Saturday, April 19, 2014

Sky Pirate Paper Boat

While tinkering and making I often watch movies. I'm not entirely engrossed in what is playing, but they provide a bit of pleasant background chatter and give me a sense of time. If it weren't for the endings I would lose myself entirely in my making and forget to stretch at lunch time and make dinner at the end of the day.

One of the films I watch frequently is "Stardust". It's not actually one of my most favourite films but, for some reason, it always results in incredible productivity. Who am I to argue with results? 

One of the things I DO like in the film are the Sky Pirates. What a magnificent idea! A band of cloud rovers collecting lightening. The papers in this months Alpha Stamps kit: Vintage Voyage inspired me to create my own version of a Sky Pirate ship.

 

I'm hoping to make several in varrying sizes, an entire fleet, to suspend from the ceiling in my studio.


Those beautiful little  Brass Anchor Charms and Brass Ship Wheel give the perfect finishing touches.


A bit of jute twine wrapped around Wood Mini Spools are the perfect on-deck accessory.



The 1/8 Inch Wooden Dowels provide an excellent mast for hoisting paper sails.


The lovely curvy sails are my favourite part of this little boat. I'd love to make another with three times as many!

Be certain to visit Alpha Stamps for more inspiration :)

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.

Petaloo_NBattilana_easter7

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.

Petaloo_NBattilana_easter3

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!

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

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?

Tuesday, April 15, 2014

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:

Friday, April 11, 2014

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.

Tuesday, April 08, 2014

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 :)

Thursday, April 03, 2014

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


Corrugated cardboard
Thin wood doweling
Coffee stir sticks
Drinking straw
Jute twine
Hot glue & adhesives