Tag Tuesday - Travel

This week at Tag Tuesday it's travel and you can really go anywhere with this lol. I thought I would go for the obvious I suppose and make some travel luggage tags, I think they are so sweet!

I chose some yummy co-ordinations card stock (love this stuff) and I cut them in the shape of my lovely little suitcase (you know the ones with the long handle that you pull out) Any way I thought they would make fabby luggage tags (not literally as they are a bit flimsy) But you could make real ones with some yummy string couldn't you? Then you would know your luggage, maybe even crochet a belt for your suitcase as well. Anyway I digress, inside I put some lovely papers of some wonderful places far away that you could dream of visiting. I hope you pop along and see what all the other talented DT team have been up to, I am sure they can inspire not just for tags but any crafty project you are making. Dxx

Key-ring/BagCharm

Hi I got this idea from a Paper Artsy Post and I had the things in so I played. Love the idea, Whay not make some yourself? Dxx

Decorate your wall with a pretty 3D hanging

If you visit here often, you will know my fave muse is French/Paris.  And here we go again with another go at a theme I never tire of. I have bought a couple of these to alter. I'll share the other another time as it's a completely different theme and it's not quite finished yet.

The wood was covered in gesso, then my fave fresco paint in nougat. I added lots of stamping in various Distress inks. Some images from the Graphic Fairy (link on my sidebar). I love the pebbles from Prima. I was determined to keep the theme of make do & mend in my head from my previous posts, so all the things I have used for this are old apart from the wood & paint. I really am enjoying altering things again, my mind seems to be fresh with ideas at the moment so I will have to keep going, for who knows when I will be on a crafty low in the mix media department lol. Thanks for stopping by to see what I have been upto. Love Dawn xx

Thinking of warmer times

....Yes indeed I am. I thought I would dream of warmer weather and to get me in the mood some lovely paints (my new faves) Fresco from PaperArtsy. All slapped lovingly on one house shaped wood substrate. I gessoed everything first, after this dried I began to play.

So here they are. I was thinking of breaks we have had in Cornwall. This is what came to mind when I saw these bare wood houses. I drew windows & doors on card coloured them in with coppics and added them, this will make a lovely key holder for the hall. Love Dawn xx

Peanuts anyone?

I save empty tins of all shapes, and they are getting in the way so I thought I would alter a couple. This is a smallish KP tin (other nuts are available lol) And I love playing with stuff as you know, so this was a good way to play with out buying anything new and getting rid  using some of my delightful paper stash. Isn't this very shabby chic style?  Some vintage lace and some yummy Prima flowers I have had for literally years. Anything Paris connected and I love to play all the more lol. So I hope you like my tin to store all sorts of stuff, from cotton wool balls to bits of make up or your sewing scissors & threads whatever you like grab a tin and get cracking lol.

Then I went all Retro, I adore this paper and I have used it many times in background shots of items as I have with the Parisian one above as well *swoons* just love all of these papers. Well, these have a real retro feel to them so I thought I would put a lovely photo of the 'Land-girls' who kept the bellies of the people going, during the war. Despite all the hardships that were going on look at the girls faces all smiling and getting on with it. I really love the philosophy of  'Keep Calm & carry  on', 'Make do & mend' etc Anyway I hope you liked my make do and mend storage tins from old peanut tins from Christmas, I love 'em. You can stuff it full with wooden spoons or other kitchen parafinalia, Just an idea anyway have a play. Love Dawn xx

Altered box

This is how it finished up but I thought I would show you some step-by-step photos.

This is how my box arrived £9 I paid but they are only £7.5 from HERE

Covered it in Gesso inside & out and allowed to dry naturally, it didn't take long at all.

Then I smothered it inside & out in this wonderful Eco friendly fresco paint and I love them. They're very good for coverage, colour, price and everything else

Then I started stamping, lots of stamping and watered some more of the paint down in the colour nougat. I used this to cover the stamped images, then added more images then more paint and just kept going until I was happy.

Finally I added some die cuts, I have had these ages Wish I knew where I got them from as I would love some more. (Let me know or send me a link if you know, thanks) I had in mind to put all my garden seeds in the finished box along with garden planting labels, string etc.  I also really like the little hangers on the bottom as well, I could hang my little trowel  & folk underneath.

So what have you been up to lately? Oh here's a little update about the altered birds I made. Remember I asked what you think I could do with them? Well here they are, I put some some holes in with my hole punch (went through the wood really easy) & put some vintage lace through. I think they look really nice, you can put them on door handles, like the wardrobe, what do you think?

Pansy time

I had some fun making this I was thinking it would look lovely on my front door, but alas no. So I thought I would make another one when I get some pennies, this one however will not be waisted I am sure. I will be popping this into my folksy shop with any luck some one will love it LOTS enough to buy it ha ha so pop by later if you would like a nosey.

Here's a closer look. I really thought this would go well with my Bright Red front door (I was thinking red white & blue) but not enough, never mind I hope you like it. I have been doing a lot of sewing of late so I will share some photos with you soon ;0) Have a wonderful weekend. Love Dawn xx

Fabric yuminess

Close up of the small version with green ribbon

Close up of large each ribbon hand sewn at the edges

Large flags are sewn all the way round

I have been making things for my Folksy shop this is just one ;0) Click Here. I don't often sell things but I have lots of material and it's time I used some of it ;0) So I have made some bunting in two sizes. It will look lovely in a bedroom or hanging in a garden. Bunting makes me think of times past, and brought a smile to me and I hope to you. Love Dawn xx

Knitted scarf for Summer

Hello ladies, I have the worst cold I have had in what seems like forever (isn't that always the way when we have a cold) Man flu pooey, I am ill and should be in bed, but a woman has things to do and one of those yummy things I like to do is pop in to blog land. A reward after doing two lots of washing and changing the bed (but hubby will have to make it I am done in lol) I need lemon & hunny some chicken soup and a new box of tissues ha ha. Over the last couple of nights I made this lovely scarf so I thought I would share. Do you like?

I knitted this with jumbo needles 15mm so you get this very light weight lace scarf. I love the colours very Summery and lovely to go with a blouse etc. I have also been finally learning to crochet over the the last two weeks and I am successfully making granny squares but I will leave this for another post he he. Well I have some things to make for a couple of swaps I'm involved with to 'achoo' "bless me" I must go off and create lol I almost like this bad weather we're having as it keeps me in to craft. (almost) I SO prefer the SUN heat warmth Achoo oh excuse me. Well I suppose I had better clean all these tissues away and disinfect the computer ha ha have a lovely day. Dawn xx

Oh P.S. see the mug holder the scarf's on? this was a purchase from a craft (thrift) shop for a £1 keep your eyes out  for a transformation of this item ;0)

Russian Doll Key Ring

Hello bloggers/crafters. I was in hobby craft yesterday and bought this adorable magazine Mollie Makes.  On the cover was a freebie to make a little Russian doll key ring, everything required was included all you needed was a needle and a wee bit of stuffing. And within the hour I had this new little friend isn't she adorable?

I adore the mice on the cover and they have templates inside of these too, loving the clothes for  them lol so watch this space I think these to will be on the things to do list he he. Love Dawn xx

Altered pocket watch

I have had these Pocket watches for some time and I finally decided to use the last two I had left. These Art Parts (I think they're called) are jolly good fun to play with ;0) There is an old necklace and bracelet taken apart to add interest and I am really pleased with the way the colours all turned out.

Here's a lovely close up ;0) Of course You know I have a love for TH but not just him. I have found some lovely bits n bobs around. Shame though,  the shop that I used to use (The Altered Element) is no more. Where do you find all these lovely things like fountain pen nibs and brass keys bottle tops etc Do let me know if you have a supplier of the unusual ;0)

I couldn't get 'The cat in the Hat out of my head after making the tag the other day, so I had to have a play lol and this is what I came up with ;0)

I am going to stick findings to these to make broaches, although I have a feeling my son Shawn (now at Uni in London) with have this one and pop a chain on it. He's just daft enough to wear it lol. I would like to join in with Simon Says Stamp & Show they want you to play with Ideology and of course stamp My top Pocket watch qualify's beautifully, you also have time to join in if you wish. The DT have given some wonderful inspiration. And not to forget Studio3 the lovely Linda who encourages us to have some wearble art this week please pop along to Tim and check out new ideas as well. Hope you have a wonderful day. Love Dawn xx

What can you make out of Rubbish?

Morning, So rubbish, quite. I had two of these tins from Christmas and I knew they would come in handy I just didn't know for what. Any way if you look at any of my WOYWWs you will see two white baskets and they do take up a fare amount of room. I was feeling locked in at my desk so, I have had a little move around and created some more space using these tins. Before all my copic pens were in the basket, not very good I can't see them and when it comes to using colours they weren't easy to get hold of or even see which colours I had. Here's what I created.

So, what do you think? they didn't take ages to make but I thought they were a quick fix to a problem I had. And they look lovely (to me any way) and cost nothing to make it's all scraps and bits and all my copics JUST fit so come Christmas I may have to eat some peanuts for my new copics ha ha. 

Oh I wanted to tell you I am having a little give away on my other blog Journal Journey's so pop over for the details. It's always fun reading your comments and visiting your blogs. Thanks for stopping by to see what I have been up to. Love Dawn xx

Baby Vintage (look) box

Hello, Well It's finally finished, and I am happy with it. I tried all sorts before I came to this finished product. My cousin (Helen) had her first child last week A little boy who they have named Leo William. oh and what a beautiful boy he is. They didn't know the sex as they decided to have a surprise. I was going to go all pink if it was a girl, but as he's a boy I really didn't want to do blue it just didn't look right and I wanted a Victorian vintage shabby kind of feel with out it looking tacky (I know) that's why it took months to do!

Here's the outside, this was one of those bare pine boxes I used gesso to cover it all (a couple of coats) then I used Laura Ashley paint 'Creamware' isn't it lovely Added some wonderful brade trim some stamps and clear embossed them. My gold pen to colour the hinges and fastening. On the top I used some vintage lace and a Victorian photo of a baby boy and also edged it with some pearl & ribbon trim to frame the photo, it just looked too bare on it's own.

Finally in side I used some wonderful paper so lovely from Graphic 45 I love the sheets I bought (defo have the strokeability factor ha ha) Know I just need to think what to put in side. ( a voucher for the baby at least) but I wanted to put some baby things in of a vintage nature like an old nappy pin with blue enamel top (for a boy) any other suggestions I am really struggling here HELP! as I really want to get this off in the post by the end of next week. I really hope you like my baby box. Have a lovely Tuesday. Love Dawn xx 

Altered Element DT Recycle

This is my 1st DT post for the Altered Element, so I wanted to make it special. The title we were given was 'RECYCLE' as I am sure you do to. I think pretty much every crafter recycles to some degree. We save packaging and bits of ribbon off clothes. Christmas is a great time to recycle card and paper and even the crackers have gifts for the avid crafter lol.

In this part of the configuration, there are small watch parts & faces all available at Altered Element  (AE) Which I am so sad to say is closing down. However, they have amazing discounts UP TO 35% so make sure you get round there and stock up or buy some crafter the perfect gift! The configuration boxes went in a flash, I have looked to day and they have gone. But there is so much more. 

I have used AE stamps from ECO which is recycled rubber for stamps and they also have the other Eco items. I have used every thing form stamps to bottle tops to even a key hole cover (porcelain) there is so much around the house that can be useful. I am sure as a crafter we look at things and look at all the alternatives. I have even saved a couple of tic tac boxes which I have plans for!  I'm so bad even hubby does it! lol, before anything goes in the bin we think! what could I/Dawn do with this. Hubby has even given me a plasic tub that his shaving foam was in. It looks like a flying saucer I have no idea what I will make with it but I will think of something! ;0)

And Sculpey is also available at AE can be used for any thing. Here I used it to make an Eiffel tower, hearts and cherubs. I also used Friendly plastic as well as sculpy for the moulds,  all available at the Altered Element very effective and the possibilities are really endless. So stock up on the things you just have to have while this fantastic sale is on! There are lots more details of items I used and how I made the corset out of Sculpey Clay Here I hope you liked this little offering, I know how you all love to create. If you make some thing with one of these Configuration boxes of Tim's I really want to see what you come up with. Love Dawn xx