A tiny winter wonderland!

I am very fortunate to know many thoughtful people who collect all sorts of 'other peoples junk' for me to make and create with. My cute as a button neighbour brought me a clock box the other week and I knew right away that I wanted to place a little winter wonderland inside.

I whitewashed the exterior and gave it some distressing. I've used January Flourish from Graphic 45's newest collection Time to Flourish (which is absolutely LUSH by the way... seriously) and Ladies Dancing from their 12 Days of Christmas line. I then applied another whitewashed layer.

Inside is filled with glittery snow and bottlebrush trees. The piece can be viewed from both sides so one side features a handmade cottage and the other a tiny snowman.

Outside I've placed some inexpensive acrylic snowflakes and some Sugared Berry Clusters from Petaloo.

And just for good measure, here's a better look at those tiny snowmen. This fellow is the little brother the one inside my wonderland :)

Matchbox Whatnot

I'm not sure why a butterfly and typewriter ink go together, but I'm sure there's a wonderful story in there somewhere :)

This box is listed HERE

Easy Peasy Blinged Stockings for Tresors de Luxe

I told my friends at Tresors de Luxe that I almost feel guilty posting this project. It's such a simple, quick project... but the results are fab!

Initially, I was going to complicate things by sewing some stocking but I came across these unadorned, simple fabric stockings for 50 cents. FIFTY CENTS!!! It was fate.

For the white stocking I've layered this Ivory Lace Trim  and this Lace Fabric Trim then added some bling with some pearl and rhinestone trim. The stocking is finished off with a fabric flower.

To attach the lace and embellishments I sparingly applied good quality hot glue. So easy, but really, really effective!

For the gold stockings I applied a thin bead of hot glue to attach a length of Gold Venice Lace Trim and this Lace Trim Venice Lace. Some very pretty Botanica Blooms from Petaloo have been added to give a spark of colour.

Supply List:

Ivory Fabric Flowers EM 010Pearl and Rhinestone trimIvory Lace Trim GL194Lace Fabric Trim GL002Gold Venice Lace Trim LA144Lace Trim Venice LaceLA187Petaloo Botanica Blooms

A Grateful House for Petaloo

I created this piece for the Petaloo/Authentique blog hop. There's an amazing prize pack being given away on the Petaloo blog! Just skip over there and leave a comment and you just might he the lucky winner.

*****

It's been a bit of a bummer week. One of those weeks where it seems everyone is complaining, the trolls are out in full force, and everyone is just a tad grumpy. Of course it was crafting that cheered me up.

I've taken a wee wooden birdhouse, yanked off the peg/stoop, and embellished the heck out of it. It's cute. It's sweet. It's a reminder to be grateful. A reminder that sometimes locking yourself away and pulling out the glue and paper and flowers, focusing on beauty and getting your craft on is exactly the right thing to clear your head and cheer you up.

Authentique's 'Grateful' collection is pretty darned cute. As Canadain Thanksgiving has passed, I was glad that there were some generic words of thanks and sentiments on their sticker sheet.

And those sweet little Petaloo blooms coordinate so well and pull it all together... that sweet reminder to be grateful.

Petaloo Darjeeling Mix 1461-003
Darjeeling Hydrangeas 1460-001
Darjeeling Leaves Small 1464-001
Darjeeling Mini Mix 1462-003

Authentique 6x6 bundle: Grateful
Authentique Grateful Sticker Details
Authentique Kindred
Authentique Roots
Authentique Bountiful

Wooden bird house
Black Acrylic Paint

An altered matchbox - The Roses

Between waiting for glue to dry and searching for misplaced supplies I've been making altered matchboxes. 

There is something quite lovely about projects you can hold in your hand. The bling on this box adds a nice weight to the small thing.

I was searching through my stash of words for something like "still" or "bliss" but this little quote tugged at my heartstrings.

No matter what happens, you can face your challenges and overcome... for the roses will grow again.

This piece is listed HERE in the etsy shop

Supply List:
Standard small matchbox
Crown charm
Tresors de Luxe rhinestone and pearl accent
Self adhesive pearl accents
Iridescent Plastic Pearls (Strands)*
Vintage children's book (words)
Graphic 45 Botanical Tea
> Fields of flowers 
> Fauna

Holiday Spirit

Many artists and crafters live on a different schedule. I've been working on Christmas projects off and on since July... JULY! I have posted one or two holiday projects but now that Remembrance day has passed I feel no guilt whatsoever in posting at will!

Freshly finished with the glue still drying are these little holiday cottages in small galvanized metal buckets.

Cannot get enough of those bottle brush trees. They are so adorable.

I've used both handmade cottages and toadstools...

And store bought ones. The little cottages above are from a wooden railway set. Don't worry, I didn't swipe it from the kid ;)

P.S. I'll be cleaning up my etsy shop and adding new listings over the next day or so. Cheerio lovelies!

Couture Card for Fabulous Aunties

I’ve called this project “Couture Card for Fabulous Aunties” but really, it would be suitable for any fabulous person, and especially fitting if given for no reason at all.

 This particular card was given for a very good reason to my very own ‘fabulous auntie’ (actually, I have 7 of them!). 

We affectionately call this particular auntie “Martha” because she thinks of everything. She sends cards for absolutely every occasion. ‘Sorry you lost your wallet’, ‘Congratulations on your first successful pie!’, ‘Happy International Talk Like A Pirate Day’. 

This year she celebrated her 60th birthday and marked the occasion by throwing herself a birthday party… that’s how she rolls. 

I’ve created this card just for her with the ever-beautiful ‘Couture’ collection, added some lush Petaloo blooms and blinged it up with a smidge of rhinestone chain. Oh la la!"

Supply List

Couture 8x8 Pad *Gorgeous*
Couture 6x6 Patterns & Solids Pad
Couture Banners
Couture Stickers
Couture Chipboard 2
Shabby Chic Ornate Metal Brads
Botanica Petite’s Pistachio 1101-108
Botanica Blooms Fuschia 1102-102
2mm Rhinestone ChainBlack cardstock