INK STAINS ALTERED CHARMS

The newest rage in the world of creativity is "Altered Charms" and the best place to see these fabulous works of arts is at one of my most favorite blogs INKSTAINS. The very talented Roni frequently sponsors Charms Swaps and the deadline for the one in progress is August 6. You can view the results from the last swap at this link:
http://inkstainswithroni.blogspot.com/2011/03/ink-stained-altered-charm-swap-results.html

This photo is one of Roni's charm creations:

How AWESOME is that?!!! To view more of Roni's designs, visit her blog and click on "charms" on the left side of the blog. You are in for a treat!

I have made simple charms before, but nothing as gorgeous and elaborate as the ones featured on her blog! I am so inspired to give this form of artisitic creativity a try!

Masculine Frame & Trinket Box

This is the masculine version of the frame and box! The paper on the box are from my orphan stash, so I have no clue who the vendor is. Thanks for looking!

FRIENDS LAYOUT

I haven't scrapbooked in a while, so I decided to knock out a quick one with some orphans (scraps:) that were waiting to be used. This is the result! (Click on the photo for a larger version showing more detail.)

Close-up of the flowers (I made the bottom flower and the small one; the top flower was out of a package from Michaels):

And that, friends, is my deed for today!

A WORTHY CAUSE & SOME BLOG CANDY!

Hop over to TropicLuv's blog (http://bigislandlady.blogspot.com/2011/07/joannes-blog-candy.html) and check out the blog candy she has for a lucky winner! She is a designer for The Lime Light and their current project is sending cards to our guys and gals in Afghanistan. Instructions on how to help with this cause and get a chance to win the blog candy can be found by clicking on the link above. So hop on over there right now!!!! You will be glad you did :)

Another Frame with Matching Trinket Box

I am teaching our monthly technique class this month, and the project is "Frame with Matching Trinket Box". The frame is like the one in a recent previous post, just a different color scheme.
Specifics: The frame is 5x7 pressed paper (aka paper mache') with an opening for 3-1/2x5" photo. The box is also pressed paper and attendees will receive either an oval or round box in their kits. I first painted the frame with white acrylic paint. After it dried, I applied purle, lilac and mint green Cats Eye inks in a swirly pattern to the frame. (The white paint lightened the colors. If you prefer darker hues, then skip painting the frame.) Due to class time restrictions I decorated the frame simply with bling, butterfly and flourish purchased at Michaels.

I made the two larger flowers and the small one is from my stash.

The Trinket box is decorated with paper, so it doesn't need to be painted. I used two styles of the Jubilee paper line by K&Company and ribbon from Michaels to decorate the box. I matched the decor from the frame on the lid of the box, and tied a ribbon around the lip of the lid.

I also created a masculine version, which I will post later! Thanks for stopping by!



Candle Trio Centerpiece

BEFORE...

AFTER...



I LOVE candles. In my event decorating days, I used candles a lot when designing centerpieces and silk floral arrangements. Because of the heat generated by the burning flame, decorating the candles to coordinate with the event theme could be a real challenge (AND if there were children or inebriated guests at an event, burning candles created a risk of injury or fire). Along came the battery-operated candles in all shapes, colors, sizes - and even scents - candle heaven! 

   I bought this set of three LED candles at Hobby Lobby. (I used 40% off coupon, but they are often on sale there at 50% off.) I used ivory 6" tulle and cut it in appropriately sized strips to wrap around each candle, providing a suitable surface for adhering the ribbon and flowers to. Amazingly, the red tacky tape  I used to attach the tulle, ribbon and flowers on the slippery surface of the candles worked extrememly well!

   You can use patterned paper to wrap around the candles - vellum works very well. To make a gorgeous centerpiece place your finished candle(s) on a mirror and sprinkle glitter all around! Or design a beach-theme candle and scatter a little sand and small sea shells on the base! Sooooo cute....

   My candles are decorated  with some left over scraps hanging around my table, but one can really go wild jazzing up the candles!

Photo Frame

This photo frame is easy and inexpensive to make! I bought the frame at Hobby Lobby for $1.99.

The frame 's color is like a brown paper bag and you can use paint or ink (or both) to create your choice of color. For my frame, I used three different Cat's Eye ink to create a fall look. (The photo was taken in the fall.) I randomly applied red, brown and green inks to achieve an autumn color scheme. The paper is from my stash and I don't recall the vendor. It is a medium-dark green and has a subdued leaf pattern design. I cut the leaves, flower parts, and branch on my Cricut and lightly skimmed brown ink on the pieces. Note: If you want your colors to be brighter, paint the frame with a coat of white paint, then apply your inks.

FYI: The picture is of Cheryl (on the left) and her daughter Kelly. Very dear to my heart are they - Cheryl is like a sister to me, and Kelly is as a daughter. They have blessed my life more than they will ever know!!!

This is a close up of the flower. I cut five different sizes from the green paper, sprayed the pieces with water and crumpled them up to dry. When the pieces were totally dry, I uncrumpled them (very carefully), punched a hole in the center of each piece and used a gold brad to hold the flower together. I skimmed gold ink over the flower and then adhered to the frame.