An Altered Trophy and Fond Farewell

My time with Graphic 45 has come to an end. It's been such great fun and I've enjoyed every minute of my two terms with them. Amazing products. Amazing people. Just an absolute pleasure all around. It's a sad but satisfying goodbye. I'll miss the camaraderie, the giant boxes of goodies, the assignments... but I've learned so much, made new friends, and have a boatload of nice memories. What more could a girl ask for?

The very last project I created for G45. My very favourite of all the altered awards I've created. She's just a bundle of magic and I am certain she will end up with someone very deserving.

I’ve always had a thing for awards. (Ribbons, sashes and crowns too.) Those things that symbolically represent being awesome. Maybe it’s because I didn’t play sports as a kid, that I never had a shelf full of trophies, that they appeal to me so much. 

When I saw the Tim Holtz trophy cups I knew I was going to change the fact that I did not have a trophy shelf. As luck would have it, I came across some trophy cups with the kids party favours in my local discount store. Score! 

Some wooden blocks and the additions of a fantastic Door Knocker, Antique Metal Door Pull, Stamped Metal Brad, and those amazing Claw Feet…. and ta-da! I’ve cobbled together something pretty special.

Know someone who absolutely NEEDS this wee gal? She's listed HERE

Or you can have fun making your own version...

Supply List

Door Knockers
Antique Metal Door Pulls
Stamped Metal Brads
Claw Feet
Once Upon a Springtime Deluxe Collector's Edition
Small plastic trophy cups
Tim Holtz Mirrored Stars
Wooden Blocks
Small brass wings
Petaloo Bontanica Petites
Vintage Image
Just Wings Collage Sheet Transparency
Acrylic paint
White glitter
Burlap Ribbon
Hat pin
Adhesives

I've got one or two additional Graphic 45 projects to show off over the next week or so, and you'll still see their products featured in my work. Can't wait to see what the new G45 team creates :)

One Little Thing - Great Women

This weeks challenge is about recognizing and celebrating great women.

Think about a women (or women) that you admire and create one little thing in homage.

Girl power!

An Utterly Nonsensical Wishing-go-round

Being utterly nonsensical once in a while is good for the soul. 

So, I am pleased to present a completely ridiculous project this month. 

I offer you a glittery 'Wishing-Go-Round'. This 15" slice of whimsy is created with Gina's Moon & Stars String Alongs, Celestial Shape Set, Spool, a bit of scrapbook paper and a whole lot of glitter.

I know some people aren't keen on glitter... but the stuff makes me positively giddy. It really adds a dash of magic to this piece.

If you'd like to create your own twinkling thing-a-ma-bob I have a video tutorial for you HERE. 

If  you have any questions, feel free to ask and I'll try to help.

I 100% encourage nonsense and whimsy after all :)

Supply List:

String Alongs - Moon & StarsCelestial Shape SetSpool LargeScrapbook Paper
Glitter
White glue
Hot glue
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - GoldStar Wired Garland
Celestial themed charms such as:
Man in the Moon - Raw Brass 

Faerie Weaponry

Today I'll be exploring faerie weaponry. 

Faerie weapons are used for protection, to cause harm (in the case of malicious faeries like boggarts and goblins), for ceremony, and as tools. As with the other artifacts we have examined, they are made (mostly) of natural materials and difficult to uncover in the wild.

1. Pixie Bow and Thorned Arrow: The Pixie Bow is a lightweight weapon used primarily for protection. The tiny thorn tipped projectile does not cause massive damage, its hit being likened to a bee sting.

2. Feather Blow Dart with Sliver Points: Made from a hollowed feather shaft the blow dart is an excellent choice for faerie folk who wish to keep their distance and remain silent. Slivers of wood are often used as ammunition. Injury may not be immediately felt but may result in infection.

3. Unknown Bone Staff: I readily admit that I am not absolutely certain of the origins of this object. It may, in fact, be a ceremonial artifact. That being said, it is quite possible (and rather more likely) that this claw tipped bone once belonged to a Dunter. This is a logical conclusion as the objects effectiveness as a weapon would being secondary to it's ability to intimidate.

4. Faerie Pike and Pine Cone Shield: An unusual metal tipped specimen. Fair folk are usually reluctant to use steel, preferring shards of glass, stone or sharpened bone to tip their weapons. Whoever created this pike could not resist the allure of a discarded cutting blade. The shield, made from a pine cone has moss embedded between the 'cones'. The moss is likely included for it's healing properties, to pack any wounds incurred during a clash.

5. Twiggy Slingshot with Dried Bean Shot: A very simple but effective weapon and tool. Commonly used to plant seeds by shooting them into the earth. A favourite weapon to protect against cats.

6. Wishbone Slingshot: A stronger, larger version of the Twiggy Slingshot more likely to be used during a ruckus, rumble or rumpus than it's wooden counterpart.

7. Wooden Tuck Sword: A simple point carved from wood with a woolen grip. A common accessory for many little people. It is especially useful for poking, prodding, pricking, piercing, and puncturing.

These artifacts will be on display at Pixie Hill throughout the summer. Open house dates can be found HERE. 

Note: Our first open house is this weekend, please be aware the garden/fairy tour is NOT yet set up. The tour will be revealed on July 4th. This Saturday is for studio snooping only.

Gina's Designs Birthday Hop Winner

Congratulations to the Winner of the Gina's Designs Birthday blog hop! JackieP Neal won the Steampunk Shape Set that I am giving away here on my blog. Congratulations!!! Please follow the steps below to claim your prize!

The Grand Prize winner has been announced over on the Gina's DesignsBlog which you can find here

1) Please email Gina at [email protected]

2) Place "Birthday Blog Hop Winner" in your email Subject line

3) Please state what blog you won on and the shape set you won

4) Please provide your mailing address

*****NOTE: Your email must be received by Friday June 5th at 5pm CST or a NEW Winner will be chosen****

One Little Thing - My Favourite Song

Music plays such an important role in our lives. It punctuates our celebrations. It comforts us. It makes us shake our booties.

Your challenge this week is to create one little thing based on a favourite song.

I think the hard part will be picking just one song!

Faerie Dust Specimens

Continuing the examination of faerie artifacts found at Pixie Hill, today we take a look at several varieties of Faerie Dust.



While not all of the little people distribute or use faerie dust, it is used by many and worth examination.

Fig. 1 Common House Faerie Dust: The most common of all magical dust distributed by brownies, house elves and other home dwelling magical creatures. Frequently mistaken for ordinary house dust. Fastidious distributors of this dust will simply replace dust that has been 'cleaned' by the human inhabitants.

Fig. 2 Trooping Elf Dust: Found in mossy areas where trooping elves are known to parade. Difficult to find due to camouflage. Is distinguishable only by slight iridescent flecks.

Fig. 3 Geancanach Dust: This dust is particular to faeries who guard or live near hearth fires or fireplaces. This dust is named after one such faerie, the Irish Geancanach (not to be confused with the completely different creature, Gancanagh). This dust resembles fine soot and is prized by witches who recognize it's magical potency. 

Fig. 4 Piggywiggins Garden Dust: Utilized by a species of garden faerie (the Piggywiggin) to promote garden growth. It is a fine mixture of pollen, seeds and some sort of a golden magical substance. Piggywiggins will freely distribute their dust if kept content and happy and on good terms with the farmer/gardener.

Fig. 5 Fairy Godmother Dust: This particular dust is comprised mainly of glitter. It is often more potent as a theatrical devise than magical tool. It is a favourite of Fairy Godmothers (who adore showmanship) to add pinache to their flamboyant spell weaving style.

Fig. 6 Frost Faerie Dust: One of the most difficult types of faerie dust to collect. This dust is mingled with snow and samples must be collected grain by grain. Distributed by cold climate faeries when temperatures reach a freezing point.

Fig. 7 Night Faerie Dust: Unique in its dark shimmering colour, night faerie dust is used sparingly by nocturnal faeries. The main magical uses for night faerie dust are to facilitate human sleeping and to protect dwellings from bumps and other naughty nighttime occurrences.