Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #136

 

Welcome to Atlantic Hearts Sketch Challenge #136!   So here is another card using heat and dry embossing together.  I used a White Pearl embossing powder on this one and some of it did get on the raised parts too, but I don't mind... I like the way it looks.  A little hard to capture it in the picture, but is just created a nice soft shimmer on it.  I opted for my ribbon and bow as my vertical elements here instead of the strips... I tried some strips of glitter paper, but it just wasn't working so I decided to go with the ribbon instead.  Is it cheating?  I don't think so, but I'm pretty liberal with my sketch interpretations...lol!

The cute little cup images are from a Poppy Stamps set that you'll see much more of in a couple weeks during the Holiday Coffee Lovers Blog hop... I got the reverse image by stamping the cup on an acrylic block and transferring the image onto the paper... colored, placed a gold embossed snowflake on them, cut them out, popped them up and of course... liquid glassed them...  The sentiment is from the Close to My Heart set, Holly Jolly Christmas.  Sequins and beads are from Paper Sweeties (see the snowflakes and the gold) and Pretty Pink Posh (clear sequins and beads).  Also used the combo of plain white seam binding ribbon and the netted ribbon from Funkie Junkie. 

 

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to hop on over to Atlantic Hearts and play along this week!

 

 



Dreamcatcher Ornament

 

This is something I've been thinking about for a long time.  I love dreamcatchers.  I have a board on Pinterest dedicated to them because there are so many beautiful variations.  All different shapes and materials and colors.  For my center I used a doily made by a friend of a friend who was nice enough to share with me.  The flower on top by the bow is a combo of one I crocheted (behind) and another one made by the other, much more talented crocheter...lol.  Mine is behind because... well.. it's not nearly as pretty.. lol...but it had some gold thread in it and I wanted to include one of mine in this as it is a gift.

 

I started with another frame ornament from Hobby Lobby.  It was not my intention when I took the frame apart to paint it with some gesso to give it a base.  I planned on making another shaker ornament.  And as I looked at it hanging there drying with the frame all by itself it struck me that I could make a dreamcatcher with it... and then I thought of the doilies and as luck would have it there was just one in there the perfect size and shape.  So... I knew I wanted to use gold and since the doily was cream that was my color scheme.  I used some gold embossing paste and a lace stencil and added the lacey texture to the frame.  When that dried, I added a couple layers of gold metallic acrylic paint.  Then I took the doily and some gold double layered metallic thread I had and attached it to the frame also weaving some of the gold thread through the doily along the way.  I glued the crocheted and paper flowers, gems and feathers on.

 

For the hanging parts, I cut some feathers from the Cricut cartridges Artiste and Southwest out of white glitter paper and glossy gold paper.  I chose some lacey ribbons in white shades and tied them all on.  Then I thought the rusty bells from Paper Sweeties would be a nice addition.

 

 

My final addition was the little cherub piece that I found in a box of old jewelry parts that I had taken apart and kept for just such occasions instead of selling them in a garage sale for a quarter or taking them to Goodwill.  I thought they would make meaningful additions to something else I'd make.  This one was on an earring that a friend of mine gave me when we were teenagers... she picked it out because I loved Van Halen and it resembled one of their album covers.  I think it's perfect for this ornament.

 

This one will be hard to let go of, but I did make it as a gift so it will be off in the mail this week (hopefully... ).  But not to fear, I will make another for myself eventually.

 

Thanks for stopping and don't forget to come back tomorrow for Atlantic Hearts!

Bitter Sweet

     My post today is both happy and sad.   These are shadow boxes I made for our neighbors for the last decade who have watched out for us and our house and plowed our driveway every winter.  They have been great neighbors and friends.  The horses are their family horses and I've taken pics over the years and thought they might like them to display.  I used papers from the new Dakota papers and Victory.  I think they work really well together.  I think shadow boxes are my favorite things to make because they don't take long and they make a big impact.  I love being able to be dimensional too without having to worry about everything fitting in a scrapbook and being squished.
     The sad part of my post is that this is a goodbye of sorts to our neighbors and to my friends and customers.  Some of you know and some may not that my husband and I are moving out west.  We have family out there and love the weather.  Yes, we know it's hot and even though it's a dry heat 115 degrees is HOT!  But, as my husband says, you don't have to shovel sunshine!
    Thank you to everyone for everything and we hope to have lots of visitors after we move.  I will be back to visit (Pat says not so much)...lol.  At the end of this month, we're heading out.  For those of you who would like to continue to shop with me, I will still be with Close To My Heart and try to build my business out there and you can shop from my website or contact me and I can order for you.  My contact info will be the same.  If you prefer to do business locally and/or want to have a workshop or gathering, please let me know and I have a couple really great and talented ladies I can refer you to.