Paper, paper, everywhere...

I've been having a grand time making things with all of the fantastic products sent by Graphic 45. There's a few things I can't show off just yet, but I've also made a few extra bits in an attempt to familiarize myself with the collections a little better.

Last night I pulled out A Ladies' Diary and Secret Garden and went to town making a few ATC's.

I've used Secret Garden Beautiful Blooms for the background of each and embellished with ladies from A Ladies' Diary Garden Stroll. The wings and butterflies are from Olde Curiosity Shoppe Butterfly Specifics Scrapbook Paper.

I've also used pieces from Secret Garden Tags & Pockets,  Secret Garden Stickers and Secret Garden Chipboard 1. Even a stamps from G45 Cling A Ladies' Diary 1 managed to sneak in.

Because I wanted these to be quick and painless (and because I misplaced my good scissors!) I used some beautiful Dresden scraps from Alpha Stamps, rather than fussy cutting the night away.

The pieces are finished off with some May Arts ribbons. I'm not really much of a ribbon person BUT these are truly gorgeous and divine quality. I've actually been thinking a lot about making ribbon flowers just so I can dive into the yummy stash on hand.

One last bit of gushing... Scor-Tape. If you're a paper crafter go out and buy some this minute. It's not messy. It's really sticky. It tears easily. It's soooo handy for ribbons and trims. Definitely a new staple for my craft room.

Toadstools of the Giant Variety

I'm getting ready for this year's Faerie Tour and decided to add some giant toadstools. I have no idea why, it just seemed the right thing to do.

It did occur to me afterward that it would create a lovely photograph opportunity for my visitors. So I made two.

 

They are still in the process of being sealed... and they might be moved to another location... but otherwise they are finally done!

I created mine using building tube for the stem and the top was formed using chicken wire over Styrofoam.

Over that, I did layers of paper mache. I did old school paste with just flour and water, and I'm not sure how well that will hold up, but it's what I had on hand and it does make it quite stiff.

Next I painted them. I used an enamel rust paint for the red part and an outdoor latex enamel for the white.

I looked into ways to protect paper mache outdoors and came across a recommendation to use marine varnish. The varnish was the most expensive item but I figured it'll be worth it if I can make these last through the summer. I'll keep you updated!

To give you a better idea of size here's my almost 5' kiddo posing with the pair.

Now, I saw a comment in which someone said they wished they could afford these. I can tell you right now, as a broke-ass-bumpkin and proudly thrifty gal, they didn't cost very much at all.  If you're willing to put in the effort, have a bit of time, and don't mind getting really flipping messy, you CAN create these on a tight budget.

Want to see these for yourself? The tour will run at Pixie Hill from June 22nd until the last week in July before moving to The Gates in Brighton for August through to September. xoxo

Masked Bandits

 I created these winged fellows for Alpha Stamps this month. They're hosting a "peek-a-boo" swap to coincide with this months Black and White Silhouettes Kit.

They measure 4"x4". The wings are from my Just Wings Collage Sheet, printed on transparency. The antenna are finely cut pieces of paper.

The inspiration? A couple of weeks ago I watch a movie called The Fall and quickly fell in love. Stunningly beautiful, absolutely wonderful and immediately one of my very favourite things. With bandits, adventure, love and revenge... how could I avoid being inspired?! And so, I've been putting masks on just about everything with a face over the past two weeks.

Fair warning: if you decide to watch this film for yourself (and you totally should) prepare for tears. Also, the leading man, Lee Pace, is kinda dreamy so you might find yourself with a new imaginary boyfriend too.

Standing guard

The weather has been rather funny here as of late. Loads of rainy days which, although I love for making my plants grow, have put a damper of getting a head start on this year's Faerie Tour.

Last night I'd had enough of waiting and starting a little fiddling around the Troll's Hole. I spied this fellow standing guard in the crook of the tree stump next to the Troll's entrance.

Handsome, no?

I managed a bit more clean-up this morning and this is the current state of the hole...

 

An "Un-welcome" mat and some potted weeds are in order but they'll have to come later. I thought I might also get to work on the Hobbit home and but was greeted by another guardian toad.

I think this fellow was new to his position. He was awfully shy and as soon as this photo was snapped immediately hopped into a corner, pressed himself tightly against the ground, and pretended he was invisible against the mud. His disguise was not nearly as impressive as he believed it to be. He was, in fact, quite visible. But I felt sorry for the dear so I pretended he vanished and left him to recuperate from the fright of our confrontation.

Instead of progress, I'll share the above photo of a newly discovered patch of four leafed clovers growing near the Troll's hole. There are at least two in the photo... can you find them?

Professor Dukinschnof is missing

I didn't get a "Good morning" today.

Today I was woken with "The duck is gone."

The Professor is missing.

This week the fella was moved into a chicken tractor, a sort of small portable coop that can be moved daily for fresh grass and little mess. We had placed a small tub of water with him and he seemed to be enjoying himself, splashing around in his new diggs.

This morning the end door was found wide open and our dear duck was vanished.

The door that was found wide open has a spring latch mechanism, not exactly the easiest things to operate. We became quickly conscientious about predators when we lost our first chicken three years ago. I'm honestly not sure what to make of the open gate. If it was a predator, well that's something you have to deal with when you raise animals, circle of life and all of that. But if someone opened the gate, which I can't imagine but have to ponder the possibility, it was a terrible and reckless thing to do. The Professor was still just a baby, just getting his feathers, and if someone let him go... well it's a death sentence.

We've walked all over listening for his peeps (poor thing didn't even have his quack yet) but there isn't a trace of him. The very little sensible side of me knows he's gone for good. The crazy and delusional faerie loving optimist is quite sure he'll waddle up to the kitchen door any minute for a cup of tea.

Stash bustin' wind chimes

Today I made wind chimes.

I made three sets but they're hard to photograph so this is all you get :P

They were just made from miscellaneous rusty bits in my stash that I don't think will be terribly missed. I was pretty pleased with how they turned out. Perhaps I'm a little too happy with them because I keep looking at everything and wondering how it would sound clinking and clanking in the breeze.

Float like a butterfly

In the faerie underground there exists a gentleman's club where faerie men do manly things. Sure they play cricket and drink lager but they also display their most manly strength by going toe to toe with wasps and other dangerous buzzy things!

 

While the fights are quite gruesome, certainly not suitable for the squeamish, serious injuries are rare.

More often than not, the brave Bee Boxers and their winged opponets share a drop or two of mead after the blue bell rings.