3D projects – My Crafts are Like a Box of Chocolates

Teacher Thank You Gift Boxes

November 15, 2015 beccreates1

This week the challenge was to make something for someone in our community. I decided to get a couple of gift certificates for my children’s teachers and decorate the packaging.

I used a gift box die and a couple of tag dies. Overall this is very simple but since I’ve had strep for the last week, it was all I could muster up.

I hope you play along with Jennifer’s challenges too.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Thank you from SSS
Ink: lipstick red-SSS
Paper: Simple Stories DP, kraft, chartreuse CS-PTI
Accessories: pillow box, tag dies, twine-PTI

Uncategorized

Beach Paradise Mixed Media Canvas

November 1, 2015 beccreates1

I’m planning on painting a large three-part canvas for my bathroom. To test out the paints I bought and to help me know what proportions of colours I’d need to mix, I painted this much smaller canvas board.

For the background I spread an uneven layer of texture paste not covering it all up as I like the canvas texture. Then I went over that with a great stencil from Red Lead Paper Works and more embossing paste. Next I painted it with acrylic paints, first the sand (a mix of unbleached titanium white and metallic gold), then the sky and finally the sea. The metallic-ness of the gold got a bit lost in the mix so I dry brushed the sand with the gold paint.

It wasn’t enough gold for me so I went over it with gold Gilder’s Paste and that turned out much more shimmery. The gold sat up on top of the lettering and looked so pretty! So now I had my trial for my larger canvas. I remembered to write down my approximate paint mixes then decided to embellish it as it turned out so well. I will put it up downstairs during the summer months. I’ve added air dry clay shells, Prima flowers, sequins and shell beads, buttons, ribbon, real fish net, rhinestones, die cuts, twine, wood veneer, a coin, brads and a pearl stick pin.

The shell ‘sequins’ area really cool. They are real shell beads called heishi beads and basically look like sequins! I got them at Art Beads.com and I highly recommend them for any application. I might even use them in a shaker card! I know this is out of season but honestly, I could make beachy themed items all year! And I probably will! Stay Tuned!

Enjoy, Rebecca

Entered In:

Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge: Throwback. I forget when it was but this was for the Paradise challenge.

Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Challenge: Anything Goes

RECIPE
This is a pretty big list. Let me know if there’s anything in particular you’d like to know about.

Uncategorized

Pumpkin Treat Box

September 21, 2015 beccreates1

Hello and I’m glad you are joining me for another week at The Shabby Tea Room! This week, we had a yummy inspiration photo.

I don’t celebrate Halloween so I made some fall decor instead. I plan to put coffee beans and a faux tea light in there. I took the colours from the photo and decided to use the black plus white and one other colour scheme. I just substituted ivory for the white and dark red for the yellow/orange combo. The cute little treat box is from The Cutting Cafe who is our sponsor this week. It was a breeze to print out and construct; I highly recommend you check them out!

So, I kinda wish I could have a do over on the glass glitter I added to the burgundy roses. I was a bit too much for such small flowers and while I scraped a lot of excess away, I still regret it. But it wasn’t bad enough to bother wasting the flowers and starting again especially since I attached them with E6000 glue! It’s a fabulous glue for bulky 3-D items but no way are those coming off with out major tearing.

I do hope you will play with us this week! We have fabulous prizes for the top winners. Be sure to visit the blog to see the FABULOUS creations by our awesomely talented designers and leave em some love!

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: damask-Gel-a-Tins
Ink: Archival black-Ranger, Peeled Paint Distress
Paper: vanilla, celery CS-SU!, black CS-PTI
Accessories: roses- Really Reasonable Ribbon, lace-stash (from my wedding favours from almost 18 years ago!), silver gel pen-Pentel, leaf die-Spellbinders, sequins-Theresa Collins and Ellen Hutson, Glass Glitter- Recollections, Art Institute, Glitter Ritz

Uncategorized

Shabby Muffin Tin

September 7, 2015 beccreates1

I LOVE the papers our sponsor for The Shabby Tea Room gave us this week! They are fabulous. Kuddos to Digital Papers by Janet!

I looked at the page I had just printed out and I noticed they perfectly matched this muffin tin I thrifted and spray painted. Awesome! So I spent the better part of three days finding little odds and ends to add to this. I finished it with lots of sequins and rhinestones.

I just love vintage cameras! Especially this type with the accordion sides.

The camera circles and the tags are the digi papers. You can link to them directly from the links above my project on The Shabby Tea Room or the link above to Janet’s store. Other camera themed die cuts were found on a die cut pack by Maggie Holmes. I’m not sure which collection it’s from.

Please let me know if you are wondering about a specific product. I’d be here all night if I tried to list everything. I hope you will play along with our challenge this week! I love cameras but you can also be inspired by wreaths, autumn colours or anything else you see in the photo! We love shabby projects but we accept any style! Be sure to visit the blog to see all the fabulous creations and leave the gals some LOVE!

Enjoy, Rebecca

Uncategorized

Messy Wire Wrapped Bangle and Earrings

April 13, 2015 beccreates1

I’ve been making jewellery again! I find it really creatively inspiring to try making something other than paper crafts once in a while.

I started with a typical wire bangle but used much more wire. When I finished the first round of wire, I made sure it fit me perfectly then just kept wrapping! Some of the beads were added to the bracelet at the beginning and some in the subsequent wraps. I added the charms last. This may seem difficult but I assure you it isn’t. If any one would like to know how, maybe I’ll make a video!

There is room for more charms if I want to add more. I also made some earrings to match.

The earrings are made from silver sheet that I sawed myself. Then I textured the metal with a ball peen hammer. I also made the ear wires. The Chinese Crystals are from ZnetShows. They have the most gorgeous beads. These arrived in a mix of the black, clear and white. Some of the clear ones however, have a silvery coating on half the bead. They are so shiny! I have also made a barefoot sandal using these beads but I need a pedicure before I can photograph it.

They also make the best cultured sea glass beads, pendants and pieces. Full disclosure, I was provided with these beads but I wouldn’t use them unless I thought they were high quality.

Enjoy, Rebecca

Uncategorized

Bird and Nest Bathroom Sign

March 29, 2015 beccreates1

I’ve been wanting to make a bathroom sign for a long time. We have two doors close together and even when we direct someone to the washroom, they aren’t sure which door to open.

We had a nasty computer paper printed sign in the ugliest font ever since our annual BBQ last summer. I was so sick of looking at it! So I pulled out a plaque that hubby brought home from work. Ya know those ‘employee of the month’ type cheapie plaques? Yep, one of those. It’s not real wood so I sanded it down enough to let gesso stick and covered it in 4 coats.

Then I covered part of it in the damask stencil using molding paste. I allowed that to dry then added white crackle paste in a fairly thick layer to the unstencilled areas. After that dried, I added the roses stencil over the crackle. So much glorious texture! (check out the area under the BATH letters in the above photo) Then I added some mists over top. I added a mist to the bottom too but I didn’t like the colour so I over coloured it in Copic airbrushing. That was much better, a warmer colour.

Next I started to work on the nest and branch. The nest was premade but I had to cut it in half first. Before cutting it, I applied some gel medium to the area where I planned to cut it. Not such a good idea. It didn’t dry completely clear so I had to colour it and cover it up with some raffia. What a pain! I’d recommend white glue if you ever need to do something similar. To make the branch, I used some wire covered in some sort of natural twine type stuff. I twisted 5 pieces together, shaped them and glued on the leaves and buds.

The bird was made from 5 layered ivory die cuts coloured with Copic airbrushing. I used a black rhinestone for the eye. I added 3 beads to the nest for eggs. Then last but not least, I added the copper Perfect Pearls, the letters and the rhinestone and ribbon bundle along with some bling. The rhinestone already had a loop on it and that’s how I tied on the ribbons. I really wish you could see this in person; it’s soooo much prettier! I’ll try to add some closeups later.

I made this for the Monthly Mixed Media Challenge. This month’s theme was Birds of a Feather. Click the graphic to visit the challenge.

Enjoy, Rebecca

Uncategorized

Lace and Roses Mini Pail

March 8, 2015 beccreates1

This is for the Shabby Tea Room Challenge this week.

I took a basic pail I got from either a dollar store of the Dollar Spot in Target and added some metallic rub-on to the outside. I quickly realized that, even with heat setting, it wasn’t going to set. Bummer. So I added some workable fixatif. Bad idea. It seemed to work but if rubbed to hard, it came off. Then I tried adding some red line tape to attach the lace. The first piece of tape wouldn’t stick at all and removed the rub on and fixativ from the area I was taping and a bit beyond. Seriously? I decided to embrace the uneven nature figuring it lent to the distressed look I was going for. At least the second piece of tape stuck.

Next I added a Spellbinders fancy label which I stamped and distressed with more rub-on. I used ribbon to attach the label and added some pearls. I didn’t have quite the right colour of roses so I added some Copic airbrushing to them. Perfect! These were adhered over top of some mini ivy die cuts. I used Copic markers on white paper to get just the right colour. Click on the photo to link to the challenge.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: SU! french script
Ink: Cup o joe-HA, melon berry-PTI
Paper: ivory-PTI
Accessories: vintage lace, raspberry rickrack-stash, roses-Really Reasonable Ribbon, pearls-Dollarama, pail-dollar store or dollar spot, ivy die-Memory Box, rub-on metallic paste-stash, Krylon workable fixatif, label die- Spellbinders

Uncategorized

Pink n Lace Gift Box for The Shabby Tea Room

June 16, 2014 beccreates1

Yep, you read that right! I won top spot for THIS card and was awarded a chance to work with The Shabby Tea Room design team for this week! I am so excited!

This week we were asked to take inspiration from the photo below AND make a gift or gift box or packaging. That was perfect for me!

I painted a paper mache box with a base coat of gesso, then with acrylic paint. The gesso helps the paint I added embossing paste using a very detailed damask stencil.

I added some feet by Tim Holtz which I distressed using white acrylic paint. I wasn’t sure how to glue them on but I found some No Nails which is a tube of super strong glue. It looks a lot like caulking but it is a different texture. It worked beautifully!

Here’s a closeup of the top. The roses are from Really Reasonable Ribbon and the white fluffy things are from Melissa Frances. I made the beaded sprigs. The layers on top are toile-stamped cardstock, then a doily, then a label die cut with a stamped edge and then all the florals. I tossed on a lot of sequins including some to accent the lace on the side of the lid. The toile-stamped paper also has a ruffled edge.

I think this is the best shot I got of the side with the lace and embossing. It’s near impossible to see the sequins since they are transparent but they do sparkle nicely.

Isn’t this a gorgeous inspiration photo? I hope you are all inspired and come and join us at The Shabby Tea Room this week. You have until Sunday evening to play along. Just make sure you don’t forget to make a gift or gift project.

Enjoy, Rebecca

RECIPE
Stamps: Vintage-PTI, toile-unknown-maybe PTI?
Ink: pretty in pink
Paper: white CS, doily (salvaged from local restaurant)
Accessories: roses-RRR, white flowers-Melissa Frances, foundations-TH, ruffled edging, lace-sewing store, paper mache box, beads and wire-Michaels, sequins-Ellen Hutson, MS paint, Making Memories paint, velvet ribbon-stash

Uncategorized

Ocean Blog Hop

June 15, 2014 beccreates1

Welcome to my late entry for the Ocean Blog Hop. Between being being very busy and late with my blog post and the hostess missing my name so I wasn’t added to the original line up, I’m hoping I get at least a few comments!

I’m afraid my before photos are dismal. I took them in low light with my iPad and as cool as Apple devices are, their phones are not known for their low light amazingness. This is of course not all I received, some were already in their pieces and I received a larger quantity of some that didn’t fit in the photo. Of the two small green ones, some are round and some are faceted. They seem to be cultured sea glass, the round ones were between the freeform stick shaped beads and the faceted were packaged separately.

This is a really hard necklace to capture in one shot with the equipment I have anyway. I used the items above plus some shell beads, amazonite, Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls and some nifty chain.

What I couldn’t show you above in the supply photo were the pretty sea horse charms I used in the necklace. I also used to have Swarovski crystal starfish on the end of the dangle with the circle chain and multiple beads at the end but as I only had one, I took it off for now. The focal bead is from Unicorne Beads which I bought from ArtBeads.

I’ve been wanting to try bead wrapping for a while so I thought I’d had a go of it. I’m semi-happy with it. I like the right far better than the left which was the first one I did. You get better the more you do right?

And now, my bracelet. Basic stringing and not that creative but I’ve never used spacer bars before so it was new for me. It wasn’t until after that I realized I had one more spacer bar and while I was making it, I’d been wishing I’d had another. But I’m never one to waste supplies and as I’d be wasting not just one strand of stringing wire but TWO, I just CAN’T restring it though I’m very tempted. I also wish it had more colour in it but I was determined to make one piece with nothing in it except the beads from the kit. I may add a charm though.

I did make one more piece using the bracelet from the kit but I have crappy photos and have since given away. I would have taken better pix before giving it away but I offered to make something for an Autism fundraising golf tournament silent auction without realizing it was 5 days away! By the time I got the reply and realized I had 3 days to make and deliver it, I was kind of in a rush. I packaged it without thinking and at the last second thought about pictures. Oops. It’s a shame I no longer own this lovely pendant but oh well. And I know it went to a good cause.

Since you can’t see it well, I’ll explain the beading pattern. Purple seed bead (PS), Green Tourmaline coins(GT), PS, tiny white Swarovski bicones PS, GT, PS. Then for the other grouping, it’s a green glass pearl with purple tourmaline coins then a bit larger white Swarovski bicones next to that. Thanks to everyone who made it this far. These alternate all along the length. I attached the pendant with a lobster clasp so it can be removed in the cooler months. It’s hard to see, but I made my own hook and eye clasp. It’s the first time I tried a clasp like this and I’m really proud. Click on any photo to see it better.

Thanks for reading this far and I hope you enjoyed my creations.

Rebecca

Uncategorized

Blush Pearls and Hearts Bracelet

May 16, 2014 beccreates1

I’ve been making lots of jewelry lately but I’m a bit behind posting. This one tinkles a bit as I wear it and so reminds me of faeries!

It is made almost entirely of jump rings. So except for the pearls, it is all made of wire! The jump rings silver plate for the non-coloured ones and coloured aluminum for the pink ones. The pink is quite subtle so enlarge the pic by clicking on it if you’d like a better look. The little hearts are made from silver wire which I shaped then soldered closed. I also made my clasp, from the same wire I think. 18g silver.

Considering I’ve never made anything like it before, I am thrilled with it! I’m really new to anything made with jump rings, called chain maille, and new to soldering too. I am going to be selling these so let me know if you are interested! The jump rings and pearls come in lots of other colours too. And if hearts aren’t your thing, I can substitute your choice of charms. If you know jewelry, it’s a basic chain made of the silver rings with two pink rings in each silver one, one on each side.

Enjoy, Rebecca

All supplies available at Fire Mountain Beads or ArtBeads.