Distress and Grunge

In one of my recent posts several comments were wondering about the Zutter Distressing tool and also grunge board. So I thought I would answer those inquires . I purchased the Zutter Distressing tool ( Distrezzer ) a few months ago, make distressing things go a lot faster when you are making a lot of things . They cost around $35 to $40. Has a little button on the side , hold it in and away it goes as you slide your papers through. Mine has little black scuffs on the top , it was like that when it arrived, made me sad , but I didn't want to send it back and wait ! I guess I am impatient !

I have to apologize for the really really bad example for distressed tags, just could not get a good photo, but has a tag before and after , it does a great job in distressing edges on any kind of paper. Makes it look thicker ! Grunge board has been around for quite awhile , by Tim Holtz. You can buy pre- cut shapes or cut your own , I cut a lot of mine in my cuttlebug. A package is usually around $8.00 if I remember right !!!

It is very flexible and you can do just about anything to it, sand it ,paint it & whatever your little heart desires, it can take it ! A great embellishment on so many projects.So it is a lot of fun to work with ! I cut out some flower shapes from the Tim Holtz Alterations die , I then stamped each flower with a french text stamp,

To add color I just used a stamp pad ( I used Tim Holtz stamp pad) , your fingers will get messy , but that's half of the fun !

When done with that I also used a little glimmer mist for some sparkle ! When done you just curl the edges with a pencil or dowel to give them some shape. Just have fun creating !!

Joining Paperie Party !

Paper .... love it ! So many things to create from it ! I am joining in on the Paperie Party over at The French Cupboard. This past week I have created some altered cans using some vintage French postcards from The Graphics Fairy !Also working on some tags, photo is at the top , this is a larger one ! Has a birdcage die cut from Tim Holtz .

made paper flowers for some other projects :

And I made some tags for my youngest daughter's birthday ( was yesterday) she turned 25 !
Off to check out all of the other blogs that have joined in on the Paperie Party ! Thanks to The French Cupboard for hosting this !
Have a fabulous & creative weekend everyone !

Vintage Postcards !!

Stopped over at the Graphics Fairy the other day and saw this post ... Swoon is right ! I love old postcards ( found here), thanks so much Graphics Fairy for posting them !! So of course I had to print them off !! I printed two sizes on cardstock. I already had some tin cans waiting to be altered into something much better !! So I got various papers and treasures to embellish with. I distressed the edges of each postcard with my Zutter , makes it so quick & easy !

I like how it gives a distressed look on the edges , I also used some chalk on the edges before I put the postcard on the can . I added different little embellishments , some were little rolled edge flora , very easy and quick to do

When I was all done with my cans I used a hammer and my trusty little awl to make clean holes on the sides and attached wire for handles. I also used some grungeboard on some of the tins , vintage papers, and various brads.

So I am linking with The Graphics Fairy today on brag Monday ! Hope you have a fabulous & creative day !!

Somerset Home

Went to my mail box today and waiting for me was the new Somerset Home magazine !

It is full of so many wonderful and creative art works ! And was so thrilled to have two of my things featured ! One was a repurposed ( it seems like everything I do is repurposed ) wood container done in vintage sheet music papers .

And also one of my Altered Wire Dress Forms in the gallery.

I have been working and working on trying to get inventory made for the up coming Junk Fest ! I am so thankful , my sister in law is taking my place tomorrow so I can have the whole day off to work on things ! Everyday I go over to my parents to help care for them , we also have a live in caretaker for them but I go for the afternoons and also make them there dinner every evening . They are 90 and 98 , so they are doing good considering there age !

The posted photos are of some magnets I made out of buttons ! I have lots and lots of buttons , I think they look like candy ! In the Somerset Home there is an article by Roni Berg with button magnets too ! BonBons , a great term for the little delights !