IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE (MIXED MEDIA CANVAS)

I am still focused on creating mixed media canvases... Gloria Stengl's newest challenge influenced this one.   Have you checked out the new Craft Hoarders Anonymous  Challenge?  #2  is a Color Challenge with a twist. Pick the thing or things that you seem to hoard the most, and using the color scheme shown (blues), create a project that showcases your hoarded item or items.

I admit it, yes just sayin' it right out loud...I hoard all art supplies!

The first layer is a patchwork of various blue patterned paper napkins (paper napkins, my latest item to hoard LOL) which I Mod Podged onto the canvas and then shaded each "square".  I used the shiny Mod Podge...I just love the shiny smooth feel of it.  On that I overlaid a checker board of white lacy handmade paper for a bit more depth and texture.  You can't see that additional texture in the photo but IRL it gives a bit more life to the whole.  I have quite a stack of vintage music sheets in my hoard so let's add some of that. I try not to hoard punches but I do have a large basket and a drawer full of them, the butterflies and small blue flowers are punched from bits in my scrap box..another hoard of goodies.

Note:  I am also entering this in the Make It Monday Challenge, the Love to Create Challenge

THE ART SOCIETY (FEBRUARY/14 PROJECT)

Christy Tomlinson has started a new monthly Mixed Media Video club and is calling it "The Art Society".  Once a month you  are sent an email with a link the months' videos, projects, pdfs etc.  You also have the option of joining an online group where you can share your projects and get to know the other subscribers. 

My subscription started with February..oh I am having so much fun!  I have a number of canvasses underway.  I didn't start out intending these to be a set..but that's what came out :)  I have used a 6x6 canvas, various red tissues and finished these with a sepia toned Mod Podge.  I am showing you these on the chintz duvet of the red bedroom..maybe they will go there on the red walls?  Or maybe a gift for a friend who is in love with red.

Maybe the details show better here..

MY ARTISTIC ADVENTURES (ON THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS..) CHALLENGE -FEB 16/2014

It's time for the 2nd of the two monthly challenges at My Artistic Adventures!  On the 16th of each month Heather is offering a Christmas challenge, this month the theme is "On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me.."

I have chosen to stay the traditional course with "two turtle doves"!

This is a 3" peat pot which I covered with white gesso to start.  Make sure you let this dry for 24 hours as the peat pot really holds onto moisture...like it is supposed to for it's "real job" LOL  I adhered some vintage looking silver tinsel around the top and attached an evergreen tinsel wire for the handle.  The pot is covered with a piece of vintage hardanger needle work and a bit of fancy trim along the bottom.  A plastic snowflake sits behind my Victorian scrap lady, the two plastic white doves are wedding favours.  I filled the "basket" with white millinery pieces, vintage silver mercury balls and used white batting as the filler.  I reduced and printed out Heather's Victorian Vintage Calling Cards collage sheet to use as my print image (two turtle doves).  The finishing touches are bows both front and back.

Note:  looking for white embellishments, think wedding supplies.

I have had the idea for a set of these rattling around in my head for a bit but I was inspired to get on with it when I received an ornament built in a peat pot from Michelle of Nook and Cranny in a holiday swap.

How about you check out Heather's Challenge at My Artistic Adventure and join in?  Do go and see what the other design team members have done, I am fortunate to be included in such a talented bunch!

Note:  I have entered this in the first Craft Hoarders Anonymous challenge "What's Your Style".

CHRISTMAS IN THE BANK (02/2014)

As I have done for several years now, I try to continue crafting for Christmas throughout the year so that when the holiday comes around I have "Christmas In The Bank"!  I plan to share some of my projects with you on the 12th of each month.  If you are also crafting Christmas throughout the year, leave me a comment and I will come to visit!

I was tickled to find this project!  "Vintage Mitten" ornament/tag digital collage sheet from My Artistic Adventures.  Not only has Heather created the images needed (available through instant download), she has also done an easy to follow step by step video.  Talk about value!  I loved that these were so "stash friendly", the images were provided for me, all I did was dig through my bits and pieces to embellish them.

I asked Heather if she would do just the Candy Canes (she is happy to do special requests), I think they make the perfect table favours as well as ornaments!

I love it when some bit of the Christmas "leavings" can be rescued.  These little tags were punched from a bottle bag that had seen all of it's lives used :)  I punched some card stock to back them and finished them with a teeny eyelet and a bit of baker's twine.  A few more bits into the "Christmas Bank"!

VALENTINE PILLOW CASES

A new tradition I started at Christmas, holiday pillow cases for the grands.  I haven't sewn in years so I am not quite sure how this came about.  And I really dislike doing the same thing multiple times.  But I had decided this would be my goal for this year.  I have already stretched that goal to the next two years, I will do half of them for each holiday switching back and forth from one holiday to the next with the rotation opposite next year!  I do love picking the fabrics :)

The pattern is all about pinning to minimize the actual sewing.  The directions are a bit of a tease for a non-sewer but I just keep them handy!  The polka dot fabric is the body of the pillow case.

SWEET SENTIMENTS VALENTINE BOX

I covered  a small 3x4 oval paper mache box with papers from the Graphic 45 line "Sweet Sentiments" for my "partner" in a Valentine Swap hosted by JoAnne of Vintage Dragonfly.  We have such fun!

The images from G45 stand on their own, it's hard to cover any bit of them up!  I edged the top with Perfect Pearls, created a bouquet with some of the tiniest blooms in my stash, tied it with a bow and added a banner from My Artistic Adventures Etsy.  I adore banners!  I find them finicky to do from scratch so having a sheet of banners to choose from is my idea of perfection, a couple of little folds at each end to make them pop up and voila!  Heather has also now done alpha sheets sized to use on her banners - heaven!

The top and bottom are edged with a row of white Dresden trim which I inked to match the paper.  I used my favourite Platinum Stickles to add some more sparkle.  When I want my projects to have a vintage look (and I almost always do) I lightly trace all of the edges with glitter, typically Platinum Stickles which sparkles but is more neutral.

and packed with Valentine goodies!

"TRUST YOUR HEART" - ART JOURNAL PAGE

When I saw Heather's Primitive Heart Pockets at her My Artistic Adventures Etsy shop, I knew I was going to was use it on an art journal page.  I have neglected my journal for so long ..this is a good start.  I love crafting holiday projects so this is an easy extension for me.  Even the most simple interactive feature on a page holds my interest.  Here I have used a folded hinge on the single red heart so that in order to read what is written on the front of the pocket you have to lift it away.  Some little bit of a memento will go into the pocket.  The hidden text are  quotes  from the book "Peter Pan" by JM Barrie;

So come with me, where dreams are born and time is never planned.

Just think of lovely things and your heart will fly on wings.

You know that place between asleep and awake  

That place where you can still remember dreaming.

That's where I will always love you.

That is where I'll be waiting.

Spritz, stamp, stencil, outline, cut and glue, write - done!

PAPERDOLL VALENTINE TAG (JULIE NUTTING/PRIMA)

Paperdoll playtime!  I love the Julie Nutting stamps, imagine how much fun we would have had as children creating these.

I have stamped the image on a variety of (mostly) Martha Stewart Valentine papers, cut them out and pushed the pieces around to find the mix I liked.  I prefer to use a light pattern for the face and arms otherwise I am tempted to draw in a face..not always with great results LOL  I used bits and pieces from my Valentine stash to create the background and embellishments.  I have built this tag on a 3.5 x 8.5 inch background.

Check out Julie Nutting on YouTube!

Note:  I am entering Natalie and Amy Challenges "Love Is All Around"

MY ARTISTIC ADVENTURES "ANYTHING GOES" CHALLENGE (Feb 2/14)

Valentine's!  I can't get enough red/pink/vintage/glitter splendor!  Heather makes it so easy to keep the ideas coming with the versatility of her images. She is busy building her inventory at My Artistic Adventures Etsy adding banners, bases, alphas, colour variations, everything you need in your own inventory to create your own artistic adventure.  Heather also produces videos to demonstrate how you can recreate her fabby projects and these are linked in her Etsy shop along with her images or find her at  My Artistic Adventures YouTube .   Heather is making it as easy as possible for the creativity to flow!

Join us in the twice monthly  MY ARTISTIC ADVENTURES CHALLENGES , make them part of your own adventure!

I adore chenille figures :)  For me they add just the right nostalgic touch to a projects or perfect little gifty bits for the grands..even girlfriends.   I used Heather's Shabby Valentine Cupid Tags  for both the head of my figure and the medallion on my "Key to My Heart" Valentine Candy Basket.  Pink bumpy chenille stems, hearts and key from my stash and a bit of white feather for wings.

The candy basket started life as a 3" peat pot which I first painted with white gesso.  The gesso makes a nice finish inside and is easier to cover on the outside.  Next step should be to create your handle and attach before you cover the pot with crepe paper.  I used a red chenille stem with pink ribbon twisted around it.  I laid down a strip of DST (double sided tape) around both the top and bottom of the pot and created gathers in the pink crepe paper as I went.  A row of gathered red tulle trim around the top really made the colours pop.  I added a sweet and sparkly pink trim along the bottom.  Then more sweetness in the ruffle edged ribbon bows.  I cut out the smaller version of the tag to use as the medallion, popping it onto a plain white scalloped circle punch.  Glitter, glitter, glitter!  My favourite..Platinum Stickles and a bit of Ruby Slipper and Fuchsia!  Hope I have inspired you to create a sweet and easy basket of sweets of your own.

Note:  I have entered challenges at; ABC Challenges "E is for Embellishment",  Natalie and Amy's Challenge "Love is All Around", Really Reasonable Ribbon "Anything but A Card", Rhedd's Creative Spirit