However, with some beautiful images I had been gifted from my crafty friend, Sherry (YT: Sherry Ramsey), and gorgeous trims and laces from MelsCraftBoutique, I actually think I came up with some ATCs that are interesting and tell a story (my favorite extra “layer” in crafting).

NOTE: This is my last Guest Design Team Project for MelsCraftBoutique so if you are interested in purchasing any items from her store, through the end of this month is your last chance to use the coupon code: CraftyPaws10 for 10% off your entire purchase of $15 or more and free U.S. shipping on orders of $40 or more. 

The first one I made was the one with the pretty pink framed image. I covered the chipboard base with lace and then added a delicate bridal applique with beads and sequins from MelsCraftBoutique. To add a little more depth and interest I also tucked in here and there some plastic pink flowers that I cut from rings (sorry, these seem to be currently out of stock). I titled this ATC “Femme”.

For the second one, I pulled out my sewing machine and did a little sewing and spraying on a Ranger Inkssentials Sticky Backed Artist Trading Card. I had never used this product before, but I love it (I can’t wait to try painting on it). I first sprayed the canvas with a lavender Recollections spray and then layered over the top and sewed on a little strip of cotton script patterned fabric, some gorgeous scalloped embroidered trim and a 3″ wide delicate pale blue lace. To fill anchor a corner, I added a fluffy flower from this flower spray. Lastly, I centered a beautifully regal lady image (which I painstakingly fussy cut) under the scalloped embroidered trim, which was sewn on a little wonky–kind of representing the extravagant lifestyle of the time kind of falling down around the royal court.  I titled this ATC, “Hold On” or “A Stitch in Time”.

The third ATC is a little darker, this ATC base was created by decoupaging on a Parisian scene napkin in moody blues. I then used some gesso to create a painterly frame. Using Ranger Tim Holtz Distress Ink in Antique Linen, I softened the white of the gesso. On one corner I added a very blingy sequin and pearl applique (sorry, this seems to be out of stock but MelsCraftBoutique has other similar gorgeous pieces) and on the right side of the ATC, I placed a dainty scalloped ivory lace, dotted with Ranger Champagne Stickles.  In the other three corners I also tucked in background netting-type pieces that I cut apart from this stunning black Venice floral trim. This is supposed to represent the encroaching downfall of this royal line in France. This ATC is titled, “Life Is But A Dream.”

The following is a video share of the three ATCs:

These ATCs are being entered into the Simon Says Stamp Wednesday Add a Little Texture Challenge

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! WOOF

The video below describes the entire process of creating this wall hanging so I won’t re-hash it here, but let’s just say I used a lot of Liquitex gesso, 2 whole sticks of hot glue, and oh, such gorgeous laces, appliques, trims, and buttons from MelsCraftBoutique!  As a guest design team member for Mel’s Zibbet shop, I have the following coupon code: CraftyPaws10 to offer my subscribers so that you can get 10% off your entire order and free U.S. shipping on orders of $40 or more–YAY!

The Copic colors that I used to add hints of color to the adorable vintage picture of a girl and her dog are: V000, RV000, YG00, YR20 and R30.  The products I used from MelsCraftBoutique are linked to below.  They are stunningly beautiful and make even those of us who are a little Shabby Chic challenged look like we know what we’re doing. LOL

Resin Rose that I used as the center for the handmade flower.
White Venice Rose trim that I tucked into all the little gaps throughout the wall hanging.
White Bridal Beaded lace applique that I used at the top and bottom of the fleur de lis.
Butterfly appliques that add such fabulous dimension and interest.
White Beaded Bridal applique that has super detailed and delicate pearl beading and anchors the whole right side of the fleur de lis.
White pearl button that I used as a focal point toward the bottom of the wall hanging.
Pink pastel flower applique that I cut up and used to frame the bottom of the vintage dog and girl photo.
White millinery flowers that I tucked in to add a little dimension to the right of the photo

This wall hanging is also being entered into The Paper Nest Dolls Anything Goes Challenge

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! WOOF 

I wanted to make a special project for my first guest design team (GDT) project so I decided to upcycle a tin and alter it for an anniversary gift for my hubby (we recently celebrated our 6th wedding anniversary in the ER because I was ill with a kidney infection–sigh). I used a few things that were gifted to me by sweet crafty friends (DCWV fabric paper from Elaine (YT: todaylibrary); a bit of script fabric and burlap from Milissa (YT: Milissa d); and the carriage frame from Becca (YT: Stamping with Beccajb)), but everything else was from Mel’s shop.

The side of the tin is really decorated with only one stunning embroidered bridal lace with pearls. I thought this lace was so beautiful that I wanted it to stand alone in all its glory.  The side of the tin lid I lined with a soft pink embroidered flower trim that just overhung the edge of the lid and over top of that I added this very rich Venice rose trim.

Mel’s flower sprays are so luxe! I hardly had to do anything to them other than tuck in a few extra small millinery flowers  and a couple of her shimmery vintage leaves here and there. Above the carriage frame, I used a beautiful organza applique of roses with iridescent sequins to create a kind of “sky” with the roses representing puffy clouds.  For the “road” beneath the carriage, I used a bit of burlap, a snippet of fabric with pretty script and a dainty scalloped lace.  For a touch of whimsy, I added a gorgeous round beaded applique behind the back wheel of the carriage; with the movement from the beads, it is reminiscent of a carriage racing forward kicking up some “dust.”  To balance off that fabulous beading (and to give me a place to tuck under the base of the floral spray) I added a beautiful vintage button to the front of the carriage.

The following is a video share of this altered tin:

Thanks for stopping by! Please subscribe if you wish, and have a great day! WOOF

These corks (which you can pick up for FREE in the big cork recycle bin if you have a Whole Foods in your area) were altered in a shabby chic style with little bits of laces, seam binding, some chain, steel wire (available inexpensively at your hardware store), pearls (some were loose and others were from a Tim Holtz embellishment pack), and little charms (some loose in my stash and some from the Paper Studio’s Spare Parts).

I used Fabri-Tac glue to adhere the laces (3 types in cream and white). Then I created eye pins for the top and bottom of the cork so I could have a place to tie the lace loop hanger and the dangle chain, charms and pearls for the bottom. Something I’d never tried before were the wiring and looping of the pearls around the side of the cork. I really like the juxtaposition of the industrial steel with the delicate pearls and shabby lacy corks. I’m calling it industrial shabby chic! LOL

The following is a video share of the last three altered item projects I shared:

These altered corks are being entered into the Simon Says Stamp Monday Challenge.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day! WOOF

The first one I did was for my hubby for our 5th year anniversary. I made a bit of a mess of it, but I really enjoyed the process, adding all sorts of wood pieces, streamer papers (for texture), Chinese braided trim, vellum sentiments, and well, you get the picture. It is in storage now, but when we move to a permanent home it will come out and share a wall with the canvases I made subsequently and pictured in the top photo. The picture here is of the back of the canvas where I included a pocket using remnants of my wedding dress and made tags with important quotes and pictures from our wedding.

This picture was my next one. I made that one for my hubby too, this time for his birthday. He really did like it, and I saw the difference in his eyes (from when I presented him with the first one–LOL!). I matted a photo from our wedding day and added all (yes, ALL) the white flowers I had been gifted from so many YT friends (YT: todaylibrary, YT: Candace Scarborough, YT: Maggie2005cupcake, YT: Mkturner215, YT: Cindy90305, YT: Tiflydesigns, and YT: CutsieGirly).

The two flanking canvases in the top photo I made using wood letters from the clearance section of Michaels, latex caulk from The Home Depot, and stencils I received from Candace again. This time I added all my later-received white flowers (yes, ALL of them) from my friend Bev (YT: NewCrafterBev), gesso-covered puzzle pieces (as in “you complete me” or “we fit together like puzzle pieces”–corny huh?) and real and faux/decorative keys I altered, purchased or received from Aliciasglitzzandmore.  The similar color palette and using some of the same trims helped everything harmonize so they could be hung as a triptych, but the differences kept them all interesting.

Finally, my last canvas was for a dear friend and crafty encourager, Jen  (YT: Jen Evers), who was the person who actually first introduced me to crafting on YT. I have her to thank for so much. She asked me if I would do a canvas swap with her, and this is what I created using burlap, twine, sea shells, doilies, flowers, and lace.

The following are some of the YT videos in which I share my last 4 canvases.

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My first was bit of a let down. I made very flat but colorful fabric flowers, cutting them out by hand and layering them as best I could. Placed one in each corner and put a large poodle applique in the middle. Everything was, well, just ok.

The second one I made I decided I would use a stamped image as my focal point and try layering more. I used tea dyed cheese cloth, a couple craft flowers, a large wood veneer asterisk, and some baker’s twine.  I crafted a pretty respectable banner piece (yes, I am still not calling it a banner when it is just one piece of a banner).  This time I was fairly happy with the result.

My latest one was super shabby chic. I have gotten the hang of making fabric and lace flowers and just kept adding more and more lace, flowers, and sprays until there was no more room on the triangle banner piece (Oh, by the way, banner pieces can take a variety of forms: rounded bottoms, fish tail banners, and triangles, just to name a few). I think this was the best one yet.

The following is a video of the last banner piece I made.

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