Sew Sweet Treasure Tin

Howdy!  I finished another altered Altoid size tin.  I painted it with two contrasting colors of chalk paint: cotton (white) and mint (pale green).  I used pattern papers from Tilda: Happiness is Homemade.  I just love this collection.

I added some machine stitching and various beautiful embellishments.

This treasure tin, is for sale in my Etsy shop, HERE.  There are also a few more photos of just how beautiful this little tin is!  The tin measures approximate 3 3/4" x 2 1/4".

Thank you for looking.  Remember, if you see anything you love, but want something a bit different, just message me.  Let me know if you want a different color, or theme, and allow me the opportunity to create something unique and beautiful for you {smile}.  I do custom orders at my Etsy shop.  

Advent Calendar and Contest

Welcome!  As you know, the holiday season is quickly approaching, and I have been busy crafting for several upcoming Holiday Arts & Craft Fairs being held in Albuquerque, New Mexico in the upcoming months.  Unfortunately I have several works completed, and packaged, and have not shared, yet.  But I will!  This past week, I showed you photos of a desk-top calendar I made.  I sold these last year, and they did very well.  But as you had seen, they take-up a lot of posts.  So, for the future, I will only share 3-4 photos, so you don't get bored looking at the 'same' thing.  {smile}

I have been making more decorated tins, gift card holders, gift bags, and more.  Next week, I'll start on my jar toppers.  Those were a huge success last year as well. {smile}

But today, I want to share a little project I have been working on, and have been stuck for over a month.  UGH!  For those of you who don't know, when I decide to make a craft, I always make a 'sample'.  That way, I know what I'm doing, and it gives me a chance to experiment.  It also gives me an opportunity to decide if I will spend my time creating more of these.  This project wasn't hard to do, but a bit time consuming.  The success of this project determines if I make anymore of these advent calendar box trees.

I call this craft a 'Advent Calendar Box Tree'.  I have 24 boxes, that are 2" cubes.  All of them have been edged in gold ink, and papered with a new holiday pattern paper collection by Echo Park (I believe).  The boxes open in different directions, to help keep the daily surprises 'fresh'.  I haven't put the 'numbers' on the box fronts yet.  I have those done.  Here is my 'problem' and my opportunity for a 'contest'!  Submit your idea on how to indicate which way the box opens (up, left, etc) and the idea I love and use, will win a prize! 

So, please keep in mind, the base has not been done; it will be a round paper mache box that is covered with the same pattern paper.  The topper has not been done; it will be another box.  And the numbers have not been adhered to the front of the boxes.  [the number circles are done in the same shades of green and red.]

the last few months

and here are the last few months of the desk-top calendar I created earlier this week.

gold rim pearl brad

the tiny safety pin is stapled to the page

love all the layers

I added tiny holiday treasures, along with more machine stitching

the back cover.  Love these images.

thank you for stopping by!  I hope you loved what I created.  Now, I need to craft several more, using different paper collections.

a few more months

here are a few more months of the latest desk-top calendar I crafted:

more machine stitching, and a decorated paper clip 

 I created the ruffled lace trim by hand, while sewing.

The kraft twine is tied through the button and paper blossom, before tied into a simple bow.

 more staples

I loved this pattern paper so much, that I didn't want to 'hide' any of images by layering other pattern papers on top of it.  The cluster of images are just gorgeous to me.

Thank you for stopping by to see more of the calendar pages.  More will be posted tomorrow.

Legacy Desk-Top Calendar

Welcome.  I have been busy crafting items for several holiday craft fairs.  I didn't get a chance to finish the cover to this calendar, until today {smile}.  I didn't find a sketch, or a layout that I liked, and wanted to use with these papers.  I looked at a few sketch challenge sites yesterday, to see what was new, and I was pleasantly surprised.

I stopped by Vintage Cafe Card Challenge, and instantly fell in love with their current sketch challenge.  These wonderfully talented ladies are sure to inspire you, if you aren't instantly inspired by the sketch.

Their requirements: vintage or shabby chic styles, and your creation must remain horizontal.

here is what I created:

I crafted, by hand, this desk-top calendar.  This is the cover.  I used Legacy pattern papers by Simple Stories.  I used a digital 'ticket', a blue vintage button, mustard twill trim, and kraft twine.  I used my Rol-a-Desk punch to create the unique holes on the floral pattern paper, and added two staples to add a metal embellishment.

here are the first few months:

yes, the circles are machine stitched

gold glitter hearts add pizzazz

the polka dot pattern paper was torn to resemble washi tape

I added machine stitching to almost every page.  I kept the pages as flat as possible, so that the calendar wouldn't become too bulky.  For those who know me, this 'flat' style was 'difficult' for me.  I love to add multi-loop bows, paper blossoms, buttons, and pearls.  This pattern papers were fun to work with, but different for me.  I typically 'collect' pink, vintage, shabby chic inspired pattern papers.  You know, sometimes, it is really nice to stretch your creative muscle {smile}.

Thank you for stopping by!  I'll be posting more photos over the next few days.  I am still working on my box advent calendar.  I have been stuck for several days.  I don't know what to add to each flap, so the recipient knows the direction the boxes open.  So, if you have any suggestions, please comment.  The boxes are 2" cubes.

Sale

Hello.  I need to make some room in my virtual shop @ Etsy HERE.  So, I am having a sale!  Use the coupon code and take 15% off everything EXCEPT stamp sets.

So, if there has been something you 'like' or love, and just haven't decided yet if you want to purchase it, THIS is the time!  Remember, everything in my shop is One-Of-A-Kind!  all original work!

This sale does not apply to stamp sets, as they are already reduced as much as possible.  This sale also does NOT apply to custom orders.  

But hurry!  This sale is only active for 2 weeks!   If you have any questions, please contact me.