An odd bird crown to cheer a girl

I've been rather glum the past few days. Perhaps it's too much snow and not enough green. Maybe it was the bickering at the dinner table the other night (yes, the Pixies do bicker from time to time). The fact that the milk turned and there was none for my tea this morning certainly didn't improve my mood.

Something did cheer me a smidgen: a crown. An Odd Bird crown to be precise.

This months Alpha Stamps theme is inspiring me. It could be the fact that I identify with it, being a bit of an odd bird myself, or that it tugs at the soft spot in my heart reserved for fellow strange ducklings. Whatever the case may be, my plans to make a little brooch got out of hand and I've ended up with a crown.

I wore the thing around the house for quite some time. It cheered me. I'm thinking of tucking it somewhere safe so that I can pull it out when a morose Monday or terrible Tuesday rolls around. I'll wear it with my pajamas and drink root beer floats.

If you're keen on making your own, here are some of the supplies I used in making this little piece of lofty head wear: Mini Red Pip Berry Garland, Tiny Green Leaf Garland, Red Glittered Holly Berries, Bird Trinket Keepsake Kit , Petaloo Botanica Chantilly-Hydrangeas in Cream
 

Reality check: I never ever actually look like this. I'm always smudged, tumbled and befuddled.

Cake for lunch

I don't buy all this 'childhood is the greatest time of your life' nonsense. At least when you're a 'grown-up', if you're having a rotten day, you can eat chocolate cake for lunch and no one can tell you that you can't.

Works in progress and a strange riddle

This post is a mess and all over the place, please excuse the disaster and try to muddle through with me.

I finally finished off a batch of little Sherlock chairs for the new 221B tins. They seemed to take forever but they're a big improvement over the original. Here's a the new version...

Based on the The Le Corbusier Grand Confort LC3 chair used in the BBC series (Note: The below picture is swiped from Sherlockology which you should absolutely visit!)

They aren't an exact match but I'm pleased with how they've turned out.

I've also started work on this little painting. It's just a little 4x4 canvas. That's a mockingbird flapping about, a little nod to Littlefinger, my favourite GoT character (Tyrion, I love you too). The piece isn't finished yet and I'm not sure how I'll finish it off so it'll have to sit aside for a while...

Finally, the riddle.

A friend posted this photograph, challenged to identify the object. It is not sharp. It's parts do not move. Any ideas?

ETA: It's a button polisher!

I haven't a clue. I looked through an old catalogue I have here from 1904 to see if I could spy a similar object, but no luck. I did however find these gems...

A bit much, I know, but I have the sense of humour of a 12 year old boy.

30 gallons of pickles for $8.50? Bargain!

The Buttoneers

Some pieces sit unfinished in my studio for ages. Days, months, even years will pass before my little half done bits are paid proper attention. These four have been patiently waiting since November. As is usual, I stumbled upon them while looking for a misplaced whatsit and promptly finished them off when I should have been doing something else entirely.

Originally I had made some faux Liquorice Allsorts to embellish these sweet things. The Allsorts looked fine (my kiddo even tried to eat one!) but they didn't quite fit. I was disappointed, but it's not unusual for the image in my head to not want to become a reality. I've learned it's best not to struggle against it.

Instead I wait until my pieces suggest an altogether better idea. Last night these pieces shouted "We want to be Buttoneers!" Exactly what a Buttoneer is... well I have no idea, but I don't argue with my work.

And in case you're interested, here's the supply list: white Michaels plaques, assorted Graphic 45 papers (12 Days of Christmas 6x6 Pad & French Country Promenade) vintage images, acrylic paint, assorted buttons, hinge, metal charms, vintage wooden lottery number, transparency wings, Graphic 45 Ornate Metal Keys and Ornate Metal Key Holes, Masonite cut bird, Reversible Round Metal Number Tile

An Odd Bird Cuckoo House

I'm a big fan of odd things and nonsense so I was pleased as can be when my design team package from Alpha Stamps arrived and discovered this months kit was themed 'An Odd Bird'.

I made a bit of sample art, a sort of Cuckoo house using the kit.

I think the fellow in the window is a hoot. He looks a smidge devious, a little nutty, and rather pleased with himself.

In addition to the Odd Bird Kit, I also used Metal Hands, Metallic Mini Brads, Dragonfly Wing Beads, Brass Eye Pins, Cameo Frames: Circles, Dresden wings and Tiny Watch Parts.

AND if you hurry over and check out the Alpha Stamps newsletter there's even a giveaway!

Graphic 45 'Steampunk Spells' Matchbox

I still find it astounding and totally thrilling to see my work posted. It makes me wonder how in the world I've managed to get so lucky... and it makes me smile just a bit.

This little altered matchbox using the Steampunk Spells collection is featured on the Graphic 45 blog today. (There's also and amazing baseball keepsake box by fellow design team member Denise Hahn that you should check out!)

 

It's not elaborate or terribly complicated but I think it's fun and bright and just the sort of thing to make on a dreary day, or a quick something for a nice friend.

Supplies:

Steampunk Spells Fanciful Floral

Steampunk Spells Nevermore

Steampunk Spells Totally Wicked

Steampunk Spells Chipboard 2

Regular sized matchbox

Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Gold

Metallic Mini Brad

Teeny Weeny Sneaky Peeky 221B Update

Two blog posts in one day? Insanity!

I've already put in a fair few hours crafting for the new few little 221B tins that I'm working on. Despite my worries I'm having a very good time making them and I'm sooooo pleased. There were a few things about the original tin that bothered me so I'm chuffed to get a second chance to make a few improvements.

One of the things that irked me in the original was the skull on the mantle. It was really only skully enough to give the impression of a skull. The new ones are so much better. Here's one on the head of a match for size reference...

Yeah, I'm pretty proud of that little thing. I haven't finished the complete set because making them causes me to go slightly cross-eyed but I'm really happy with the few that are completed.

The set of Dr. Watson chairs on the other hand are ready to go.

And again I'm happy to be revisiting the project so that I can add teeny Union Jack pillows!

I'll be giving the Sherlock crafting (and my eyes) a rest for a day or two but will give another update as progress is made.

Later gators!