Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Sprucing up a Store Bought Container

Recently Mom bought a paper mache type container that she is going to have filled with flowers for her secret sister (at her card club).  It was nice but I thought it would be fun to spruce it up a bit.

So, here is what it started out as....

Spring basket 002

Since it's going to be holding flowers we're going to first get rid of the tiny ribbon handle. 

Next, to give it a more vintage feel I applied Sepia Ink using my Ink Blending Tool to the entire container...even over the image.

Spring basket 003

I thought about adding a layer of clear micro beads to the image (because Mom LOVES them) but I figured since it was going to be filled w/flowers and handled quite a bit I'd go with something a bit more durable.   So I applied a layer of Stickles Glitter Glue to the image to give it a bit of pizazz. 

Spring basket 004


Spring basket 006

After the glitter was dry I decided to frame the image up by adding a bit of Dresden Trim around the edges. 

Spring basket 007

Really sets it off and makes it pop huh?

Spring basket 008

Remember the very inexpensive garland that I salvaged from the Big Lots Easter Decoration?   Well I thought the purple would make the violets in the image really pop so I added it to the top and bottom edge of the container using double sided sticky tape.
Spring basket 010

Then since it's going to house flowers I thought it would be nice to make a matching bow to add to them once it's finished.  I pulled out my Distress Stains and a bit of seam binding. 

Spring basket 013

Wet, ink and crinkle and I now have a pile of fun ribbon to use.
Notice the flowers - those are tiny white flowers that I used to soak up the excess ink left over on the craft mat.  Those will be great to use on another spring-y project!

spring basket 016

And here it is ready for flowers...

spring basket 018

I'm going to see if Mom won't take a pic of it filled before she gives it to her SS.   If she can I'll be sure to share it with you :)
spring basket 019

So, if you're in the store and see an "average" decoration
remember you can always take a bit of time and spruce it up a bit to make it beautiful!

Proof that Spring has Sprung here in Indiana....

Imagine my surprise this morning when right outside our door was a sure sign of spring and that Easter is on it's way....

Spring Bunny 001

Mr. Bunny surveying the yard, I'm sure looking for a bit of clover to eat - lol...  
 He stayed there quite a while just basking in the sun. 

Spring Bunny 004

Spring Bunny 005

Spring Bunny 006

After he hopped off I decided to go take a few pics of some flowers blooming in the front yard as well....

This is my double daffodil...

Spring Bunny 008

regular daffodil
Spring Bunny 010

and there were even a few grape Hyacinth peeking out here and there...
Spring Bunny 011

such a lovely time of the year!

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Get Inked - March 2012 - Flowers!

Today I wanted to give you a peek at this months Get Inked stamps....Flowers. 

I don't know about the weather where you live but I tell you it's been warm here in NE Indiana...VERY warm...  Like in the 80's for the last few days and then the 70's prior to that.  They say it's about 35-40 degrees above average.  Needless to say the plants, trees, grass, etc has gone nuts.  We have flowers blooming that normally don't bloom until May, dh is going to mow the yard tonite and our bushes actually have leaves already! 

I don't know if it's going to last or not but I'm not complaining...  It only worries me what summer might be like if it's this warm this early.

Which leads me to this months stamps - more fun flowers....  Here are the cards I made using this months kit.  There is one additional image that's not shown and it's a poppy.

This months kit extras are Dusty Concord Distress Stain and Rose Quartz Embossing Antiquities EP.

If you'd like to order a March Get Inked kit you can e-mail Vicki @ - info@katsmagicalpatches.com

In addition to the above goodies and stamps you'll also receive instructions on how to create the following cards and 8 different ways to incorporate the Distress Stains into your art. I know there are loads more than 8 but hey, you gotta draw a line somewhere or I'd be writing another book ;) LOL!!

GI - March 2012 20

GI - March 2012 21

GI - March 2012 22

GI - March 2012 24

Would you like to win a set of these Flower Stamps?
To enter into the drawing, post a comment telling us your favorite flower species ~ for growing, receiving, or just because you like the looks of them.....

Mine used to be Iris but in the last several years I've been leaning towards day lilies. But then again, I love how lilacs smell in the spring time and how beautiful mums are in the fall... I guess it's pretty hard to pick just one so you can post as many as you'd like :)

You have until 3-31-12 to post a comment to be entered to win!

Good Luck Everyone
and
Remember to take time to smell the flowers!

Monday, March 19, 2012

Wings & Blooms StampersBest Blog Hop Winner


And the winner is.....

SB - Blooms & Wings 011

Kay Wallace!!!

Just returned from the StampersBest blog, which I left a comment after viewing your project in its entirety! I am always impressed by your artistic endeavors, Roni, but this piece is exceptional. I love how you seamlessly created the "whole" out of pieces and parts! Well done, my friend!

Happy March Winner is....

The winner of some green goodies in honor of St. Patrick's Day is....

Kim MJ (Bast)

Bastsaid...
My favorite color is green! I find the spring so inspiring as there are so many different gorgeous colors of green everywhere. For the past few weeks I see bits of green peeping out in my gardens as my mini daffs are getting ready to bloom and I cannot wait to see them once again.

Also I see it is going to be National Chocolate Chip Cookie Week ... time to start baking. ;)

KimMJ



Woo Hoo!!
Congratulations Kim!!
(Please send me your snail mail addy)

Sassy Ladies GI Winner

The winner of February's Get Inked stamps ~ Sassy Ladies ~  is....

Patti L!!!

Patti Lsaid...
I would love to have this stamp set. One of my favorite sassy quips is "Coffee? No thanks, but I will have a Cafe-Mocha-Vodka-Valium-Latte to go, please!"

Scrabble Tile Give-A-Way - Repost

Several people have asked about the Scrabble Tile Give-A-Way. 
They mentioned that they could only see one name posted.
Must be something with Blogger or individual browsers because I can see all 5.  I'm not good at computer stuff or I'd probably be able to figure it so,  I thought just to be safe I'd re-post the winners just in case they couldn't see their own name.

If your name is on the list, please e-mail me your snail mail addy.
(I know Claudine C. has rec'd hers.)


the 5 winners of the
Recycled Packaging Scrabble Tile Winners are.....

KC

KCsaid...

these are awesome! I love those flower ones!!



Chok Keunsaid...
Great ideas to recycle and make beautiful charms for pennies a piece!

Too bad, over here in Singapore, we do not have the chance to get an old Scrabble game at a garage sale for .50 cents, neither do have we have great scale hobby stores like Hobby Lobby.
SHUT UP!!! THese are fantastic!! I really love these! I want to try and make some now. Time to go to my local thrift store and buy some scrabble games. haha!! Thanks for the neat idea. I would love to win one of yours.
Wow, these are fab! xx
Well aren't you the clever one? I don't have any packaging that would work but will keep the idea in my notebook for future use. Would love to win one...a better reminder to make more! thank you!

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Happy St. Patrick's Day 2012!!!

Wishing you all the luck of the Irish today and through out the coming year!!!

Have a wonderfully green day :)


vintage st patricks day postcards 002

vintage st patricks day postcards 001

vintage st patricks day postcards 003

Friday, March 16, 2012

Win the Wings & Blooms Plaque!!

StampersBest was asked to participate in a Wings & Blooms Blog Hop by Crafting by Designs today and Susan (@ SB) asked me to design a project for this theme!

So, I pulled out some of my favorite "winged" and bloom stamps from StampersBest to see what I could come up with. 

Here is a little sneak peek of what I made....

SB - Blooms & Wings 009

You'll have to hop on over to StampersBest blog to see the entire project along with a complete stamp and supply list.
If you would like a chance to win this plaque, simply post a comment on this post to be entered to win. 
You have until 6:00pm  (EST)  Monday 3-19th to post your comment.

Good Luck Everyone
and
Enjoy!!

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Liquid Pearls - New Colors & Old

Hi Everyone...

Today I thought it would be fun to share all of the new colors of Liquid Pearls mixed in with the old.  Well, the old aren't really that old since they have been recently revamped but you kwim.  I think it's always nice to see them with something other than just the color swatch on the site because those little swatches just don't do the LP's justice. 

My color line doesn't quite mesh with what they have up on Ranger but you can put them in any order you like.  You'll notice below there are 31 colors instead of 30.  One of my old style colors ~ Daffodil ~ snuck into this pile.  I thought I had the old ones all separated out but I guess I missed one.

I have to tell you about how excited I am about a few of these new colors....
Ocean Blue, Royal Blue, Key Lime, Avocado, Hot Chocolate, Onyx Pearl.... 
Oh my, the colors are so intense!  I've been longing for some really dark/bold colors for such a long time, I'm just so tickled they are finally here! 

On to the LP's...
The entire line...

Liquid Pearls 001

Red, Orange, Yellow...

Ruby Red, Rouge, Flamingo, Petal Pink
Cantaloupe, Pumpkin*
Buttercup (old style), Gold Petal*, Buttercup (new style), Daffodil* 
Liquid Pearls 006

Green, Blue...

Mint Green, Key Lime*, Avocado*, Ivy Green*, Peacock
Baby Blue, Ocean Blue*, Royal Blue*
Liquid Pearls 007

Purple, White - Black...

Lavender Lace, Hydrangea*, Orchid*, Majestic Purple*
White Opal, Silver Pearl, Platinum Pearl, Onyx Pearl*
Liquid Pearls 008

Browns...

Bisque, Copper Pearl*, Hot Cocoa*, Chestnut*, Dark Chocolate*

Liquid Pearls 010

So, there you go....

Now I've told you my favorites, tell me what yours are....

Simply post a comment with your top 5 color pics and you just might be the lucky reader to win 5 bottles of the new colors!!!

You have until 3-24 to post your favorite colors to be entered to win!

Good Luck Everyone!!