With simply paper and creativity anyone can create art


Tuesday, December 31, 2013

2014 Dusty Attic DT

Whoooo-hoooo! I am so very happy to announce that I was asked to stay on the Dusty Attic design team for another glorious year! Check out the new and returning DT members posted on the DA blog! Congrats to all!


MY ETSY SHOP UPDATE
Sadly, I will no longer be retailing Dusty Attic product through Etsy though. I obviously adore the product, but unfortunately my life does not have enough hours in each day right now to continue retailing this truly FANTASTIC product (plus Canada Post is really raising their 2014 prices) - so I am having a closing sale...

30% off closing sale in my Etsy Shop at:

Receive 30% off your ENTIRE purchase. Enter the coupon code CLOSING2014 upon checkout (in the area provided for it) to receive the 30% discount. Coupon is valid through to the end of January 2014. NO minimum order!

Monday, December 30, 2013

C'est Magnifique JAN Kit Reveal!

It's time to reveal more of my projects made with the gorgeous January kit from C'est Magnifique.

Up first is a layout of my daughter as a toddler. Everything on here is from the main kit and flower add-on except for a doily and a piece of plain white cardstock from my stash. Gorgeous papers embellies as usual this month!
click images for larger views

My daughter really wanted an old headband altered with the blue ribbon she spotted in the kit and the grey flower in the add-on was a perfect match too.

I made some fridge magnets with the wood elements and flowers in the main kit and add-on. Glammed them up with some paint, diamond dust and a bit of grandma's lace (she left me so much beautiful lace when she passed).

Made a birthday gift box for my mom - for December 31st - just added a few leaves from my stash and everything else is from the main kit and flower add-on.

Made a birthday gift box for my dad - for January 8th. Everything is from the main kit and flower add-on.

The tutorial for the kirigami gift boxes can be found HERE.

Here is a peek at the main kit this month - so gorgeous for scrapping the winter blues away!

I will be back with my kit sketch layout in a few days!

Sunday, December 29, 2013

Dusty Attic Clock using DEC Prima PPP (and Something Tattered Stamps)

I have been wanting to do this functional Dusty Attic wall clock project for a very long time. I finally had the motivation to alter it when hubby and I decided this month that our bedroom needs a "makeover" very soon. I now have this clock and new curtains that match the the gold/bronze and taupe colours in this clock. I fell in love with the December Prima PPP and based this project (and my new future bedroom) on it.

click on images for larger views

Here is a peek at the upper portion. The background was finished using Martha Stewart Weathered Crackle and DA's Hot Chocolate and Navajo White paints. I also used a Dusty Attic Paris post mark piece too. TONS of gorgeous Prima flowers, stick pins, resin angels and metal numbers.

I did a fair bit of stamping, using the Something Tattered Paris Script Stamp Set - it suited my project perfectly! Here is a closer look at the bottom half.

Here is the gorgeous palette I used...

MY ETSY SHOP UPDATE
30% off closing sale in my Etsy Shop at:

Receive 30% off your ENTIRE purchase. Enter the coupon code CLOSING2014 upon checkout (in the area provided for it) to receive the 30% discount. Coupon is valid through to the end of January 2014.
NO minimum order!

Thursday, December 26, 2013

*SALE* 30% off Dusty Attic


I am very sad to report that I will no longer be retailing Dusty Attic product through Etsy. I adore the product, but unfortunately my life does not have enough hours in each day right now to continue retailing this truly FANTASTIC product, plus Canada Post is really raising their 2014 prices so I am having a closing sale.

30% off closing sale in my Etsy Shop at:

Receive 30% off your ENTIRE purchase. Enter the coupon code CLOSING2014 upon checkout (in the area provided for it) to receive the 30% discount. Coupon is valid through to the end of January 2014.
NO minimum order!

HOW TO ENTER THE ETSY DISCOUNT CODE:
Once you've added items to your cart, click the blue Apply shop coupon code located above Item total BEFORE you checkout. Then, enter the coupon code CLOSING2014 and click Apply. The coupon discount will adjust your total before you submit the order (applicable to product cost - shipping will not be discounted). 


Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Holidays 2013!

Wouldn't life be worth the living,
Wouldn't dreams be coming true,
If we kept the Christmas spirit,
All the whole year through?
author unknown


ETSY SHOP UPDATE... DUSTY ATTIC
30% OFF CHIPBOARD SALE
STARTS ON DEC. 26, 2013

Monday, December 23, 2013

Holiday Decor (Dusty Attic)

I'm soooo into making Christmas decorations this year! Here are some tree baubles made with Dusty Attic cameo slides, Websters resin, Prima flowers and some pretty seam binding.

click on images for larger view

The cameo slide chipboard was simply painted with DA's Navajo white paint and topped with Stickles. Easy Peasy!

I added a touch of the glitter glue to the flowers too!

ETSY SHOP UPDATE... DUSTY ATTIC
30% OFF CHIPBOARD SALE
STARTS ON DEC. 26, 2013

Saturday, December 21, 2013

C'est Magnifique JAN Preview

In my last post I shared two layouts as a sneak peek to the C'est Magnifique January kit add-ons. Here is a look at the papers and add-ons. You'll have to wait until December to see the full main kit and project reveal!

PAPER ADD-ON

EMBELLISHMENT ADD-ON

FLOWER ADD-ON

MIXED MEDIA ADD-ON


Thursday, December 19, 2013

First look at January kit projects (C'est Magnifique Kits)

I'm sharing a few of my first projects made with the very pretty January C'est Magnifique kit - featuring gorgeous Fabscraps papers. Warming... I love PINK. I was so thrilled to scrap my daughter with pink, pink, pink. So, I grabbed some toddler pictures of her and off I went (she is now 5 years old) .

In my first layout, I used my favourite papers in this kit and paired them with some doilies from my stash. By the way, there are so many gorgeous flowers in the add-on kit! I also really like the black letters and bling in the main kit - to make things contrast with the light tones of the papers.

click on images for larger views

For my second layout, I layered some doilies from my stash and added more gorgeous flowers from this kit. Oh my... it is flower heaven... the large white flowers are included in the main kit! I also love how this paper looks aged and stamped on without having to pull out any ink... just a little distressing and voila - instant shabby chic!

Well, that's all the sneaks I have for today, but I have more projects in the works for the big reveal at the end of the month.

"White Christmas" ATC (Dusty Attic)

LESS THAN A WEEK UNTIL CHRISTMAS!

I just LOVE the "White Christmas" theme at Dusty Attic this month. I've actually had mine done for 6 weeks now and can finally share it. I used some older papers from Meg's Garden and paired them with DA's corrugated cardstock (I white-washed it with DA paint) and lots of gorgeous chipboard. I used a reindeer from the Santa sleigh and reindeer piece (I just cut off the last reindeer), a mini lamp post and some letters from the mini ABC set. I generously covered the reindeer and lamp post with DA's Alabaster white paint then topped them with diamond dust glass and stickles glitter. The word JOY was plain chipboard topped with DA's clear crackle varnish... I really the glossy crackle effect on plain pieces!

Well, that's my last Dusty Attic ATC for 2013!


Monday, December 16, 2013

Featured on the Inkido blog today!

Three of my layouts, along with a lot of other beautiful C'est Magnifique designer work are featured on the Inkido blog today. Thanks for the feature Inkido! The CM December kit was my first chance to play with papers from this awesome manufacturer... and let me tell you... amazing graphics and quality too!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

C'est Magnifique December GIVEAWAY

The owner of C'est Magnifique Kits, Leslie, is very generous with her blog readers. Each month she gathers up the bits and pieces from her kit, and offers to send them to one of you. This is what she has remaining from her December Kit, "Holiday Magic". What a huge collection of patterned paper from Inkido and KaiserCraft, and embellishments from the kit and both add-ons. This will make a wonderful early Christmas present for one of our readers and it could be you!

click image to see larger view

It's easy to enter the Bits & Pieces Giveaway  - just enter on the C'est Magnifique blog. The giveaway will close at midnight, December 12th. The winner, selected by a random draw, will be announced the following day. Good luck to you in winning!

Thursday, December 5, 2013

Something Tattered Blog Hop Winners!

10 winners can be found on the Something Tattered blog... but the winner from my blog is Butterfly/Alison. Huge congrats to you, please see the Something Tattered blog on details to claim your monogram prize and thank you for all your wonderful comments. I read each and every comment made on my blog! Here is what she wrote:



Blogger butterfly said...
Absolutely love these stamps, and your card is a delight!
Alison x
November 30, 2013 at 3:40 PM

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Dusty Attic 12 Days Of Christmas and Sketch Challenge

There are some REALLY beautiful projects being featured on the Dusty Attic Blog right now. 12 really pretty holiday projects from December 1st to 12th. Grab a cup of your favourite beverage, sit back, and be sure to have a peek each day!

Also, here is the monthly sketch if you'd like to enter the December challenge for a chance to win some awesome chipboard. See details on the Dusty NING.

Monday, December 2, 2013

C'est Magnifique Sketch Layout

I can finally reveal my last project created with the December C'est Magnifique kit, using the monthly sketch. Here is a picture my husband took a few years ago. We TRIED to get the kids to pose on Christmas Eve but it didn't work very well. They were too excited for Santa to come, LOL. Oh well, still a memory! Everything except for the doily is from the main kit and flower add-on.

click on images for larger views

I rotated the kit sketch like this...

Don't forget to join in the monthly sketch challenge to be entered to win one of 2 prizes. See details on the C'est Magnifique blog HERE.

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Another C'EST MAGNIFIQUE project

If you came for the Something Tattered blog Hop, please see previous post.

C'EST MAGNIFIQUE KIT PROJECT
Today I am revealing yet another creation made with the gorgeous C'est Magnifique December kit. A 4x4-inch kirigami. You can find my tutorial on how to create this wonderful, sturdy little gift box HERE on my blog. The large flower is from the add-on and the leaves are from my stash. I cut up the lace and added a wonderful chipboard MME title from this glorious kit.

Here is a peek at the main kit contents - so beautiful and so much to work with. A Christmas crafter's dream!

Friday, November 29, 2013

Something Tattered Blog hop!

You can feel Christmas in the air! The kids are so excited and so am I... so are you ready to a fabulous blog hop with LOTS of stamp prizes? 10 PRIZES TO BE WON!

Welcome to the First Annual Something Tattered Holiday Blog Hop!
If you came here from Misty's Blog, then you are on the right track. If not, head to the Something Tattered Blog for the full blog roll.

We are so excited to share our creations using the gorgeous vintage style stamps created by Beth Neumann. Our Design Team has been hard at work crafting their Holiday projects for you to see! We hope that you will be inspired and want to try some of these beautiful and elegantly detailed stamps for yourself!

First off here is my project, using the Paris Script Stamp set. I used the script stamp on both the snowman and stocking die cuts. I thought this card and tag set would look really cute together - maybe even make a nice teacher gift. Now... what to fill the jar with? Cookies I think!

click on images for larger views

Here is a close-up of the card. I actually don't own a die cutting machine since I primarily work with chipboard so a big shout out to my generous friend Bonnie for sending me Christmas die cuts (she sent lots!).

There will be a chance to win a monogram set of your choice for every blog that you visit and complete the steps below.
Here are some examples:

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/160146649/something-tattered-letter-a-initial?ref=shop_home_activehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/160138508/something-tattered-letter-b-initial?ref=related-2
  https://www.etsy.com/listing/160150166/something-tattered-letter-n-initial?ref=shop_home_active&ga_search_query=nhttps://www.etsy.com/listing/160151763/something-tattered-letter-s-initial?ref=related-6


The Grand Prize is a complete set
of French Months Stamp Sets!
Here are some examples and you can see the entire set here.

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/166546403/something-tattered-june-juin-french?ref=shop_home_activehttps://www.etsy.com/listing/163312374/something-tattered-october-octobre?ref=shop_home_active

 Grab a mug of something warm and yummy and start hopping!
 The Blog Hops ends at Midnight, Monday, December 2, 2013 - 10 PRIZES TO BE WON!

To play along:

1. Become a follower of the Something Tattered blog
2. Visit each Designer's blog and become a follower if you are not already.
3. Leave a comment on each blog so we know you were there!
4. Enjoy the projects!
4. If you have a blog,post our button on your blog (see sidebar on Something Tattered Blog)
5. Like our Facebook Page  and let us know you completed the hop!


One winner will be selected at random from each blog and all participants that complete the hop will be eligible to win the Grand Prize!

Your next stop on our Holiday Hop
If you lose your way here is the entire Blog Hop Order:

Have a happy hop and  Happy Holidays!

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

My first C'est Magnifique reveal

My very first C'est Magnifique reveal! I'm posting most of my projects made with the gorgeous December kit today (only 2 more projects to come). This kit features some gorgeous Inkido and Kaisercraft papers, plus perfectly matched embellishments. I love Christmas kits and had so much fun with this one that I created 7 projects in total!

Up first is a picture of my daughter's first Christmas - asleep most of the day, LOL! These 3 papers were my favourite ones in this kit! I added some diamond dust to the cream roses to compliment the sparkling vine. I inked, ripped and rolled the edges of my papers to add texture. Everything is from the main kit and flower add-on.
click on images for larger views

Next is a layout of my middle child as a toddler. I loved his little bear snowsuit! I added some doilies on here to complement the gorgeous lace in the kit. The details in the Inkido papers are so cute too! I simply finished the chipboard with some brown ink for a natural wood look. Everything else is from the main kit and flower add-on. Awesome zipper flowers this month!

This is a display layout for my fireplace mantle... I do a new one for every season. Again, I added a doily on here. There was some red ink in this kit so I made good use of it on the chipboard (along with some splattered gesso) and around the banner quote that I cut from one of the papers. Everything else is from the main kit and flower add-on. Love the red flowers - so festive!

Here is a card and tag set I made with some kit scraps for my mother in-law. I used a few leaves from my stash on here. I inked the paper edges for a classy vintage feel. Everything else is from the main kit and flower add-on. Such a great flower variety in this kit!

And yet another card and tag set made from this kit for my father in-law. I used a few leaves from my stash on here too. Heavy distressing on these for a shabby look. Everything is else main kit and flower add-on. Love the vintage images on the Inkido papers!

This kit was so was so easy to work with and I still have 2 more projects to reveal very soon! I was VERY inspired to create with this kit and it feels so good to be back to designing with monthly kits again! Leslie really puts together incredible kits and it is my pleasure to be designing for C'est Magnifique! They have a really great forum too so be sure to check it out!

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Dusty Attic "flying high" theme

I was so inspired by the "flying high" Dusty Attic theme this month that I made two ATCs and turned each of them into cards (sympathy cards) - unfortunately need a few of these for friends of mine.

For my first ATC, I used a shield and eagle wings from the coat of arms set. I mounted the ATC on the mini Marrakesh trellis and used 2 discard pieces from the casing of the Morroccan design set.

TIP: How did I achieve the faux embossed swirls on the shield? I painted a generous coat of gesso and right away topped it with DA clear crackle varnish. I used a kabob skewer and "drew" swirls before the crackle started to dry. On the wings I simply used metallic distress stain and on the trellis several inks were applied.

Here is my second card, using mini wings, a mini word and discard pieces from a corner scroll. I finished the wings with DA's Navajo white paint and clear crackle varnish and the other pieces I left natural and simply topped with the crackle. I love the way crackle looks on plain chipboard.

*Spend over $25.00 on Dusty Attic chipboard in my Etsy and you will receive 20% off your ENTIRE purchase. Enter the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY upon checkout (in the area provided for it) to receive the 20% discount. This offer expires on December 1st, 2013.

Monday, November 25, 2013

Make something old new again (Dusty Attic)

Something old, something new and definitely not blue (anymore). I made an advent calendar last year for a class I was teaching, thinking I was going to give it away as a gift. I knew it didn't match my house style (a bit too rustic and lots of blue), but it was perfect for the class. Well, I selfishly decided to keep it. So, I changed the numbers and took out the middle (since I had never glued it down permanently). I finished a Dusty Attic advent insert this year so that it now matches my house a bit more. My Chrismas colours are burgundy, pink, white and gold. I think this will do.

Click on images for larger views

Here is a closer look at the numbers, the advent insert and even the brand new mini fence. I stacked white numbers on top of the old brown ones, off setting slightly to create a shadow. The gold trees I found at Michaels. I finished the chipboard with gesso, gold glimmer mist, stickles, diamond dust and snow writer for dimension. To see my the rustic version of this calendar, see last year's post HERE.

What did I do with the "old" middle of the calendar? I heavily distressed the edges, added some lace and then glued it down onto a folded sheet of cardstock to make a card. This oversized card (for my parents) is 4x12 inches and features the Santa and reindeer chipboard as well as a mini word title.

*Spend over $25.00 on Dusty Attic chipboard in my Etsy and you will receive 20% off your ENTIRE purchase. Enter the coupon code BLACKFRIDAY upon checkout (in the area provided for it) to receive the 20% discount. This offer expires on December 1st, 2013.