BLISSFULL ATC SWAP - JANUARY "WINTER THEME"

I am so thrilled to be part of Wendy's (monthly)  Blissfull ATC SWAP!  Even though it has taken me way too long to get a swap post done!  My first swap partner was Donna of Brynwood Needleworks, her gift to me "Snow Dancer" highlights her special artistic talent!  You really can't see all of the exquisite detail in this picture.   Above is her picture of mine to her against the card I sent it in.  Yes I am shameless - her photo skills are obviously greater than my own!  Just like Wendy, Donna is a generous and talented woman whom I am now fortunate to have made contact with. 

"TRY OUR FRESH EGGS" - GINGERSNAP CREATIONS VISITING ARTIST SUBMISSION

The last of my four submissions as one of the Visiting Artists for February at Gingersnap Creations  The challenge this week is to use Jewel Colours with Gold.  Ruby, amethyst, sapphire and topaz for me!

Why don't you check out the site and considering submitting your own project? 

What an honour it is to be participating at Gingersnap Creations this month.  I consider this to be the go to site to check out the work of  an extremely talented design team (past and present), interesting challenges and  wide variety of technique tutorials.

I used an 8x10 piece of chipboard to freehand my egg shape.  This is covered with a vintage sheet of music, which I inked with Milled Lavender and Concord Distress Inks.  I used several different colors of glitter glues to create lines of sparkly color on the sheet music.  A couple pieces of vintage yellow ric rak, amethyst velvet ribbon, purple pansy trim and red Bloomers create the base for my image and "garden". The edging is some red vintage gathered lace and teeny gold ric rak which I had in my stash.   The title and dragonfly are K&C0 (thanks Heather!).  The title comes from the milk bottle top (copy) I used in the "garden".

VINTAGE EASTER IMAGE - GIRL WITH ROSES (CIRCA 1900)

Time to move into Easter!  I like to put the images out in plenty of time for you to use them.  What I post are, unless I state differently, original scans of  vintage cards and ephemera from my own collection.  I do not enhance the images or fix the "chips and bites", I actually think the wear adds to the charm. (Though I am pretty sure my friend Heather would fix one for me!)  You may use these in whatever way you want, if you want to give me credit for an image that's great.  I would be absolutely thrilled if you sent me a picture of any project you use them in!

PINK FAIRY FANTASY - CREPE PAPER TREE

I posted this link originally in December but so worth posting again - here is the Original Crepe Paper Tree Tutorial!

http://creativechaos.typepad.com/creative_chaos/2010/12/my-entry.html

I used a 12" paper mache cone for the base.  Ruffled the crepe paper on my sewing machine with the baste and pull method.  I made it easy on myself and used double sided tape to hold the ruffles.  Note:  on another version I will put the ruffles closer together for a fluffier look.  The edges are "trimmed" with Platinum Stickles, I went over these a couple of times to build up a nice layer.  Some bits of flowers including teeny gold ones in the background, several colours of pink DewDrops, milnery bits, fussy cut black stamped fairies.  I've gone back and added teeny gold butterflys since taking the picture.   A good spraying of Pearl Glimmer Mist over everthing!  This just invites adding more and more! 



HEY CUPCAKE! A BIRTHDAY CROWN - GINGERSNAP CREATIONS VISITING ARTIST SUBMISSION

HEY CUPCAKE!

It is an Inspiration Challenge this  week at Gingersnap Creations  and the inspiration is Crowns.  I have been wanting to do a crown for several years after seeing some done for a Silver Bella event.  Truly I thought this would be beyond me.  But with the Inspiration Challenge right there in my face and an upcoming 1st birthday for the littlest GD (Olivia) soon - well that was it,  my submission was going to be a birthday crown.   Isn't every little one a prince or princess?  So I'm still in keeping with the overall theme of "Royalty"..:)

The birthday theme is "cupcakes".  I found some white paper with cupcake images embossed on it.  The images are purposefully ink resistant.  Sturdy paper with the right image - perfect for my background.  I purchased a paper crown at the dollar store which became the framework and pattern.  I drew and handcut the swirls out of plain turquoise card stock and encrusted the crown with "diamond", "pink tourmaline" and "aquamarine" jewels and plenty of glitter.  The "cupcake" I cut on my Cricut and covered the pieces using glitter, micro beads and double sided tape.  I covered the original head strap with coordinating card stock and adhered the new front piece.  I will adjust the strap with elastic to fit Olivia's head.

Now this certainly isn't as intricate and complex as the crowns I saw several years ago but for a first effort I am pleased.  Now let's see if this crown stays intact long enough for a picture of Olivia wearing it while eating her birthday cupcake!