Printy things

It's always a bit nerve wracking sending items to a printer. You never know what you're going to end up with. When I worked at a weekly entertainment paper we would anxiously await the new issue to see just what the inks and paper had done. After almost 20 years I still get anxious when awaiting a new print job to arrive.

Freshly printed Pixie Hill Planners arrived last week. I love the cover, it looks just as it should... but the image pages on the interior are a bit duller than I would have liked *insert disappointed face here*. The books ARE for scribbling in so it's important that the paper is uncoated, and this contributes to the loss of vibrancy *sigh*.

My holiday cards on the other hand are brilliant and I love them. They turned out just as I hoped and will be available soon.

Hope you're having a fab day!
xoxo

Tussy Mussy's for Tresors de Luxe

I was looking through a vintage crafting book for inspiration and came across some little triangular boxes that peaked my interest. They were called "cornucopia boxes" in the book, but to me they looked like Tussy Mussy's. 

A Tussy Mussy is simply a small vessel, meant to carry little bouquets of flowers, popular during the Victorian era.

Traditionally they were made out of metal... but I think the Victorian's would forgive these papers versions since they are embellished with plenty of lace.

They were popular gifts given by gentleman callers to the object of their affection. I think they'd make a dear hostess gift, or ideal 'thank-you' token.

These particular ones were created with Graphic 45's Time to Celebrate and embellished with a variety of laces from Tresors de Luxe, along with some of their very pretty fabric flowers.

And if you don't have access to little bouquets of fresh flowers, you could always wrap a sweet little gift in some tissue paper and tuck it safely inside to gift.

You can learn more about Tussy Mussy's here.

Supply list:
Graphic 45 > Time to Celebrate > Make a Wish
Graphic 45 > Time to Celebrate > Congratulations
Graphic 45 > Time to Celebrate > Let's Get Together
Time to Celebrate Chipboard

White Chiffon FlowersPeach Chiffon FlowersGold Venice Lace Trim Lace Trim Venice LaceLace Trim BeadedIvory Venice Floral and LeafIvory Applique Lace TrimIvory Lace Applique Trim

Fall 'Welcome' Sign with Graphic 45

I’ve created two different 'Welcome' signs using two different Graphic 45 collections, Couture and 12 Day’s of Christmas.

 I really wanted to demonstrate the vercitility of Graphic 45’s designs and colour pallet and encourage you to think outside the box. 

Do not be bound by the ‘theme’ of a paper line!
Don’t be afraid to pull out that Christmas paper in August.

For 12 Day’s of Christmas sign:
12 Days of Christmas Chipboard Die-cuts 212 Days of Christmas Flowers12 Day’s of Christmas Pear Tree
For Couture sign:
Couture  CoutureCouture Chipboard 1Couture Flowers
Blank sign base
Acrylic paint
White school glue
Ribbon
Jute twine
Assorted Petaloo blooms

Graphic 45 Staples door knob

Here’s the process that I used to create my sign. Give it a try and add your own flair and style!

Step 1: Grab a suitable sign base and a background paper. I’ve used an inexpensive blank wooden frame and chosen 12 Days of Christmas Pear Tree as my background.

Step 2: Using THIS simple crackle paint technique, I prepare my base and affix the paper to the frame. HINT: Coordinate the background paint to the main colour in the paper you are using.

Step 3: Create this funny folded loop shape with a length of ribbon, holding it in place with small dabs of hot glue (or score tape). Make a second that is a mirrored image of this.

Step 4: Apply the folded ribbon, along with two lengths for ‘tails’ to the front centre of your sign. This gives the illusion of a bow without the bulk of knots.

Step 5: The ribbon ends will now be concealed by a large tag from 12 Days of Christmas Chipboard Die-cuts 2. You can add a focal piece atop on the diecut. Here I’ve added an ornate door handle.

Step 6: Begin the embellishing! I’ve used 12 Days of Christmas Flowers to create some dimention and texture with some pretty blooms. HERE is a snapguide explaining how I assemble my flowers.

Step 7: When my main flowers and embellishments are in place, I situate the “Welcome” scroll just where I want it.

Step 8: With that in place I add my final embellishments, adding leaves, baubles and flowers from Petaloo.

Step 9: I complete the piece with a length of jute twine affixed to the back for hanging.

And here are the results using the same tutorial, but this time with the Couture collection:

Toilet Humour

Things have been kinda quiet around here lately. Sorry about that. I've been swamped with non-arty/crafty things like Canadian Thanksgiving and cleaning my house. Me? Cleaning? I know it's odd but I have a boatload of family from overseas spending the night tomorrow. Sure they say "Oh, don't worry! Don't go out of your way!" Pfft! I don't know about your family, but when guests are expected my family goes insane with the prep and cleaning. Just look at this...

Not only is that toilet clean, but I installed a new seat (believe me, it needed to be done) and even recalked around the bottom. I'm going to need a mental health day after this visit.

To be honest, my bathroom is the one place in this house that is usually clean. (Probably because I don't craft in there.) HOWEVER... I had guests over one day and a gentleman asked to use the restroom. I showed him to this very toilet and he came out moments later and looked rather shaken. I didn't think anything of it until later when I lifted the seat to clean.... it was an absolute horror show! It looked like Mr. Hanky the Christmas poo had hosted a conga line around the blasted thing. I was mortified.

Anyway, things will continue to be quiet for a few more days while I drive myself to madness, pretend to be the hostess with the mostess for a night, and spend three days in recovery :P

I'll leave you with another gem from my 1912 Hallowe'en Games book...

 

Halloween Cards with Petaloo & Authentique

Although I do enjoy making cards, I don't do it often. When I saw the Spirited Card Making Stack from Authentique in my design team package however, I had an overwhelming urge to make a few spooky greetings.

Using the Authentique Spirited papers "circles & scallops", "stamp blocks", "components", and "enhancements" the cards came together really easily.

The addition of some winding 'vines' of Floral Ephemera is perfectly petrifying :P

Some tattered Crochet Lace Fancy Trim gives a nice textured detail.

The Textured Elements Burlap Blossoms and Mixed Textured Layers are perfect for Halloween embellishments.

And sometimes just a little bling in the form of some shiny green Embellishment Brads is all you need for the finishing touch.

Petaloo Products:
Textured Elements Burlap Blossoms 1200
MixedTextured Layers 1257
Botanica Blooms 1102
Brads 1920
Floral Ephemera 1100
Crochet Lace Fancy Trim 1482
Asst Blossoms 1263
Spring Berry Clusters 1105
Forget Me Nots 1837

Authentique Spirited Papers
- Spirited Card Making Stack
- "circles & scallops"
- "stamp blocks"
- "components"
- "enhancements"

Images from:
Something Witchy Collage Sheet
Witchy Business Collage Sheet

An Eerie Tale Domino Pendants

I adore the images used on the pages of An Eerie Tale. I am, in fact, so smitten with them that I would wear them with pride on my personage! So I decided that to create some simple (yet totally eerie and adorable) domino pendants with some of my favourite images. 

Best of all you can use the tiniest of precious scraps to create these wee cuties. You do save your scraps, don’t you?

I happened to have some dominoes in my stash but I’ve seen boxes a-plenty in thrift shops. First I used a domino as a stencil to cut out the appropriate shape, inked the edges, then applied a layer of quality white glue to adhere the image to the surface of the domino. When dried, I applied a thick top coat of Mod Podge Dimensional Magic and added a blank pendant with a bail on the back. Easy peasy!

Here's the complete supply list:

An Eerie Tale
> You Bewitch Me> Run and Hide> Fanciful FableDominoes
Blank pendant with bail
Quality white glue
Mod Podge Dimensional Magic
E6000

And your daily dose of Hallowe'en from my 1912 book of games...

Hallowe'en and a Sneak Peek

I'm sure I've shared this book before. Despite it's pages being filled with scribbles it's one of my favourite possessions.

The book is dated 1912 and the pages are filled with 'games' and 'charms' meant to be enjoyed on Hallowe'en. Most of the activities involve finding out who your true love is, but there are a few other gems in there. I'll be posting a few of the entries this month... because HALLOWEEN!

To kick things off, here is the suggested invitation wording to your spooky gathering...

I would be thrilled to attend Miss Ethel Jones' party!

And now a sneak peek at something rather lovely...

Graphic 45's newest collection "Time to Flourish". Isn't it delish?!? Not sure on the actual release date but I seriously can not wait to get my hands on it :)