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!

HALLOWEEN STEAMPUNK PAPERDOLL

I found this articulated digital paperdoll by searching for Halloween items on Etsy!  What a lucky day that was.  If you are intrigued (you should be!) check out Rhonda's Originals.

These were quite easy to put together once I got over my excitement and saw the directions :)  Being the magpie that I am of course I loaded both pieces up with glitter!  These went into a Halloween Swap I have done.

I will be doing more of these!

FRENCH COUNTRY (GRAPHIC 45) SQUARE CARDS

I feel so fortunate to have access to Sabrina and her classes at Scrapbook Parade!  All of the lovely layers and details..

SWEATER PUMPKINS

I think these were the hottest idea on Pinterest more than a year ago.  A year later I am finally doing them. My first two..of many!

HALLOWEEN WREATHS

These are inspired by a class I took this summer (here), loving Halloween as I do it just had to happen!  The goal was to use my Halloween stash and not purchase anything new...until the sales are on!

 A fabulous way to use my Halloween scraps plus lots of Stickles, Distress Inks, Co`Ordinations card stock, a few felt leaves from a Thanksgiving garland and a ghostly punch.

Here I used the Tim Holtz Halloween Kraft paper pad, inked with green, orange and yellow Distress Inks for the wreath.  Embellished with images from ``Happy Haunting`` by Graphic 45. The rolled flower centers are cut with a Memory Box die.

Another favourite ``Halloween in Wonderland`` from Graphic 45;

Papers from Pink Paislee (I think);

Papers from Authentic;

HARVEST BOY - VINTAGE PHOTO

The perfect image for a harvest project of any sort.  Don't forget to right click on the image and save the larger one for your best resolution.  Enjoy!

"BOO, GIRL" A HALLOWEEN SPOOLIE

Time for a Halloween project!  The image is from Retro Cafe Art..do check out Kristen's work!  Bits and bobs from my Halloween stash make the details with lots of glitter! I mounted the spool on a tin mold which I have chalk painted (orange), dark waxed and rubbed for some grubby goodness.

FRENCH COUNTRY - PAPER BAG MINI ALBUM

I haven't lost my "like" for the paper bag album, they are just the perfect place to store small bits and pieces (hankies, notes and letters, postcards, cards of all sorts, recipes, button cards etc.) in addition to photos.  I know the friend this is going to has lots of memories to put into this.

I have trimmed all the edges with a green/orangey gold trim that did come from a Paris flea market (wishing that was me shopping), I think it gives just the right age and look to the whole.  I have used quite a bit of Glossy Accent Crackle throughout instead of any glitter.  Just the feeling I had about how it should look. The flower centers on the cover are a Memory Box die "Scalloped Posie".  A bit more vintage edging on the ends, a few old stamps, buttons, some twine, ribbons and other G45 embellishments complete this project. Oh,  I couldn't do French Country and not add a bit of Van Gogh :)

FRENCH COUNTRY - PAPER BAG MINI ALBUM (2)

SUMMER SWAG FROM VINTAGE NAPKINS

Thought it was about time I said hello!  Lost my mojo for crafting the last few months, have spent most of my time just figuring out life :)  Hope all of you are having a fab summer, it's not over yet!  But doesn't it pass quickly?

I made this swag from vintage linen napkins, a Pinterest idea that I have actually used!  It's on my Nesting board I think if you are looking. It was easy and I love the summery look.  I think when fall comes another one is likely coming.

APRIL SHOWERS BRING MAY FLOWERS - VINTAGE DRAGONFLY MATCHBOX SWAP

Mine arrived from Sue in Massachusetts!  What a treasure, loaded with all sorts of goodness, I feel quite spoiled.  All of the lace, tulle and trim, vintage jewels and so much more...going into my stash once I have looked them over to my heart's content :)   I posted what I made and sent here.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY WREATH

The best classes for me are those projects that I will use again and again, someone else has done the basics, figured out all of the little tricks and I am free to let my imagination go!  Sabrina's class at Scrapbook Parade this week fit the bill for me.  I am in love with the project and already starting a summer themed one using G45's  "On the Boardwalk".  I see this one hanging at the breakfast table or maybe on the bedroom door for little ones to wake up to?

SUMMER OF COLOUR 2013 - ARTIST'S CHOICE!

This will be the third year that I have played along with Kristin and many others in the Summer of Colour projects and since the beginning looked forward to this oh so fun start to the summer!  You can find all of the details here, check it out and help to spread the word..

ART DECO PLACE CARDS (2)

Two more to go....

ART DECO PLACE CARDS

The first three of eight...

MAY FLOWERS MATCHBOX SWAP - THE VINTAGE DRAGON FLY

Once again JoAnne of The Vintage Dragon Fly has hosted a great swap.  The theme this round was "May Flowers".  We each put down our fav colours etc and then were matched up with a swap partner.  My partner likes antiques, primitives and muted colours.  I hope that primitive was the right clue because I really went with that.

 Here is what I did; the paper is from Farmhouse (new paper company to me) muted blues, brown, ochre and green on a cream background, Belgian lace trim, the main flower is also from Farmhouse, Prima leaves inked up a bit, stems from my stash, a vintage (real!) keyhole and key (not real).

and the treasures inside;

A strip of vintage blue cross stitched trim, soft cream and blue lace, cobalt blue stickpin, butterfly twill ribbon, twine flower, tiny clothespins, waxed linen and baker's twines (think laundry lines), vintage corsage pins, a vintage pink beribboned sachet, spun cotton mushrooms and a handful of bakelite and plastic vintage buttons.