A banner for the PDE Linky Party

The challenge over at the PDE linky party this week was banners.

PERFECT!

I made this banner for my sweet niece's 5th birthday party.  She is big into "My Little Pony", so that was the party theme.

I made 'tags' from a cardboard box and printed all the 'hot' ponies to go on them.  I had to resize each to fit the tags.

Then I laid them out to make sure everything looked OK.

To do each tag, I used spray paint for the color.  A white background and swirls of purple & pink.  Once dry I glued the ponies on.

I cut out letters to spell out her name and 'is 5'.  To string up the banner I used a spool of ribbon that matched the purple/pink colors.

Since '5' was the big day's number, I used this great glitter paper I found at Hobby Lobby.

My niece was thrilled with it.

http://pdelinkyparty.blogspot.com/2014/11/banners-on-projects-or-walls.html  

A Simple Book

I've always been fascinated by hand bound books.  So when I had the opportunity to take a class on Japanese 'stab binding' I jumped on it!  

Each place at the table had a kit waiting for us that we would make two rectangle shaped books from.  We then were able to chose the papers we wanted for the books.

This is the paper I picked for my 'hard' cover book.

And this is my soft cover book.  It is the book we started with.

You get everything cut the same, then clamp it down so it doesn't move.  Then with an awl you push through to make holes in the pattern of the binding you have chosen to do.

Then it is time to start stitching.  

It is slow work because if you pull too hard on the needle as you work it through... it breaks.

Almost done!

And here is my finished book!

I used different colors pages 'just because'.  I'm not yet sure what I'm going to use it for.  But it will be for something special, that much I already know!!

http://www.2creativechicks.com/2014/07/challenge-16-mini-album-book-or_8.html 

http://craftycatzweeklychallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/challenge-241-anything-goes.html

http://fattastictuesday.blogspot.co.uk/2014/07/fan-tastic-tuesday-challenge-45.html 

Train Tag Banner

With Father's Day approaching, many of the challenge blogs are going with a guy theme.  

I've got the "Dad" part covered... but there is a little guy in my life who has a special day this month.  My sweet nephew is turning four!  

He has requested a 'train' theme for his party and I decided I'd make a banner for part of his decorations.

I decided that giant tags were perfect for the basis of the banner.  I cut the tags from a large packing box I had on hand.  The color red is the little guy's favorite color.  I did some distressing with brown paint and a bit of roughing it up so it would look so new.

The letters and number I traced onto some OLD scrapbook paper.  (I don't think I have bought paper in 4 or 5 years).  To make the letters stand out I traced around them with a good ol' Sharpie.

Train photos are mounted on card stock to give them some support.  It starts with the engine and ends with a caboose.

I used sisal rope to string the tags on.  Using two holes in the design makes it lay flat against the wall.

I'm sure the little guy is going to love this 'MANLY' project!

http://mimchallegeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/for-males-in-your-life_9.html

http://fairieschallenges.blogspot.be/2014/06/winner-challenge-26-and-new-challenge-27.html

http://countryviewchallenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/a-new-challenge-and-some-new-designers.html

http://thatcraftplaceblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/new-challenge-men.html

http://lovetocreatechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/challenge-119-make-it-for-kids.html

http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/2014/06/one-for-boys-at-try-it-on-tuesdays.html

And at "Oldie But A Goodie Challenge" blog:

http://oldiebutagoodiechallenge.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/fathers-day-masculine.html  

Our First Home Mixed Media Shadow Box

This creative project is close to home... it celebrates the day we bought our home!

I used a shadow box from Hobby Lobby to fill with the memorabilia.  I printed a photo of the house right around that time and the photo of Himself and I with our realtor on the big day.  They are attached to the back of the shadow box.

Then I added the keepsakes...

I'll start with the SPAM can as I'm sure that is what grabbed your eyes first!  LOL  Here's the story:  Himself's uncle worked for Hormel for 41 years.  When we visit in the fall it is a tradition that he and his wife take us to the SPAM museum.  (Yes, there is really a SPAM museum and it is quite interesting!)  Anyway, on our 2007 visit he bought this coin bank in the gift shop, dropped the change in it, and handed to Himself saying "This is the fund for when you decide to buy your own home."

We weren't planning on buying a home then!  But a few months later thru a series of events we decided it was time to make that step.  The bottom left photo shows us when we finalized the purchase, our realtor opened the can and the change inside finished the payment cost!

The key is the one we got a few minutes later.  (And a couple hours after that I had the locks changed!)

Both the metal can and the metal key are for prompts from challenges at Pile It On and Craft Hoarders.  And the key itself for the prompt at Tando Creative.

The Luna moth is another story about our home.  

I was very unsure about this house.  We are WAY out in the country and there were a few other things factoring in too.  I prayed for something to show me that this was the home God intended for us.  Something unusual.

As I was walking thru the upstairs the sun was streaming in the windows.  On the floor was the shadow of a BIG butterfly.  When I looked at the window, there sat a beautiful perfect Luna moth.  He just sat there and slowly fanned his wings as I stared at him.  I haven't seen many Lunas in my life... and never one in the middle of a hot afternoon!  After a little while he gracefully flew away.

The lovely wings on this crafted Luna (no moths were hurt in the making of this shadowbox) fill the challenge of 'wings' at Deep Ocean Challenge and Craft Room Challenge.

I had a lot of fun putting this memory capsule together.  Great challenges from everyone!

http://www.tando-creative-challenges.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/week-4.html

http://craft-roomchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/05/things-with-wings.html

http://pileitonchallenge.blogspot.com/2014/05/pile-it-on-21-metal.html

http://deepoceanchallengeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/challenge-78-wings_7473.html

http://gloriadesignschallenge.blogspot.com/2014/05/challenge-8-show-us-some-metal-or-glass.html 

Ombre Auras Mail Art

It's been a long time since I've done anything 'artfully' creative.  I've been so busy with other type of creative endevours like cleaning out my shed (where, among other things, a lot of my larger supplies are kept), setting up my own studio, and creating garden beds in my yard.

I have quite a collection of cardless envelopes, so 'mail art' was the perfect project to get back-in-the-saddle with.  

I decided to to a bit of zentangling since I really need to get some practice in.  My favorite is the Auraknot so I went with that.  When I finished the Auraknot I thought it would be fun to give it its own 'aura'.  

The colors I used were inspired by a resent incredible sunset.  I colored it with markers, as that is what I have on hand.  

http://artfultimes.blogspot.com/2014/05/challenge-55-mail-art.html

http://tuesdaytaggers.blogspot.com/2014/05/its-in-mail-is-try-it-on-tuesdays-new.html

Back To School... Pre-school That Is!

Once again what I have been ready to create has lined up with not one but several art challenges.  Sis sent me the cutest photos of Little Bird and Little Hoss leaving for their first day of pre-school.  (It’s Bird’s second year and Hoss’ very first). 

 

Wanting to show case the photos, I was inspired by Crafting for All Seasons (back to school), Shopping Our Stash (school), Inspiration Avenue (what brings you joy), and Our Creative Corner (forgotten things).  My forgotten stash in this case was a pile of rulers and yardsticks I found while working in the shed.

 

And with a bit of gluing, I now have a display that I can easily change out year after year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

http://inspiration-avenue-team.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

http://ourcreativecorner6.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

http://shoppingourstash.blogspot.com/

"World Traveler" cover page

A mini challenge at 'Anything But A Card' has conincided with the start of my "place I've traveled" scrap/photo album.  Using a 6x6 album, each page will feature one country or state I've traveled to -- which at this count is 17 countries and 33 states, plus DC.

 

In putting my cover page together, I've also used inspiration from 'Simon Says Monday' to use my favorite stamp... or in this case stamps.  The multi-image stamp is from The Montage Collection and the compass star is by Stampabilities.  The paper elements are by EK Success.

 

I'm looking forward to putting together this little album of travel memories!

 

 

http://anythingbutacard.blogspot.com/

 

 

http://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/

The Diaper Fairy

I'm coming in at the wire with this challenge from "Anything But A Card".  The challenge for this fortnight was 'fairy' and I knew immediately that I wanted to redo one of my moss gardens into a fairy garden... a very particular fairy garden.

 

But it has been sooooo hot lately and I just didn't want to take the hike to go get moss.  I finally couldn't wait anymore, hot or no.

 

 

The stones have come from many places we've traveled... Alaska, Washington, Scotland.  The rings are broken limpet shells from Scotland.  The fern just came off the 'pitiful rack' as Lowes.  ;-) 

 

 

My family has a joke about the 'diaper fairy'.  I bought a bunch diapers when Little Bird was born and left them stacked in the foyer.  Sis asked in surprise, "Where'd all the diapers come from?"  My reply... "The diaper fairy came by."

 

Here she is making another delivery! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://anythingbutacard.blogspot.com/2013/08/let-your-imagination-fall-into-fairy.html

 

A Walking Shoe Gather No Moss

As my studio makeover progresses, I'm able to actually start using it and start creating again.  I'm loving it!  To walk over and pick up what I need...from where it belongs.

 

Oh yeah...

 

Jenn's theme for the Artist's Playroom was 'shoes' and at Crafting For All Seasons was 'with a tag'.  I had a pair of Himself's boots that he left outside and 'our' silly wren made a nest in one of them.  After being lived in by a brood of birds he was no longer interested in wearing them!  So they are now mine to alter as I please.

 

 

 

One of my new cactus, some dried moss, plus my tag and I know have a fun piece to set near the window. 

 

 

 

Soon it will be cool enough to start our hikes again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.justaddwatersilly.com/2013/08/artists-play-room-72.html

 

 

http://craftingforallseasons.blogspot.com/2013/08/challenge-59-tag-it.html