Upcycled Candy Dish for Petaloo

Within my stash there are many mismatched pieces of china. Lonely tea saucers out-number dainty teacups cups. You'll often find very pretty saucers quite inexpensively at thrift shops.

Their cups long lost because of chips and broken handles. It seems a shame they are so often overlooked, so I decided to give one some love and make this candy dish to hold a handful of Easter treats.

If you hop over to the Petaloo blog today, you'll find this pretty thing, along with instructions on how to create your own!

Don't forget to buy loads of treats to place inside. My husband is a jelly bean man, but I prefer chocolate bunnies.

Supply list:
Petaloo
Faux Dried Blooms - Ivory 1102-001
Floral Ephemera - Lavender/Purple 1100-107Botanica Minis - Lav/Purple 1101-107Petaloo Premier Penny Lane Garden Collection - 1308-023

Graphic 45Botanical Tea
> Spring Duet
> Field of Flowers

Other 
Vintage tea saucer
Oval wooden plaque
3 Inch Tall Candlestick Holder
E6000 adhesive
White acrylic paint
Sandpaper
CANDY!

A pretty besom

To greet 'Spring' and welcome her blooms, I've prettied up the decorative besom on my front door.

There aren't any natural blossoms around here just yet, but these Petaloo pretties do the trick. Most of the blooms used on this piece are from their Botanica line. Aren't they gorgeous?!

There was one last hurrah of snow yesterday (fingers crossed it was the last!) but it can't be long before we throw open the windows and breathe in some fresh spring air.

I am waiting (not so) patiently for the little wild violets to bloom and the lily of the valley to arrive but for now I'm just glad to be looking out over a wet green landscape.

Do you have a true and proper spring where you are?

Wax on, Wax off

I am not a competitive person. I am quite pleased to waddle through life, doing my own thing, oblivious to any ladders that require climbing or plateaus that need reaching. My odd bird feathers are not easily ruffled.

But given a challenge or dare... well, my mind is set alight and determination sets in. Over and over thoughts will tumble in my brain until, at last, a solution finds a way out. Whether or not the challenger ever sees the results is irrelevant. All is well with the world so long as I know the riddle was solved.

And so begins the tale of these cards. When my son’s sensei mentioned creating a karate themed craft, my mind raced.

Using the beautiful papers of Bird Song I’ve created a series of cards inspired by the belt colours yellow, orange, blue, green, brown and black.

The cards are simple and restrained, reflecting some of the principles of martial arts: to be humble, outwardly gentle, and display courtesy. An ideal way to commemorate the important milestones of belt achievement.

More pics (and other great projects!) on the Graphic 45 blog.

Supply List:

Bird Song - Bird Song
Bird Song - Tranquility
Bird Song - Jasmine Dream
Bird Song - Pearls of Wisdom
Bird Song - Longevity
Bird Song - Good Fortune
Bird Song 8x8 Pad
Bird Song Chipboard Die-Cuts 1
Bird Song Chipboard Die-Cuts 2
Flower and Leaves Dresden Borders
Black Zig Zag Dresden Borders
3mm Brass Flat-Back Rhinestone Studs
Black cardstock
White writing paper (inside)

Helloooo spring!

What? What's that I see? Could it be? Is it? GREEN!

It might not be lush green, and a tad brownish, but it's not a landscape of white and that's what matters.

There are signs of springs arrival everywhere!

Sure there's a little snow lingering...

... but there are brights sprouts pushing through the earth too!

I am not the only one pleased that spring has finally arrived.

Petaloo excitement!

I am beyond excited to announce that Petaloo has kindly invited me to join their design team!

I really am completely thrilled about the position because I truly, deeply, madly LOVE their products. Just take a gander at these beauties!

Their Botanica collection is to die for. Absolutely stunning.

Can not wait to regularly share some projects inspired by their products! Until then, hop over to the Petaloo blog and check out the gorgeous creations made by the rest of the Petaloo gang :)

Punch and Judy 'By the Sea' Theatre

I realize it's been quiet around these parts over the past week or so BUT I have a really good excuse: I made the top 30 for the Graphic 45 design team and I've been working on my super special project for round 2!

Are you ready?

Here's my Punch and Judy "By the Sea" Theatre...

If you aren't familiar with Punch and Judy they play a big role in the culture of the British sea side. 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.

Now, see that little knob?

Turn it and Punch and Judy whack one another! You just can't argue with a 100's year old tradition.

 AND if you want to make your own there's a tutorial!

... and here is the accompanying print out (click for full size)

... and finally, here is the complete supply list

Graphic 45 By The Sea
By the Sea

Set Sail

Splash 

Pier 45 

By the Sea Stickers

By the Sea Chipboard 

By the Sea Tags & Pockets
Ornate Metal Key Holes 

Corrugated cardboard

Thin wood doweling

Coffee stir sticks

Drinking straw

Jute twine

Tiny Real Seashells in Tin

Tim Holtz Clock Keys

Metal Hands

Metallic Mini Brads
 Wood Mini Spool

Hot glue & adhesives

An altered bit-o-wood

HAPPY APRIL FOOLS! I think spring may have actually arrived. It has been a long cold winter and I for one am glad to see small patches of grass through the snow... even if they are brown ;) 

This is one of the pieces that I've been sitting on patiently (ok, maybe a little excitedly) waiting to show you.

The base is a Walnut Hollow Innkeeper Signboard to which chipboard gears, Typography, and a slew of bits and bobs have been applied.

The little burnt out lightbulbs were found at the bottom of a box of junk we bought at auction last year. SEE there is a reason to keep absolutely everything!

Those wonderful gears are from Gina's Designs which have been painted witch copper paint and then distressed. The sentiment "Let me think" is from a vintage kids book that I regularly, gleefully, tear into.

There's a few more pics over on the Graphic 45 blog today, along with a beautiful project by the ever amazing Rhea Freitag. Definitely worth a hop over :)

SUPPLY LIST

Typography  > 
JourneyTypography  > 
Create
Graphic 45 Staples > 
Antique Metal Door Pull>  
Ornate Metal Keys>
 Ornate Metal Key Holes>
 Ornate Metal Label Holder>  
Washi Tape Set> 
Metal Tag

Walnut Hollow Innkeeper Signboard 14”
Petaloo Colour Me Crazy Chipboard Gears 
Gina’s Designs Cardstock Doily Set Steampunk
Gina’s Designs Steampunk Shape Set
  Fairy Vials  
Metallic Mini Brads 
Metal Hands 
Vintage cabinet card image
Tiny watch parts
Vintage watch spring
Burnt out mini lamp bulbs
Buttons