Notes from the North Pole

I M P O R T A N T

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Attn: North Pole Representatives and Christmas Helpers

2015 has been an exceptional year and we are pleased to announce that Santa's "Nice List" numbers are higher than they have ever been.

In order to facilitate the distribution of Nice List Notifications to good (and mostly good) children, Mr. Claus is requesting your assistance. 

"Notes from the North Pole", a two page digital download, is available HERE. The PDF includes:

• an official "nice list notification"
• a North Pole envelope template
• elf sized postage stamps
• three notes of encouragement from the North Pole Review Department + 2 blank notes
• three memos from Santa
• a short thank-you note from Santa for Christmas eve refreshments

That is a small letter, not a giant hand.

Please note:

• Any grunging, sparkling, distressing, tearing, smudging or embellishing is to be done in your own workshop. 

• Final letters can NOT be mailed through the silly muggle post. If your notifications require mailing, sending inside a full sized envelope with a note of explanation is suggested.

Mr. Claus is grateful for your assistance and appreciates your contribution in the creation of holiday magic.

Thank you

"Notes from the North Pole"

Edit: Christmas Helpers who prefer print form, hard copies are available via Alpha Stamps.

Pretty Holiday Packages with Petaloo and Claus & Co.

I think that the Claus & Co. collection from Simple Stories is absolutely adorable. Paired with Petaloo blooms and trims, the everything just shines and sings. Don't get me wrong, I love shabby, frilly, Victorian holiday goodness... but this pairing is just good ole holiday fun.

I thought I'd put the snippets and components of from Claus & Co to practical use, and gussy up some gift boxes.

First, some tiny premade boxes embellished with trims, stickers and brads. There is something precious about small boxes and they often contain the sweetest gifts. And you truly don't have to go overboard to create a prettily packaged present. A bit of Glitz trims, a Claus & Co Bradz and a Pine Pick with cones and berries looks pretty dang cute

... but sometimes going overboard and making your own boxes right from scratch is fun too! Here's "Oh Joy" and "Ho Ho Ho" made into little boxes and embellished with Petaloo's Glitz trims and Burlap Pointsettias

.

And sometimes, just once in while, it's nice to add a whole lot of sparkle too. Who am I kidding? I throw glitter on all the things! All the time!

Want to gussy up some boxes to create some darling presents? Here's the supply round up:

Glitz trims
Burlap Pointsettias
Pine Pick with cones and berries
Textured Elements

Simple Stories, Claus & Co Collection Kit
Claus & Co Bradz

GLITTER!
glue
boxes

Something quick and shabby

Just a quick post today. Ta da!

Pixie Dust and Moonbeams

I've been working like mad preparing for a craft show this weekend and getting my Christmas haul made. Last night I was up till 4 am (what?!?) watching Blacks Books on Netflix and blending glitter for these vials.

I don't think the pictures do them justice. They are much more magical in person.

I made a HUGE batch of the things and I am COVERED in glitter. It's ok, sparkling makes me feel better about being sleepy ;)

Have you started work on your holiday haul yet? What lovely things are you making?

Winter Shrine Tutorial

First Friday of the month! That means a tutorial for a glittery magical something for GinasDesigns.net. Jack Frost and the holiday season are on the way but there's loads of time before the holiday madness to get your supplies for this super cute project. 

This snowy winter wonderland shrine was created using Gina's House Shrine Box. I really and truly love that little shrine house. It's such a great piece to apply your own style to. 

Below you can just peek at the roof texture. This is achieved by layering pieces from the Cardstock Doily Set Intricates. The result is really cool and I show exactly how to do it in the video tutorial that goes along with this project.

The shrine is embellished with pieces from the Snowflake Shape Set. They've been painted and glitterfied and look oh, so sweet. Alternatively, you could use the Winter Shape Set which also includes snowmen, icicles and other wintry icons.

Inside my wee shrine I've added some bottle brush trees and a carpet of moss. Fill that space with whatever you like! A little Santa figure or snow capped house would be adorable. 

Being a total glitter fiend, I used a lot of the sparkly stuff on this project. Feel free to leave it out if you like, but I think that it adds and special icy touch. You might think that white glitter would be ideal for a winter landscape, but I recommend using clear glitter for a snowy look. 

What do you say? Want to make your own? You can find the full video tutorial HERE.

And here are all the supplies you'll need:

House Shrine Box*

Cardstock Doily Set Intricates

Snowflake Shape Set (or Winter Shape Set)

Wallflower 12x12 Paper Stash (or paper of choice)

Clear glitter
Light blue ultra fine glitter

White acrylic paint

Glue
Moss
A piece of foam

Bottle brush trees

*Note: the shrine box used in the tutorial is slightly larger than the one listed on the Gina's site. If you really, really, really, truly, must have the bigger version, please contact Gina's for pricing.

Bread and Pastry Tutorial

I'm going to show you how I created these little treats for my Miniature Floral Tea Cottage using these silicone molds.

You can use polymer clay with the molds but I made my little treats with Creative Paperclay. You WILL need to plan ahead to allow for drying time (make the pieces the day before you need them) but the actual 'working' time is just minutes.

I begin by pressing the clay into the mold. Give it a good push to ensure all the details are imprinted. I allow the clay to become firm before removing from the mold, then allow the pieces to dry completely before the next step.

Using some REALLY watered down yellow ocher acrylic paint I cover all of my pieces.

Wipe off any excess paint. Apply another coat of the wash if the coverage is too light.

Breads are often darker than pastries and cakes, and are darker still on their top crust and bottoms. Add a wash of dark burnt umber or other dark earth colour. (Note: You can also colour your pieces with powdered chalk pastel by applying with a dry brush.) As a final step I've dusted a little corn starch to the surface.

You can use Diamond Glaze to create a few different finishes on your pieces. Some breads have a light sheen on their surface (i.e. croissants). This look can be achieved by adding some water to the glaze and applying sparingly. To create a 'glazed' look just brush on a good layer.

You can also add colour to diamond glaze and apply thickly to look like a jammy glaze or filling.

Let all those bits and bobs dry and their ready to go! So simple. So effective.

Happy making!

Miniature Floral Tea Cottage

I am soooo excited about this month's project for Alpha Stamps. The theme for October was Provence French Country and I've made a frilly little tea house inspired by some old Edwardian tea images on pinterest (isn't THIS wonderful?!). Yeah I know, Edwardian and Provence are completely different... but a crafty girl is totally allowed to build imaginary places in her head!

I've used the Cottage with Open Front for my tea house and set it on the Cottage Base.

Check out the super cute interior and all those bits! Just look at the little paper ivy clinging to the sides (made with Thinlits Fern and Ivy Leaves Die Set)

One of my very favourite new things from Alpha Stamps are the silicone molds used to make all the treats on this table. I used them with Creative Paperclay, but you could use polymer clay if that's what  you're most comfortable with.

To finish off the pastries and breads I used Diamond Glaze to achieve a subtle sheen and the look of sugared glaze. If you'd like to make your own, HERE is a full tutorial for making those treats.

Here's a good look at all of those little accesories.

Now, I usually affix everything into place in my houses but this one comes apart. The top comes off the cottage for easy access to the interior, and the cottage itself can be removed from the base to reveal a little cobblestone courtyard! 

The stone work here is acrylic gel medium used with a Stone Wall Chipboard Texture Sheet, then painted. Moss, some picket fencing, and flowers are added to make a pretty courtyard for the cottage to sit upon.

I've used loads of little paper roses and buds but those bursts of purple are a product called "Flower Soft" which is available in different colours. It's super easy to use and I've created a tutorial for using it HERE.

The cottage and all of the accessories is currently listed HERE in the etsy shop.

Want to make your own tea house? Here's the quick link to ALL THE GOODS available via Alpha Stamps

And below is the GREAT BIG FAT supply list! Have fun!

Cottage with Open Front
Cottage Base - 9x9x1
Pewter Dollhouse Dishes* 
Mini Resin Honey Jars
Tiny Glass Jar with Lid
Miniature White Table with Baskets (used the basket, not table)
Victorian Table Kit - Black 
Miniature Milk Bottles in Crate
Blue and White Service for Six Tea Set 
Tiny Cup of Tea with Lemon (ADORABLE!)
White and Gold Service for Four Tea Set
Miniature Silverware Set 
Red Apples - Set of 12 
Oval Basket with Handle
1/2 Inch Pale Pink Paper Roses
1/2 Inch Red Paper Roses
Mini Rose Buds - Bright Yellow
Mini Fern Garland
Asparagus Fern Garland (LOVE!)
Mini Rose Buds - Pink Cream Variegated
Sheet Moss
White Wall Shelf with Pegs
Thinlits Fern and Ivy Leaves Die Set
Mini Gardening Hand Tools
Wooden Knobs
Baroque Dresden Borders - Black
Wallflower 12x12 Paper Stash
Creative Paperclay*
Diamond Glaze 
Mini Silicone Bread Mold Set - Larger Loaves
Mini Silicone Bread Mold Set - Smaller Loaves
Mini Silicone Cake Mold Set 
Miniature Vase Set 
Fancy Lavender Berries Mix
Fancy Red Holly Berries Mix
Flower Soft - Autumn 
Flower Soft - Crocus or Lavender 
Flower Soft - Vintage Christmas 
Stem Wire - 7 Inches 
Stone Wall Chipboard Texture Sheet
Acrylic Gel Medium

Kinda sorta close to what I used:
Unfinished Wood Table
Black Chair Kit
Small White Picket Fence