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A super quick project to share with you on a lovely Friday afternoon. I purchased a pair of really cheap shadow boxes that had some sort of dimensional geishas inside.I removed them, added patterned papers to the background and stamped some favorite motifs on the paper. Of course, I had to add some bling....
Live Life Creatively,
Melony
I know I am not alone in saying that I simply adore background stamps. Today, Cornish Heritage Farms releases their latest, "Fuchsia Tiles." Named after the flower that bears the same resemblance, this stamp can be used in a number of ways.
I used the large Bird with wing die cut from Sizzixto jazz up a birthday card. I love all thing bling, tulle, lace, glittery. In short, all things super girly.
So see what some other design team members did with this fabulous stamp, click here. My favorite is Joanne Allison's Sophisticated Wedding card. Do you have a favorite? Tell me what it is...
Live Life Creatively (and inky),
Melony
The theme for this month is picnic. I am back on the East coast and couldn't be happier. The ocean inspires me to create. Having visited the Atlantic several times since my arrival back in September, I made these fun napkin rings and table favors that would be perfect for a beach picnic.
I have always been fascinated by looking at treasures behind glass. I made shaker type/shadow box squares that display a beachy mix of shells, micro beads and seed beads. I made them from foam core and backed them with a wood square. I cut a center from the foam and covered the whole thing with a 2 x 2 glass slide. I covered the edges with gaffer tape from 7 Gypsies.
To continue the glass theme, I used recycled baby food jars to make a super quick but fitting favor.
I added white barley to the bottom (it looks like really tiny shells/sand particles) which I mixed with more shells and a few aquamarine swarovski stones for extra sparkle. I painted the lid olive green and dry brushed with a blue.
For one more special but easy special touch, I adhered a pre-formed pearl sticker to the top, followed by a coat of varnish to hold in place and keep the paint from chipping.
Live Life Creatively,
My studio isn't large enough for me but it does have some nice vintage touches to it. I lucked up on this old mirror and just had to have it. The wire on top and the cracks are perfect!
this is a front view of my small space. The desk was decoupaged with fabric.
I do have some pretty but practical storage ideas. Spice racks, in any form make great storage items for small embellishments, findings, etc. The above one was painted and aged and has a wood bird applique to liven it up.
This one revolves and holds misc brads, charms, beads, etc. Simply painted, it makes seeing what you have possible.
One of my favorite local antiques dealer told me these boxes were once used by pharmacist to hold prescriptions for pick up by physicains. Now they hold ephemera, etc.
One last picture to share- will you share your favorite tips and org ideas for creative spaces with me?
Live Life Creatively (and organized),
Melony
Like many of you, I love the idea of scouting for Flea Market finds and attempting to turn them into something inspiring. I ran across this simple cabinet recently and immediately knew that, for $2.00, it had potential.
I painted a wood applique and used it to cover the engraved writing. Wood appliques can be found in the lumber section of home improvement stores such as Lowes. The amethyst glass cabinet knob was another find from Lowes. I used patterned paper scraps to create a patchwork background, unifying the green and amethyst color scheme.
Complete instructions with paint colors, distressing techniques, etc. can be found in the June 2010 issue of Crafts n Things magazine.
Live Life Creatively,
Melony
Old beat up muffin tins are plentiful at thrift shops and flea markets. I picked this vintage looking muffin tin up from an outdoor flea market last summer. Wondering what I could do with it, I decided on an avian theme with birds, nest and eggs at center stage.
After perusing my vintage bird book (another flea market fine) I decided on some birds and looked at pictures of their eggs on the net. I attempted to re create nature with rubber stamps and eggs. I stamped the bird names on small wooden shapes and added some excelsior.
For detailed instructions of this project and many, many, more Flea Market before and afters, see the August issue of Crafts n Things.
Do you have a flea market story to share, leave me a comment, I cant wait to hear about it...
Live Life Creatively,
Melony
Do you love going to thrift shops and picking out things to rescue and give a new all their own? I saw this old wood box at my local goodwill outlet (thats right, GOODWILL OUTLET) and knew right away that I could turn it in to something. Add some vintage pages from an old book, some paint, some decoupage, some Swarovski crystals and VOILA, a vintage bird box. I also love the architectural wood ornaments that the home improvement stores are stocking to jazz up basic wood pieces. Visit the hardware section to pick up cool knobs too designed for kitchen cabinets...
Claire Miers, a very talented photographer, shot this inspiring photo. For more recycled and rescued finds, see the June 2010 issue of Crafts n Things magazine. This is a "before" picture of the box...
Live Life Creatively,
Melony
A couple of months ago, I was chatting on the phone (while walking my dogs at a nearby park) with my friend Niki Meiners. When she heard geese honk in the background she said "I hear geese. That means Spring!"
Cornish Heritage Farms has released their Vintage Geese stamp just in time to celebrate Spring. I made this fun glittery card by stamping the image and coloring in with Pearl ExMetallic Watercolors. The embellishment was hand made by cutting a large oval frame from recycled chipboard with a Coluzzle tool and template. I cut the outsides edges with scalloped edged scissors. I painted the oval a turquoise color and sprinkled with Tulip Fashion Glitter in turquoise jewel.
I cant get enough of glitter and bling these days. Glitz always gives things a vintage feel to me.
If you have time, look at what some of the other designer''s did with this stamp by clicking here.
Live Life Creatively,
Melony
