Saintly Shrines

I'm back from my family jaunt to Montreal. It was a disastrous comedy of errors worth a post of it's own, so look forward to that shortly.

Until then, I have a few new shrine thingys to show off.

A little something for my dude, St. Expedite.

I've talked about this guy many times before. He's an excellent saint to turn to when you have an urgent cause... and I am often in urgent need. If you're interested in learning more about him, you can find some information here.

Within my little shrine I've included a bottle of beer, prayer candle, paper flowers, breads and cake and the tiniest little prayer card.

I made two of these guys and they are available HERE.

I also created two little shrines for Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The Virgin of Guadalupe kept coming across my path and I figured it was high time that I learn more about her. 

The Virgin appeared to St. Juan Diego in a vision in 1531 requesting a shrine be built on the spot that she appeared. Before agreeing to build the shrine, the bishop told Juan Diego he required proof of her appearance. The Virgin appeared again, directing Juan Diego to collect flowers from a barren area. He collected the flowers in his cloak and took them to the bishop. When he emptied the flowers, the image of the Virgin of Guadalupe appeared on his cloak. The cloak is housed at the Bascillica of Guadalupe.

There is a great deal of symbolism attributed to the imagery of the cloak. The sun at her back, the moon at her feet, the stars on her robe, the position of her feet, the reflections in her eyes... there is SO MUCH to discover! It's all fascinating and well worth a bit of research if you're interested in that sort of thing.

I was raised Catholic, but the images I was exposed to were mostly glum. Even as a child I could never reconcile the messages of celebration with the grim images we were exposed to. The vibrance of the shrines, altars and imagery devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe seem much more reflective of  message of love and joyous celebration.

If you're interested in my happy little Lady of Guadalupe shrine, they can be found HERE.

And one last even littler addition...

There are 10 of these tiny matchbox shrine available in the etsy shop. Created using a standard matchbox as a base, the wee paper shrine comes with a miniature 7 day novena candle, and the itty-bittiest laminated prayer card! They can be found HERE.

Little Doodle Matchbook Notelets

It occurred to me that this project might be too simple to share. I know the amount of time and effort that go into the beautiful, amazing, astounding projects shared on the Graphic 45 blog and this project is so easy it almost seems silly to show off these matchbook notelets.



But everyone starts somewhere, and inspiration often sprouts from the simplest of ideas.



The only materials you’ll need are 8” scrapbook paper, white printer paper, a stapler and double-sided tape. That’s it! You can add stickers and other embellishments if you’d like to gussy them up, that’s all you need to get started.

I spent an afternoon making loads, with a bunch of different Graphic 45 collections. I also made a super quick video to show you just how easy they are to make.



I love this paper from the Little Women collection. These matchbooks are finished off with coordinating stickers.



In case I need to take notes while sleuthing I’ve made these from Master Detective



I think that Sherlock would approve.



For keeping track of daydreams and doodles Imagine seems the perfect choice.



And finally some very pretty notelets with Floral Shoppe. How perfect would these be for favours at a ladies tea? I’m tempted to pretend to be a lady and host a tea just to prove it!



I love Floral Shoppe and there was something that caught my eye when I first saw it.



It is filled with Hogwarts house colours!

I found these Harry Potter printable house banners, printed and applied them to the covers. Somewhere to keep my potions and herbology notes. Too perfect, right?!



I don’t know about you, but I suspect there are some non-muggle types working at Graphic 45.

Graphic 45 Supplies:
Floral Shoppe 8x8 Pad
Imagine 8x8 Pad
Little Women 8x8 Pad
Master Detective 12x12 Pad

Other Supplies:
White printer paper
Stapler
Double sided tape

Measurement list:
White paper cut to 2” x 2.75”
Scrapbook paper cut to 2.25” x 6.75”
Scrapbook paper scored at .5”, 1”, 1 ⅛”, 4”, 4 ⅛”

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