Fairy Lantern

Just a quick post today to show this pretty little fairy lantern. It's loaded with detail, so apologies for the picture overload.

I know that there are several versions of this type of lantern knocking around the internet. However, mine is super quick and super simple and avoids all that faffing around with glue and tissue paper. It also avoids the hit and miss painting on glass process!

Want to know more? Check out the instructions below.

1. Cover a jar with Xcut adhesive vellum.
2. Dab Blanc Artiste Acrylic Paint onto the remaining glass areas of the jar. Paint the lid with Metallic Gold Artiste Acrylic Paint.
3.   Using black card, die cut a fairy and a selection of flowers from the Xcut Meadow Flowers die set.
4. Glue the fairy and some flowers to the inside of the jar.
5. Brush Craft Planet PVA glue onto the painted areas of the jar and allow it to dribble in places. Sprinkle sparingly with Papermania Fine Iridescent Glitter.
6. Punch a selection of flowers, butterflies and leaves from using Xcut punches and dies.
7. Create a handle from docrafts Craft Wire, attach to the jar using Stick Hot Glue.
8. Place the lid onto the jar and embellish with a craft wire stems, butterflies and a selection of the foliage, ensure that nothing is obstructing the movement of the lid.
9. Thread Papermania Alphabet Charms onto twine to create the hanging WISH ornament.
10. To finish, place a battery operated tealight inside the jar and replace the lid. 

I hope you like my take on the captured fairy lantern?

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire

Playing with Gelatos

Just thought I'd pop and share a recent demo make using this fabulous Willow stamp from docrafts and Faber-Castell Gelatos.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

Did you see Polkadoodles new product launch on Create and Craft TV?

Today saw the launch of several new products from Polkadoodles. If you caught the show you will have seen some of the samples that I made using them.

I know Polkadoodles are normally associated with CD and digital crafting but did you know that they've just launched paper pads and cutting dies? The papers are truly beautiful and the dies.... well what can I say? They cut beautifully (even shrink plastic) and a gentle tap on the table top releases the cut from the die. There's none of this poking every single little piece of paper out of intricate dies!

Anyway, I could go on and on about the new products but I won't, instead here's one of my samples that I made for the show. This was one of the cards that Nikky demonstrated.

I stamped the Belle Papillion stamps and coordinating die set onto shrink plastic and coloured the elements with Lyra pencils.

The papers have been distressed using scissors. I've then used Nikky's Stab and Stitch Pokey Tool Kit to create some faux stitching around the edges.

The sentiment has been heat embossed on vellum and I coloured all of the die cut pieces with Distress Inks before layering up onto the card.

I'll be showing more of my samples over the next few day, so please if you get five minutes pop back and take a peek.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

Materials used:
Belle Papillon Craft Kit
Papers and Stamps
Dies
Stab n Stitch Tool Kit
Wow Embossing Powder

Sticks n Bones 3D Dinosaur Canvas

I just realised that I never got around to blogging this canvas I made using the fabulous Sticks n Bones Collection from Polkadoodles.

I've had the idea of doing something like this in my head for a while, so as soon as I spotted the bones and skull in this collection I knew exactly what I wanted to do - a dinosaur excavation of course!

I started out by cutting out lots of bones and skulls. I then layered them up onto the canvas  and covered them with tissue paper. once that had dried I added texture paste and acrylic paints. Once it had all dried I added some clear wax to the bones and then buffed most of it off.

I hope you like my little project.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Through the craft room door - anything goes
Crafting from the heart - anything goes
Craft your passion - anything goes
Not just cards - anything goes
Our Crafty Corner - anything goes
613 Avenue Create - anything goes/mans card
We Love To Create - anything goes
Craft for the craic - anything but a card
Jo's scrapshack - anything goes
PDE Linky Party - anything goes

PolkaDoodles Paper/Stamp Kit Project - Altered Book

Did you check out the new kit from PolkaDoodles? Fab isn't it? This is one of the projects that is in the step by step project booklet. Despite my best efforts to use everything in the kit I failed miserably! I still have loads left and am currently working on a couple more projects using the kit. The only extra bits needed to make this project are the book, matchboxes, string pearls, die cut branches, paint, and inks.

Apologies in advance for the photo heavy post but there's so much detail that I struggled to fit it into just a couple of photos.

This is the front cover, you get all of the embellishments with the exception of the pearl string and branch die cut.  Can you see those sweet little mdf birds? They are part of the kit and are a perfect size for most projects.

One of the sentiment stamps. Look how perfectly they stamp onto acetate.

Lots of lovely ribbon and lace from the kit.

Can you see all the gorgeous texture?

Little drawers for your secret stash!

A little bit of shaker fun!

Bright and beautiful!

 I think this is my favourite page. There's a little niche and lots of stamping!

 I hope you like my project. I had fun creating it.

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

Materials:

                                                 

 

Stamp/Paper Kit

 

Maimeri Light Modelling Paste

 

Maimeri White Gesso

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Fantasy Stampers - Lots of Layers
Really Reasonable Ribbon - Anything but a card
In the Pink - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge - Anything Goes
Top Tip Tuesday - Ribbon and Pearls
All Crafts - Anything goes
The Cheerful Stamp Pad - Anything goes
Crafting from the Heart - Anything goes
Altered Eclectics - Anything goes
Country View Crafts - Summer
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Anything Goes
Dies R Us - Summertime Fun

Sneaky Peek - PolkaDoodles Stamp & Paper Kit

Have you seen the brand new Stamp & Paper Kit from PolkaDoodles which launched on Friday? If you haven't pop over for a look now! It's seriously awesome value for money. Not only do you get stamp, papers, ribbons, lace and the most fantastic embellishments, but you also get a 22 page project booklet which contains step by step instructions for five amazing projects. Stock is limited, so don't miss out and grab yours now.

Here's a sneaky peek of one of the projects from the kit made by yours truly. Keep your eyes peeled cos I'll pop back tomorrow with a full blog post showing my project in all of it's glory!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x                                                  

 

Stamp/Paper Kit

 

Maimeri Light Modelling Paste

 

Maimeri White Gesso

Take One Make Three Using PolkaDoodles Picnix Collection 3

You're probably wondering what I'm babbling on about huh? Well Friday saw the launch of the fantastic Picnix 3 Collection from PolkaDoodles and I loved it so much that I felt inspired to make a few samples but as always seems to be the way with me at the moment I didn't have a lot time to play. So I decided to cheat a little and made one piece of art which then produced a further three projects. I'll show you these over the next couple of days.

The piece of art in question is a mixed media canvas using one of the stunning backing papers from the collection, some modelling paste and acrylic paints. Once I was happy with my background I printed the robin image from the CD onto some tissue paper and coloured it with Prisma Pencils before adding it to the canvas.

I then scanned the canvas into the computer and use it to create the previously mentioned projects (before you do this please check with the original artist that they are happy for you to do this - the majority are, provided you meet and agree to certain conditions). I was amazed at how well it scanned and re-printed and the best part is it'll be there for me whenever I need quick make!

As is always the way when you leave a piece and come back to it, I decided that it needed something more. So I chucked a bit of Frantage over it and stamped and heat embossed some snowflakes.

I hope you like this project and that you will return to see the other pieces that I've created from it?

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Crafty Calendar - Christmas in July
Little Claire's - Holidays
My Time To Craft - Christmas in July
CAS-ual Chic - Embossing
Crafting With Friends - Anything Goes
Digitally Sweet - Anything Goes
Morgan's Artworld - Christmas in July
Simply Papercraft - Anything Goes
Winter Wonderland - Traditional Christmas Colours
Altered Eclectics - Anything Goes
The Mirror Crack'd - Canvas
Crafty Hazelnut's Christmas - Anything Goes
Paper Creator's Crafts - Christmas in July
Rhedd's Creative Spirit - Anything Goes
CRAFT - Christmas
Crafting By Design - Christmas

Products used:                                                                                  

 

Nordic Christmas

 

Light Modeling Paste

 

15cm x 15cm Canvas

 

Acrylic Paint

 

Prismacolor Pencils

 

Frantage

 

What′s Up Buttercup Stamp Set

How Pink???

So did you get to see the Polkadoodles Show on Create & Craft TV this morning? I did and WOW what a show! Anyway, I made a few samples for the show but had a bit of a hiccup with delivery so it was hit and miss as to whether any of my samples would actually appear! As luck would have it they miraculously appeared halfway through the show. This is one of the samples that kept sneaking into view, I'll show you others over the next few days.

Anyway, I created this canvas using the new Work & Play 2 CD from Nikky Hall and have managed to shock myself with the amount of pink I've used!! Now I know a lot of you don't like CD's (I have no idea as to why, they are exactly like using a digi only better value and they don't take up room on your PC) so she has also released the characters as digis for you to be able to buy and download separately (this item is exclusive to Create and Craft TV until 1st April 2014, so if you're desperate for it then might want to order it from them).

I have to say I had lots of fun creating this picture and used it as an excuse to experiment! Now I know you'll be looking at the picture thinking "what experiment?" Well if you look at the background you will see that I have used one of the digital papers, now if you look even closer you will see that the canvas texture shows (click on the picture to be taken to a larger version which you can then zoom in on)! So how did I do it? Well I used a good old fashioned transfer technique which basically means that you print your digi paper as normal and then transfer it onto canvas leaving only the image and not the paper! I have to say it's become a bit of an obsession with me at the moment and you'll be seeing more of this technique in the next few weeks along with a few hints and tips and maybe a tutorial.

Once I'd created the transfer background using the patterned paper, I decided to try and do a secondary transfer with the sentiment. This was fairly successful, although I discovered that I didn't need to cut the paper tight around the text. It would've been better to have left plenty of paper surrounding it as the text lifted slightly in places which meant I had to touch it up!

To hide any shabby areas and add a bit of texture, I added some course modelling paste from my stash and dabbed gold acrylic paint around the edges. In places the transfer wasn't brilliant so I mixed some pale pink acrylic paint into some Maimeri Iridescent Paste and swiped it over this area with my fingers.

I cut out the image and coloured it with my Graph'It markers. I then gave her a little dimension by running my ball tool around the edge before mounting her on the canvas using silicone glue. Once the glue had dried I added some glitter glue to her tutu and hairband.

Next I made the ballet shoes. Now some of you have probably made these for your Barbie or Sindy Dolls when you were kids? They are dead simple and quick to make, but really add to the overall effect. The hardest part is the ribbon as it's a little fiddly and you have to wait for the glue to grab (unless of course you are using a hot glue gun). Again these have been glittered to within an inch of their life!

Finally, I've added some ribbon curls, ribbon flowers, pearl stars and pearls to pull it all together.

I hope you like this little canvas. Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
All Crafts Challenge February/March - Anything but a card
Artistic Inspirations - Anything Goes
Crafting From The Heart - Anything Goes/Spots or Stripes
Craft It Up & Link It Up With Craftin Desert Divas - Brads, Button, Ribbon or Twine
Created With Love - Girly
Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge - Transparent (the tutu is tranparent)
My Craft Spot - Anything Goes
Robyn's Fetish - Anything but a card
Aud Sentiments - Anything Goes
Crafty Ribbons - Anything Goes
Simon Says Stamp - Glitter

Have Faith!!! It's a Gesso ATC

Morning. Surprised to see me I bet? Well I thought that I'd show you this ATC that I made for the Wicked Wednesday ATC Challenge Blog who are being sponsored this week by Stampotique. The theme is "Wing It" which basically means anything with wings, so should be a nice easy challenge for most of you.

I have to say I really don't know why I don't make more ATC's as I had lots of fun with this one and they are great for trying new techniques and using up scraps of card. Maybe one of my New Years resolutions will be to make an ATC a week and participate in few swaps?

Anyway, onto my ATC. I used a Gesso technique that I'd spotted in Craft Stamper magazine to create the textured background. I liberally sprinkled the wet Gesso with angel dust aka as glitter and left it to dry. Whilst I waited for the Gesso to dry, I stamped Daniel's Tree Topper Large onto lightweight card three times, coloured with Promarkers and then cut her out.

Once the Gesso was completely dry,  the raised parts were swiped with silver acrylic paint and the edges stamped and heat embossed using Abstract Foliage.  The angel was then decoupaged onto the ATC. I printed the sentiment from JM Barrie onto tissue paper and then cut it out and used Mod Podge to place it onto the ATC. At this point I decided that the ATC needed something more, so I stamped Daisy Daisy onto some tissue paper, coloured with Promarkers and Mod Podge'd (is that a word??) it into place.

I do hope that you'll join the challenge.

Thanks for stopping by.

Claire x

UTEE Bee Necklace

Wow where is time going? I can't believe that it's time for another challenge over at Stampotique! This week we want to see Nature themed projects. Remember to play along with us you don't need to use Stampotique stamps (although we'd obviously love it if you did) and you now have until the first challenge of the following month to submit your entries, so plenty of time to get those gorgeous creations in!

For those of you who regularly follow my blog, you will possibly remember me showing you my Steampunk Bee which my daughter was rather taken with before I "steam-punked" it and turned it into a wall hanging. Well I finally got round to making her a UTEE Bee which she then wanted made into necklace, so here it is....

I stamped Big Bee onto card five times, cut him out,coloured and layered him up with Pinflair Glue. Then I punched holes into the wings and swiftly dunked him into a molten UTEE/UTEE Flex bath. The wings were then given a coat of Star Dust Stickles before adding the jump rings and double length of chain.

However, you know what kids are like they are never satisfied and she now wants a ring and bracelet to match, so guess who's had to buy Small & Medium Bee?? So you know that shortly I'll be showing you those!! 

Thanks for stopping by today.

Claire x

I'd like to enter this necklace into the following challenges:

Make It Monday - Anything goes

Inspire Me Fridays - Anything goes

Vintage Keepsake Bauble Book Card

This is the last of my TV samples that I made for the launch of the Studio 12 Picknix Collection 2 - Gingerbread Twist CD. If you've been watching the shows you will doubtless have seen it! Just incase you missed it or fancy a closer peek, here it is in all it's glory!

I warn you now this post is going to be picture heavy, so apologies if the page is slow loading.

I wanted to make something using the traditional gingerbread man and after much umming and arrrghinhg and stash sorting I settled upon making a book card with a detachable bauble.

I've had some papier mache baubles in my stash for what seems like forvever. I'm really not sure why I haven't used them before as I really enjoyed altering the bauble and what's more it actually looks pretty good too!

The book card has been made to fit the bauble and so that it could hang and be removed I've simply made a hole in the top of one of the "pages" and pulled the thread through. It has been secured at the back using cinnamon scented melted wax.

The card uses papers from the cd which have been distressed, painted upon, ripped and faux stitched to within an inch of their lives! I've used a mixture of pre-coloured collage images and digital stamps coloured with Promarkers to create the focal points on the card.

If you look closely at the ribbon tie on the side of the card, you will see that it picks up the paper ribbon on the front of the card.... yep, homemade ribbon using one of the images from the CD. I'm sooo excited that this worked as it now means that I can get coordinating ribbons for all my projects :D

I do hope that you like my project and that I haven't bored you to tears with this long post.

Thanks for stopping by today

Claire x

I'd like to enter this project into the following challenges:
Paper Crafting Journey - Anything goes
Simply Create - Anything goes
Crafts & Me - Reds
Just keep On Creating - Christmas
Whimsy Inspiration - Christmas
Papertake Weekly - Anything goes
Through The Craftroom Door - Anything goes
Make It Monday - Anything goes