Shabby Chic Altered Paintbrush

Hi friends.  Last week, I mentioned I was altering a paintbrush in a shabby chic style for a swap.  This was my first attempt at one.  Here it is.

First, I began by sanding the handle and giving it a coat of white gesso.  Once that dried, I gave the handle a coat of Antique Linen paint by Martha Stewart.  I glued various appliques around the handle and several lace trims around the brush part.  A Prima butterfly was placed at the top.  Seam binding bows were attached to the sides of the brush.  A Recollections metal embellishment was placed on top of the lace.  All the tiny flowers are also from Recollections.  I highlighted them with Diamond Stickles.

This is the back of the paintbrush.  A seam binding bow was attached to the top for hanging.  I tied a hemp bow to a metal "Made with Love" charm and attached it to the back to finish it off.

If you click on each photo, you can see the details better.  I apologize for the poor lighting in the photos.  I needed to get it in the mail that day so there was no time to wait for better lighting.

All in all, this was very easy to do.  The hardest part was removing the glue from my fingers!  lol

It is a beautiful day here today.  You can definitely feel that touch of fall in the air, and I am so happy about that!  Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog.  I appreciate all your sweet and kind comments.  Have a wonderful week ahead!

Shabby Chic Aqua Tag

Hi everyone!  Another week has gone by--time is really passing quickly.  I was on a roll this week making two cards and two tags.  My next project is altering a paintbrush--a first for me.  We'll see how that goes.  What are you creating?

Today, I have another tag to share.  This tag came together so easily.  My tag shape was cut from a cereal box and covered with an older line of K&Co paper, distressing and inking the edges.  Then the fun began.  The appliques and trims as well as the white fabric flower were given to me by a dear friend.  The sweet image is showcased in a resin Recollections frame.  The flowers, butterfly and gems are also Recollections.  The white delicate leaves were made with a Prima die.

My most favorite crafty item are tags, especially vintage and shabby chic ones.  Love making and swapping them with friends.

I love the cream and white tones paired with the aqua.  There is something soothing about them.  If you click on each photo, you can see the details better.

Well, that's it for me today.  I need to get dinner started and then get ready for work tomorrow.  Have a wonderful Sunday and week ahead.  Thank you so much for stopping by and for leaving such sweet comments.  I appreciate each and every one!

A Couple of Cards

Hi friends!  I thought I would take a break from featuring another tag and post a couple of cards I recently made.

First up is a card I made for my Dad's birthday.  When making masculine cards, I frequently turn to Tim Holtz products which is what I did here.   A dear friend gave me the set of crazy cat stamps for my birthday so I just had to made a card.  I bought the matching crazy cat dies which are much easier to use than having to fussy cut.  The cat was colored with Copics.  For the background, I cut a piece of paper from Tim's Wallflower collection and placed in onto a light brown card base.  I did fussy cut the flowers and leaves on the lower right side.  All cut outs were attached with foam dots.  I stamped the sentiment onto a stamped label, cut is out, and accented it with a hemp bow.  The Dad stickers are from Making Memories.

I really am a dog person, but I find these crazy cat stamps so adorable!  Looking forward to making more things with them.

Next up is a quick feminine card.  The papers are from Pion Design Vintage Garden collection and attached to a deep pink card base.  A simple seam binding bow was wrapped around the paper and accented with a rose, twine and a tiny Pion envelope.  Pink pearls add a finishing touch.

I simply love Pion Design papers and never tire of using them.

Well, that's it for me today.  I have been making quite a few tags lately and will share soon.  What I need to do is to start making Christmas cards/tags now so I don't fall behind as the holiday nears.  Thank you so much for stopping by and for your sweet comments.  I wish each of you a wonderful week ahead!

Megan Doll Tag

Hi friends!  I hope you have been well and are enjoying the weekend.  Those of us in the States have a holiday tomorrow and I appreciate that extra day off from work.

As I mentioned last week, I spent over six hours working on a doll tag that was inspired by a recent post by Pamellia Johnson.  She made an absolutely beautiful card featuring a Julie Nutting doll stamp.  I loved it so much that I thought I would try to re-create something similar in tag form for myself.   (I hope you don't mind, Pamellia, that I lifted the idea from you.)  Pamellia's work is much more detailed and just perfect.  She makes it look so easy in her videos; but having tried it myself, I know just how much time goes into it.  So, here is my version.

First, I stamped the Megan doll stamp onto cardstock, fussy cut it, paper pieced the dress and boots with papers from Prima's Butterfly collection (adding layers with foam tape), and colored the hair with colored pencils.  I added a bit of lace trim under the skirt edge.  A seam binding bow was tied to the waist.  A Prima doll necklace adds a touch of elegance.  Using a Prima watercolor tag, I layered, inked and distressed more papers from the Butterfly collection.  I then added a Prima doily and some Cheery Lynn diecut swirls.  The flowers are a mix of Prima, Recollections, and Spare Parts.  The two flowers at the bottom have tiny Prima resin flowers for the centers.  Some Prima flat back pearls were placed at the top.  I added some gesso to the flowers to tone down the colors.  Lastly, I tied a piece of lace to the top of the tag.

Foam tape was placed under all the layers as well as the doll for added dimension.  Here is a view from the other side.

Well, there you have it.  Quite a lot of work but I was pleased with the final result (although at one point, I was ready to toss it).  If you have a chance, check the link above to Pamellia's blog to view her gorgeous card and a detailed video.

Thank you so much for stopping by and your sweet comments.  I wish you all a wonderful week ahead.  My plans for the holiday tomorrow are to start my fall housecleaning!