A Lovelorn Halloween

The months fell away and he never returned to her.

Happy Halloween, folks! I'll be having chocolate and wine for dinner as the neighborhood kids shiver up to the front door. Bad example? Meh. :) Something has to keep me warm!

Cheers,
Susan

Custom Invitations

Hiya crafty peeps! Here's a small stack of finished invitations on a big order. I have a wee bit over a hundred more to make and I'm thinking it will be one heck of a festive event!

I'm hoping to eek out a few more Halloween projects in the next week. I think the invitation process is streamlined enough that I can afford the time to get a little more spooky. Maybe... :)

I hope your creative juices are flowing!

Cheers,
Susan

Susan, Lately

Edit 9/27: So I didn't realize the photo failed to upload until I returned home. Duh! 

Hiya folks! It's been quiet around here but I just wanted to give you a taste of what I've been up to lately.  :)

We rented a flat in London and have been exploring. This phone bank is in a courtyard outside the flat. :) I'll be back to creating fun stuff and being inspired by all of you in a few weeks.

Cheers!
Susan

Charms of the Witching Hour

Hiya folks! I've been playing around with Graphic 45's Happy Haunting today. Look what flew in!

This cute vintage witch is layered up and glittered a little. Isn't she fun?

The black foam clock is cut from a Sizzix die, and the metal clock hands (on the flower) are the same blue as the night sky. I dyed seam binding as black as I could, and added strips of it to strips of pumpkin seam binding. Oh, the black and ivory background paper is G45's On The Boardwalk line. Mix and match G45!

The inside isn't quite done yet. Stickle'd stars are drying as I type. I'll add an "interior shot" when I can.Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers,
Susan

A Skeleton's Cure?

Hiya folks! Have you seen the My Mind's Eye Lost & Found Halloween line? It's delicious!

I used a sticky canvas sheet for the background and MME Halloween papers for the rest. The skeleton is a Tim Holtz stamp that was stamped, cut with a teeny tiny blade, and embossed with clear powder.

I used Glossy Accents on both the potion bottles on front and the skull inside. It's a nice and creepy effect! The black paper swirl on the right edge is cut with a Sizzix On The Edge die and roughed up with Picket Fence Distress Stain and brown ink.

Of course there's a gift box to go along with it!

This is the second time I used a wee blade to cut the skeleton. I swore last time that I wasn't going to do it again... Eh, whatever! It was much easier this time and I'm glad I took it on. :) Speaking of glad, I do love having the card fold on the left edge. It is taking a little time to get used to, though. What do you think? Can you imagine your cards on the left?

Thanks for stopping in today!

Cheers, Susan

Tilda Witch Shares A Little Magic

Hiya! Last year I missed getting Fancy Pants' Oct 31 paper line but was thrilled recently to find it on an online clearance rack. Yay! I dusted the cobwebs off the Magnolia stamps yesterday and found this little Tilda gem. I had fun coloring her up and pairing with Oct 31!

I've put the fold on the left side and let me tell you, it is taking time to get used to! I've made dozens of cards with the fold on top but not once have I turned it on the side. I like it!

Loads of layers on this one. :) My favorite part is the spider - he might look scary but he actually jingles!

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers,
Susan

{WIP} Butterfly Mini Album

Hiya friends! When I needed to start a new project last week I stood in front of the paper wall and waited until something jumped out at me. As I looked at the shelves and stacks of paper collections I focused in on the pack of Bo Bunny Gabrielle. I originally bought it to make an album, so an album I made.

Sort of...

It's been a while since my last big album and I forgot how much of a labor of love it is to complete. This one is 6 pages and has around 16 photo mats. I adore this paper collection and am so glad I saved it for the album. All the details aren't finished, but when it's complete I'll post it. I think I'm going to recuperate a bit first. :)

That's it for me - sorry to be a mini album tease.... :)

Cheers,
Susan

TweedleDee & TweedleDum: Punkinheads!

Hello hello hello! I think I can eek out a few projects for this G45 Halloween in Wonderland paper. As I said before I'm not a rabid Alice fan, but I do froth at the mouth a bit for G45...

The twins are popped up, and each layer sits high above the card, with lots of sewing. :) One of these days I should challenge myself to make a card without sewn edges.... or maybe not.

Ok, that's it for me. It's going to be a hot one today - it's already 84 degrees at 9am! The forecast is just shy of three digits by this afternoon. Yikes! I'm venturing out to find walking shoes and then hiding inside so I don't melt. :) Hope you have a great day!

Cheers,
Susan

Gather 'Round - It's Story Time

Hiya dear friends! It's another scorcher outside so why don't we all just gather around (in this cool air conditioning) for a little story?

Make yourself comfortable. It's a little snug with all the fairies filling the small spaces, but I think we can manage! After all... it's bigger on the inside...

It's a 3 1/4" x 5" tin set up on a pedestal that was sanded, painted, distressed, painted and sanded some more until the colors were just right.

It's similar to another I made in February.  I had many leftover bits and pieces from the first that I just had to make another. :) This time I put it on a stand and used vintage tatting as trim.

Fussy cutting is a favorite technique, and there's a lot of it here! You can't see in the photos, but there are little flowers all over the inside corners. It's a nice little surprise if you peek in...

Thanks for visiting. Have a great day!

Cheers,
Susan

I Love A Good Swap!

Hiya dear friends! One of the best things about this community is the swaps. I love to make for others and have made for me. Some swaps have theme that challenges my creativity and others allow free reign. This swap was definitely free reign!

Shoshi and I swapped ATC's (artist trading cards - 2 1/2" x 3 1/2") in honor of the 3rd anniversary of "What's On Your Workdesk? Wednesday?".

This is what I sent to Shoshi (who happens to live in the UK): 

I used Shelly Hickox's Faux Crazed Porcelain technique on the center piece. The Union Jack stamp was painted with Luminarte acrylics and stamped onto the card.

This is what I was lucky enough to receive from her:

She zentangle'd an octopus and colored it beautifully. I don't think this photo shows how gorgeous it really is!

Beautifully packaged!

Thanks Shoshi! It's a wonderful addition to my new ATC collection. :)

Cheers,
Susan

Down A Vintage Path

Hello hello! I gave myself an hour today to wander around a local antiques "mall". I went in specifically for vintage clear glass bead necklaces that I could take apart and reuse in a new vintage jewelry line. When I told my husband I was giving myself an hour, he laughed.

I also said I could focus on vintage glass beads and ONLY vintage glass beads, therefore allowing me to make it through in an hour. He said "Uh huh". I chose to ignore that he was humoring me.

An hour and a half later I walked out with this:

(Hey, at least I found the clear beads!)

I'm a sucker for crochet, tatting, lace. The large piece in the back is a collar. It's beautiful and was *only* $3.50. Can you believe it? The vintage photos are great for altered pieces. Look at that lineup - there's something odd about those children... and plenty of room for hats!

The necklace is exactly what I need and the glass spacers are an added bonus. Once I pull it apart I can get that gunk cleaned up in the tumbler.

All in all, a good little shopping trip in the middle of an otherwise uneventful day. I hope you found unexpected pleasure in your day, too.

Cheers,
Susan

Sweet Scent of Rosemary

Hiya! Happy Saturday to you. I wanted to share something non-craftsy with you, mostly because I'm amazed at it.

Last month I visited my sister in southern Virginia for a "girls weekend". She has huge rosemary bushes (among other garden delights) and I cut a large sprig before I left. This is how it looks today, 7 weeks later:

It's been in my 38-degree refrigerator the whole time. Can you believe it? This baby is just as fragrant and flavorful as the first time I plucked a bit off right after coming home. 7 weeks! It makes me wonder how old the grocery store herbs (and other "fresh" foods) are when they turn brown after only a week in the same 'fridge.

Come to think of it, I also brought home farmer's market carrots, leeks and baby garlic still on the stalk. It took me well over 2 weeks to go through all of it, and I'm pretty sure I was still using the leeks 3 weeks later. If that's not a reason to buy fresh from my local farmer's market, I don't know what is...

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers,
Susan

London Calling

Hiya! You might know I'm an anglophile. I don't know how it happened, or really when it started, but there it is. In honor of all the 2012 festivities across the pond, I've put together these kilt pins. I have a small assortment (no duplicates!) of London-centric ones and will have USA Olympic ones soon.

As I was making these I found I really like the puzzle. I had to find the right balance and resist the urge to over-bead these pins. I didn't want to make them too busy yet I still look at a few of them and want to reach for the pliers and baby beads... :)

There are also a few non-"red, white and blue" pieces.

The disc reads "breathe" on this serene birdie pin.

This pin was hard to photograph. The bronze charm on the right frames a crystal beautifully when it's hanging... not so much lying flat. The clear and clear AB crystals are vintage Coro and the chain spanning the back of the pin is original Coro. The three larger ones are gorgeous and flash like so many vintage rhinestones do. (The amethyst drop is Czech glass, not Coro.) 

I had fun with these baubles and, of course, they're available in my Etsy shop if you're so inclined. :) I'm on the hunt for more vintage pieces. I feel a move toward re-purposing old beads and jewelry into fresh new pieces. It's funny where our art takes us...

Anyway, thanks for visiting today. I think its time for me to work on paper stuffs. Happy crafting, no matter what medium you're using!

Cheers,
Susan

"Wicked Forest" Altered Matchbox

Hiya! I participated in a "Wicked Forest" themed altered matchbox swap over at Craftster (where else?) and my partner just received her box. I can finally show it!

Oh look, it's an inviting path up to the house... let's go!

The tiny trees are Dusty Attic and the wee little witch's house and cauldron are made from paper clay.

Really really small...

Inside is a peek at her potions cabinet.

Thanks for visiting!

Cheers,
Susan

Moulin Rouge ATC

Hiya folks!

In the middle of every week is "What's On You Workdesk? Wednesday", and last week was the 3rd anniversary. Can you believe it? Three years is a lot here in blogland, so congratulations to hostess Julia for keeping it going and growing each year. Some of us sent along cards to commemorate this event, and here's mine:

The black base is 2 1/2" x 3 1/2" (standard ATC size). I used alcohol inks on glossy paper and layered 3 stamped images (French script, Moulin Rouge, Paris) on top. Along the bottom edges is a bit of Dresden trim. I love the finished effect!

I sent this to Barb King and received one from Glenda Brooks. You can see the one I received here. It's lovely!

Thanks for visiting today. :)

Cheers,
Susan

G45 Father's Day

Hiya! I received my stash of Graphic 45's new Ladies Diary and Haunted Halloween last week and had to toss it in a corner until other things were finished. *sob* Have you seen these new lines? Oh my goodness Graphic 45 did well with these! Ladies Diary is lovely, and today I want to show you that it's not just about the girls!

If you click the photos to see details you'll be able to see the layering on that gentleman and his car.

The rosette is made from a 1/2" x 12" strip of the green background paper and scored at 1/4" intervals. Easy peasy!

An inside detail - this car was taken from the 8x8 pad and layered. I like the smaller scale to complement the outside.

So, that's it for me! I have more stuff to show you - earrings and an ATC made for swaps - both "firsts" for me. Hopefully my Canadian swap partner will receiver her "Wicked Forest"-themed matchbox soon. I can't wait to show you that tiny little treasure! All these swaps and nothing to show you *sigh*... haha! The drama queen is getting off her throne and back to work.

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers,
Susan

Alpha Stamps Yahoo Group Challenge

Hiya! Over at the Alpha Stamps Yahoo Groups there's a reproduction challenge going on. The idea is to take techniques shared by Nichola Battilana of Pixie Hill and Alpha Stamp's design team and make your own version of her faerie folk specimen jars (holding official proof that the faeries exist!). Around the Internets you might know her as Knickertwist, too.

Here's a link to her Pixie Hill Studio shop so you can see how the professional does it... and here's my reproduction:

The jar is 1 5/8" tall and a minute 1/2" wide. That's small! The label reads:

Faerie Specimen 1.001

Found in a shipping box with this tag attached: "Canada or Bust!"

It's kind of a joke since Nichola just happens to be my swap partner on a Craftster swap and I'll be sending a wicked forest-themed matchbox her way in a week or two. Yea, she's in Canada...

The mushrooms are made with paper clay and painted with shimmery paint. There's a bit of glare from the lights on the glass, but that doesn't disguise the fact that I definitely need practice on my dots. :) It was fun (and kinda hard) to make, though!

Thanks for sharing your technique, Knickers! I can only hope I win the prize of fabulous Pixie Hill art stuffs... :)

Thanks for visiting today!

Cheers,
Susan

Asian Inspired Bird Card

Hello there! If you tiptoe quietly down the page you'll see a pretty little bird on a painted branch. Go ahead. I don't think you'll disturb him.

Isn't he sweet? He's from a K & Co. die cut and vellum pack - I think it's a Brenda Walton branded one that I know is still available at Hobby Lobby.

The branch is Dusty Attic's Cherry Blossom but the shape was too perfect for this gorgeous blue and green Basic Grey Kioshi paper. I painted the flowers and branch with Adirondack Paint Dabbers then touched them all up with Gathered Twigs Distress ink. (My favorite brown EVER.) Funny that I hardly ever use the dabbers and these 4 colors just happen to be almost all I have... how's that for serendipity? The centers are this funky liquid embossing stuff I bought last year and never used. I like the 3D aspect of the centers, so the liquid embossing stuff gets a reprieve.

Thanks for stopping in today to see my Asian-inspired card. It makes me feel calm and happy...

Cheers,
Susan

Vintage Toddler In A Tiara ATC

Hiya! Wow two posts in two days - when it rains it pours, eh? I wanted to share the last of the crafty weekend swaps. We could either do a tin, matchbox or ATC, and on this one I chose an ATC, then made it stand up... which probably disqualifies it as a true ATC, but whatever. I'm not too worried about it!

This time I had to work with the "child beauty pageant" theme. Boy, was that eye-opening when I did a little "google research". Yikes, is all I have to say about it. I chose to stay in my vintage comfort zone so I didn't have nightmares.

I gave my little beauty queen a pink netting skirt with a layer of loopy ribbon. I think that ribbon is Webster's Pages, from a year or two ago... it's another thing I've been hoarding. :) Or maybe it's May Arts?

You can see a little more of the stand from the back. The whole thing is two pieces of heavy cardboard that were glued and braced together with lining sheets that went from the top (at the watermark), were scored at the joint and continued to the edge of the base. The same thing with this purple lattice layer. It all stays pretty true to the proper 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" (64mm x 89mm) ATC size, although a little taller because of the base.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Cheers,
Susan

Jewels of the Sea Altoid Tin

Hiya! So, I've been hoarding this Creative Imaginations paper for a couple of years. It's designed by Christine Adolph and part of her Oceana collection. I imagine it's been discontinued by now, but you can find bits of the collection here and there. This sheet is called "Sealife" and I adore it. Who else would I cut into it for, if not my sister? :) We did a swap and her theme was "mermaid".

There is a little layering on her fins:

The back shows a good view of the beauty of this paper:

Heh, I know the label is crooked. I *swear* it wasn't when I applied it... but you know how it goes. :)

The mermaid is a digital download from an Etsy shop called OVArtstore. It's probably the most beautiful mermaid image I've ever seen. The base is a wood candlestick from Michaels painted up with acrylics.

That's it for me today. I'm working on a new card while I figure out what to do with a "Wicked Forest" themed matchbox swap. Even as an adult I'm still a little afraid of the dark, and this wicked forest has me shaking in my shoes! *grin*

Thanks so much for stopping by today!

Cheers,
Susan

Craftster Meetup and Tin Swapping Fun!

Hiya crafty folks! I've been MIA for a while as I worked on my swapping tins and prepared for a long weekend that went way too fast.

You might have read about Craftster on these pages. I hang out there with a bunch of incredibly talented and fun people, one of which is my big sister, Cackle. :) She lives in a small town in southern Virginia near another Craftster member called MissingWillow. Last weekend a third member - Rackycoo - drove up from the deep south and I drove down from Maryland for a wild weekend of food, laughter and junk shopping. It was so much fun!

Because we swap on Craftster we decided to swap for this weekend. Everyone picked a theme and the others had the choice of using matchboxes, tins or ATC's. Our themes were zombie sheep, butterflies, mermaids, and child beauty pageants. What an assortment!

Here's a closer peek at the tins made for my butterfly theme.

Aren't they gorgeous?! From left to right - an embroidered pincushion in a tin by MissingWillow, a fairy butterfly by Cackle, and a butterfly garden in a mini tin by Rackycoo. I couldn't be happier with these lovelies!

I have much to share about the weekend, so click the "click here for lots more" link below for food and farm life!