Goblin Tag for Alpha Stamps

 

 

It is getting to be that time of year when creepy crafts are all I seem to be making.  This is certainly the case for this month's project for Alpha Stamps October Kit, goblins!  Of course I chose an image that was not too spooky and still had a beautiful element to it.  

 

 

 

 

I love being able to incorporate metal elements in my designs, so the charms and these metal die cut corners are perfect for this project.  On the corners I simply used alcohol inks to get a nice rusty aged look.  A few flowers from Petaloo and my tag was complete!

 



I hope you enjoyed this little spooky treat.  Be sure to check out the Alpha Stamps Blog for all kinds of inspiration and weekly give aways too!

Cheers,

Rhea

Eerie Tale Letterbox Tray

I just knew that I would have to use Graphic 45's An Eerie Tale in an assemblage tray.  What a perfect partner in Petaloo to create this special project for their current blog hop.  The hop is located on the sponsor pages, and there is a $100 prize at hand!

There are a ton of photos to attempt to capture all of the fun details, so grab a cup of something warm and enjoy this post!

The color palate of Petaloo flowers and Graphic 45 are a match made in heaven.

I chose lots of fall themed embellishments to add to my assemblage as well.  Pumpkins, pears and a few brown toadstools were a great compliment to this tray.  

To add texture I used a leafy vine ribbon from Alpha Stamps.  Also lots of moss and layers add to the dimension.

Notice how I stretch my flowers by cutting them in half.  Yes, it is hard to do, but this technique not only makes your stash go farther, but it adds interest to each little nook.  

The use of the chipboard pieces from the paper line make for easy focals in each little box.  I am always sure to sand and distress the edges with ink for that tattered and worn look.  

A few of the metal staples always end up in my projects for Graphic 45, as they are my favorite.

I also had a few choice paper cut outs from Retro Cafe Art Gallery that fit this theme perfectly, so the raven and the black cat were added.  

And one last shot of the whole thing to end my very long post!

Thank you so much for stopping by! And a welcome to my favorite time of year: Fall!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Graphic 45 2014 Final Audition

Once again I am absolutely thrilled to have made it to the finals for the Graphic 45 2014 Design Team!  In the video below I have chosen to take you on a tour of three projects that I think represent me as a designer including assemblage, mixed media and book making.

Since the Botanical Tea Printer Tray is new, I thought I should also post a few pictures of that.  I made this project just for this audition, so I would have a little something fresh and new.

The spring theme is perfect as the weather finally slowly turns.  It has been nice to get outside and catch a few rays of sunshine. There are additional bits of embellishments within the peice that have special personal meaning to me.  I love this aspect of assemblage and collage.  

I even saw a few real spring blooms on my walk today, a sure sign it is really on the way!

I just adore all the details inside of each cubby.  I was sure to even cover the tops and sides of each box to ensure that the patter repeated itself consistently.

I could not resist adding a few eggs to the mix, as they were perfect for this theme.

Thank you as always for stopping by!  No matter what the outcome of this audition, I have to say it has been a great year Graphic 45, and I have immensely enjoyed the journey.  

Cheers, 

Rhea

Botanical Tea Easel Album

With all the excitement of my publication, I am late to post this project for Graphic 45 with their new Botanical Tea collection.  This is my personal favorite of the newest releases.  The imagery is perfect as always and I love the colors they chose.

I just love this vibrant blue bird image.  I also love all the lush botanical images.

As always, it was hard to use some of my precious things...like the metal staples doorknob, but I managed and the project is much better for it.

The bottom of the easel book is actually the side that now opens.  I cut the album along the seam and used the new washi tape to seal up the edges.  A fun latch gives the book more character.

Inside I made several two page layouts.  I simply let the papers speak to me as I went.

Lots of paper flowers by Petaloo were added along the way, as you can see they are a perfect compliment.

Some of the images were simply matted and some were fussy cut to add interesting but simple additions to each page.

Since I did not have any of the coordinating embellishments I created some of my own, like the tiny pink corners used to frame the fern.

I just cannot get over the beautiful muted tones of this palate.

More sweet floral patterns along side classic botanical prints.

A tip for the inside of the book:  before adding my papers I stained the inside of the coil with picket fence distress stain.  Adding this muted white really helped with the shabby chic look I was going for.

I got a bit carried away with matting images.  It is such a simple way to add detail.

Here you can see one of the shabby chic metal keyholes.  I really love the new finish.

Thanks for sticking with me to the end!  I hope you were inspired just a bit.  I know looking at these nice spring images was fun, especially in the midst of all this snow!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Favorite project from 2013: Typography Tray

I had fully meant to do a year in review post, but somehow I never got around to it.  I was super excited to be revived into some sort of memoir post from a prompt on Natalie Kalback's 2014 Creative Jump start. The task posed to all the "jumpers" is to share their favorite project from 2013.   It was tough to narrow down, but this Typography Letterbox Tray is my pick.

This project was previously featured on Paper Crafter's Library, so it is also nice to be able to document this project in my own little corner of the blogging universe.

The focal for this piece is the lovely Typography paper by Graphic 45.  I fell in love with this paper line for sure.

I like to incorporate unique junk into my assemblage pieces to create a story.  Here you can see an old typewriter key as well as a few old pen nibs.

Lots of flowers by Petaloo were used to add lots of color and texture to this collection.

The sentiments in this paper line are just perfect for the artist.

I love this embossed butterfly, dusted in gilders paste.  I also used it in copper along the edges of the box for yummy texture.  

More junk by the way of a jack, a key, some tags and wood block accents add more unique interest.

I just love the rich palate, so unlike my usual work but I embraced it!

The typewriter metal embellishment was a perfect fit for this project.  Assemblage continues to be my favorite art form to date.

I hope you found a little bit of inspiration along the way. Thank you so much for stopping by!

Cheers, 

Rhea

Good ol' Sport Card

Well here I am once again stepping outside of my comfort zone with a card.  I love how my design team appointments provide crafty challenges and cues, it helps keep me inspired and fresh.  Anyway, this is from one of Graphic 45's newest paper lines, Good ol' Sport.

I love the rich warm colors that this paper palate has.  I could not resist adding lush flowers from Petaloo to embellish the heck out of this card.

The black doily gear background is from Gina's Designs and I absolutely love them.

Of course I had to have some metal on my card.  To link the finishes together I added some patina gilders paste.

Most of all I love the quote on this card.  It is a great personal reminder for me right now!

Cheers,

Rhea

Typography Inspiration Box

I am so excited to finally be able to show this Typography project for Graphic 45. This project went in a total direction than anticipated, but that is what I love about art.  

Typography Inspiration Box

Typography 8x8 paper

Typography 12x12 Paper

Typography Chipboard

Typography Stickers

Regular Tag Album

Antique Metal Door Pull

Ornate Metal Key Holes

Ornate Metal Keys

May Arts Ribbon

Petaloo Flowers

Copper Gilders Paste

Tissue Tape

E6000

Scor-tape

Black Gesso

Black Soot Distress Stain

I simply love scouring resale shops, flea markets and estate sales for things to alter.  The starting point for this Typography Inspiration Box came from one such find at a Goodwill thrift store. 

My little  box was fifty cents and it was quickly transformed into vessel for a few inspirational tags.  I creatively used the Ornate Metal Key Holes in groups to emulate feet along with lots of other Graphic 45 metal staples.  And yes, they are colored with copper gilders paste. 

The rich warm tones of the Typography line are just absolutely luscious! I have to admit, this paper line has grown on me a lot, I love it more and more with each use.

I layered chipboard elements with flowers and metal staples to create simple adornment on each tag.

I also adore the addition of lots of Petaloo flowers to each of my tags.

By simply adding a bit of twine or ribbon to the chip board pieces, it is easy to add texture and interest to a tag.

I also love all the great quotes and saying that Graphic 45 added to this line, there are lots of gems for sure. 

Cheers, 

Rhea