Rock Mosaic

I’d never done a mosaic before but have always wanted to. So over the weekend I created this Rock Mosaic.

Rock Mosaic

OK, so, some things I learned from this project:

  1. I really like doing mosaics!
  2. I don’t like doing mosaics on rocks.
  3. I should have a more definite plan in mind when creating a mosaic (the “cross” was not planned…it just sort of happened).

So next time I do a mosaic I’m thinking it will definitely be on a flat surface. I had fun doing this, and I am excited to do mosaics again in the future. I’d love to do something large scale someday…like a garden path or something! It would take awhile, but it would be fun! My daughter will be getting this rock mosaic because I’m just not in love with it. Next time, I plan on flowers…or trees…anything in nature!

Mostly I used cut glass pieces for this mosaic, along with some glass circles (whatever they are called) that I got from the craft store. They are really more of a deep purple color–the photo doesn’t do the colors justice at all. Since I do stained glass work from time to time, I have lots of cut glass–but used some pre-cut glass I’d found at the craft store too for this project. Next time I will be trying to incorporate mostly scrap glass pieces in my mosaic. Reuse and recycle, as they say!

Yard Art Flowers

I was in the studio yesterday and worked on quite a few different things. I got some primitive crafts done for my Tattered Sisters Blog. Got two paintings started. Did some planning for future projects. And I somehow came up with this idea for some Yard Art Flowers. I was trying to think of a different way I could use some candle pans and tart molds that I always have on hand, so I came up with flowers.

Yard Art Flowers

I had several sizes of candle pans in different finishes–some are the plain tin color, some painted white, and some rusty. I punched holes in each of the pans and just layered them together to make them look like flowers, and secured them with brads. I added some rusty wire to create the stems–although the wire wasn’t heavy enough for the larger flower and it kept falling over. So I reinforced that one so it would stay vertical. :) The smallest shape on the small flower is a tart mold, and the smallest shape on the larger flower is a bottle cap.

In a way these are kind of Altered Art, since I altered the the pans to make them. Maybe it’s a sort of way to upcycle too. But not matter what it is, I had fun making my Yard Art Flowers.

Bird Silhouette Painting

I’ve always wanted to do a silhouette painting of a bird, so I thought I’d give it a shot yesterday when I was in my studio. I still had the Spring-thing in my head…so I created this Bird Silhouette painting.

Bird Acrylic Painting

I used a 6″ canvas for this that I painted with craft acrylics in the robins egg blue color. Then I created a template of a bird by drawing the bird shape on some cardstock and then cutting it out. I traced the template on the canvas and then painted it with black acrylic. (You could use a stencil if you have one.) Next I distressed the edges of the canvas with a combination of paint and Distress Ink. And I finished it off with a little matching satin flower, just to give it a sense of depth.

This is a very simple, crafty project and I think anyone could do it. I love how it turned out. I may do some more birds in the future because I had such fun with this.

Little Bird Gift Bag

I should be thinking about Valentine’s Day, for crafty purposes, but when I went into my studio yesterday (which is outside, and I had to walk in the 20+ degree weather to get to it) I was thinking Spring! So I created some spring projects to share. This one is my Little Bird Gift Bag.

Muslin Gift Bag

I started with a pre-made muslin gift bag. I stamped on a cute spring bird, along with the “imagine” text. And then I added a matching satin flower. I love this color of blue–very spring-like. These would make great little gift bags, or favor bags for a party. And they are so quick and easy to make too. Just something very simple, but elegant too. And really, they could be used any time of year, not just for Spring!

It’s Fall Y’all

I love Fall…and I love it even more when Fall is the inspiration for a new digital creation. I created this Digital Collage for the Autumn-themed challenge over at the Three Muses blog.

Fall Y'all Digital Collage

I love when it starts to turn cooler and the leaves begin to turn colors…and we get to start thinking about pumpkins, and pumpkin pie, cooking nice hot soups again. :) I’m sure we still have a few warm days off and on coming up, but Fall will be settled in soon enough, and that makes me happy!

Autumn Witch Fairy

I was inspired to create this by the coming Autumn season…my favorite season of the year. And since I love fairies and Fairy Art, that made this even more fun to create.

Fairy Witch Spool

Part of this is real, part of it is digital, as I am always looking for ways to combine my love of arts and crafts with my love of digital art. The best of both worlds. And Fall almost always inspires me, so I’ll be in the studio soon, trying to work some more creative magic.

My Fairy Garden

I finally managed to create a Fairy Garden for my granddaughter, Destiny. Thought I’d share the photos I’ve taken of it here.

Fairy Garden 2
Full View of Fairy Garden
Fairy Garden 2

Fairy Garden Close

Fairy Garden 3

Fairy Garden Front with "Fire" Pit

Fairy Garden 4

Fairy Garden Closeup on Fairies

I hope to keep adding to the Fairy Garden over time. But for now, Destiny and I love it!

Be Glad of Life Hang Tag

This is my first attempt at being creative since my mom’s passing last month. My heart still isn’t fully in it, but she wouldn’t want me to wallow in sadness, so I’m trying to move forward…one step at a time. The Gingersnap Creations blog has a Two-Color Challenge right now, so I thought I’d try that one. The result is my my Be Glad of Life Hang Tag.

Be Glad of Life Hang Tag

I’ve used shades of brown and white here. It’s a combination of a paper grungy hang tag and embellishments, along with digital touches added in. I still love creating Altered Art…it’s my go-to form of creativity when I’m not feeling inspired by anything else. I love the sentiment too. Be glad of life…

I’m trying, Mom. I’m really trying.

Creation of Beauty Hang Tag

I’ve created this Creation of Beauty Hang Tag for the Words of Wisdom challenge over at the Gingersnap Creations blog. The challenge is to utilize some favorite words of wisdom (profound, funny, or otherwise) in a creation.

Creation of Beauty Hang TagFor this Hang Tag I’ve once again utilized a combination of both paper goods, ephemera, and digital touches to create this Altered Art piece. I love the vintage photo of the girl…she’s so lovely. And she is perfect for the quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson too, don’t you think?

Sands of Time in a Bottle

I just thought I’d share something today since, for some reason, I was thinking about the ocean. I love the ocean…love beaches and almost any place near the water. So each year on our anniversary weekend for the past few years, the Hubs and I go someplace that is by the water, and preferably with a beach. We live fairly close to Lake Michigan and Lake Erie, so our destinations frequently end up being in a town by one of those lakes. And each time we go, I collect sand, shells, and other little natural objects as sort of souvenirs. When we get home, I choose a Mason Jar or some other bottle to put my sand and other beach goodies in, and I label them on the bottom with the town we went to and which year. They’ve become my collection of “Sands of Time in a Bottle.”

Sands of Time in a Bottle

I have 4 of these Glass Bottles and Jars full of beach memories so far. They sit on my kitchen window sill, so that I can see them everyday, and in my own way, I’m close to the beach. I would have had 5 of these, except one year we got rained out on our beach day and I couldn’t collect anything to bring home. But that’s OK.

There’s always next year.

Timelss Beauty ATC

Time for another challenge at the Gingersnap Creations blog…this time it’s a supply challenge and we had to use RIBBON somewhere in our creations. So this Timeless Beauty ATC is my creation for that challenge.

Timeless Beauty ATC

This Altered Art style ATC is a mixed media piece, combining paper, ephemera, ribbon, a vintage photo, and digital graphic elements. It definitely has a sort of timeless feel to it, don’t you think?

Time with Grandma Collage

This is yet another Christmas gift I made this year (OK, well it’s last year now). This is a paper collage piece that I made for my mom using a vintage photo of her and my great grandmother.

Time with Grandma Collage

This is made mostly with scrapbook paper and stickers, but I used a clear acrylic clock stamp as well, along with a brad for the center of the clock image. And when it was finished I framed it in a black frame for Mom. Just another little special photo memory captured in time. :)

Twilight Bitten Art

I made my sister, Chantele a special Christmas gift this year. Being that I’m the one that got her hooked on Twilight (the books, and theĀ  movies!) I decided all her gifts would be vampire related this year. I got her a Twilight shirt, along with the entire first season of The Vampire Diaries on DVD. That show is my latest vampire addiction so I figured I’d send it to her and see how she liked it. But I also made her this special Twilight-themed framed art I’ve called, Bitten.

Twilight Bitten Art

This is made primarily from scrapbook papers that have a Twilight theme. I also added some ribbon and gems, and a Bella and Edward photo from the first movie in the saga. She loved the gift and I was so happy to make something special for her. Now maybe next year I’ll need to make something related to The Vampire Diaries. :)

Grapevine Mini Wreath Ornies

I was looking at my tree today, which is full of mostly handmade ornaments. Most of the ornies were made by country primitive crafters that I was in Ornie Swaps with. It was a great way to build up a collection of creative, unique, handmade Christmas ornaments for my tree, and I use them every year. Some of the ornaments were made by me too, including these Grapevine Mini Wreath Ornies.

Grapevine Mini Wreath with RoseGrapevine Mini Wreath with Bow

I have 4 or 5 of these Grapevine Wreath Ornies that I’ve made, very similar in style, but each a little different. I just used lace trim, satin ribbon, bows, fabric roses, pearl beads and hot glue to make each one. They are very quick and easy to do and they look great too. There are so many things you could do with the grapevine wreaths, using all sorts of embellishments and notions. They really make wonderful ornaments. I’ve had these on my tree each year for over 15 years. Except for a random missing bead here and there, they’ve held up very well over time. And I really love how they look on the tree.

Peace Angel Hangtag

My Peace Angel Hangtag was inspired by the Starry Night Challenge at the Gingersnap Creations blog. This time of year, Angels are a perfect subject matter so that was my starting point as I brainstormed for this hangtag.

Peace Angel Hangtag

I combined a vintage photo of an angel with some moon and sky images, along with some digital paper, to create a digital collage for this hangtag. Then I added that digital collage to a plain white paper hangtag, along with some embellishments, to complete the altered hang tag. I love the angel imagery so much, I may just use it for some Christmas cards this year! I really love how it turned out.

Snowman Bucket Light

Here’s a another quick and easy Seasonal Craft project, perfect for the holidays. It’s my Snowman Bucket Light.

Snowman Bucket Light

Snowman Bucket Light Lit

What you need for this project:

  • Small White Craft Bucket
  • A Carrot Nose
  • Acrylic Paint
  • Brushes
  • Something to punch a hole in the bucket
  • Glue
  • A Battery-Operated Tealight

Instructions: First you punch a hole in the bucket to fit the carrot nose into. The nose I used has a pointy back end that I wanted to secure through the bucket. So I used a hammer and nail to poke a hole, then added the nose. Next I used hot glue to glue around the back end of the nose (on the inside of the bucket) to secure it in its place. Once that dries you can just paint on any little snowman face you like. Then add your tealight and it’s all finished.

These are small enough that they could be hung on the Christmas tree. They would also be great as holiday table decor, or just as a cute little Christmas accent around the house. And really, since it’s just a snowman, you could use these all winter long!

Recycled Mitten Ornie

This is a Seasonal Craft project you can do with old mittens that aren’t worn anymore. Just something really quick and simple, and a fun way to do some Recycling in a festive way for the holidays. This is my Recycled Mitten Ornie.

Recycled Mitten Ornie

Here’s what you need for this project:

  • An old mitten
  • Spray Adhesive
  • Mica Flakes or Glitter of your choice
  • Craft Gems
  • Tacky Glue or Hot Glue

Instructions: Spray the mitten with the adhesive. Then pour Mica Flakes or Glitter over it so that it is completely covered. Pat down the flakes to make them stick well. Shake off the excess flakes. Glue on your choice of fabulous craft gems. And that’s it! Of course, there are lots of ways you could vary this and make something else equally fabulous. You’re really only limited by your imagination.

Witchie Hangtag

I have never done more Halloween-themed art projects as I have done in this past month or two. Very strange for me. LOL But I’ve been enjoying it! I have carried through with that same theme for the new Ravens challenge at the Gingersnap Creations blog. I’ve used it to create this Altered Hangtag I’m calling Witchie.

Withcie Hangtag

The vintage photo is my witchie inspiration, along with the 3 stamped ravens, of course. All of my ephemera and embellishments have been added to a hangtag, which I’ve grungy’d up to look aged. Seemed only appropriate when I’m doing something with a Halloween theme to make it have an aged look too. Seems like I should make a gift just to go with this hangtag and give it to someone for Halloween!

Halloween Treat Bags

I always start thinking about Seasonal Crafts this time of year. Just about the time my grandson goes back to school, I’m itching to do some Fall crafting again. So with that in mind, I’ve created a couple of bags that would be perfect as little Halloween treat bags.

Halloween Bag

Trick or Treat Bag

I made these with small, pre-made muslin bags. I wanted to keep these simple, so all I did was stamp them with various sayings and images using black ink. I wanted to do some in orange ink and maybe even purple. But guess what colors of ink I don’t have?! Tina needs to shop for ink! Anyhoots, these were so easy to make: just stamp and let dry and you’re done. You could put candy corn in them, or any other holiday candy, and use them as party favors. Mine are just stuffed with fiberfill to use as decor, so that’s another option! And of course you could use different color inks, you could dye the muslin bags orange or black and have all sorts of fun with them! I don’t do a whole lot of Halloween crafts…I’m much more into Fall than Trick or Treat night. :) But these were fun. And since I always have muslin bags around and I use them a lot for crafting, I thought I’d be different and go with Halloween for a change.

I do a lot of country primitive type seasonal crafts that I post on my Tattered Sisters Primitives blog. So if you have interest, you might want to check that blog too for some ideas.

Fairy Topiary

I spent time in the studio again yesterday. I never get in there as often as I’d like, and then when I do it’s hard to get me out of there! Got some fun projects done, including this one, my little Fairy Topiary (click image to view full size), which I’ll add to my collection of Fairy Crafts.

Fairy Topiary

I started with a small white, enamel bucket, about 2-1/2″ in diameter. In the bottom of that I add a piece of Styrofoam, which I cut to fit. Next I created the topiary, beginning with a reused end of a craft swab (waste not, want not, right?) that I painted green. I stuck on a small Styrofoam ball to the top of it, which I also painted green. Then I hot glued on some craft flowers until the ball was covered, and added a pink satin bow to it too. Then I stuck it into the Styrofoam in the bottom of the bucket.

Then I needed to create the fairy, which started with a vintage photo of a girl. Again I used a discarded craft swab to attach to the back of the photo, which I’d printed on cardstock. Then I used some craft picks to create her wings, which are made of pink tulle and beads. I simply taped those onto the back of the photo. Then I stuck that into the Styrofoam in the bucket as well.

To give weight to the bucket to hold everything in place, I put in glass flat marbles that you can get in any craft store. I have had these sitting around for years and had plenty of them. So I just poured in enough to go to the top of the bucket. They add a neat texture and some shimmer, which I like. They almost look like the tops of bubbles in there. :) Once those were in place I finished the bucket off by adding a pink satin bow to each side.

The whole thing has a sort of Shabby Chic feel to it, and a vintage touch too. I think something like this would look great as a table decoration at a bridal shower or baby shower or something. But my little fairy is going in my studio so I can see her everyday.

Twilight Pushpins

OK, this project was totally just for fun. I had an old Twilight calendar sitting in my studio for the last couple of years. I wanted to repurpose some little images that were on the back cover. So I decided to use some glass tiles and turn the photos into pushpins!

Twilight Pushpins

Now please excuse the quality of this photo. It is very difficult to get a good clear photo of these 1″ glass tiles. Between the texture of the glass and the small size, I can’t get a perfectly clear shot. But I think you get the idea.

I just took my pictures and cut them out with a 15/16″ square cutter. I used silver tape (for Memory Glass) to adhere the photos to the back side of the glass tiles. Then I stuck upholstery tacks to the back of the tiles with hot glue. Probably some E-5000 glue would have been a better choice, but I was in a hurry. LOL

They’re cute little Bella and Edward pushpins that are now on the bulletin board in my office. :)

Vintage Rose

In the summer issue of Somerset Life that I picked up over the weekend, there is a wonderful tutorial for making vintage roses out of coffee filters. I’ve done a Coffee Filter Roses Tutorial in the past, but that one was for a much quicker and simpler rose–one that is easier and less realistic. The one is Somerset is much more realistic.

Somerset Life

I am always on the lookout for new flower tutorialsĀ  and I loved theirs so I had to try it out. It was time-consuming to make, but it turned out so pretty…even if it wasn’t as pretty as the ones in the magazine.

Vintage Rose

Click to Enlarge

Vintage Rose Top

Click to Enlarge

I wouldn’t want to make a bunch of these, just because they take so long to make. But they really are pretty and would look so nice just sitting in a vase–one all by itself, or two or three. And they would make really nice gifts too, which is what the designer in the magazine was using them for.Ā  They’re very affordable to make too since you’re just using coffee filters and things you probably already have one hand.

Check out the magazine next time you’re in the bookstore to see the full tutorial. Somerset Life is one of my favorite magazines…but of course I love almost all the Somerset publications. I only wish they were cheaper!

 

Go Fish Altered Hangtag

Not sure really what inspired this Go Fish altered hangtag, but I had fun making it.

Go Fish Altered Hangtag

I started out with a large, plain white hangtag, which I stamped with a text design using black ink. Then I used some scrap wallpaper to add the wave element on the left side (top) of the tag. Next I drew a simple fish shape onto some textured blue scrapbook paper; into that, I drew the letters that spell out the word FISH, leaving a little space in between each letter so that I could cut them out. Then I cut out the letters and glued them onto the hangtag, spelling out the word FISH and also creating the shape of a fish. I added some smaller paper fish shapes that I drew and cut out, and also some punched paper holes. And I finished it off with a brad for the fish’s eye, and just a bit of blue ink on the edges for a distressed look.

Doily Vase

OK, now I’ll be honest up front. When I started this little crafty project, I intended for it to become a glass luminary. But when I got finished, my tealight was too big to fit in the opening! URGH! So I took my lemons and made some crafty lemonade…and decided to turn this into a little vase instead.

Doily Vase

I took one of the jars I had in my studio, one that looks like an old-fashioned “vintage” milk bottle and cleaned it well first. Then I took a craft doily that I purchased at Michael’s, sprayed the back of it with adhesive, and then adhered it to the bottle. After it had a chance to dry, I added some craft flowers and a pearlescent gem to the front of the doily. And that’s all there was to it!

Since this is a very short bottle, it will be perfect for flowers with very short stems, like the lilacs that are blooming in my back yard right now. It is difficult to find cute vases for flowers that are short, so this will be just right. And the next time I get wanting to make a luminary, I am going to be sure to measure the opening of my bottle first!