Merry Christmas Eve!

A few weeks ago I was asked to make a hollow book for my friend to give his girlfriend for Christmas.  In my haste to deliver the product to him I forgot to take pictures, but it turns out the pictures Lisa took are even better!  She currently has the box sitting on a beautiful cedar chest in her home.  I made this project using the Scraps of Darkness/Scraps of Elegance inspiration board.  You can view their blog here. 

Once again, I loved the collaboration of items in the SOD/SOE kits and made two hollow books back to back mixing and matching from the two current kits:  "Ever-True" and "Serenade".

 

I started by layering Tim Holtz vellum paper and Tim Holtz tissue paper around the book.  Then I began layering papers and embellishments from the kits.  I was able to use some flowers from a previous SOD kit and used quite a few embellishments from the Prima Engraver collection.  

 

Although I covered it most of the navy paper up, you can see some of it on the picture above.  This dark blue colors in the birdcage/clock picture from the December Scraps of Darkness/Elegance Inspiration Board were my catalyst for this project.  Also, take note of the clock piece as part of my inspiration.  I also used quite a few stickers from a Tim Holtz pack that I had been hoarding for awhile, as well as some leftovers from an ephemera pack.

 



I used a vintage frame and cut some of the paper included in the kit with a rose on it to frame.  I used crackle glaze over the rose in the frame to create a more aged look.   Lots of flowers and butterflies later, you have the finished product!

Super sorry for the short post, but it IS almost Christmas and I still have a few gifts to pick up and wrap!  :)  Much love, and Merry Christmas to all!

Love,
Mel

This is what happens when you have "too much stuff"...

So...several years ago during a reorganization of the my craft space, I hung a bulletin board over my work table to use for hanging pictures, embellishments, inspiration, etc.  I even bought funky and pretty push pins to hang these items up with.  Around the same time my beautiful friend Rae's son was about to get married.  She brought over some water margaritas and some digital pictures from the wedding/engagement photo shoot.  Somehow we managed to print these gorgeous pictures out using matte photo paper as opposed to glossy.  I didn't really want to do much with the matte photos at the time so I hung them on the bulletin board...

Fast forward a few years...The bulletin board is now slightly less accessible due to some more recent reorganization of the craft space.  However, when I got stuck last week I decided to "clear off" the bulletin board and came across the matte pictures.  Using the Blue Fern Studios December sketch and the Scraps of Darkness and Scraps of Elegance kits "Serenade" kit I was able to create this layout:

 

 

I loved the beautiful papers included in this kit.  Between the romantic feeling of the picture and the wonderful elements of flowers in the papers I was overwhelmed with the possibilities.  After trimming the green paper down for one of my layers, I fussy cut some of the yellow roses from the leftover trimmings.  I took those flowers and put them in random places around my layout.  

 

Below you can see the BFS sketch that inspired this.  I turned the rotated the sketch to the side and made my focal point slightly more off centered to the left.

 

Below you can see some of the chipboard work.  As I was covering the chipboard in gesso the bottom part (butterfly) was a little loose, so I tore it off to make two separate pieces of chipboard.  I coated both pieces in gesso and used some pain included in the SOD creativity kit to color most of the chipboard with a rust-bronze color.  I then used some Tim Holtz Distress Embossing powder and Distress Glitter in Vintage Photo and Antique Linen.  The sequins included in this kit were a nice touch in keeping with the bronze color scheme I was going for. 

 

For the other piece of the chipboard I decided to lighten things up a bit with some pink colored inks and distressing powder (again, Tim Holtz).  The finishing touches were some pearl accents and a little gold glitter.

 

Finally, here is a closeup of some of the flowers (and sequins) used in this layout.  I loved the overall soft feel that this layout has even though it uses more "rough" colors than "soft" colors.  

 I loved everything about this kit, and this is one of my all time favorite layouts.  I cannot wait to surprise Rae with it!  Cheers to cleaning your craft space and finding something old to make something new with!!!  Thanks for looking!

Love,
Mel

I'm BACK! :)

So...I took a three week hiatus from blogging.  While you were missing me I worked my tail off at work, worked my tail off at Crossfit (literally), and cooked up a mighty tasty Thanksgiving dinner!  :)  However, I missed out on getting to share some of my new pretties and after three weeks...

First up I made this awesome wreath/wall hanging/festive display:

 

For this project I used a Walnut Hollow Paneled Wood Clock surface.  For all those who think I have "too many" supplies, understand that almost nothing on this project came from my stash of hoarded supplies.  :(   I used some great papers from the Bo Bunny Gold and Silver collection to make the background, then used some great bling-y pieces to brighten and glitter the rest of the project up.  I guess if we are being technical...the glitter for the letters was NOT purchased for this project and had been sitting around in a drawer for quite some time!

 

 

 

My next project was a quick canvas project.  I've had this stencil for a long time and I absolutely love it!  I covered the canvas in some black gesso and used molding past with the stencil to create the letters.  I love the thought process behind all of these words (part of the reason it is one of my favorite stencils).  

 

I had some more fun with chipboard for this project!  A little painting, a little embossing, and a lot of blinging led to the finished project for the sweet butterfly.  This piece of "art" now hangs in my dear friend Dale's house!  



 

So there you have it!  Been working super hard through the holidays with only a little time to scrap.  I can say, however, that I am almost caught up with my 2014 journal...it is December and I am caught up to the second week in November (yay, me!). 

 

Stay tuned for more projects!  I've got some great things in progress right now!  Thanks for looking and have a great day!

 

Love,
mel