Artist Trading Block Clearance

Just a quick note today. I've added a bunch of Artist Trading Blocks to the Clearance section of the etsy shop. Here's a peek at what's available...

Listing for this item is HERE

Listing for this item is HERE

Listing for this item is HERE

Listing for this item is HERE

Listing for this item is HERE

Listing for this item is HERE

Listing for this item is HERE

A Poison Tin for Alpha Stamps

After months of airy fairy crafting it was a delightfully creepy surprise to get some spooky goodies from Alpha Stamps. And so, I'd like to present, a perfectly peculiar poison tin. 

 

I've used supplies from the Magic Potions Kit and a few other bits and bobs. (The supply list can be found at the end of this post.) You'll notice that the front of the wee tin is lovely and ornate. I've achieved this look by layering Brass Feathery Scroll Filigree*,  some Flower Washers, and a few bezels... none of which were the same colour!

(Isn't that eye brilliant?! It's a 12mm Glass Cat Eye.)

Want to create a similar effect? Here's the process I used...

• Gather some flourished elements and start layering them, building a composition. Don't worry if their colour doesn't match... we'll help them to get along.

• Glue all of your pieces to the surface of the tin and allow to set. 

• Paint with a base coat of black paint. **Hint: multiple thin layers, given time to dry between coats, will work much better than a single thick layer of paint and preserves the details of the pieces.**

• Apply some silver acrylic paint. You may want to gently sponge off any excess.

• Apply a wash of dark paint to tone down the silver, allow it to pool in the crevices giving an aged look.

• With your finger, rub a little fresh silver paint to the highest areas.

The finished effect should allow you to combine different coloured elements to create piece that looks cohesive.

Let's take a look inside now...

Teeny tiny poison bottles! 

I do have a sneaky trick to share to save you some aggravation with those shelves. Instead installing the shelf then fiddling around to fill it in that small space, consider gluing the little bottles to the shelf first. Once dried, use the back surface of the bottles to glue into place rather than the small edge of the shelf. If using this method, be sure to consider the depth and height of the space you are filling.

And if you're itching for a supply list...

Magic Potions Kit
Brass Feathery Scroll Filigree*
Flower Washers
12mm Glass Cat Eye
Round Antique Bronze Filigree*
40x30mm Halloween Poison Cameo* 
Sheet Moss* 
E-6000 Adhesive*
Acrylic Paint

And a quick link to all the products used.

Summer Fun Altered Canvas with Petaloo

I have loads of fresh photographs from our misadventure camping trip last week and I'm celebrating our "Summer Fun" with Petaloo by creating this altered canvas. 

I'm not really a scrapper, but I wanted to celebrate the memeories from our misadventures in camping so this altered canvas was an ideal option.

 

I know that summer fun often means bright, vibrant colours, but in this instance I'm using the DIY-Mini Mix in Teastained Cream just as they are to compliment the understated colours in the photograph. They add just the right amount of texture, and they pair so well with the natural burlap trim.

Supplies:
DIY-Mini Mix Teastained Cream ITEM: 1650-024
Burlap Trims Natural SKU: 1483-000

Canvas
Neutral scrapbook papers
Gel medium
Acrylic paint
Feathery Flourishes Set

The Fortune Teller

I finished up this piece I've been tinkering with for ages.

The piece measures just a smidge under 13", which is a bit larger than I usually work in. The Gypsy fortune teller inside is free sculpted from polymer clay.

She has a wee crystal ball and some tiny tarot cards too.

This gal is listed HERE. She's likely to be the only Fortune Teller Booth I'll be doing for a while, and definitely one of a kind.

Partial Supply list:
16mm Clear Glass Marble
Silver Cup Box Feet* 
Gypsy Coin Mix* 
Silicone Mold - Architectural Flourishes* 
Baroque Dresden Borders - Black 

Tall Garden Cottage Tutorial

Every month I create a project with a tutorial for GinasDesigns.net. This month it's a biggy...

There are loads of steps and it'll take some time to complete (especially when you factor in drying time), but I think it's worth it.

Created from Gina's 3 Story House, you could customize the contents to your own whims and tastes. Filled with little mementos, keepsakes and small photos it would make a wonderful gift for someone special. 

Mine isn't quite so sentimental and will be home to little gnome and elf figures and collectibles :)

Don't feel rushed with this project. Enjoy the process of making it 'just-so' and the challenge of filling it with lovely little bits and bobs.

I only had one piece of Honeycomb Fleur Cardstock from The Robin's Nest to cover the house, so I'll show you how to be a little sneaky if you're short on paper.

You can find the full video tutorial HERE. 

If you have any questions or are unclear about anything, don't hesitate to ask.

Gina's Supply List:

3 Story House

Cottage Windows Small

Stackable Labels Shape Set

Faux Metal Number Plates

The Robin's Nest Supplies:
Calamity Jane Diagonal Glitter Cardstock
Honeycomb Fleur Cardstock

Cathedral Specialty Paper

Other Supplies:
White Tacky Glue
Spackling (I used one that goes on pink and dries white)

Various Petaloo Botanica Flowers
Moss
Thin Fleur Dresden Borders - Gold 

Garden Gnomes Resin Embellishments*
White Acrylic Paint

Flower and Leaves Dresden Borders - Antique Gold 

Colorful Butterfly Buttons* Miniature Garden Tools - Rake & Shovels  Wood Birdhouse Buttons* Antique Bronze 3D Rabbit Charms* Fly Away Resin Birds Set*

*And a quick link to all of the products used available via Alpha Stamps

It could have been worse

Our family motto seems to be, "It could have been worse."

I know things have been a little quiet around here but life got sort of hectic last week with plumbing issues coming out the hoo-ha and the resulting messes. Let's just say that it's a good thing that I'm not above cleaning poop and leave it at that.

It could have been worse.

The plumbing problems could have happened this week while we were unplugged, camping, while my mother looked after the house and animals.

Yes, it could have been worse.

Speaking of camping. This was our drive to Murphy's Point Provincial Park.

We sleep in tents. 

This was worrying. 

But it could have been worse...

The skies cleared when we arrived and we were able to set up camp (extra tarps and all) before the skies opened up once more.

Our first night we heard rustling in our kitchen tent and in the morning found this...

It could have been worse.

Don't worry, that's not blood. We're diligent about storing food in the truck. This footprint is from a single kool-aid packet hidden behind the stove on the picnic table.

The other thing we discovered that morning... our air mattress had a slow leak and the ground was mighty uncomfortable.

But there was a Canadian Tire just 20 minutes from the camp, so it could have been worse.

On our last night the raccoons returned on their evening rounds. This time Mr. Pixie was heard thumping, rustling, rattling and shoo-ing for quite a long time. When he returned he told us that there had to have been 15 raccoons, all over our site! They were in the trees, in the tent and he had even evicted some babies from our trailer!

But when all is said and done, even after all those little disasters... it could have been worse.

In fact, it really wasn't bad at all.

Sparkly Floral Crown with Petaloo

I found some simple wooden crown cut outs at Michaels. They have a little stick to hold the crown shape above your head during photographs or when meeting crown worthy dignitaries, all the while preventing unsightly 'crown head' hair.

I thought the shapes were cute and a great kids project. After all, even if you can't find these wooden cutouts at your local craft store, it would be easy enough to create your very own from some cardboard and a bit of doweling. They would make a totally adorable "make and take" for birthday parties.

I began by painting all of the pieces white, then sploshing some paint on them. Sploshing doesn't require being neat or tidy so it is perfectly appropriate for little hands. Eat a cookie or fresh fruit salad and wait for that sploshing to dry before adding some glitter (Tip: good quality glue will help avoid glitter from loosening). For this crown I've added Fancy Trimsalong the bottom edge and a coordinating Teal Burlap Blossom

For this crown I've used a DIY-Mum which you can colour to match your project. (Note: I coloured this blossom with watercolour paint then dipped it in tea to soften the colour) Then I added a length of tulle to gussy up the handle.

Those DIY blooms are pretty amazing and colouring them could be a fun project for kiddos in and of itself.

My final crown has some Crochet Lace Trim, Burlap Daisy Layers and Flowers in Pistashio and topped with Embellishment Brads in Shades of Green.

Working with kids can be a lot of fun and there are many ways to include them in crafting. Let them make decisions about colour and trims. Let them do the sploshing. You can set limits if you like "Let's pic three flowers to add" but let them have some control. Be sure to have those little people help clean up afterwards too.

So get out there and make some crowns with your littles. And don't forget the tea party photo shoot afterwards.

Supply List:

Fancy Trims Shades of Teal 1910-129

Burlap Blossoms Teal 1200-205

DIY-Mums & Butterflies 1650-015

Crochet Lace Trim 1482-105

Daisy Layers Pistachio 1205-214

Burlap Flowers Pistachio 1208-214

Embellishment Brads Shades of Green 1920-009

Misc ribbons and trims

Wooden Crown cut outs or DIY crown shapes