Paper Zeppelin Tutorial

I'm not going to sugar coat it, there are things about this project that are a pain in the rump... but the end result is super duper cool. I mean, who doesn't need flying zeppelin boat sky vessel?

I came up with this project a fair long while ago after watching Stardust a million times. Sky pirates? Heck yeah! How could I resist the inspiration?

I've updated the project by adding some chipboard elements from Gypsy Soul Laser Cuts. They add amazing detailing without adding bulk or weight. 

I've used pieces from the Gears Shape Set along with Propellers, painting these elements a sort of coppery gold for a metallic effect.

But it's the addition of the chipboard Hinges that I think really add something to my sky vessel. They help to give the impression that this zeppelin is way more ornate with their addition.

Finally, I've added some bits from the Keys & Plates Shape Set.

I'm sure my sky pirates feel rather posh with all those additional bits and bobs!

If you'd like to try making your own paper zeppelin, I've created a video walk through HERE. I highly recommend doing a dry run of the balloon and boat elements before cutting into your 'good paper'. There IS a learning curve to fitting the bits together and this is NOT a beginner project.

But! If you're feeling adventurous and looking to make something really nifty, here are all the supplies you'll need:

Gears Shape Set

Propellers

Hinges

Keys & Plates Shape Set

Balloon and Boat Template (below)

12" scrapbook paper

(I've used papers from Graphic 45's Master Detective Colletion for the sample)
Brass Brads
Thin doweling or wooden skewars
Acrylic Paint
Ribbon
White glue

Hot glue

A Little Cottage

It's that time of year where a little cottage appears in the studio.



This wee abode has been made with a wood kit base which has been slightly modified.

Outside has a mossy thatched roof dotted with handmade toadstools and ladybugs.



There's a mail waiting on the cobblestone porch and a pair of planters filled with paper flowers.



Inside, four little rooms.



Inside, a gamesroom, kitchen, bedroom and washroom.



The games room has miniature checkers, snakes and ladders, full size game pieces from marbles, to dice, to chess pieces and tiny playing cards.



And those things are soooo TINY!!!!



Above the fireplace is a picture of Milton Bradley.



The kitchen is chocked full of little food items. An island in the middle of the room has a flour covered top with tiny rolling pin and mixing bowl.

A matchstick ladder scales up to the second floor, leading to a cozy bedroom.



There, a tin bed, bunting, books, tiny ruby slippers, and birthday candle lighting.

Next door, the washroom has a tart tin tub, sea shell sink, itty bitty rubber duck and vintage pill tin.

There is no toilet. I think this occupant prefers to wee out in the wilderness. I mean, who wants to clean a toilet anyway?

The cottage is available HERE. This piece was created for an event and has imperfections (i.e. there are connective areas that are not completely camouflaged) and the price is reflective of that.

Three new wee pieces

Three little pieces sprouted from the mess in my studio....

"you are one lovely dream" available HERE

All have chipboard bases and decorated with pretty papers and butterflies.

"a glimmer" is available HERE

This pretty can be found HERE

They all feel quite right in the beautiful summery weather we've been having. The flowers we've planted to attract butterflies seem to be doing the trick! I'm tempted to put on a big fancy hat and frock, sprout some wings and turn myself into one of the ladies in my work. 

Happy weekend, lovely.

Buntings are hard to photograph and the new wood shed

I love buntings. I think they are just about one of the prettiest things around. They're whimsical and joyous and sweet... and such a pain to photograph.

This particular bunting is a happy thing, all yellow and sunshiney. But pictures! Ugh, pictures. I was moping around this morning trying to figure out how to show it off when the new woodshed caught my eye.

The Mr used recycled wood so it doesn't LOOK new, but huzzah for that because it's the perfect contrast to my pretty flaggy thing-a-ma-doodle. I'm certain Mr had no idea he was actually building me a giant photography prop.

But on to the bunting! I knew I wanted to create a long banner so I used two sets of this Banner Builder Pennant Set. Instead of layering straight and scalloped edged pieces, I've used them separately. 

I painted the chipboard white and stamped the edges with a floral filigree pattern. Atop of that I applied papers from Floral Shoppe (which is gorgeous and probably my favourite Graphic 45 paper ever.) The colours I chose are a very subtle nod to my beloved Hufflepuff house.

The butterflies are stamped onto Floral Shoppe Indigo Lilies. A few dabs of white paint are added as highlights, then I fussy cut those suckers.

The flowers were created using elements from the Large Tag ATC and Flower Die set.

That snip of lacy paper at the top was created by clipping a portion of clock from from the Square Tag and Clock Dies

Attach all those bits to a length of ribbon and you've got yourself a bunting that is very difficult to photograph!

Thank goodness for new woodsheds that look old.

Here's the bit list if you too would like to make a pretty hanging something-or-other.

Floral Shoppe: Golden Serenity
Floral Shoppe Indigo Lilies

Gilded Lily Stamp Set 1

Mon Amour Stamp Set 3

Decades Inkpads

Large Tag ATC and Flower Die

Square Tag and Clock Dies

Banner Builder Pennant Set

Ribbon

An Exploding Explore Box and a Goofy Surprise

A little something something for AlphaStamps today. 

(Note: AlphaStamps has been updated and you'll need to hop over to alphastamps.NET for the shop.)

Using the Double Explosion Box from the July Kit I've created a little surprise for a sea side adventurer.

I've used a bunch of pieces from the Wanderlust Printed Chipboard which I kinda love.

Quick tip: cut your paper just slightly smaller than the sides and you wont have to worry about bends and folds at the corners. I painted my box first, then applied squares of Wanderlust Souvenir Scrapbook Paper. It made things soooo much easier.

Open the box and inside there's another, tied with twine and embellished with snips from the 

Vintage Travel Tags & Hardware Collage Sheet.

More chipboard pieces and some shell charms. I've applied stamped metal letters that have been hiding my stash for eons.

Remove that wee box and inside a compass so that you'll never be lost on your wandering adventures.

Pretty cute, no?

And, Leslie from AlphaStamps will kill me for this but I made a second goofy exploding box. 

It's all sparkles and glittery stars and unicorn stickers.

Coloured with smooshes of paint and decorated with cheap bits from the $store like fluff and plastic unicorns!

There's an important message too! Less to-dos and more ta-das!

I really do need more ta-das!We ALL need more ta-das! Anyone who says they don't has pants on fire.

ANYWAY... if you want to make an exploding explore box (or a goofy surprise) HERE are all the bits available from AlphaStamps.net. And here they are listed individually:

8mm Gold Flat-Back Glass Shell Cabochon
Wanderlust Printed Chipboard
20mm Resin Starfish Cabs
13x17mm Patina Starfish Charms
Patina Scallop Shell Charms
Wanderlust Souvenir Scrapbook Paper
Brass Patina Conch Shell Charms
Double Explosion Box

Vintage Travel Tags & Hardware Collage Sheet
*Vacation Memories Kit - July 2018

As for the rest... RAID YOUR STASH!!!!

Grim Little Boxes

Sometimes, in the middle of the sunshine and the dancing fairies, I feel like making something a bit grim. It's not a bad thing. It's not a sad or angry thing. It's just that once in a while a bit of darkness is a nice contrast to the airy fairy.

At the post-halloween sales last year I picked up some wee wooden boxes and a couple of weeks ago I gussied them up with Graphic45 papers and embellishments from my stash.

This blingy skull with heart shaped eyes and rhinestones has been in my stash for AGES! I plonked it on top of a metal keyhole, added some metal brads and wings.

Available HERE

I think it makes a mighty nice frontispiece!.

And these dudes! I love them, but they too have been sitting, waiting to be used. This seemed like a perfect little project for them.

Available HERE

One more wee grim box, this one with a surprise inside.

A vial of Devil's Shoestring to trip up bad luck and provide protection. 

Break in case of emergency!

Available HERE

Hope you're having summer fun and that you don't need one iota of luck.

(I just looked up what an 'iota' is... it is the ninth letter of the greek alphabet and I'm more confused than before.)