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 Post cards

Hello, gosh this post is very late today, I hope your day is going well. I have joined a swap with Trisha from the lovely French kissed. She sent me (and others) some stunning post cards at the end of March for us to alter. The title was 'April in Paris' Now if you visit you know I had to play I love French/Paris anything lol  (please put positive thoughts out there for me to go to Paris ;0) I am sorry but I have forgotten to take a before photo DER! anyway here is what I created with the cards I received.

The PCs were all vintage and black & white. It actually took me some time to actually do anything with them as they were just so beautiful as they were. But then I got to thinking about other vintage cards/photos and how they are colourised. And I thought I would use this as a theme through out. Look at these wonderful landmarks, one day I will see them for real (one day).

I made this lovely fairy from a sheet I bought from Land of nod studios . I thought she looked perfect here under the arch. I used my copics for all the colouring I am really please with the results.

The image is from crafty Individuals, aren't they just so perfect together? And the same done with the postcard back ground with the copics. After they were all finished I painted matt medium on all of them to protect them through the post as Trisha wanted us to sent them through the post just as they were. when she get' them all back she gets to keep some (she gave the post cards out) and then every one else get some back from who ever else joined in. I am looking forward to my swaps I look forward to seeing what others have done, however I am going to miss these post card I hope others will enjoy them.

A hat for Paris?

Morning blog land. How are you all. I have been struggling to create but I am happy to say I think I am back on form after creating this. As you all know if you visit regularly I love French/Paris things. And I use this as my muse for lots of things. I saw these cute little hats and I was full of ideas (I may have to do another) The light has gone awful so sorry about the quality (I had to use a flash).

I have a few close up on this hat here is the 1st

Number two view.

And the third view. I love birds as well ;0) it's amazing what you can do with a few bit's & bobs and a hot glue gun? I haven't come across 'Pink Paislee' before but I did love these Parisian Anthology pieces. Some of the flowers, leaves and lace are from wild orchards. Some are prima flowers and others hobby craft. I do like to buy from all over ha ha.. I hope you likey like. I would also like to say hi to my new followers, ARCE, (French of heart) & Dorothy, couldn't get to your blogs please leave me a link & Rosa from paperchase & Trish from sweetology. Thank you for coming along to share the fun I have crafting and seeing all your wonderful works too. Have a great day the week end is almost here.  Love Dawn xx

Trinchie

Hello, long time no see, It's been special holidays here in the UK and I had to enjoy some of the wonderful weather we were having, I had my grand son staying almost all of last week and of course there was a Royal Wedding, which I had to watch from 8am it was wonderful. So that's why no  posts for over a week. So now I am going to post this trinchie for a challenge over at the lovely Linda's challenge over at, Studio L3. We are playing with Tim Holtz Techniques.

Here is a close up of my trinchie (3x3inch) I am still loving anything French or Parisian as my muse (hope your not too board). I have also put a new journal post up if your interested in journalling, on my other blog, Journal Journey's. This ribbon is wonderful I got a few different colours while they were in stock from Wild Orchard Crafts as well as lovely lace. I hope you like this I love Marie Antoinette the image is from the Graphics Fairy who always has the most wonderful images for FREE. As always lovely to see you and if you comment I know you're there. Love Dawn xx

Shabby Chic Framed Art

Hello, crafters and friends. I have decided that come what may I am going to have a shabby chic front room (as my pocket will allow) it's going to take time and money so it will be a slow process. However I can start by making some art for the walls can't I? This is a box frame that started off life in a charity shop brown with some dried flowers in it (wish I had taken a photo.) Any way I stripped it sanded it and painted it. It's since been sat there looking at me. I didn't know what I was going to do with it, and then I had an idea and so here it is and I hope you like it.

I have to say a BIG thank you to the The Graphic Fairy I have used a few images from her blog (so many freebies you have to go and see) here you can see receipts, perfume bottle labels, post cards etc all from the lovely fairy. I have printed them off and aged the papers so they look old with DIs. The lady images I am not so sure where they come from, the one in the corner says ACF not sure who that is, the other has nothing on that photo to let me know. If you know do let me know and I can give credit because they are really pretty and very useful.

The beautiful DP is from Making Memories the 'Je t'doreor' collection oh so lovely, I used this so many time as back ground to photos I was taking of tags etc I finally had to use it (so glad I did) 

There are some yummy things of Tim's in there too (new things lush ;0) The broken doll I can't remember what there called but DON'T throw away the packaging I made some wax versions as well so I have a supply with out keep buying them (how cool?) not as much detail as the original (original in the frame) but not a bad substitute ;0) Well this is my post I hope you like it, let me know what you think I always value your opinions. Love Dawn xx

Colourful card.

It's very late hence the poor quality of the photos. This is for the challenge over at The Play Date Cafe. I couldn't say no to this colour combo I really like it. (although it's lovely and bright IRL) Although it looks simple so much time has gone into this card. I made a promise to my self this week to use some of the many DP I have bought over the years. So here are some Stampin' Up! papers. I much prefer to use mix media to make my own back grounds now but there was a time I would always use DP. I am also hoping to get some 12 x 12 LOs going soon (been saying this since Jan.)  that will get rid of a few lol.

You may recognise the frame? I have moulded one of Tims and used some Friendly Plastic to fill the mould I made. The Eiffel tower I have made before I love that mould (bought) then there are the flowers lots of Alcohol Ink then  a stamp and cut out to stick on a card, tag or what ever, feel free to enlarge to get more detail. I will schedule this post I am off to the land of nod ;0) Love Dawn xx 

ATC folder & some ATCs

This is the 2nd post of the day so please have a look at the previous post, thank you. I was busy this week end making ATC folders. Never done this before, but there is a tutorial by the lovely Sandi in the group called Bella Creations They have a long list of various types of craft groups and any one can join. It's a really nice place to be and friendly or I wouldn't mention them would I? ;0) The first ATC folder with 3 ATCs has a French theme, you know I love anything French (vintage especially) yummy. And the second one is a steam punk one. I just bought these steam punk images from the lovely June She is a lovely lady &  has a wonderful friendly service with some wonderful images for sale.

I have only included 3x ATC in each folder, however it holds six. Do you like the French one? I am giving this away to the first follower who asks for it. I'll post it any where.

And another couple of quick ATCs made with the mini (not available any where in the world except QVC) Tim Holtz stamps which are now SOLD OUT! I love the alcohol inks and like working with them, so much so I already had the ones in the kit from QVC but to have all these stamps in mini was just to hard to resist but there was some lovely glossy cards stock (never can have to much) when your playing with alcohol. and some sticky metal and shrink plastic. Hope you enjoyed a look at the ATCs and Folders Don't forget the French one with the three ATCs is available for the first follower that asks for it. Love Dawn xx

The folder has been asked for now,by the lovely Bastelmania. Thank you for your continued interest in my work.

GSC Guest Designer for November

Yes this was the other little secret I couldn't tell you! I can not tell you how surprised and completely thrilled I was to be asked to be a GDT for Gingersnap Creations I am always on this blog site for ideas and a challenge or too! They also have a great group on yahoo too if you want to join in even more fun items lol. I am still shocked that they asked me. After seeing the contributors they have had in the past  and the fabby DT thay have now, (all wonderful crafters) and I am to join the ranks too *blushes* ha ha . So my first had to be kinda special! the theme is 'Haute Couture' that means Paris Fashion! to me any way lol. (not that I am big on fashion you understand lol)So I went to work on a familiar style for me ATC torso's  and there are plenty of fashion & sewing references. Hope you have time to have a peek through the photos, as I decided to make a kind of small ATC size book of Fashion! Don't forget you can always click on them to make them larger for more detail.

Such a wonderful way to begin the month of November for me any way ;0) I hope you like my effort and I have given you some ideas too. So hope you are all going to be popping along to GSC for a nosey at what all the other, terribly gifted designers have been up to. Love Dawn xx

ATC Loved up!

Afternoon and I hope you have had a wonderful weekend. I have missed making my ATCs . So I thought I would have a go at making a couple and these will also come in handy for Feb. to put on a card, what do you think?

I love playing with the bottle tops, don't know why but the glossy accents didn't dry clear this time. You can click on the photos to have a look in more detail if you like. You know how I love the Paris/ French theme it's here again ha ha. How did I do it? The bottle top is crushed coloured with alcohol inks and then I take an image or text punch it out and then add it and I placed it in the middle of this wonderful butterfly and some stickles really high lights the points I wanted to really well.

The main stamps are Eco stamps very RECYCLE conscious at the moment well I even used bottle tops and pain chips too! lol The stamps are super to work with and are available from The Altered Element  in fact you can find quite a few Eco products here, go have a nosey if you like :0). This is really a very simple ATC but I do love to high light things some times and just re stamping the image and punching it out to add  spot light pieces works really well I think. I hope you like these and you get some crafting done this week. Love Dawn xx

Don't forget my £20 Altered Element voucher that's up for grabs for having 200 followers running until the 7th Nov. see my side bar for more details.

SCD Torso's Bling

Well  another month is here with SCD and this month is going to be 'TORSO' and this week will be 'Bling' now your torso has to be the same size as an ATC as we will be doing a swap at the end of the month, isn't that fun? More about this later in the month. Now I visited some great tags last month and some really cleaver views on our weekly titles. I do hope your going to play this month too! We're nothing with out your participation.

So here is my Torso, You all know I love anything Paris related  and in my mind Paris is all the bling you will ever need lol so here it is. I have took some fragments and one I have added Alcohol inks to, I like the focal point it makes. The other fragment has Stickles (diamond) under it to make a blingy focal point at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I have also taken some distress stickles (more subdude) and used this at certain joints in the tower.

I think you can see the sparkle better in this CU shot. I have taken an image from the Graphics Fairy, and cut it out to fit the torso ATC I have used some inks to distress as well as some stickles etc and I stamped Paris on there too. I was going to add some swirls as well but I managed to stop my self ;0) Some times you can put too much on a project can't you? Well I hope you like this but please go to the SCD blog and go and see the other DT I know you will find lots of inspiration ;0) Love Dawn xx.

Items Used:- Image Graphic Fairy. Stamps, Oxford impressions. Distress inks, stickles, Ranger. Fragments and alcohol inks Tim Holtz.

WOYWW 61 & Dawnies ATC swap

So it's WOYWW with Julia I have missed a few weeks, and I missed you all. But the desk isn't it's normal fairly tidy self, it's a tip! I haven't created much in the way of finished projects it's more doing lots of bits to make my art with. I have really been transferring a lot of images on to various materials this has been so much fun! but have only used one of them on an ATC which I posted yesterday if you want to have a look. There's a piece I made with my melt pot! and some Die Cuts. Some books & magazines I am reading (referring to) and some new Graphic 45 DP AIWL Halloween style really nice. Although we're not big on sending people Halloween cards etc I though some ATCs at some point would be good. Any way thanks for stopping by I will have a nosey at your desks through the day ;0)

The above ATCs are from my monthly swap with Petra The theme was French/Paris and these above are what I made and below are Petra's isn't she talented? 

Now I hope you can draw some inspiration from our swap which we did in the month of June. At the end of Aug I'll show you our July swap. If you would like to create some French/Paris ATCs I would love to see what you have come up with, and I'll show some on my blog, if you have a go let me know and I'll pop by in the mean time, Have a fabby day Love Dawn xx