Arts and Crafts Here and There

Thought I'd post some stuff I'd finished throughout the year.

Crocheted Dobby for Kid #1

Stumpwork Ladybird and Berries (about the size of a quarter)

Various ATCs

Mica and alcohol inks

Embroidery and coloured pencil

Watercolour and pencil

And a Hallowe'en Wall Hanging.

Oh, and Chaircat Mao.

Juliet Mini Art Plaque and With Love Tin

Every once in a while I get a quiet moment all to myself, and you can bet my hands will be busy making something. It was during one of those rare times that this sweet little piece was made, using the pretty Wrought Iron Archway from Alpha Stamps. It is only 5" tall so I managed to finish a mini art plaque and have it hanging on the wall before my house resumed its usual din from the smallish people. 

I started with an image of love-struck Juliet with her beau and a handful of 3mm Brass Flat-Back Studs (I'm quite obsessed with those things) and then just went with the glue-stuff-to-stuff approach. The chipboard archway got a quick coating of gesso, then paint, then ink, and finally a coloring from Copic markers here and there before I glued the images to the back. Thin looped gold Dresden made an appearance, as did some roses and leaves cut from a handsome length of garland. I didn't really need to remove the roses from the wired stem, they would look quite lovely climbing the archway, but as I was speed-crafting I had lopped off the rose heads without thinking. That's okay, there is still a bunch left for another day! After a few fussy cut birds were stuck on with foam dots, I was left with a blank spot on the right. I contemplated this for a second, knowing my alone time was coming to a fast end, when it came to me to include some fitting lyrics from The Carpenters. A small loop of ribbon was added to the back and...done!

The Supply List is HERE.


This week was pretty productive, and I managed to squeak in a gift for Mother's Day. I had a leftover scalloped Altoids Tin Insert to use, so my mother is getting another tchotchke to place somewhere. 

My mom prefers simple art, without words, because she says they interfere with her interpretation of the art. I decided to add instead a snippet of great-grandmother's lace and a button pulled from her stash that I acquired some time ago. No words, Mom, but it says I love you.

Blank Altoids Tin
Altoids Tin Insert Frame-Scalloped
House of Roses on the Porch Scrapbook Paper
House of Roses Old Letters Scrapbook Paper
The Garden Collage Sheet
Pink Rose Garland
1" Pale Pink Paper Roses
Small Wooden Spool
Wooden Doll Stand
Alcohol Ink- Gold
Diamond Stickles (around image and a little on the roses because who can resist the stuff?)
Vintage lace, button, and thread

Happy Mother's Day!