Scrapbook paper (Graphic 45's Baby 2 Bride Classic Collection - Birdy Baby Blues is used in the video sample)
Pleated Ribbon
Empty container for base
Florist Oasis/Foam
Moss
1/4" wood doweling Fairy Wings
Buttons, faux flowers and leaves, ribbon, embellishments
Adhesive
And... AND... my second audition project: a mini mini album!
And I do mean mini! Just 1.25" x 2" made with Graphic 45's Rare Oddities.
Now, I will be the first to admit that mini albums are not one of my skill strengths, BUT I think that my sense of crafting adventure IS my absolute biggest strength.
I love crafting. It's fun. It brings me joy. That joy comes from exploring, playing, experimenting and fearlessly making mistakes. Loads and loads of mistakes.
I glue my fingers together regularly. I mismeasure and cut where I shouldn't. And that's ok! Everyone does it. Every one of us starts somewhere.
While this finished the project may look spiffy, the two prototypes I made before were a mess!
And those two messes? They are soooo important because, cross my heart, the trying, the doing, the mistakes and messes, they are the most valuable creative tools you have. Never ever be afraid of mistakes (unless you're a beginner knife thrower).
Good luck to everyone auditioning for Graphic 45 Brand Ambassador. I've seen a load of other audition posts and there are some fiercely talented folks auditioning. If you're on the fence about applying... GO FOR IT! DO IT NOW!!! You have until the April 8th, 2018 to apply.
