Friday, October 25, 2013

Today's Featured Shop -- Snowman Collector

Today's featured shop is the Snowman Collector.     Snowman aren't only for Christmas.   There are a lot of snowmen collectors out there and Sheila specializes in making snowmen all year round.

Snowmen Bloom in Winter Centerpiece


Large Snowman Will Work For Snow


Cheerful Snowman Spring Nodder

Merry Christmas Little Fabric Snowman

Be sure and visit Sheila's shop to see all she has to offer.    https://www.etsy.com/shop/SnowmanCollector

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Witch’s Stitches – Making a “kind of” Feather Tree

I love feather trees. I have one I put up every year that stands 6 feet tall. My kids call it the Christmas stick. The nice thing about a real feather tree is the branches are far apart and you can see your ornaments very well. To me a feather tree says years gone by and the look fits into my prim living room. When I make my snowmen and Santas I like to give them a little feather tree to hold.  Making a real one can be very time consuming. So here is a little “kind of” feather tree to make that is so quick and easy. You can make them to have your dolls hold or make a bunch of them and put them in a stand and have a shelf or mantel display.
Step 1 – You will need to choose a center stick for your tree. I just cut a twig the size I want my tree to be. You will also need the branches part. For this is use Home for the Holidays Pine Stems. I got them on ebay from the seller 1804 primitives. I am sure you can get them at your local craft shop too.  These have a wire running through them and will bend a keep whatever shape you want and you can cut them with just scissors.

Step 2 – Starting from the bottom of the twig, wrap your branch once around the center twig. Make sure you put a dab of glue on the twig and then wrap so it will stay in place. I use Aleene’s tacky glue in the gold bottle.  The bottom branch will be the longest. S you go up the tree and add branches they will be smaller and smaller, the smallest being right at the top. Snip your branch so they are even. Let the glue dry.
Step 3 – Now you are ready to embellish your tree if you want. You can glue a little red berry at the end if you want or you can put rusty stars or bells on the ends of the branches. You can also tie a tiny piece of homespun or cheese cloth at the very end of the branch.  The little berries I used I got from my yard and I dried them. It is all up to you what you choose.
Step 4 – Now your tree is done. You can place it in the arms of a doll or you can put it in some kind of base, again it is what you want it to look like. They look great with an old wooden spool as a base. Just stick the twig into the hole in the spool and instant base. Wrap a little fabric around the spool and it looks even better. I would show you a picture of this but I have no idea what I did with my wooden spools. Sorry.
It is really that easy. The longest part is letting the glue dry. The rest takes only a few minutes.
If you have any questions please give me a shout. Enjoy, Faith

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

Paper Purse Craft Tutorial


I absolutely love this paper crafting tutorial for Living Locurto. I'm thinking it would be really cute done with Halloween themed paper and embellishments. Enjoy!



Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.com

Monday, October 21, 2013

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Vintage Inspiration Board

 Like most artists, I am constantly collecting tidbits of intrigue.  A small scrap of antique lace,  a pretty postcard,  random bits of nature- all necessary to the creative process. To maximize their inspiration potential, these tidbits need a proper idea board. My favorite idea boards begin with an up-cycled vintage frame and left over supplies lurking in the garage.
 I purchased this vintage mirror frame for $5 at an estate sale  but any large frame will do.
The supply list:
Spare paint (preferably paint with primer)
Sand paper
Paint brush
Wood Craft Glue
Cork Roll
Cardboard
Initially I was going to paint the frame white, but after sanding and cleaning the frame a beautiful vintage oak patina begged to prevail.
With scissors, or exacto knife, cut cardboard to fit frame opening.
Cut cork same size as cardboard.

Flatten cork board and apply a thick coat of paint. 
I started with a paint brush but soon gave it up for a paint roller.  Cork board is porous and the brush was taking forever to give a good coat.
Allow painted cork board to dry thoroughly.

Once the painted corkboard is dry it is ready to be glued to the cardboard.
I recommend using Elmers wood craft glue for this project.  Drop large dots of glue on cardboard back.  Spread glue evenly in a thin coat to cover the entire surface. Adhere corkboard.

To ensure a strong, flat bond, place newly glued cardboard and corkboard on a flat surface. Cover cork side with freezer paper and place magazines or books on top for weight. Let sit for at least 4 hours.
Insert dry corkboard in frame. Secure with small tacks, or frame backing, and begin pinning up inspiration! 
 I just love a blank slate. White space never lasts long in my studio!
Random bits of inspiration now have a home in plain sight where they can be accessed with ease and not get lost in the studio shuffle.
LOVE & UPCYCLE NATION!
Jacquie Wheeler
Hand of Bela Peck