Finished Frames

Howdy.  I wanted to share the altered frames that I finished and just forgot to post the images.   {frown}  Sometimes I think I have too many items on my 'plate'.  Or maybe I just need to get organized.  Either way, here are the finished frames. (original post HERE)

wedding or baby boy

baby girl or shabby kitchen

I picked up these frames from a discount store.  They measure roughly 6" x 6".  The photo opening measures 4" x 4".   I just loved the overall look of the frames: the cluster of roses in each corner, the scalloped edge, the beaded trim around the opening.  Just pretty.  

I made two different looks.  The first frame, I used a kraft colored linen as the fabric piece.  I thought the contrast between the white of the frame and the color of the linen was pretty.  

I machine stitched three different cotton trims to the middle of the piece.  I added a ticket, a paper blossom, a key, and button to the cluster of objects for the focal piece.  I tied a piece of pale blue seam binding around the key.  I was thinking 'wedding' for this framed piece.  But, it really doesn't have a specific piece.

The second frame I wanted to make a bit more feminine.  So I used a white and rose print cotton fabric.  I machine stitched two pieces of cotton trim.  I added another ticket and button to my cluster.  But this time I added a spoon, tied with pale pink seam binding.  I was thinking baby girl or shabby kitchen for this framed art.  But really, there isn't a specific theme.  

Thank you for stopping by.  I just wanted to share with you what I have created.  {smile}  These two framed pieces will be for sale at my Craft Fairs.  Remember, shop early for the best selection.  {smile}

Shabby Chic Vignette House

Howdy!  I was surfing the web, and came across some new releases from Tim Holtz, for the holidays.  Let me say, that I love his work.  I know its not girly, shabby chic.  But it is vintage, and retro, and quite gorgeous!  Anyways, I saw that he has these vignette house shadow boxes in his new holiday  release.  Along with some fabulous flash cards, some deer trophy heads, and some new smaller bottle brush trees, and so much more. 

I want to share with you what I did with this new house-shaped shadow box.  It's sweetly shabby!

I am happy with how my very first shadow box came out.  And I hope that you like it too!  And here is how I did it. 

Recipe:  I painted my vignette house with 2 coats of white chalk paint.  Once dry, I used a sanding block all over the 'house'.  I sealed the distressed paint with a matte finishing cream (sealant).  I cut two patterns of Prima's Sweet Pepperment paper collection.  I cut the polka dot & snowflake pattern paper to fit on the back wall and the two side walls.  I purposefully cut them too short and too narrow.  I wanted the distressed paint to be seen.  I also added a tear at the top and at the right side of the pattern paper on the back wall.  I wanted my pattern paper to look like worn wallpaper. I didn't paper the floor or ceiling.  I liked the 'worn' look.

I purchased these sweet bingo cards as a digital download, and printed them onto white linen card stock, by Paper Trey Ink.  I just love the look of shabby digitals printed on a white textured card stock.  It adds an element of texture and luxury to your printed projects.  I sponged crumb cake classic ink on the edges of all the papers.

I had an extra (ok, left over) burlap doily, so I cut a section off, and added it to the side of my bingo card (it is behind the tree).  I adhered these two joined pieced to the back wall of my house.  

I purchased some plain white resin mini frames from a big box craft store (M) last year, and decided to use the round one.  (yes, I am a hoarder collector)  I did add some gold paint randomly to the white 'frame'.  I used my hot glue gun to adhere the 'frame' to the back wall.  I adhered the deer trophy head to the center of the 'frame'.

I took a bottle brush tree I had left over from last year, and added a crystal star to the top.  (I bleached a lot of various sized bottle brush trees, and painted the tips with white paint.) I wrapped some gold bakers twine around the tree, as garland.  I thought the simple decoration added enough sparkle, and didn't distract you from the 'room'.  I tied on a narrow strip of fabric to the bottom of the tree.  It needed a 'skirt'.

The three gift boxes, I made.  I cut them from Kraft card stock with a die.  The finished boxes measure 5/8" cubes.  They are pretty tiny.  But oh, so, beautiful!  I wrapped each one with different ribbons: silver, gold, and pink silk.  I adhered the metallic ribbon boxes to the floor and the pink ribbon box to the attic.

I added tiny pink blossom to the floor with the boxes, along with a tiny candy cane.  I love little hidden 'treasures'.

The attic doesn't have too many items, a misplaced pink gift box, and a vintage ice skate.

I used one of the new holiday word labels from Tim Holtz.  I painted the piece with white chalk paint, and then quickly wiped it off, so that the paint would only be in the depressions of the lettering.  I wrapped a piece of green ribbon around my house and through the word label.  Finishing it off with a single, simple bow.

I have a few more of these vignette house boxes to finish for my craft fairs.  I am planning on doing a vintage one, and a retro one.  I'm looking through my pattern papers to find the best ones.  Maybe, I'll need to purchase a few more, so I have a larger selection.

Thank you for looking.  Stay tuned.  I have painted and decorated tiny wooden blocks in the shapes of houses.  Yeah, they will be for sale, too! {smile}

Bunco One

Whew.  I'm at the end of my big reveal!  I hope you have been inspired and found something creative.  This last prize, number one, is certainly more 'farmland' than you can imagine!
So, let me start with the gift tag.   I used retired pattern papers from Cosmo Cricket and Stampin' Up!.  Both pattern papers embrace farm cooking!  I used the same layout as the previous cards.

the prize:

Ok.  barn red.  chicken wire.  altered clothes pins.  and a retro pattern.  I purchased the simple frame from a big box store.  Painted it literally bard red.  I used sand paper to distress the frame.  I sealed the distress with a clear coat.  I used my husbands staple gun to adhere the chicken wire to the inside of the frame.  I cut the pattern paper to fit inside the frame.  To decorate the clothes pins, I painted them white.  Then adhered a small strip of the pattern paper to the top of the clothes pin.  I stamped a few inspiring words at the front of the clothes pin.  I hot glued a paper blossom and vintage crochet trim bow over the middle section of the pin.  I also added a small wooden button below the bow.  I felt it gave a more 'finished' look.  

This beauty can be hung on the wall, or stand on a counter.  I wanted the recipient of this prize to have choices {smile}.  Choices are good!

Thank you for stopping by and having a look around!  Hope you get a chance to create something today!

Bunco Three & Two

~ lots of photos ~

Just a quick reminder:  we are counting down backwards from eleven.  Also, with several time contra instants and missed opportunities, these photographs are less than perfect.  Please look upon this post with a kind eye.  My deepest sympathy for the crummy photos.

prize three:

here is a close-up view of the gift card: 

 I used some sweet, country charm pattern paper to create an unique gift card.  I used some of the same elements when creating the altered spiral notebook.  I did add some machine zig zag stitching to this small gift card, and a small vintage button.

and here is a photo of the gift (prize) set:

I altered the front of a spiral notebook.  I took some gorgeous vintage-y pattern paper from Authentique.  I added some coordinating tags and paper embellishments.  I added some white resin architecture pieces, a resin blossom, a hand-made paper blossom, a hand cut mannequin, and a large white satin ribbon.  There is a pink polka dot ribbon book mark that is attached to the top spiral.  

prize two:

ok, another crummy photo, but I did want to add a pic of the prize set:

about the only half decent photo of the gift card.  I wanted to keep with the blue and white color theme.  I added two different, but I believe coordinating digital paper.  I added a neutral polka dot pattern piece of digital pattern paper, and topped it off with a digital collage pattern paper for the gift card front.  I added a metal rimmed circular tag with a pearl brad.  To help add another metal accent, to add a crisp element, I stapled a piece of crochet trim and seam binding to the left side of the sentiment banner piece.

the actual prize:

I truly enjoy crafting these little cuties!  I took an over-the-top rhinestone and pearl mini photo frame (2" x 2" square) and transformed it, into a pin cushion photo frame.  Yeah, it is functional, but it is intended for decorative purposes.  I added two different stacks of button pairs.  I stuck them into the pin cushion with a tiny vintage safety pin and a butterfly stick pin.  I thought that the mix of these two pieces added an unique farmland/country charm.  To help add some glam, I added a rhinestone-pearl stick pin.  My original thought for this is to hold a ring while doing dishes (kitchen accent), or washing hands (master bath charm).

I selected a fabric that is sweet, and sorta neutral.  I know it has some hard blues, but I think that the small pattern helps hide the boldness {smile}.

Thank you for stopping by today.  Again, my apologizes for the awful photo quality.  But, please return tomorrow, for the final reveal! Prize number one!

Assemblage Clock

Ok.  I think I'm getting the hang of posting on my personal blog and social media.  Thank you for sticking with me, and having patience in my creative process. {smile}

I started altering a Tim Holtz Assemblage Clock, gosh, probably about 2 weeks ago.  I know, that sounds pretty pathetic.  But, I stopped after each step to photograph the process, and to jot down some notes.  I am working on writing a tutorial to sell on Amazon for Kindle.  I also had a few set backs, and various other obligations, that caused this clock to sit for days at a time with no work or progress going on.

I did finish it this morning.  But, again, I needed to take several photos of the final process, and get those loaded and edited.

full, front view

lower, right angled view

top, left angled view

Ok, I will give you the quick and dirty version of the 'how-to'.  For specific details, directions, instructions, tips and tricks, I will need to send you to the published tutorial @ Amazon.

I painted the shiny metal clock, added some paint, stamping, and used hot glue to add my embellishments.  I made sure that all sides are finished.

When I started this project, I wanted to use things I love.  So, I added all my favorite things: flowers, seam binding, butterflies, clay embellishments, pearls, rhinestones, and a variety of metal finishings.

Thank you for looking.  I hope this project has inspired you to create something, too!  I will add a link to my side bar, to purchase this tutorial, as soon as I get it done.  I'm looking at having this done this week, hopefully, fingers crossed.