A Full Moon Mobile

Some people love the sea... I love the night sky and light of the moon. I've made myself a little mobile so that I might have a slice of that celestial magic inside.

I'm really pleased with how it came out and it was really quite simple. I even have a tutorial for you below, but first a  couple of notes about this project:

• Don't fret if you can't find the wooden shapes I used. You can absolutely cut your own from cardboard

• Really, really, really play around with balance to find where the best placement of your stars and moon, and also where to place the hanging wire.

• I 100% DO NOT recommend this project for above a baby crib. Bark, fishing line, glitter and tiny stars that might come loose may all pose a danger to little ones. Don't risk it!

• I only decorated the front of the pieces because I'll be hanging my mobile against a wall. If you want to suspend yours you may want to decorate both sides of your stars and moon.

Okay? Okay.

Here are all the things I used:
Wooden circle and stars
Old sheet music
Glue
Acrylic Paint
Nail file
Glitter
Twig
Acrylic stars
Fishing line

And, finally, here's how it's made it:

If you make your own, please tag me when you're showing off. It really is the best compliment and it helps promote my little crafty mess making heaps and heaps. Plus, I just love to see what you're making ;)

NOW GO MAKE SOME MOON MAGIC!!!!

Sweet Winged Dressform

I've started this blog post a million times. Trying to come up with a good explanation, a reason for this project. The truth is, there is none. It's just a fun silly thing that happens to be pretty.

And you know, that's ok. Why does there need to be a reason to create something other than the urge to do so?!

 So I've made this pretty frock using a Dressform Hang Up as a base.

To it I've added a pair of wings from the Wings Assortment

And nestled a piece of the Victorian Corners 2 set onto the bodice (it fits just right!)

I've layered silk rose petals and tulle for the dress portion, simply hot gluing them in place. A bit of glitter, paper flowers and a heart embellishment and voila! you've got a sweet little something. 

If you need some guidance to create this piece, I have a video walkthrough HERE, but rest assured it's easy as can be.

Here are all the bits you'll need:

Dressform Hang Up
Wings Assortment
Faux Metal Number Plates 1 to 25
Victorian Corners 2

acrylic paint

paper flowers

silk flower petals

tulle

glitter

glue

Sweet and Simple #G45Tags

As much as I adore bright and colourful Christmas wrap, there’s something lovely about “brown paper packages tied up with string”. They really are one of my favourite things!

I’ve made some sweet and simple #G45tags as a perfect finishing touch to those packages.

I’ve used papers from the Christmas Magic Patterns & Solids Pad with flower and leaf dies from the Large Tag, ATC Tag and Flower Dies Set

I added paper leaf sprigs and a single assembled flower (made with the two smallest flower dies) to Artist Trading Tags–Kraft along with a few faux berries.

If I had beautiful handwriting I’d add pretty writing to the tags… alas I have a decidedly messy scrawl so I opted for a simple stamped initial in gold embossing powder.

A length of twine, a touch pine (or maybe a candycane or two!) these sweet wee tags add such a nice homey handmade touch.

To show you just how easy these are to put together I have a quick little video to show you exactly how I made them.

And here are all of the supplies you’ll need:

Graphic 45 Supplies:
Christmas Magic Patterns & Solids Pad
Large Tag, ATC Tag and Flower Dies Set
Artist Trading Tags–Kraft

Other Supplies:
Faux berries
Hot glue
Embossing powder
Twine

Happy Papercrafting!

Wild Faerie Wands

Not all sticks are plain old twigs. Some are faerie wands hidden in plain sight! (I've mentioned this before)

I happened across a fair number of wands this weekend. I'm sure the weather has the wee folk a little more fumbly and droppity than usual.

With the plethora of wands scattered about, I thought I'd share some thoughts on embellishing wild faerie wands.

There are a number of things to consider when encouraging the wand to reveal it's magical nature. 

The type of tree the wand is from is the biggest determining factor to the type of magic that the wand will best preform. Here are some simple examples:

Locust (above): protection

Apple: fertility
Oak: truth and knowledge

Willow: emotion

Ash: wisdom

Cedar: cleansing

A quick google search for "magical properties of wood" will lead you to a wealth of information on the subject.

Charms can add to the magical purpose too! A key might be helpful for magic that opens the way to you. I think that acorn caps, buttons and found objects hold a great deal of magic in them. You could also sew beads and gems to those magical wands.

You might carve and shape your wand. Whittle a point, or carve patterns or symbols into the bark.

Colour can add to the magic too! Again, a little research will provide you with a lot of information on colour and magical associations... but don't neglect your intuition*. Faeries in your particular region may have a very different opinion of the colour yellow than the faeries in my back garden.

For a little more 'how-to' I've made a little video. Hop over to youtube and give it a gander...

*I have always read that faeries love milk. That leaving a small dish would be an appropriate offering. Mine HATE milk! The last time I left them some they turned all the milk in the house sour. So trust your experience over what some silly website says... even this one.

Day 8 - Walnut Sailing Ships

Despite not being a water-loving sea monster, I do have a thing for pirate ships and nautical adventure. AHOY! And all that jazz.

I'm pleased as punch with these little walnut ships. They're kind of adorable and remind me of THIS Christmas song.

They were super simple to make too. Just a walnut shell, 1/8" dowel, paper and trim. Easy peasy!

There's a little snowy glitter too. I can't help myself.

Hope your having a lovely day. I'm thinking of you.

xoxo