A NEW ADVENTURE

Happy New Year with my warmest wishes.  Treasure all of the special moments of the past and set out to create many more.  I don't really set resolutions but usually find myself contemplating the past and next year in the quiet space between Christmas and New Year's.  This year has given me many "treasured moments" with family, friends and the opportunity to reconnect and strengthen bonds with childhood friends.   Crafting and the creativity, inspiration and connection to all of you has been sporadic in the last year as other parts of my life took priority.   That is about to change!

"A NEW ADVENTURE"

I first "met" Heather Hudson when I was on the design team for "Pages In Time" and then later "Bella Creations" several years ago,  her creative bent and enthusiasm delighted me.  Since then she has set out to make her dreams come true, part of which is working with images in her own unique vintage and sometimes prim style.
 
Heather "My Artistic Adventures" has asked me to be part of her design team as she sets out on her new path "My Artistic Adventures Challenges".   Heather has decided to host a challenge on her blog every 2nd and 16th of the month using HER Digital Collage sheets.   Click here to check out Heather's own post announcement about this!

Pretty please come back here on January 2nd to see what I have created using Heather's designs as inspiration for her first challenge.

In the meantime,  check out Heather's Etsy shop for inspiration and ideas galore.  She has dropped some heavy hints about the theme LOL   Do take advantage of the enticement to play along with us which includes a 15% off $5.00 or more purchase (coupon code: MYARTISTIC ADVENTURES).

And would you please post the challenge badge on your blog to help get the word out?

 

 

The html code can be found in the left sidebar at My Artistic Adventures  She also offers lots of YouTube tutorials including one on how to insert html codes on your blog.  Heather has been very generous sharing her technology knowledge.

 

I look forward to this newest Artistic Adventure; reconnecting, finding my creativity and inspiration and sharing with you.  Won't you join in and come "adventuring" with me... 

 

MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS TAGS

Have you been creating with Nancy Maxwell James and her "A Very Vintage Christmas" offering, if not it is all still there at Sugar Lump Studios.

My take on her Merry Little Christmas tags - day #2.

HALLOWEEN RECIPE/FUN BOX

I meant to put this up before the Christmas projects :)  While I haven't been blogging really for quite some time, the posts are a great way to record projects.  Still having a lot of traffic for the vintage images I have put up, so I do intend to keep that going.

I anticipate this being a box the grands will have fun looking through and maybe choosing a recipe to make.

I covered the box in "Happy Haunting" papers from Graphic 45 after painting it first with Annie Sloan's "Barcelona Orange" chalk paint.

I printed out all of the fall pictures I had in 3x4 and adhered them to cardstock for sturdiness.  The recipes are from a small "Gooseberry Patch" booklet "Best of Halloween".  I cut them all out and put them in plastic sleeves.  Vintage orange library cards and "Witch Recipe Cards"  from The Chocolate Rabbit on Etsy make fun fillers.

VINTAGE HOLIDAY SHADOW BOX

I have had this vintage box in my stash for ages just waiting for the inspiration.  I loved the pink and turquoise "sputniks" and that it reminded me of our home in the late 50s/early 60s.  Until mom switched to "Early American" LOL

I did a bit of repair and strengthening with cardstock and double sided tape to the inside top frame first.  It then got a couple of coats of sepia toned decoupage finish.  I covered the bottom with a sheet of music themed sparkly paper.  Pink, turquoise and platinum Stickles highlight the design and I used a chunky turquoise gliter to outline the inner frame.

The image is from Digital Collage Sheets.  I used pink mica flakes, creamy tulle and lace trims, turquoise seam binding ribbon, a vintage ornament and bits to create the tag.

I first used white bottle brush trees but the darker coloured ones ground the scene.  I used dabs of Glossy Accents to adhere a sprinkling of Diamond Dust on the trees.  A bit of cotton batting makes a snowy gound and fills the bottom.

CHALK PAINTED WOODEN JAR

I found this unpainted jar in a local thrift store for $1.  I thought it was perfect for a chalk painted practice project.  It turned out better than I imagined, I adore it.

Painted with Annie Sloan's "Barcelona Orange", covered with a coat of her Clear Wax and then her Dark Wax.  I love the warm richness of this little piece.


Bottom with Clear Wax.

Bottom with Dark Wax, top hasn't been waxed at all yet.

Completed.

CHALK PAINTED BEDSIDE TABLE

I took a chalk painting techniques class in August and have been doing a number of small projects to hone my skills before tackling anything major.  I fell in love with the Annie Sloan "Barcelona Orange" which fits perfectly in my bedroom with all of it's fall colours.  I use this small telephone as a nightstand.

You really don't need to sand with the Annie Sloan paints but this was pretty chippy so I knocked off the really loose flakes first.  That first bit of colour looks a little scarey LOL

I painted two light coats and then dark waxed it.  It sat for a bit (several weeks) while I pondered, it wasn't really what I hoped for.  I used mineral spirits on a soft cloth and rubbed off the dark wax (yes I was amazed), applied another coat of paint which I rubbed down with a damp cloth for a distressed/washed look.  Sparingly a coat of dark wax which I also rubbed down and used to highlight the distressed areas.

The table now has a warm rich distressed finish which I am crazy for!