Crowns for no reason at all

I've been making for design teams, making for swaps, making for the holidays and not doing very much making for me. I've really got to cut that out, because making for me, for the sake that something popped in my head and I like playing with paper and paint, well, that's a big part of the joy of creating.

So I snapped myself out of it and took just a snippet of time to make some paper crowns. Crowns ALWAYS make me feel better. Here are my 'for no reason at all' paper crowns.

To create the crowns I used Double Dot Vintage papers in various colours. I really like this paper. It has a lovely, sort of sort cotton feel.

I used the A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die to cut out the shape for the crown. For an adult sized crown, I joined three crown segements together. The negative space left by the die was used for the middle pattern/portion of the crown.

 

Glitter and flower were added as a final touch. The above crown has a White Chiffon Flower from Tresors de Luxe. Below I've used flowers from Petaloo's Botanica collection. I especially like these Botanica Blooms.

Supply list:

 

Double Dot Vintage papers

Petaloo Botanica BloomsWhite Chiffon Flower

A Gilded Life - Petite Monarch Crown Long Die

Raining Cats and Dogs Gift Set with Graphic 45

Graphic 45 is kicking off a series of Gift Bag and Card Tutorials over the next week. You should defo check follow along on their blog or with the #G45GiftHowTos on social media. 

Here's my contribution to the fun, a little gift set created with Raining Cats & Dogs.

 

 Although the bag is cute as a button, it turned out nothing like what I had planned. Sometimes when things aren’t going as planned it’s best to just see where your project takes you :)

 

The card is small and simple but the flower adds enough dimension to make a standard flat envelope a pain. So I thought ‘why not make a special chunky envelope to go with my chunky card?’ and the problem is solved!

Want to make your own? Here's how

The bag...

 

Download Graphic 45_Raining Cats & Dogs_PDF Template for the bag

And here's the card and envelope...

Download Graphic 45_Raining Cats & Dogs_ PDF Template for the_card

Download Graphic 45 Raining Cats & Dogs_PDFTemplate for_chunky_envelope

Supply List

CARD
Core’dinations Signature Series Graphic 45 Lights “Pearl Blush”
Raining Cats & Dogs “Cats Meow”
Raining Cats & Dogs  Journalling and Ephemera Cards
Raining Cats & Dogs “Playful Pals”
Raining Cats & Dogs Flowers
Raining Cats & Dogs Banners
Raining Cats and Dogs Stickers
Coordinating ribbon

ENVELOPE
Raining Cats and Dogs “Puppy Love”
Raining Cats and Dogs “Playful Pals”
Raining Cats and Dogs Journaling Chipboard
Raining Cats and Dogs Journaling & Ephemera Cards

BAG
Raining Cats and Dogs ”Puppy Love”
Raining Cats and Dogs ”Four Legged Friend”
Raining Cats and Dogs Stickers
Raining Cats and Dogs Journaling Chipboard
Raining Cats and Dogs “Playful Pals”
Coordinating ribbon

A Lace Scarf for Tresors de Luxe

Truthfully, I didn't realize I loved lace until I joined the Tresors de Luxe design team. 

Now I want to wrap myself in it!

And I will! I've made myself a scarf of that gorgeous stuff!

I started with a length of satin, and then applied all sorts of lace of various lengths and widths in layers. I've used a Raspberry Rose Shabby Chic Flower to join the ends. The flower already has a clasp so you could easily replace with another colour for coordination.

I've used LOADS of different Tresors de Luxe lace here so I won't list every one and just suggest that you check out their selection of Guipure and Venice Laces

Lace Fabric Trim, White GL-008 Lace Trim in Ivory LA-017
White Venice Lace LA-078
Ivory Lace Trim LA-003

A mini cigar box bed for Alpha Stamps

I am smitten.

 

It's a new month and the kit theme over at Alpha Stamps is 'Cigar Boxes'.

Everything is absolutely lush!

 

The Tiny Cigar Boxes* are darling, just the right size to fit in your hand, and the papers are delish. And that super thin, striped washi tape? Adorable!

I did debate on including a sort of sentimental treasure inside. I thought of filling it with trinkets and charms... but instead placed a small mattress, sheets and tiny pillow. Someone gifted me a lovely little faerie bed in a box last year and I've been wanting to create one ever since.

I think this one may be 'abandoned', with a tiny stack of bedtime stories and a note, perhaps in a library snuggled between the stacks of books :)

Want to create your own? Excellent! Here's the list of bits and bobs you'll need.

A Goblin Party for Alpha Stamps

There has been a goblin extravaganza over at Alpha Stamps this month. I was excited by this month's theme as I have been wanting to do a project inspired by the poem "The Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti.

I ended up creating a feast rather than a market... but here it is...

I know... it's busy... but hang in there with me...

The piece is loaded with lovely little details... like these tiny little fairy house charms that sit atop the  Black and White Chevron Striped 'pillars' that mark the entry to the feast.

And cheeky goblins lurking here and there.

A tables packed with finery and ready for feasting! Look at that Miniature Silverware Set! The table itself is made from wide tongue depressors and twigs. Speaking of twigs....

Look at those goblins bandying about!

This piece was soooo much fun to create. If you'd like to make your own little goblin or faerie feast, (or just see something that caught your eye and you immediately need to have!) here's a list of the goodies I used from my friends at Alpha Stamps...

Pewter Dollhouse Tea Service 
Pewter Dollhouse Dishes 
Holly Berry Garland* 
Embossed Paper Elm Leaves* 
Mushrooms - Cream Mushrooms - Pink 
Red Glittered Holly Berries* 
Purple Iris Paper Flowers* 
White Roses with Heart Shaped Petals 
Mini Bird Eggs 
Miniature Glass Domes 
Miniature Silverware Set 
Miniature Table & Chairs Set
Medium Gold Filigree Bead Caps 
Amber Even Tinier Bottles*
12 Tiny Glass Bottles 
Miniature Tea Kettle Charm* Silver Pinecone Charms
Silver Cup Box Feet
Antique Bronze 3D Gnome House Charms 
Brimstone Bulletin Scrapbook Paper

Goblin Labels Collage Sheet

Double Dot Chevron Scrapbook Paper - Charcoal
Sheet Moss (I used a different moss, but this would work very well)

Another Potter Swap

I love Harry Potter swaps. The crafting possibilities are endless! After a bit of a hiccup (I'm looking at you Canada Post) my package SHOULD be arriving on my partners doorstep today. Here's what I created for her...

A "Divination" cupboard filled with tools dear Professor Trelawney might employ. There's a palmistry hand, tarot cards, books, tea cup, crystal ball...

Next a wand from Olivanders. This one is made of Black Locust with a troll hair core.

The tree this wood was taken from was hit by lightening last year. It is said that struck trees make for the very best wands. I've assured my partner that the troll the hair was taken from was quite nice and she needn't worry about her wand misbehaving.

A bottle of Felix Felicis... because who couldn't use a little extra luck?

Finally a tiny Monster Book of Monsters which bit me three times while making it!

And there you have it! A Potter package for a fabulous partner :)

O Canada!

I'm not exactly sure where this post is heading, or exactly what to say... but feel like something should be said.

I have family who live in Ottawa where those terrible events took place earlier this week. 

Friends and family were put on "lockdown" that afternoon. Mum's were worried about their kids shut tight in their schools.

Family, visiting from England were on the very spot the shooting took place just days before. I've walked there myself many times.

There is a large military population in our area. We neighbour the military town where the repatriation of fallen Canadian soldiers takes place.

Today, the body of Corporal Nathan Cirillo, the young man who was killed on Wednesday, will pass along the Highway of Heroes, through our home town.

He will be returned to Hamilton, his home, the place we lived most of our lives.



The 500 kilometers between those places seem awfully small today.



"With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!"

I feel blessed to call Canada home. I'm proud of the bravery, the calm, the thoughtfulness and dignity displayed these past few days. It's not perfect, but it's a good place, filled with good people.

"O Canada, we stand on guard for thee."

May you rest in peace Corporal Nathan Cirillo.