Graduation Altered Block for Petaloo

We often think of young adults heading out to face the world upon hearing the word 'graduation', but the young aren't the only ones embarking on new adventures. My mum recently graduated from a program, and is on her way to fullfilling a lifelong dream of working with horses and helping people through Equine-Assisted Therapy. I made this little altered altered block with pretty Petaloo embellishments to mark her success.

The quote "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." is from Eleanor Roosevelt and it's a great reminder for anyone who has ever questioned the validity of their ambitions.

I think those burlap flowers are absolutely charming and reflect the sweet sentimentality of the quote. They help to create a piece that is elegant, yet soft and endearing.

A some wood, paper and pretty Petaloo trims and flowers and easy as pie you create a  heartfelt reminder to pass along to someone you're proud of :)

Supplies
Textured Elemnets Burlap Blossoms > Ivory 1201-200Fancy Trims > Whites 1910-000Embellishment Brads > Shades of Green 1920-009
Botanica Berry Cluster (leaves) 1105
White acrylic paint
ATB Wood Block
Candlestick Holder
Jolie Gold Floral Scrapbook Paper

The Faeries Return

A few years ago, to celebrate the summer solstice, I created a few fairy houses in my garden. I've done the same every year since and each year the little peoples presence grows and changes. This year we open our doors to visitors on July 5th, but there is plenty of activity already...

The next couple of weeks will be a flurry of activity as we get ready and clean up this messy place to prepare for visitors. July 5th is the big open house day, but after that date appointments for peeking are welcome. 

Hoping your solstice was filled with magic and your ready for a summer of wonderment :)

A happy announcement - Tresors de Luxe

Yep, I am thrilled to announce that I was invited to join the Tresors de Luxe design team. Just look at this talented bunch of folks I get to make messes with for the next three months!

If you aren't familiar with Tresors de Luxe, they are sellers of some fairly gorgeous lace and trims. Just take a gander at these beauties from my dt package.

Tresors de Luxe's lovely etsy shop can be found HERE. Their blog is HERE. You can also follow the Tresors de Luxe facebook page.

I've already started making some pretty projects with their products and can't wait to show them off. I think you'll be smitten :)

A Venetian Theatre

Yesterday it was an imaginary trip to France, today it's Italy and the water ways of Venice.

 

My dear husband is Italian (in case the last name didn't tip you off), his family from a town near Venice. While I know full well that every modern convenience is available to the Venetian people, I prefer to think of it as a place stuck in time. If I ever get a chance to visit, my delusional mind will fully expect costumed figures with hats, capes and masks darting through dark alleys, leaping onto gondolas, then nipping into secret eateries for fancy nibbles and plenty of drink!

Perhaps it's best I made myself a little slice of magical Venice to dream upon, using Alpha Stamps  June Paper Theatre Kit and few extra bits and bobs.

Just look at that gold dresden! If I was a wealthy woman I would spend all of my pennies on fancy dresden and candy.

 

Want to create your own slice of Venice? Here's the supply list:

June Paper Theatre Kit
Ships and Waves Backdrops Collage Sheet 
Pierrette Collage Sheet 
The Canals Collage Sheet 
Gold Fleur de Lys Dresden Borders
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Turquoise
Star Mix Cut-Outs
Small Wooden Finials

A little French something or other

I created this little wheeled shadowbox for Alpha Stamps with their Springtime in Paris Kit. It's packed with snippets of lace, fussy cut blooms and butterflies.

I've never been to Paris. I'm not entirely certain how well I would do in that tourist mecca. Perhaps I'd be better off roaming the less traveled roads.

If I ever DO make it to France I pinky swear that I will I will turn into a crafty Pepe le Pew and say "Oh la la!" and "Sacrebleu!" at every opportunity (in full realization no one actually says those things).

But, if I happened to run into the very handsome Frenchman Jean Reno on my French adventure, I would (mostly) be on my very best behaviour and wink and say, "Où sont les toilettes?" because I really don't know how to speak French at all but am fully capable of embarrassing myself even with a limited vocabulary. :P

Supplies:
All Alpha Stamps supplies used in this project found HERE
Small Paper Theatre Boxes
Small Masonite Wheel Set
Springtime in Paris Kit
Fern Garland
Mini Red Pip Berry Garland
Pink Rose Garland*
Mixed Size Butterflies Dresden Scraps
Buttons 

Me, me, me and some whacky tags too!

The introductions continue on the Graphic 45 blog and today it's little ole' me!

Some of my very favourite pieces are featured over there, as well as this new project:

I admit this is project is a little bit whacky… but it’s whacky in a good way (like a kooky auntie). It’s cheerful and fun and although it’s been raining for 2 days, this project made my grey afternoon a little brighter. ATC’s are one of my favourite types of project. They are fast, fun, and a great way to use snippets, tiny bits and scraps. I’ve used the Artist Trading Tags-Ivory as my base and went nuts on my Graphic 45 stash using snips from Place in Time, Secret Garden, A Ladies' Diary, and Botanical Tea. It’s ok to mix and match! Go ahead… give it a try :)

Supply list:

Artist Trading Tags-Ivory
Place in Time > foundation paper
Secret Garden > May Flowers, Posy Patch
A Ladies' Diary > Garden Stroll, Lasting Impression, La Gazette
Botanical Tea > Botanical Tea, Flora, Fauna, Spring Duet, Herbal Infusion, Sweet Chamomile
Various fibers, yarns and ribbons
White Foam Stamen
White Pearl StamenPetaloo Flowers and Trims
Be sure to continue to check out the blog as Graphic 45 introduces then entire (and utterly fab!) 2014 design team.

To soothe a broken heart

Last week Rik Mayall passed away.

I loved Rik Mayall. He made me laugh... a lot... even when life wasn't very funny.

If you aren't familiar with his work look him up and check out his stuff. It's funny, silly, surreal, nonsensical, over the top...

The news of Rik's passing has hit me particularly hard. Really hard. Tears hard. I rarely cry over death, not even of those I know in real life. I'm saddened, sure. Melancholy, yep. But tears are a rarity. Over a celebrity? Never! For some reason this death, HIS death, feels like an immense loss. A real loss that leaves a hollow spot in my heart where he should be comfortably situated forever and ever. Perhaps it's because the world is a little less silly. I really don't know why I've been so affected, but I'm heartbroken knowing he's no longer here.

A long while ago I made a doll that was going to be a wrestler but wasn't really working out. Then he was going to be a swashbuckler, but that didn't happen. Instead he's been sitting in my studio for two years, staring at me, waiting. After Rik's passing I knew what he was. He was Flashheart.

So I've spent the past couple of day dressing this fellow in all of his finery to soothe my broken heart and to have something to cuddle with when I watch Young Ones, Bottom or Blackadder. I'm hoping he'll whisper naughty, silly things that will make me feel just a little bit better.

"Cancel the state funeral, tell the king to stop blubbing, Flash is not dead! I simply ran out of juice! And before five hundred girls all go 'oh, what's the point in living any more?' I'm talking about petrol! Woof!"

RIP Rik.