Graphic 45 By The Sea Matchbox

I've been waiting AGES to show off this project, created with the lovely seaside themed papers "By The Sea" from Graphic 45. It's featured over on their blog today so I can finally show it off!

The base of the piece is a Graphic 45 Staples 8x8 Matchbook Box. If you're unfamiliar with them, they are sturdy (truly!) kraftboard boxes that look like this...

I embellished like crazy, did loads of fussy cutting and ended up with something quite nice :) The layered bunting effect at the top with the stamps, starfish and snippets is one of my favourite elements of this piece.

Check out that octopus paper covering the box. That's Gathering Shells and the reverse is covered in starfish! "By the Sea" is such a fun collection with a lovely colour pallet. Slightly subdued for a bit of an aged, vintage feel with wonderful graphics.

Perhaps the element I'm most pleased with...

... the wheels! I have utilized those Ornate Metal Key Holes for all sorts things. Now here they are holding some small wooden wheels in place. Proof you should never be afraid of turning things upside down ;)

More photos on the G45 blog and here's the complete supply list:

Graphic 45 By The Sea

By the Sea

My Anchor

Beachcomber

Pier 45

Set Sail

Sand and Surf

Gathering Seashells

Graphic 45 Staples

8x8 Matchbook Box

Ornate Metal Key Holes

Ornate Door Plate

Wooden Craft Wheels

Metallic Mini Brads

Small Wooden Buttons/Wheels

Twine

221B Update: Fireplaces and Injuries!

I took a break yesterday for an impromptu 'date night' with my kiddo. We ate tacos, made homemade donuts, watched Shaun of the Dead and played Hungry-Hungry-Hippos. It was the most excitement I've had in ages ;)

After my little man went to bed I crafted my guts out... until 5 in the morning. It couldn't be helped. I was on a streak and it's been a long while since I pulled a late night. That work continued this morning, into the afternoon and here I am, 4:30 pm, in my jammas from the flurry of progress.

The new fireplaces are done and I'm soooo happy with them. A vast improvement over the original (on the left). Far more detailed.

And they are much closer to the BBC Sherlock set!

Arwel Wyn Jones is the Production Designer on Sherlock. The more I look at the world he creates the more astounded I become. Such lovely, detailed work.... and the wallpapers are swoony! I am so smitten that I am contemplating spending my summer making a great big detailed miniature that includes ALL THE THINGS! Working on this tiny scale is fun, but it's also a bit limiting in a way.

Anywho, amid all this fireplace flurry I managed to snip myself with scissors. If you don't count gluing my fingers together (something I do daily) then it's my first crafting injury of 2014. I'm surprised I've made it this long to be honest. 

Here's hoping it's another night packed with crafty action!

221B Update: Teeniest Books and Organization

This week's updates will mostly focus on the set of 221B tins and (hopefully) the flurry of progress in completing them. This morning's task was to complete the books that litter the shelves and floor of Sherlock's abode. Here's a look at some on a penny for an idea of size.

I've made loads. LOADS! And I know it still won't be enough. No matter how many extra I make, it never seems to be enough. I am always left thinking... "If I just had a few more." *sigh*

With so many little bits and pieces completed it's been necessary to level up my organization and use one of my favourite tools... the cheap plastic divider box! Stepping into my studio you might think that all things would be lost in the evil vortex of chaos, but I do know where most things are. These little boxes keep my mess shockingly organized.

This little darling is keeping all of my papery Baker Street bits exactly where they should be :)

Lastly, a word about the sale of the tins. As much as I dislike auctions, I'm leaning toward that option for their sale. I feel like an auction would give more people the opportunity to own one, rather than just good timing. It also takes pricing out of my hands (something I loathe) and assures that the winning bidders are paying a price they are comfortable with.

Any thoughts? I'd really like to hear what you think.

I'm off to build bookshelves for all those little tomes... maybe even a mantle or two.

Another 221B Baker Street Tin Update

I have been working on the new 221B Baker Street tins. I hope to have them completed sooner rather than later. I'm aiming to be completed the set at the end of the week... that's if all goes smoothly **fingers crossed, knock on wood and all that jazz**.

I've shared a few of the improvements I've made so far and here is another... a silly thing but something that bothered me right from the get-go. In the original tin the floor boards ran in the opposite direction as on the BBC set. I didn't realize that until after-the-fact and it drove me a little bonkers. In the new set the floor does indeed run in the correct direction. Phew!

Today I've spent ages and ages fiddling with the papery bits that will fill the interior of the tins. Above are the beginnings of book stacks and file folders to be strewn about. Below are some of the 'new' additions (which I am totally thrilled with!) In the palm of my hand are reproductions of two of the newspapers from the BBC series, an old map of London, a tiny reproduction of the first paper to feature a Sherlock Holmes story, violin sheet music for Bach's Sonata No.1 as played in Reichenbach Fall and last, but not least, a vintage advertisement for men's hats.

And I'm pretty proud of those tiny newspapers. I recreated them them from scratch and shrunk them down. They are so tiny that 80% of details can't even be seen...

... but I know they are there and that makes me happy.

There are a few bumps I'm not quite sure how to get over at the moment, and a couple of items I'd like to include but need a little time to work out. I'll update as things progress this throughout the week :)

xoxo

Small starry nights and germs

There are a small things I believe would make life much nicer. No acne or pimples after age 30. If you go to bed tired your mind should not suddenly decide to fill with impossible ideas that prevent you from falling asleep. AND you should be allowed to overcome one illness before being dealt another. I'm sick getting again. AGAIN! I don't think I've had a single well day in all of 2014. Grrrrr.

Despite not being entirely well I did manage a little bit of work today.

A few little moony shrines with those happy little faces I made the other day. I think they are terribly sweet :)

Each of the exteriors are a different colour. I love the teal-ish green blue of this one.

These fellas are still drying so they won't be listed until tomorrow.

Until then, I'm going to drink hot toddies and get a big hot bubble bath. Germs hate bubbles right?

Sweet Sentiments ATC tutorial for Graphic 45

In the dead of winter when someone sends you a package of pretty spring themed papers it's best to take full advantage. Graphic 45's Sweet Sentiments is just that... sweet... and it's awfully cheerful and endearing too. It turns my mind to the blossoms and buds that I have been repeatedly assured are on the way (though I am beginning to wonder).

Today my springy little ATC is featured on the Graphic 45 blog. AND if you're tired of the white wintery stuff too and want to make own bright and springy ATC, here's how:

Materials List:

 Sweet Sentiments
> All My Love
> Perfect Petals

> Sweet Sentiments

> Violet Bouquet
> Spring has Sprung

Sweet Sentiments 8x8 Pad

Sweet Sentiments Tags & Pockets

Sweet Sentiments Chipboard

Artist Trading Tags-Ivory

May Arts Ribbon
Textured Elements from Petaloo

 

 

1. Gather all of your materials. I like to fussy cut a whole bunch of elements to choose from and always more than I think I’ll need. Here I’ve used Sweet Sentiments All My Love on an ATC staples tag for the base.

2. Next I start to layer elements like the “Spring” tag from Sweet Sentiments Chipboard and Sweet Sentiments Tags & Pockets.

3. Using foam dots, I create depth to my fussy cut pieces. This rabbit but from Sweet Sentiments will be the focal point of this ATC tag.

4. Slowly, I build up my design, filling out the space.

5. The layers of fussy cut flowers add visual interest and dimension.

6. With all of those little pieces now in place, I create texture by adding petals from a Textured Elements flower from Petaloo.

 

7. Now some coordinating May Arts Ribbon.

8. And finally some little butterflies cut from Heart Song to finish off the piece.

And that's it! You're all done!

A creepy little something

I really shouldn't be showing this off because it's for someone nice that I suspect will visit this blog and peek BUT I CAN'T HELP MYSELF. There are a number of projects sitting here that can't be posted yet and it's driving me a little nutty.  So, I'm tossing my hands in the air in surrender and giving in to my childish need to show off with this one. Forgive me.

The exterior, a wee wooden coffin. I always go shopping after holidays like Halloween. There are great bargains to be had and I load up on things that might come in handy. There's no telling when you'll suddenly need a tiny coffin in February.

Wonder what's on the inside?

Everything a fairy sized vampire hunter could possibly need! A mirror, holy water, stakes and mallet/hammer, silver cross and chain, tiny bible and... of coarse, garlic. The bulb of garlic almost didn't make it in.

My kid saw this piece this morning as said "That's so cool! ...but where's the garlic?" And because I always take the advice and critiques of children seriously, I promptly made a little bulb of the smelly stuff.

Overall size? 6" tall x 2.75" wide. Includes: Thin Looped Dresden Borders, 
Graphic 45's new Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Key Hole and Ornate Metal Brads, as well as matchsticks, bb pellets, beads, paper and other bits and bobs.